US EPA Chief Sparks Controversy with Speech at Climate-Denying Conference

Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency, has ignited fresh controversy after delivering a keynote address at a climate conference hosted by the Heartland Institute—a group widely known for rejecting mainstream climate science. Speaking in Washington, D.C., Zeldin criticized long-standing climate policies and scientific consensus, dismissing what he described as “doom and gloom” narratives around global warming. He questioned the role of carbon dioxide as a pollutant and defended the administration’s broader rollback of environmental regulations. The appearance has intensified criticism from environmental and public health groups, many of which had already called for his resignation. Critics argue that his participation in the event signals a deeper alignment with climate denial narratives, undermining the EPA’s mandate to protect public health and the environment. The conference itself featured speakers and researchers who challenged the scientific consensus that climate change is human-caused and urgent. Organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund publicly criticized Zeldin’s involvement, accusing him of advancing an agenda that disregards established science. Zeldin also defended one of the administration’s most contentious moves—the repeal of the “endangerment finding,” a legal cornerstone of U.S. climate regulation. The rollback has been widely condemned by scientists, who argue it weakens the federal government’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The event highlights a growing divide between policymakers and the scientific community on climate action. While the administration frames its approach as a shift toward economic and regulatory flexibility, critics warn it could erode decades of environmental protections at a time when climate risks are intensifying globally.