Judges Lose Climate Guidance After State Lawyers Push Back
The Federal Judicial Center (FJC) recently removed a climate‑science section from its 1,682‑page reference guide that judges use to understand scientific evidence.
Why It Was Removed
A coalition of attorneys general from 27 states, including Utah, wrote a letter last month demanding the removal. They argued that the section was authored by individuals linked to university programs they claim push left‑leaning political agendas against states and energy companies.
The House Judiciary Committee also sent a letter to the Judicial Conference, stating that the climate part seemed designed to aid plaintiffs who claim harm from fossil‑fuel products.
Alleged Biases in the Guide
Critics noted several instances of bias:
- When two experts disagree, the guide instructs judges to “seek clarification on how representative of the scientific community the two views are.”
- It warns that public perception of science can differ from what scientists actually agree on, citing past manipulation in tobacco and ozone debates.
- The guide urges judges to question scientists who speak outside their specialty, arguing this has eroded public trust in science on topics like climate change.
Bottom Line
The removal of the climate‑science section signals a significant shift in how federal judges may approach environmental evidence, raising questions about the balance between scientific integrity and political influence in the judiciary.
