Feb 12 • 19:28 UTC 🇨🇦 Canada Global News

U.S. rolls back declaration that greenhouse gases endanger public health

The Trump administration has revoked the endangerment finding that allowed the U.S. to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

The Trump administration's recent decision to revoke the endangerment finding represents a significant shift in U.S. climate policy, marking one of the most extensive rollbacks of environmental regulations to date. This finding, originally established under the Obama administration, has been foundational for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act, enabling the government to mitigate climate change impacts by controlling emissions from motor vehicles, power plants, and other significant sources.

President Trump heralded this action as the "single largest deregulatory action in American history," suggesting that it would benefit the U.S. economy by reducing regulatory burdens on industries. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin characterized the endangerment finding as a product of federal regulatory overreach, framing the revocation as a move towards economic freedom and reduced government intervention.

However, the revocation is expected to spark legal challenges from environmental groups and various states that argue that greenhouse gases undeniably pose a threat to public health and welfare. This decision not only undermines past scientific assessments but also raises concerns about the United States' commitment to combating climate change on a global scale, particularly in light of international climate agreements and the rising urgency of environmental issues worldwide.

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