Joe Biden shock: Former VP receives endorsement from 56 scientists in an open letter

So far, throughout the campaigning season, former vice president Joe Biden earned the endorsements of many communities of workers, from auto workers to teachers and even political groups. Now, Biden has also received the endorsement of many in the scientific community through an open letter.

Mediaite reports that 56 renowned scientists co-wrote an open letter announcing their endorsement of Biden. Among those scientists were Penn State climate scientist Michael Mann, and former NOAA head and Obama administration appointee Jane Lubchenco. The letter was also released on the week of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and addressed Biden’s record of pushing environmental and scientific policies.

“Vice President Biden has long trusted the scientific consensus on climate change and for more than thirty years has advanced policies to support scientific research and slow climate change...As a U.S. Senator, he introduced one of the first climate change bills in 1986, promotes policies to curtail carbon emissions as a Senator and through the Obama-Biden administration, and has committed to meet the climate challenge with ambitious policies and urgent action as President,” wrote the group. “We are confident that, unlike President Trump, Joe Biden will respect, collaborate with, and listen to leaders in the scientific community and public health experts and confront the existential climate crisis and other environmental threats…”

At the same time, they also criticized President Donald Trump for his stances on environmental issues, noting the US’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement as a prominent example of his supposed disregard for said issues.

“Now more than ever, the United States needs a President who trusts and respects scientists and will confront the climate crisis head on, rather than leave our children and grandchildren to suffer its consequences.”

Following the major endorsements that Biden received from former President Barack Obama, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, Newsweek reports that the approval rating for Biden rose by nine percent. The new polling data revealed that 68 percent of primary voters aged 45 and under, supported Biden, making the former vice president take a five-point lead over Trump, with 47-42 overall among registered voters from all political affiliations.