The E.P.A. Rescinds a Landmark Finding

The New Yorker

by Bill McKibben

February 20, 2026

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The Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) has rescinded its 2009 “endangerment finding,” which declared that greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide pose a threat to public health. Doug Burgum, the Secretary of the Interior, attempted to justify this reversal by claiming that CO2 is not a pollutant, stating that it is essential for plant growth and human respiration. However, scientists widely agree that CO2 is one of the most dangerous substances contributing to climate change. Its accumulation in the atmosphere has led to rising temperatures, melting ice caps, and increased natural disasters like floods and fires. Recent research warns that Earth may be approaching a critical threshold with limited time to avoid catastrophic climate outcomes. This decision aligns with other Trump Administration actions, such as withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and cutting funding for climate monitoring programs. The repeal of the endangerment finding has significant legal challenges ahead, but figures within the climate-skeptic industry express confidence in their victory. For instance, Myron Ebell, a prominent skeptic, claimed that “we are pretty close to total victory.” Meanwhile, Marc Morano, another skeptic, suggested the move would protect America from future climate impacts caused by progressive leaders. Despite this setback, it is not game over for climate action. The debate over greenhouse gases began in 1988 when James Hansen testified before Congress about the impending crisis. Over the decades, cheap fossil fuels and expensive clean energy constrained progress, but environmentalists have adapted their strategies to address these challenges. While the endangerment finding has been a cornerstone of federal regulations targeting cars and coal plants, its repeal does not mean the end of efforts to combat climate change. This issue matters culturally because it reflects broader societal values and priorities. The decision to rescind the finding underscores the ongoing tension

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Originally published on The New Yorker on 2/20/2026