Monday, March 24, 2025: Faith groups blast 'evil' EPA rollback plans climate change religion comment

Faith groups sharply denounced sweeping deregulation plans for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as "morally depraved" and prioritizing polluters over public health and nature. But they directed some of their most pointed criticism at EPA administrator Lee Zeldin's comments about "the climate change religion," which they said mocked religion and beliefs compelling them to act on behalf of creation.

Zeldin unveiled the Trump administration's blueprints for remaking EPA on March 12, outlining 31 regulations to eliminate or significantly scale back. Among those targeted are rules to limit industrial and vehicle pollution as well as the bedrock policy giving EPA authority to regulate heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. EPA has also moved to fire thousands of scientists and shutter environmental justice offices and other programs assisting communities most exposed to pollution.

"I pray that we take these issues out of the realm of political attitudes toward regulation, and focus on the lives lost to pollution," said Archbishop John Wester of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

"Pope Francis reminds us that 'realities are more important than ideas,' " he said in an email. "The reality is: many additional lives will be lost to increased soot pollution and other toxins."

'It's very clear that climate change is a scientific fact. There's no belief involved, and it's actually our faith that leads us to consider how we respond.'

—Marianne Comfort

Despite the EPA agenda's threat to public health, many faith groups are still determining how best to respond, and whether any intervention at the federal level can have an impact.

Carol Zinn, executive director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious, said that "the actions being taken in the reversal of policies in protection of our common home, Earth, stand in contradiction to the values we support and the work we have long done on behalf of God's people."

'Climate religion' backlash

Zeldin, a former congressman from Long Island, New York, described the agenda as the largest deregulatory action in the country's history. If enacted — a process that could take years and inevitably attract legal challenges — it would represent a major pivot in the mission of EPA, which since its establishment in 1970 by President Richard Nixon has focused on protecting human health and the environment.

In press releases and media appearances, Zeldin framed EPA's work less about protecting the environment and more on lowering costs and expanding fossil fuel production.

"Today is the greatest day of deregulation our nation has seen. We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion to drive down cost of living for American families, unleash American energy, bring auto jobs back to the U.S. and more," Zeldin said in a press release.

EPA did not respond to a request for comment for this story.

The reference to "the climate change religion" drew rebuke from faith leaders.

"As a climate scientist and an evangelical Christian, it's best practice to avoid conflating science and religion," said the Rev. Jessica Moerman. She is president and CEO of the Evangelical Environmental Network and holds a Ph.D. in earth and atmospheric sciences.

"Scripture is clear on our obligations to steward God's creation and to defend human life, both born and unborn," she said.

Marianne Comfort, justice coordinator for Earth, anti-racism and women for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, called Zeldin's comment offensive.

"It's very clear that climate change is a scientific fact. There's no belief involved, and it's actually our faith that leads us to consider how we respond," she said.

Wester, who in 2023 was among Catholic leaders who met with Biden administration officials to support pollution limits, said that the idea of a "climate change religion" made little sense.

"The Bible teaches care for God's creation as a way of honoring God the Creator," the archbishop said. "If any public officials want to learn about these faith principles, there are plenty of faith leaders who would be willing to discuss."

Several suggested Zeldin read Old Testament passages about preserving creation, pointing to the books of Leviticus, Isaiah and Jeremiah. 

'We've got to prepare, because if they are able to implement what they want to implement, what we see now is only going to get worse.'

—Rev. Michael Malcom

Rabbi Jennie Rosenn, founder of the Jewish climate group Dayenu, said in a statement that "I am not at all sure what 'climate-change religion' is, but I do know that Judaism, the religion Zeldin and I share, values the protection of life." The rabbi added that Zeldin's proposed actions were at odds with pikuach nefesh, the Jewish commandment to save a life.

"The real dagger here isn't piercing some imaginary 'climate change religion,'" said Avery Davis Lamb, executive director of Creation Justice Ministries. "It's striking at the heart of communities that rely on clean air and water. It's cutting through protections that keep children from breathing toxic fumes."

by Brian Roewe

NCR environment correspondent