Post misrepresents John Kerry's speech at AIM for Climate Summit | Fact check

Eleanor McCrary, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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The claim: John Kerry called on farmers to stop growing food to meet ‘net zero’ emissions goals

A June 2 Instagram post (direct link, archive link) shows a screenshot of a headline and a photo of former Secretary of State John Kerry, who now serves as the U.S. special presidential envoy for climate.

"John Kerry: Farmers Must Stop Growing Food to Meet 'Net Zero' Goals for 'Emissions,'" reads the headline, which was published in a May 27 article by Slay News about Kerry's May 10 speech at the AIM for Climate Summit.

It was liked nearly 300 times in three days.

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Our rating: False

In his speech at the AIM for Climate Summit, Kerry said the agriculture industry should focus on innovation to combat climate change. He never suggested farmers should stop growing food.

Kerry suggested agricultural innovation, not elimination, to reduce emissions

Kerry gave a 20-minute speech at the AIM for Climate Summit that focused on agriculture's impact on climate change.

"We can’t get to net zero – we don’t get this job done – unless agriculture is front and center as part of the solution," he said. "This sector needs innovation now more than ever.”

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But Kerry never suggested farmers should stop growing food, contrary to the post's claim. Instead, he shared concerns about the impact of climate change on global rates of malnutrition.

"A 2-degree future could result in an additional 600 million people not getting enough to eat," he said. "And you just can’t continue to warm the planet while also expecting to feed it.”

Kerry also advocated for research into heat-resistant plants and alternative feeds for livestock that would produce less methane. He never mentioned halting any kind of agricultural production.

USA TODAY reached out to Slay News for comment but did not immediately receive a response. The social media user could not be reached.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: John Kerry proposed farming innovation at climate summit | Fact check