Mike Pence on Climate Change
TL;DR
Mike Pence aligns with an administration skeptical of the severity of anthropogenic climate change and opposed to restrictive regulations.
Key Points
He stated in 2018 that while the climate is changing, the causes are "yet to be seen" according to his administration's view.
As part of the 2016 Republican Party Platform, he supported ending U.S. funding for the U.N.'s Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
He previously wrote that "Global warming is a myth" on his congressional campaign website in 2000.
Summary
Mike Pence generally adopts a stance that questions the scientific consensus on the primary causes and urgency of climate change, often framing it in the context of economic impact. During his time as Vice President, he frequently echoed the administration's position that while the climate is changing, the degree to which human activity is the cause remains uncertain or is not a sufficient reason for broad economic restrictions. He has criticized policies like the Obama-era Clean Power Plan for potentially hamstringing the nation's energy sector and raising utility rates for families, preferring an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy that includes natural gas and "clean coal technology."
His historical statements reflect a deeper skepticism, having once called global warming a "myth" when campaigning for the House in 2000. While he later acknowledged that human activities have "some impact on climate" in 2016, he maintained a call to "follow the science" without implementing economically damaging regulations, and criticized international agreements like the Paris Agreement. Furthermore, his political alignment involved promoting the idea that the Environmental Protection Agency should not regulate carbon dioxide and suggesting that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is a political entity rather than purely scientific. [cite: 5, cite: 1]
Key Quotes
“As the president has said, the climate is changing, but what the causes of that are, are yet to be seen.”
“There's no question that the activities that take place in this country and in countries around the world have some impact on the environment and some impact on climate.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Mike Pence aligns with a position that questions the severity of the human-caused climate crisis as a basis for sweeping economic regulation. He maintains that while climate change is occurring, policy decisions must prioritize economic stability over restrictive environmental measures.
Yes, Mike Pence did state that global warming was a 'myth' on his campaign website when he was running for the House in 2000. He has since acknowledged that human activities have 'some impact on climate' but remains cautious about regulatory responses.
Mike Pence rejected international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement, stating that no such agreement is binding upon the United States unless ratified by the Senate. He also expressed opposition to providing U.S. funding to the U.N.'s Green Climate Fund.
Sources7
Mike Pence repeatedly refuses to say climate crisis is a threat to US
Pence called climate change a 'myth.' Does Indiana agree?
Mike Pence vice presidential campaign, 2016/Climate change
Pence's Stance on Climate Change - FactCheck.org
Climate Science Misrepresented by Vice President Pence | Sabin Center for Climate Change Law
Vice President Pence Touts “Success” in Gutting Public Health and Safety Protections
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* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.