Climate Science Criticized in Congressional Hearing

Climate Science Criticized in Congressional Hearing

On March 29, 2017, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled “Climate Science: Assumptions, Policy Implications, and the Scientific Method.” During the hearing, Committee Chair Lamar Smith criticized climatologists, asserting that they often “operate outside the principles of the scientific method” and “ignore the basic tenants of science.” Rep. Smith also questioned the accuracy of climate projections, such as those developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, saying that they constitute “[a]larmist predictions [that] amount to nothing more than wild guesses.” After being challenged by prominent climate scientist Michael Mann, who referred to an article in Science magazine detailing Rep. Smith’s attendance at a conference of climate change deniers, Smith replied “[t]hat is not known as an objective writer or magazine.” In fact, however, Science magazine is one of the world’s most respected science publications.