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Now Playing | Inspired by the decline of monarch butterflies in the Midwestern prairie, a gardener, educator, and pastor transform a rural church’s backyard into a sanctuary for pollinating animals, an educational garden for the community, and a sacred space for spiritual contemplation.

The new regulation is aimed at reducing the risk of cancer for people who live close to plants emitting toxic chemicals.

Past Presentation | People are increasingly aware of the origins of their food and the effects of chemicals in agriculture. Numen brings the same analysis to our healthcare system, providing both a sobering view and a vision of safe, elective and sustainable medicine.

Environmental groups are making a new economic argument against coal, the heaviest polluting fossil fuel. Some regulators are listening.

A research project conducted at the University of Bonn reveals differences in the growth of plants under organic and conventional farming methods. A long-term study...

The state Department of Environmental Protection said it is reviewing the ruling.

Citing community concerns about a planned cement plant in Grayson County, Patrick’s letter asks TCEQ to reject the permit and halt permit approvals statewide.

A recent report highlights the environmental and health impacts of Louisiana's tax-supported plastics plants, particularly on communities of color. Mark Schleifstein reports for NOLA.In short:The Environmental Integrity Project's report criticizes the $5.6 billion in tax breaks given to Louisiana's chemical companies since 2013, underlining the pollution impact on nearby minority communities.Despite industry claims, 84% of plastics plants violated air pollution permits over the past three years, with significant toxic emissions reported.The report emphasizes the need for stricter fenceline monitoring and criticizes the lack of enforcement actions against violators.Key quote: "In Louisiana, there's an environmental justice component... close to 600,000 people live within three miles of these plants and about two-thirds of them, 66%, are communities of color." — Alexandra Shaykevich, research manager at EIPWhy this matters: The report, based on federal and state data, sheds light on the disproportionate impact of industrial pollution on communities of color, emphasizing a need for policy reforms to protect vulnerable populations and ensure equitable health outcomes. As much of the world struggles to loosen the death grip of fossil fuels, into the breach steps petrochemicals.

The Environmental Protection Agency is considering strengthening a climate rule for coal- and gas-fired power plants, people familiar with the matter say.

The Biden administration's crackdown on power plants' planet-warming emissions will accelerate a shift away from coal, and potentially speed the U.S.'s adoption of renewable energy sources. The administration this past week announced a new rule that will require coal plants and new gas plants to install carbon capture technology to mitigate 90 percent of their emissions — or...

Under the EPA's new policy, several chemical plants in the Houston area will now be required to monitor and reduce the emission of cancer-causing chemicals.

Indigenous groups see hope in the environmentally friendly process of bioremediation. But will cities pay attention?It almost looked like a garden. In Taylor Yard, a former railyard near downtown Los Angeles, volunteers knelt down to tend to scrubby plants growing in neat rows under the sweltering sun.But beneath the concrete of the 60-acre site overlooking the Los Angeles River, the soils were soaked with an assortment of hazardous heavy metals and petrochemicals like lead, cadmium, diesel, and benzene. As the volunteers worked to dig up entire plants for closer study – some with roots nearly 12ft deep – they wore protective gear and carefully avoided inhaling or touching the toxic soil. Even a brief exposure to the contaminants could cause serious health consequences. Continue reading...

A total eclipse isn’t just a spectacle in the sky. Birds, insects and even plants will take notice, and might start acting strange.

With a habitat of just 2-3 acres, the entire Hendrix’s liveforever species could be wiped out by a single tractor. The post Rock and Roll Botany: An Endangered Plant Named After Legendary Guitarist Jimi Hendrix appeared first on The Revelator.

New EPA directive will cut pollution equivalent to the emissions of 328m cars, but industry group decries it as a ‘reckless plan’Coal-fired power plants would be forced to capture smokestack emissions or shut down under a rule issued on Thursday by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).New limits on greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired electric plants are the Biden administration’s most ambitious effort yet to roll back planet-warming pollution from the power sector, the nation’s second-largest contributor to climate change. The rules are a key part of Joe Biden’s pledge to eliminate carbon pollution from the electricity sector by 2035 and economy-wide by 2050. Continue reading...

The Biden administration will require more than 200 chemical plants to cut their emissions of toxic chemicals as part of a broader effort to reduce cancer cases. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized rules on Tuesday that it said would dramatically reduce the number of people facing elevated cancer risks because of their exposure to...

What Is Hydropower? The power of water has been used to perform work for thousands of years. Since flowing water has energy that can be...

