greenhouse gas pollution
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Air pollution kills nearly 2,000 children daily worldwide: Study
A recent study reveals that air pollution is now the second leading cause of death among children under five globally, overtaking poor sanitation and lack of clean water.
In short:
- More than 8 million deaths in 2021 were due to air pollution, with children and low-income countries hit hardest.
- PM2.5 particles, primarily responsible for air pollution deaths, are linked to lung disease, heart disease, and other serious health issues.
- Climate change exacerbates air pollution, with higher temperatures and wildfires increasing particulate matter in the air.
Key quote:
"Our inaction is having profound effects on the next generation, with lifelong health and wellbeing impacts."
— Kitty van der Heijden, deputy executive director of Unicef
Why this matters:
Addressing air pollution is crucial for improving global health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable children in low-income countries. Addressing this issue can dramatically improve health outcomes and combat climate change. Read more: Breathless: Pittsburgh's asthma epidemic and the fight to stop it.
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Manure digesters may worsen pollution in large farms
New research suggests that manure digesters, hailed as a solution to livestock farm pollution, may actually exacerbate environmental harm by encouraging larger farms.
In short:
- Manure digesters, designed to collect methane from animal waste, are promoting the expansion of large farms, increasing manure production.
- The increase in herd sizes, driven by the incentive to produce more biogas, undermines the methane reduction benefits of digesters while digester byproducts threaten water quality.
- Kewaunee County, with its rising number of cows and decreasing farms, faces significant pollution problems linked to large-scale farming practices.
Key quote:
"We see in this report on Kewaunee County that farms with digesters increase their herd size."
— Molly Armus, animal agriculture program manager, Friends of the Earth
Why this matters:
Understanding the true impact of manure digesters is crucial for developing effective environmental policies that protect water quality and public health while addressing the broader issue of agricultural pollution. Read more: Environmental groups petition EPA to rescind factory farms’ “free pass to pollute.”
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Colorado shifts focus from highways to transit
Colorado is prioritizing transit over highway expansion to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, a move that also has environmental justice implications.
In short:
- Colorado canceled plans to widen Interstate 25 and redirected $100 million to transit projects.
- The state’s Transportation Commission adopted a rule requiring new projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or risk losing funding.
- Other states, like Minnesota, Maryland and New York, are considering similar legislation to follow Colorado's lead.
Key quote:
“We really regard the Colorado rule as the gold standard for how states should address transportation climate strategy.”
— Ben Holland, manager at RMI, a national sustainability nonprofit
Why this matters:
Reducing highway expansion in favor of transit investments is important in lowering transportation emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change and have disproportionately impacted communities of color. This shift not only aims to improve air quality but also sets a precedent for other states to follow in addressing climate challenges. Read more: Black communities must lead the charge to repair harm from freeways.
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Newsletter
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New Interior Department policy to increase costs for oil drilling on public land
A long-awaited Interior Department policy will raise financial assurance and royalty rates, aiming to ensure cleaner operations and better returns for the public.
In short:
- The Department of Interior issued a new rule imposing stricter financial requirements for oil and gas companies on federal public land.
- Companies will now have to provide higher financial assurances for well cleanup and pay increased royalty taxes on extracted minerals.
- These changes aim to cut wasteful speculation, increase returns for the public, and protect taxpayers from environmental cleanup costs.
Key quote:
“These new regulations are the kind of common-sense reforms the federal oil and gas leasing program has needed for decades.”
— Athan Manuel, Sierra Club lands protection program director
Why this matters:
The new policy signifies a noteworthy shift in oil drilling regulation, aiming to ensure environmental protection and fairer returns for public resources, while also addressing climate concerns associated with methane emissions from abandoned wells. Read more: Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual U.S. health damages.
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Top Story
UN climate leader calls for urgent emission cuts and financial reforms
U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell emphasizes the urgent need for global cooperation to reduce emissions and adjust financial strategies to combat climate change.
Seth Borenstein and Jamey Keaten report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell asserts that humanity has a two-year window to implement significant changes to reduce emissions and secure financial backing for these efforts.
- Stiell highlights the necessity for global leaders to enact stronger national climate plans immediately, stressing the importance of this year's global financial meetings.
- The push for a significant increase in climate finance this year, including debt relief and more grants, is critical for supporting vulnerable nations.
Key quote:
"We still have a chance to make greenhouse gas emissions tumble, with a new generation of national climate plans. But we need these stronger plans, now."
— Simon Stiell, executive secretary of the United Nations Climate Agency
Why this matters:
Cooperation facilitates knowledge sharing and technology transfer, enabling countries to leapfrog to cleaner, more efficient technologies and practices. By pooling resources and expertise, nations can accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and mitigate the worst effects of climate change.
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UN weather agency flags major climate change concerns after a year of records
In a recent report the World Meteorological Organization highlights an alarming acceleration of climate change indicators, issuing a "red alert" due to unprecedented increases in greenhouse gases, temperatures, and ice melts.
Jamey Keaten and Seth Borenstein report for the Associated Press.
In short:
- Last year saw record-breaking increases in global temperatures and ice melts, pushing the world closer to exceeding the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming limit.
- Over 90% of the world's oceans experienced heatwave conditions in 2023, and renewable energy capacity saw significant growth, offering a glimmer of hope.
- The U.N. Secretary-General describes the current state as a planet on the brink, with climate chaos escalating due to fossil fuel pollution.
Key quote:
"Never have we been so close – albeit on a temporary basis at the moment – to the 1.5° C lower limit of the Paris agreement on climate change."
— Celeste Saulo, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization
Why this matters:
The WMO report—a "red alert to the world"—pleads for urgent action to curb global warming, touching directly on health outcomes through increased heatwaves, floods, and other extreme events. Heat, air pollution and climate change … oh my! Was summer 2023 the new normal?
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Top Story
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EPA revises its approach to regulating natural gas plant emissions
The Environmental Protection Agency delays implementing emissions regulations for existing natural gas plants, opting for a more comprehensive review to include more pollutants.
In short:
- The EPA's decision follows criticism from environmental justice groups, aiming for more comprehensive pollutant coverage in future regulations.
- New strategies will target the entire natural gas fleet and additional pollutants, offering a more robust approach to reducing emissions and protecting vulnerable communities.
- This move has stirred mixed reactions, with some environmentalists expressing disappointment over the delay and others seeing potential for more effective outcomes.
Key quote:
"We have always known that the fight for a clean power sector wouldn’t be a quick one."
— Charles Harper, Evergreen Action
Why this matters:
This move represents the EPA's strategic shift toward a more inclusive environmental policy, directly impacting health outcomes by aiming to reduce pollution in vulnerable communities. Recent studies have confirmed that the public health toll of oil and gas production is not limited to climate change.
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