Renewable Revolution

 

 
 Yesterday morning on CNBC, EPA Administrator and fossil fuel industry errand-boy Scott Pruitt denied the fact that carbon dioxide is the primary driver of climate change.
 
 Scientists beg to differ. By which we mean “plainly contradict, mock and ridicule.”
 
Here are some examples of what they have to say, in order of serious to snarky:
 
Noah Diffenbaugh (): “To deny that reality not only is a denial of scientific evidence but it also threatens the safety and security of Americans who face increasing odds of extreme events like the California drought, the flooding from Superstorm Sandy, and the heat wave that decimated crops in the mid-west in 2012.”
 
Ben Santer (): “Mr. Pruitt is wrong… We can’t afford to reject this clear and compelling scientific evidence when we make public policy. Embracing ignorance is not an option.”
 
Kevin Trenberth (): “Pruitt has demonstrated that he is unqualified to run the EPA or any agency. There is no doubt whatsoever that the planet is warming and it is primarily due to increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere from burning of fossil fuels.”
 
Michael Mann (): “Pruitt is an antiscience, anti-environmental zealot and a thinly veiled shill for fossil fuel interests. If ever there was a case of the fox guarding the henhouse, this is surely it.”
 
Richard Somerville (): “Scott Pruitt should begin his new job by accepting the fundamental findings of modern climate science.”
 
Runner-up for our favorite quote goes to John Abraham ():  "Actually scientists have known since the mid 1800s that carbon dioxide was a major greenhouse gas. This means Mr. Pruitt’s knowledge is close to 200 years out of date."
 
 And the winner is Don Wuebbles, who simply said ( x ): “I suggest he talk with his own scientists and read the National Climate Assessment.”
 
Apparently, when Pruitt went around the EPA “listening,” he wasn’t paying much attention. Perhaps to get his attention his new employees should email him- on either his official government account or his personal one. After all, we know that despite telling the Senate otherwise, he used his personal email for official business.

 Anyway, if Pruitt keeps this up, all these sick burns are going to make it even harder for him to deny that it’s getting hotter...

Great Barrier Reef coral bleaching worsens as scientists fear heatwave's impact
https://www.buzzfeed.com/robstott/theres-been-another-mass-coral-bleaching-event-on-the-great