Trump says climate change doesn’t endanger public health — and evidence shows it does, from extreme heat to mosquito-borne diseases

The Trump administration took a major step in its efforts to unravel US climate policies on February 12, 2026. Go to cancel the 2009 Risk Discoveryan official determination that emissions of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane, from burning fossil fuels endanger public health and well-being. But the administration’s arguments for dismissing the health risks of climate change are valid Not just factually wrongThey pose a significant risk to the health and safety of Americans.

like doctors, Epidemiologists and Environmental health ScientistsWe have seen increasing evidence of the links between climate change and damage to people’s health.

Here’s a look at the health risks everyone faces from climate change.

Extreme heat

Greenhouse gases from vehicles, power plants and other sources They accumulate in the atmosphere, trapping heat Keeping it close to the ground like a blanket. Many of them cause global temperatures to rise, leaving more people exposed to dangerous heat more often.

Most people who become mildly ill from heat will recover, but severe exposure, especially without adequate hydration and a way to cool the body, It can be fatal. People who work abroad, are older, or have underlying conditions such as heart, lung, or kidney disease are often most at risk.

Heat-related deaths have risen globally, up to 23% and from the 1990s to the 2000s, when an average year saw more than half a million heat-related deaths. Here in the United States, the 2021 Pacific Northwest Heat Dome has been killed Hundreds of people.

Climate scientists predict As climate change advances, many areas of the world, including American cities such as… Miami, Houston, Phoenix and Vegaswill experience more days each year hot enough to threaten human survival.

Extreme weather

Warmer air carries more moisture, so climate change leads to increased precipitation, storm intensity, and worsening floods. Many American communities have witnessed In recent years. The ocean water is also warm Feeds more powerful hurricanes.

Increased flooding carries health risks Including drowning and injuries Water pollution from human pathogens and toxic chemicals. People who clean up flooded homes also face risks of mold exposure, injury, and mental distress.

Climate change It also exacerbates drought conditionsDisrupting food supplies and causing respiratory diseases due to dust. Rising temperatures and drought cause forests and grasslands to dry out, making them… Preparing for forest fires.

Air pollution

Wildfires, along with other climate impacts, are Air quality deteriorates All over the country.

Wildfire smoke is a toxic soup Microscopic particles (known as fine particulate matter, or PM2.5) that can penetrate deep into the lungs and cause inhalation Dangerous vehicles Such as lead, formaldehyde, and dioxins, which are generated when homes, cars, and other materials burn at high temperatures. Smoke plumes can travel Thousands of miles downwind And the trigger Heart attacks And rise Risk of lung cancerwithin Other damages.

Meanwhile, conditions are warmer In favor of ozone formation at ground levelA Irritating to the heart and lungs. Burning fossil fuels also generates dangerous air pollutants that cause a long list of health problems, including: Heart attacks and strokes, Asthma attacks and Lung cancer.

Infectious diseases

Because they are cold-blooded creatures, insects are directly affected by temperature. So as temperatures rise, mosquito bite rates rise as well. Warming also accelerates the evolution of mosquito-borne pathogens.

Transmitted by mosquitoes Dengue fever has appeared In Florida, Texas, Hawaii, Arizona and California. New York State just saw its first appearance A locally acquired case of chikungunya virusIt is also transmitted by mosquitoes.

This is not limited to insect-borne infections. Warmer temperatures increase diarrhea and foodborne illness Vibrio cholerae and other bacteria Heavy rains increased Overflow of rainwater contaminated with sewage To lakes and streams. At the other end of the water, drought in The desert southwest increases the risk of coccidioidomycosisA fungal infection known as valley fever.

Other effects

Climate change threatens health in many other ways. Pollen seasons are longer He increases Exposure to allergies. Low crop yields reduce accessibility Nutritious foods.

Mental health suffers too Anxiety and depression and Post-traumatic stress the next Disastersand Increased rates of violent crimes and suicide Associated with days of high temperatures.

Young children, the elderly, Pregnant women People with pre-existing medical conditions are among the groups most at risk. Low-income people also face greater risks due to higher rates of chronic diseases, greater exposure to climate risks, and fewer protection resources. Medical care and disaster recovery.

Policy-based evidence making

Evidence linking climate change to health It has grown significantly since 2009. Today, it is indisputable.

Studies show that heat, air pollution, disease spread, and food insecurity linked to climate change are worsening It costs millions of lives around the world every year. This evidence is also consistent with the lived experiences of Americans. Anyone who became ill during a heatwave, He struggled while breathing wildfire smoke Or was Cleaning up the injured from the tornado Knows that climate change can threaten human health.

Yet the Trump administration is deliberately ignoring this evidence when it declares that climate change does not endanger health.

that it Move to cancel The 2009 risk finding, which underpins many climate regimes, fits into a broader range of policy measures, including Reducing subsidies for renewable energy And support Fossil fuel industries that threaten public health. In addition to rescinding the jeopardy finding, the Trump administration also moved to do so Roll back emissions limits Vehicles – The main source of carbon emissions in the United States It is a major contributor to air pollutants such as PM2.5 and ozone.

It’s not just about endangerment

The evidence is clear: climate change puts human health at risk. But there is another side to the story.

When countries work to limit the causes of climate change, they help address some of the world’s biggest health challenges. Cleaner vehicles and cleaner electricity mean cleaner air — and less heart and lung disease. More walking and cycling on safe sidewalks and bike paths means more physical activity Reduced risk of chronic diseases. The list goes on. By confronting climate change, we promote good health.

In order to make America truly healthy, in our view, the nation must acknowledge the facts behind the discovery of danger and redouble our efforts in transitioning from fossil fuels to a healthy, clean energy future.

This article includes material from the story Originally published on November 12, 2025.