For the first time in the history of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, its director delivered a speech at a conference organized by the Heartland Institute, one of the most influential strongholds of climate skepticism in the country.
In the living rooms of a hotel overlooking the White House, an unprecedented scene was played on Wednesday, April 8. For the first time in the history of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), its director, Lee Zeldin, came to give an opening speech to a two-day conference organized by the Heartland Institute, one of the most influential bastions of climate scepticism in the country.
The symbol is heavy. The EPA, created to protect public health and the environment, is openly partnering with a think tank that challenges the reality of climate change. Founded in 1984 and funded, in particular, by institutions close to large oil groups, the Heartland Institute has continued to fight climate science and convey doubt.
Faced with a public that applauded him, Lee Zeldin multiplied the untruths about the climate crisis. He tacled previous administrations that would have ignored « what carbon dioxide brings positive and necessary to life on the planet » – a refuted climate skeptical argument, claiming that CO2 is good for plants.
Not relying to resort to conspiracy rhetoric, the administrator, appointed by Donald Trump, also criticized the « cabale » of the « elite and the ruling class » who would decide on the choices of climate models, methodologies, etc. « We are not content to blindly follow the catastrophic forecasts of the moment, » he assured. We do not agree with the idea that the end of the world is imminent. «
Lee Zeldin also welcomed having repealed a legal pillar of American climate policy, the « endangerment statement ». This text, established by the EPA in 2009, characterizes the dangers of warming. Its recent revocation led to the cancellation of regulations limiting vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.
However, the scientific consensus is irrefutable: the Earth has gained 1.2 °C since the pre-industrial era due to human emissions, mainly related to the combustion of coal, oil and gas. THE rise of the thermometer increases the frequency and intensity of extreme events, such as heat waves, floods or droughts.
The denial of these facts is not new on the part of the EPA. In December 2025, it had removed the mentions of the role played by man, suggesting that warming would be linked to natural phenomena, such as solar activity. The agency follows the line of American President Donald Trump, openly climate skeptic, who is leading an unprecedented attack on climate science and environmental regulations. « This administration flouts science and evidence in order to justify the relief of the responsibilities imposed on fossil fuel polluters, » denounces Julie McNamara, of the NGO Union of Concerned Scientists.
Lee Zeldin’s speech goes even further. By celebrating the « rehabilitation » of climate skeptics, presented as visionaries, he acts the end of all scientific expertise within the Trump administration in favor of ideological convictions. This change was brandished as a victory by the president of the Heartland Institute. Until then, James Taylor recalled on Wednesday, the Republicans, « traditional allies » of the reflection circle, did not want to show off by his side because of his climate skepticism. « As times have changed, » he congratulated himself.
However, the cultural battle is not over. Many American states and NGOs have filed legal actions to annul the revocation of the « endangerment finding ». At the end of March, more than 160 environmental and public health organizations also called for the departure of Lee Zeldin.
