During his address at the United Nations, President Donald Trump sharply criticized past climate change predictions and current global energy policies, calling them both misleading and damaging.

“In 1982, the executive director of the U.N. environmental program predicted that by the year 2000, climate change would cause a global catastrophe ‘irreversible as any nuclear holocaust’… these predictions were WRONG,” Trump said. “They were made by stupid people that have cost their countries fortunes.”

Trump went on to argue that so-called “green energy” initiatives have hurt developed nations while giving an unfair advantage to major polluting countries.

“The primary effect of these brutal green energy policies has not been to help the environment, but to redistribute manufacturing and industrial activity from developed countries that FOLLOW the insane rules… to polluting countries that BREAK the rules,” he added.

His remarks reflect his long-standing skepticism of international climate agreements, which he has often described as economically harmful and ineffective in addressing pollution. Supporters praised his defense of national industries, while critics warned that downplaying climate threats could have lasting consequences.