Energy Sec. Perry Says CO2 Levels Not Primarily To Blame For Climate Change

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Md., Friday, Feb. 27, 2015. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
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Energy Secretary Rick Perry said Monday that the primary contributing factors to climate change are the “ocean waters and this environment that we live in” — not rising CO2 levels.

“Do you believe CO2 is the primary control knob for the temperature of the Earth and for climate?” asked CNBC’s Joe Kernen.

“No, most likely the primary control knob is the ocean waters and this environment that we live in,” replied the secretary. He then began to complain about the backlash against “being a skeptic.”

“This idea that science is just absolutely settled and if you don’t believe it’s settled then somehow you’re another Neanderthal, that is so inappropriate from my perspective,” Perry said.

There is broad consensus in the scientific community that the Earth’s temperatures are rising as a result of greenhouse gases, caused by human activity.

Being a “skeptic,” according to Perry, is “quite alright.”

At the ended of the interview, Kernan gave Perry a verbal pat on the back. “Alright, Mr. Secretary, that’s a pretty good answer. You did well there.”

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Notable Replies

  1. I’d like to see someone ask him a detailed question about uranium decay and storage issues. That’s also in his portfolio.
    Beyond spelling “uranium” (maybe), I doubt he could say anything.

  2. At the ended of the interview, Kernan gave Perry a verbal pat on the back. “Alright, Mr. Secretary, that’s a pretty good answer. You did well there.”

    I think Kernan fell on his atio.
  3. “No, most likely the primary control knob is the ocean waters and this environment that we live in,” replied the secretary.

    Wait, what?? He’s blaming the ocean and the environment for changes in climate ???

  4. Its always a mark of a great interviewer when they let answers like “ocean waters and this environment” to why is there climate change, go with out further details.

  5. JHC. Did they have to take a ‘stupid’ test to see if they qualified to serve in the Trump Administration? I’ve really had it with these jerkwads.

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