Super-Pollutants - Inside Climate News

Tribal Members Journey to Washington Push for Reauthorization of Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

By Noel Lyn Smith — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 09:05:00 +0000

Diseases connected to uranium mining and nuclear testing continue to plague the Navajo and other tribes. The bill continuing the help they get dealing with the illnesses is stalled in the U.S. House.

By Noel Lyn Smith

Members of tribal nations from Arizona and New Mexico have been in Washington, D.C. this week advocating for the House of Representatives to vote on a bill to reauthorize and expand the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, a federal program that compensates individuals who become ill due to exposure to radioactive materials related to the United States’ nuclear weapons program.

California Governor Signs Bills to Tighten Restrictions on Oil and Gas Drillers

By Liza Gross — Fri, 27 Sep 2024 08:55:00 +0000

“We will hold the oil industry accountable for their pollution and public health impacts,” said Assemblymember Gregg Hart, author of one of the bills.

By Liza Gross

With pumpjacks nodding in the background, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday signed new laws to hold oil companies accountable and protect neighborhoods from oil development, protections community groups have fought more than a decade to win.

Focus on the ‘Forgotten Greenhouse Gas’ Intensifies as All Eyes Are on the U.S. and China to Curb Pollution

By Phil McKenna — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 22:26:24 +0000

Emissions of the long-overlooked nitrous oxide gas are rising quickly. But proven, low-cost efforts to reduce emissions offer hope.

By Phil McKenna

NEW YORK—As scientists, policymakers and environmental advocates seek to accelerate efforts to address climate change, they’re zeroing in on a pollutant long considered the “forgotten greenhouse gas.”

Activists Disrupt Occidental Petroleum CEO’s Interview at New York Times Climate Event

By Keerti Gopal, Jake Bolster — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 09:05:00 +0000

The move is part of a string of similar disruptions targeting appearances by oil company representatives and government leaders at Climate Week NYC.

By Keerti Gopal, Jake Bolster

NEW YORK—Vicki Hollub, the CEO of Occidental Petroleum, had barely stepped on stage for her interview at the New York Times’ Climate Forward event when an audience member leapt up into her path.

Coal Miner Dies at Alabama Mine With Dozens of Recent Safety Citations

By Lee Hedgepeth, James Bruggers — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:42:36 +0000

In the past week, the mine was cited for not having proper roof and mine support. The fatality follows a leadership change at the company and a federal lawsuit alleging that leaking methane blew up a home above the mine in March.

By Lee Hedgepeth, James Bruggers

Undermined: Ninth in a series about the impacts of longwall mining in Alabama.

Alleging Decades of Lies, California Sues ExxonMobil Over Plastic Pollution Crisis

By James Bruggers — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 23:09:35 +0000

The Texas-based oil and gas giant says California is to blame for plastic recycling failures. Four environmental groups filed their own lawsuit against Exxon on the same day as the state’s action.

By James Bruggers

California Attorney General Rob Bonta sued ExxonMobil on Monday, accusing the oil and gas giant of knowingly contributing to “one of the most devastating global environmental crises of our time” while misleading the public about recycling as a solution.

New York City Youth Strike Against Fossil Fuels and Greenwashing in Advance of NYC Climate Week

By Keerti Gopal — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 09:05:00 +0000

The Fridays for Future protest called for a focus on ending production of oil, gas and coal at the annual gathering that coincides with the U.N. General Assembly session.

By Keerti Gopal

NEW YORK—Hundreds of young people and their allies walked out of school and work on Friday afternoon to call for government and industry leaders to end the production of fossil fuels to combat the climate crisis.

North America’s Biggest Food Companies Are Struggling to Lower Their Greenhouse Gas Emissions

By Georgina Gustin — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 08:55:00 +0000

A new analysis finds that companies relying on agricultural commodities are making some progress, but decarbonizing the food system is proving difficult.

By Georgina Gustin

Some of the country’s biggest food companies are making a small dent in their greenhouse gas emissions, but most are failing to make substantial and critical reductions, even as consumers and government regulators are pushing harder for them to do so.

Study Finds High Levels of Hydrogen Sulfide in Central Texas Oilfield

By Martha Pskowski — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 09:00:00 +0000

The smell of oil wells has long permeated Caldwell County, within 50 miles of Austin and San Antonio. Now researchers have documented wells releasing dangerous amounts of hydrogen sulfide gas.

By Martha Pskowski

The first readings Abigail Edgar took of hydrogen sulfide and methane at oilfields in Caldwell County in 2021 were so high that she thought her equipment was malfunctioning.

Tyson Foods Sued Over Emissions Reduction Promises

By Georgina Gustin — Thu, 19 Sep 2024 09:05:00 +0000

The Environmental Working Group alleges that the world’s second-largest meat producer is misleading consumers by labeling a line of its beef “climate smart.”

By Georgina Gustin

A longtime agriculture industry watchdog has sued Tyson Foods, alleging the company misleads consumers by marketing “climate friendly” beef and by promising to slash its climate-warming emissions.