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Trump Calls RCP8.5 Wrong; Scientists Cite Ongoing Risk

5/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump said on May 18, 2026 that the climate panel’s RCP8.5 scenario was “wrong,” sparking clarification.
Scientists said RCP8.5 remains a valid worst-case benchmark but is now considered unlikely.
A 2026 study linked lower RCP8.5 likelihood to rapid growth in solar, wind, batteries and electric-vehicles.
Detlef Van Vuuren and Johan Rockström warned the low-probability, high-risk RCP8.5 case still threatens societies with floods, heat waves, droughts and coral loss.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump said on May 18, 2026 that the climate panel’s RCP8.5 scenario was “wrong,” sparking clarification.
Scientists said RCP8.5 remains a valid worst-case benchmark but is now considered unlikely.
A 2026 study linked lower RCP8.5 likelihood to rapid growth in solar, wind, batteries and electric-vehicles.
Detlef Van Vuuren and Johan Rockström warned the low-probability, high-risk RCP8.5 case still threatens societies with floods, heat waves, droughts and coral loss.