Countries have successfully reduced harmful atmospheric gases

Researchers have detected a significant decrease in hydrochlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere, marking progress in global efforts to protect the ozone layer and mitigate climate change.

Sarah Kaplan reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

Atmospheric levels of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), harmful gases from air conditioning and refrigeration, have significantly dropped since peaking in 2021.
The decline follows the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which phased out ozone-depleting substances like HCFCs.
Researchers expect HCFC levels to return to 1980 levels by 2080, highlighting the success of international cooperation.

Key quote:

“This milestone is a testament to the power of international cooperation.”

— Avipsa Mahapatra, director of the Environmental Investigation Agency’s climate campaign

Why this matters:

Reducing HCFCs shows that coordinated global policies can effectively tackle environmental issues. This success offers hope and a model for addressing climate change challenges, which are crucial as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise.

www.washingtonpost.com

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.

Countries have successfully reduced harmful atmospheric gases

EPA opens quiet backdoor for polluters to bypass clean air rules

A city in India offers a glimpse of how to build a cooler, cleaner future

A small Japanese town is quietly redefining what zero waste really means

Lake Tahoe’s future is clouded by murky waters, mounting tourism, and shifting priorities

Humans are reshaping life on Earth, shrinking biodiversity everywhere

Solar power surge drives global growth in clean energy, but targets remain out of reach

South Korea’s worst wildfire on record spreads fast as climate fuels disaster

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.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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

Op-ed: Why funding for the environmental justice movement must be anti-racist

We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.

Biden finalizes long-awaited hydrogen tax credits ahead of Trump presidency

Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.

Op-ed: Toxic prisons teach us that environmental justice needs abolition

Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.

LISTEN: Reflections on the first five years of the Agents of Change program

The leadership team talks about what they’ve learned — and what lies ahead.