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When discussing potential solutions to food insecurity in the region an emphasis was placed on the right to health, agricultural adaptation and social cohesion. Panelists highlighted the need for universal access to health care and inclusive health policies, education regarding climate variability and adaptive agricultural practices and policies that promote social cohesion between immigrant populations and locals.

Gina McCarthy, who served as the agency’s leader under the Obama administration, said the proposal “Ignores the need to invest in science and to implement the law.” She went on to say, “It ignores the lessons of history that led to EPA’s creation 46 years ago. And it ignores the American people calling for its continued support.”

Pruitt’s statements and fossil fuel affiliations have caused widespread opposition among
environmental activists. The Obama administration entrusted the EPA to lead policy on global
warming. Without rules to drive down emissions, America’s progress against climate change will
be threatened and the country’s ability to meet emissions targets agreed to under the Paris
Climate Agreement jeopardized.

More accurate SC-CO2 estimates may allow for the establishment of an effective carbon tax to promote economic growth, reduce budget deficits, reduce redundant and inefficient regulation, reduce unnecessary subsidies and reduce the costs associate with climate change.

In Fed Up!, Rick Perry wrote that climate change is “all one contrived phony mess that is falling apart under its own weight. Al Gore is a prophet all right, a false prophet of a secular carbon cult, and now even moderate Democrats aren’t buying it.”

Environmental groups believe Tillerson’s confirmation sends the message that the new administration and Senate do not take climate change seriously.

Renewable energy is becoming ever cheaper to produce, leading to an influx of clean energy investment which now receives twice as much global funding as fossil fuels. Thus, environmentalists argue the United States should instead commit to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.

It is in some ways ironic that Trump has appointed a man who is currently taking legal action against the EPA to become the EPA chief administrator. Pruitt is a part of a group of attorneys general that is suing the EPA for the Clean Power Plan. The plan is aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.

Gore told reporters after the meeting. However, Monday evening he appeared on MSNBC and said, “It is no secret that Ivanka Trump is very committed to having a climate policy that makes sense for our country and for our world.”

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry alluded to the need to set politics aside in the fight against climate change during his speech as the conference in which he said, “No one has a right to make decisions that affect billions of people based on solely ideology or without proper input.’’