Is EPA’s Zeldin Ready to Defend Climate Science? The Urgent Threat to the Endangerment Finding

President Trump’s recent executive order targets the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and its key findings on greenhouse gas emissions. He has instructed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to reassess the 2009 determination that these emissions are harmful to public health and the environment. This finding, known as the Endangerment Finding, is vital because it supports regulations aimed at reducing pollution from vehicles and power plants.

This push to undermine the Endangerment Finding is not surprising. Many in the Trump administration prioritize fossil fuel interests over scientific evidence. Since 2009, scientific research has only underscored the dangers of climate change. Rising temperatures are already harming health, wildlife, and ecosystems, and these impacts are likely to worsen if emissions continue to climb.

What is the Endangerment Finding?

In 2007, the Supreme Court ruled in a significant case that greenhouse gases qualify as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The EPA was tasked with establishing health-protective standards for these emissions if they were found to be harmful. Following a thorough review process, the EPA confirmed in 2009 that greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from vehicles, pose serious risks to health and welfare.

The main findings are:

• Endangerment Finding: The current levels of key greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare.
• Cause or Contribute Finding: Emissions from new cars and engines contribute to this pollution.

These findings have also been applied to other significant pollution sources, such as power plants and oil and gas operations.

What is Zeldin Being Asked to Do?

Trump’s executive order directs Zeldin to work with other agencies and submit recommendations on the “legality and continuing applicability” of the Endangerment Finding. This effort echoes previous attempts to overturn it during Trump’s first term, led by groups eager to protect fossil fuel interests.

If Zeldin succeeds in weakening or removing the Endangerment Finding, it would empower industries to pollute more without facing regulations. This would undermine the EPA’s ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, benefiting fossil fuel companies and putting public health at risk.

The Impact of Climate Change

The latest scientific evidence paints a grim picture. Climate change, driven mainly by fossil fuel emissions, continues to escalate. 2024 is shaping up to be another record-breaking hot year. Extreme weather events like wildfires, floods, and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, impacting health, the economy, and ecosystems.

Key reports, like the 2023 Fifth U.S. National Climate Assessment, confirm that human-caused climate change is worsening every region’s conditions. The assessment outlines the urgent need to cut emissions and adapt our approaches to climate crisis.

If Zeldin seeks guidance on the current climate science, he should refer to this report or resources from agencies like NOAA and NASA, which provide rigorous updates on environmental changes and monitoring.

A Question of Responsibility

In this current administration, the focus seems to be on promoting fossil fuels while sidelining important climate policies. This trend towards anti-science policies raises serious concerns about public health and environmental safety.

The real challenge for Zeldin lies in whether he will uphold the EPA’s mission—to protect public health and the environment—or succumb to political pressure. His past actions suggest some hesitance to defend sound science in favor of economic interests.

The effort to undo the Endangerment Finding is a severe attempt to ignore climate realities. Yet, the overwhelming scientific evidence remains. It’s crucial for everyone, including policymakers, to recognize that combating climate change requires honesty and responsibility, not denial or opposition to scientific truths.

Source link