Experts worry NOAA appointees will undermine climate science

Some recent appointments to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have some climate scientists concerned about possible political motivations to undermine climate science.

The Trump administration has appointed Ryan Maue, who has questioned the link between climate change and extreme weather events, and David Legates, who has questioned humans’ role in climate change, to high-level positions at NOAA. Both must still get ethics and security approvals before joining the agency.

“The concern is, will the public be able to get credible, unbiased climate science information to help them make decisions and help society respond to the threats that climate change poses?” said Jason Samenow, editor for the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang.

Samenow joined MPR News chief meteorologist and Climate Cast host Paul Huttner to talk about the appointments. Use the audio player above to hear their conversation, or subscribe to the Climate Cast podcast wherever you get your podcasts.