Mixotrophs, which have characteristics of both animals and plants, could help blunt the effects of marine heat waves on ocean ecosystems

Environmental Protection Agency finalizes rule to strengthen protections for communities living near industrial sitesMore than 200 of the nation’s hazardous chemical plants will be mandated to reduce toxic emissions linked to cancer, the Biden administration announced on Tuesday.The long-awaited rule finalized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will strengthen protections for communities living near industrial sites, especially along the Gulf coast. Continue reading...

Ecological theory and experience tells us that plants on meadows and pastures across Denmark should be dispersing heavier seeds. But they are doing the exact...

New research has revealed that the hydraulic systems of plants generate a streaming electric potential in sync with their circadian rhythms, presenting innovative opportunities for...

The Environmental Protection Agency issued new rules Tuesday to force hundreds of chemical plants across the U.S. to reduce cancer-linked toxic chemicals they emit into the air.Why it matters: The rules come as a win for environmental advocates and advance the Biden administration's push for environmental justice. The administration also said the rules are part of President Biden's initiative to lower cancer levels in the U.S., which has been dubbed the "cancer moonshot."The big picture: Around 104,000 people in the U.S. live within about 6 miles of the facilities that use chemicals linked to cancer higher risks, according to EPA estimates. Those living near such facilities are disproportionately poor and are more likely to be Black or brown.Zoom in: The new rules primarily target two chemicals: ethylene oxide (EtO) and chloroprene, which are used at around 200 plants spread across Texas and Louisiana and other parts of the country.EtO is widely used for medical device sterilization and as a fumigant for certain food products, while chloroprene is used to make a variety of common polymers and resins. Long-term exposure to them have been shown to increase a person's risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as lymphoma, leukemia and liver and lung cancers.How it works: The new regulations will require companies to monitor for toxic emissions along a facility's boundary beginning at least two years from today.If a company detects emission levels that go above a limit set by the EPA, they will be required to find the source of the pollution and make repairs. The data gathered through the monitoring will be made public online by the EPA, the agency said.What they're saying: EPA Administrator Michael Regan said in a statement on Tuesday that the new rules will help communities like St. John the Baptist Parish west of New Orleans, which is home to one of the largest sources of chloroprene emissions in the country."We promised to listen to folks that are suffering from pollution and act to protect them," Regan said. "Today we deliver on that promise with strong final standards to slash pollution, reduce cancer risk, and ensure cleaner air for nearby communities."Zoom out: The new rules are also meant to crack down on the emission of other common toxins, like benzene, which has a wide variety of uses, and ethylene dichloride and vinyl chloride, which are primarily used in the production of PVC plastic.The administration said it also expects the rules to slash more than 6,200 tons of toxic air pollution and and 23,700 tons of smog-forming volatile organic compounds each year.Go deeper: EPA issues landmark rules to curb auto emissions, bolster EVs

Land for large solar arrays is limited on the island. Rooftop panels can provide electricity during blackouts and bring the island closer to its clean energy goals.

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PITTSBURGH — EHN reporter Kristina Marusic recently spoke with The Allegheny Front about three communities in the Ohio River Valley that are fighting proposed chemical recycling plants. Chemical recycling is an umbrella term for processes that use heat, chemicals or both to break down plastic waste into component parts for reuse as plastic feedstocks or as fuel. The industry says chemical recycling could help solve the plastic waste crisis, but some environmental health advocates say chemical recycling facilities worsen climate change and emit toxic chemicals.Marusic recently wrote about community fights to stop proposed advanced recycling facilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Listen to her interview with The Allegheny Front below. Allegheny Front · Why chemical recycling has some people in Appalachia concerned about pollution and safety

A new study shows how sugar levels influence plant growth and oil production through the protein KIN10, offering the potential for advancements in biofuel production....

In the process of converting plants into fuel, the initial phase — decomposing the plant material — has consistently posed the greatest challenge. Recent research...

Choose a diversity of plants and have some that bloom at different times of the year.

Last week, Georgia Power won regulatory approval to fast-track construction of 1.4 gigawatts of fossil-fueled power plants and to contract for nearly a gigawatt more power from coal- and fossil-gas-fired power plants owned by other utilities. The reason? Fear that skyrocketing power demand from power-hungry data…

New industries such as cryptocurrency and cannabis are boosting industry forecasts, straining efforts to cut emissionsWhat’s happening with US energy?Demand for power is soaring, creating a new energy crisis for the United States – one that could make the climate crisis even worse. Continue reading...

