CTC Public Statements
Change The Chamber Condemns Attempts to Roll Back EPA Climate and Public Health Protection (3/14/25)
The young adults and student groups of Change the Chamber are appalled by the Trump Administration’s recent attempts to slash critical environmental and public health protections within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These actions will only serve to pollute the air and water we all rely on while accelerating the climate crisis. While the Trump Administration boasts that these actions have resulted in the “most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history," we are the generation that will be expected to clean up the messes made due to these changes.
Change the Chamber adamantly opposes the Trump Administration’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s latest endeavors to dismantle critical environmental protections, including the closing of all eleven environmental justice offices across the country and attempts spearheaded by the Trump Administration to eradicate the environmental protections outlined in the Clean Water Act and the Clean Air Act. These reckless rollbacks threaten the health and safety of all Americans by prioritizing profits for climate obstructors over public well-being.
For decades, the Clean Air Act and other pillars of environmental policy have been instrumental in reducing air pollution, preventing cardiovascular and respiratory disease, and mitigating the devastating effects of climate change. Weakening these protections is irresponsible and an outright attack on our fundamental rights to clean air, water, and a livable planet. The Trump Administration claims these regulations have put undue financial stress on the American economy. However, many of the wealthiest economies in the world also enjoy some of the cleanest air and water due to strict environmental regulations and large-scale investments in green technology. It is a falsehood that these regulations put undue financial burdens on corporations, but it is a profound truth that the removal of these regulations would place an undue burden on the American people.
The Trump Administration must recognize that gutting environmental regulations does not serve the American people—in fact, it endangers countless individuals' health, well-being, and general welfare. Instead of dismantling critical and fundamental environmental protections, the EPA should work to strengthen and expand them to ensure our communities are protected from environmental harm.
We call upon policymakers to reject these dangerous actions and demand that the Trump Administration prioritize people over polluters. The fight for clean air and a sustainable future is non-negotiable, and we at Change the Chamber will continue to champion it.
Erica Kriner, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
Change the Chamber Urges Senate to Pursue Funding That Protects Communities (3/13/25)
As the Senate prepares to vote on the Continuing Resolution (CR) recently passed by the House, the youth members of Change the Chamber urge all senators to consider the long-term impacts of this measure. The upcoming CR fails to protect critical environmental programs and preserve federal checks and balances against corporate influence. It would allow for drastic budget cuts by the Executive branch, despite claims from some legislators that this is a “clean CR” without poison pill riders. Change the Chamber instead encourages senators to hold out for bipartisan negotiations to best benefit our health, environment, and climate, instead of accepting this CR that was created as a result of partisan closed-door meetings.
Sustainable, long-term funding is necessary to support environmental remediation, critical health programs, and climate resilience efforts that protect communities from pollution and climate disasters. Instead of temporary fixes that fail to effectively address these urgent needs, we encourage our legislators to work towards developing a federal spending bill that promotes governmental accountability, transparency, and responsible policies to address these issues.
The CR directly threatens funding for environmental remediation efforts, veterans’ programs, and agricultural and public health initiatives. It also fails to sustain and bolster funding for essential initiatives to protect communities against pollution and climate disasters. Instead, it allows private interests to influence massive government spending cuts without oversight, jeopardizing our ability to address the climate crisis and protect the general welfare of the American people.
A government shutdown is not an ideal outcome, but passing a CR that ignores the urgent need for climate action and government accountability would be an even greater harm to the American people. Instead of temporary fixes that slash critical programs and sideline environmental priorities, we need viable solutions that ensure public funds serve the people, not climate obstructors. We urge the Senate to create and support a federal spending bill that upholds our nation’s environmental, health, and climate commitments, and invests in the well-being of all communities.
