Do not trouble me with facts I might find inconvenient

President-elect Trump claims to be open-minded when it comes to the scientific evidence on climate change. Just what can that mean? When the scientific community claims that they have come to an agreement on a phenomenon and a nonscientist decides to question their position because he or she is open-minded on the issue, just how should one who believes in science react. Uncertainty can be found among some who question the holocaust, the landing of Americans on the moon, and the existence of dinosaurs. Even acknowledging some types of uncertainty as deserving serious consideration is typically a sign of ignorance, but in this case it is more likely a justification for unjustified, sometimes popular, and convenient actions.

When actions are taken as a consequence of this type of open-mindedness, these actions need to be examined carefully. The science on climate change may be an inconvenience for certain sectors of the U.S. economy – sectors that were made promises during the campaign. Rather than accepting the science behind climate change and proposing that addressing these problems could offer new opportunities for research and development, it was easier to dismiss science and mislead those in the population willing to take a short-term and self-focused view.

Mr. Trump has a way of doubling down on positions that receive criticism. Good leaders should be able to admit when they are wrong or make mistakes. To consider oneself as above error exposes those you are responsible for to serious consequences.

In response to criticism of his position on climate change, CBS news reports the following:

His comments came just days after his transition team created a questionnairewith 74 questions for Energy Department officials to identify employees who had been involved in international climate talks over the last five years, as well as employees who have helped develop Obama administration climate policies.

Why make the effort to carefully identify those in positions of influence who hold positions different than your own? At best, this seems like a course of action intended to avoid unfortunate confrontations with expertise. At worst …. here is where you get to create your own conspiracy theory consistent with such behavior.

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