Home / Environment / Scientists Slam Trump's Climate Reports as Misleading and Politically Motivated
Scientists Slam Trump's Climate Reports as Misleading and Politically Motivated
26 Aug
Summary
- Dozens of scientists say Trump administration reports on climate change are filled with errors, bias, and distortions
- Reports misuse and misinterpret data to manufacture doubt about climate change threat
- Scientists accuse administration of cherry-picking information to support desired narrative
According to a new report, the Trump administration's efforts to revoke the long-standing finding that climate change is a threat to public health and welfare have been met with strong criticism from the scientific community. Dozens of scientists surveyed by the Associated Press say the administration's key documents are filled with errors, bias, and distortions.
One of the reports, produced by the Department of Energy, suggests climate models have overreached, long-term disaster trends show little change, and climate has little impact on the economy. However, the majority of the 64 scientists who responded to the AP's questions gave the reports a negative review, accusing the administration of ignoring, twisting, or cherry-picking information to manufacture doubt about the severity of climate change.
Scientists noted basic errors, such as using data from the Antarctic to make a point about Arctic sea ice decline. But the most common critique was that the reports appeared biased, using "classic mis- and disinformation techniques" to downplay the threat of climate change.
Overturning the "endangerment" finding could pave the way for cutting rules that limit pollution from cars, power plants, and other sources. Environmental groups are already challenging the administration's documents in court, arguing they do not reflect genuine scientific rigor.