Erica Kriner, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
Change the Chamber Statement on President Trump’s Joint Address to the U.S. Congress (3/5/25)
“Yesterday evening, President Donald J. Trump delivered a Joint Address to Congress, outlining his administration’s policy priorities and vision for the country. Change the Chamber strongly condemns the administration’s blatant assault on clean energy, environmental justice, and critical climate investments—actions that threaten to set our country on a dangerous path. As a coalition of young adults and student groups fighting for a sustainable future, we recognize that a stable, livable climate is not just a priority; it’s a necessity. The Trump Administration’s approach to environmental and energy policy jeopardizes the well-being of current and future generations, undermining our progress toward a cleaner and more resilient future.
The administration’s declaration of a “national energy emergency,” and pursuit of a nationwide “drill, baby drill” initiative only serves to strip investments in renewable energy, raise energy costs, unleash more pollution from fossil fuels, and worsen climate disasters. The true energy emergency is the climate crisis, which should catalyze efforts to bolster renewable energy and grid resilience, not diminish it. The administration’s energy policies are beholden to the fossil fuel industry, unfairly playing favorites to the detriment of everyday Americans. These policies squander the benefits of the clean energy economy, green jobs, and lower energy costs that benefit all Americans.
Climate change is fundamentally a public health crisis, and the recently proposed budget cuts threaten to worsen its impacts on public health by reducing access to healthcare, clean energy, safe water, and nutritious food. Rising tariffs and inflation further strain American families, making essential goods and services even harder to afford. The assertion made during last night’s address that the administration's priority is to “get the toxins out of the environment and the poison out of the food supply” is misleading. Achieving this goal requires strengthening—not dismantling—the policies that protect Americans from harmful pollutants. America cannot be made healthy by eliminating critical programs that safeguard our children, food, air, and water.
Beyond these attacks, the Trump Administration is actively undermining the very institutions responsible for protecting our environment. Cuts to the federal workforce at the National Park Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration—among other agencies—are weakening our ability to safeguard public lands, enforce pollution standards, and advance climate science. These agencies play a crucial role in disaster preparedness, conservation, and protecting the public; gutting them is an attack on our country’s ability to respond to the climate crisis. The American people deserve transparency and leadership, not censorship and denial.
As the Trump administration continues to push policies that endanger our climate and the well-being of the American people, Change the Chamber remains committed to mobilizing the next generation to advocate for science-based, climate-forward solutions. We will continue to highlight the real-world impacts of federal policy decisions, share opportunities for public engagement, and work alongside bipartisan allies in Congress to advance policies that accelerate the clean energy transition, protect frontline communities, and create a sustainable future for all Americans.”
Camille Rohde and Evey Mengelkoch, National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
Change the Chamber Condemns Recommendation to Strike Down EPA’s Endangerment Finding (2/28/25)
“Change the Chamber strongly opposes efforts by the Trump administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to weaken or repeal the Endangerment Finding—a science-based determination that recognizes greenhouse gases as a threat to public health and welfare. This reckless move undermines scientific integrity, disregards the overwhelming evidence supporting climate change, and puts millions of Americans at increased risk from climate-related harms.
Established in 2009, the Endangerment Finding is based on thousands of peer-reviewed studies and reflects the overwhelming consensus of climate scientists worldwide. It affirms that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare, establishing a legal obligation under the Clean Air Act to regulate emissions. Striking it down would not only abandon this responsibility but would also erode the federal government’s ability to protect communities from the worsening impacts of climate change, including extreme weather events, air pollution, and public health crises.
Rolling back the Endangerment Finding prioritizes polluters over people. It ignores the increasingly destructive consequences of inaction, from intensifying natural disasters to rising healthcare costs and economic instability. It also disregards the clear momentum for climate action among the public and the private sector. Polling consistently shows that the majority of Americans are concerned about the impacts of climate change, and businesses across industries are investing in clean energy solutions to ensure long-term economic stability and global competitiveness.
Dismantling this key protection introduces regulatory uncertainty, slows innovation, and undermines the progress we have made toward a cleaner and more resilient economy. Now more than ever, the federal government should be strengthening climate protections, not dismantling them.
Change the Chamber urges policymakers to reject this dangerous rollback and instead advance solutions that protect public health, support economic growth, and ensure a sustainable future for all. We remain committed to advocating for strong climate policies that reflect both scientific reality and the needs of businesses and communities nationwide.”
