Washington D.C. – In a move sharply criticized by environmental and health organizations, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on , formally rescinded its 2009 “endangerment finding.” This pivotal determination had established that greenhouse gas emissions posed a threat to public health and welfare, providing the legal basis for federal regulation of pollutants like carbon dioxide and methane. The decision, announced by President Donald Trump and EPA director Lee Zeldin, represents a significant rollback of climate policy and has sparked concerns about its broader implications for both environmental protection and reproductive rights.
The endangerment finding, initially established under the Obama administration, allowed the government to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. According to the EPA, the repeal is intended to alleviate burdens on American industries, particularly the automotive sector. President Trump claimed the move would save consumers approximately $2,400 per vehicle, while Zeldin stated it would eliminate requirements for manufacturers to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions and halt the “forced transition to electric vehicles.”
However, the decision has been met with widespread condemnation from scientists and advocacy groups. Dr. Gretchen Goldman, CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists, described the action as evidence of a “corrupt administration” prioritizing fossil fuel interests over public health. Critics argue that weakening emissions standards will inevitably lead to poorer air quality and exacerbate the impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe hurricanes, wildfires, and heatwaves.
The rollback’s potential impact extends beyond environmental concerns, raising particular anxieties about reproductive health. A report released by Human Rights Watch highlights the interconnectedness of climate action and reproductive rights, arguing that deregulation of greenhouse gases will disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, particularly women of color. The report points to research demonstrating a link between air pollution and adverse birth outcomes, as well as the increased risks posed by extreme heat and wildfire smoke during pregnancy.
The National Climate Assessment, released in November 2023, detailed the adverse effects of extreme heat exposure on pregnancy and highlighted the vulnerability of women of reproductive age to climate change-related health risks. The assessment specifically noted that women of color, who are more likely to reside in underserved communities, face a disproportionately high burden from these threats.
This latest move by the Trump administration follows a pattern of dismantling climate science and policy. In July 2025, the administration reportedly removed the 2023 National Climate Assessment from government websites and dismissed the scientists who contributed to it, as well as those working on a separate report detailing the heightened climate risks faced by communities of color. These actions, critics say, demonstrate a deliberate effort to suppress scientific findings and undermine efforts to address climate change.
While more overt restrictions on women’s health have attracted significant attention, the EPA’s decision to revoke the endangerment finding represents a more subtle, yet equally damaging, assault on women’s rights. The rollback undermines decades of work to protect environmental health and equity, and further marginalizes communities already vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The administration’s actions are framed as deregulation, but opponents argue they constitute a form of “slower environmental violence” that will have lasting consequences for public health and reproductive freedom.
The legal ramifications of the EPA’s decision remain to be seen. Health and environmental organizations have vowed to challenge the rollback in court, arguing that it violates the Clean Air Act and disregards established scientific evidence. The outcome of these legal battles will likely determine the future of climate regulation in the United States and the extent to which the government prioritizes environmental protection and public health.
The decision also raises questions about the United States’ commitment to international climate agreements. The revocation of the endangerment finding could further isolate the US on the global stage, hindering efforts to achieve collective action on climate change. The move comes as other nations are accelerating their efforts to reduce emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources, leaving the US increasingly out of step with the international community.
