By Jim Lakely
Speech by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, others, showed the world that climate realism on the rise
APRIL 10, 2026 — The Heartland Institute’s 16th International Conference on Climate Change — co hosted by CFACT, the CO2 Coalition, and Watts Up With That — kicked off with a bang and made global news with the opening keynote by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin. Click the image below or here to watch the video, and the links to 20 stories about Zeldin and the event below.
Media outlets that covered his speech included …
The New York Times:
Climate Change Denial Sees a Resurgence in Trump’s Washington
A conference near the White House drew hundreds of people who reject the scientific consensus on climate change. The mood was triumphant.
Wall Street Journal:
New York Times Keeping the Climate Faith
Associated Press:
Zeldin tells climate skeptics to ‘celebrate vindication’ after repeal of baseline climate rule
CBS News:
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin tells climate skeptics to “celebrate vindication” after law repealed
Le Moande (France):
Climate change deniers have had their day: the head of the US Environmental Protection Agency tramples on science during a conference in Washington
For the first time in the history of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, its administrator delivered a speech at a conference organized by the Heartland Institute, one of the most influential bastions of climate skepticism in the country.
American Thinker:
Lee Zeldin, a giant in the room
PJ Media:
This Is the Best Thing You’ve Heard an EPA Administrator Say
Yahoo News:
EPA chief tells climate skeptics to celebrate rule repeal as March heat breaks records
The Hill:
Zeldin gives keynote address at climate skeptic conference
Bloomberg:
Lee Zeldin Touts EPA Rollbacks at Climate Denial Conference
POLITICO:
At climate contrarian gathering, allies urge Trump to keep Zeldin at EPA
At a Heartland Institute conference near the White House, climate contrarians celebrated the rollback of regulations under EPA chief Lee Zeldin while urging Trump not to elevate him to attorney general, fearing it would stall their agenda.
RedState:
Zeldin Zings Climate Fanatics, Says US Will No Longer Bend the Knee to ‘Gloom and Doom’ Crowd
Inside Climate News:
Zeldin Celebrates Endangerment Finding Repeal With Climate Skeptics
The Guardian:
Trump’s EPA chief Zeldin gives keynote speech at climate-denying group’s event
News Prima (Italy):
In the US, the head of environmental protection goes to the conference of climate deniers
The shocking position: “CO₂ emissions are healthy: they could have benefits for plant growth and, in general, for society.”
Just the News:
Zeldin touts EPA rescinding ‘endangerment finding’ on greenhouse gases, says ‘celebrate vindication’
The New York Times:
Climate Denial Comes to Washington
A conference of climate change deniers, a warning about the world’s largest penguin species, record low snowpack in the West, plus more climate news.
Newsmax:
Climate Skeptics Urge Trump to Keep Zeldin at EPA
ClearTechnica:
EPA Head Lee Zeldin Celebrates Victory Over Climate Science
World Magazine:
EPA head Lee Zeldin defends axing climate change policies
Did you miss the conference?
Watch the archived live-streams at the climate conference website. (NOTE: Forgive some technical glitches. Each of the presentations will be re-posted on that site in the near future.)
Jim Lakely is the Vice President and Director of Communications of The Heartland Institute.