Erica Kriner, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
Change the Chamber Expresses Deep Concern Over Proposed Cuts in Budget Resolutions (2/26/25)
“Change the Chamber is deeply concerned about the budget resolutions recently advanced in Congress that would impose significant cuts to critical climate, environmental, and environmental justice programs. The Senate budget resolution passed last week and the House budget resolution approved yesterday would severely undermine efforts to protect public health, build climate resilience, and transition to a clean energy economy.
In addition to slashing key environmental initiatives, these proposals threaten essential healthcare and nutrition assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid—compounding the risks for communities already vulnerable to climate change. Weakening support for food security and health services amid increasing environmental disasters will only worsen economic instability and deepen disparities, particularly for low-income and historically marginalized communities.
These cuts represent a short-sighted approach that would slow economic growth, jeopardize public health, and make it harder for businesses and communities to adapt to climate-related challenges. Investments in clean energy, conservation, and environmental protections have consistently created jobs, driven technological innovation, and reduced long-term costs associated with climate impacts. Undermining these programs ignores economic and scientific realities, putting communities and businesses at greater risk. Rather than dismantling these programs, Congress should be working to strengthen them to ensure a more sustainable and resilient future.
As the effects of climate change become more severe, lawmakers must reject efforts to reverse progress and instead focus on solutions that protect people and the planet. Change the Chamber urges policymakers to prioritize their constituents' well-being by standing strong for investments in climate, environmental, health, and nutrition programs.
Change the Chamber is committed to advocating for policies fostering a sustainable and prosperous future. We encourage leaders from all political backgrounds to recognize the urgent need for action and work toward bipartisan solutions that support the health of our economy, environment, and communities.”
The National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
CTC Statement On EPA Cuts (2/6/25)
“Change the Chamber vehemently opposes recent actions taken by the Trump Administration to cut critical programs in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, including the dissolution of the EPA Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. The current Administration put 168 permanent staff on administrative leave and over a thousand additional employees on probation. This move follows recent cuts to research funding and pollution abatement programs as part of the Administration’s reversal of recent climate progress. These federal cuts in the name of eliminating DEI–diversity, equity, and inclusion–efforts in the federal government hurt all Americans by slashing programs that safeguard our most vulnerable communities.
As climate issues indiscriminately wreak havoc across all fifty states, the impacts of this decision will be detrimental to all Americans, especially to frontline communities that experience some of the highest rates of pollution and climate damages in the country. The pollution resulting from these federal cuts will exacerbate health conditions like cancer and cardiovascular disease. Rollbacks on regulations and critical research funding will also increase the spread of disease through our water, air, soil, and wildlife. Farmers will experience extreme soil degradation, resulting in smaller yields that will cause ripple effects throughout the supply chain and contribute to food insecurity. These decisions by the Trump Administration will be destructive to organizations and communities across the country that rely on federal funding, and will force countless organizations to close their doors for good, setting our nation’s fight for climate resilience back by decades.
Change the Chamber urges the Trump Administration to reverse these decisions by reopening the offices recently closed in the EPA, restoring research funding, and bringing back all employees placed on permanent administrative leave as a result of these crass political actions.”
The National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
CTC Statement on Announced Executive Actions Affecting Climate and the Environment (1/20/25)
“Change the Chamber is deeply disappointed in the announcement of executive actions taken today by the Trump administration that weaken our nation’s progress on climate, sustainability, and environmental protection. These decisions—including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, expanding destructive drilling on federal lands, abandoning our commitments to environmental justice, and exacerbating the devastating impacts of the climate crisis—mark a dangerous step backward. At a time when bold, science-based leadership is essential to addressing this global emergency, these actions undermine progress and endanger our future.
