Possible Affects Of Trumps Climate Change Policy

• US President Donald Trump announced the reversal of the 2009 “endangerment finding,” an Obama-era scientific ruling.

• The endangerment finding concluded that six greenhouse gases, including carbon monoxide and methane, endanger public health and welfare.

• The ruling followed a 2007 US Supreme Court decision stating that greenhouse gases qualify as air pollutants under the Clean Air Act and must be regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

• The reversal removes much of the legal basis for limiting greenhouse gas emissions from US industries.

• The decision by the EPA is expected to face legal challenges from environmental groups.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Greenhouse gas emissions in the US peaked in the late 2000s and have declined since the endangerment finding was implemented.

• The Environmental Defense Fund estimates the reversal could result in an additional 7.5 to 18 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases emitted by 2055.

• The group estimates the economic cost of the additional emissions could reach trillions of dollars.

Automotive Industry

• The White House claims reversing the finding will reduce costs for automobile manufacturers by approximately $2,400 (£1,760) per vehicle.

• The endangerment finding enabled policies that increased fuel efficiency standards and promoted electric vehicles.

• The Inflation Reduction Act under President Joe Biden incentivized electric vehicle ownership and renewable energy projects.

• Some Biden-era climate policies have been repealed since Trump returned to office.

• Ford stated the change would help address the imbalance between emissions standards and consumer demand.

• The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said the move would correct regulations it described as unachievable.

• Climate targets remain in place in many international markets, potentially affecting US vehicle exports.

Legal Implications

• A 2011 Supreme Court ruling gave the EPA authority to regulate greenhouse gases, limiting the role of courts.

• Legal experts suggest that removing the endangerment finding could lead to an increase in “public nuisance” lawsuits against companies.

• Prior to the 2011 ruling, US states filed lawsuits against companies over alleged pollution.

Public Health

• The EPA stated that greenhouse gas standards are not required to fulfill its core mission of protecting human health and the environment.

• Scientists state that greenhouse gas pollutants can cause health problems and premature deaths.

• The Environmental Defense Fund estimates the increased emissions could result in 15,400 to 58,000 premature deaths by 2055.

• The group also estimates tens of millions of additional asthma attacks and tens of thousands of additional hospital visits over the same period.

Renewable Energy and Global Competition

• The Biden administration promoted domestic renewable energy development to maintain US competitiveness.

• Former EPA official Margo T Oge stated that EU and Chinese companies have increased their electric vehicle market share in recent years.

• Former US Secretary of State John Kerry stated that China produces more wind and solar energy than the rest of the world combined.

Economic and Regulatory Impact

• EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin described the reversal as the largest deregulatory action in US history.

• Zeldin said the change would save American taxpayers over $1.3 trillion (£950bn).

• Diana Furchtgott-Roth stated that emissions regulations increased prices and shifted manufacturing to countries with higher pollution levels.

• John Kerry stated that removing the endangerment rule would contribute to climate-related damage, increased extreme weather events, and harm to public health and property.