Executive summary: More than 85 climate scientists have issued a comprehensive rebuttal to a Trump administration report that minimizes the threats of climate change, challenging its scientific validity and potential policy impacts.
The rebuttal, submitted as public comments to the Department of Energy, addresses a report released in late July by the agency’s Climate Working Group. This group, composed of climate change skeptics, argued that global warming might be beneficial and downplayed established risks.
Organized rapidly through social media, the scientists’ response includes over 400 pages of point-by-point critiques. Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M University, who helped coordinate the effort, described the DOE report as “science-y” but fundamentally flawed and misleading.
Specific inaccuracies highlighted include the report’s claim that carbon dioxide is a net benefit for agriculture, ignoring negative impacts like extreme weather. It also misrepresents drought data by focusing only on meteorological aspects and not considering temperature-driven evaporation.
The Trump administration has cited this DOE report in its efforts to repeal the EPA’s endangerment finding, which is the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions. This could lead to rolling back rules on vehicles, power plants, and oil and gas operations.
Critics compare the tactics to those used by the tobacco industry, aiming to create uncertainty rather than win scientific debates. The goal is to delay climate action and maintain the status quo, according to scientists involved.
A DOE spokesperson stated that the report was reviewed internally and that the administration is committed to a science-based conversation. They indicated that comments would be considered, but it’s unclear how they will be incorporated.
This event is part of a broader pattern where the Trump administration has dismissed mainstream climate science and appointed skeptics to key positions. It raises concerns about the integrity of government scientific assessments.
The scientific community, including groups like the American Meteorological Society, has also criticized the DOE report. The outcome of this rebuttal could influence future climate policies and the credibility of federal science.