These regressive measures jeopardize hard-won achievements in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, safeguarding vital ecosystems, protecting the health and livelihoods of vulnerable populations, and advancing the transition to an inclusive clean energy economy. Inaction on the climate crisis and enabling reckless polluters to continue without consequences will intensify risks for many parts of our economy and society. Climate change already threatens underserved and marginalized communities, hastens the deterioration of critical natural resources, and stalls momentum across the nation’s economy by hindering innovation and job creation.
As a nonpartisan coalition of young adults who advocate for science-based, equitable climate policies, we urge all stakeholders—public officials, business and organizational leaders, and citizens alike—to critically evaluate these changes and their impact on our shared future. At a time when the climate crisis demands urgent action, it is crucial to prioritize policies that protect communities, create sustainable jobs, and safeguard natural resources for our generation and the generations to come.
Change the Chamber remains committed to empowering young leaders, fostering dialogue across industries and the government, and championing environmental stewardship and climate justice policies. We will continue to monitor and respond to federal and corporate actions that threaten our progress, provide critical resources and information, and collaborate with our partners to support a future rooted in sustainability and equity.”
The National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
CTC Statement on Biden Admin 12(a) Withdrawal from Offshore Drilling (1/8/25)
“Change the Chamber celebrates the Biden Administration’s recent decision to protect more than 625 million acres of federal coastal waters from offshore drilling. This historic action to protect our coastal communities’ economies, environment, and public health comes as a result of the Administration’s use of Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, an act with a long history of support and use by both parties. Nearly 40 percent of Americans live in coastal counties that depend on an ocean free of pollution from offshore drilling. Offshore oil spills, like the Deepwater Horizon disaster, put sensitive ecosystems already impacted by climate change at further risk and force taxpayers to foot bills that they did not create, all while the oil companies responsible continue to profit. Natural hazards intensifying due to climate change would put new offshore oil and gas infrastructure at considerable risk of damage and spills, harming coastal economies, public health, and the environment for generations to come.
Additionally, terminals are often sited in communities already overburdened by the fossil fuel industry–frequently low-income communities and communities of color. Adding new drilling operations would exacerbate the influx of pollutants into these communities, which already endure health issues linked to current pollutant levels such as cardiovascular issues, asthma, respiratory disorders, and cancers. As a core team and as a wider coalition of young adults, Change the Chamber applauds these protective measures, alongside other actions that the Biden Administration has taken to protect our climate and environment.”
Evey Mengelkoch and Camille Rohde, National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
CTC Statement on Proposed EPA NOx Standards (11/26/24)
“Change the Chamber applauds the proposed standards by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to curb nitrous oxide emissions from gas-fired power plants. The proposed standards aim to reduce both nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2)–collectively referred to as nitrous oxides–from these industrial sources. This will in turn greatly reduce dangerous smog and soot pollution formed as a by-product of these industrial processes. Smog and soot put Americans at risk of “respiratory disorders, cardiovascular dysfunction, neurological disorders, and cancer.” By tackling nitrous oxide emissions, the proposed standards will mitigate the health risks communities exposed to smog and soot have experienced for decades. The proposed standards will also mitigate environmental hazards such as acid rain (formed by nitrous oxides reacting with sulfur dioxide) that impact humans, plants, animals and waterways. Overall, American households will experience less missed days of work and school, medical costs and doctor’s appointments. Currently, NOx and other air pollutants contribute to the “94 percent of the non-climate-change costs of air pollution [that] are health-related” that impact everyday Americans.
The proposed nitrous oxide emissions standards provide an excellent step forward, serving as the first federal plan addressing stationary gas-fired nitrous oxide emissions since 2006. These standards will save lives, reduce healthcare costs, and provide an impressive $45 million in net benefits for the US economy annually. However, more can be done to provide the strongest possible protections against dangerous soot and smog pollution, a cause that the youth climate voice is committed to fighting for. The first critical step in protecting the next generation is to finalize and implement the proposed standards. Change the Chamber looks forward to protecting public health by pushing for strengthened solutions for nitrous oxide pollution during the public comment period and beyond.”
