Young, Gifted & Green expresses grave concern and unequivocal opposition to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s repeal of the Endangerment Finding—a decision that threatens the health, safety, and civil rights of communities already burdened by environmental harm. This action is especially dangerous for pregnant people, infants, and children, whose bodies are uniquely vulnerable to the impacts of climate pollution and toxic exposure.

The Endangerment Finding affirmed what frontline communities have long known: climate pollution endangers public health and welfare. Its repeal undermines decades of scientific evidence linking greenhouse gas emissions to rising rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, asthma, heat-related illness, developmental delays, and other serious health outcomes. Black, Indigenous, Latino and other communities of color,particularly those living in fenceline and low-income neighborhoods, bear the brunt of these harms due to systemic racism, disinvestment, and discriminatory environmental policies.

Maternal health in the United States is already in crisis, with Black mothers facing mortality rates several times higher than their white counterparts. Rolling back protections that limit climate pollution further compounds this crisis, exposing pregnant people to extreme heat, air pollution, and climate-driven disasters that increase risks during pregnancy and childbirth. Children, whose lungs, immune systems, and brains are still developing, will face lifelong consequences from policies that prioritize polluters over people.

Environmental protection is a civil rights issue. The repeal of the Endangerment Finding signals a dangerous retreat from the federal government’s responsibility to protect those most at risk and uphold the right of every child to grow up in a healthy, safe environment. Young, Gifted & Green calls on policymakers to reverse this reckless decision, reinstate science-based climate protections, and center maternal and children’s health in all environmental policy decisions.

Our communities deserve clean air, safe water, and a livable climate—not policies that sacrifice the health of future generations for corporate interests. We will continue to fight for environmental justice, reproductive justice, and the fundamental right of our children to thrive.

About Young, Gifted & Green

Young, Gifted & Green (YGG) is a national environmental justice and civil rights organization with the purpose of bringing like-minded organizations together to collectively take action and advocate against the crisis of lead exposure and environmental injustices in disadvantaged communities.

Learn more about Young, Gifted & Green at www.younggiftedgreen.org.