TNC Urges EPA to Maintain Science-based Environmental Safeguards

The following is a statement by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, The Nature Conservancy's chief scientist, after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced actions to roll back safeguards designed to protect people and nature.

"The challenges facing our planet—increasing climate risks, declining ecosystems, and harmful pollution that endangers lives —are no longer future issues. They're here now, impacting our economy and our health.  

“For more than 15 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under different administrations—Democratic and Republican—has worked under its authority granted by Congress to address these challenges. Maintaining common-sense, science-based standards is essential to protect everyone, regardless of how they vote.   

“These standards are based on the best available science on how pollution affects the human body and the benefits nature provides. Any changes to those standards should likewise be driven by scientific data: and what most new studies emphasize is how pollution standards save lives. New research also highlights the benefits of implementing new or even stronger standards for pollutants. Under current standards, for example, fine particulate matter alone still causes tens of thousands of premature deaths each year in the U.S.  

“In 2009, the EPA determined that greenhouse gases are pollutants that present a danger to human health by driving climate change, and the scientific basis of the Endangerment Finding connecting climate to health risks has only grown. Through worsening weather extremes, degrading the quality and availability of food and water, accelerating the spread of infectious diseases, and more, it’s clear that greenhouse gas emissions already threaten Americans’ health and communities.  

“These are the risks: but what about the benefits of environmental regulations? Consistent, predictable standards provide the certainty businesses and communities need to inform long-term plans. Rolling back, blocking, or otherwise undermining these protections would both impede future planning and jeopardize the natural world on which we all depend for the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the resources that underpin our economies.   

“The human and financial costs of climate change and biodiversity loss, often experienced through more severe extreme weather events—such as floods, wildfires, storms and drought—are rising rapidly. Now more than ever, we need to double down on tackling these challenges for the sake of the people, places, and things we love. We must build on past progress to advance solutions that are informed by science and benefit people and nature.”