11-4: Five quick things for your Saturday

Winter's coming. We all have chores to do. Let's make this simple: Five quick hits to keep you up to date on our environment and health.



Gov't climate report at odds with Trump and his team

Coverage of the federal climate assessment takes Trump to task:

AP's Seth Borenstein:

As President Donald Trump touts new oil pipelines and pledges to revive the nation's struggling coal mines, federal scientists are warning that burning fossil fuels is already driving a steep increase in the United States of heat waves, droughts and floods.

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Three top stories for Saturday

  1. New Jersey sets new PFOA level below Vermont standard. New Jersey last week set its safe drinking water standard for the chemical PFOA at 14 parts per trillion, 30 percent lower than Vermont's standard. (Vermont Public Radio)
  2. Louisville neighborhoods use trees to fend off heart disease. The poets were right all along: Trees are a drug, in ways marvelous and often misunderstood. We underestimate at our peril the powers of a walk in the woods. (USA Today) (thanks to Univ. of Louisville's Alex Carll for pointing us to that story)
  3. Will the bird that dodged a bullet pay the price of peace? "Armed conflict is good for preventing deforestation." (Mike Shanahan, Under the Banyan)

One must-read opinion

As ice shelves crumble and the Twitter president threatens to pull out of the Paris accord, author Jonathan Franzen reflects on the role of the writer in time of crisis (The Guardian)

One beautiful thing

Those are my kids (and dog), at 6:30 a.m. on a Saturday. Eleven inches of snow fell overnight in Bozeman, Montana.

It's ski swap weekend here, and people are already to find a sweet deal on winter gear. I told my kids we weren't moving the car until the driveway was clear.

Amazing how much energy a motivated kid has.

Today's gift in Bozeman is reminder for us all: Get outside and enjoy the weather. It's beautiful out there.

A woman standing on a stool in front of library bookshelves

Opinion: Why understanding climate science matters now more than ever

Widespread misconceptions about the science of climate change are fueling public confusion and political division, undermining efforts to address global warming.

View of wind turbines on a hillside

Utah regulators deny clean energy petition but signal support for future renewable opportunities

The Utah Public Service Commission rejected a request from clean energy advocates to compel Rocky Mountain Power to speed up renewable energy procurement, saying it lacks authority to direct resource decisions. Still, the ruling encourages the utility to pursue tax-credit-eligible projects to reduce costs for ratepayers.

An older woman with a bottle of water being taken care of by two other people during a heat wave

‘Unsustainable, unhealthy and ultimately unliveable’: Report reveals deadly cost of climate inaction

A new Lancet study finds that government delays in tackling climate change are worsening health crises worldwide, with surging heat-related deaths, air pollution fatalities, and food insecurity threatening millions.

Wind turbines being built in the ocean

Potential wind slowdown threatens renewable energy and fuels heat domes

Climate change may be causing long-term global wind speeds to slow down, a shift that will likely lead to a dangerous rise in local temperatures, worsening air pollution and disruption to renewable energy systems.

red and black heavy equipment on green grass field under white clouds during daytime
Credit: Jeff W/Unsplash

Oklahoma oil regulators failed to stop spread of toxic wastewater

Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drinking water.
Satellite view of hurricane above Earth.
Credit: Resource Database For Unsplash+

Hurricane Melissa makes landfall in Cuba after disaster in Jamaica

Jamaica was declared a disaster area after Melissa made landfall there. Storm expected to hit the Bahamas later Wednesday.
Luxury interior of a private gulfstream jet with large cabin aircraft
Credit: Guynoff/BigStock Photo ID: 1227218

America’s super-rich are running down the planet’s safe climate spaces, says Oxfam

Data shows wealthiest 0.1% of the US burn carbon at 4,000 times the rate of the world’s poorest 10%.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

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