The Trump administration is planning to create an ad hoc group of federal scientists to reassess and counter the government’s conclusions on climate change, The Washington Post reported Sunday.
The National Security Council (NSC) initiative would feature scientists who challenge the seriousness of climate change and the degree to which humans are the cause of climate problems, three unidentified administration officials told the Post.
{mosads}The Post reported that the plan was discussed by administration officials on Friday in the White House Situation Room.
It is considered a modified version of NSC senior director and climate change denier William Happer’s plan to create a panel on climate change and national security, according to the newspaper.
The NSC declined to comment to the Post.
At the Friday meeting, deputy national security adviser Charles Kupperman said President Trump was upset that the federal government last year released the National Climate Assessment, the Post reported.
The National Climate Assessment warned that climate change could have devastating effects on the economy, health and environment and that current efforts to counter climate change were insufficient.
Trump has been outspoken in doubting the effects of climate change, sometimes calling it a hoax. Following the release of last year’s climate assessment, Trump said that he didn’t “believe” the report’s findings.
“Yeah, I don’t believe it,” Trump said at the time
“I’ve seen it, I’ve read some of it, and it’s fine,” he added.