In a recent turn of events, a prominent climate scientist has voiced significant concerns over a US government climate report, asserting that it contains “demonstrably incorrect” claims. This scientist argues that the report misrepresents his research, particularly regarding the influence of human activities on global warming.
Background on the Scientist’s Claims
Prof Benjamin Santer, an Honorary Professor at the University of East Anglia (UEA), was pivotal in identifying a unique human “fingerprint” within the Earth’s climate system. His influential work contributed to the 1995 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, which first recognized a “discernible human influence” on the global climate.
However, a July 2025 report from the US Department of Energy (DOE) cited Santer’s research while reaching an opposing conclusion. This report emerged on the same day the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed reversing the 2009 ‘endangerment finding,’ a critical ruling authorizing the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.
Concerns are mounting as the Trump administration has advanced plans to revoke this finding, potentially impacting public health and greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts. Critics fear it may also undermine other environmental protections.
Scientific Paper Reaffirms Human Impact
This week, a new paper published in AGU Advances features Prof Santer and fellow scientists, including Prof Susan Solomon from MIT, Prof David Thompson from UEA and Colorado State University, and Prof Qiang Fu from the University of Washington. They collectively reaffirm the significant role of human activity in global warming.
The group argues against using the DOE report to justify legal decisions on climate regulations, such as the endangerment finding. “We view it both important and with precedent to rebut an incorrect scientific claim made in the DOE report,” stated Prof Santer, emphasizing the need for accuracy in scientific literature.
Prof Santer explained, “Changes in the vertical structure of atmospheric temperature are an important ‘fingerprint’ of human effects on global climate. These changes are mainly driven by human caused increases in atmospheric levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.”
He further noted, “Satellite observations of this distinctive fingerprint align with current climate model estimates of human-caused temperature changes. The DOE’s claim is factually incorrect and their report is not a reliable source of information on this matter.”
Ongoing Questions About the DOE Report
Additional scientific concerns have been raised about other sections of the DOE report, such as its approach to climate change detection and attribution. Notably, the report was referenced 16 times in the EPA’s proposal last year.
Following legal challenges citing procedural failures, the team responsible for the DOE report was disbanded in early September. Despite this, the report remains available and has not been withdrawn or corrected.
“The report is still available on the DOE website and is still being publicly referenced by DOE Secretary Wright as a credible source of information on climate science. It is not,” Prof Santer remarked.
Original Story at www.sciencedaily.com