Kris Mayes, Arizona’s Attorney General, criticized the EPA’s recent proposal to revoke its “endangerment finding,” warning that it overlooks the growing costs of climate change for Americans. This finding, established back in 2007 by a Supreme Court ruling, recognized greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane as harmful pollutants.
Public health advocates, like Nissa Shaffi from the Allergy & Asthma Network, fear that this move could worsen air pollution, impacting health, particularly as Medicaid and other support programs face cuts. Over 700 people, including environmentalists and local officials, are speaking out this week against the EPA’s plan, arguing that it undermines nearly two decades of crucial climate policy.
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin has labeled the proposed repeal as potentially the largest deregulation effort in U.S. history. He’s aiming to roll back 31 rules covering air, water, and climate protections. The EPA claims it based its proposal on various sources, including a Department of Energy report suggesting that current mitigation efforts might do more harm than good. However, many scientists, including Ben Santer, whose work was referenced, argued that their research was misrepresented. Santer expressed frustration, noting that the report diverges from established climate science and undermines safety initiatives regarding climate change.
Zeke Hausfather, another climate researcher, echoed similar concerns. He noted that the way his research was cited promoted a misleading narrative. He stressed that changes in policy shouldn’t hinge on political cycles, as this would stifle meaningful progress. Hausfather is coordinating a response to the DOE report with around 70 fellow researchers.
Despite the scientific community’s concerns, Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended the DOE’s conclusions. He claimed that while climate change is real, the report doesn’t link it to an increase in extreme weather events. This perspective conflicts with attribution science, which examines how human activities have influenced climate-related events.
Recent reports emphasize the urgency of the climate crisis. For instance, the American Meteorological Society’s 2024 “State of the Climate” report highlighted record-breaking greenhouse gas levels and rising sea temperatures. Critics argue that ignoring this data is counterproductive.
The legal community is also reacting strongly. A lawsuit filed by the Environmental Defense Fund alleges that the DOE improperly selected individuals to produce the report without public transparency. Erin Murphy, an attorney involved, emphasized the need for accountability in governmental actions regarding climate change.
The public has a week to comment on the EPA’s proposal. If enacted, the plan could significantly weaken regulations on greenhouse gas emissions, potentially reversing years of progress in climate policy.
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