While scientists worldwide sound alarms about climate change, the Trump EPA has launched a sweeping reconsideration of the agency’s landmark Endangerment Finding. This isn’t just another regulatory tweak. It’s a fundamental attack on the scientific and legal foundation that lets the EPA regulate greenhouse gases in the first place.
The 2009 Endangerment Finding established that six key greenhouse gases threaten public health and welfare. Pretty basic stuff, right? It followed the Supreme Court’s ruling in Massachusetts v. EPA that required the agency to regulate these emissions under the Clean Air Act. Without it, the EPA’s authority to limit carbon pollution from cars, power plants, and oil operations simply vanishes.
Science is crystal clear on this one. A mountain of peer-reviewed research links greenhouse gases to climate damage and health problems. Heat-related illnesses, breathing troubles, cardiovascular issues—the list goes on. And things have only gotten worse since 2009, not better.
But facts apparently don’t matter much these days. The Trump administration claims existing climate policies hurt economic prosperity and offer limited environmental benefits. They’re “following science, the law, and common sense,” they say. Yeah, right. Common sense apparently means ignoring decades of research from the world’s top scientists. With atmospheric CO2 now at 421 parts per million, the highest level in 2 million years, dismantling climate regulations couldn’t come at a worse time.
If the EPA actually revokes this finding, it’s game over for federal climate action. Vehicle emission standards? Gone. Power plant regulations? Toast. Methane controls? History. The proposal has already been sent for review to the Office of Management and Budget, indicating how quickly the administration aims to move.
Environmental groups aren’t mincing words. They’re calling this what it is—an attack on settled science to please industry buddies. Critics point out the administration seems determined to bury inconvenient climate data.
Legal battles will inevitably follow. Federal courts will have to sort through the mess. Meanwhile, emissions keep rising, and extreme weather events keep intensifying. But hey, at least the fossil fuel industry can sleep easier at night. Must be nice.
President Trump’s executive order specifically requires EPA administrator Zeldin to submit recommendations on the legality and applicability of the findings within 30 days.
References
- https://blog.ucs.org/rachel-cleetus/the-endangerment-finding-is-in-danger-will-epas-zeldin-uphold-climate-science/
- https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2025/07/trump-epa-greenhouse-emissions-endangerment-ruling/
- https://www.edf.org/overview-epa-endangerment-finding
- https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/trump-epa-kicks-formal-reconsideration-endangerment-finding-agency-partners
- https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/23/trump-federal-law-greenhouse-gas-limits-00469911
