Republican U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin is downplaying concerns about climate change, saying "civilization thrives" in warmer weather and people will adapt.
He said in a Monday radio interview on WHBY in northeast Wisconsin that "mankind has actually flourished in warmer temperatures." Johnson said -- in his words -- "How many people are moving up toward the Antarctica, or the Arctic? Most people move down to Texas and Florida, where it's a little bit warmer."
Johnson is in a tough re-election contest with Democratic former Sen. Russ Feingold, whom Johnson beat in 2010.
Johnson says people "obviously" affect the environment but "let's not shoot ourselves in the foot with policies."
The overwhelming majority of climate scientists and nearly every professional organization of scientists say climate change is real, man-made and a problem.
