"The United States has sent letters to at least a handful of countries urging them to reject the goal of a global pact that includes limits on plastic production and plastic chemical additives at the start of U.N. plastic treaty talks in Geneva, according to a memo and communications seen by Reuters."

"Nations kicked off a meeting on Tuesday to try to complete a landmark treaty aimed at ending the plastic pollution crisis that affects every ecosystem and person on the planet."

"When school starts in West Virginia next month, 240,000 students in districts large and small will notice something missing from their cafeteria trays. Gone will be red Jell-O fruit cups, yogurt topped with brightly hued sprinkles and and older verisons of Cool Ranch Doritos — all foods made with synthetic dyes."

"Plastics are a “grave” danger to humans and the planet, responsible for an estimated $1.5 trillion annually in health-related costs, and nations need to center human health as they finalize the global plastics treaty, scientists said in a new report released Monday."

"Documents supporting the EPA’s plan to roll back vehicle emission standards reference California by name nearly 30 times. For more than 50 years, California has had special authority from the EPA to set strict tailpipe emission standards. The agency’s own analysis indicates that without California’s leadership and tax credits created under President Biden, national adoption of electric vehicles will decline and gasoline prices will increase." 

"“We just lost a decade’s worth of work,” said one green group leader." 

"In August, representatives of the world's nations will meet in Geneva, Switzerland, to hopefully finalize a U.N. plastic treaty. But negotiators remain far apart, with an overwhelming number of nations wanting a legally binding treaty that limits plastic production, while a much smaller number want a voluntary agreement focused on waste management."

"After Steven Barrows left his job at a hog slaughtering facility in Sioux City, Iowa, he sent a tip to the Environmental Protection Agency. In the tip, received by the EPA April 16, Barrows described the parking lot of Seaboard Triumph Foods LLC as a 'dump site for rotten meats.' He also sent photos -- some displaying dead pigs piled up outside of the building and others showing a smoky, noxious gas wafting inside."

"The Southeastern Louisiana University scientist who discovered alarming levels of toxic chemicals in Lake Maurepas was abruptly removed from her research position this week without explanation."

"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will close its flagship, but deteriorating research site in Maryland as part of a major reorganization aiming to shift 2600 employees away from the nation’s capital area, the agency announced this week. At the same time, USDA said it plans to shutter most of its forest research stations around the country. "