Trump administration faces backlash over efforts to weaken climate science finding

The Trump administration's attempt to revoke a key federal finding that climate change threatens public health is drawing sharp criticism from scientists who say the supporting reports distort or misuse scientific research.

Seth Borenstein and Michael Phillis, report for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Scientists say two new federal reports use misleading data, misinterpret climate studies, and cherry-pick findings to downplay the risks of climate change.
• The reports are central to the Trump administration’s push to overturn the 2009 EPA “endangerment finding,” which has underpinned major emissions regulations.
• Critics warn that revoking the finding could unravel environmental rules on power plant emissions, vehicle standards, and methane limits.

Key quote:

“The work and conclusions appear biased. The data and graphs use classic mis- and disinformation techniques. It is almost a user’s guide on how to lie with figures.”

— Jennifer Marlon, director of data science at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication

Why this matters:

The 2009 endangerment finding gave the U.S. government a legal foundation to regulate greenhouse gases, linking climate change directly to public health threats. Rolling it back would weaken the legal basis for federal environmental rules that curb pollution from fossil fuels, one of the biggest contributors to global warming. These rules also help limit exposure to toxic air pollutants that harm children’s lungs, stress the cardiovascular system, and worsen asthma. Scientists warn that weakening oversight undercuts decades of consensus-based research and leaves the public more vulnerable to extreme weather, rising heat, air pollution, and ocean disruption. Misrepresenting science not only impairs policy but also erodes trust in institutions tasked with protecting health and the environment.

Read more: EPA faces fierce opposition over plan to repeal greenhouse gas health finding