New Jersey Scientists Raise Alarm Over EPA Rollback: Health at Risk Under Political Pressure
New Jersey physician-scientists are concerned about the EPA’s proposal to end industry’ greenhouse gas emission reporting requirement. The move, they say, shifts the agency’s focus from public health to corporations.
Industrial facility emissions have been publicly available from the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program for over a decade. Scientists, legislators, journalists, and concerned citizens can follow pollution sources, trends, and polluters through this reporting. By eliminating this mandate, critics claim the government would weaken supervision and threaten public health.
From stronger hurricanes and record heat waves to wildfires and flooding, scientists say climate change is impacting populations. These occurrences aggravate susceptible people’ respiratory and cardiovascular problems. As temperatures rise, ground-level ozone and other air pollution harm asthmatics, COPD patients, and others’ lungs. Air pollution from wildfire smoke can spread hundreds of miles.
Not alone is the intended rollback. The EPA may also revoke its 2009 “Endangerment Finding,” which labeled greenhouse gases harmful to human health. The result supports vehicle, power plant, and other pollution laws. It would eliminate most federal emissions-limiting authority if reversed. Experts warn this policy move would make future climate regulations difficult to implement.
Climate researchers and independent scientists opposed. Greenhouse gas emissions are now more firmly connected to human health, extreme weather, and ecological degradation, according to the National Academy of Sciences The report reveals that climate change is harming the environment and human health. Over 80 climate scientists formally challenged a Trump administration–commissioned Department of Energy report for data distortion, cherry-picking, and scientific misconduct.
EPA discontent grows. Over 170 personnel signed a “declaration of dissent” criticizing the agency’s new direction, citing funding cuts, scientific work reduction, environmental justice, and public health infractions. Political goals are overruling science-based policies, worry EPA experts.
New Jersey experts believe transparency is safe, not convenient. Without accurate emissions data, communities cannot identify and reduce environmental concerns. They lose influence over government and industry reform. Overloaded and impoverished communities, which are more polluting and have fewer resources, would also suffer from the withdrawal.
Experts urge the EPA to rethink its proposed rollbacks and strengthen science-based regulation because to the severe hazards. Same for public health. During climate-related disasters, policies that decrease transparency and accountability are like ignoring danger. Scientists say restoring rigorous control and achieving the EPA’s mission is essential to our and future health.
