During what Sen. Bernie Sanders called an Alice in Wonderland hearing, Senate environment committee Republicans on Thursday contradicted or ignored the near-unanimous consensus by climate scientists that global warming is real and man-made.

With Vermont and most of the country in the grip of another summer heat wave, Republicans on the Senate environment committee repeatedly tried to cast doubt on whether climate change is even occurring, let alone what should be done about it. They ignored a NASA report that last month was the second warmest June in recorded history. They ignored a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration report that 2012 was the hottest year on record in the United States.

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The committee is considering a bill by Sanders (I-Vt.) to curb global warming by taxing the carbon and methane emissions that cause climate change. Under Sanders’ legislation, a fee on carbon pollution emissions would fund historic investments in energy efficiency and sustainable energy technologies such as wind, solar, geothermal and biomass. The proposal also would provide rebates to consumers to offset any efforts by oil, coal or gas companies to raise prices.

The legislation is cosponsored by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Sanders is a member of Boxer’s panel and also serves on the Senate energy committee.

At today’s hearing, Sanders cited the high cost for taxpayers and businesses of failing to address climate change.  The world’s largest reinsurance company, Munic Re, has documented a five-fold increase in extreme weather events in North America since 1980. Last year alone the tab for property damage and other costs caused by natural catastrophes exceeded $139 billion, according to the insurance industry study.