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🗞️ Driving the news: More than 85 leading climate scientists have filed a detailed rebuttal to a Trump administration report that downplays the risks of climate change and promotes its supposed benefits
• The 400-page public comment was submitted to the U.S. Department of Energy in response to a report released in July by a working group of climate contrarians
• The original report has already been cited as justification to roll back key environmental protections, including the EPA’s “endangerment finding” on greenhouse gas emissions
🔭 The context: The DOE report, commissioned under Energy Secretary Chris Wright (a former fracking executive), portrays climate change as potentially positive and claims carbon dioxide may benefit agriculture
• The authors — all well-known climate skeptics — include John Christy, Roy Spencer, Judith Curry, Steven Koonin, and Ross McKitrick
• Scientists say the report is not peer-reviewed, selectively cites research, and misrepresents mainstream science on topics like sea level rise and extreme weather
• The rebuttal was organized ad hoc via Bluesky, with researchers racing to meet a 30-day public comment deadline
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The DOE’s report could be used to dismantle major climate regulations that have shaped U.S. policy for over a decade
• Experts warn this strategy mirrors past disinformation efforts — like the tobacco industry — aimed at creating doubt rather than engaging in credible debate
• Mainstream scientific groups, including the American Meteorological Society, have also flagged “foundational flaws” in the report and criticized its lack of credibility
⏭️ What's next: It remains unclear whether the DOE will meaningfully engage with the rebuttal or revise its report
• Secretary Wright has indicated interest in revisiting past National Climate Assessments — a move that raises concerns about the credibility of future government climate science
• Federal climate assessments have been removed from official websites, and key authors dismissed, further fueling fears of political interference
💬 One quote: “All they’re trying to do is muddy the waters… create this idea that there’s a debate, and then the government will use that to roll back regulations.”
— Andrew Dessler, climate scientist, Texas A&M University
📈 One stat: 85+ scientists submitted over 400 pages of formal comments challenging the scientific credibility of the DOE’s climate report
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