In a significant move, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) announced an independent, expedited review of the latest climate science. This self-funded initiative comes in response to the Trump administration’s plan to overturn the 2009 endangerment finding, a crucial determination that greenhouse gas emissions harm human health and the environment. This proactive step highlights the Academies’ commitment to ensuring that policy decisions are grounded in robust scientific evidence, particularly amidst a challenging political climate.
The decision to conduct this review independently, without a direct request from the government, marks a departure from the NASEM’s usual practices. This underscores the urgency and importance of providing timely and accurate information regarding the scientific consensus on climate change.
What Happened? 📝
The NASEM, a highly respected group of scientific experts, will conduct a fast-track review of the most current climate science. This review is being self-funded by the Academies, demonstrating their proactive approach to addressing the potential repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The 2009 endangerment finding established a crucial legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions under the Clean Air Act. The Trump administration’s intention to repeal this finding has sparked significant concern among scientists and environmental advocates, leading to the NASEM’s decision to conduct this independent assessment.
Why is this Important? 🤔
The impending repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding has far-reaching implications. It could significantly weaken the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, potentially hindering efforts to mitigate climate change. This action directly challenges the overwhelming scientific consensus on the reality and dangers of climate change.
The NASEM’s review aims to provide policymakers and the public with the most up-to-date scientific understanding of the effects of greenhouse gases on the climate. This will be crucial in informing future policy decisions and public discourse on climate change.
What is the Endangerment Finding? ⚖️
The 2009 endangerment finding, issued by the EPA, formally determined that six greenhouse gases—carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride—threaten public health and welfare. This finding was based on extensive scientific evidence and formed the legal basis for the EPA to regulate these emissions.
The finding’s potential repeal would have significant consequences for environmental regulations, potentially undermining efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address the climate crisis. The scientific consensus strongly supports the findings of the 2009 endangerment determination.
The NASEM’s Role 🔬
The NASEM’s decision to undertake this independent review demonstrates a commitment to providing unbiased, evidence-based assessments to policymakers and the public. Their reputation for scientific rigor ensures that the review’s findings will carry significant weight.
By self-funding the study, the NASEM aims to maintain its independence and objectivity, ensuring that the review is free from political influence. The planned September release date highlights the urgency of the issue and the NASEM’s commitment to timely delivery of critical information.
What’s Next? ➡️
The NASEM’s review is expected to be released in September 2023. The findings will likely play a critical role in informing the EPA’s decision on the endangerment finding and will provide valuable scientific input for future climate policy discussions. The outcome will undoubtedly influence the ongoing debate surrounding climate change and environmental regulations.
The timely completion of this review is crucial, as it will provide crucial scientific information to policymakers before the EPA makes its final decision. This independent assessment will serve as a vital resource for informed decision-making on climate change.
Key Takeaways 🔑
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) is conducting an independent review of climate science.
- This review is in response to the Trump administration’s planned repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding.
- The endangerment finding established that greenhouse gas emissions harm human health and the environment.
- The NASEM’s review will inform the EPA’s decision and provide crucial information for future policy.
- The review’s findings will be publicly released in September 2023.
The NASEM’s proactive and independent review is a crucial step, especially in a climate of perceived political interference in U.S. science funding, to ensure that policy decisions are informed by the best available evidence. The timely release of their findings will be essential for navigating the complex challenges posed by climate change and for shaping effective environmental policies.
Source: National Academies to fast-track a new climate assessment
