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) |
Regina McCarthy (born May 3, 1954) is an American expert in air quality and environmental policy. She was the first White House National Climate Advisor from 2021 to 2022. This important role meant she advised the President on how to deal with climate change in the United States. Before that, she was the head of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from 2013 to 2017. The EPA is a government agency that works to protect human health and the environment.
McCarthy grew up in Massachusetts and studied at the University of Massachusetts Boston and Tufts University. She worked for the state government in Massachusetts, focusing on environmental issues. She also led the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection before joining the EPA in 2009.
In 2013, President Barack Obama chose McCarthy to lead the EPA. She was confirmed after a long process and became a key leader in Obama's efforts to fight global warming and climate change. Later, in 2020, President-elect Joe Biden picked her to be his first White House national climate advisor. She started this role in January 2021 and stepped down in September 2022.
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Early life and education
Gina McCarthy was born in Brighton, Boston, on May 3, 1954. She grew up in nearby areas like Dorchester and Canton. Her family was working-class, and she has Irish roots.
In 1976, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Anthropology from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She continued her studies at Tufts University, where she received a Master of Science degree in 1981. Her master's degree combined studies in environmental health engineering with planning and policy.
Early career
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McCarthy began her career in health and environment in 1980. Her first job was as a health agent for the city of Canton. In 1985, she was asked by Governor Michael Dukakis to join a state council focused on hazardous waste safety.
She held several important jobs in the government of Massachusetts. From 1999 to 2003, she was an undersecretary for environmental policy. She also worked as an environmental advisor for five different governors in Massachusetts, including former Governor Mitt Romney. Her work focused on solving environmental issues at the state and local levels. She helped create policies that balanced economic growth, energy, transportation, and protecting the environment.
In 2004, Governor Jodi Rell of Connecticut appointed McCarthy to lead the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. In this role, she helped create a plan for different states to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power plants. She left this job in 2009 to join the Obama administration.
In March 2009, President Barack Obama nominated McCarthy to be an assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. The Senate approved her for this role in June 2009. She served in this position until she became the main EPA administrator in 2013.
Leading the EPA
Becoming EPA Administrator
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On March 4, 2013, President Obama chose Gina McCarthy to become the new head of the EPA. Many people saw this choice as a sign that Obama was serious about fighting climate change. Experts noted that McCarthy knew a lot about air and climate issues and was a strong supporter of environmental protection.
Her confirmation hearings, where senators ask questions before approving a nominee, began on April 11, 2013. The process took a long time, with some senators asking many questions. This delay meant the EPA was without a permanent leader for the longest time in its history. However, on July 18, 2013, the Senate finally confirmed McCarthy as the thirteenth Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. The vote was 59 to 40.
Key actions as EPA Administrator
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During her time leading the EPA, Gina McCarthy worked on several important environmental rules:
- Protecting Waterways: In May 2015, McCarthy finalized a rule called "waters of the United States" under the Clean Water Act. This rule aimed to clearly define which small streams and wetlands were protected by federal law. The goal was to protect more of the nation's water sources. Some states and groups disagreed with the rule, leading to lawsuits.
- Clean Power Plan: In June 2015, she finalized the Clean Power Plan under the Clean Air Act. This plan aimed to reduce pollution from power plants, especially those that use coal. It was part of the United States' commitment to the Paris Agreement, an international effort to fight climate change. The plan faced legal challenges, and the Supreme Court temporarily stopped it from going into effect.
- Flint Water Crisis: In March 2016, McCarthy testified before Congress about the Flint water crisis. This was a serious situation where the drinking water in Flint, Michigan, became contaminated with lead. McCarthy explained the EPA's actions and challenges in responding to the crisis. An internal review later found that the EPA had delayed in issuing an emergency order to help Flint.
Work outside government
After leaving the EPA in 2017, Gina McCarthy continued her work in environmental protection. She joined a company that invests in businesses focused on sustainability and wellness.
In 2018, she became the director of the Center for Climate, Health, and the Global Environment at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She also taught a course there about environmental leadership. In 2020, she became the president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), a large environmental advocacy group.
Biden administration
On December 18, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced that Gina McCarthy would be his choice for the first White House National Climate Advisor. This new role meant she would be the President's main advisor on climate change policy within the United States. She would also lead a new White House office focused on climate policy.
McCarthy said she was convinced to join the administration when Biden connected climate change to other important issues like health, environmental justice, and creating jobs after the pandemic. She felt "energized" by this broader view.
In June 2022, McCarthy encouraged technology companies to help ensure that accurate information about climate change was shared, and to prevent the spread of false information on the topic.
On September 2, 2022, the White House announced that McCarthy would be stepping down from her role as top climate advisor on September 16. She was replaced by Ali Zaidi.
Personal life
Gina McCarthy is married to Kenneth McCarey. They have three adult children. While she worked at the EPA in Washington, D.C., her husband often visited her from Massachusetts. She enjoys watching the "Barefoot Contessa" cooking show.
See also
In Spanish: Gina McCarthy para niños
