The American Lung Association has submitted formal comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of 16 health organizations and nearly 1,000 individuals from across the United States. The comments urge the EPA not to reverse its Endangerment Finding, a scientific determination that greenhouse gases pose a threat to human health and welfare.
The EPA is considering withdrawing this longstanding finding and rolling back regulations that limit greenhouse gas emissions from new cars and trucks. The public comment period for the proposed rule ended yesterday. This submission follows an earlier letter from 78 national, state, and local health organizations, as well as another letter coordinated by the Union of Concerned Scientists with support from more than 1,000 individual health and scientific experts.
"Science shows that climate change is a health emergency. It is already impacting families across the U.S and requires an urgent response. Unfortunately, repealing the Endangerment Finding and the standards to limit greenhouse gases from vehicles would be a huge step backwards for health," said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. "The Endangerment Finding affirms that emissions of greenhouse gases contribute to climate change, which worsens air pollution and harms health. The impacts of climate change – ranging from more lung-searing ozone, more intense and frequent wildfires, deadly floods and increasing risks from diseases – have direct and profound impacts on respiratory health, including heightened risks of asthma attacks, COPD exacerbations and premature death."
"If the endangerment finding and standards to limit greenhouse gases from vehicles are overturned, it will endanger the health of people nationwide. We strongly urge EPA to abandon this harmful proposal, and to protect the health of everyone in America," Wimmer added.
Health organizations have also voiced concerns over efforts by other federal agencies to downplay or override established science linking climate change with negative public health outcomes. In addition to submitting comments to EPA, these groups have addressed similar issues with the Department of Energy regarding how climate science is being used in policy decisions related to environmental protections.
