American Meteorological Society Finds Foundational Flaws in DOE Climate Synthesis Report

AMS statement finds “foundational flaws” in a recent Department of Energy climate report that are “inconsistent with scientific principles and practices”

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American Meteorological Society

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has released a statement outlining foundational flaws in the Department of Energy’s (DoE’s) 2025 Climate Synthesis report. The statement notes:

“Each of these flaws, alone, places the report at odds with scientific principles and practices. For the report to accurately characterize scientific understanding and to be useful as a basis for informed policy and decision making, the DoE must first rectify all five flaws and then conduct a comprehensive assessment of scientific evidence. Were DoE to do so, the result will almost certainly be conclusions that are broadly consistent with previous comprehensive scientific assessments of climate change, such as those from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM); American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS); Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), American Meteorological Society (AMS), and a wide-range of other scientific organizations.”

It concludes:

“Five conclusions are robust when accounting comprehensively for the scientific evidence. They have been consistently reaffirmed by independent subject matter experts and independent scientific institutions worldwide. Decades of intensive research on climate change demonstrate that:

1. Climate is changing, and the rate and magnitude of change are unusual in human experience.

2. People are the primary cause of modern climate change, mostly through burning fossil fuels.

3. Climate change is harmful to humanity, and the threats to people and all life are increasing.

4. A wide range of response options is available that can reduce the dangers of climate change.

5. Those who study the scientific evidence overwhelmingly agree.”

Read the full statement, “The Practice and Assessment of Science: Five Foundational Flaws in the Department of Energy’s 2025 Climate Report.”
 

About the American Meteorological Society

The American Meteorological Society advances the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications, and services for the benefit of society. Founded in 1919, AMS has a membership of more than 12,000 professionals, students, and weather enthusiasts. AMS publishes 12 atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic science journals—in print and online; sponsors more than 12 conferences annually; and offers numerous programs and services to the weather, water, and climate community. Visit us at https://www.ametsoc.org/.