STATEMENT FROM KEN BERLIN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT, ON THE CONFIRMATION HEARING OF OKLAHOMA ATTORNEY GENERAL SCOTT PRUITT

On Wednesday, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing on Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt’s nomination to the office of EPA administrator. President and CEO of The Climate Reality Project Ken Berlin released the following statement: 

“On the same day scientists confirmed that 2016 was the Earth’s hottest year on record – the third straight year to break planet-wide heat records – Scott Pruitt showed his true colors, admitting his deeply troubling and mistaken belief that the science of climate change is “subject to continuing debate”. Nothing could be further from the truth—with most studies finding 97 percent of publishing climate scientists agreeing that climate change is real and caused by human activities— and his testimony today should immediately disqualify him from the role of EPA administrator. 

“We need an EPA administrator with the understanding of science to acknowledge the reality right in front us and the backbone to stand up to the influence of fossil fuel companies.  Scott Pruitt’s record as an attorney general has only shown how deep he is in the pockets of this dangerous and failing industry motivated only by short-term profits and greed. The American people deserve better than that.

“The climate crisis is real and unfolding before our eyes. For the good of our children and grandchildren, we need our leaders to offer solutions to this imminent threat, not uphold a status quo that favors fossil fuel companies and ignores the public health and welfare of people all over the country. In denying the scientific consensus on human-caused climate change, Scott Pruitt showed today that he is fundamentally incapable of protecting the environment, and in consideration for the job of administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, that is unacceptable. It’s as simple as that.”