A ‘Dagger in the Heart’ of Climate Change Regulation

Key takeaways

The endangerment finding provides the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gases in the U.S.
Regulatory actions taken by different presidential administrations greatly influence the direction of climate policy.
There is a significant divide in public opinion regarding climate change and regulatory actions.
The future of effective climate policy may rely on Congress crafting long-term laws rather than depending on executive actions.
The scientific consensus on climate change continues to hold strong despite political opposition.

Summary

Introduction to Climate Change Regulation

The episode opens with a discussion on the notable actions taken by the Trump administration, specifically the rollback of regulations that aimed to combat climate change. Host Michael Bavaro introduces climate policy reporter Lisa Friedman, setting the stage for a deep dive into the implications of eliminating the scientific findings that form the backbone of climate regulation.

The Endangerment Finding Explained

Lisa Friedman explains that the endangerment finding, established in 2007, provided the legal basis for the U.S. government to regulate greenhouse gases, identifying carbon dioxide and methane as pollutants. The finding was a significant outcome of a Supreme Court ruling and was supported by extensive scientific evidence compiled by the Obama administration, confirming the health risks posed by climate change.

The Regulatory Landscape from Obama to Trump

The discussion transitions to the historical context of climate regulation, where Friedman highlights how the Obama administration enacted key regulations based on the endangerment finding, including the Clean Power Plan. The conversation addresses the pushback from the fossil fuel industry and business groups, which led to a complex regulatory landscape under the Trump presidency, where the ambition to dismantle these regulations was evident, yet the legality of repealing the endangerment finding was questionable.

The Biden Administration’s Climate Policies

After the Trump administration's attempts to weaken climate regulations, the episode covers how President Biden prioritized climate change, reinforcing many of the regulations established under Obama, and further pushing stringent climate policies. These moves included more aggressive automobile emissions standards and regulations on methane emissions, underpinning the continued relevance of the endangerment finding.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Climate Regulation

The conversation concludes with speculation about the future of climate regulation in the U.S. as a new Trump administration potentially re-emerges. Friedman argues that despite the attacks on climate regulation, the fundamental scientific consensus remains, and any future repeal attempts may be contested. She emphasizes the need for legislative action to create a permanent framework for addressing climate change, moving beyond the cycles of executive action.

Show notes

After rolling back a slew of regulations aimed at reversing climate change, and pulling funding for the scientists who monitor it, the Trump administration is now taking its boldest action yet.

It’s eliminating the scientific finding at the heart of the government’s ability to fight climate change in the first place.

Lisa Friedman, who covers climate policy, discusses the history of the finding, what it did and what happens once it’s gone.

Guest: Lisa Friedman, a reporter covering climate policy and politics at The New York Times.

Background reading:

In a game-changing climate rollback, the E.P.A. aims to kill a bedrock scientific finding.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Photo: Ulysse Bellier/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images