Climate Scientists Condemn New US Climate Report as “Mockery of Science”
▼ Summary
– Over 85 climate scientists declared the DOE’s new climate report unfit for policymaking, citing cherry-picked evidence and a lack of peer-reviewed studies.
– The report was criticized as fundamentally incorrect and relying on outdated ideas, misrepresentations, omissions, and confirmation bias.
– Climate science has accurately modeled CO2 impacts since the 1970s and is now a crucial tool for understanding planetary warming effects.
– The DOE stated the report was internally reviewed and is open to wider peer review and public comment as part of a science-based conversation.
– The report’s creation process lacked transparency, with no known public meetings and an unclear timeline before its July release.
A significant group of over 85 climate scientists has issued a sharp critique of the Department of Energy’s latest climate report, labeling it unfit for use in policy decisions due to its selective use of data and lack of credible scientific support. The review, made public on Tuesday, asserts that the document misrepresents established climate science and ignores decades of peer-reviewed research on the harmful consequences of climate change across the United States.
Climate modeling has advanced considerably since the 1970s, when researchers first began systematically tracking the influence of carbon emissions on global systems. These models have consistently projected the scale and severity of climate impacts, offering vital insights into how rising temperatures affect weather patterns, agriculture, economic stability, and public health.
Andrew Dessler, an atmospheric sciences professor at Texas A&M University, did not mince words in his assessment. He stated that the report “makes a mockery of science,” leaning on long-discredited arguments and flawed interpretations while ignoring key evidence. He further emphasized that the approach reflects a troubling disregard for scientific consensus and rigorous methodology.
In response, a Department of Energy representative indicated that the report was developed under the previous administration’s directive to foster what it termed a “more thoughtful and science-based dialogue” on climate and energy. The agency noted that the document underwent internal evaluation by its own researchers and policy specialists and remains open to feedback during a public comment period.
For years, U.S. government scientists have played a central role in producing comprehensive international climate assessments, such as those from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which are widely regarded as authoritative summaries of global climate science. By contrast, the DOE’s process for this report lacked transparency, there were no public meetings, and the timeline leading to its July release remains unclear. The department maintained that the document was reviewed internally by its scientific staff, though external experts were not consulted during its development.
(Source: Ars Technica)
