January 19, 2018
Donald Trump and his administration’s assault on the environment and public health over just his first year in office has been more brazen and comprehensive than anyone could have imagined. At a time of unparalleled threats to the planet, the forces of greed and unchecked pollution are using their new power under Trump and Scott Pruitt to reverse the environmental gains of the past five decades. The damage is real, ongoing, and in many instances permanent –- people are suffering right now, lost species and wilderness landscapes are never coming back, and delaying climate action risks catastrophic harm on a scale never previously experienced.
But amidst the darkness there are also rays of hope -– the Administration’s unprecedented assault has inspired an unprecedented resistance by Sierra Club members and supporters as well environmental advocates nationwide; America’s institutions of environmental protection are too strong to be destroyed quickly; and individuals, communities, States, Tribes, and other nations are working to ensure that Trump’s assaults are thwarted and even that progress continues in other areas.
To fight back effectively, it’s essential for environmental advocates to understand exactly what the Trump administration is doing to make the world safe for polluters — and how they are doing it. The Trump / Pruitt assault is comprehensive and sophisticated in design, despite the many instances of incompetence.
The mission of the Environmental Protection Agency is “to protect human health and the environment.” Disgraced EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt tried his best to undermine this vital mission by choosing to slash critical health protections and let corporate polluters off the hook. Now that Pruitt’s been booted, we need an EPA administrator dedicated to undoing his toxic agenda and restoring the agency to its core mission. Progress is possible and necessary – but another corporate crony or climate skeptic will not get us there.
Scott Pruitt is gone, but the fight is just beginning. We need an EPA administrator who puts our health and environment first, period. Any alternative is unacceptable.
