Gina McCarthy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gina McCarthy
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Official portrait, 2022
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| 1st White House National Climate Advisor | |
| In office January 20, 2021 – September 16, 2022 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Ali Zaidi |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Ali Zaidi |
| 13th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency | |
| In office July 18, 2013 – January 20, 2017 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Deputy | Bob Perciasepe |
| Preceded by | Lisa Jackson |
| Succeeded by | Scott Pruitt |
| Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency for Air and Radiation |
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| In office June 2, 2009 – July 18, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Jeffrey Holmstead |
| Succeeded by | William Wehrum |
| Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection | |
| In office November 10, 2004 – June 2, 2009 |
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| Governor | Jodi Rell |
| Preceded by | Arthur J. Rocque |
| Succeeded by | Amey Marella |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Regina McCarthy
May 3, 1954 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Massachusetts Boston (BA) Tufts University (MS) |
Gina McCarthy (born May 3, 1954) is an American expert in air quality. She was the first White House National Climate Advisor from 2021 to 2022. Before that, she was the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2013 to 2017.
McCarthy grew up in Massachusetts. She earned degrees from the University of Massachusetts Boston and Tufts University. She worked for the Massachusetts state government in different environmental roles. She also advised the Governor of Massachusetts on environmental issues. From 2004 to 2009, she was a commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. She then joined the EPA in 2009.
On March 4, 2013, President Barack Obama chose McCarthy to lead the EPA. She was confirmed on July 18, 2013. She became a key leader in Obama's efforts to fight global warming and climate change. In early 2020, McCarthy became the president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).
On December 18, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced McCarthy would be his first White House national climate advisor. In this role, she advised President Biden on climate change policy for the United States. She started this job on January 20, 2021. McCarthy left her role on September 16, 2022.
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Early Life and Education
Gina McCarthy was born in Brighton, Boston, on May 3, 1954. She grew up in Dorchester and Canton, Massachusetts. Her family had Irish roots and was considered working-class.
In 1976, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Anthropology. Later, in 1981, she received a Master of Science degree from Tufts University. This degree combined Environmental Health Engineering with Planning and Policy.
Early Career in Environmental Protection
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McCarthy began her career in health and the environment in 1980. She worked as the health agent for the city of Canton. In 1985, Governor Dukakis asked her to join a state council on hazardous waste safety.
She held several important jobs in the Massachusetts government. From 1999 to 2003, she was the undersecretary for policy for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. From 2003 to 2004, she was the Deputy Secretary of the Massachusetts Office of Commonwealth Development.
McCarthy has worked on many environmental issues at the state and local levels. She helped create policies for economic growth, energy, transportation, and the environment. She advised five Massachusetts governors on environmental matters. One of these governors was Mitt Romney.
On November 10, 2004, Connecticut governor Jodi Rell appointed McCarthy as commissioner. This role was for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. In this job, she helped create a regional plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. This plan involved trading carbon credits. She left this role in 2009 to join the Obama administration.
On March 16, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated McCarthy for a role at the EPA. She was to be the assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. The Senate confirmed her on June 2, 2009. She served in this position until she became the EPA administrator in 2013.
Leading the EPA
Nomination Process
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On March 4, 2013, President Obama nominated Gina McCarthy to lead the EPA. She was chosen to replace Lisa Jackson. Many people believed Obama's choice showed he was serious about fighting climate change. Daniel Fiorino, an expert from American University, said her nomination meant the president wanted to act on climate change.
There was talk about how her appointment might affect the Keystone Pipeline. Fiorino said it likely wouldn't change the pipeline decision much. He noted that McCarthy knew a lot about air and climate issues. He also said she was a strong environmentalist. The EPA was one of the agencies that advised the Obama administration on the pipeline project.
Confirmation and Tenure
Confirmation hearings for McCarthy began on April 11, 2013. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works approved her nomination. This vote was mostly along party lines on May 16. However, her nomination was then delayed in the Senate for a month.
During this delay, Bob Perciasepe served as the acting head of the EPA. A Republican senator asked McCarthy 600 questions. Other Republican senators also asked for information. This delay meant the EPA was without a leader for the longest time ever.
On July 18, 2013, the Senate confirmed McCarthy. She became the thirteenth Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The vote was 59 to 40, mostly along party lines.
On May 27, 2015, McCarthy finalized a rule under the Clean Water Act. This rule gave a new definition for "waters of the United States". Some states sued, and a judge blocked the rule in those states. Another lawsuit led to the rule being stopped nationwide. Congress tried to overturn the rule, but President Obama vetoed their effort.
On June 25, 2015, McCarthy finalized the Clean Power Plan. This plan was under the Clean Air Act. It aimed to reduce coal use as part of the Paris Agreement. The Supreme Court of the United States voted to stop this rule temporarily. This was the first time the Supreme Court had stopped a regulation before a lower court reviewed it.
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On March 17, 2016, McCarthy spoke to Congress about the Flint water crisis. Michigan Governor Rick Snyder also testified and apologized for the state's mistakes. McCarthy stated that the EPA had done nothing wrong. She said her agency did not cause the problem. In October 2016, the EPA's inspector general found that the EPA had delayed helping Flint.
Work Outside Government
In 2017, McCarthy joined Pegasus Capital Advisors. This is a private equity firm. She works there as an advisor focusing on investments in sustainability and wellness.
In May 2018, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health announced a new center. It was called the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment. McCarthy became its director. In January 2020, she was named the chair of its advisory board.
McCarthy was also a Senior Leadership Fellow at the School of Public Health. She taught a course there on environmental leadership. On November 6, 2017, she became a Professor of Public Health Practice.
In November 2019, McCarthy was appointed president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council. She started this role in early 2020.
Biden Administration Role
On December 18, 2020, President-elect Biden announced his choice for the first White House National Climate Advisor. He chose Gina McCarthy for this new role. She became the head of the White House Office of Climate Policy. McCarthy served as Biden's main advisor on climate change policy for the United States. This position had its own staff and was part of the White House Office.
McCarthy said she was unsure about joining the administration at first. However, she was convinced when Biden connected climate change to health, environmental justice, and racial justice. She felt "energized" when he linked these issues to creating jobs after the pandemic.
In June 2022, McCarthy encouraged tech companies to stop the spread of false information about climate change. She said, "The tech companies have to stop allowing specific individuals over and over again to spread disinformation." She added, "We need the tech companies to really jump in."
On September 2, 2022, the White House announced McCarthy would leave her role. She stepped down as Biden's top climate advisor on September 16. Ali Zaidi replaced her.
Personal Life
Gina McCarthy is married to Kenneth McCarey. While she worked at the EPA, her husband lived in Massachusetts. He often visited her in Washington for several weeks. They have three adult children. She enjoys watching the Barefoot Contessa cooking show.
See also
In Spanish: Gina McCarthy para niños
