To the editor:

After reading the Klug’s recent letter I offer some thoughts for consideration.

Apparently Joe Biden, when president, will create a new cabinet position for John Kerry; special envoy for climate. As Secretary of State I think Kerry demonstrated his long suit was traveling overseas, staying in expensive hotels and making deals bad for our country.

I do not consider myself a “climate denier,” however, am skeptical of apocalyptic climate activists. So in my view we do not need a climate envoy.

Due to American private sector ingenuity, total United States energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 12% since 2005. The decrease in 2019 alone was 2.8%. The EPA projects an even greater decrease in 2020. We are moving in the right direction.

In contrast, global energy-related emissions — including countries in the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement, most of which are making few if any efforts to meet their goals according to Climate Action Tracker — increased by almost 24% since 2005. The United States is not the problem.

Re-entering the agreement — committing to a 28% reduction below 2005 levels by 2025 — Iwould be a mistake unless submitted to Congress as a treaty requiring a two-thirds majority vote.

Even then, the way I see it allowing rogue countries like China to increase CO2 emissions while punishing the United States economy with strict limits would be a bad idea.

Bob Jentges

North Mankato