“The Trump Administration’s Attack on the Environment: How It Will Impact Your Health and Wallet”
The Trump administration’s aggressive approach to dismantling federal environmental programs is not only detrimental to the nation’s environment but also poses a significant threat to the health and financial well-being of Americans, according to two new reports from environmental watchdog groups.
These reports highlight how the administration’s regulatory rollbacks, cuts to climate programs, and support for fossil fuel production will lead to a substantial increase in the cost of living for millions of people and result in hundreds of thousands of premature deaths. Contrary to claims made by Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk and EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, that these actions are aimed at reducing regulatory costs and spurring economic growth, experts warn of dire consequences.
The Environmental Protection Network, a group of over 600 former EPA workers, conducted an analysis that found rolling back key environmental regulations could result in nearly 200,000 additional premature deaths over the next 25 years, more than 10,000 extra asthma attacks daily, and a cost to the public of six dollars for every dollar supposedly saved by regulated industries.
Jeremy Symons, a senior advisor with the EPN, expressed alarm at the scale of the attack on public health and the environment, emphasizing the profound impact these rollbacks will have on the air we breathe and the water we drink.
The EPA has been at the center of this onslaught, with the administration canceling grant funds, closing offices, laying off workers, and targeting projects focused on air and water quality, electric vehicle infrastructure, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction. The agency’s plans to repeal or weaken 31 environmental regulations, including the “endangerment finding” on carbon dioxide emissions, have been met with criticism from environmental advocates.
The Center for American Progress released a separate report highlighting the financial burden of air pollution from burning fossil fuels, estimating that it costs each American an average of $2,500 per year in healthcare expenses. The report also noted the significant health risks associated with particulate pollution, such as PM 2.5, which can lead to as many as 200,000 excess deaths annually.
Despite these alarming findings, the EPA and the Trump administration continue to push forward with their agenda, cutting funding for environmental protections, rolling back incentives for clean energy initiatives, and promoting fossil fuel production. The administration’s actions are expected to have far-reaching consequences, disproportionately impacting low-income communities and communities of color who are already facing higher levels of pollution and climate hazards.
Experts warn that the administration’s plans to slash the EPA’s budget by up to 65% will severely hamper the agency’s ability to protect Americans’ air and water quality. The combination of repealing environmental protections and canceling funding for new programs is described as a “one-two punch” that puts lives at risk and increases energy and healthcare costs.
In light of these developments, environmental advocates are calling for a reevaluation of the administration’s policies and a renewed commitment to protecting public health and the environment. The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction could be devastating for both current and future generations of Americans.