John Kasich Calls Climate Change ‘Some Theory That’s Not Proven’

Republican presidential candidate Ohio Gov. John Kasich speaks during the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)
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Ohio Gov. John Kasich, previously viewed as a relative moderate on climate change, appears to be tacking to the right now that he is running for president.

When asked on Sunday’s “Meet The Press” about climate change, Kasich called man-made climate change “some theory that’s not proven,” as highlighted by National Journal

Kasich was willing to tout pro-environmental strides made in his state particularly concerning Lake Erie, but stopped short of endorsing any large-scale efforts to curb global warming.

“We’ve reduced emissions by 30 percent over the last 10 years. We believe in alternative energy, so of course we have to be sensitive to it,” Kasich said. “But of course we don’t want to destroy people’s jobs based on some theory that’s not proven.”

The comment comes days after the Obama administration formally unveiled its Clean Power Plan, historic new rules for power plants to cut down on carbon pollution in an effort to address climate change.

In prior remarks, Kasich acknowledged that climate change was happening, even if he was unwilling to move swiftly to address it.

“I am a believer — my goodness I am a Republican — I happen to believe there is a problem with climate change,” Kasich said in 2012, according to The Hill. “I don’t want to overreact to it, I can’t measure it all, but I respect the creation that the Lord has given us and I want to make sure we protect it.”

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