John Podesta, the Democratic journeyman leading Biden's climate policy

Podesta will replace John Kerry as the country's top climate adviser

Presidential climate adviser John Podesta
Podesta has worked in various capacities for three presidential administrations
(Image credit: Tom Williams / CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

John Kerry recently announced he would step down as the U.S.' special presidential envoy for climate to help President Joe Biden with his reelection campaign. The White House has decided to replace one Democratic mainstay with another, as Biden has tapped John Podesta to replace Kerry as the nation's top climate diplomat. 

While Podesta's name may not be as recognizable as Kerry's — a former secretary of state and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee — Podesta has been a longtime journeyman for the Democrats. Getting his start in various positions on Capitol Hill, Podesta worked his way up to the Clinton administration in the 1990s and has been closely involved with the Democratic Party platform ever since, including efforts to spearhead climate change initatives. What is Podesta's political history, and what will he accomplish as Biden's climate guru?

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

 Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.