facebook-pixel

Letter: Put our health before industry’s

(J. Scott Applewhite | AP) The headquarters of the Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, as President Donald Trump announces that his administration is revoking California's authority to set auto mileage standards stricter than those issued by federal regulators, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019. Critics say the move would result in less fuel efficient cars that create more planet-warming pollution.

By this time a year ago, the Trump administration had been sued 93 times over environmental rollbacks and policies that endanger the health of all Americans. Though the lawsuits are often filed by nonprofits, taxpayers usually foot the bill.

Imagine, if these dollars were spent on actual environmental protections, how much further ahead we would be on addressing climate change. Instead, our president (though I choose not to claim him) challenges policies that protect us, that reduce greenhouse emissions, that preserve our water supply and that respect Native American rights.

The rollbacks could significantly increase greenhouse gas emissions and lead to thousands of extra deaths due to poor air quality every year.

The New York Times printed a list of 85 environmental rollbacks gathered by Harvard and Columbia law schools.

I encourage you to read them and demand our legislators put the health of its citizens before industry gains.

Patty Becnel, Ogden

Submit a letter to the editor