Pollution

Sand mining is a growing industry for women after floods and drought The work is hard and the pay is low Sand mining is a major contributor to land degradation By Charles Pensulo The 37-year old sand-miner has no time to appreciate her surroundings. A tourist hotspot centred around the vast body of waters known as the Lake of Stars because of the brilliance of the nighttime reflections. Wilson notices that the shoreline is receding and thinks it may be her fault. She says that she is stuck with no choice. She said, "We think that (sand-mining) contributes to erosion....

Iranians are urged to reduce water consumption as dam levels drop Farmers in the United States are suffering from a nationwide water shortage The shortfall is similar to an overdrawn account By Sanam Mahoozi The water levels in the dams surrounding the capital are at an all-time low. Water rationing is expected this summer, as the country wilts from a severe drought. As water levels decline, lakes are disappearing and farmers are struggling. In cities, huge sinkholes appear. The kitchen taps often run dry, and students are concerned about the washing. Last week, the managing director of Tehran’s Water and...

Official data released on Wednesday showed that Panama's GDP grew by 2.9% in 2024. This is a significant slowdown from the 7.4% growth of the previous year, due to a decline in air travel and the closure of a large copper mine. Panama's economy grew at a rapid pace in the past decade. However, authorities predicted that growth would slow down, due to the closure by Canadian mining company First Quantum of a copper-mining operation, after clashes over tax contributions and the environmental impact. According to a National Institute of Statistics and Census report, "Air transportation decreased, as well as...

The shares of European truck manufacturers fell Thursday after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that it would begin efforts to reverse Biden's administration's vehicle emission rules. Analysts say that trucking fleet companies had expected to "pre-buy", trucks before the new rules came into effect, which would have driven up demand. This is unlikely to happen now. Pal Skirta, an analyst at Metzler, said that the market is likely to assume the tighter regulations are going to be reversed. This means there's no expectation of a surge in pre-purchases for the second half 2025-2026. Skirta stated that this was the...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday that it has begun efforts to reverse Biden's administration's vehicle emission rules, which would force automakers into building an increasing number of electric cars. This is just the latest of the Trump administration’s sweeping actions to undo prior efforts to encourage automakers to produce electric vehicles. The previous administration had rescinded a plan to have at least 50% new vehicles be EVs by 2030. The EPA The agency said that it would review its 2024 rules, which would reduce tailpipe emissions from passenger vehicles by almost 50% by 2032 as compared to...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Wednesday it would narrow the definitions of waters that could be federally regulated in order to comply with 2023 Supreme Court ruling. Republican legislators from agricultural states applauded this move. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the agency would work to create a simple definition "that will stand the test of time and be durable." He said that the previous administration's definition "waters of the United States" placed unfair burdens on American citizens and increased the cost of doing businesses. This announcement is part of what Zeldin called a "ping-pong" of policy...

According to sources familiar with the situation, the Trump administration plans to reverse pollution rules that reduce soot emission from U.S. power plants. This is a move to keep some of America's dirtiest coal-fired plants operating. Because they are small enough to enter the bloodstream, soot particles have a negative impact on health. The plan is in line with Trump's executive orders of January 20, which directed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review measures that affect energy reliability. They also declared a National Energy Emergency to increase government powers for boosting fossil fuels and electricity production. The White House...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday that it would narrow the definitions of waters that could be federally regulated in order to comply with 2023 Supreme Court ruling. Republican legislators from agricultural states applauded this move. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin stated that the agency would work to create a simple definition "that will stand the test of time". He said that the previous administration's definition of "waters of the United States" placed unfair burdens on American citizens and increased the cost of doing businesses. This announcement is part of what Zeldin called a "ping-pong" of policy changes around...

According to new research, microplastics can cause bacteria to become resistant. Researchers from Boston University said that E. coli bacteria exposed in test tubes to microplastics became resistant to several types of antibiotics commonly used. The report was published on Tuesday in Applied and Environmental Microbiology. In a press release, Neila Gross, the study leader explained that these tiny bits of plastic provide a surface to which bacteria can attach and colonize. They create a biofilm, a sticky substance which acts as a shield to protect the bacteria and keep them firmly affixed. Gross stated that "we found the biofilms...

Sources said that the Trump administration was considering canceling the lease for a support office of a well-known Hawaiian climate research station. This raises concerns for the future of important work tracking the impact on global warming of carbon emissions. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, which is led by billionaire Elon musk, has proposed that the leases of over 20 offices rented by U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration be terminated in order to save money. On the DOGE's website, there is a listing for a NOAA office located in Hilo, Hawaii, and an estimate on how much money...

Data showed that only seven countries met the World Health Organization's (WHO) standards for air quality last year. Researchers warned, however, that the fight against smog will become even more difficult after the United States stops its global monitoring. According to data compiled by Swiss air monitoring firm IQAir, Chad and Bangladesh had the highest average smog levels in 2024. These levels were more than 15-times higher than WHO guidelines. IQAir stated that only Australia, New Zealand and the Bahamas made the cut, as did Barbados, Grenada Grenada, Estonia, and Iceland. There are significant data gaps in Asia and Africa...

The model of gathering world leaders under complex rules to negotiate agreements is beginning to show its limitations, according to the president of the next summit, Brazilian diplomat Andre Correa do Lago. In a letter published on Monday, he outlined his vision for the COP30 Summit in the Amazonian city of Belem. He said climate negotiators should be critical of themselves and deal with the "outside perception" that talks have lasted for more than three decades without much progress. He wrote: "We must move beyond negotiations and help put what we have agreed into practice." Correa do lago, at a...

