A coalition of over 20 Nobel laureates, including prominent scientist Carol Greider, has publicly condemned recent moves by the federal government that they believe undermine environmental protections. This multi-industry coalition is joined by more than a hundred and seventy environmental protection agency (EPA) employees–past and present. In particular, they issued a strong statement calling for scientific integrity and environmental responsibility at this critical juncture. Climate change is here, and hurricane season has been bringing it to the forefront. Greider cites a recent East Coast heat wave as a very real and tangible indication of climate change’s threat to society.
Greider, a Nobel laureate and professor of molecular and cellular biology at the University of California, Santa Cruz, expressed deep concern at the newsflash level for climate change. He thinks it presents a serious threat to marginalized communities. “Americans are going to die,” she said, highlighting the death that will result from their failure to act. She wants to ensure that the next generation of scientists are given the strong support they need to best solve these urgent environmental challenges. “If the next generation of scientists isn’t supported, it will be a long-term problem, resulting in decades worth of loss,” she added.
The coalition’s statement criticizes not only the current administration’s approach to environmental regulation but also previous administrations’ attempts to mischaracterize past EPA actions. They argue that the Biden administration’s efforts to transition away from American energy sources may lead to increased dependence on foreign fossil fuels, further complicating the nation’s energy landscape.
Former NIH tangible property utilization officer Jeremy Berg is one of the signatories. Formerly the editor-in-chief of Science magazine, he led the National Institute of General Medical Sciences at NIH from 2003-2011. He echoed Greider’s sentiments, asserting that environmental health is crucial for all citizens: “It only matters if you breathe air and drink water.” In doing so, this highlights the deeply rooted relationship between public health and environmental policy.
Amelia Hertzberg, an environmental protection specialist at the EPA, has publicly voiced her frustration with the agency’s current direction. She had, until the end of this month, been on administrative leave from the Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights since February. Hertzberg’s earlier agenda was on protecting vulnerable communities from the impacts from pollution. This is especially true for sensitive populations, including pregnant people, children, the elderly, and people with chronic health issues.
I’m really sad. This agency, that was a superhero for me in my youth, we’re not living up to our ideals under this administration. I really want us to,” Hertzberg lamented. Her comments show just how disappointed many at the EPA are with the direction the agency has taken.
The document signed by the laureates and EPA employees highlights a growing concern that deregulation efforts may weaken the EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment. They claim that these moves undermine the scientific regulatory standard and public faith in scientific evidence.
Collectively, nearly 100 more signed the document anonymously, because they were afraid of being retaliated against. This highlights a climate of fear among the scientific community over the possible backlash for voicing opposition to government agendas.
These scientists and former EPA employees are together in their message. Science and civil society leaders are calling for a restored emphasis on environmental protection and scientific credibility. They proudly continue to assert that all Americans have a fundamental right to clean air and safe drinking water. As Hertzberg poignantly stated, “Americans should be able to drink their water and breathe their air without being poisoned. If they aren’t, then our government is failing.”
