Trump, Zeldin, and Barr promoting false claims about coal benefits, contradicting scientific data on climate, according to Straub's opinion piece
The endangerment finding, a landmark decision made in 2009, has been a cornerstone in the fight against climate change. This finding, which obligates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to limit greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution, has been upheld in court numerous times and underpins regulations that limit emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other sources.
However, there are plans to rescind this endangerment finding, a move that could have significant negative health and environmental impacts. The proposed action would halt regulations aimed at reducing GHG emissions, leading to increased emissions, worsening climate change, and consequently, causing greater health risks such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, heat-related illnesses, and broader environmental damage.
Health organizations like the American Lung Association warn that repealing the finding and rolling back vehicle emissions standards would represent a dangerous setback for public health. Climate change exacerbates air pollution and related illnesses, and without regulations to reduce pollutants contributing to smog and toxic air contaminants, emissions would rise, increasing risks of premature deaths and chronic health conditions linked to pollution.
Environmentally, undoing these regulations would likely lead to higher GHG emissions from transportation and industrial sources. This would accelerate global warming and its associated impacts—such as extreme weather, sea level rise, and ecosystem disruptions.
The World Health Organization states that climate change is impacting health in various ways, including leading to death and illness from extreme weather events, disruption of food systems, increases in diseases, and mental health issues. NASA has also stated that changes to Earth's climate driven by increased human emissions of heat-trapping GHGs are already having widespread effects, including sea ice loss, accelerated sea level rise, and longer, more intense heat waves.
It's worth noting that the proposed RESCUE Act, which aims to rejuvenate and secure the future of Kentucky coal, does not take into account the potential negative effects on those with respiratory problems, the need for diversifying the economy, or the focus on renewable energy sources.
Moreover, the withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and the declaration of a national energy emergency by former President Trump have been criticized for their potential to exacerbate these issues. The current administration's near-total freeze in US foreign aid funding and programming has also been linked to the deaths of over 124,000 people, according to Boston University's calculations.
In conclusion, the health and environmental impacts of rescinding the endangerment finding and weakening greenhouse gas regulations would include increased air pollution, elevated health risks from climate-related illnesses, and amplified environmental harm due to accelerated climate change. These impacts would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and undermine decades of progress in clean air and climate policy. It is crucial to consider these implications when making decisions about climate change regulations.
[1] Congressional Budget Office [2] World Health Organization [3] Environmental Protection Agency [4] American Lung Association [5] NASA
- The endangerment finding, a cornerstone in the fight against climate change, has been upheld in court multiple times and is backed by various health organizations, including the American Lung Association.
- The proposed action to rescind the endangerment finding could have significant negative health and environmental impacts, as warned by health organizations like the American Lung Association.
- Climate change, according to the World Health Organization, impacts health in various ways, leading to death and illness from extreme weather events, disruptions in food systems, and increases in diseases.
- A move to rescind the endangerment finding and weaken greenhouse gas regulations could cause increased air pollution, elevating health risks from climate-related illnesses.
- The proposed RESCIND Act, which aims to rejuvenate Kentucky coal, does not take into account the potential negative effects on those with respiratory problems or the need for diversifying the economy.
- The withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement and the declaration of a national energy emergency by former President Trump have been criticized for their potential to exacerbate negative impacts on health and the environment.
- Decisions about climate change regulations should consider potential negative health and environmental impacts, as these impacts would disproportionately affect vulnerable populations and undermine decades of progress in clean air and climate policy.
- Policies, such as the endangerment finding and regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions, are critical in the efforts to combat climate change, protect public health, and promote the development of renewable energy sources. [Congressional Budget Office, World Health Organization, Environmental Protection Agency, American Lung Association, NASA]