A new initiative invited student groups to design and plant gardens that will promote wildlife, and cultivate their visions for the future.

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A new analysis concludes that unless California almost triples its rate of cutting greenhouse gases, the state won't meet its 2030 climate change target. Some emissions were rising.

As a bee veterinarian, I looked for answers. Where had the animals that had helped feed us so reliably gone? I learned that a wetland near our farm had been contaminated by insecticides, which kill pest insects, but they can also kill bees. I also learned that agriculture had been transformed in the last 20 […] The post Op-ed: Neonicotoid Pesticides Keep Killing Pollinators. Here’s How We Can Help. appeared first on Civil Eats.

This story was originally published by Yale e360 and is reproduced here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration. Can metals that naturally occur in seawater be mined, and can they be mined sustainably? A company in Oakland, California, says yes. And not only is it extracting magnesium from ocean water—and from waste brine generated by industry—it is doing […]

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) projects a historic drop in renewable energy production. This was confirmed by the executive president of the institution, who also pointed out that this drop would be almost 10% in renewable energy generation. Marco Acuña, executive president, mentioned that this situation would generate greater dependence on oil. The drought […] The post Costa Rica Faces Historic Drop in Renewable Energy Production appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

Plants are just trying to reproduce; immune systems are just trying to keep us safe

Rules target contaminants such as mercury, benzene and lead released by coke ovens used by facilities to burn coalNew Environmental Protection Agency rules aim to crack down on toxic air pollution from US steelmakers by limiting pollutants such as mercury, benzene and lead that have long poisoned the air in neighborhoods surrounding the plants.The rules target contaminants released by steel facilities’ coke ovens. Gas from the ovens creates an individual cancer risk in the air around steel plants of 50 in 1,000,000, which public health advocates say is dangerous for children and people with underlying health problems. Continue reading...

Webinars and other events offer lessons in beekeeping, growing produce, ikebana and more.

Green MP Caroline Lucas says call for investment in gas-fired power plants is election ploy that will jeopardise UK’s net zero targetGreen MP Caroline Lucas has accused the government of stoking a culture war on climate issues by calling for more investment in new gas-fired power plants ahead of a general election.Lucas used an urgent question in the House of Commons to challenge the energy minister, Graham Stuart, on the plans set out on Wednesday, which could see a string of new plants built in the coming years despite the government’s commitment to phase out fossil fuels. Continue reading...

Now Playing | "The Story of Lumshnong" by Aarti Srivastava highlights ‘mindless’ limestone mining by cement companies. Lumshnong is a village situated in the Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya, India, which is rich in reserves of limestone. These rich reserves of limestone have attracted cement companies to set up their plants in the village, thus creating a hazardous environment for the local population. The documentary talks about “unthinkable stupidity of the cement companies”. There are as many as eight cement plants in a radius of just five kilometres in Lumshnong village. Limestone mining, as claimed in the documentary, has turned the Lumshnong village into a “dusty, waterless and barren” piece of land. “Studies revealed that loss of forest cover, pollution of water, soil and air, depletion of natural flora and fauna, reduction in biodiversity, erosion of soil, and degradation of agriculture land are some are some of the hazards of limestone mining,” the makers of the documentary stated. They added: “The hazards will not just be limited to the areas around the mines and cement factories but will spill to other regions if environmental checks are not put in place. It will also affect the lives of the people who live around the area.” The visuals of cement plants in the foreground, while the vegetations begins to look grey, and locals pointing at the shortcomings of limestone mining paint a sordid and truthful picture of what is happening in Lumshnong.

The Biden administration is cutting down on emissions of a cancer-causing chemical that’s released by companies that sterilize medical devices and other products. Plants that sterilize medical devices and other products, such as spices, release a chemical called ethylene oxide, which has been linked to white blood cell cancers and increased breast cancer risk in...

Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson creating colourful display to encourage gardeners to move away from peatA completely peat-free garden will be showcased at the Hampton Court Palace flower show so the public can “have a chat about peat-free gardening” and learn how to do it themselves.Peat-free compost has been a divisive topic in the gardening world, with some gardeners arguing that it is not as good as the peaty stuff for growing plants. Continue reading...

A new paper suggests that plants may use slow seed years to prevent the spread of disease

Past Presentation | Drawing from ancient knowledge and cutting edge science, Symphony of the Soil is an artistic and intriguing exploration of the miraculous substance that is soil. We come to appreciate the complex and dynamic nature of this precious resource through illustrations of the elaborate relationships soil has with water, atmosphere, plants and animals. Filmed on four continents and featuring esteemed scientists and working farmers and ranchers, Symphony of the Soil highlights the possibility of healthy soil creating healthy plants creating healthy humans living on – and re-creating – a healthy planet.

