
19 July 2022
Rolls-Royce and easyJet to test hydrogen combustion engine tech
Aerospace giantRolls-Royce said Tuesday it was pairing up with airline easyJet to develop and test hydrogen combustion engine technology for aircraft.
Aerospace giantRolls-Royce said Tuesday it was pairing up with airline easyJet to develop and test hydrogen combustion engine technology for aircraft.
Former President Donald Trump vowed to reverse Biden-era energy efficiency standards for household products like light bulbs, showerheads and washing machines, arguing they limit consumer choice.
In short:
Key quote:
“The Department will pursue a commonsense approach that does not regulate products that consumers value out of the market; instead, affordability and consumer choice will be our guiding light.”
— Chris Wright, U.S. Department of Energy secretary
Why this matters:
Energy efficiency standards have long been a quiet but powerful tool in reducing emissions, lowering household energy bills and easing pressure on aging power grids. These regulations cover everything from household appliances to vehicle fuel economy, ensuring that products use less energy while delivering the same—or better—performance. Higher energy consumption means bigger utility bills, while an increased reliance on fossil fuels could set back emissions reduction efforts. For power grids already under strain from extreme weather and rising electricity demand, weakened efficiency rules could make reliability challenges even worse.
Related: Some states are falling behind on energy efficiency policies
The growing demand for fossil fuel-based chemicals in everyday products is undermining climate goals, increasing pollution and threatening biodiversity, scientists warn.
In short:
Key quote:
“The root of all of our problems that we have as humanity right now is overconsumption.”
— Jane Muncke, Food Packaging Forum
Why this matters:
Fossil fuel companies, facing declining demand for oil and gas in a world shifting toward renewable energy, are ramping up petrochemical production — a move that could cement pollution and emissions for decades to come. Petrochemicals, derived from fossil fuels, are used to produce plastics, fertilizers and synthetic materials that saturate modern life. As countries adopt cleaner energy policies, the industry is leaning into this sector to sustain profits, despite its heavy environmental toll.
Related EHN coverage: Enduring the “endless” expansion of the nation’s petrochemical corridor
The Trump administration’s effort to dismantle USAID could cost state universities hundreds of millions in research grants, affecting projects in agriculture, education and public health worldwide.
In short:
Key quote:
“We’re set up to be able to draw from throughout U.S. society the best of the best.”
— Neil Levine, former democracy and human rights director at USAID
Why this matters:
State universities play a crucial role in advancing scientific research, much of it funded through federal grants. Agencies like USAID provide critical support for projects that address global challenges such as food security, climate resilience and disease prevention. The potential loss of USAID funding threatens to disrupt this research pipeline, leaving studies unfinished and slowing progress in key areas.
Related: Musk-backed effort threatens USAID’s climate programs
President Donald Trump’s administration is rapidly downsizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, raising questions about whether it can still enforce key environmental protections.
In short:
Key quote:
“You take for granted that you can drink the water out of your faucet. You can do that because of the EPA.”
— Steve Gilrein, former EPA official
Why this matters:
The Environmental Protection Agency has long served as the nation’s watchdog for clean air, water and public health. Its enforcement of environmental laws has curbed industrial pollution, limited toxic exposure and helped mitigate climate risks. But efforts to shrink its workforce could significantly weaken these protections, shifting the burden to state governments that often lack the resources to enforce regulations on their own. A diminished EPA could mean slower responses to pollution violations, reduced oversight of hazardous industries and fewer resources for climate resilience programs. The agency also plays a critical role in funding environmental justice initiatives, which help vulnerable communities disproportionately affected by pollution.
Related: New EPA chief plans cuts, industry hires and a focus on AI
The Securities and Exchange Commission is pausing its legal defense of a rule requiring public companies to disclose climate-related risks, a move that could lead to its repeal.
In short:
Why this matters:
The decision to halt the rule designed to increase investor transparency on climate risks is a setback for those pushing for corporate accountability on environmental issues. Without such regulations, companies face fewer obligations to disclose how climate change could affect their bottom lines, leaving investors with limited insight into potential financial risks. Critics argue that reversing course primarily benefits industries with heavy carbon footprints while undermining long-term financial and environmental stability. The move comes at a time when extreme weather events and shifting consumer expectations are putting pressure on businesses to take climate-related risks more seriously.
Learn more: Oil and gas firms hide climate impacts in investments
Tribal and community organizations awarded federal climate grants remain unable to access funds due to the Trump administration’s freeze, despite court orders requiring their release.
In short:
Key quote:
“There are all kinds of ways that folks are trying to mitigate harm, but they’re not going to be able to avoid harm.”
— Hana Vizcarra, senior attorney, Earthjustice
Why this matters:
The freezing of these grants represents more than just a bureaucratic snag — it’s a direct hit to communities counting on them to safeguard against climate-related disasters. Local governments and organizations rely on this funding to expand renewable energy projects, bolster flood defenses and prepare for extreme weather events that are becoming more frequent and severe. Without it, infrastructure projects stall, workers lose jobs and vulnerable populations face heightened risks. While legal disputes play out, the uncertainty leaves communities in limbo, potentially setting back progress on climate adaptation for years to come.
Related: Environmental group left in limbo after federal grant suddenly vanishes
Greenpeace has filed a case in the Netherlands against U.S. energy company Energy Transfer, arguing its $300 million lawsuit over the 2016 Dakota Access Pipeline protests is an attempt to silence activism.
In short:
Key quote:
“Greenpeace is fighting off a devastating lawsuit that is aimed at preventing us and other civil society organizations from doing their work.”
— Daniel Simons, Greenpeace legal counsel
Why this matters:
Strategic lawsuits against public participation, or SLAPP suits, have long been used to silence critics by dragging them into costly and time-consuming legal battles. Typically filed by corporations, politicians or other powerful entities, these cases don’t necessarily aim to win in court but to exhaust the resources of advocacy groups, journalists or activists who challenge them. Environmental organizations are frequent targets, especially when they take on industries tied to deforestation, fossil fuels or pollution.
Related: Governments and corporations are intensifying pressure on environmental defenders
“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.
We must prioritize minority-serving institutions, BIPOC-led organizations and researchers to lead environmental justice efforts.
Responses to the new rules have been mixed, and environmental advocates worry that Trump could undermine them.
Prisons, jails and detention centers are placed in locations where environmental hazards such as toxic landfills, floods and extreme heat are the norm.
The leadership team talks about what they’ve learned — and what lies ahead.
Top polluters are benefiting the most from tax breaks.