As a pediatrician in Pittsburgh and secretary/treasurer of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I’m deeply concerned about the impact of methane emissions on children’s health. While these views are my own, they reflect what I see daily in my clinic.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is making kids sicker. We’re already seeing the effects, like a surge in Lyme disease, more children suffering from asthma due to smog and an increased risk of heat stroke as extreme heat days rise across Pennsylvania.

The science is clear: Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest, most effective ways to fight climate change and clean our air. It’s low-hanging fruit with high impact.

Pennsylvania’s oil and gas industry is a major source of methane pollution. That means we have a responsibility and an opportunity to act. The Department of Environmental Protection must adopt strong methane rules that can withstand any rollbacks from the federal government to protect the health and futures of children across the commonwealth.

Let’s give kids the chance to breathe easier, live healthier and grow up in a safer world.

Dr. Gabriel Cisneros

Squirrel Hill

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