Would anyone really go as far as to cut regulations that could save 6,400 lives? In the United States, the answer is yes.
A recent analysis by The Guardian reveals that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is set to withdraw 31 regulations—actions that could have saved nearly 200,000 lives over the next few years. This move signals a shift in priorities, where economic growth is placed above environmental and public health concerns.
“Environment for money” seems to have become the ideology of today’s American government. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, these regulatory rollbacks threaten to exacerbate environmental degradation not just in the U.S., but globally.
Climate change and pollution know no borders. Decisions made by one of the world’s largest economies have ripple effects that impact the Global South and the rest of the world. Sacrificing environmental protections for short-term economic gains could put countless lives at risk and undermine efforts to combat global climate challenges.
While U.S. officials may believe that easing regulations will boost economic growth, they are potentially putting their own citizens and the global community in greater long-term danger. The question remains: Is economic growth worth the cost of environmental and human health?
