The US Supreme Court heard the first case to involve global warming. The case, titled Massachusetts v. EPA, was brought by a dozen states and 13 environmental organizations to force the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

During the arguments, Justice Antonin Scalia provided some comic relief. According to press reports, Scalia prompted laughter when he questioned whether carbon dioxide was an air pollutant or a stratosphere pollutant.”Respectfully, your honor, it is not the stratosphere. It’s the troposphere,” said Milkey, referring to atmospheric layers that can be affected by pollution.

“Troposphere, whatever,” Scalia said as the normally silent gallery erupted in chuckles. “I told you before I’m not a scientist. That’s why I don’t want to have to deal with global warming.”