Nets Freak Over Climate Study, Trump’s ‘Lack of Curiosity’

August 8th, 2017 3:29 PM

All three networks on Tuesday worried about Donald Trump’s “lack of curiosity” in the wake of a “startling” new climate change report. After discussing a draft report leaked to the New York Times, Good Morning America’s George Stephanopoulos sneered, “No word yet on whether they will suppress, dismiss, or endorse the report.” 

On CBS This Morning, Major Garrett offered a lecture: “The lack of comment from officials here and from those at some of the relevant federal agencies about this report's startling conclusions suggest not just skepticism but, at least initially, a lack of curiosity.” 

 

 

“Lack of curiosity” is a favorite for snide CBS journalists. In 2008, guest Arianna Huffington mocked Sarah Palin’s “lack of curiosity.” 

Speaking of curiosity, CBS This Morning could use some more of it. Last week, when the Dow skyrocketed past 22,000, the show skipped the story. 

Over on NBC’s Today, Matt Lauer peppered Nikki Haley about the global warming report, demanding, “Given the fact we just pulled out of the Paris Climate Accord, will the administration embrace the results of this study?” 

After failing to get the answer he sought, Lauer tried again: “Will we embrace the results of this report from 13 federal agencies?” 

[Today’s biased segment on CBS was brought to you by Toyota, Blue Diamond nuts and Discover. ]

A transcript of the CBS segment is below:  

CBS This Morning
8/8/17
7:07:    

CBS Graphic: Climate Change Crisis 

MARGARET BRENNAN: The Trump administration is studying a draft report on climate change that was leaked to the New York Times. The research by 13 federal agencies says it's possible to attribute some extreme weather to climate change. They say average U.S. temperatures have risen rapidly since 1980 and are now the warmest in 1,700 years. Major Garrett is near the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey. Major, good morning. 

MAJOR GARRETT: Good morning. President Trump's skepticism about the link between global warming and greenhouse gas emissions is well known. Now, this report awaits White House release. And the lack of comment from officials here and from those at some of the relevant federal agencies about this report’s startling conclusions suggest not just skepticism but, at least initially, a lack of curiosity. 

DONALD TRUMP: Obama's talking about all of this with the global warming and a lot of it's a hoax. 

GARRETT: Mr. Trump has a history of challenging the science behind climate change including once suggesting, quote, “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese.” But a draft report from 13 federal agencies asserts the impact of climate change is being felt right now, creating higher temperatures and even causing some extreme weather events. 

SCOTT PRUITT: I don't believe that climate change is a hoax. 

GARRETT: Scott Pruitt, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency was forced to admit he doesn't believe climate change is made up. But since being confirmed by the Senate, Pruitt has questioned human involvement. 

SCOTT PRUITT: I think measuring with precision human activity on the climate is something very challenging to do. There is tremendous disagreement about the degree of impact. 

GARRETT: But the report awaiting White House’s approval states, “Many lines of evidence demonstrate human activities, especially emissions of greenhouse gases are primarily responsible for recent observed climate change.” 

DONALD TRUMP: I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris. 

GARRETT: In June, President Trump pulled out of the Paris climate accord, a global agreement aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The President said the decision was to protect American jobs and he promised to protect the environment. 

TRUMP: Going to have the cleanest air. We will have the cleanest water. We will be environmentally friendly but we are not going to put our businesses out of work. 

GARRETT: When the President touts the biggest achievements of his administration so far, many are in the area of regulations repealing or rolling back those dealing with the environment from the Obama administration and expanding the extraction of fossil fuels. Charlie, the administration relentlessly argues that those regulations did far more economic harm than environmental good.