Politics Trumps Science at the Environmental Protection Agency
Summary. The Environmental Protection Agency cancelled presentations by three EPA scientists at a conference about the effects of climate change on Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Their work focused on the effects of climate change on the ecology of the Bay. EPA gave no reason. It has been supporting this research for decades, but in its draft budget for the coming year the agency has zeroed out support for all 28 of its estuary projects. Administrator Pruitt has publicly rejected the role of humans in causing climate change, suggesting there remains some disagreement over the issue. In fact, 99.99% of climate scientists affirm the reality that humans cause global warming. Scientists the world over agree fossil fuel use emits excess carbon dioxide which retains extra heat in the earth system, leading to warming and its harmful consequences. Politicization of science harms the public because political considerations supersede scientific reality...