Santorum: Climate change about ‘political science’

Former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said on Sunday science behind climate change arguments is far from settled.

{mosads}“This is what bothers me about this debate – the idea that the science is settled,” he told host Chris Wallace on “Fox News Sunday.”

“Anytime you hear a scientist say, ‘the science is settled,’ that’s political science and not real science,” Santorum added. “No scientist in his right mind would ever say the science is settled.”

Santorum, a 2016 GOP presidential candidate, was responding to reports that Pope Francis will release an encyclical addressing mankind’s role in climate change on June 18.

“The pope can talk about whatever he wants to talk about,” Santorum said when asked about his earlier criticism of the religious leader’s stance on climate change.

“It’s about what he should put his moral authority towards,” he said. “I think there are more pressing problems confronting the Earth than climate change.”

“We have to make public policy in regards to environmental policy,” he added.

Santorum said his position on the issue stemmed from his concern for American workers.

Implementing more environmental regulations, he argued, was not always in their best interest.

Santorum reiterated his support for a flat tax to stimulate America’s economy and help its labor force.

“The bottom line is we have to create growth,” he said.

“The Republican message is a good message on growth,” Santorum added, citing the GOP’s penchant for tax cuts and eliminating regulations.

“We have to orient that message on areas that are hurting in America today.”

The former senator also took aim at the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), President Obama’s proposed trade deal with ten Pacific Rim nations.

The TPP, Santorum charged, did not put U.S. business interests first.

“Countries use a lot of different things to disadvantage us,” he said, pointing to the TPP’s lack of rules concerning foreign currency manipulation.

“So much of that trade deal has nothing to do with trade,” he said, mentioning its emphasis on tariffs as another example.