The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to reverse its stance on greenhouse gases endangering public health has sparked widespread criticism, with many deeming it scientifically flawed and harmful to future generations. The controversial proposal, announced on July 29, would withdraw the 2009 "endangerment finding" that forms the legal foundation for regulating carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act. As the 45-day public comment period kicks off, a China Media Group (CMG) reporter spoke with a number of residents in New York who expressed their widespread disapproval of the measure and questioned the motives behind it. "That's not a good idea. People like to change facts to better suit them, and that's not a good idea. That's not a good thing at all," said a resident named Donnell. "I think it would evolve everybody's life. Anything that has to make us greener and more aware of our planet (is good) because everything is going pretty crazy," said Stephen, another resident. "I don't know why they are doing it. I don't know why they think it makes any sense. It's bad for the economy. It's bad for the people. It's bad for the future of this country. And it's bad for the future of the world. I don't know what's driving them to do it," said local resident Susan. The proposal comes amid escalating climate impacts, with scientists attributing worsening extreme weather events to global warming. Several residents expressed concerns about intergenerational consequences. "I do feel like that there may be an impact for future generations. So when they talk about the glaciers melting or the water level rising and things like that, which impact the environment. I really do think it's going to affect my children's lives. I'm 40. But what's going to happen in 40 years or 60 years," said Gabriel. Critics also believe the move is being made to serve the interests of the few. "I don't know whether the president is influenced by anyone or whether he makes up his own mind and for whatever reasons he wants to," said Susan. "It's just not for the majority of us. It's probably for the two percent who have the wealth. It's what's best for them, not what's best for everyone else," said Donnell, who added that the move risks making the U.S. "look like a bunch of dummies." The move could further damage U.S. credibility in international climate negotiations, residents warned. "The government's position in international climate negotiations is already effective regardless of this. I mean they're withdrawing largely from international discussion on climate change," said Susan. Despite potential federal policy reversals, interviewees urged continued progress toward renewable energy. " I think it will be challenged in court and it won't happen. So I think it's horrible that he's even thinking about it and shortsighted. But I think most people disagree with it, it's not going to happen, I hope. And industry is going to know what they need to do to continue to make progress in getting rid of fossil fuel use, which is where the world is going," said Susan. SHOTLIST: FILE: New York City, USA - October 2024 1. Various of traffic, buildings, police officer directing traffic; New York City, USA - Recent 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Donnell (full name not given): "That's not a good idea. People like to change facts to better suit them, and that's not a good idea. That's not a good thing at all."; 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen (full name not given): "I think it would evolve everybody's life. Anything that has to make us greener and more aware of our planet (is good) because everything is going pretty crazy."; 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan (full name not given): "I don't know why they are doing it. I don't know why they think it makes any sense. It's bad for the economy. It's bad for the people. It's bad for the future of this country. And it's bad for the future of the world. I don't know what's driving them to do it."; FILE: Los Angeles, California, USA - Jan 9, 2025 5. Aerial shot of damaged buildings; 6. Various of damaged buildings, vegetations, smoke rising; New York City, USA - Recent (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland) 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Gabriel (full name not given) (ending with shot 8): "I do feel like that there may be an impact for future generations. So when they talk about the glaciers melting or the water level rising and things like that, which impact the environment. I really do think it's going to affect my children's lives. I'm 40. But what's going to happen in 40 years or 60 years."; FILE: Jackson, Kentucky, USA - July 31, 2022 8. Various of branches in muddy river, fallen trees; 9. Vehicle stuck in mud on riverbank; New York City, USA - Recent 10. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan (full name not given): "I don't know whether the president is influenced by anyone or whether he makes up his own mind and for whatever reasons he wants to."; 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Donnell (full name not given): "It's definitely for someone else. It's just not for the majority of us. It's probably for the two percent who have the wealth. It's whats best for them, not what's best for everyone else."; FILE: New York City, USA - October 2024 12. Various of traffic; New York City, USA - Recent 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Donnell (full name not given): "Yes, because we already look like a bunch of dummies."; 14. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan (full name not given): "The government's position in international climate negotiations is already effective regardless of this. I mean they're withdrawing largely from international discussion on climate change."; FILE: Washington D.C., USA - Date Unknown 15. White House; 16. Various of Capitol Hill, U.S. national flag; New York City, USA - Recent 17. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan (full name not given) (ending with shot 18): "And I think it will be challenged in court and it won't happen. So I think it's horrible that he's even thinking about it and shortsighted. But I think most people disagree with it, it's not going to happen, I hope. And industry is going to know what they need to do to continue to make progress in getting rid of fossil fuel use, which is where the world is going."; FILE: Philadelphia, USA - October 2024 18. Various of Benjamin Franklin Bridge; 19. Various of traffic, buildings. [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]