The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its final rule to reverse the agency’s foundational 2009 scientific finding that global warming emissions endanger public health and the environment – referred to as the risk finding. The EPA today also rescinded standards that reduce cars and trucks’ reliance on fossil fuels, which were among the strongest policies the United States has put in place to fight climate change, reduce toxic fossil fuel pollution, and save drivers money at gas stations. The announcement was made via a press conference, and the final rule has not yet been published in the Federal Register.
Below is a statement from Dr. Gretchen GoldmanPresident and CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS).
“Today, Director Zeldin wielded a chainsaw in discovering the danger, reversing this long-standing science-based discovery on false grounds at the expense of our health. Engaging in this illegal and destructive act at the behest of polluters is a clear example of what happens when a corrupt administration and fossil fuel interests are allowed to run amok.”
“The science proving the harm to human health and the environment caused by global warming emissions was clear in 2009. More than fifteen years later, Evidence has only been mounted As well as human suffering and economic damage. On the other hand, the continued burning of fossil fuels leads to a rise in global warming emissions. The science, facts, and law are untouchable: The EPA has the obligation and authority to regulate this pollution under the Clean Air Act, a law Congress passed that it now blatantly violates.
“The transportation sector is the largest single source of global warming emissions in the United States. By repealing global warming pollution standards today, the Trump administration has co-signed the release of more than 7 billion tons of global warming emissions nationally in the coming decades.
“Communities across the country are routinely bearing the consequences and costs of climate change, including deadly heat waves, accelerating sea level rise, worsening wildfires and floods, increased extreme rainfall, and increased severe and destructive storms. The EPA’s attempts to delay climate action come at a time when scientists warn that the world is on the cusp of surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius of temperature rise — a critical buffer to help limit some of the worst climate damage.”
“Instead of rising to the challenge with the policies needed to protect people’s well-being, the Trump administration has shamefully abandoned the EPA’s mission and surrendered to the whims of big-money special interests. Sacrificing people’s health, safety, and futures for the profits of polluters is unconscionable. We all deserve better, and this attack against the public interest and the best available science will be challenged. UC stands ready to defend the finding of danger in court and out of court.”
UCS submitted comments on behalf of its half a million supporters and its network of more than 22,000 scientists to express strong opposition to repealing the ban. Find danger and Vehicle standards. He – she I also submitted a message To EPA Administrator Zeldin Signed by more than 1,000 scientists opposing repeal of the hazard finding and urging Administrator Zeldin to stop dismantling important climate regulations and fulfill the agency’s mission to protect public health.
Federal judge Recently announced The Trump administration violated federal law when it secretly formed a “Climate Working Group” and tasked it with writing a dangerously biased report that the administration then used as the basis for its proposal to repeal the risk report last year. As part of that lawsuit –brought by UCS and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) – the administration obliged More than 100,000 documents deliveredwhich UCS and EDF plan to make available to the public in early March.
More UCS resources:
- UCS Comments Submitted to the US Department of Energy strongly opposing the Climate Action Task Force report Handing over the certificate At a hearing on reversal of the danger finding.
- that An editorial written by UCS experts Who ran in American Scientific Titled “Why EPA’s Latest Move Could Worse the Climate Crisis.”
- UCS blog posts on Find danger, Vehicle standards, Scientific integrityand misinformation.
- UCS Statement The United Nations Environment Programme’s annual emissions gap report shows that the world is on track to warm 2.3 to 2.8 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels this century, in the absence of rapid corrective action.
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