U.S. Chamber Sowing Confusion with 'Scopes Trial' Gambit

August 25, 2009

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's demand for a "Scopes monkey trial" of climate change science is a crass attempt to exploit religious beliefs in order to stall actions necessary to protect the country from carbon pollution, Republicans for Environmental Protection, a national grassroots organization, said today.

"By rubbing the raw nerve of religious belief, the chamber is transparently trying to sow confusion and polarize the public over climate change. The chamber is putting the health, economy, and security of our country at risk, in pursuit of a narrow, selfish, and shortsighted agenda," said Jim DiPeso, REP’s vice president for policy and communications.

"The Scopes trial is a false comparison. Regardless of what one believes about the earth's origins, the facts about the global carbon cycle do not change. Excess carbon is stored away in coal and oil deposits. By burning large quantities of coal and oil, we release that excess carbon back into the atmosphere, upsetting the natural balance," said David Jenkins, REP's vice president for government and political affairs. "The chamber's efforts are both imprudent and impious."

"People from all walks of life, including clerical leaders and people who attend regular services in many religious denominations, believe that we have an obligation to be good stewards of the earth. There is more than enough evidence to warrant taking sensible measures now to reduce carbon pollution and stabilize the climate," Jenkins added.

"Using cleaner energy sources will deliver many spin-off benefits – new jobs in energy technology industries, and lessening of our country's dangerous dependence on oil and the national security risks that come with oil dependence," DiPeso said.

"We call on the chamber to immediately stop its cynical attempt to pit science against religion, halt its delaying tactics, and work constructively with responsible business leaders to frame balanced climate legislation that will protect our country," Jenkins said.