Camille Rohde, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
CTC Statement On Election 2024 (11/7/24)
“The outcome of this election is one we will feel, not only for the next 4 years, but for all of our lives. Right now is a crucial time for action to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. The clean energy transition is already happening, here in the United States of America and abroad. Communities are benefitting from sustainable action with more jobs, thriving economies, and healthier environments. We will do everything in our power to defend, protect, and increase investments for an inclusive sustainable future moving forward so that we as the youth will create a higher quality of life for all generations.”
Sarah Hill, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
SCOTUS Denies Stay on Carbon Power Plant Rule (10/16/24)
“Change the Chamber supports the Supreme Court's recent decision, released today, to allow the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce limits on carbon emissions from power plants. The rule requires power plants to meet emissions standards equivalent to what would be achieved with “90% carbon capture.” This rule has the potential to reduce emissions by 1.4 billion metric tons, the approximate equivalent of 328 million cars, providing nearly $370 billion in benefits for climate and public health. The plan could even reduce premature deaths, asthma cases, and emergency room trips. Power plants make up 25 percent of the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions, making this rule one of the most significant steps the Biden administration has taken to combat the effects of climate change. Power plants are expected to comply with the rule within six to eight years.
States and corporations initially requested a stay on the rule while they challenged it in the federal appeals court. The case will go back to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals. Change the Chamber is grateful that the Supreme Court has made the right decision in allowing the EPA to protect our environment, and hopes that federal courts will continue to uphold this rule. As communities across the nation face the consequences of climate change, such as extreme heat and deadly hurricanes, this rule is a vital part of the solution.”
Gabby Meyers, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
SCOTUS Denies Requests to Stay Section 111 Methane Rule (10/4/24)
“Change the Chamber supports the Supreme Court’s recent decision, released today, to deny a stay of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Section 111 Methane Rule. This rule will help limit harmful methane emissions and other dangerous pollutants from the oil and gas sector, which is responsible for damaging our public health and increasing the dangerous impacts of climate change. Until this ruling, oil and gas companies have been able to vent and flare largely unlimited amounts of methane and other air pollutants, despite methane causing “approximately one-third of current warming resulting from human activities,” as it is a much more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. The methane and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by the oil and gas sector are also responsible for increased rates of cancer, birth defects, and asthma, among other health risks for those exposed to them.
This request for a stay was put forth by big polluters and their allies in an attempt to delay implementing necessary safeguards to maintain their quarterly profits at the expense of our climate, environmental justice communities, their workers, and others living and working nearby extraction sites. Even though the Supreme Court acted to protect our health and climate today, we are not finished with our work to build a sustainable society. The polluters responsible for requesting this stay will likely keep pushing lower courts to block this and other common-sense rules to limit disastrous pollution so they can keep lining their pockets. Change the Chamber represents the young adults who make up an ever-increasing share of consumers, investors, and workers of companies that depend on our energy system, and we will continue to push for changes that benefit all members of society while advocating for polluters to pay their fair share.”
Evey Mengelkoch, Tony Passino, Erin F. McClain, Sarah Hill, Dylanger McKissen, National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
Suite of Standards to Reduce Pollution from Fossil Fuel-Fired Power Plants (4/26/24)
“The EPA’s final rules on power plant emissions and pollution is real progress in our government’s efforts to create a healthier environment and a better quality of life for all. Hundreds of millions of people in the US and billions of others around the world will benefit from these rules. The rules were a necessary step to reduce climate change and protect the ecosystems that provide life sustaining gifts we all need. These rules are unprecedented, and crucial for a sustainable planet and a thriving economy.
Debra Rowe, mentor to Change the Chamber and co-founder of the National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance said, “This rule will produce a stronger economy with greener career pathways. The science is clear and the EPA was responsible in its actions. The youth have been calling out those in power to take the necessary steps and the EPA rules are a successful example of what the young adults have been demanding of those in power.”
As a coalition of young adults from campuses and communities across the country, Change the Chamber is grateful that the EPA has taken the smart and necessary steps to protect the present generation and our shared future. We look forward to the next important step from the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from old gas power plants as well.”
