Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy stated on a political news talk show that “climate cultists” oppose fossil fuels with “religious conviction,” despite the substantial decline in climate-related fatalities over the last century attributed to their utilization.

Ramaswamy made his comments during a segment on Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar. Host Krystal Ball asked Ramaswamy why he attacks “climate cultists” when temperatures are rising globally.

“Are global surface temperatures going up? Yes,” he told her.

“Is that likely due to manmade causes? Yes,” he continued.

“Is that an existential threat to humanity? There is no evidence to support that.”

Ramaswamy continued, “To the contrary, eight times as many people die of cold temperatures rather than warm ones.”

He added that the earth is covered by more greenery than it was a century ago because of the slightly increased amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which serves as plant food.

“The climate disaster-related death rate is down by 98% over the last century directly attributable to more abundant and plentiful access and use of fossil fuels.”

Ramaswamy further noted that those who most strongly oppose fossil fuels also seem to oppose nuclear energy and hydro-electric energy, all while being indifferent to what China does to build its economy. 

“There’s a religious conviction that goes beyond a commitment to the facts,” he said. 

Ramaswamy, 37, is an entrepreneur and co-founder and executive chairman of Strive Asset Management. Forbes estimates his net worth is $630 million.

Out of 13 Republican presidential candidates, Ramaswamy has surged into third place according to some polls, behind only Donald Trump and Florida governor Ron DeSantis.