DOE Secretary Perry Dismisses Science, Impact of Carbon Dioxide on Climate

Statement by Ken Kimmell, President, Union of Concerned Scientists

Published Jun 19, 2017

WASHINGTON (June 19, 2017)—US Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry says he does not believe carbon dioxide emissions from human activity are the primary driver of climate change, dismissing science completed by his own agency and others within the federal government.

 Below is a statement by Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists.

 “I’m flabbergasted. It’s unfathomable that he said climate change is most likely being caused by the ocean waters and the environment. What does that even mean? Doesn’t he realize that the oceans and Earth are warming primarily because of carbon dioxide levels? How many peer-reviewed studies do there have to be?

 “As the leader of DOE he’s responsible for acting on the best available science. How can we trust he’ll implement the best energy policies if he refuses to acknowledge the primary cause of climate change?”