Elon Musk-linked aide gains sweeping control over U.S. Interior Department operations

A former oil executive with ties to Elon Musk now holds expansive authority to reshape operations at the Interior Department, raising alarms among conservationists and longtime federal employees.

Dino Grandoni and Maxine Joselow report for The Washington Post.

In short:

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum appointed Tyler Hassen, a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) representative and ex-oil executive, to oversee a broad cost-cutting initiative across the department without Senate confirmation.
Hassen and fellow DOGE aide Matt Luby are scrutinizing grants and contracts, seeking access to sensitive payroll and personnel systems, and pushing for the elimination of discretionary funding, including specific targeting of grants to Maine.
Career officials have raised legal and procedural concerns about DOGE’s overreach, including attempts to remove an attorney who challenged their authority, while critics say the actions undermine the Interior Department’s mission to protect public lands and wildlife.

Key quote:

“If Doug Burgum doesn’t want this job, he should quit now.— Jennifer Rokala, executive director of the Center for Western Priorities

Why this matters:

The Interior Department oversees some of the nation’s most treasured natural resources, including national parks, endangered species habitats, and vast public lands. Its mission is inherently conservation-focused, but giving unchecked power to political appointees — especially those with ties to the fossil fuel industry — risks shifting that mission toward deregulation and privatization. The Department of Government Efficiency, though not a cabinet-level agency, is now deeply embedded in major environmental and public land agencies, prompting worries of political loyalty outweighing science or legal process.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Climate change is accelerating health threats worldwide

The Lancet Countdown - established in 2016 to annually assess the effects of climate change on health - released a ten year report and accompanying editorial.

In short:

For the first time, the report quantifies heat-related deaths attributable to climate change, estimated at about 370,000 a year. The past 11 years have been the hottest ever recorded.
The report examined 54 indicators of climate change-driven health impacts and found that many health threats had increased or accelerated over the past decade.
Populations least responsible for climate change are experiencing the highest impacts.

Key quote:

“Over the past 10 years, a strong evidence-based case has been made that responding to climate change could be the greatest health opportunity of the 21st century.”

Why this matters:

The report points out how fossil fuel interests are blocking progress on climate change. It tracks not only heat-related deaths, as mentioned above, but also other climate related effects on health caused by floods, landslides, droughts, viruses, and more. It also tracks improvements, for example, estimating that the transition to clean energy prevented 400,000 deaths in 2023 just through improved indoor air quality. Health professionals are trusted sources of information and can speak for policy change and action for a healthier future.

Related EHN coverage:

More resources: The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change

Source:

Romanello, Marina et al. (2026), The 2026 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: a decade of escalating health harms and a decisive moment for all. The Lancet.

Related editorial, Climate change and health: 10 years on, what next? The Lancet.

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