On Wednesday, a new report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine highlighted that the impacts of climate change “extend beyond scientific debate.” This report aims to inform government actions as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers overturning a 2009 determination that greenhouse gases (GHGs) endanger public health.
The document notes, “The evidence of current and future harm from GHGs affecting humanity transcends mere scientific disagreement.” It emphasizes that what was once considered uncertain about climate change in 2009 has now been clarified, revealing new threats. The report warns, “The U.S. is facing a future where climate-related harms persistently worsen, and today’s extremes may become the norm.”
This development follows the EPA’s proposal to reverse the 2009 finding of danger, coinciding with efforts to roll back automobile emissions regulations. Shirley Tilghman, chair of the committee behind the report, stated that the goal was to alert the EPA to the looming risks of climate change.
“I hope the evidence presented here will serve as a robust foundation for informed public health decisions,” she added.
In response, an EPA spokesperson reiterated concerns about findings from the previous administration. They noted that the extinction claims have been used by the Obama and Biden administrations to justify extensive greenhouse gas regulations on vehicles.
“Our analysis has indicated that many of the deeply pessimistic predictions relied upon in the past 16 years since the initial danger finding have not transpired as expected,” the spokesperson claimed. They also invited public comments on the proposal until September 22, 2025.
The academies’ report confirms that their 2009 findings remain valid and are even supported by stronger evidence today. It states that “climate changes due to human-induced GHG emissions are detrimental to the welfare of U.S. citizens,” citing adverse effects on agriculture, water quality and availability, as well as challenges to communication systems and infrastructure.
