The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

The Nature Conservancy released the following statement today from its President and CEO, Mark Tercek, regarding the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s confirmation hearing for Senator John Kerry (D-MA) to become the next Secretary of State:

“I applaud the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s hearing today, and fully support the Senate’s swift confirmation of Senator Kerry to be the next U.S. Secretary of State. Senator Kerry has deep experience to prepare him well for the job, and I’m grateful he will continue to serve our nation.

“Of most relevance to the Conservancy, Kerry has a long and solid record on international environmental issues that are important to the protection of our planet’s natural resources. Perhaps most notably, he has been a leading voice on the need to address climate change, and I look forward to him continuing those efforts in this new role on a global stage.

“The Nature Conservancy supports bold leadership on climate change. With the new Secretary of State being a proven leader on environmental issues, and President Obama’s inaugural address promise to address the threat of climate change, we are hopeful and encouraged that the United States will deliver strong international leadership to meet the climate change challenge.

“As Secretary of State, Kerry will also oversee critical international conservation programs and other issues that are vital to the global care and stewardship of natural resources we all need to survive. We welcome his leadership on these issues within the State Department as well, and are eager to work with Senator Kerry and other government leaders as we seek real and lasting solutions that will help conserve natural systems for the benefit of people around the world.”