State Rep. Pyle Gets It Wrong on Global Warming Pollution Claim

Statement by Brenda Ekwurzel, Union of Concerned Scientists

Published Nov 19, 2014

WASHINGTON (November 19, 2014) – Recently, on the Pennsylvania Cable Network, state Rep. Jeff Pyle described as “incorrect” the fact that power plants are the largest source of global warming pollution.

“I mean, to be honest with you, humans’ effects on the climate of the Earth is dwarfed by the flatulence output of cows,” Pyle said. “I mean, that’s a pretty wild thing to say, but it’s true.”

Click here to view Rep. Pyle’s interview with the Pennsylvania Cable Network (Starting at 8:35).

Below is a statement by Brenda Ekwurzel, senior climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists, refuting Rep. Pyle’s claim.

“The fact is power plants are the nation’s largest source of global warming pollution, contributing triple the amount created by the agriculture industry. This is not merely an opinion by the Union of Concerned Scientists, but a fact supported by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

“Today, scientists are as certain that human activities cause global warming as they are that smoking causes lung cancer. When it comes to global warming, policymakers should stick to discussion of policy, accept the facts and leave the science to the scientists.”

Click here for more information about global warming pollution courtesy of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Click here for graphs showing the sources of global warming emissions in the U.S. from 1990 to 2012—electricity comprises 32 percent while agriculture comprises 10 percent—courtesy of the EPA.