The Endangerment Finding
In Massachusetts v. EPA (2007), the Supreme Court found that greenhouse gases (GHG) are air pollutants covered by the Clean Air Act.
In 2009, the EPA proposed adding greenhouse gases into Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act, which is often called the “endangerment finding” because it identified these pollutants as harmful to human health and the safety of our communities. EPA held a 60-day public comment period in 2009, and received over 380,000 public comments.
In 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals–D.C. Circuit decided to uphold EPA's GHG Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings and thus regulations issued under the Clean Air Act for passenger vehicles and permitting for other fixed sources.
The Clean Air Act works to reduce GHG pollution from power plants, vehicles, and oil and gas operations. These sectors represent the largest shares of our national GHG emissions and are responsible for a majority of current and future climate impacts.
A mountain of scientific evidence and academic consensus supports the Endangerment Finding, yet EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin wants to undo this bedrock principle of climate policy and scientific consensus by repealing the Endangerment Finding.
It is unconscionable to cede responsibility for these pollutants that are driving climate change when the impacts are not only deadly to our communities today but are destined to devastate our planet in the coming decades.
In Indiana, climate impacts include rising heat waves, wild changes in rainfall patterns, greater flooding events, and spreading droughts. Beyond our borders, we can expect the impacts of more wildfires over greater areas, along with disruptions caused by ocean acidification, sea level rise, and increased hurricane intensity. Climate chaos will inevitably lead to deteriorating health, and increases in food insecurity, mental anguish, and climate migration.
The deadly impacts to our economy, our stability, our health, and our very lives cannot be overstated. A failure to define GHG pollution as an existential threat is unacceptable. We know that we don’t have to persuade people on the reasons to act on climate: 74% of Americans agree that our government should take action to reduce GHG emissions, including the majority of Hoosiers.
Stand against this dangerous proposal before September 15!
If you are interested in writing your own comment to EPA to oppose this proposal (Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2025-0194), that is one of the most effective ways to solidify our opposition. You can draw from many resources to help you prepare a short but effective comment that is also unique. Telling your own story of how climate is impacting you directly is highly recommended. Comments are due by Sept 15, 2025.
You can use our helpful tool to assemble your official comment so that it reflects your position well. Comments are due Sept 15, 2025
You can contact your representatives in Congress (Senators and House Representative) to let them know your opposition to the proposal to remove the endangerment finding for GHG pollution.
You can also contact your State elected officials to let them know that absent a strong federal policy to reduce GHG pollution, you demand states step up their programs to prevent escalating emissions, especially from power plants and vehicles. Let Governor Braun and your State Senator and Representative know you have made an official comment on the proposal and why and what you want them to do to help us oppose this rollback as well addressing climate change in our state.
Share share share on all your platforms and networks. Climate inaction thrives in silence and with so many other important issues we face, it's easy to see how taking action on climate can get buried, delayed, or sidetracked. Create space to share your thoughts and experiences, ask others to take a stand with you by writing a comment and talking with their elected officials. Make art, music, or even a letter to the editor of your newspaper.
Attend a postcard party to craft postcards and messages with fellow climate concerned advocates!
Consider making a gift to ECI, as we work to ensure a peaceful, just and sustainable planet for all!
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