Climate Change

A feed of recent articles relating to Climate Change from The Daily Climate.

11 April 2025. Electric vehicles are helping Nepal clean up its deadly air –

As Kathmandu fights to breathe through some of the world’s worst air pollution, Nepal’s rapid embrace of electric vehicles is bringing cleaner skies and contributing to greater longevity.

Pete Pattisson reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Nepal now imports more electric passenger vehicles than gas-powered ones, a huge leap from just a few years ago, thanks to tax breaks, cheap electricity, and new financing options.
Kathmandu’s deadly air pollution — caused in large part by vehicle emissions — contributes to nearly a fifth of the country’s deaths, and experts say reducing fine particles could add over two years to the average lifespan.
While small EVs are booming, electric buses and trucks are slower to take off due to high costs, weak infrastructure, and a chaotic public transit system, though some co-ops and individuals are trying to change that.

Key quote:

“Motorists switching to EVs is an important part of getting towards cleaner skies and improved health.”

— David Sislen, World Bank country director for Nepal, Maldives, and Sri Lanka

Why this matters:

For years, Kathmandu's streets have doubled as corridors of toxic exhaust, with diesel-belching buses and cars choking the valley in a thick, gray soup. But now, something remarkable is happening. In a country better known for its Himalayan peaks than its tech revolutions, Nepal is pulling off an electric vehicle shift that’s putting many wealthier nations to shame.

11 April 2025. California tribes rekindle ancient fire traditions to heal the land and themselves –

After a century of U.S. fire suppression, California tribes are reviving cultural burns, low-intensity fires that nourish the land and reconnect communities to their roots.

Michaela Haas reports for Reasons to Be Cheerful.

In short:

Indigenous-led cultural burns are making a comeback across Northern California, with state support and scientific backing showing their role in restoring ecosystems and reducing wildfire risks.
These “good fires” don’t just clear brush — they revive native plants, support biodiversity, and reconnect tribal members, especially youth, to cultural practices and ancestral lands.
Unlike Western fire suppression tactics, cultural burns are deeply relational, guided by observation, permission, and a belief in fire as a non-human relative and healer.

Key quote:

“Cultural fire is a way of returning to the landscapes we were once punished for stewarding. When we gather for a burn, we reclaim our place.”

— Melinda Adams, San Carlos Apache Tribe member and professor at the University of Kansas

Why this matters:

Indigenous-led cultural burns, once outlawed and suppressed, are finally getting recognition and support. And with them comes a powerful blend of ecological revival and cultural healing — a combination of science, tradition, and ceremony. In a state keen to prevent megafires and undo the damage of colonization, Indigenous firekeepers are quietly leading the way.

11 April 2025. EPA stalls civil rights enforcement as pollution complaints pile up –

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's ability to investigate environmental discrimination has ground to a halt under Trump, leaving dozens of communities of color without recourse as pollution complaints sit unresolved.

Grey Moran reports for Sentient.

In short:

The Trump administration has quietly blocked the EPA from opening new civil rights investigations or issuing findings of discrimination, effectively sidelining Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
The Office of Environmental Justice was shuttered, and the civil rights division has been largely frozen, unable to act on pollution complaints from mostly Black, Indigenous, and Hispanic communities.
This rollback coincides with a broader federal effort to defang civil rights enforcement, including staff layoffs at the Departments of Education and Homeland Security.

Key quote:

“Especially with this spate of actions targeting unexpected entities like law firms and universities, I can see a world where complaints against state agencies that are let’s say ‘friendly’ to the administration would be rejected but complaints against agencies that are ‘unfriendly’ to the administration might be allowed to go forward.”

— Former EPA staffer

Why this matters:

The erosion of civil rights enforcement at the EPA blocks a crucial tool for protecting vulnerable communities from environmental harm. What’s at stake includes everything from drinking water safety to lung disease, from childhood asthma to intergenerational harm. Communities already dealing with racism and economic disinvestment are being left exposed to toxic air, soil, and water — all while the federal agency meant to protect them stays silent.

Related coverage from EHN:

11 April 2025. Trump moves to block state climate rules and lawsuits tied to fossil fuel emissions –

President Trump signed an executive order directing the U.S. Justice Department to challenge state climate laws and lawsuits, escalating federal efforts to dismantle local environmental regulations.

