Scientists and legal experts have strongly criticised the decision to remove a climate science chapter from the Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, a key guide used by US judges to understand complex scientific topics in court cases. The section was removed after several Republican state attorneys general raised concerns about potential bias in climate-related legal disputes. In response, dozens of scientists and contributors to the manual described the decision as a politically motivated move that undermines a carefully researched and peer-reviewed scientific resource.
Experts say the removal could make it harder for judges to properly assess climate-related lawsuits, which are becoming more common across the United States. The chapter was designed to help courts understand climate science, evaluate expert testimony and interpret scientific data presented during trials. Researchers warn that taking it out of the guide may weaken the role of scientific evidence in legal decisions involving climate change. More