Trump’s EPA to repeal core of greenhouse gas rules in a major deregulatory move. This is, without a doubt, the biggest deregulatory step in U.S. history, and it’s setting off alarm bells everywhere. It’s like they’re actively dismantling the safeguards put in place to protect our environment and, by extension, our health. The sheer scale of this move is hard to fathom, with consequences that will ripple through every aspect of life.
EPA head claims carbon dioxide’s benefits are overlooked, which, frankly, is a jaw-dropping statement. This is, to put it mildly, a controversial take, going directly against the mountain of scientific evidence that points to the detrimental impacts of greenhouse gas emissions.… Continue reading
The Trump administration is seeking to overturn the EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding,” which classified greenhouse gas emissions as a threat and served as the basis for climate regulations. This proposal aims to revoke the government’s authority to regulate pollutants from burning fossil fuels, like carbon dioxide and methane, under the Clean Air Act. The administration argues this move would drive down costs and boost American energy production, while critics express concerns about undermining climate action and benefiting the fossil fuel industry. The EPA is making legal arguments that the previous administration overstepped their authority. This decision faces potential legal challenges and could take years to resolve.
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EPA to withdraw foundation of greenhouse gas rules, sources say, and it’s frankly infuriating. It’s like watching everything you thought was a given, things you learned as a kid even, being systematically dismantled. The idea that regulations meant to protect our planet are being undone for the sake of a few extra bucks in the pockets of those who will likely not even be around to face the consequences is, to put it mildly, disheartening.
The core of this issue seems to be the EPA’s intention to reverse a crucial scientific finding. This finding, the “endangerment finding,” is what provides the legal justification for the major regulations we have in place to deal with climate change.… Continue reading
E.P.A. Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change. The news feels like a punch to the gut, a disheartening confirmation of something many have feared: a potential dismantling of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) capacity to address climate change. This potential move is not just a policy change; it’s a fundamental shift with potentially dire consequences.
E.P.A. Is Said to Draft a Plan to End Its Ability to Fight Climate Change. Some might argue, with a sort of twisted logic, that climate regulations harm human health through higher prices and limited consumer choice. This perspective, however, seems detached from the real-world impacts of inaction.… Continue reading
E.P.A. Says It Will Eliminate Its Scientific Research Arm. Okay, so this is happening. The E.P.A., the Environmental Protection Agency, is apparently going to eliminate its scientific research arm. Let that sink in for a moment. Science. Research. Gone. It’s like a punch to the gut for anyone who values, you know, facts and understanding.
It’s hard not to feel a sense of deep frustration. We’re talking about a career path, years of education, that seems to be crumbling under the weight of, well, frankly, ignorance. I mean, who needs science when you’re apparently “in God’s hands,” as some would argue?… Continue reading
The Netherlands returned 119 Benin Bronzes—human and animal figures, plaques, and regalia—looted in 1897 by British forces. This significant repatriation, the largest single return to date, fulfills a Nigerian request and follows similar actions by museums in London and Rhode Island. The artifacts, primarily from Leiden’s museum, were returned in Edo State with the Oba Ewuare II calling it a “divine intervention.” The Dutch government’s commitment to returning colonial-era artifacts continues, with Nigeria actively pursuing the recovery of further looted items.
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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is planning to reconsider its ban on asbestos, a known cancer-causing substance. This decision, following an industry challenge, is expected to delay the ban for approximately 30 months, giving manufacturers potentially up to 12 years to phase out its use. This prolonged timeline reflects lobbying efforts from trade groups.
The potential for a weakened or overturned ban on asbestos raises serious concerns about public health. Asbestos exposure has been linked to numerous debilitating and deadly diseases, including mesothelioma, a particularly aggressive form of lung cancer. The prospect of increased asbestos use represents a significant setback in efforts to protect individuals from preventable cancers and respiratory illnesses.… Continue reading
A proposed rollback of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, requiring large polluters to publicly report emissions, threatens to significantly increase emissions and hinder climate change mitigation efforts. The program’s data, crucial for tracking emissions reductions (over 75% of the overall U.S. decline since 2010), is now at risk, coinciding with EPA cuts to air quality monitoring. This lack of accountability and data, particularly in already underserved communities, makes it harder to address the health impacts of air pollution. Simultaneous funding cuts for air monitoring programs further exacerbate this issue, highlighting the urgent need for continued emission reporting and robust air quality monitoring nationwide.
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Nineteen skulls of Black individuals, removed from their bodies in New Orleans’ Charity Hospital in 1872 and sent to Leipzig University for racist pseudo-scientific research, are being returned. A memorial ceremony will honor these individuals, acknowledging a shameful chapter in medical history fueled by unfounded theories of racial inferiority. The event aims to confront this dark past and provide a path toward justice and remembrance for the victims. The repatriation and memorialization represent a crucial step towards reconciliation and acknowledging past injustices.
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The Trump administration announced plans to rescind and postpone Biden-era regulations limiting “forever chemicals” (PFAS) in drinking water. These rollbacks will repeal limits on four PFAS chemicals and delay implementation of limits on two others, despite widespread PFAS contamination linked to serious health problems. The decision follows a lawsuit from the chemical industry and water utilities who argued the regulations were overly burdensome. Environmental groups plan to sue, citing the Safe Drinking Water Act’s anti-backsliding provision. The EPA claims the new rules will reduce burdens on water systems while maintaining public health protections.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker