EPA's 2009 Endangerment Finding: 99% Likely to Stand Firm

The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2009 endangerment finding, which states that greenhouse gases are warming the climate with negative consequences for US citizens, has become a focal point of recent news. This document, pivotal in the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, has survived multiple administrations. Despite its age, it’s now under threat of being challenged. However, the science underpinning this finding is robust, with a 99% likelihood of withstanding legal scrutiny. The finding’s roots trace back to the Clean Air Act of 1963, which aims to mitigate public health and welfare risks from air pollutants. By the late 20th century, it was clear that greenhouse gases, though not directly harmful when inhaled, could significantly impact human health and welfare through climate change. The EPA’s inaction during the George W. Bush administration led to legal action by states and cities, culminating in the Supreme Court’s decision to enforce the EPA’s regulatory responsibilities.

Source: arstechnica.com