The Environmental Protection Agency’s acting administrator, Andrew Wheeler, says humans are contributing to climate change, contrary to what his predecessor said.
Former Administrator Scott Pruitt, who resigned earlier this month after a number of ethical controversies, said humans are not the primary cause of climate change, despite what scientists say.
However, during an EPA event in New Bedford Wednesday, Wheeler responded to a reporter’s question about whether he thinks humans are responsible for climate change.
“I believe that climate change is real and that people contribute to climate change, yes,” Wheeler said.
Even so, Wheeler said he plans to continue easing environmental regulations to create jobs.
President Donald Trump’s administration has already proposed a series of rollbacks, including weakening carbon emission standards for cars and repealing a rule that helps prevent water pollution.
Trump also has proposed to open up more than 90 percent of coastal waters to offshore oil and gas drilling.
