Key Takeaways:

• A team of 85 scientists says the DOE climate report is biased and full of mistakes.
• The report aims to undermine the EPA’s endangerment finding on greenhouse gases.
• Independent reviewers found cherry-picking, misrepresentation, and missing data.
• Critics warn the report could unravel US climate rules on cars and power plants.
• Record heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires show the real risks of climate change.

A recent Department of Energy paper tries to challenge the view that greenhouse gases endanger people. However, 85 independent scientists called the report biased, flawed, and unfit for policymaking. They raised concerns about secret work, hand-picked authors, and faulty analysis. As a result, critics fear this DOE climate report could block important climate protections.

Why scientists say the DOE climate report is biased

First, the report came from a small “Climate Working Group” inside the Energy Department. Its five authors are known climate contrarians. Energy Secretary Chris Wright selected them. Meanwhile, top climate panels like the IPCC include thousands of researchers and cite tens of thousands of studies. Critics say the DOE climate report ignores over 99 percent of that work.

Moreover, the report skipped a standard peer review. Normally, experts vet such papers openly. When DOE refused that step, scientists held their own review in under a month. They found pervasive misrepresentation and selective citation. For instance, the report denies an acceleration of sea-level rise. Yet data show a ten-fold increase in high-tide flooding days since the 1970s.

How the report tries to downplay risks

The DOE climate report claims that rising carbon dioxide helps crops grow. However, it ignores that droughts and wildfires harm agriculture far more. It also points to the Dust Bowl as proof that big changes can happen naturally. Still, experts say nothing matches the rapid warming of the past 150 years.

Furthermore, the report picks isolated storms and heatwaves to argue that extreme events happen often. In reality, global temperatures, sea levels, and weather disasters are rising together. Kerry Emanuel, a leading meteorologist, found dozens of errors of omission and commission. He says the report works backward from a desired outcome: that climate change poses no serious threat.

What critics warn will happen if the DOE climate report succeeds

If this DOE climate report stands, it could void the EPA’s endangerment finding on greenhouse gases. Andrew Dessler of Texas A&M warns that could unravel rules on car emissions and power plant limits. As a result, US climate policy could stall for decades.

Meanwhile, extreme weather grips the nation. In 2025, the National Weather Service issued record flash-flood warnings. That June, 255 million Americans faced life-threatening triple-digit heat. In 2024, 48 of 50 states endured drought, the worst on record. Almost nine million acres burned in wildfires. These trends show real risks far outweigh the report’s claims.

Moreover, fossil fuel interests have funded political campaigns heavily. An analysis found oil and gas donors gave nearly $100 million to Trump’s 2024 campaign. They spent $243 million on lobbying. Consequently, the current administration has purged climate data from federal websites. It has laid off thousands of EPA staff and cut wind and solar funding.

What next for climate policy in the US?

Critics worry that the DOE climate report will be used by courts to block climate rules. Therefore, scientists and environmental groups are mobilizing. They demand robust, transparent reviews and strict emissions cuts. They also call for stronger investments in clean energy.

At the same time, everyday people face hotter summers, fiercer fires, and stronger storms. Communities across the country are already paying the price. For instance, coastal cities see more flooded streets during normal tides. Rural areas face water shortages that threaten farms. As a result, the human and economic toll of inaction grows.

Nevertheless, many states and cities continue to set their own climate goals. They aim to cut emissions and protect vulnerable communities. Moreover, companies are investing in renewable energy and efficiency. In short, despite setbacks at the federal level, many hope local action can fill the gap.

Conclusion

The DOE climate report stands as a stark example of how politics can skew science. By cherry-picking data and avoiding peer review, it tries to weaken climate protections. Yet record floods, heatwaves, droughts, and fires tell a different story. If the report succeeds, it could delay vital rules on cars, power plants, and emissions cuts. As a result, experts warn that we must hold decision-makers accountable and keep pushing for real solutions. Our future depends on it.

FAQs

What exactly is the DOE climate report?

The DOE climate report is a nearly 150-page document by the US Department of Energy. It challenges mainstream science on greenhouse gas risks.

Who reviewed the DOE climate report?

A group of 85 independent scientists led the review. They found selective citation, misrepresentation, and faulty statistics.

Why do critics call the DOE climate report biased?

Critics say it was written in secret by hand-picked climate contrarians. It ignores most peer-reviewed studies and omits key data on risks.

Could the DOE climate report affect US climate rules?

Yes. If accepted, it could undermine the EPA’s endangerment finding. This move might undo car emissions standards and power plant limits.

What actions are being taken in response?

Scientists and environmental groups demand transparent reviews and strict emissions cuts. Many states and cities are also setting their own climate goals.