Experts Assess Trump Administration's Climate Change Work

• Documents from the Trump administration contain numerical references and warnings
• Experts believe that the reports create information about climate change
• The public can comment on the EPA proposal until February 22

Washington (AP) — Two key documents from the Trump administration, aimed at rescinding the designation that climate change is a threat to health and safety, revealed significant references and warnings, according to many experts interviewed by the Associated Press.

One of the documents asserts that the reduction of Arctic sea ice is unprecedented, but utilizes data from Antarctica to support this. Another report indicates unreported statistics on fires, which may evoke a false impression, as fires were worse in the past. The majority of experts who responded to the AP inquiry criticized the reports for ignoring, creating, or selectively presenting information to create doubts about the seriousness of climate change.

The Trump administration in 2018 sought to rescind the government’s 2009 finding, which asserts that climate change poses a threat to health and safety. Rescinding this finding could lead to the repeal of a number of regulations that limit emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other sources.

Along with the results of the survey, 53 of 64 experts assessed EPA and DOE documents negatively, while only seven expressed a positive opinion. Experts pointed to numerical references in the reports, specifically regarding incorrect use of data or their inaccurate interpretation.

In response to the criticism, the EPA stated that it reviewed various sources of information, and the Department of Energy noted that it is committed to "more prudent and scientifically informed discussion."

Civil society may provide comments regarding the EPA proposal by February 22, and regarding the Energy Department proposal by February 2.

Environmental groups are already challenging the documents in court. At the same time, some experts support the administration's reports, believing that they represent alternative views that were previously ignored.

The National Academy of Sciences is preparing a special report on new data regarding whether emissions of greenhouse gases pose a threat to public health.

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