Fact-Check Article: "Trump Says Greenhouse Gases Are of No Danger to Humans. Is He Wrong or Just Not Telling the Truth?"
What We Know
Former President Donald Trump has made statements suggesting that greenhouse gases do not pose a danger to human health. This claim aligns with actions taken by his administration, particularly through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In July 2025, the Trump administration announced plans to rescind the 2009 EPA finding that greenhouse gases endanger human health, a decision that has significant implications for climate policy in the United States (NPR, Reuters).
The original endangerment finding, established during the Obama administration, was based on scientific consensus regarding the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide and methane, on public health and the environment (Politico). Trump's EPA argued that the previous finding was flawed and that greenhouse gas emissions should not be regulated under the Clean Air Act, claiming that pollution from U.S. power plants is a minor contributor to global emissions and has little effect on health (NPR, Gizmodo).
Analysis
The assertion that greenhouse gases are not dangerous to humans is contradicted by a substantial body of scientific evidence. The 2009 endangerment finding was based on extensive research indicating that greenhouse gases contribute to climate change, which in turn poses serious risks to human health, including respiratory issues, heat-related illnesses, and increased frequency of extreme weather events (New York Times, E&E News).
Critics of the Trump administration's position argue that the move to revoke the endangerment finding is primarily a political maneuver to benefit the fossil fuel industry, rather than a reflection of scientific reality. For instance, environmental advocates have described the proposal as a "gift to oil companies" that undermines public health and environmental protections (NPR, Politico).
Furthermore, the credibility of the sources supporting Trump's claims has been questioned. Many of the arguments made by the Trump administration have been characterized as misleading or lacking a solid scientific basis (E&E News). The EPA's assertion that eliminating regulations on greenhouse gases would have minimal health impacts is not supported by the consensus in climate science, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of greenhouse gas emissions and public health outcomes.
Conclusion
The claim that greenhouse gases are not dangerous to humans is False. The scientific consensus, supported by decades of research, indicates that greenhouse gases significantly contribute to climate change, which poses serious risks to human health and safety. The Trump administration's efforts to revoke the endangerment finding appear to be more aligned with political and economic interests than with established scientific understanding.
Sources
- Trump's EPA says climate pollution doesn't endanger people
- Trump's EPA targets key health ruling underpinning all US greenhouse gas rules
- Fact-Checking the 'President Who Follows Science'
- Trump administration moves to repeal climate 'holy grail'
- Trump’s EPA Wants to Pretend That Greenhouse Gases Aren't a Threat to Human Health
- EPA attacks climate science. Here are the facts.
- Debunking six of Trump's climate science claims in 2024 campaign
- America Not 'Cleanest We've Ever Been'
