Hawaii agrees to a zero-emission transportation deadline

Hawaii has reached a legal settlement with young climate activists, requiring the state to achieve zero emissions in its transportation sector by 2045.

Dharna Noor and Lois Beckett report for The Guardian.

In short:

The lawsuit, filed by 13 young people, claimed Hawaii's transportation policies violated their constitutional rights by contributing to climate change.
The settlement mandates Hawaii to fully decarbonize its ground, sea, and inter-island air transportation by 2045.
This agreement includes oversight by the court to ensure compliance and faster progress towards emission reduction goals.

Key quote:

“This is an extraordinary, unprecedented victory for the youth plaintiffs.”

— Michael Gerrard, faculty director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University

Why this matters:

This settlement marks a significant step in addressing climate change by targeting transportation emissions, a major contributor to greenhouse gases. It also demonstrates the power of youth activism in influencing environmental policy.

www.theguardian.com

Hawaii agrees to a zero-emission transportation deadline

Data centers are ‘front and center’ in Pennsylvania’s competitive congressional elections

Losing ground in the climate fight

Heat killed ‘staggering’ 50,000 people in Europe’s cities this summer, scientists warn

The hidden history of how Big Oil invented the American Dream

Oil and tech money back measure to limit California environmental law

The case for low-carbon bamboo fuel starts at $2.75 a gallon

In Honduras, hard hit by drought, authorities hope to make it rain using contentious tactic

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.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

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

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.