Stephen Hawking on Climate Change: 'I May Not Be Welcome' in Donald Trump's US
Stephen Hawking spoke with the hosts of British breakfast program "Good Morning Britain" on Monday about his concerns on the United States policy on the environment under President Donald Trump's administration.
The foremost physicist and cosmologist of Britain today also added that he thinks he may not be welcome in the United States under President Trump's administration, according to The Guardian.
"I would like to visit again and to talk to other scientists, but I fear that I may not be welcome," Hawking said in the interview with the host of Good Morning Britain. The acclaimed Cambridge physicist has also expressed his concerns about the United States' current direction in terms of policies and responses to national issues. It's a big shift from the time the professor received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from then-President Barack Obama in 2009, and Hawking has spoken about the country's "definite swing to a rightwing, more authoritarian approach."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Professor Hawking has pointed out his particular worry about President Trump's environment policy and the direction that the U.S. agencies under his guidance have taken. Hawking mentioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in particular, referring to its head's previous remarks about climate change and the role that carbon dioxide plays in it. "He should replace Scott Pruitt at the Environment Protection Agency," Hawking said according to CNN.
Hawking was direct about his opinions on the U.S. electorate and the factor that they add in the problems related to climate change. "Climate change is one of the great dangers we face, and it's one we can prevent. It affects America badly, so tackling it should win votes for his second term. God forbid." Hawking said, with a note of disapproval for the current US administration. "His priority will be to satisfy his electorate, who are neither liberal nor that well informed." the physicist added, this time aiming at the voter bloc that has put Trump in power.
