“Heartland Conference took the nation’s capital by storm”
Groups like the Heartland Institute, the CO2 Coalition and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) are enjoying unprecedented influence, was the media’s conclusion after the 16th International Conference on Climate Change in Washington DC.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at the Heartland Conference. Source: Heartland Institute
Heartland Institute
Date: 19 April 2026
The Heartland Institute took the nation’s capital by storm last week with their 16th International Conference on Climate Change. President Donald Trump’s EPA Administrator – Lee Zeldin – highlighted the event with a keynote talk during the breakfast plenary of the two-day event. Zeldin enthusiastically praised The Heartland Institute for its instrumental role fighting climate alarmism.
You can see Zeldin’s entire speech here:
Extensive media coverage
The media couldn’t stop talking about Heartland’s growing political impact and the success of the conference, co-hosted with partners CFACT, CO2 Coalition, and WattsUpWithThat.
The New York Times published two separate articles about Heartland’s climate conference. The first was titled, “Climate Change Denial Sees a Resurgence in Trump’s Washington.”
The New York Times reported: “A conference near the White House drew hundreds of people who reject the scientific consensus on climate change. The mood was triumphant.”
“The event made clear that climate change deniers are experiencing a triumphant resurgence in Mr. Trump’s Washington,” the article observed.
The Washington Post published an article titled, “EPA chief praises group for opposing government action on climate change.”
As the Post reported, “Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a speech to the Heartland Institute, a climate denial group, ‘It is a day to celebrate vindication.’”
The Associated Press, The Guardian, and many other major media outlets dedicated major coverage to the climate conference.
According to the Associated Press, “‘You were right there on the front lines against there being an endangerment finding in 2009,’ Zeldin told the Heartland conference.”
Climate activists
Climate activist groups also took note of Heartland’s surging influence and climate conference. Activists put up posters around Washington, complaining about Heartland. Others sought to disrupt the conference with protests.
“Lee Zeldin is executing on the playbook of denial written by the Heartland Institute,” Joanna Slaney, a vice-president of Environmental Defense Fund, complained to the media.
“Groups like the Heartland Institute, the CO2 Coalition and the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT) … are enjoying unprecedented influence,” The Guardian summarized.
Below are links to all the Conference Videos:
Wednesday, April 8
EPA Keynote Lee Zeldin
Lunch Keynote Session Will Happer, Ph.D. · Gov. Patrick Morrisey · Peter Ridd, Ph.D.
Dinner Keynote Session Craig Rucker · Anthony Watts · James Taylor
DOE Climate Report – The Authors Speak Judith Curry, Ph.D. · Ross McKitrick, Ph.D. · Benjamin Zycher, Ph.D. Moderator: Craig Rucker
Beyond CO₂ – Other Possible Climate Drivers Willie Soon, Ph.D. · Ronan Connolly, Ph.D. · Arthur Viterito, Ph.D. Moderator: Craig Rucker
Climate Science, Law, and the Courts James Taylor · Joe Morris · Holger Thuss · Danielle Carl
Wrong Again – Failed Climate Predictions Steve Milloy · Marc Morano · Douglas Pollock Moderator: Sterling Burnett
Problems with the Temperature and Climate Records Anthony Watts · Jonathan Cohler · David Legates Moderator: Linnea Lueken
The Most Important Upcoming Battles Jason Issac · Steve Milloy · Willis Eschenbach · Angela Wheeler Moderator: Cameron Sholty
Thursday, April 9
Opening & Morning Keynote James Taylor · Lois Perry
Lunch Keynote Session John Clauser, Ph.D. · “The Climate Realism Show” LIVE
Evening Keynote Session Chris Martz · Marc Morano · James Taylor
Climate Change: Facts and Fairytales Joe Bastardi · Stan Goldenberg · Jed Dorsheimer Moderator: Craig Rucker
Climate Science: An International Perspective Ronan Connolly, Ph.D. · Marcel Crok · Holger Thüss, Ph.D. · Tom Harris Moderator: Lois Perry
Youth & Climate Engagement Linnea Lueken · Chris Martz · Lucy Biggers · Emma Arns · Anika Sweetland
Climate Policy’s Impact on the Real Economy Geoffrey Pohanka · Robert Vogt · Rob Bradley Moderator: James Taylor
Big Tech and Big Utilities – The Dastardly Axis James Taylor · Steve Milloy · Cameron Sholty Moderator: Sterling Burnett
The Affordable, Reliable, Clean Energy Model James Taylor · LA State Rep. Jacob Landry · Rob Bradley · Lee Schalk Moderator: Cameron Sholty
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