President Trump has been no stranger to controversial actions in his first few weeks in charge of the country, but his recent decision to hold back half of the staffers planned for a week-long conference focused on environmental issues is raising eyebrows. The Environmental Protection Agency was going to send 34 staffers to the Alaska Forum on the Environment held last week, and just 17 EPA employees were there.

EPA framed this as a cost cutting move, saying that it was an attempt to be more efficient with the taxpayer’s money, but many observers say that Trump apepars to be taking a hostile stance toward climate science and this move is likely in line with that viewpoint.

President Trump has promised to open up oil pipelines and oil reserves to resume drilling or look into open up new areas for drilling, and he has scoffed at the notion of global warming, claiming that it is a hoax invented by the Chinese to give them a trade advantage. He has appointed an opponent of climate science as the head of the EPA.

The AFE says on its website: “The Alaska Forum on the Environment (AFE) is a statewide gathering of environmental professionals from government agencies, non-profit and for-profit businesses, community leaders, Alaskan youth, conservationists, biologists and community elders. The diversity of attendees sets this conference apart from any other. The 2017 event will be our 19th year providing a strong educational foundation for all Alaskans and a unique opportunity to interact with others on environmental issues and challenges.”