Trump climate rollback could widen harms in poorer and minority communities

Experts say the Trump administration's reversal of the EPA endangerment finding is likely to increase illness and deaths in low-income and minority communities, and a coalition of health and environmental groups has sued the EPA over the revocation.

The Trump administration has revoked the Environmental Protection Agency's endangerment finding, which underpinned many federal climate-related rules. Public health experts and environmental justice advocates reported the change will likely lead to increased illness and deaths, especially in low-income and minority communities. A coalition of health and environmental groups sued the EPA over the revocation, calling it unlawful and harmful. The discussion draws on studies and a 2021 EPA report (no longer on the agency's website) that identified higher exposure and vulnerability in marginalized communities. Key facts: - The administration announced a revocation of the EPA's endangerment finding, a legal basis for multiple climate protections. - Public health experts reported the change will likely increase illness and mortality, with low-income and minority communities especially affected. - A coalition of health and environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the EPA's revocation and described it as unlawful and harmful. - Studies and the EPA's 2021 analysis reported that Black, Latino and other marginalized groups face higher exposure to energy infrastructure, extreme heat, and associated health risks. Summary: Experts and advocates say the revocation is likely to increase health harms and deepen environmental burdens in overburdened communities, and legal challenges to the EPA action are underway. Undetermined at this time.