Trump's advisers push to reshape U.S. climate report
A key aide to President-elect Trump is working to overhaul the National Climate Assessment, raising concerns among scientists about the integrity of the nation’s key climate research.
Scott Waldman reports for E&E News.
In short:
- Russell Vought, former head of the Office of Management and Budget, is pushing for more White House control over the climate report, including the selection of scientists involved.
- Vought's proposals call for including perspectives that challenge mainstream climate science, potentially incorporating viewpoints from industry-affiliated researchers.
- Critics warn that weakening the report’s credibility could hinder future climate regulations and bolster legal challenges against environmental policies.
Key quote:
"It will make the U.S. look like clowns to the rest of the world. They’re going to try to basically say, ‘We don’t know enough to do anything about the climate,’ which is nonsense."
— Don Wuebbles, emeritus professor of atmospheric science at the University of Illinois
Why this matters:
The National Climate Assessment guides U.S. climate policy with authoritative scientific data. Undermining its credibility could delay necessary action on climate change, increase environmental risks and influence judicial decisions on regulations designed to curb greenhouse gas emissions.
Read more: Trump's cabinet picks rely on support from climate obstructionists
