Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry made the case for global climate change responsibility yesterday, warning an audience at the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs of the wide-reaching consequences of inaction.  During his speech, which opened a conference sponsored by the American Security Project and the University, Senator Kerry spoke about the potential impacts of climate change for the 3 D’s of smart power: development, diplomacy and defense.

Calling climate change a threat to national security, global stability, economic prosperity, and international health and development, Kerry urged Americans to take action to turn the climate crisis into a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to lead the world into a new economic era.” Senator Kerry presented data to show the possible outcomes of ongoing climate change, but encouraged the audience to take a smart power view, and recognize the opportunities to bolster American leadership in all three D’s.

To read Senator Kerry’s full speech, click here.