Trump administration reverses Biden’s environmental justice programs

President Donald Trump’s executive orders have dismantled several key environmental justice policies from the Biden era, sparking plans for legal challenges from advocates.

Kristoffer Tigue, Keerti Gopal and Marianne Lavelle report for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Trump revoked Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which allocated 40% of environmental spending to disadvantaged communities, and paused disbursements from major climate laws.
Activists warn these rollbacks could worsen pollution in vulnerable areas, reversing progress on clean energy and pollution reduction programs.
Legal experts argue Trump’s actions may violate laws prohibiting withholding congressionally approved funds.

Key quote:

“I don’t know of any parent who wants their child to breathe dirtier air.”

— Almeta Cooper, Moms Clean Air Force

Why this matters:

Rolling back environmental protections threatens public health in low-income, historically marginalized communities. These policies had aimed to address disparities in pollution exposure and health outcomes, which disproportionately affect people of color and low-income households.

insideclimatenews.org

Trump administration reverses Biden’s environmental justice programs

Inside the passage of America’s biggest climate law

California Democrats claw back $450 million for climate projects

Opinion: Why tough methane cuts are crucial for keeping warming ‘well-below’ 2C

Alpha-gal syndrome is spreading rapidly. Arkansas may hold clues to what comes next

How is the Mediterranean changing? 40 years of data reveal climate change impact

New York's plan to charge fossil-fuel producers for climate change damages is struck down in court

Global warming will exceed limit, UN says in a report that maps path to get back below danger zone

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.