In Atlanta, a Deadly Forest Protest Sparks Debate Over ‘Domestic Terrorism’
"Manuel Esteban Paez Teran seemed to be everyone’s favorite social justice activist. ... Now the 26-year-old activist is dead."
Source: Washington Post, 01/27/2023
EJToday: Top Headlines
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"Climate Groups Decry Selection Of Oil Chief To Oversee COP28"
"Hundreds of climate and environmental groups from around the world released a letter Thursday that decried the nomination of an oil executive to oversee the United Nations climate negotiations at COP28 this year.
Earlier this month, the United Arab Emirates, host of the U.N. climate talks this year, named Sultan al-Jaber to the presidency of the conference Nov. 30 to Dec. 12. The company he runs as chief executive, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., produces 4 million barrels of crude oil per day and hopes to expand to 5 million daily by the end of the decade.
Source: AP, 01/27/2023"New Museum In Mexico Spotlights Endangered Axolotl Salamander"
"A new museum and conservation center dedicated to Mexico's critically endangered axolotl salamander is highlighting the amphibian's remarkable story that has captured the attention of scientists and the public alike."
Source: Reuters, 01/27/2023"Biden Bans Roads and Logging in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest"
"The Biden administration announced Wednesday that it has banned logging and road-building on about nine million acres of the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska, aiming to settle a two-decade battle over the fate of North America’s largest temperate rainforest."
Source: NYTimes, 01/26/2023Enviros Seek Tougher Oil And Gas Rules To Protect Rare Whale In Gulf
"Environmental scientists say Rice’s whale, discovered in 2021, faces extinction unless the federal government sets tougher restrictions on oil and gas activities in the gulf."
Source: Texas Tribune, 01/26/2023Bill To Withdraw Va. From Carbon-Trading Program Dies In State Committee
"A committee of the Virginia Senate on Tuesday defeated a bill backed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) that would withdraw the state from a regional carbon-trading initiative."
Source: The Hill, 01/26/2023Pa. Drillers Abandoned Thousands Of Gas Wells In 5 Years, Ignored State Law
"Pennsylvania’s environmental regulator says, over a five-year period, more than half of conventional oil and gas operators failed to report how much gas they pulled from the ground and whether their equipment is safe."
Source: NPR, 01/26/2023US Refuses Calls For Immediate Protection Of North Atlantic Right Whales
"The U.S. government has denied two petitions to immediately protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales during the species’ calving season, raising concerns that this population of whales will continue to decline without intervention. There are currently about 340 of these whales left, making them one of the most threatened cetaceans in the world."
Source: Mongabay, 01/26/2023Regulators Nix Proposal To Delay Closure Of Last California Nuclear Plant
"In pointed language, federal regulators rebuffed a request Tuesday from the operator of California’s last nuclear power plant that could have smoothed its pathway to securing a longer operating life for its twin reactors."
Source: AP, 01/26/2023"Silencing Science: How Indonesia Is Censoring Wildlife Research"
"Under President Joko Widodo, Indonesia has gained international praise for its conservation policies. But now the government is clamping down on scientists who are questioning official claims that the country’s endangered orangutan and rhino populations are increasing."
Source: YaleE360, 01/26/2023"Agency Delays Protections For Imperiled Bat, Prairie Chicken"
"The Biden administration is temporarily delaying stepped-up legal protections for two imperiled species following efforts by congressional Republicans to derail the actions."
Source: AP, 01/26/2023"Sea Otter Recovery Is Sending Ripples through the Ecosystem"
"On Pleasant Island, Alaska, wolves are feasting on sea otters. That’s surprisingly bad news for deer."
Source: Hakai, 01/26/2023"Dolphins Make A Splash In The Bronx River For First Time In 5 Years"
"Dolphins are cavorting in the Bronx River of all places for the first time in at least five years, delighting New Yorkers. They’re a hopeful sign that efforts to clean up the river, long plagued by pollution, are seeing some success, said city officials."
Source: HuffPost, 01/26/2023"The FDA Proposes New Targets To Limit Lead In Baby Food"
"It's not possible to remove all traces of lead from the food supply, because the heavy metal is found throughout the environment and can be absorbed by plants. So traces are found in the vegetables, fruits and grains that are used to make baby food. But as toxic metal exposure can be harmful to developing brains, the Food and Drug Administration is issuing new guidelines to reduce children's exposure to the lowest level possible."
Source: NPR, 01/25/2023‘No Miracles Needed’: Mark Jacobson On How Renewables Can Power The World
Wind, water and solar can provide plentiful and cheap power, he argues, ending the carbon emissions driving the climate crisis, slashing deadly air pollution and ensuring energy security. Carbon capture and storage, biofuels, new nuclear and other technologies are expensive wastes of time, Prof. Mark Jacobson argues.
Source: Guardian, 01/25/2023
