Twenty-five governments came together to make the worlds

largest marine reserve.

Twenty-five governments came together to make the world's largest marine reserve. | Grist
According to a new poll in Texas' 21st congressional district, 45 percent of respondents said they are
less likely to vote for Rep. Smith because he refused to investigate allegations that ExxonMobil knew
about climate change in the '70s and failed to disclose the threat to the public.
The House Science, Space, and Technology Committee chair is among the 34 percent of Congress
members who deny climate change. Super PAC Climate Hawks Vote paid for the poll.
Although Smith is still considered a shoo-in, his climate denial and a history of bullying of climate
scientists cost the Republican an important endorsement from the San Antonio Express-News. In
March, for instance, Smith demanded that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
turn over all emails containing the words "temperature," "climate," "change," "U.N." "United
Nations," "clean power plan," "regulations," "Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)," "President,"
"Obama," and "White House" to his committee after the agency published a study he objected to. He
also attempted to cut funding for NASA and other agencies studying climate change.
Since 1989, Smith has received nearly $700,000 in campaign contributions from the oil and gas
industries, including over $80,000 this cycle alone.
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