Solar for All and Earth Day (4/22/24)
“We applaud the EPA for its new Solar For All Program, which invests $7 billion in expanding solar power access to low-income and marginalized communities. This Program is an important victory for nearly one million households who can now benefit from an abundant yet previously inaccessible energy source, granting a minimum of 20% total electricity bill savings for included families. It also minimizes the number of pollutants in affected communities’ air by accelerating the transition away from fossil fuel-generated electricity to a cleaner source.
Transitioning away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources like solar is necessary to combat human-caused climate change. To be as effective as possible, it is imperative that solar technology be available not only for wealthy Americans, but for all—including the frontline communities who are hit hardest by the effects of climate change.
This program will not only benefit the climate by shifting focus towards renewable energy, but will financially benefit working Americans and promote resilience by facilitating access to electrical power during outages.”
Evey Mengelkoch, Elic Weitzel, and Samantha Grimes, National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
Light Duty Vehicle Standard (3/20/24)
“Change the Chamber applauds the Environmental Protection Agency for passing its new Light Duty Vehicle Standard. This standard will ensure cleaner cars and light-duty transportation which limit harmful emissions–lowering healthcare costs and preventing current and future health problems that include premature mortality, aggravated asthma, and heart and lung diseases. The standard will also reduce the impacts of climate change that magnify the impacts of pollutants from transportation, as the transportation sector creates 29% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Transitioning to lower-emission vehicles paves the way for the next generation to thrive. It promises a healthier environment, an economic boost with exciting career paths, and relief from burdensome fuel costs that strain family budgets. This standard will protect low-income, and BIPOC communities that disproportionately undergo negative health impacts from air pollution, and it will ensure current and future generations experience the benefits of cleaner air as they inherit our climate.”
Samantha Grimes and Aryana Wadhwani, National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (3/18/24)
“We at Change the Chamber strongly oppose any attempts to repeal any parts of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. The programs made possible by this fund will help create clean air for our communities, lessen the impacts of climate change, and create economic opportunities to continue decreasing greenhouse gases and air pollution. As someone with asthma and in a rural community, I experience worsened symptoms for days after periods of bad air quality due to pollutants that this program will help reduce as its implementation continues. Climate change will continue to compound the impacts of air pollution for me and others with pre-existing conditions. All Americans will experience new or worsened health impacts at an increased rate without the investments created by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, and other programs that help deploy clean energy and reduce our pollution burden. We young adults will inherit the actions, or inaction, of present legislators that shape the future of our climate and environment and our health. This program allows rural towns and cities nationwide to continue participating in opportunities to create green jobs, and invest in clean energy to adapt to and mitigate existing and future climate change.”
Evey Mengelkoch, National Climate Fellow at Change the Chamber
Soot Pollution Standard (2/7/24)
“Change the Chamber applauds the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and President Biden for updating regulations on soot pollution that will put our health, climate, and future above the short-term profits of polluting industries. We are pleased by the EPA’s efforts to more closely align with the scientific community’s recommendations regarding safe levels of airborne particulate matter. Soot pollution creates a major public health burden by introducing harmful particulates into our lungs and bloodstream, increasing risks of premature death, heart and lung disease, cancer, and more. Around 63 million Americans currently experience harmful amounts of soot pollution daily, with communities of color bearing the greatest burden of this harmful pollutant.
With the stricter standards now in place, the EPA can better protect public health and improve the quality of life for Americans across the country. This standard will save thousands of lives every year and benefit the economy by $43 billion per year in public health savings, with direct taxpayer healthcare cost savings of nearly $20 billion in the next decade. These statistics illustrate the economic benefits this updated standard will have, despite arguments to the contrary by some trade associations, like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, who have fought this rule in the past. History has shown that industries will adapt and continue to flourish despite changes to regulations that prioritize Americans’ health and futures. While we celebrate the progress made, we also look forward to future updates to tighten the 24-hour limit for short-term soot exposure, which will protect millions more.”
Samantha Grimes and Elic Weitzel, National Climate Fellows at Change the Chamber