EJToday: Top Headlines

"The Government Is Shut Down. But Not for Fossil Fuels." [9]

"More than 700,000 federal employees have been sidelined and thousands more are at risk of being fired as the government shutdown drags on." "Federal workers who issue permits for oil, gas and mining operations are on the job, along with those working to repeal pollution limits."

Climate Change [10]
Economy & Business [11]
Energy & Fuel [12]
Environmental Health [13]
Environmental Politics [14]
Government [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Pollution [17]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Source: NYTimes [20], 10/21/2025
- Read more about "The Government Is Shut Down. But Not for Fossil Fuels." [9]
Interior Reveals Plans To Fire Hundreds Of National Park Service Employees [21]

"The Interior Department plans to lay off more than 2,000 employees, including hundreds of National Parks Service (NPS) workers, according to a Monday court filing."

Biodiversity [22]
Environmental Politics [14]
Natural Resources [23]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Source: The Hill [24], 10/21/2025
- Read more about Interior Reveals Plans To Fire Hundreds Of National Park Service Employees [21]
Brazil OKs Oil Drilling Near Mouth Of Amazon R. Ahead Of UN Climate Summit [25]

"Brazil’s government approved on Monday exploratory drilling by state-run oil-giant Petrobras near the mouth of the Amazon River. The decision comes only weeks before the United Nations climate conference in Belem, COP30, where efforts to reduce the use of fossil fuels will be discussed."

Climate Change [10]
Energy & Fuel [12]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Natural Resources [23]
Pollution [17]
Water & Oceans [26]
Public [18]
South America [27]
Source: AP [28], 10/21/2025
- Read more about Brazil OKs Oil Drilling Near Mouth Of Amazon R. Ahead Of UN Climate Summit [25]
Senate Poised To Approve Industry Lobbyist To Lead Chemical Safety At EPA [29]

"The US Senate is poised to approve Donald Trump’s nomination of an industry lobbyist to lead the US Environmental Protection Agency’s chemical safety office."

Chemicals [30]
Consumer [31]
Environmental Health [13]
Environmental Politics [14]
Laws & Regulations [16]
People & Population [32]
Pollution [17]
Science [33]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Source: Guardian [34], 10/21/2025
- Read more about Senate Poised To Approve Industry Lobbyist To Lead Chemical Safety At EPA [29]
Tropical Disturbance Threatens Torrential Rainfall For Central Caribbean [35]

"A sprawling, fast-moving tropical disturbance raced through the Windward Islands on Sunday and entered the Caribbean, where it’s set to become a formidable rainmaker for days on end."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [36]
Water & Oceans [26]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [37]
Mexico [38]
Central America & the Caribbean [39]
Source: Yale Climate Connections [40], 10/21/2025
- Read more about Tropical Disturbance Threatens Torrential Rainfall For Central Caribbean [35]
Calif. Suit Says Plastic Bag Makers Lied About Products Being Recyclable [41]

"California ramped up its efforts to curb plastic pollution Friday — suing three plastic-bag makers, alleging the companies falsely claimed their products were recyclable."

Chemicals [30]
Consumer [31]
Energy & Fuel [12]
Environmental Politics [14]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Waste [42]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
California [43]
Source: AP [44], 10/21/2025
- Read more about Calif. Suit Says Plastic Bag Makers Lied About Products Being Recyclable [41]
"Fed Rescinds Mandate That Banks Plan for Climate Risks" [45]

"Federal regulators have rescinded a requirement that the nation’s largest financial institutions factor climate risks into their long-term planning, a policy dating from the Biden administration that Federal Reserve Board staff called “distracting” and “not necessary” and that Republicans have labeled overreach."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [36]
Economy & Business [11]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Source: NYTimes [46], 10/21/2025
- Read more about "Fed Rescinds Mandate That Banks Plan for Climate Risks" [45]
"California Has A New Law To Prevent Big Grid Battery Fires" [47]

"The state enhanced battery safety rules in response to the Moss Landing fire. The industry is on board, hoping better standards will reassure the public."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [36]
Infrastructure [48]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Pollution [17]
Technology [49]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
California [43]
Source: Canary Media [50], 10/21/2025
- Read more about "California Has A New Law To Prevent Big Grid Battery Fires" [47]
New Fla. Law Blocks Communities' Efforts to Be More Sustainable and Resilient [51]

