All articles tagged with #environmental advocacy
The Trump administration announced plans to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which protects 58 million acres of national forests from road construction and logging, citing outdated regulations. Environmental advocates warn this could lead to increased wildfire risk, habitat destruction, and privatization of public lands, and vow to oppose the move through legal action.
Dozens of former colleagues at the Natural Resources Defense Council are urging Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to drop out of the presidential race, citing concerns that his candidacy could act as an election spoiler benefiting Donald Trump. Environmental advocacy groups have also denounced Kennedy as a conspiracy theorist and science denier, expressing worry that he could co-opt the credibility of the environmental movement for personal gain. Despite touting his environmental credentials, Kennedy's campaign has been criticized for promoting misleading conspiracy theories, including his belief that vaccines cause autism. Both an open letter and full-page ads suggest that Kennedy has no hope of winning and could potentially siphon votes away from President Biden, potentially aiding Trump's reelection.
A new study published in the Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology found that 80% of tested Americans had the pesticide chlormequat in their systems, with the chemical being detected in common oat and wheat-based products, including Cheerios and Quaker Oats. Chlormequat, a plant growth regulator not approved for use on edible crops in the U.S., has been linked to potential harmful effects, although its impact on humans is not fully understood. The study's findings have raised concerns about food safety and the importation of foods treated with chlormequat, prompting ongoing research and opposition from environmental advocacy groups.
Environmental watchdogs have accused Mexican startup The Blue Formula of violating international trade law by selling a health supplement made from endangered totoaba fish to countries including the U.S. and China. Advocates are concerned that the fish may be illegally caught in the wild. The company claims to operate sustainably by sourcing fish from a farm with a permit to breed totoaba, but environmental groups argue that the farm does not have a permit for commercial export. Fishing for totoaba is endangering the vaquita porpoise, and the high demand for totoaba bladders in China is driving illegal gillnet fishing.
A New Jersey state Senate candidate, Steve Dnistrian, who has been critical of offshore wind energy, recently represented LS Power Grid, a company seeking to build power lines for offshore wind projects. Dnistrian's opponent and supporters accuse him of hypocrisy, while Dnistrian claims his work for the company provides him with valuable knowledge on the issue. The controversy over offshore wind has intensified in New Jersey, with concerns about whale deaths and the potential impact on tourism. Environmental advocacy groups in the state remain supportive of the offshore wind industry.
A newly discovered snake species has been named Tachymenoides harrisonfordi after actor Harrison Ford, known for his role as Indiana Jones. The German Society for Herpetology and Herpetoculture named the snake in recognition of Ford's environmental advocacy. The snake measures 16 inches in length and has a yellowish-brown color with black blotches. Ford jokingly expressed surprise that critters named after him are always terrifying, and he thanked the researchers for the honor. He emphasized the importance of the discovery and the need to protect biodiversity and mend our relationship with nature. The snake was discovered in the Peruvian Andes by a team of researchers from the US, Germany, and Peru.
A new species of snake discovered in Peru has been named Tachymenoides harrisonfordi in honor of actor Harrison Ford's environmental advocacy. Ford, who is the vice chair of Conservation International, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. This is not the first time a species has been named after Ford, as he already has an ant and a spider named after him. The discovery of the snake species aims to draw attention to the extinction crisis facing reptiles and highlight the importance of species protection.
"The Parrot and the Igloo: Climate and the Science of Denial" by David Lipsky is a comprehensive and unflinching look at the history of climate science and the efforts by the fossil fuel industry and its allies to deny and obstruct action on climate change. Lipsky examines the contributions of key scientists, the tactics of denialist figures, and the political challenges faced in addressing the climate crisis. While the book provides valuable insights and exposes the crimes committed in the pursuit of profit, it downplays the significance of political opposition and practical solutions. Despite its thorough research, the book is occasionally sloppy and fails to acknowledge recent successes in climate legislation. Overall, it offers little hope but highlights the urgent need for action.
As millions of Americans suffer from extreme heatwaves and other climate-related disasters, US Republicans are opposing climate funding and measures to address the climate crisis. Republican lawmakers are attempting to block spending provisions focused on climate resilience and environmental justice efforts, including funding for scientific agencies like NASA. House Republicans are also slipping anti-climate provisions into spending bill drafts, aiming to block renewable energy funding and impede federal efforts to tackle the climate crisis. Environmental advocates criticize these actions, highlighting the devastating impact on communities and the lack of support at the federal level.
Russia has banned the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), claiming that it is undermining the country's economy and limiting the work of its oil and gas giants. The ousting of the WWF, the last major international environmental organization still operating in Russia, as well as the shuttering of several dozen local activist groups over the past year, signal a grim shift in Russia's ecological policy. The polar bear initiative in particular was one of the last areas of cooperation between Russia and the United States, even as relations deteriorated in virtually every other area.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has been labeled an "undesirable" organization by Russian authorities, making all of its activities illegal in Russia. The move is part of a wider clampdown on environmental groups in the country, with Greenpeace Russia and other organizations also being banned. The WWF has been accused of "threatening" Russia's economy and "interfering" with its internal affairs, as well as financing Russian organizations designated as "foreign agents." The group must immediately cease its work inside Russia, and any affiliation with it is now illegal.
Greenpeace Russia has announced its closure after being labeled an "undesirable" organization by the country's Prosecutor General's Office. The NGO has been accused of "interfering" with Russia's internal affairs, "undermining" the country's economy, and "financing" the activities of Russian organizations designated as "foreign agents." Greenpeace Russia has played a key role in demanding action on climate and environmental issues in Russia, including fighting seasonal wildfires and proposing legislative reforms. The move to ban Greenpeace comes amid a tightening clampdown on environmental groups within Russia over the past year.
The Sierra Club, one of the US’s oldest and largest environmental advocacy groups, is undergoing a restructuring that could lead to more than 100 job losses, according to a union representing some of its employees. The restructuring, which has already seen dozens of layoffs and voluntary buyouts, is necessary to meet financial constraints and improve internal accountability and equity, according to a Sierra Club spokesperson. However, some employees have raised concerns about the process, which they say has been opaque and exclusionary, and a union has filed two official unfair labor practice complaints.
The royals danced to Lionel Richie's music at a special concert in Windsor Castle to celebrate the Coronation, with the younger generation joining in. The evening included video cameos from Winnie-the-Pooh, Tom Cruise, Miss Piggy, and Kermit. Prince William praised his father's environmental advocacy, and a drone display in the night sky highlighted the theme. The event was hosted by Hugh Bonneville and kicked off with DJ Pete Tong spinning a few tunes.
President Biden's decision to approve the Willow project, a large-scale oil drilling proposal in Alaska, has caused backlash from climate activists and young supporters who feel betrayed by the administration's promises on climate change. While White House officials defend the decision, emphasizing legal issues and the need for energy independence, environmental groups have already sued to block the project. The tension between honoring climate change promises and the nation's energy needs is a challenge for Biden's climate legacy, especially as he plans to announce his campaign for reelection.