Adam Aton and Lesley Clark report for E&E News.

In short:

Trump’s executive order instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to challenge state-level climate laws and lawsuits that the administration claims are unconstitutional or interfere with federal energy policy. States targeted include California, New York, and Vermont.
The order singles out climate lawsuits brought by states and municipalities against oil companies, and it seeks to dismantle programs like cap-and-trade systems and regulations based on terms such as “environmental justice” or “greenhouse gas emissions.”
Legal scholars say the order is likely weak in effect, but its potential impact depends on how courts — many of them now led by conservative judges — respond to attempts to override state authority.

Key quote:

“If you’re asking me to evaluate on a scale of 1 to 10 how concerned I am — I’m at a 10.”

— Justin Balik, vice president of states for Evergreen Action

Why this matters:

For decades, state-level climate policies have acted as a vanguard of U.S. environmental action, often stepping in when federal leadership stalls or retreats. California’s cap-and-trade program and New York’s climate lawsuits have become iconic examples of how states use their legal muscle and regulatory creativity to tackle pollution, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and protect public health. But with President Trump’s new executive order, that dynamic is shifting. The order effectively curtails the ability of states to set stricter environmental rules than the federal baseline, potentially neutering efforts to block pipelines, restrict oil drilling, or hold fossil fuel companies legally accountable for climate damages. This sets up a volatile legal showdown between blue-state attorneys general and a federal government determined to expand fossil fuel production.

11 April 2025. EPA move to end climate emissions tracking leaves public in the dark –

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is planning to gut a key greenhouse gas reporting program, making it harder to track the country’s biggest climate polluters.

Sharon Lerner reports for ProPublica.

In short:

A Trump-appointed EPA official is pushing to eliminate emissions reporting for most industrial polluters, slashing oversight from 8,000 to just 2,300 facilities.
The Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has tracked up to 90% of U.S. climate pollution since 2010 and is widely used by regulators, businesses, and international partners.
Experts warn the rollback would erode accountability, hinder climate policy, and give other countries an excuse to abandon climate cooperation.

Key quote:

“It would be a bit like unplugging the equipment that monitors the vital signs of a patient that is critically ill.”

— Edward Maibach, professor, George Mason University

Why this matters:

Under the radar, the EPA is proposing to gut a massive emissions tracking program that’s been the backbone of U.S. climate accountability. Since 2010, the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program has been the tool regulators rely on to hold polluters to account. The consequences could be devastating. Less data means less oversight for thousands of industrial facilities across the United States. Less oversight means more climate-warming pollution and much less accountability for the corporations responsible.

11 April 2025. Trump’s pick for EPA general counsel lacks regulatory and courtroom experience but moves ahead in Senate vote –

President Trump’s nominee to serve as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s top lawyer advanced in the Senate despite limited courtroom and regulatory legal experience.

Katie Surma reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Sean Donahue, who has never taken a deposition or written a legal motion, cleared a Senate committee vote to become general counsel for the EPA, a position in which he'd oversee enforcement of major environmental laws like the Clean Air Act.
Donahue previously worked as a special advisor in the EPA under Trump and briefly as a lawyer in private practice before being fired. His current partner helps vet political appointees for the administration.
If confirmed by the full Senate, Donahue will lead more than 200 attorneys and play a central role in lawsuits challenging Trump’s rollback of environmental protections.

Key quote:

“He would have trouble getting an entry-level legal position in any of our offices.”

— Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.)

Why this matters:

The nomination of Donahue to lead the EPA's Office of General Counsel is another indication of the agency's approach to environmental regulation during the second Trump term. Critics, including several former EPA attorneys, argue that Donahue — whose background reportedly leans more toward political loyalty than expertise in environmental law — may not be equipped to navigate the dense legal terrain of environmental statutes and precedent. Donahue’s selection appears emblematic of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to challenge the foundation of federal regulatory science. Analysts point to growing efforts to sideline long-standing environmental research, shift enforcement priorities, and limit the weight of scientific consensus in environmental policymaking.

