What do environmentalists think about former ally RFK Jr.

Most environmentalists view RFK Jr. as a former ally and current foe given his flop on environmental issues in recent years.

Credit: Gage Skidmore, FlickrCC

What do environmentalists think about former ally RFK Jr.

Dear EarthTalk: How do environmentalists feel about RFK Jr.’s oversight of health in the next Trump administration, given his background as an environmental activist lawyer?

When Time named Robert F. Kennedy Jr. one of its early 2000s “Heroes for the Planet,” the outspoken lawyer was a clear choice for the honor, having gained fame during his fight to protect New York City’s water supply. He advocated for “the environment [as] the most important, the most fundamental, civil-rights issue,” according to a 2004 interview. Many of Kennedy’s views can be summarized in the June 18, 2007, issue of Rolling Stone in which he demanded investment into renewable energy sources, blamed America for its “reckless consumption of oil and coal,” and emphasized the need to slow global warming.

Almost twenty years later, as RFK Jr. takes the reins as America’s top health official, the same magazine has quoted former friends, colleagues, and family members calling the former ‘hero’ a “conspiracist” with “dangerous views.” The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a leading environmental non-profit, used the term “one-man misinformation superspreader” to describe its former Senior Attorney, a statement corroborated by former allies who have stated that Kennedy is not an environmentalist, but a “science denier” and a “conspiracy theorist.”

Even before his endorsement of President Trump, who has famously called climate change a ‘hoax’, environmentalists had begun to turn against Kennedy. Liz Barratt-Brown, a senior adviser for NRDC and Kennedy’s former coworker, told the New York Times that he had begun drifting away from the environmental movement in the early 2000s when he started spreading unproven theories regarding vaccinations, such as linking vaccines to autism without evidence.

Around the same time that RFK Jr. became invested in the anti-vaccine movement, he opposed the construction of the Cape Wind Project, an offshore wind farm in Nantucket Sound that would have provided roughly 75 percent of the electricity used by Cape Cod, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard. Kennedy’s position began as an instance of NIMBYism, or the “not in my backyard” mentality, as he owned a home nearby and had cited unsightly aesthetics as a partial reason for his dissent, and has grown in recent years to staunchly oppose all offshore wind.

While offshore wind farms have several disadvantages, they are also a promising source of clean energy; thus, Kennedy’s opposition sparked disdain from climate activists like Bill McKibben who claim “he could have used his name and platform” to promote renewable energy. Furthermore, many of Kennedy’s reasons for opposition have been proven repeatedly to be rumors. For example, in January 2023, Kennedy adamantly promoted the idea that offshore wind is killing whales despite the claim having been proven unfounded by a variety of organizations including by the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.

Once a “hero for the planet,” many environmentalists now echo Dan Reicher, a former peer and colleague of RFK Jr. and a Stanford University senior energy researcher: “Stay very far away from today’s RFK Jr. if you’re interested in environmental protection.” RFK Jr. has told the Washington Post that he believes he can help sway President Trump’s environmental policies. Environmentalists are “deeply skeptical,” as less than one month into office Trump has withdrawn the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords and dismantled a series of environmental policies and funding. It remains to be seen whether the Secretary of Health is successful in turning the tides of the environmental movement back in his favor.

EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss for the 501(c)3 nonprofit EarthTalk.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Millerton News and The News does not support or oppose candidates for public office.

Latest News

Troutbeck Symposium 2025: the latest chapter in continuing a vital legacy

Participating students and teachers gathered for the traditional photo at the 2025 Troutbeck Symposium on Thursday, May 1.

Leila Hawken

Students and educators from throughout the region converged at Troutbeck in Amenia for a three-day conference to present historical research projects undertaken collaboratively by students with a common focus on original research into their chosen topics. Area independent schools and public schools participated in the conference that extended from Wednesday, April 30 to Friday, May 2.

The symposium continues the Troutbeck legacy as a decades-old gathering place for pioneers in social justice and reform. Today it is a destination luxury country inn, but Troutbeck remains conscious of its significant place in history.

Keep ReadingShow less
Roaring Oaks Florist launches self-serve flower market

Terence S. Miller, owner of Roaring Oaks Florist in the new self-serve area of the shop.

Natalia Zukerman

Just in time for Mother’s Day, Roaring Oaks Florist in Lakeville has launched a new self-serve flower station next to its Main Street shop, offering high-quality, grab-and-go bouquets from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week — including Sundays when the main store is closed.

Owner Terence S. Miller, who bought the shop 24 years ago at just 20 years old, calls the new feature “a modern twist on an old-school honor system,” with some high-tech updates.

Keep ReadingShow less
Third graders enjoy classical treat at Music Mountain

A string quartet opened the Bard Conservatory of Music program for Region One third grade students at Music Mountain.

Patrick L. Sullivan

Region One third grade students attended a chamber music concert by Bard Conservatory of Music students at Music Mountain Tuesday, April 29.

After expending spare energy racing around the Music Mountain lawn, the children trooped into the concert hall and took their seats.

Keep ReadingShow less