Tillerson Didn't Even Mention Climate In His Opening Statement

[hatrack]

EDIT

Tillerson’s opening address on Wednesday discussed terrorism, China, Russia and the Boy Scouts’ pledge but it didn’t not mention climate change or the U.N. climate treaty. Despite the secretary of state’s role in global climate diplomacy, the issue of climate change was largely ignored during the hearing, apart from questions from Democrats, who expressed concerns that Tillerson would not take climate change seriously.

“Exxonmobil concluded as early as the 1970s that pollution from CO2 released by the burning of fossil fuels was affecting the climate,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia. “Despite this knowledge, ExxonMobil took public positions against the scientific consensus regarding climate science.”

On climate policy, it appeared Tillerson will support continuing America’s involvement with international climate negotiations. “I think it’s important that the United States maintain its seat at the table on the conversation around how to address threats of climate change,” Tillerson said. But when asked directly about the Paris climate agreement, he refused to say whether he thought America should remain a member of the treaty. He also wouldn’t discuss the potential curbing of American spending on climate programs abroad. Tillerson indicated both of those decisions would be made in consultation with Trump.

“The president, as part of his priority in campaigning, was ‘America first,’” Tillerson said. “So there are important considerations as we commit to such accords” about whether “there any elements of that that put America to a disadvantage.” That suggests that the U.S. under Trump’s leadership may mimic George W. Bush’s divisive approach to global efforts to slow warming. Bush ruled out joining the Kyoto Protocol after his election but he continued to send diplomats to climate talks, where they were often accused of obstructing progress.

EDIT

http://www.climatecentral.org/news/tillerson-murky-on-paris-climate-pact-21048

[pscot]

1. He'll sail through confirmation.

[hatrack]

2. Of course he will - they all will!

After PE Goldenshower dug a crater forty meters deep beneath the bar to claim his Yuuuuge victory, a droplet of piss could roll downhill and get confirmed.