Petition Grows as EPA Plans to Fire Hundreds of Scientists

The Environmental Protection Agency just took a shocking step backward for science and public health. According to a New York Times report by Lisa Friedman and Maxine Joselow, the EPA confirmed plans to eliminate its Office of Research and Development—its core scientific research arm—and begin firing hundreds of chemists, toxicologists, and other scientists.

This devastating announcement follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that gave the Trump administration green light to move ahead with federal workforce reductions. Despite previous denials, Friday’s confirmation marks the formal beginning of one of the most extreme anti-science purges in recent U.S. history.

The EPA’s research office has long provided vital data on toxic chemicals, wildfire smoke, fracking, and air quality—information that has often led to stronger protections for both people and the environment. The move will likely cripple the agency’s ability to craft evidence-based regulations.

“This is the heart and brain of the EPA,” said Justin Chen of AFGE Council 238, the union representing over 8,000 EPA employees. “Its destruction will devastate public health.”

More than 3,700 employees have already left the EPA since Trump took office, returning the workforce to Reagan-era levels. Now, even directors of national research programs are departing en masse. Longtime EPA leader Jennifer Orme-Zavaleta called the move “callous and cruel.”

The Trump administration insists this is about saving money—boasting $748.8 million in “organizational improvements.” But environmental advocates see it for what it is: a gift to polluters and industry lobbyists at the expense of public safety.

If we allow science to be silenced, it’s not just the EPA that gets dismantled—it’s our clean air, safe water, and health. Speak out. Share this story. Support environmental advocacy groups. And vote for leaders who believe in facts, not fossil fuels.

Sign These Petitions! 

Please sign our latest and most urgent petitions to help the planet. Every signature counts!

• Petition: Save Big Cats in Vietnam from Deadly Bird Flu Outbreak
• Petition: SeaWorld Must Stop Exploiting Orcas for Entertainment
• Petition: End ICE’s Aggressive Street Arrests Now

Related Content:

•  EPA Launches Adoption Program for Lab Animals Amid Budget Cuts
•  EPA Employees Speak Out Against Policy Changes And Firings
•  Trump’s EPA Just Gutted Pollution Rules and Boosted Fossil Fuels
•  EPA Walks Back Forever Chemicals Limits Despite Health Risks
•  Trump’s Justice Department Sues States for Suing Big Oil

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Stand against fast fashion Pollution by supporting circular brands like Tiny Rescue, which create cause-based collections using recycled, zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade, ensuring it never ends up in a landfill.
• Shop Sustainably for Your Home: Visit SustaiNOBLE.org, an eco-friendly and ethically sourced home decor store that will empower your home with luxurious fair-trade, and sustainable products made by global artisans. 
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!