Climate Scientists Pen Letter To Gov. Mike Pence

INDIANAPOLIS -- A group of nearly two dozen climate scientists from Indiana's universities says the Pence administration doesn’t understand the science of climate change and needs to take action to address the issue.

Gabriel Filippelli is an IUPUI earth sciences professor and led a group of scientists in penning a letter to Gov. Mike Pence.  Filippelli says the reality of climate change – and that humans are largely responsible for it – is no longer debated by the scientific community.  Yet, he says, the Pence administration doesn’t seem to accept that -- which can have negative consequences.

“[It] really holds us back from being forward-thinking with technologies and innovations to revolutionize Indiana,” Filippelli said.

read the full letter

Filippelli says the voice of experts on climate change has been missing from the Pence administration.

“We want to make it clear that, hey, we are here; we are at your service.  We will tell you that the climate change science is real and we should be using that reality to plan for the future,” Filippelli said.

In a statement, Pence spokesperson Kara Brooks says the administration appreciates the group taking time to write the letter, and will take their perspective under consideration.