The Trump administration is poised to initiate sweeping changes to the United States’ climate regulations, a move critics are decrying as a significant betrayal of global efforts to combat climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to announce the repeal of the 2009 “endangerment finding,” a pivotal scientific determination that classifies greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare. This decision, described by the White House as the “largest deregulatory action in American history,” will have far-reaching consequences for both the US and the global community.
Repeal of the Endangerment Finding
The endangerment finding is foundational to numerous federal regulations aimed at curbing emissions, including standards for vehicle pollution, methane emissions, and limits on discharges from power plants. Without this finding, the EPA’s ability to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will be significantly diminished. The move is set to be formally unveiled on Thursday, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that it will eliminate “$1.3 trillion in crushing regulations.”
Brigit Hirsch, spokesperson for the EPA, has referred to the original ruling as “one of the most damaging decisions in modern history.” The administration argues that this deregulation will free businesses and enhance economic growth, but critics warn that it comes at a grave cost to public health and environmental safety.
Scientific Consensus Undermined
The endangerment finding emerged from a landmark 2007 Supreme Court ruling, which mandated that the EPA must regulate greenhouse gases if they are found to jeopardise public health. Since its inception, federal courts have upheld this determination against multiple legal challenges. Most recently, a reassessment by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine affirmed the validity of the finding, stating that the evidence of harm from human-caused greenhouse gases is “beyond scientific dispute.”
Vehicle emissions standards set to take effect in 2024 were designed to reduce tailpipe emissions by nearly 50 per cent by 2032 compared to projected 2027 levels. The EPA had previously estimated that these standards would yield net benefits of $99 billion annually through 2055, including reduced fuel and maintenance costs for American drivers.
Global Implications of Deregulation
Climate activists are sounding alarms over the broader implications of this decision, particularly for developing nations that contribute negligibly to greenhouse gas emissions yet are disproportionately affected by climate change. Harjeet Singh, a strategic advisor with the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative, characterised the rollback as a “betrayal” that endangers millions in poorer countries, which face escalating storms and droughts as a consequence of climate inaction.
Toneýhn Verkitus, Executive Director of Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania, condemned the move as a “government-sanctioned crime against public health and the environment.” He expressed concern that the current administration’s dismissal of overwhelming scientific evidence prioritises corporate interests over the well-being of the planet and its inhabitants.
Economic Consequences of Climate Neglect
Experts warn that the repeal of these critical regulations could erode the US’s economic standing on the global stage. As other countries accelerate their transitions to clean energy, the US risks falling behind. Andreas Sieber, head of political strategy at 350.org, noted that the administration’s actions signal a retreat from crucial climate and pollution protections, jeopardising both public health and economic competitiveness.
Dan Becker, director of the Center for Biological Diversity’s Safe Climate Transport Campaign, asserted that the repeal would extinguish one of the most significant climate measures ever adopted, effectively reversing progress made in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Why it Matters
This imminent deregulation marks a pivotal moment in the United States’ climate policy, with implications that stretch beyond its borders. As the world grapples with the escalating effects of climate change, the US’s retreat from regulatory action could undermine global initiatives to address the crisis. The decision not only endangers public health and environmental integrity domestically but also exacerbates the plight of vulnerable populations worldwide, making it a crucial issue in the ongoing fight for climate justice.
