URGENT UPDATE: An international coalition of over 85 climate experts has just released a scathing 439-page review, denouncing a recent report from the U.S. Energy Department as “not scientifically credible.” The review, published on September 26, 2023, argues that the Energy Department’s findings fail to reflect current scientific understanding of climate change, raising significant concerns about its implications for policy and public perception.
The Energy Department’s report, titled “A Critical Review of Impacts of Greenhouse Gas Emissions on the U.S. Climate,” was authored by a select group of five individuals, hand-picked by Energy Secretary Chris Wright, a former fossil fuel executive. It controversially claims that “carbon dioxide-induced warming appears to be less damaging economically than commonly believed,” suggesting that “aggressive mitigation strategies” could be more harmful than beneficial. This assertion is alarming to many climate scientists, who see it as a direct support for the oil and gas industry.
“We need to respond to this mockery of science,” said Andrew Dessler, director of the Texas Center for Extreme Weather at Texas A&M University. Dessler, who helped organize the review, expressed his outrage on social media and quickly discovered he was not alone in his concerns. In under a month, he rallied a diverse group of experts from the U.S., Europe, Asia, Australia, and Canada to scrutinize the Department’s report. Their findings? It is “full of errors,” “biased,” and “not fit to inform policy.”
The review comes amidst growing scrutiny of the Energy Department’s transparency, with environmental groups and independent scientists filing lawsuits earlier this year. These legal actions argue that the report’s creation violated transparency laws, further complicating the credibility of its conclusions.
As of September 1, 2023, over 2,333 comments were submitted during the Department’s 30-day public comment period, but officials remain silent on how they will address the feedback. Dessler commented, “We have no idea what they’re going to do with the comments… but they want to create doubt.”
The American Meteorological Society has also weighed in, identifying “five foundational flaws” in the DOE report that contradict established scientific principles. Their response highlights the need for rigorous scientific integrity, especially given the economic implications of climate policy.
Critics of the DOE report argue it exemplifies a broader trend from the Trump administration to manipulate scientific discourse for political gain. Dr. John Balbus, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Climate Change and Health Equity, stated, “It’s clear that this administration wants to take control, at the political level, of the scientific process of the government.” He draws parallels between the DOE’s handling of climate science and similar actions taken regarding vaccine information at the Department of Health and Human Services.
Despite the challenges, many scientists remain committed to countering misinformation. Last week, multiple health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, issued guidelines that conflicted with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reflecting ongoing tensions in scientific communication.
Dessler and his colleagues are determined to ensure that accurate climate science prevails. “When nearly a thousand public servants risk their livelihoods to alert the public that senior officials cannot be trusted, that is a clear warning,” Balbus said, underscoring the critical need for transparency and accountability in scientific reporting.
As this story develops, the urgent response from the climate community emphasizes the vital role of credible science in informing environmental policy. Stay tuned as we continue to follow this critical issue and its implications for climate action globally.
