Trump Administration's EPA Proposal on Carbon Emissions Defies Science

The Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a new ruling that claims heat-trapping carbon gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution. However, 19 out of 30 scientists and experts in climate, health, and economics consulted by The Associated Press responded to this proposal, stating that it is scientifically wrong and many of them called it disinformation. These experts emphasize the established connection between CO2 emissions and global temperatures, with coal, oil, and gas being the primary drivers of global CO2 emissions.

Key Takeaways:

• Climate scientist Zeke Hausfather described the proposal as "the scientific equivalent to saying that smoking doesn't cause lung cancer," highlighting the well-established relationship between CO2 emissions and global temperatures.
• University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann compared the proposal to stating that arsenic is not a dangerous substance to consume, emphasizing the scientific consensus that coal-and gas-fired power plants contribute significantly to climate change.
• Climate economist R. Daniel Bressler estimated that adding just one year's worth of emissions from an average-sized coal-fired plant in the U.S. causes 904 expected temperature-related deaths and over $1 billion in total climate damages.
• University of Arizona climate scientist Kathy Jacobs stated that the proposal is in direct conflict with evidence presented by thousands of scientists from almost 200 countries for decades.
• Oregon State's Phil Mote noted that basic chemistry and physics clearly demonstrate that burning coal and natural gas releases carbon dioxide and warms the planet.
• Andrew Weaver, a professor at the University of Victoria and former member of parliament in British Columbia, warned that President Trump's stance on climate change could lead to international court charges for crimes against humanity.
• Stanford climate scientist Chris Field criticized the decision to prioritize the short-term interests of oil and gas companies over the long-term interests of future generations.

Statistics:

• 19 out of 30 scientists and experts in climate, health, and economics consulted by The Associated Press responded to the proposal, stating that it is scientifically wrong and many of them called it disinformation.
• Climate economist R. Daniel Bressler estimated that adding just one year's worth of emissions from an average-sized coal-fired plant in the U.S. causes 904 expected temperature-related deaths.
• Dr. Howard Frumkin mentioned that climate change increases the risk of heat waves, catastrophic storms, infectious diseases, and many other health threats.
• Estimates from climate economics suggest that the social cost of carbon is over $1 billion in total climate damages.

Sources:

• Seth Borenstein, The Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday proposed a new ruling that heat-trapping carbon gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants do not contribute significantly to dangerous air pollution.
• 19 out of 30 scientists and experts in climate, health, and economics consulted by The Associated Press responded to the proposal, stating that it is scientifically wrong and many of them called it disinformation.
• Zeke Hausfather, climate scientist, stated that the proposal is "the scientific equivalent to saying that smoking doesn't cause lung cancer."
• Michael Mann, University of Pennsylvania climate scientist, compared the proposal to stating that arsenic is not a dangerous substance to consume.
• R. Daniel Bressler, climate economist, estimated that adding just one year's worth of emissions from an average-sized coal-fired plant in the U.S. causes 904 expected temperature-related deaths and over $1 billion in total climate damages.
• Kathy Jacobs, University of Arizona climate scientist, stated that the proposal is in direct conflict with evidence presented by thousands of scientists from almost 200 countries for decades.
• Phil Mote, Oregon State, noted that basic chemistry and physics clearly demonstrate that burning coal and natural gas releases carbon dioxide and warms the planet.
• Andrew Weaver, professor at the University of Victoria and former member of parliament in British Columbia, warned that President Trump's stance on climate change could lead to international court charges for crimes against humanity.
• Chris Field, Stanford climate scientist, criticized the decision to prioritize the short-term interests of oil and gas companies over the long-term interests of future generations.