Weather society to Perry: You lack 'fundamental understanding' of climate science

A group of weather scientists is ripping Energy Secretary Rick Perry, saying that he lacks a “fundamental understanding of the science” behind climate change.

“It is critically important that you understand that emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases are the primary cause. This a conclusion based on the comprehensive assessment of scientific evidence,” the American Meteorological Society said in a letter to Perry Wednesday.

Here's what the AMS has to say about Rick Perry's denial that CO2 is the primary driver of climate change. @ametsoc pic.twitter.com/REylNz0kQ5 — Angela Fritz ⛈ (@angelafritz) June 21, 2017

The letter is in response to comments Perry made during an interview on CNBC's "Squawk Box" Monday that he doesn’t believe that carbon dioxide is the primary driver for climate change. Perry said the changes are caused by “the ocean waters and this environment we live in.”

Perry’s remarks are at odds with the conclusions of federal and private-sector scientists.

The meteorological group in its letter cited scientific evidence showing that an increase in greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide are the dominant cause of climate change.

“Without this fundamental understanding of the science, it is impossible to discuss potential policy changes in meaningful ways,” the letter reads. “DOE programs have a major role to play in developing and informing the solutions for our nation’s future energy needs, so it is especially important that the best possible science and understanding is applied to policy issues with respect to DOE programs.”