Sen. Marco Rubio acknowledges the reality of climate change, and the Florida Republican has backed efforts to restore coral reefs damaged by warming oceans.
But allies, analysts and Rubio’s own rhetoric suggest that he won’t prioritize climate action on the global stage if the Senate approves his nomination to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s next secretary of State. Instead, they expect him to advance an agenda centered on boosting the U.S. energy sector — in particular, fossil fuels.
“I think his energy agenda will be full, but his climate agenda will be bare,” said Myron Ebell, a vocal critic of climate science who led Trump’s transition team at EPA during his first term.
Rubio is slated to appear Wednesday on Capitol Hill for a high-profile confirmation hearing that could preview how he would help fulfill Trump’s goal of American energy dominance.
