Category: Environment
Climate crisis could kill as many people as all infectious diseases combined by 2100, warns study
“We are studying the risk of death faced by our own children.” by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Tuesday, August 4 A new study warns that the annual global death rate from the climate crisis could equal…
What happened when a public institute became a de facto lobbying arm of the timber industry
Internal emails show a tax-funded agency created to educate people about forestry has acted as a public-relations agency and lobbying arm for Oregon’s timber industry, in some cases skirting legal constraints that forbid it from doing…
Wildfires can poison drinking water – here’s how communities can be better prepared
The Camp Fire inferno spread at a speed of one football field per second, chasing everyone – including water system operators – out of town. The 2018 Camp Fire north of Sacramento burned everything in its…
Rathke: Are single use plastics getting a bad rap?
New York City Once the breeze picks up between the canyons formed by New York City skyscrapers, the most common local bird that seems to be floating in the sky when you see something flutter…
Global Witness reveals 2019 was ‘Deadliest year on record’ for eco-defenders, with 212 murdered worldwide
“Those that defend our land and environment are on the front lines of #ClimateAction. But we are failing them badly.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Wednesday, July 29 “In 2019, Global Witness recorded 212 murdered land…
Rathke: Spewing Cancer Chemicals on Louisiana’s Death Alley
New Orleans A tip from a friend sent me to a seat on the back row of a lecture hall at the Tulane Law School to listen to a star-studded panel assembled on the topic…
Oil and gas in flux: After a series of stunning defeats, what’s next for the industry?
Environmental, economic and political forces have converged, threatening to finally upend fossil fuel dominance. by Tara Lohan Wednesday, July 29 When Dominion Energy and Duke Energy unexpectedly cancelled plans to build the Atlantic Coast Pipeline on…
Need money for a Green New Deal? Get it from ICE.
With the money we spend on ICE and CBP, we could solar power nearly 35 million homes. by Josue De Luna Navarro Sunday, July 26 The climate crisis is perhaps the greatest challenge humanity is facing….
Warnings of ecological, humanitarian disaster as tanker risks dumping four times more oil than Exxon Valdez
‘Massive Floating Time Bomb’ The potential disaster would “directly affect millions of people in a country that is already enduring the world’s largest humanitarian emergency.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, July 17 A United Nations…
Judge blocks Trump attempt to gut methane restrictions
“The judge basically rejected every attempt by the Trump administration to gut these common-sense waste prevention measures on behalf of their oil and gas industry cronies.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Thursday, July 16 Green groups…
‘The future does not belong to you,’ climate campaigners say to big oil after cancellation of 600-Mile Atlantic Coast Pipeline
“Duke and Dominion did not decide to cancel the Atlantic Coast Pipeline—the people and frontline organizations that led this fight for years forced them into walking away.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Monday, July 6 Following…
‘Monumental Victory’: Tribes and climate activists celebrate court-ordered shutdown of Dakota Access Pipeline
“If the events of 2020 have taught us anything, it’s that health and justice must be prioritized early on in any decision-making process if we want to avoid a crisis later on.” by Jessica Corbett, staff…
Should environmentalists embrace Universal Basic Income?
Cash payments from the government could help ease the transition to a climate-safe economy and weather the natural and economic storms to come. by Tara Lohan, The Revelator Sunday, June 28 If you had…
Police condemned for charging peaceful environmentalists with ‘Terrorizing’ in Louisiana
“This is a clear instance of the law and law enforcement being used to protect corporations, profit, and property over people.” by Jessica Corbett, staff writer Friday, June 26 At least 40 U.S. climate and…
As coronavirus cases and unemployment in the US climb, 39 groups launch coalition for clean energy and healthy communities
“The Covid-19 pandemic has made clear that the health of nature, the health of people, and the health of our economy are all deeply connected, and this fact should guide and inform the U.S. government’s response.”…
Here’s what Climate Change means for wildfires in the West
Two recent studies find different factors increasing wildfire risk across California and the Pacific Northwest, but the solutions in each location are similar. by Tara Lohan, The Revelator Tuesday, June 23 Exploding saguaros in Arizona have…
COVID-19 is laying waste to many US recycling programs
A discarded medical glove in Jersey City, N.J., April 27, 2020. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images by Brian J. Love, University of Michigan and Julie Rieland, University of Michigan The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the U.S. recycling…
Arctic hits 100.4°F—hottest temperature on record
“This Scares Me” — Bill McKibben “100°F about 70 miles north of the Arctic Circle today in Siberia. That’s a first in all of recorded history. We are in a climate emergency.” by Jake Johnson, staff…
Utility lobbying and policy inattention hinder community solar, study finds
by Kathiann M. Kowalski Utility lobbying has blocked community solar expansion, but a recent study suggests it’s been effective in part because many policymakers don’t understand the concept and its potential benefits. Community solar programs let…
Solar Co-op launches for Tucson residents to go solar together
Meteor staff from reports Tuesday, June 16, 2020 The nonprofit group Solar United Neighbors announced the launch of the Tucson Solar Co-op today, in partnership with the Center for Biological Diversity and Physicians for Social Responsibility…
Federal court urged to hold ‘rogue’ EPA in contempt for blatant defiance of ban on toxic weed killer
“EPA needs a lesson in separation of powers and we’re asking the court to give it to them.” by Jake Johnson, staff writer Friday, June 12 A coalition of farming and conservation groups is calling on…
The path beyond extinction and escape: return to earth, regenerate and share
Message for World Environment Day, 5th June 2020. by Vandana Shiva Friday, June 5, 2020 On 31st May, while people were dying during the Corona Pandemic, while millions had lost their livelihoods and were going hungry…
As CO2 Levels Build Up Earth Has Hottest May on Record
Like ‘Trash in a Landfill’ “This is unquestionably an alarming sign.” by Andrea Germanos, staff writer Friday, June 5 The Earth just experienced its hottest May on record, scientists said Friday—just a day after it was…
Groups denounce gutting of environmental rules ‘when Trump thinks no one is paying attention’
Order denounced as “latest in string of outlandish authoritarian acts” from the U.S. president. by Eoin Higgins, staff writer Thursday, June 4 President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Thursday waiving environmental regulatory…