Learn more: New Trump-era EPA move could let polluters dodge toxic air rules

11 April 2025. U.S. pauses weather alerts translation, leaving non-English speakers at risk during disasters –

A contract lapse has forced the National Weather Service to halt AI-generated weather alert translations, raising concerns for millions of non-English speakers amid rising climate-driven disasters.

Kelsey Ables reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

The National Weather Service paused automated translation of weather alerts after a contract with AI firm Lilt lapsed, affecting access for millions who speak languages other than English.
The Trump administration’s policies, including revoking a requirement for agencies to assist those with limited English, have affected translation services and broader federal communication strategies.
Researchers say the halted translations could delay lifesaving information for non-English speakers during severe weather, particularly as climate change increases the frequency and intensity of disasters.

Key quote:

“What truly worries me is that these events are only becoming more intense and a lot more uncertain, too, and we have to be ahead of the game in our communication efforts...I think we can all agree at least that everyone deserves to have a chance to stay safe during a big disaster.”

— Joseph Trujillo-Falcón, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researcher

Why this matters:

As climate-driven disasters grow in scale and frequency across the United States, the nation’s patchy approach to emergency communications is putting millions of non-English speakers in harm’s way. More than 67 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home, and many live in communities already burdened by poverty, limited internet access, or tenuous immigration status. Public safety agencies remain chronically underprepared to meet this multilingual challenge, relying heavily on English-only notifications or automated translations that miss the nuance of life-saving guidance. In some of the country’s most climate-vulnerable regions, from coastal Florida to fire-prone California, a lack of clear, timely emergency messages can delay evacuation, increase injury, and, in the worst cases, cost lives.

Learn more:

11 April 2025. Trump administration halts Princeton climate research funding, citing rise in youth anxiety –

The Trump administration has cut nearly $4 million in climate research funding to Princeton University, claiming the programs cause unnecessary alarm and contribute to youth anxiety.

Brad Plumer and Austyn Gaffney report for The New York Times.

In short:

The Commerce Department announced it would stop funding a major climate modeling partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Princeton, accusing it of promoting “exaggerated” climate threats.
Nobel Prize-winning meteorologist Syukuro Manabe had contributed to the now-defunded program, which aimed to model ocean-atmosphere changes and support educational initiatives for K-12 students.
Additional cuts target Princeton-led studies on water availability and coastal flooding, part of a wider federal pullback on climate-related grants across agencies.

Key quote:

“Sadly, climate-related risks will not vanish if they are denied. With the deliberate choice to undermine climate science, knowledge production and science-based university programs, people will be less informed, less prepared.”

— Valérie Masson-Delmotte, climate scientist at the University of Paris-Saclay

Why this matters:

As the climate crisis deepens, the decades-long collaboration between Princeton University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has improved the precision of climate models that inform everything from local floodplain maps to international climate negotiations. These models help communities plan for extreme weather, industries brace for supply chain disruptions, and health officials respond to heatwaves and air quality threats. Now, under President Trump’s second term, federal scrutiny of climate-related research has intensified, with proposals to defund or dismantle programs viewed as politically charged. The administration frames it as a reorientation of agency priorities, but scientists and public officials alike warn it could seriously compromise the nation’s preparedness in the face of worsening environmental conditions.

11 April 2025. Pipeline firm’s lawsuit blitz hits a wall in South Dakota as landowners push back –

A carbon pipeline project stretching across five Midwest states faces an uncertain future after aggressive legal tactics by Summit Carbon Solutions sparked fierce opposition and new restrictions in South Dakota.

Eric Ferkenhoff and Josh Kelety report for Lee Enterprises and The Associated Press.

In short:

Summit Carbon Solutions filed 232 lawsuits against landowners in the Midwest, including 156 eminent domain cases in South Dakota alone, attempting to force access to land for its $9 billion carbon pipeline.
South Dakota lawmakers responded to the backlash by banning eminent domain for carbon pipelines, jeopardizing the project’s permit and triggering political shifts in the state legislature.
The pipeline would connect to ethanol plants to capture carbon emissions and store them underground in North Dakota, a move backed by the ethanol industry but challenged by farmers and environmental groups concerned about land rights and safety.

Key quote:

“They did this all to themselves. Their legal plan was, ‘We will force them into submission because the lawsuits will break them.’”

