Trump's EPA nominee argues for 'debate and dialogue' about climate change

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Scott Pruitt.
(Image credit: Screenshot/Washington Post)

Donald Trump's nominee for the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt, distanced himself from the president-elect Wednesday by stating firmly, "I do not think climate change is a hoax."

The statement, though, is unlikely to do much to ease concerns on the left or those held by protesters in the building. "Let me say to you, science tells us that the climate is changing and that human activity in some manner impacts that change," Pruitt said in his opening statement. "The ability to measure with precision the degree and extent of that impact and what to do about it are subject to continuing debate and dialogue. And well it should be."

Trump's nominee for secretary of the interior, Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), also distanced himself from Trump by stating climate change is not a hoax but added that there is still some "debate" among scientists.

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Jeva Lange
Jeva Lange

Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.