Lee Zeldin, the nominee chosen by Donald Trump to head the Environmental Protection Agency, recently expressed his belief in the reality of climate change during a Senate hearing. When questioned by Senator Bernie Sanders, Zeldin acknowledged the existence of climate change and defended Trump's stance on the issue.
Despite Trump's history of denying climate change, Zeldin stated that he believes climate change is a genuine concern. He emphasized that Trump's criticisms were directed towards certain policies related to climate change, particularly focusing on the associated economic costs.
During the hearing, Sanders highlighted the record-breaking temperatures in 2024 and the devastating wildfires in California as evidence of the urgent need to address climate change. He pressed Zeldin on whether he viewed climate change as an existential threat to humanity.
Zeldin, a former Republican congressman who was previously part of the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, expressed his commitment to addressing environmental issues. He assured Sanders that he loses sleep over ensuring cleaner air and water for future generations.
Despite Zeldin's recent statements, his environmental track record has faced criticism. In 2020, he received the lowest score on environmental issues from the League of Conservation Voters among the New York delegation. Additionally, his lifetime score from the LCV stands at 14%, indicating a history of environmental policy positions that are not aligned with the advocacy group's priorities.
