The Trump Administration Plans to End the EPA’s Ability to Fight Climate Change

This will only lead to an unhealthier America that hurts the most vulnerable, including the Latino community.

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration plans to repeal a policy that allows the Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions to fight climate change. With this change, companies can ignore the health of Americans and pollute indiscriminately in pursuit of higher profits. It will lead communities, especially disadvantaged communities, to have higher rates of health problems like asthma and further contaminate our air and water while allowing climate change to worsen. For the Latino community, which already disproportionately faces the health and economic consequences of climate change, this change will only lead to a worse quality of life.  

“Time and time again, Donald Trump chooses to turn his back on Latinos and the future of our children. This move is not just his same old tired playbook of climate denial, it is his latest attack on the finances, health, safety, and future of Latino families, one of the most vulnerable groups to climate change,” said Elice Rojas-Cruz, Managing Director for Climate Power En Acción. “Just three weeks ago, the devastating floods in Texas showed us once again how climate change can cause unthinkable damage and destruction. Despite this, the Trump administration continues to prioritize the profits of Big Oil and his billionaire donors over the well-being of Americans. Trump is sacrificing the air, water, and safety of our communities for the benefit of corporate polluters and the wealthy.”

The public still has an opportunity to let the Trump administration know that we do not want this change and would like the EPA to continue to do the job it was created for before the proposed change is implemented, likely later this year. The reversal is also expected to face legal challenges once finalized.