The Trump administration’s recent environmental program cuts have stirred up quite a storm, with experts warning of dire consequences for both public health and the economy. Environmental watchdog groups have sounded the alarm, highlighting the potential for hundreds of thousands of premature deaths and increased costs of living due to regulatory rollbacks, climate program cuts, and a shift towards fossil fuel production.
Impact on Public Health and the Economy
According to a recent analysis from the Environmental Protection Network, the rollback of key environmental protections could result in nearly 200,000 additional premature deaths over the next 25 years, along with more than 10,000 extra asthma attacks daily. Additionally, for every dollar saved by regulated industries, the public could end up paying as much as six dollars in associated costs.
Jeremy Symons, a senior advisor with the EPN, expressed deep concern over the potential ramifications of these rollbacks on public health. He emphasized the significant impact that these changes could have on the air we breathe and the water we drink, urging the public to pay attention to these critical issues amid the tumult of Washington politics.
Environmental Justice and Disproportionate Impacts
While the Trump administration touts these changes as a means to boost the economy and cut regulatory costs, experts warn that the effects will not be evenly distributed. Low-income communities and communities of color are particularly vulnerable to the consequences of increased air pollution, water quality issues, and other climate hazards.
Communities of color, in particular, face disproportionate levels of pollution, with Black and Latino Americans exposed to significantly higher levels of soot pollution than they produce. The administration’s decision to cancel grants aimed at helping these communities reduce pollution, prepare for extreme weather events, and lower energy costs will further exacerbate these disparities.
The combination of repealing environmental protections and cutting funding for new programs creates a double blow for public health and safety, as lives hang in the balance while energy and healthcare costs rise. Cathleen Kelly, a senior fellow with the Center for American Progress, emphasized the devastating impact of these decisions on Americans’ well-being and the environment.
