White House Taps Climate Denier to Lead Climate Change and National Security Panel

Contact

Lauren Lantry, lauren.lantry@sierraclub.org 

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today the Washington Post reported that the White House is assembling a “Presidential Committee on Climate Security” led by notable climate denier William Happer to tear down National Security Agencies’ assertions that climate change poses a national security threat.

Happer

  • once said that climate science is akin to the “demonization of poor Jews under Hitler.
  • Is a former chair of the Board of Directors at the Exxon-funded George C. Marshall Institute

  • was caught in a sting accepting payment of $250/hour, to be funneled through his CO2 Coalition organization to produce a pro-fossil fuel report

  • was compensated by Peabody Energy Co. with $8,000 donation to CO2 Coalition

  • has expressed climate change denial a number of times

  • has said that carbon emissions linked to climate change should be viewed as an asset rather than a pollutant

  • testified before Congress in December 2015 that the world has too little Carbon Dioxide and is too cold

In response, Sierra Club Federal Policy Director Melinda Pierce released the following statement:

“Listening to the conclusions of a climate denier on the threats of climate change would be like listening to the Marlboro Man give advice on the dangers of smoking.”

 

About the Sierra Club

The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with more than 3 million members and supporters. In addition to helping people from all backgrounds explore nature and our outdoor heritage, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.