Repeal of EPA finding is bad for kids
As a pediatrician, I am shocked and disappointed by the federal government’s decision to repeal the EPA’s Endangerment Finding. This decision will have a negative impact on children’s health.
Repealing the Endangerment Finding destroys the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions significantly degrade air quality; worsened air quality is going to cause more frequent and more severe illnesses, especially respiratory diseases like asthma. Children are particularly vulnerable to these environmental factors. I have no doubt that this repeal will cause more kids to experience difficulty breathing.
Here in the Upper Valley, we are blessed to live in a place of natural beauty. Sometimes the threats of pollution and climate change seem like far off issues. However, we can find climate-related health concerns right in our own backyard. Increased tick populations are leading to higher cases of Lyme disease, wildfire smoke has led to respiratory exacerbations, and severe weather events have caused injury and illness. Our community, and especially children and young people, feel the stress of these issues. Repealing the EPA’s Endangerment Finding is only going to make matters worse.
The bottom line is that healthy kids need a healthy environment. I serve on the Board of Directors for NH Healthy Climate, because, as a healthcare worker, combatting climate change is central to my duty to prevent harm. I will not stay silent while this administration puts industry profits over the health of American children and their families.