— Brian Jorde, attorney representing landowners

Why this matters:

The standoff over Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon dioxide pipeline through South Dakota is quickly becoming more than just a local dispute — it’s turning into a national proxy battle over the future of energy infrastructure, private property rights, and the credibility of climate solutions rooted in industrial agriculture. What’s happening in South Dakota is reverberating across the Midwest, catalyzing new legislation to restrict eminent domain, unseat incumbents sympathetic to the pipeline, and fuel grassroots resistance that bridges ideological lines. The debate is exposing the tension between urgent climate goals and the means used to pursue them.

11 April 2025. Federal court allows discrimination lawsuit against Louisiana petrochemical expansion to proceed –

A federal appeals court ruled that civil rights groups can pursue their lawsuit accusing St. James Parish officials of racial discrimination in the siting of polluting petrochemical plants in Black neighborhoods.

Jack Brook reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the lawsuit filed by Inclusive Louisiana and other groups was timely, reversing a lower court's dismissal over filing deadlines.
The plaintiffs allege St. James Parish’s land-use policies cluster petrochemical facilities in majority-Black communities, with 20 of 24 industrial sites located in those areas as of 2023.
The court acknowledged claims that these developments have destroyed access to cemeteries of enslaved people and represent ongoing discrimination beyond a single 2014 zoning plan.

Key quote:

“We have been sounding the alarm for far too long that a moratorium is needed to halt the expansion of any more polluting industries in our neighborhoods, and too many lives have been lost to cancer.”

— Gail LeBoeuf, co-founder of Inclusive Louisiana

Why this matters:

St. James Parish, nestled in Louisiana’s heavily industrialized Chemical Corridor, has become a national symbol of the tensions between economic development and environmental justice. Known widely as “Cancer Alley,” this stretch along the Mississippi River is home to more than 150 petrochemical plants and refineries. For decades, its predominantly Black residents have sounded the alarm about unusual cancer clusters, respiratory illnesses, and the erosion of historically significant land, including burial sites. Despite this, state and parish land-use approvals have often cleared the way for more industrial expansion. The recent court ruling allowing a high-profile environmental justice case to proceed could signal a turning point, giving federal judges the chance to scrutinize how decisions in places like St. James Parish disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

Learn more:

11 April 2025. Elon Musk’s AI firm running unpermitted gas generators near Memphis neighborhoods –

Elon Musk’s xAI has nearly doubled its use of methane-burning generators at a Memphis facility without required permits, drawing public outcry and legal warnings.

Dara Kerr reports for The Guardian.

In short:

A local advocacy group says xAI is using 35 methane gas turbines at its Memphis facility, despite applying for permits for only 15.
The Southern Environmental Law Center warns the unpermitted generators violate the Clean Air Act and emit harmful pollutants near historically Black neighborhoods.
Residents are demanding action, citing health risks and a history of industrial pollution in the area.

Key quote:

“xAI has essentially built a power plant in South Memphis with no oversight, no permitting, and no regard for families living in nearby communities.”

— Amanda Garcia, senior attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center

Why this matters:

The unchecked expansion of energy-hungry AI infrastructure is colliding with long-standing environmental justice concerns in Memphis, where industrial pollution has already harmed residents for decades.xAI’s use of unpermitted methane gas turbines in a predominantly Black neighborhood already suffering elevated cancer and asthma rates raises alarms about regulatory gaps and the consequences of rapid AI development. What’s happening in Memphis reflects a broader, and increasingly urgent, question: who pays the price for artificial intelligence? As massive data centers are rolled out at record speed — often in places with cheap power and minimal oversight — the environmental and health risks are frequently pushed onto communities with the least capacity to resist.

11 April 2025. To fix climate and pollution, scientists say we must rethink waste, consumption and our place in nature –

A new United Nations report says humanity must question consumerism, waste, and its separation from nature to meaningfully address climate change and pollution.

Bob Berwyn reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

A U.N. report authored by researchers at the United Nations University argues that solving environmental crises requires "deep change" — transforming the values and systems that drive consumerism, waste, and fossil fuel use.
The report critiques current sustainability efforts as superficial and calls for questioning societal norms like convenience, individualism, and endless economic growth.
Case studies like Kamikatsu, Japan, show it’s possible to shift public attitudes toward near-zero waste when communities adopt new values and systems.

