UNIVERSITY scientists have strongly criticised Donald Trump's environmental chief after he downplayed the impact of CO2 to the world's climate.

Last week Scott Pruitt, recently appointed head of the USA's Environmental Protection Agency, told CNBC he “would not agree that CO2 is a primary contributor to global warming”.

In response two University of Reading scientists have published statements accusing Mr Pruitt of being 'badly advised'.

Professor Keith Shine, Regius Professor of Meteorology and Climate Science, said: “The evidence that a major part of recent climate change is driven by increasing levels of carbon dioxide is very strong indeed.

“That evidence is rooted in the certainty, established by decades of observations made both in the laboratory and in the atmosphere, of the ability of carbon dioxide molecules to absorb infrared energy.

“It is worrying to see that Mr Pruitt has been so badly advised on this important issue."

Professor Shine was joined in his condemnation by Professor of Climate Science Richard Allan, who said: "Hundreds of years of scientific research evaluated by thousands of scientists show that greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, most especially carbon dioxide, explain the observed warming of the planet over the past 65 years, nothing else can.

“Not the sun or volcanoes which have a tiny effect over this time period, not particle aerosol pollution which has been blocking out the sunlight and not the fairies.”