Report indicates that kindergarteners understand more about climate science than Ted Cruz

According to a report card prepared by eight climate and biological scientists, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) has the worst understanding of climate science of all of the 2016 presidential candidates.  

The Associated Press asked eight scientists, who had been chosen by professional science societies, to assess the anonymous statements of presidential candidates demonstrating their grasp on climate science. This group then rated the understanding of each individual candidate on a scale of zero to 100. Cruz scored a whopping six out of 100. This makes him the lowest scoring politician in both parties. 

“This individual understands less about science (and climate change) than the average kindergartner. That sort of ignorance would be dangerous in a doorman, let alone a president,” Pennsylvania State University meteorology professor Michael Mann wrote about Cruz’s comments.

While Cruz had the worst score amongst the GOP, Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush scored the highest in his party, with a climate science understanding rating of 64. The highest score over all was democratic front runner Hillary Clinton, with a score of 94.

The scientists also took points from Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) score for his statement, saying:

“The planet that we’re going to be leaving our kids and our grandchildren may well not be habitable.”

According to the AP, Andrew Dessler, a climate scientist at Texas A&M University, thinks this is an exaggeration.

“I would not say that the planet will become uninhabitable. Regardless of what we do, some humans will survive.”

Sanders was the lowest scoring democratic presidential candidate, with a score of 87, which still places him far above highest scoring GOP candidate, Gov. Jeb Bush. 

Here are the scores of every candidate from highest to lowest, via the AP:

Graphic shows results of survey of scientists on candidates’ statements on climate change; 2c x 5 inches; 96.3 mm x 127 mm;

Featured image via Flickr

Isadora Teich

Isadora Teich is a freelance writer and digital nomad who has worked in web marketing, digital branding, entertainment, and news. When not writing or traveling she is probably doing yoga, learning Spanish, or experimenting in the kitchen.

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