Name: Amy Coney Barrett isn't a scientist, but she might be a climate denier
Brand: grist.org
SKU: grist-org-22
Availability: OnlineOnly

critic

Amy Coney Barrett isn't a scientist, but she might be a climate denier

preview

PublishedOct 14, 2020TopicShare/Republish“I’m certainly not a scientist,” Amy Coney Barrett to a question about climate change during her confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court on Tuesday. “I mean, I’ve read things about climate change. I would not say I have firm views on it.”On Wednesday, Barrett doubled down on her lack of scientific background when Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut pressed her on her position on climate change.BLUMENTHAL: Do you believe that human beings cause global warming?BARRETT: Senator Blumenthal, I don’t think I am competent to opine on what causes global warming or not.To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider to allow ads on Grist.BLUMENTHAL: We all have views on it. I’m asking for your opinion.BARRETT: I don’t think that my views on global warming or climate change are relevant to the job I would do as a judge, nor do I feel like I have views that are informed enough — and I haven’t studied scientific data — I’m not really in a position to offer any kind of informed opinion on what I think causes global warming.On climate change, the science is clear. The evidence is irrefutable.Why isn't Amy Coney Barrett willing to acknowledge it?To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider to allow ads on Grist.— Demand Justice (@WeDemandJustice)Barrett is considered an originalist, meaning she interprets the Constitution based on the understanding of its authors at the time of its writing. But Barrett’s “not a scientist” line is .Republicans have trotted out the “I am not a scientist” trick for years now to deflect questions about climate change. “I’m not a scientist,” Florida’s former Governor Rick Scott to a question about anthropogenic warming in Miami in 2014. “Listen, I’m not qualified to debate the science over climate change,” then–House Speaker John Boehner . “What I have said repeatedly is I’m not a scientist,” then–Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (he human-caused climate change exists).You get the picture. They’re not scientists, OK? The thing is, you don’t have to be a scientist, like at all, to understand that the planet is in grave danger. Just like you don’t have to be a doctor to grasp the severity of a cancer diagnosis, or a mechanic to understand that your car is totaled.“I’m not a scientist, either,” Barack Obama said at his . “But you know what, I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and at NOAA, and at our major universities. And the best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate.”Supreme Court nominees tend to at confirmation hearings to avoid forecasting their future decisions. So, in a sense, it’s not surprising that Barrett offered up that non-answer in response to Republican Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana’s question about climate change.But Barrett didn’t have to rely on the ol’ “I’m not a scientist” saw. Justice Brett Kavanaugh, sworn into the Supreme Court in 2018, multiple times. And climate denial is . Some Republican members of Congress are starting to change their tune on the issue, eager to catch up with young voters who want to see their party offer a solution to rising temperatures. Then there’s the fact that climate change isn’t actually a matter of “views” — it’s happening whether Barrett likes it or not.If she’s confirmed, Barrett will shape the next generation of American law, including — quite possibly — currently sweeping the nation. She should leave the climate misdirection playbook where it belongs: in the past.The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice.&nbsp;Our in-depth approach to solutions-based journalism takes time and proactive planning, which is why Grist depends on reader support. Your gifts keep our unbiased, nonprofit news site free. Donate today, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.&nbsp;The only newsroom focused on exploring solutions at the intersection of climate and justice. Your support keeps our unbiased, nonprofit news free. Donate today, and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar.&nbsp;To support our nonprofit environmental journalism, please consider to allow ads on Grist.

PublishedOct 14, 2020TopicShare/Republish“I’m certainly not a scientist,” Amy Coney Barrett to a question about climate change during her confirmation hearing for the Supreme Court on Tuesday. “I mean, I’ve read things about climate change. I would not say I have firm views on it.”On Wednesday, Barrett doubled down on her lack of scientific background when Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut pressed her on her position on climate change.BLUMENTHAL: Do you believe that human beings cause global warming?BARRETT: Senator Blumenthal, I don’t think I am competent to opine on...

public

Zoya Teirstein

Nonprofit news org providing vital reporting on our changing planet. We're keeping all aspects of the climate crisis — seen and unseen — in the public square.

Amy Coney Barrett isn't a scientist, but she might be a climate denier

No article scores yet.

CRITIC REVIEWS

PUBLIC REVIEWS