President Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) office in charge of climate change and air pollution said Wednesday that the U.S. should “adapt to” rather than try to minimize climate change.

Aaron Szabo’s comment came during questions from Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) during his confirmation hearing on Wednesday.

“What are key climate tipping points that you would watch in your position to try to avoid?” Whitehouse asked.

“I believe that the climate is changing. I believe that it is important for us to adapt to any change, including those that occur with respect to climate,” said Szabo, who, if confirmed, will lead the EPA’s Air and Radiation office.

“Not to mitigate to prevent it, just to adapt to it?” Whitehouse asked.

“I'm currently — and if confirmed and — bound by the laws that Congress has established,” Szabo replied.

Whitehouse then asked him if people are "now on a pathway to climate safety, or do we need to do more to........

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