Climate One Gina McCarthy on Cutting Everything but Emissions
Apr 18, 2025
Join Gina McCarthy, former EPA administrator and environmental advocate, alongside Umair Irfan, Vox's climate reporter, as they tackle the major cuts affecting environmental protection under the Trump administration. They discuss the alarming implications for public health and regulatory standards, emphasizing the critical roles of federal workers and advocacy in addressing climate change. The conversation also highlights personal experiences that drive policy reforms and the impact of staffing cuts on vital organizations like NOAA, all while underscoring the need for community engagement in clean energy initiatives.
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McCarthy's Childhood Pollution Story
- Gina McCarthy's childhood near polluted Boston Harbor shaped her environmental dedication.
- Experiencing tar balls and polluted rivers firsthand ignited her passion for protective laws and science-based policies.
EPA Bipartisanship Under Threat
- The EPA has historically been bipartisan, focused on public health, not politics.
- Current rollbacks threaten that neutrality, undermining decades of progress and public trust.
EPA's Shift from Protection to Promotion
- Cutting longstanding EPA rules endangers public health and environmental protections.
- The new EPA mission prioritizes fossil fuel dominance over health, a dramatic shift from past principles.