On April 14th, Scientist Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion held a vigil in San Francisco for the EPA’s most powerful tool for fighting climate change: the Endangerment Finding. The Trump regime gave it the axe earlier this year, ending 17 years of work to reduce greenhouse emissions. We mourned the Environmental Protection Agency’s loss of the Endangerment Finding, through our somber presence, our songs of woe, our eulogies and poetry readings, and our demonstrations of respect. Without the Endangerment Finding to support climate regulations, we are all suffering. We gathered to show our support for the EPA employees still devoted to the mission of protecting the environment through these difficult times.
The Lamentors express grief at Environmental Protection Agency District 9 offices in San Francisco.ProBonoPhoto.org/Rachel P CC-NC-BY-4.0 
The Lamentors stand in mournful silence at EPA District 9 offices in San Francisco.ProBonoPhoto.org/Rachel P CC-NC-BY-4.0 
The Lamentors mourn silently while scientist reads a “eulogy” for the Endangerment Finding at EPA District 9 offices in San Francisco.ProBonoPhoto.org/Rachel P CC-NC-BY-4.0 
A scientist officiates the vigil at EPA District 9 offices in San Francisco. ProBonoPhoto.org/Rachel P CC-NC-BY-4.0
See more pictures from our April 14th vigil at ProBonoPhoto.
We invited EPA employees at their 9th District office to join us in pausing to mourn the loss of the Endangerment Finding. Eulogies honored the life and the unmet potential of this 17-year-old, cut down too soon. We read poems to share our grief and inspire courage to face the work ahead. The Lamentors stood in silent witness, wearing sack cloth and ashes, and bearing signs of the devastating consequences of failing to act on climate. We sang a version of the Lyke Wake Dirge, with lyrics decrying the terrible action and attitude of Lee Zeldin and other EPA administrators who perpetrated the killing of the Endangerment Finding.
We’re offering this guide for people who want to know more and perhaps stage an event like this themselves. Song lyrics, a poem list, and other materials are provided.
Sending EPA Our Condolences Before Our Vigil
On March 19th, a handful of activists from Scientist Rebellion and Extinction Rebellion had delivered a couple of oversized cards and a bouquet of flowers to the EPA District 9 offices. A few of the Environmental Protection Agency employees we talked with were grateful for our concern and our presence.
Press Coverage of Our Actions at the Environmental Protection Agency
Climate Activists Stage Mock Funeral for Landmark Climate Rule
The Trump EPA’s repeal of the 2009 endangerment finding revokes the agency’s authority to regulate climate pollution. Environmental activists are mourning the loss while vowing to resurrect it.
by Liza Gross, Inside Climate News
BACKGROUND: Why did the EPA repeal the Endangerment Finding? What have we lost? How are other organizations responding?
The Endangerment Finding was the Supreme Court’s 2007 ruling (in Massachusetts v. EPA) that the Environmental Protection Agency had the power to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. The Court recognized the strong preponderance of climate science indicating that continued carbon emissions from fossil fuels put put people in danger in multiple ways. It meant the EPA had to work on reducing climate change to meet its duty to protect public health under the Clean Air Act. The Endangerment Finding became the basis of many important regulations and actions to constrain emissions in the United States, particularly motor vehicle emission standards.
When Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the repeal of the Endangerment Finding, he publicly gloated over this cruel action at a gathering of Big Oil devotees hosted by the Heartland Institute, promotors of climate disinformation:
“Today is a moment to celebrate. It is a day to celebrate vindication.″
~EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, April 8, 2026
Shortly after the Endangerment Finding repeal was announced in February 2026, many public health and environmental groups filed suit against the Environmental Protection Agency. In April, the day after our action, a coalition of 16 environmental and health-focused organizations filed their petition with the EPA to reconsider its ruling and bring back the Endangerment Finding. Participating groups included:
- Union of Concerned Scientists
- Earthjustice
- Physicians for Social Responsibility
- Clean Air Council
- Natural Resources Defense Council
- American Public Health Association
- Public Citizen
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Sierra Club
- Center for Biological Diversity
- Clean Wisconsin
- Conservation Law Foundation
- American Lung Association
- Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments
More info at Union of Concerned Scientists, Earthjustice, Associated Press, and Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Ready to stage a similar vigil near you? Here’s our guide to help with your planning and preparations:
Have information on other actions to take to support reinstating the Endangerment Finding or even better replacements for greenhouse gas emissions regulations? Please share it in the comments below.
