An article from E&E News by Politico details a new Department of Energy (DOE) report commissioned by Energy Secretary Chris Wright that seeks to cast established climate science as an open debate. The 141-page report, authored by a small group of long-time climate skeptics, selectively uses evidence and disputed claims to question the scientific basis for climate regulations such as the EPA’s endangerment finding on greenhouse gases. Critics argue that the DOE’s approach sidelines mainstream research from leading agencies like NOAA and NASA while amplifying fringe voices.
Robert Kopp, RCEI Affiliate and Climate Scientist at Rutgers University, was among those whose research was cited in the report. Kopp stated that his sea-level rise work was distorted through “cherry-picking” of a single tide gauge rather than representing the full scientific record. He stressed that the DOE’s effort reflects the views of only a handful of skeptics:
“They found like five people who’ve made their careers over multiple decades in climate skepticism,” he said. “They haven’t managed to bring anybody else along … it’s still the same set of five people, most of whom are rather late in their careers at this point.”
Kopp’s comments highlight the gap between the DOE’s selective framing and the overwhelming consensus among climate scientists worldwide that human-driven climate change poses serious risks.
The full article can be found here.
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