The U.S. has overturned a crucial scientific ruling that enabled the government to set limits on greenhouse gas emissions, impacting climate policies.
On Thursday, the U.S. government, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced the reversal of a scientific opinion established over a decade ago that allowed the federal government to impose limits on greenhouse gas emissions, a foundation for many climate policies in the country. This ruling originally recognized carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as potential risks to public health and well-being since 2009.
By eliminating this understanding, experts suggest that various climate regulations that relied on this ruling could be revisited or potentially nullified. This shift reflects a significant change in how the U.S. approaches emissions control and environmental protection, paving the way for potentially looser regulations across various sectors, including vehicles and energy production.
The decision is likely to face judicial challenges as states and environmental organizations may oppose this reversal, arguing that it undermines efforts to combat climate change and protect public health. This move signifies a potential setback for climate action in the U.S. and highlights the ongoing debate over environmental policy under the current administration.