Stellantis, an automaker, said that it was pleased with the announcement by the European Commission on Tuesday. The Commission announced it would soften the carbon emission standards for cars in the EU. The Commission of the European Union, which is the executive body of the Union, has yielded to European automakers' pressure by announcing that it will give them three years instead only one to reach new CO2 emissions targets for their cars. After meeting with auto industry executives, unions, and campaign groups, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that she would instead propose compliance based upon the...

On Monday, the European Commission gave in to pressure from European carmakers and granted them an extra three years to reach CO2 emissions targets for 2025. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the Commission, told a press conference that the EU executive will make a proposal this month to allow for compliance over three years rather than just one. To meet the targets, European automakers must sell more electric cars. They lag behind their Chinese and U.S. competitors in this segment. "The goals remain the same." "They have to meet the targets but it means that more breathing room for...

Vivici, a Dutch startup that produces food ingredients, announced on Monday it had received funding of 32.5 million Euros ($34 million) to increase its production. The company produces a dairy protein using a process known as 'precision fermenting'. This is a refined version of brewing in which microbes multiply to produce animal proteins or enzymes. Vivici believes that the demand for alternative protein will be driven by the need of food producers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to lessen their vulnerability to seasonal agricultural swings. "The whey market, which is closest to us, is already a $13-billion market," Vivici...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Wednesday that it had submitted to Congress, for review and possible repeal, the Biden Administration's approval of California’s landmark plan to stop the sale of gasoline only vehicles by 2035. The new Trump administration's decision gives the Republican-led Congress a shot at repealing the Biden decision that granted California a Clean Air Act waiver for its program in accordance with the Congressional Review Act. Donald Trump, as a presidential candidate, promised to revoke approvals given by the EPA for California to require more EVs. He also pledged to tighten vehicle emission standards. These...

The U.S. Environmental Defense Company said on Wednesday it has actually approved California's. landmark plan to end the sale of gasolineonly vehicles by 2035. The choice in the last weeks of President Joe Biden's. administration establishes a battle over the future of California's. lorry regulations. President-elect Donald Trump has sworn to. rescind approvals granted by the EPA to California to need. more EVs and tighter car emissions standards. EPA Administrator Michael Regan granted a waiver under the. Clean Air Act to California to implement its plan to need. that by 2035 a minimum of 80% of new automobiles sold be...

A worldwide blueprint for modern flight struck 80 years ago this week deals with fresh tests managing modification and rising air traffic in the establishing world, a senior official at the UN's aviation agency told Reuters. On Thursday, the UN's International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is combining regulators and market executives consisting of from Boeing and Airplane in a. unique session at the Chicago site marking its birthplace. Without any policing powers, ICAO utilizes consensus to set. requirements on everything from runways to seat belts. The company. was created after the United States welcomed more than 50 allies. to agree...

China informed the leading U.N. court on Tuesday that existing U.N. treaties must supply the basis for its advisory viewpoint on states' legal commitments to fight international warming and address the repercussions of their historical contributions to it. The U.N. General Assembly, after a campaign led by small island states, asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue a viewpoint on nations' legal obligation for the negative impact of climate modification. One of those states, Vanuatu, on Monday asked the court to acknowledge the damages environment change had actually triggered and order reparations for its repercussions. China, one of...

Vanuatu on Monday prompted the United Nations' top court to recognise the harm triggered by climate change in its judgment on the legal responsibility of nations to fight it and attend to the effects of them contributing to worldwide warming. Vanuatu, one of the little island states that has spearheaded the effort to get the World Court to provide a so-called advisory opinion, was the first of more than 100 states and worldwide organisations to give its views throughout 2 weeks of proceedings. We find ourselves on the front lines of a crisis we did not produce, a crisis that...

A Dutch court will choose on Tuesday whether to uphold a landmark environment judgment against Shell, which in 2021 ordered the oil and gas business to greatly lower greenhouse gas emissions. The judgment by The Hague district court purchased Shell to cut its absolute carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, including those caused by the use of its items. The appeals court in The Hague can either uphold or dismiss the entire ruling, or it can customize it, for instance by omitting emissions triggered by Shell's customers. The judgment comes as the COP29 climate summit occurs...

A Dutch court will decide on Tuesday whether to support a landmark climate ruling against Shell, which in 2021 bought the oil and gas business to sharply reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The judgment by The Hague district court purchased Shell to cut its absolute carbon emissions by 45% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, consisting of those brought on by the use of its products. The appeals court in The Hague can either uphold or dismiss the whole ruling, or it can modify it, for example by excluding emissions triggered by Shell's consumers. The judgment comes as the COP29 climate...

An independent structure on Wednesday filed a class action claim in the Netherlands versus Stellantis over alleged emissions test unfaithful by among its predecessor business, Fiat Chrysler, a. file seen revealed. According to the lawsuit, submitted by the Dutch non-profit. foundation Fiat Chrysler Investors Healing Stichting, from at. least 2014 until 2017 Fiat Chrysler failed to divulge it had. installed illegal software application in its automobiles aimed at covering. emissions, the structure's legal adviser said in a declaration. As a result, (it) considerably harmed investors purchasing. and/or holding Fiat Chrysler shares, the statement from law. company Scott+ Scott stated. Stellantis...

The International Court of Justice stated on Friday it would hold public hearings starting Dec. 2 in an advisory viewpoint case that may end up being a reference point in specifying nations' legal commitments to eliminate climate change. The ICJ, referred to as the World Court, is the United Nations' highest court for dealing with worldwide conflicts. In 2023, the U.N. General Assembly asked it for an official viewpoint on questions consisting of whether large states that add to greenhouse-gas emissions might be liable for damages caused to small island nations. While the ICJ's advisory viewpoints are not binding under...