Hearing on Severe Weather Confronts Trump Administration's Climate Strategy
In the heart of Pasadena, the "People's Hearing on Extreme Weather" was convened this past weekend, bringing together community leaders, scientists, and wildfire survivors to discuss the pressing issue of climate change and its devastating effects.
One of the key topics of discussion was the Trump administration's Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) proposal to revoke the 2009 Endangerment Finding, a move that could dismantle federal greenhouse gas emissions regulation for vehicles. This controversial plan, announced in 2025, has faced immediate criticism and legal challenges from environmental groups and scientists, who argue that it challenges decades of climate science consensus and prior Supreme Court rulings.
The EPA's proposal aims to eliminate all greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles and roll back federal authority to regulate GHGs based on several legal and scientific arguments. The agency argues that the Clean Air Act does not authorize regulation of global climate change pollutants, but only localized or regional air pollution harms. The proposal also claims the 2009 Endangerment Finding's scientific basis is now unreliable and that no vehicle emission technologies can effectively address global climate without unintended harm.
This plan, if enacted, would eliminate standards for light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles and repeal Biden-era initiatives such as the electric vehicle mandate, with some estimates projecting billions in economic savings due to removed regulations. However, critics say the EPA relies on fringe science, misinterprets the law, and undermines well-established climate science and Supreme Court precedent from Massachusetts v. EPA (2007), which affirmed EPA’s authority to regulate GHGs as pollutants.
The event featured testimony from wildfire survivors like Rosanna Valverde, a Pasadena resident whose home was damaged in the Eaton fire. Valverde expressed her concern that disasters are becoming constant. Another survivor, Sam Stracich, described climate disaster as "not only the abnormally intense and frequent fires... but the long and stressful aftermath."
Dr. Alfred Glover, a podiatrist in Los Angeles, stated that climate change is causing significant health impacts, particularly for patients with cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses. Dr. Jerry Abraham, a hearing board member for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, expressed concern about feeling "nation-less" due to a lack of federal protection.
Panelists repeatedly expressed being moved by the stories shared during the event. Chris Chavez, deputy policy director at the Coalition for Clean Air, has experienced both air pollution-related health issues and wildfire threats. He underscored the urgency of action against climate change. Reps. Judy Chu and Laura Friedman echoed this sentiment, highlighting the need for immediate action.
Barbara Gentile, a marine biologist, highlighted the adverse effects of fires and extreme weather on ocean ecosystems, including toxic algae blooms and chemical pollution. She urged people to speak up for the ocean, as it "can't testify for itself." U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla contended that climate change is taking a toll on Los Angeles communities.
The event was organized by the Climate Action Campaign and its member environmental activist groups. As the EPA's proposal remains under public comment and faces ongoing environmental litigation, the voices of those affected by climate change continue to call for action and protection. Dennis Higgins, who lost his home in the Pacific Palisades, warned that homes rebuilt in the area would "burn again if we don't get these protections."
- The People's Hearing on Extreme Weather in Pasadena gathered community leaders, scientists, and wildfire survivors to discuss climate change, with a focus on the Trump administration's proposed revocation of the 2009 Endangerment Finding.
- The EPA's proposal aims to eliminate all greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicles and roll back federal authority to regulate GHGs, citing legal and scientific arguments.
- Critics argue that the EPA's proposal challenges decades of climate science consensus and prior Supreme Court rulings, and relies on fringe science and misinterprets the law.
- Wildfire survivors like Rosanna Valverde and Sam Stracich shared their concerns about the increasing frequency and severity of disasters, with Valverde stating that disasters are becoming constant.
- Dr. Alfred Glover, a podiatrist in Los Angeles, expressed concerns about the health impacts of climate change, particularly for patients with cardiovascular disease and respiratory illnesses.
- Barbara Gentile, a marine biologist, urged people to speak up for the ocean, as it "can't testify for itself," highlighting the adverse effects of fires and extreme weather on ocean ecosystems.
- The event was organized by the Climate Action Campaign and its member environmental activist groups, with community members calling for action and protection as the EPA's proposal remains under public comment and faces ongoing environmental litigation.
