Americans Speak Out as the Trump Administration Abandons Its Climate Responsibility

Nearly 27,000 Earthjustice supporters have raised their voices against a new Trump administration proposal that would make climate denialism the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) official stance.

The EPA plans to declare that climate pollution emitted from sources like power plants and motor vehicles poses little risk to human health. As part of the plan, the government would roll back all federal efforts to curb pollution from the power and transportation sectors, and fossil fuel operations.

Without these protections, unfettered emissions from those sources will continue to exacerbate the heating of the planet. The result: More intense and frequent extreme weather events like wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding. Our air will be dirtier, and people, businesses, and communities will be more at risk.

EPA stands for “Environmental Protection Agency.” Keeping us safe from these hazards is its job — and people across the country are letting it know they expect it to follow through. See what they had to say, and join them.

Extreme weather

From the Gulf of Mexico to Texas to Hawaiʻi, those on the frontlines are describing what it’s like living with more frequent and destructive storms, fires, droughts, and floods. All fueled by climate change.

“As a native Floridian who knows firsthand the devastation caused by extreme weather (see our increasingly catastrophic hurricanes and record-breaking heat advisories) I strongly oppose your proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding and to eliminate greenhouse gas standards for motor vehicles.” –C.P., Tampa, FL

“We have experienced drought, flood, and fire disaster to a degree we haven’t had before here in Hawaiʻi.  An overwhelming percentage of climate scientists have concluded climate change and glacial melting is caused by human activities.” –C.M., Kihei, HI

“I lived through Hurricane Helene, I don’t want others to suffer similar climate disasters.” –B. L., Asheville, NC

Hurricane Helene caused flooding on the North Fork Catawba River in McDowell County that washed out a bridge on Highway 22 in North Cove, North Carolina on Sept. 28, 2024, disconnecting communities and isolating them from already limited resources. (Julia Wall for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

“I live on the coast in South Texas. We get hurricanes which are getting stronger by climate change. We are going through a water crisis because each drought has been getting worse, partly due to climate change. And we are dealing with sea level rise. Something that dramatically alters where we can live safely, not to mention impacts on wildlife and recreation. Plus it’s getting hot out, really hot. And it keeps getting hotter. This is an all hands on deck moment. We need everyone to work together on addressing the climate crisis. Please uphold climate protections.” –J.H., Corpus Christi, TX

“As a Red Cross Disaster Action volunteer, I have seen the devastating effects of several natural disasters in recent years. And these disasters are happening more frequently and with greater intensity. I have seen how these disasters have destroyed the lives of people, taking away everything they have worked their whole lives for. Although I have not yet been affected by one of these disasters, it may only be a matter of time!”  –S.E., Chesapeake, VA

The Park Fire burns through the night on July 30, 2024 near Chico, California. (David McNew / Getty Images)

Air quality and health concerns

Many expressed worries about how rolling back climate regulations will worsen the air we breathe and increase health risks, particularly for those who are already vulnerable.

“As a person with asthma, I am deeply concerned that rescinding these greenhouse gas regulations will cause significant increases in health outcomes for everyone who has asthma, COPD, and other lung problems. Deaths will result, and neighborhoods near energy generating plants will become even more unhealthy. Protecting people’s health is an essential function of good government!” –B.S., Pontiac, MI

“Smog is bad. I’ve seen it go from choking brown cloud to clear in the last several decades here in Denver, CO. Some days it can still get a little hazy, but not like it was before the strongest limits were set. Please, DO NOT roll back any of the air quality limits and requirements that the EPA has enforced to help us ALL breathe easier!” –D.S., Broomfield, CO

Smog covers the city of Los Angeles. Three million people in the greater Los Angeles area are living with asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other smog-related diseases. (Jordan / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

“My late husband died from COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). One of the primary causes of COPD is air pollution. He didn’t smoke and neither do I. Therefore, I strongly oppose your proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding and to eliminate greenhouse gas standards for motor vehicles.” –K.R., Portland, OR

“Having grown up in Los Angeles when it was overcome with smog, I have seen what heavy pollution can do to people.” –L.J., Julian, CA

Economic concerns

By abandoning the climate fight, the administration is also propelling an insurance crisis that threatens to upend the financial security of millions of Americans. Some outlined how climate change is already damaging local economies, including fisheries, tourism, agriculture.

“I live in Maine, where climate change is adversely affecting our fisheries, our farming, and the quality of our lives generally. Both drought and heavy rains are causing expensive damage that affects all of us including me, and the infrastructure of coastal communities has suffered heavy damage from more intense storms and sea level rise.  Our tourism economy is suffering as well. That you would propose to weaken the Endangerment Finding flies in the face of your mission to protect human health and the environment.” –S.S., Brunswick, ME

A kayaker paddles down the Buffalo National River. More than 1.3 million people visited the Buffalo National River in 2014 and contributed $65 million to the local economy.
(OakleyOriginals / CC BY 2.0)

Science

Some pointed to the vast body of scientific research that links greenhouse gases to a warming, chaotic climate. The Trump EPA’s declaration contradicts the consensus held by 99% of the scientific community that climate change is caused by pollution and is a significant danger to human life and health.

“I am a 79-year-old woman who has witnessed the great strides made for cleaner air and water. Don’t destroy that. I have literally witnessed climate change! It is ignorant and foolhardy to rescind science.” –B.S., Mebane, NC

“As a conservation biologist who has mapped factual projections to show where climate change impacts most, I strongly oppose your proposal to rescind the Endangerment Finding and to eliminate greenhouse gas standards for motor vehicles.” –G.G., New York, NY

“As a scientist, the evidence for climate change is clear. As a U.S. citizen, I am personally feeling its effects with poor air quality due to Canadian forest fires. The floods and storms that are happening now are all ‘once in a hundred years’ because climate change has its impacts all over the globe. I am very concerned for my children’s future.” –V.G., Franklin, WI

Schoolchildren attend the signing ceremony for the Paris climate deal at the UN General Assembly in New York, April 22, 2016. (Earthjustice Photo)

Caring for the future

Others looked to the future, pointing out that we owe it to the next generation to pass on a livable, thriving climate and planet.

“As a father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and retired elementary school principal, I have spent a good part of my life in support of the protection and preservation of our fragile environment. I have equal concerns about the children who grow up facing threats to health in our air and water.” –R.M., Naples, FL

“I am writing because I care about the future we&rdsquo;re leaving our children. As I write, my windows are shut because wildfire smoke has left the air outside hazy and unhealthy.” –A.G., Bronx, NY