A coalition of 23 US states, led by California and New York, has filed a legal petition challenging the decision by the administration of former President Donald Trump to revoke a scientific determination that climate change poses a threat to human health and the environment. The petition was submitted to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia on Thursday.
The legal challenge is supported by nine cities, several counties, the US Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. New York State Attorney General Letitia James stated, “Instead of helping Americans face our new reality, the Trump administration has chosen denial, repealing the critical protections that are foundational to the federal government’s response to climate change.”
The complaint targets Trump's move on February 12 to repeal the “endangerment finding,” established in 2009, which concluded that climate change is a danger to public health and welfare, aligning with overwhelming scientific consensus. This finding had served as the basis for government regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy. However, the Trump administration attacked it as a setback for the fossil fuel industry.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta asserted, “Let me be clear: This unlawful rescission is not about cutting ‘red tape.’ The president is choosing Big Oil profits over our health, and betting that the American people won’t notice the cost until the bill comes due.” The petition also challenges the Environmental Protection Agency's decision to repeal tailpipe emissions standards for all vehicles and engines from model years 2012 to 2017.
This lawsuit highlights the deep-seated political divisions within the United States regarding climate policy, with the Trump administration's efforts to roll back environmental protections and prioritize fossil fuel production facing strong opposition from multiple states and advocacy groups. The case underscores the ongoing friction between federal and state authorities on environmental issues, setting the stage for further legal and political confrontations.
Source: www.aljazeera.com