The US-based National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine has published a report that states that the impact of climate pollution on human health and welfare is ‘beyond scientific dispute’.
The report, Effects of Human-Caused Greenhouse Gas Emissions on U.S. Climate, Health, and Welfare, states that the Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA) 2009 finding that ‘human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases adversely affect human health and welfare was accurate, has stood the test of time, and is now reinforced by even stronger evidence.
‘Moreover, research has uncovered additional risks that were not apparent in 2009.’ it added
The report was published in response to the recent proposal by the EPA, now operated by the Trump administration, to rescind the 2009 Endangerment Finding, the determination that greenhouse gas pollution endangers the health and welfare of current and future generations.
‘Overwhelming body of scientific evidence’
“The National Academies of Science study summarises the overwhelming body of scientific evidence documenting the serious harms greenhouse gas emissions pose, which has only grown larger since 2009,” commented Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) associate chief scientist Lisa Dilling.
“The report considers extensive evidence, including numerous peer-reviewed studies and public comments, and strongly affirms what Americans across the country already know – that climate pollution is harmful and reducing it is vital for protecting communities.”
Among the key findings of the report are that human activities are increasing the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn are unequivocally warming Earth’s surface and altering the climate system. Climate change resulting from these emissions is harming the health and welfare of people in the United States, with continued emissions only serving to exacerbate climate impact yet further.
The study considers scientific information developed since 2009 and concludes that “the evidence for current and future harm to human health and welfare is created by human-caused GHGs is beyond scientific dispute.”
Court challenge
The report was released as a federal court issued a ruling in a case involving the EDF and the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), which challenged the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency over the use of findings from the Climate Working Group, a body convened under former Energy Secretary Christopher Wright.
EDF and UCS argued the group violated federal requirements for transparency and public participation under the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The court rejected the government’s defence that the group was exempt from the law. Read more here and here.
