A group of 175 researchers at British universities and research institutions has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to challenge U.S. President Donald Trump over climate change during his state visit to the UK.
In a letter sent on Wednesday, the scientists accused Trump of a reckless approach after he pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement for the second time and dismantled domestic climate policies.
They said the U.S., as the world’s second largest emitter after China, bears responsibility for global emissions that endanger lives everywhere.
“Mr. Trump’s actions are harming lives and livelihoods in the United States, United Kingdom and every other country in the world,” the letter said.
Concerns Over Interference in UK Policy
The researchers warned that Trump has not only weakened U.S. climate measures but also attempted to interfere with Britain’s energy decisions. They pointed to his July visit to Scotland, where he urged the UK to halt wind turbine deployment and made false claims about wind farms.
“It is critically important that you and your government stand up to President Trump and challenge him about his dangerous and irresponsible approach to climate change,” the letter stated.
Academics From Leading Institutions
The signatories include 17 members of the UK’s national academies and other academics who have published peer-reviewed work on climate issues.
The letter was coordinated by Bob Ward, policy and communications director at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics.
Ward said the Trump administration has worked to “promote ignorance and denial” by scrubbing climate data from government websites, halting research and questioning scientific consensus.
No Scientific Dispute
The letter emphasized that no recognized scientific academy in the world disputes the evidence that climate change is happening and is caused mainly by human activities such as burning fossil fuels. The researchers said denying this evidence only delays urgent action.
The scientists also pointed to mounting consequences in Britain. The UK recorded its hottest summer on record this year, during which hundreds of wildfires and heat-related deaths were reported.
The Met Office said the likelihood of such record warmth was made about 70 times greater by climate change. The researchers argued that these impacts highlight why Britain must defend climate science and policy at home and abroad.
Also Read:
Trump Withdraws US from Paris Climate Agreement, Challenging Global ESG Progress
