Gina McCarthy: The EPA, the White House, and the Fight for Our Future

On this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Gina McCarthy—former EPA Administrator and the first-ever White House National Climate Advisor—for a candid, urgent conversation about what’s at stake for science, health, and the planet. From her early days in local government to leading historic climate action under President Biden, Gina reflects on the power of persistence, the role of public service, and what it will take to keep progress alive in the face of political pushback. It’s straight talk from one of the most trusted voices in environmental leadership.

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Transcript

Gina McCarthy: The EPA, the White House, and the Fight for Our Future

On this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with one of the most trusted and trailblazing figures in climate policy: Gina McCarthy. As the first White House National Climate Advisor and former Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gina’s leadership helped shape the most ambitious climate agenda in U.S. history. But behind every legislative milestone is a lifetime of public service rooted in one thing: protecting people.

“I started out as a public health agent in a small town in Massachusetts,” she tells co-hosts Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina. “I didn’t know what I was doing, but I knew I had to learn fast—because people were counting on me.”

That drive to protect communities—and her deep belief in public health as a human right—fueled a decades-long career across six governorships and two presidential administrations. From writing a right-to-know law that passed unanimously in her town to architecting the climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, Gina has never waited for permission to lead.

And now, as the Biden administration’s legacy faces dismantling, she’s not backing down.

“This won’t stand the test of time.”

Speaking candidly about the Trump administration’s ongoing attempts to roll back environmental protections, Gina is both fired up and focused. “So much of what this administration is doing is patently unlawful,” she says. “But that won’t stand the test of time.”

For her, it’s not just about defending regulations—it’s about defending lives. “They’re removing rules that will directly increase pollution and make people sicker. That’s not an abstract policy issue. That’s your kid’s asthma. That’s someone’s grandmother.”

Still, she’s quick to pivot to solutions. Gina underscores the critical role of states, cities, and businesses in filling the leadership vacuum. Through her work with Bloomberg Philanthropies and the coalition America Is All In, she’s helping thousands of stakeholders stay in the climate fight—even when Washington steps out.

Show Up. Speak Up.

Gina’s philosophy is simple: “You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to show up.” That, she says, is how America restores its credibility and momentum—both globally and at home.

And while fear is real, she urges those with privilege to use their voices. “Not everyone can speak up. But for those of us who can—we must.”

She also reminds us that showing up can be personal, not just political. “I spend a lot of time with my grandkids. When I’m with them, I’m fully present. That’s part of the work too—protecting their future by staying hopeful, staying balanced, and continuing the fight.”

Advice for Scientists and Advocates

Asked what she tells young scientists facing curveballs, Gina doesn’t sugarcoat it. “You won’t get 100% of what you want. But you might get 60%. And that’s progress.”

Her advice? Lead with humility, adapt with empathy, and listen for what’s not being said. “Sometimes people won’t tell you the real reason they’re saying no. You’ve got to listen hard, work around it, and keep moving.”

This episode is packed with wisdom, wit, and the kind of moral clarity that reminds us what public service really means. For anyone feeling disillusioned about the state of climate policy, Gina McCarthy is the antidote: fierce, funny, and relentlessly committed to the work.