February 25, 2025

Casten Statement On U.S. Withdrawal From IPCC Meetings

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding President Trump’s refusal to allow American federal climate scientists to attend the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meetings:

“The Trump Administration’s decision to deny America’s top federal scientists from participating in this week’s IPCC Plenary Session will have devastating consequences for the United States. The IPCC is the global gold standard for climate science, and American participation is key to advancing our national interests. The vital work of the IPCC informs our efforts to reduce emissions and build resilience against an ever-increasing number of natural disasters, from deadly hurricanes battering North Carolina to the tragic wildfires in California.

“By excluding our foremost experts and halting their critical research, we are crippling our nation’s ability to prepare for and respond to climate-induced threats, leaving us exposed to both worsening natural disasters and strategic exploitation by our adversaries. This decision diminishes our credibility on the global stage, cedes international influence to China, and signals to the rest of the world that we should not be taken seriously when it comes to science and climate action.”

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