Republican Representative. Byron Donalds of Florida has been active on energy issues, particularly nuclear, but doesn’t tie extreme temperatures to climate change. Credit: Francis Chung / Politico

Heat waves, wildfire smoke and floods have swept across the U.S. and the world this summer, but extreme weather events aren’t swaying House Republicans on climate change — at least not yet.

Indeed, while scientists have widely linked the recent alarming weather to global warming, many Republicans are still not sold on the science of climate change. And even those who do believe say concerns about the climate crisis are overblown.

Although GOP members have changed their rhetoric on climate change in recent years, comments this week show deep divisions remain within the party.

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) mused that wildfires in Canada that have blown toxic smoke into major U.S. cities, canceling outdoor events and keeping many indoors, could have been caused by “lightning” or “arson” rather than “global warming.”

His comments were made during a hearing to undermine environmental, social and governance investing (ESG) and poke holes at a movement by regulators […]

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