While the country has been busy dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, the Trump administration has moved full speed ahead on rolling back public health protections. Here's a thread 🧵of recent attacks on science by the administration during #COVID19.
The administration moved forward with removing protections from the #CleanWaterAct. The change will remove protections from half of the nation’s wetlands and nearly 20% of streams. act.ucsusa.org/2W0jIPa
In the middle of the #coronavirus pandemic, the EPA has moved to restrict the types of research that can be used in policymaking. The proposal would rule out important scientific papers from being considered. act.ucsusa.org/3a3Lnon
The Trump administration finalized a rule slowing required improvements to vehicle efficiency, even though the admin’s own analysis showed that Americans will end up spending more money because of this policy. #CleanerCars act.ucsusa.org/2V49GfF
The Trump administration is pushing forward a proposal to undermine a range of EPA public health protections by ignoring the health benefits of cleaner air. eenews.net/stories/106286…
The EPA lays the groundwork to scrap the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (#MATS) for coal and oil-fired power plants, deciding the agency will no longer consider all public health benefits that come from reducing mercury emissions. nytimes.com/2020/04/16/cli…
On March 19, the Trump administration finalized a “clarification” of the 1918 Migratory Bird Treaty Act. By reinterpreting, industry now has a free pass on any responsibility for bird deaths their activities and projects may incidentally cause. act.ucsusa.org/2NST4o8
The Department of the Interior has used the pandemic to sell off oil and gas leases at discount prices without sufficient environmental review. act.ucsusa.org/2WteAFb
On March 26, the EPA issued an order giving polluters the power to self-regulate by suspending environmental enforcement indefinitely and making it easier for industry to pollute. act.ucsusa.org/33XcC1o
Air pollution has been clearly linked to respiratory diseases and now evidence suggests it worsens #COVID19. Despite expert advice to strengthen standards for particulate matter, the Trump administration has rejected doing so.
Now is the time to PROTECT public health NOT damage it. Join us in defending science and our health. Here are some actions you can take!
The EPA’s restricted science rule public comment period is open right now. Use our public comment guide to submit your thoughts on this sweeping proposal. act.ucsusa.org/2y8jq0f
Sign up to become a UCS #ScienceChampion to fight for science and justice and help keep those in charge accountable. act.ucsusa.org/2xy1tIF
