Pollution

By Noorzehra Zaidi, University of Maryland, Baltimore County | – For many Muslims breaking fast in mosques around the world this Ramadan, something will be missing: plastics. The communal experience of iftars – the after-sunset meal that brings people of the faith together during the holy month starting on March 22, 2023 – often necessitates […]

Oceans

“Plasticosis:” Seabirds that swallow Plastic Waste have Diseased, Scarred Stomachs

The Conversation

By Matthew Savoca, Stanford University | – As a conservation biologist who studies plastic ingestion by marine wildlife, I can count on the same question whenever I present research: “How does plastic affect the animals that eat it?” This is one of the biggest questions in this field, and the verdict is still out. However, […]

Environment

How Dangerous are the Chemicals Released in the Palestine, OH, Derailment?

The Conversation

Several cars that contained hazardous chemicals burned after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Andrew J. Whelton, Purdue University (The Conversation) – Headaches and lingering chemical smells from a fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, have left residents worried about their air and water – and misinformation on social media hasn’t […]

Asia

Manifesto for an Ecosocial Energy Transition from the Peoples of the South

contributors

A new manifesto critiques the “clean energy” transitions of the Global North and offers an alternative vision from the Global South. By Peoples of the Global South Manifesto for an Ecosocial Energy Transition from the Peoples of the South An appeal to leaders, institutions, and our brothers and sisters More than two years after […]

Climate Crisis

Economic Growth is killing the Planet. How do we Engineer an Alternative?

John Feffer

( Foreign Policy in Focus) – In 1972, the Club of Rome released a report called The Limits to Growth that laid out the damage to the planet and to human beings of unrestrained increases in economic production and population. It was a straightforward extrapolation from then-current trends that took into account limited resources like […]

Climate Crisis

Given their Enormous Windfall Profits, Oil Companies are not paying Enough for their Environmental Damage

The Conversation

By Robert (Bob) L. Ascah, University of Alberta | – At the end of the third quarter reporting season in October, the Big Four oilsands producers continued to report record profit levels. Collectively, Cenovus, CNRL, Imperial Oil and Suncor earned $5.8 billion in the third quarter and $23.1 billion in the first nine months of […]

Climate Crisis

Just Stop Oil: Research shows how Activists and Politicians talk differently about Climate Change<

The Conversation

By Clare Cunningham, York St John University | – The environmental activist group Just Stop Oil has grasped public attention with a series of “art action” stunts targeting famous paintings and buildings with cans of soup and paint. They have climbed motorway gantries, blocking drivers on the M25. Their message has been loud, but has […]

Corporations

Coca-Cola, the world’s largest plastic Polluter, is sponsoring COP27. Here’s why that’s a problem

Global Voices

By Sydney Allen | – In a massive feat of irony, Coca-Cola, the world’s largest plastic polluter, is sponsoring COP27, the world’s largest annual environmental conference, which will take place in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, from November 6–18. While there is plenty to criticize about this year’s COP27 summit (such as Egypt’s human rights abuses […]

Inequality

The U.S. Never Banned Asbestos. These Workers Are Paying the Price

ProPublica

By Kathleen McGrory and Neil Bedi, photography by Rich-Joseph Facun, graphics by Haisam Hussein | – Co-published with NPR News ( ProPublica ) – Henry Saenz remembers when he first learned what even the tiniest bit of asbestos could do to his body. He was working at a chemical plant where employees used the mineral […]