Advocates are calling for companies that release known carcinogens, or cancer-causing substances, to be more severely punished if they are not in compliance with air pollution regulation laws.

Now Playing | In the land occupied with the sprayers army, no one has the right to grow any kind of plants either in public or private. So many of the people and soldiers do not even know how a plant grows or looks like, until one day one of the soldiers finds a seed buried deep down in the dust and his curiosity is just the beginning of something extraordinary, something big, something revolutionary.

Longer growing seasons and increased pollen production driven by climate change could be aggravating your seasonal allergy symptoms

Now Playing | Highlighting one of the coolest and most ambitious projects in the history of rare species conservation, this short film takes us to Kaua'i, Hawai'i, where a group of passionate plant people are working to save some of the rarest plants on the archipelago -- and tell us why we need a new generation of biodiversity lovers to help battle the extinction crisis.

Past Presentation | An estimated 42 people a year have been killed in Chicago by the Fisk and Crawford coal-burning plants, two of the oldest remaining in the US. Leila Mendez, who has lived 4 blocks from the Fisk since she was 9 years old, knew nothing about this until she herself got cancer. She has since worked tirelessly to shut down these plants, which she comes to realize disproportionately affect people of color. Monsters follows Leila over several years - through triumphs and setbacks - and above all is testimony to the power of hope. "I was raised to believe in David and Goliath," she says. "That you can slay the giant."

Texas has become an early hot spot for geothermal energy exploration as scores of former oil industry workers and executives are taking their knowledge to a new energy source.

We rely on freshwater plants and animals for clean water, food, recreation and other needs. And yet they’re often overlooked in conservation. The post Standing Up for Freshwater Biodiversity appeared first on The Revelator.

Colah Tawkin, host of the Black in the Garden podcast, is diversifying the plant and gardening industry.

State and local governments give billions in tax subsidies to plastics processing facilities with a history of air pollution violations that disproportionately affect people of color, according to a report from the Environmental Integrity Project. The environmental nonprofit analyzed 50 plants constructed or expanded in the last 12 years. The vast majority were in Texas and Louisiana,...

Plastic manufacturers have received $9 billion in subsidies for new or bigger facilities since 2012.

Holtec International says a state statute blocking routine water releases from Indian Point violates federal law.

A recent study highlights the severe health and economic impacts of flaring and venting at industrial plants, including premature deaths and exacerbated asthma cases.Victoria St. Martin reports for Inside Climate News.In short:Flaring and venting activities at industrial plants are causing significant health issues, including asthma exacerbations in children and about 710 premature deaths annually.The study, involving researchers from Boston University and others, found that these practices cost the U.S. approximately $7.4 billion each year in health damages.Texas, Pennsylvania, and Colorado are the top states affected by these emissions, impacting nearly half a million Americans living close to oil and gas facilities.Key quote:“We know that PM 2.5 is bad for health, we know that ozone is bad for health, but to see the amount of asthma exacerbations that were attributed to nitrogen dioxide, I think that was surprising to us.”— Erin Polka, a doctoral student in the Department of Environmental Health at Boston University’s School of Public HealthWhy this matters:Industrial plant emissions are a significant concern for both environmental health and public well-being, contributing to a range of issues that affect ecosystems, air quality, and human health. In 2020, researchers linked air pollution from burning off excess natural gas to preterm births for babies, with the most pronounced impacts among Hispanic families.

Past Presentation | Daniel Balima is a senior horticulturist from Tenkodogo, a small Sub-Saharan African town in Burkina Faso, where he lives with his large family and has worked since he was born 67 years ago. Daniel as a child falls ill with polio and, although growing without the use of his legs, he is able to follow his father in the family nursery, walking on his hands. He works immediately with great passion and talent so much that his disability, which for many in Africa means a marked destiny, is for Daniel an opportunity: "I could take two paths: begging or taking my life in hand and devoting myself to work with dignity." Daniel has chosen and won this great challenge and, every day, he sows and cultivates with great effort and gratitude many vegetables and plants. In over fifty years of activity he has given life to more than a million trees and this is what is most important for Daniel because, as he tells us, his country, because of the drought, needs many trees and does not stop, on the contrary, he dreams of planting another million.

In one Chicago suburb, people have been waiting for relief for years.