Our 2021 Annual Report: Environment, health, science & impact

An update from the front lines of climate change and environmental health

What a time of change and growth!

We are pleased to share Environmental Health Sciences' 2021 Annual Report, highlighting the many activities we undertook last year that set EHS up for a strong 2022.


Download our annual report here:

EHS-2021-Annual-Report.pdf

Environmental impact

Agriculture and environmental health

2021 was a year of excitement and challenge for our small nonprofit.

  1. We launched EHN en Español,
  2. Doubled down on our commitment to the groundbreaking early career science program Agents of Change, and
  3. Saw significant gains on both the toxics and climate fronts.

And we watched readers – like you! – get engaged in ways that continually surprised us.

Our work continues

PFAS in cosmetics

In just the first three months this year EHS staff has been a hive of activity:

  • Partnered with wellness community Mamavation.com to investigate PFAS contamination in sports bras, cosmetics and other products.
  • Driven a global campaign around groundbreaking BPA limits in Europe – and why the same scientific standards should be applied in the U.S.
  • Published 10 Agents of Change essays & podcasts exploring everything from new pathways into science to workplace chemical exposures.

Take a look at the work EHS did last year and be proud that you, as a reader, are moving it forward.

We certainly are grateful to you!

PS: Just today we published a look at impacts one year after publishing "Fractured," our groundbreaking investigation into spillover pollution from fracking fields in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Check it out!

Banner photo art by David Ryder for EHN.org

Flags of various nations fly on building

As U.S. and E.U. retreat on climate, China takes the leadership role

As U.N. talks get underway, China is emerging as a key leader in international climate efforts. It is empowering the global energy transition, and along with India and Brazil, is becoming the driving force in climate diplomacy and filling a vacuum left by the world’s rich nations. 
A home on stilts on the edge of an encroaching ocean

Are we all living in Florida now? The rise of 'don't say climate' politics

With the return of Trump-era climate denial and Democrats avoiding the term altogether, the U.S. is quietly adapting to a warming planet without naming the cause.

A black man walking on a solar panel installed on a roof

What does the just energy transition mean for Africa?

With around 600 million Africans still without electricity, leaders and communities are weighing how to expand affordable power while avoiding deeper dependence on fossil fuels.

An illustration of a healthy earth on the left and a warming earth on the right

Governments and billionaires retreat ahead of COP30 climate talks

With the U.S. under Trump reversing clean-energy efforts and Brazil allowing new oil exploration, the sense of urgency around a warming planet has given way to weary resignation.

Blue cranes placing coal onto large piles

Rise in Chinese off-grid coal plants in Indonesia belies pledge to end fossil fuel support

A surge in the supply of Chinese-backed coal-fired power plants built to supply electricity to Indonesia’s fast-growing nickel mining and processing sector is undermining Beijing’s efforts to dial back support for fossil fuels, a study has found.

Statsminister Jonas Gahr: Speaker at COP30
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/statsministerenskontor/ Creative Commons Foto: Martin Lerberg Fossum https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/

COP30: 'Climate conference of truth' in Brazil?

At COP30, the international community again will try to agree on targets to limit catastrophic global temperature rise. But many barriers remain before steep greenhouse gas cuts are realized.
A rocky island in the middle of the ocean viewed from above

The ocean has been hoarding heat. Now it is building up a massive 'burp'

Even if humans cut emissions enough to reduce global temperatures, new research shows the Southern Ocean could kick warming back into gear.
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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