Trump energy nominee faces backlash for misrepresenting climate studies

Chris Wright, Donald Trump’s Energy Department nominee, claims scientific research supports his view that there is no climate crisis, but the authors of the studies he cites say he misrepresents their findings.

Evan Halper and Peter Whoriskey report for The Washington Post.

In short:

Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy and nominee for energy secretary, argues climate risks are overstated, citing studies he claims support his position.
Scientists behind those studies assert Wright cherry-picks and distorts their findings, misattributing reductions in cold-related deaths and minimizing climate change's impacts.
Wright’s stance, aligned with fossil fuel advocacy, raises concerns about how he might shape U.S. energy policy under Trump.

Key quote:

“What he is saying is flat out wrong.”

— Jim Kossin, climate scientist and IPCC report author

Why this matters:

Wright's leadership in the Energy Department could reverse progress on clean energy and environmental protections. Misrepresentation of scientific research undermines efforts to address climate change, potentially endangering public health and global sustainability.

www.washingtonpost.com

Trump energy nominee faces backlash for misrepresenting climate studies

Judge allows Trump to cut more than $1bn in National Science Foundation grants

Wright and Burgum urge Europe to rethink methane curbs

Carbon capture – the get-out-of-jail-free card that does not actually work

In the Pacific, unkept U.S. promises on climate cut deep

Vanishing Bayous: On a boat at ground zero for sea level rise

Department of Energy allocates $134 million for fusion funding

Study finds Indigenous territories of Amazon rainforest can protect humans from disease

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.