Former EPA Administrators on Regulatory Rollbacks and Climate Change

Dismantling the EPA's Core Mission

• 🎯 Challenging fundamental tenets of the EPA's purpose is a primary concern, with the new administrator shifting focus to "American energy dominance" rather than public health and pollution reduction.
• 📉 The agency is reportedly attempting to dismiss 65% of its staff, targeting scientists, the office of research and development, and the environmental justice office, thereby risking the agency's ability to function.

The Critical Role of EPA Scientists

• 🔬 EPA scientists are crucial for researching new and emerging public health and environmental problems, such as microplastics in the food chain.
• 💡 These scientists also establish standards for unforeseen events, like the anthrax attacks, and work on solutions for issues like emissions and lead pipes.
• ⚠️ Their departure or dismissal means a halt in forward-looking research, leaving the public vulnerable to unaddressed environmental and health threats.

Climate Change and Regulatory Authority

• ⚠️ Undoing the EPA's 2009 finding that carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases are a direct threat to human health would cripple the agency's ability to combat climate change.
• 📈 The increasing frequency of storms, droughts, and floods demonstrates that climate change is undeniable and has significant economic impacts.
• 🌍 While the US may not be the sole cause, it exacerbates the problem, necessitating a focus on innovation and new technologies to adapt to these impacts and grow the economy sustainably.

State and Local Action in Federal Absence

• ⚖️ Despite federal rollbacks, states and local communities possess legal authority to continue protecting public interests and natural resources.
• 🤝 An enormous coalition, including businesses and institutions, is forming to pick up the charge where the federal government is stepping back, aiming to ensure healthy lives and a better future for the next generation.