Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed repealing the more than decade-old decision known as the “endangerment finding,” which legally concludes that greenhouse gas emissions threaten human health and welfare by causing climate change. In response, Kim Anderson, Director of Member Mobilization for the Evangelical Environmental Network, released the following statement regarding the implications for Pennsylvania:

“As evangelical Christians, we believe creation care is a matter of life, which aligns with the EPA’s longstanding mission to protect human health and the environment. Unfortunately, rescinding the endangerment finding will continue to allow greenhouse gases to be released into the environment abundantly and with disregard, which will exacerbate rising temperatures and air quality, both of which endanger human health. 

“Medical research has clearly demonstrated that climate change, fueled by climate pollution, has adverse impacts on people’s lives. As temperatures rise, so do conditions that make Lyme disease and asthma attacks and other respiratory conditions more likely. Pennsylvania consistently ranks in the top 10 states for Lyme Disease per capita, and the number of cases continues to rise. We must do what we can to defend the health and life of Pennsylvanians and keep the endangerment finding in place.”