U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to revoke California's authority to enforce its 2035 ban on new gasoline-powered vehicle sales.
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U.S. Senate voted 51-44 to revoke California's authority to enforce its 2035 ban on new gasoline-powered vehicle sales.
President Biden had to cut a deal with the Republicans to get the debt limit extension passed and avoid an economic catastrophe. But in doing so, he had to water down his climate change initiative…and that’s causing a lot of concern among environmentalists. We’re going to talk about that today with someone who’s in the trenches. Maya K. van Rossum is the Delaware Riverkeeper and leader for the Delaware Riverkeeper Network. The Delaware Riverkeeper Network works throughout the four states of the Delaware River watershed (NY, NJ, PA & DE) and at the national level using advocacy, science and litigation. During van Rossum's 30 years leadin the Network, she and her organization were the lead plaintiffs in a successful case that had the PA Supreme Court breathe legal life into PA's long ignored environmental rights amendment. Now, van Rossum is advancing The Green Amendment movement, seeking to inspire and secure constitutional protection for environmental rights across the nation. On the podcast, she cautions that the budget deal Biden cut with Congressional Republicans will weaken current federal environmental initiatives and jeopardize other critical environmental laws, like the Clean Water Act. van Rossum is author of a book titled “The Green Amendment, The People's Fight For a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment”. Meanwhile, she’s just returned from Montana for a groundbreaking climate trial in which the young plaintiffs argued that Montana officials and agencies must be held accountable for exacerbating the climate crisis and thereby violating their constitutional rights. It marked the first constitutional climate trial in U.S. history. Here are some questions we discussed with Maya: Q. First off, let’s talk about that trial in Montana. What’s happening and what are the implications? Q. Why were you there? Q. What is a Green Amendment and how does it bring transformational change to environmental protection? Q. Let’s talk about the debt ceiling deal and the fallout from that. You’ve said that it will undermine environmental protection and people’s safety. How is that? Q. The deal overhauls the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), rewriting this iconic environmental protection law. What’s the problem with that? Q.The debt deal mandates approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. How is that a problem? Q. Tell us about your work with the Riverkeepers and what you do? Q. Let’s talk about your book, The Green Amendment: The People's Fight to Secure a Clean, Safe & Healthy Environment, now in it's 2nd edition.
The EPA Is Being Sued for Approving Cancer-Causing Plastic-Based Fuels
We need climate action. But just because something gets grouped under the umbrella of things that theoretically combat climate change doesn’t mean it’s actually good for the planet or people. In an alarming example, production of certain alternative “climate-friendly” fuels could lead to dangerous, cancer-causing… Read more…
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The Importance of Environmental Protection Laws Environmental protection laws are a set of regulations and guidelines that aim to preserve the natural environment and protect it from human-induced harm. These laws are put in place to prevent pollution, protect endangered species, and conserve natural resources. They are essential for maintaining the health and well-being of our planet and all living organisms that depend on it. The Evolution of Environmental Protection Laws The first environmental protection laws were passed in the 19th century, but it wasn't until the 1960s and 1970s that the modern environmental movement began to take shape. In 1962, Rachel Carson published her influential book "Silent Spring," which brought attention to the dangers of pesticide use and the need for more stringent regulations. This book is considered one of the catalysts of the modern environmental movement.In 1970, the U.S. government established the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which was tasked with enforcing a wide range of environmental laws and regulations. The EPA has since been responsible for enforcing laws such as the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.One of the most important environmental laws passed in recent years is the Paris Agreement, which was adopted in 2016. This agreement aims to limit global warming to below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Paris Agreement has been ratified by nearly every country in the world, making it one of the most widely supported environmental agreements in history. The Impact of Environmental Protection Laws Environmental protection laws have had a significant impact on reducing pollution and preserving natural resources. For example, the Clean Air Act has led to a significant reduction in air pollution, resulting in healthier air for people to breathe. The Clean Water Act has helped to reduce water pollution and protect important bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. The Endangered Species Act has helped to protect a wide range of plant and animal species from extinction.However, despite the progress that has been made, there is still much work to be done. Climate change, deforestation, and loss of biodiversity are just a few of the environmental challenges that we currently face. Environmental protection laws are essential for addressing these challenges, but they must be enforced and updated to keep pace with the changing world. The Future of Environmental Protection Laws As the world continues to change, so must our approach to environmental protection. Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time, and it requires immediate action. Governments and organizations must work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems, and adapt to the inevitable changes that are already occurring.One of the most important ways to address climate change is through carbon pricing. Carbon pricing is a policy that puts a price on carbon emissions, making it more expensive for companies and individuals to pollute the environment. This encourages them to find more efficient and sustainable ways to produce goods and services.Another important area of focus for the future is the protection of biodiversity. Biodiversity is the variety of life on Earth, and it is essential for maintaining the health of the planet. Governments must work to protect endangered species, preserve natural habitats, and restore ecosystems that have been damaged by human activities. Conclusion Environmental protection laws are essential for preserving the natural environment and protecting it from human-induced harm. They have been instrumental in reducing pollution and preserving natural resources, but there is still much work to be done. Climate change and loss of biodiversity are just a few of the challenges that we currently
How Carbon Emissions Got Rebranded as ‘Pollution’
How Carbon Emissions Got Rebranded as ‘Pollution’
This story was originally published by Grist. You can subscribe to its weekly newsletter here. Read more…
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Yesterday James and I went to a cemetery in Brooklyn to collect a tiny piece of a tiny Usnea—it’s only the second Usnea known from NYC in the last 100 years! Thanks to awesome citizen scientists Molly and Matthew for finding it (and for the dope hazelnut flour brownies...wow) and to Sarah at the cemetery for the assist. Citizen science for the win! #lichens #lichenology #mycoblonde #DNA #cleanairact #sciencing #cemetery #biodiversity #usnea #nyc #brooklyn https://www.instagram.com/p/B8bsJPDA_WV/?igshid=hpcnbif7f66e
Tougher emissions rules helped cut US air pollution deaths in half
Tougher emissions rules helped cut US air pollution deaths in half
There’s little doubt that air quality has generally improved in the US in recent decades, but quantifying that improvement has been difficult. However, a recently publishedUniversity of North Carolina study might have produced a more tangible figure. The NASA- and EPA-backed report determined that American deaths from air pollution dropped by 47 percent between 1990 and 2010 to 71,000 per…
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Trump administration reveals plans to roll back vehicle fuel standards
Trump administration reveals plans to roll back vehicle fuel standards
Earlier this year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announcedthat it wanted to roll back vehicle efficiency standards put into place by the Obama administration, and today the Trump administration revealed its plan to do so. While the previous policies stated that automakers have until 2025 to get their average fuel efficiencies for passenger vehicles to over 50 miles per gallon,…
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