US judicial body removes climate research paper after complaints from Republicans

A US judicial body has removed a chapter on climate research from its Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence following complaints from a group of Republican state attorneys. This manual is utilized by judges to navigate cases that involve complex scientific issues. The deleted chapter, which was authored by researchers from Columbia University, suggested that human actions are a significant driver of climate change. The removal of this chapter means that judges will no longer have guidance on climate-related cases from this document. The decision to eliminate the climate science chapter was prompted by a letter from the Republican state attorneys, who expressed concerns about the language used in the document. They argued that the manual should not present a singular perspective on climate science, stating, "Nothing is 'independent' or 'impartial' in issuing a document on behalf of America’s judges declaring that only one preferred view is 'within the boundaries of scientifically sound knowledge.'" The Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence is nearly 2,000 pages long and includes various scientific topics. As a result of this revision, the judicial body will not provide judges with specific guidance on climate science, leaving them to handle climate-related cases without the previously included information. This change reflects the ongoing political debate surrounding climate change and its implications for judicial processes.