Trump’s EPA Challenges Its Role in Combating Climate Change

Rapid Summary:

• In 2009, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) declared greenhouse gases as pollutants threatening public health, enabling regulations on emissions.
• on Tuesday,EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced a proposal to repeal this “endangerment finding,” alongside plans to remove federal motor vehicle emissions regulations.
• Experts believe overturning the finding could dismantle one of the federal governmentS key tools for fighting climate change.
• The move is expected to face years of legal battles. Courts previously upheld EPA’s authority under the Clean Air Act and amendments in 2022 bolstered its foundation.
• Repeal efforts may weaken fossil fuel companies’ defenses against state climate lawsuits by removing their shield under previous rulings involving federal nuisance laws.
• If accomplished,states would possibly create separate rules for emissions,risking a fragmented system across jurisdictions.

!EPA administrator Lee Zeldin at a podium

Read more

Indian Opinion Analysis:

The proposed repeal of the EPA’s endangerment finding highlights ongoing global debates surrounding climate policy and government regulation. While India’s environmental challenges differ from those in the United States, such actions showcase how competing priorities-economic growth versus regulatory measures-can shape policymaking. The reversal risks disrupting U.S.-led commitments under international frameworks like the paris Agreement, which could indirectly impact global collaboration on combating climate change.

For India, developments such as these underline critical lessons regarding balancing industrial progress with enduring practices. As one of the most vulnerable nations to climate impacts, any fragmentation in international policies could weaken collective resolve and delay long-term solutions essential for stabilizing ecosystems globally.