Story highlights Bill Nye says the GOP relies on the fossil fuel industry

He calls Donald Trump's take on climate change a 'conspiracy theory'

New York (CNN) On the eve of Earth Day, environmental activist Bill Nye told CNN that while everybody is more aware of climate change "than ever before," we still have a long way to go.

The science educator and engineer, who became an icon on his 1990s hit show "Bill Nye the Science Guy," criticized the Republican presidential candidates and the fossil fuel industry for not acknowledging the deleterious effects of climate change.

"There's still a very strong contingent of people who are in denial about climate change," Nye said. "And if you don't believe me, look at the the three people currently running for president of the world's most influential country who are ... climate change deniers," Nye said, referring to the three Republican presidential candidates: Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and John Kasich.

Kasich, the Ohio governor, did say climate change is occurring and humans contribute to it, but said the Environmental Protection Agency should not regulate emissions.

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