Jim Inhofe, climate change denier, dies at 89

Former Senator Jim Inhofe, a staunch opponent of climate science, has passed away at 89 after a stroke.

Alex Guillén, Josh Siegel, Annie Snider, and Ben Lefebvre report for Politico.

In short:

• Jim Inhofe, a long-serving senator from Oklahoma, died at 89 after a stroke. He was known for his fierce opposition to climate change science.
• Inhofe held significant influence over environmental policy, chairing the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
• He was a key figure in appointing Trump-era EPA administrators and worked to roll back Obama-era environmental regulations.

Key quote:

“Jim is a climate change denier. He is really, really conservative, but you know what, he is a decent guy and I like him, and he and I are friends.”

— Senator Bernie Sanders, (D) Vermont

Why this matters:

Jim Inhofe's passing marks the end of an era in American politics, but the debates he fueled will undoubtedly persist as the nation and the world strive to address one of the most pressing issues of our time. Read more in Peter Dykstra's essay: Happy birthday, Senator Inhofe!