Energy Secretary Rick Perry defends his climate change skepticism

U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Rick Perry, when asked during a CNBC television interview whether CO2 pollution is the “primary driver of climate change,” replied: “No.” While acknowledging “the climate is changing,” Perry said the most likely factor “is the ocean waters and, uh, this environment that we live in.” Perry further stated, “This idea that science is absolutely settled, and if you don’t believe it’s settled, then you’re a—somehow or another—a Neanderthal, that is so inappropriate from my perspective.” And he doubled-down on his climate denial by saying, “I think if you’re gonna be a wise, intellectually engaged person, being a skeptic about some of these issues is quite alright.” Perry then went on to praise energy innovation and expressed his “excitement to see what comes out of our labs.” Seeing as Perry once forgot the name of the agency he had pledged to abolish (the one he now runs), it’s not surprising that his memory has lapsed again: He himself is responsible for thwarting innovation at the Energy Department.