EPA finds greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare
April 17th, 2009 by Jim JustAfter the “thorough scientific review” ordered by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2007, the Environmental Protection Agency today (Friday April 17) issued a proposed finding that greenhouse gases contribute to air pollution that may endanger public health or welfare.
The proposed endangerment finding states:
In both magnitude and probability, climate change is an enormous problem. The greenhouse gases that are responsible for it endanger public health and welfare within the meaning of the Clean Air Act.
The scientific analysis found impacts of climate change include, but are not limited to:
- increased drought
- more heavy downpours and flooding
- more frequent and intense heat waves and wildfires
- greater sea level rise
- more intense storms
- harm to water resources, agriculture, wildlife and ecosystems
The proposed finding also takes into account the disproportionate impact climate change has on the health of certain segments of the population, such as the poor, the very young, the elderly, those already in poor health, the disabled, those living alone and/or indigenous populations dependent on one or a few resources.
In addition to threatening human health, the analysis finds that climate change also has serious national security implications. Escalating violence in destabilized regions can be incited and fomented by an increasing scarcity of resources – including water. This lack of resources, driven by climate change patterns, then drives massive migration to more stabilized regions of the world.
The proposed endangerment finding now enters the public comment period.
The 133 page finding itself and the 171page “technical support document” can be found on EPA’s website here.