President Donald Trump’s executive orders have dismantled several key environmental justice policies from the Biden era, sparking plans for legal challenges from advocates.
Kristoffer Tigue, Keerti Gopal and Marianne Lavelle report for Inside Climate News.
In short:
- Trump revoked Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which allocated 40% of environmental spending to disadvantaged communities, and paused disbursements from major climate laws.
- Activists warn these rollbacks could worsen pollution in vulnerable areas, reversing progress on clean energy and pollution reduction programs.
- Legal experts argue Trump’s actions may violate laws prohibiting withholding congressionally approved funds.
Key quote:
“I don’t know of any parent who wants their child to breathe dirtier air.”
— Almeta Cooper, Moms Clean Air Force
Why this matters:
Rolling back environmental protections threatens public health in low-income, historically marginalized communities. These policies had aimed to address disparities in pollution exposure and health outcomes, which disproportionately affect people of color and low-income households.
More from EHN: Jalonne White-Newsome on the Biden administration’s push for environmental justice
