"The federal government’s new National Climate Assessment is the latest scientific report to confirm the devastating effects of climate change: extreme hot weather is getting more common, wildfires are becoming more devastating, rising sea levels are forcing people from their homes, and so forth. “Climate change is transforming where and how we live and presents growing challenges to human health and quality of life, the economy, and the natural systems that support us,” the report says. And without rapid action to reduce carbon emissions, these problems are going to get worse. A lot worse.
The Trump administration has responded to the climate crisis by rolling back regulations and policies intended to reduce carbon emissions—exactly the opposite of what experts say is required to slow global warming. So it was no surprise when the Trump administration tried to bury the inconvenient report by releasing it on the afternoon of Black Friday. It didn’t work, though.
On Monday, when asked about the report’s conclusion that climate change will wreak havoc on the US economy, President Trump said “I don’t believe it.” Yesterday, the White House doubled down on its climate denial, with Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders questioning the methodology and conclusions of the climate report and saying it was “not based on facts.” That phrase is a fitting description for the talking points offered up by the White House. With one exception, none of these points is factually accurate:"
Dawn Stover reports for the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists November 28, 2018.
SEE ALSO:
"Fact-Checking President Trump’s Interview With The Washington Post" (Washington Post)
"Fact-Checking The White House Push Back On Climate Assessment" (CNN)
"The Baseless Claim That Climate Scientists Are ‘Driven’ by Money" (New York Times)
"CNN Airs Fact-Check Graphics During Sanders Press Briefing" (The Hill)
"As Trump Dismisses Climate Change Report, California Plans To Use It Against Him" (McClatchy)
"EPA Chief: Trump Administration May Intervene In Next Climate Study" (Politico)
"Wheeler: 'I Have Some Questions' About Climate Report" (Greenwire)
"Trump Officials Mount Full-Court Press Against Their Own Climate Report" (Washington Post)
"President Trump’s Full Washington Post Interview Transcript, Annotated" (Washington Post)
"The President Expands On His Comments About The Wildfires In California" (Wildfire Today)