"Manatee County’s commissioners didn’t expect to be threatened with removal from office for considering two measures meant to enhance disaster resilience in this fast-growing county on Florida’s Gulf Coast."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [36]
Environmental Politics [14]
Infrastructure [48]
Laws & Regulations [16]
People & Population [32]
Planning & Growth [52]
Water & Oceans [26]
Public [18]
SE (AL AR FL GA KY LA MS NC PR SC TN) [37]
Source: Inside Climate News [53], 10/21/2025
- Read more about New Fla. Law Blocks Communities' Efforts to Be More Sustainable and Resilient [51]
Illinois requires Climate Education in Schools. Now Teachers Plan How. [54]

"It’s the seventh state to pass a law requiring climate education in public schools. The requirement will kick in next fall."

Climate Change [10]
Environmental Politics [14]
Environmental Studies [55]
Laws & Regulations [16]
People & Population [32]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Great Lakes (IL IN MI MN OH WI) [56]
Source: Inside Climate News [57], 10/21/2025
- Read more about Illinois requires Climate Education in Schools. Now Teachers Plan How. [54]
FEMA Blocks Most Aid Applications After Deadly July 4 Texas Flood [58]

"Only about one-fifth of applicants for federal disaster assistance from Kerr County have been deemed eligible to get financial help so far, leaving hundreds without governmental aid more than three months after deadly floods ravaged the county on July 4."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [36]
Environmental Health [13]
Environmental Justice [59]
Environmental Politics [14]
Government [15]
Laws & Regulations [16]
People & Population [32]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Southwest (AZ NM OK TX) [60]
Source: Texas Tribune [61], 10/20/2025
- Read more about FEMA Blocks Most Aid Applications After Deadly July 4 Texas Flood [58]
"Nearly 900 Million Poor People Face Climate Shocks, Says UN" [62]

"Nearly 900 million people are simultaneously exposed to the escalating impacts of the climate crisis, from extreme heat and flooding to drought and toxic air pollution, according to a new United Nations report."

Climate Change [10]
Disasters [36]
Environmental Health [13]
Environmental Justice [59]
People & Population [32]
Water & Oceans [26]
Public [18]
International [63]
Source: Euronews [64], 10/20/2025
- Read more about "Nearly 900 Million Poor People Face Climate Shocks, Says UN" [62]
US Blocks Global Fee On Shipping Emissions As IMO Meeting Ends [65]

"With trade threats from President Donald Trump, the U.S. derailed the world’s first global carbon fee on shipping as an international maritime meeting adjourned Friday without adopting regulations."

Climate Change [10]
Economy & Business [11]
Energy & Fuel [12]
Environmental Politics [14]
Infrastructure [48]
Laws & Regulations [16]
Pollution [17]
Transportation [66]
Water & Oceans [26]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
International [63]
Source: AP [67], 10/20/2025
- Read more about US Blocks Global Fee On Shipping Emissions As IMO Meeting Ends [65]
"Banking Alliance Aimed At Limiting Fossil Fuel Investments Collapses" [68]

"A coalition formed to align the international banking sector’s investments with global climate goals has disbanded nearly four years after it was launched."

Climate Change [10]
Economy & Business [11]
Environmental Politics [14]
Public [18]
International [63]
Source: Mongabay [69], 10/20/2025
- Read more about "Banking Alliance Aimed At Limiting Fossil Fuel Investments Collapses" [68]
"ICE Detainees Face Greater Risk From Extreme Heat Than Most Prisoners" [70]

"Detainees at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities may be more vulnerable to extreme heat exposure than people housed in federal, state and county prisons, according to a Washington Post analysis, and this disparity is likely to grow as ICE expands the nation’s immigration system."

Climate Change [10]
Environmental Health [13]
Environmental Justice [59]
Environmental Politics [14]
People & Population [32]
Public [18]
National (U.S.) [19]
Source: Washington Post [71], 10/20/2025
- Read more about "ICE Detainees Face Greater Risk From Extreme Heat Than Most Prisoners" [70]

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