Trump wants to prove climate change is good for people, not hurting

President Donald Trump has never been shy about his doubts on climate change. Now, his administration is taking it a step further—working on a plan to reshape government research to show that global warming is actually helping, not hurting, humanity.

This effort could lead to an official government report that downplays climate dangers, giving the administration a reason to roll back environmental rules. It would also mark a major shift, turning Trump’s climate scepticism from talk into official policy.

A new climate report?

According to the report published in E&E News, Trump officials are exploring ways to challenge established climate science. Proposals include rewriting the National Climate Assessment, a report by hundreds of scientists that documents the impact of climate change in the U.S. Another idea is to create a rival climate report based on selective research that casts doubt on the consensus.

Michael Mann, a climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania, called the effort "a blatant attempt to push anti-science ideology into federal policy."

A key figure in this plan is David Legates, a former NOAA official removed during Trump's first term for trying to publish unverified climate claims. Legates suggested creating a "replacement" endangerment finding — a legal document that determines whether greenhouse gas emissions should be regulated. He argues recent research shows carbon dioxide is not harmful but beneficial for the planet.

Overturning the endangerment finding would be difficult. The Supreme Court has upheld greenhouse gas regulations multiple times. Michael Gerrard, a climate law expert at Columbia University, said, "The evidence supporting climate change has grown stronger. Any attempt to replace the existing finding would face significant legal challenges."

Trump officials believe they can weaken climate regulations by reshaping the government’s scientific research. The Project 2025 policy handbook, written by conservatives, calls for controlling government climate studies and selecting researchers who align with the administration’s views.

"Carbon dioxide is not an evil gas"?

Trump previously tried to undermine climate science during his first term. He proposed a public debate on climate change and attempted to conduct a "red team-blue team" review, a strategy used by the military to test weaknesses in a plan. Both efforts were blocked by White House officials concerned about Trump’s reelection.

This time, the administration is determined to move forward. Trump’s allies argue that limiting climate regulations is key to boosting the fossil fuel industry and expanding presidential authority.

Legates and other Trump allies claim carbon dioxide is misunderstood. "It's a gas beneficial to life on Earth," Legates said. "Warmer temperatures are better than colder ones."

Scientists overwhelmingly disagree. While warming may reduce cold-related deaths, it leads to more deadly heatwaves, stronger storms, and rising sea levels. Unchecked climate change will severely damage economies and ecosystems worldwide.

What’s next?

If Trump advances a climate report contradicting scientific consensus, it could reshape federal policies and public perception. However, legal experts predict any attempt to rewrite climate science will face lawsuits and international backlash.

The future of U.S. climate policy is uncertain. But one thing is clear: Trump’s administration is prepared to wage a full-scale battle against climate science, with global consequences.

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