Key quote:

“How could we ever think that we are separate from nature and have the right to tame nature and change it as we please?”

— Zita Sebesvari, lead author of the U.N. report

Why this matters:

The U.N.'s latest report lands with the force of a cultural reckoning, not just a scientific one. It asserts, bluntly, that the climate crisis isn’t merely an engineering puzzle or a policy shortfall — it’s a reflection of an extractive mindset and a civilization out of sync with the planet that sustains it. This worldview fuels rising emissions, mass species extinction, and toxic overloads in our air, water, and soil. The report joins a wave of global research suggesting that tweaks and technofixes, while helpful, are grossly insufficient if the deeper values driving our choices remain unchallenged. It’s a call to rethink our sense of what’s socially acceptable when it comes to waste, overconsumption, and ecological disregard.

11 April 2025. Investor pressure stalls as climate group halts shareholder resolutions against oil giants –

A leading climate activist group in the Netherlands is suspending its shareholder push against oil companies after waning investor support and rising political pressure in the U.S.

Jillian Ambrose reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Dutch activist group Follow This will not file climate resolutions at oil company AGMs this year for the first time since 2016, citing political and legal backlash.
U.S. states have sued major investors over climate initiatives, and federal regulators recently dropped proposed rules on climate-related financial disclosures.
Despite earlier success — such as a 60% shareholder vote backing emissions cuts at Chevron in 2021 — recent investor support for such efforts has plateaued at around 20%.

Key quote:

“Big oil can make or break the Paris climate agreement. Their shareholders have only one formal power: the power of the vote. It’s time for more investors to exercise their vote.”

— Mark van Baal, founder of Follow This

Why this matters:

The once-promising strategy of using shareholder activism to nudge oil giants toward climate accountability is now facing a sobering backlash. In recent years, investor-backed climate resolutions have managed to force major players like Shell, Chevron, and ExxonMobil to publicly commit to emission reduction goals, even if those promises were non-binding. But the momentum behind these campaigns is faltering amid growing political pushback, particularly in the U.S., where Republican-controlled states have begun punishing financial firms for pursuing ESG — environmental, social, and governance — agendas. This politicization has had a chilling effect on institutional investors, who now fear retaliation for aligning too closely with climate goals.

11 April 2025. AI’s rising energy needs could overwhelm climate efforts without better oversight –

By 2030, artificial intelligence is projected to consume more electricity in the U.S. than all major industrial manufacturing sectors combined, prompting warnings over the environmental cost of poorly managed growth.

Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.

In short:

A new International Energy Agency (IEA) report finds global electricity use by datacentres — driven primarily by AI — will more than double by 2030, with demand from AI-specific facilities alone expected to quadruple.
The IEA downplays fears that AI alone will derail climate goals, suggesting its potential to optimize energy systems and improve efficiency could balance out emissions — if properly directed.
Critics argue the IEA is underestimating risks, warning that datacenter expansion could revive fossil fuel power, strain water resources, and undermine recent energy-saving gains in developed nations.

Key quote:

“Instead of making practical recommendations to governments on how to regulate and thus minimize the huge negative impact of AI and new mega datacenters on the energy system, the IEA and its [chief] Fatih Birol are making a welcome gift to the new Trump administration and the tech companies which sponsored this new U.S. government.”

— Claude Turmes, former Green MEP and energy minister for Luxembourg

Why this matters:

Artificial intelligence may be powering a new era of innovation — from optimizing city buses to predicting climate tipping points — but the physical machinery behind that intelligence comes with a steep environmental price. Datacenters the sprawling facilities that house the computing firepower behind AI, are already straining electrical grids and depleting water resources at an alarming pace. Their demand for energy is surging, with some of the largest facilities requiring as much power as small cities, and many rely on carbon-heavy grids or private deals with legacy power providers. The result is a deeply paradoxical picture: AI helping scientists understand and mitigate climate risks, while its own infrastructure amplifies them.

11 April 2025. France unveils new high-speed train as U.S. rail ambitions lag behind –

France’s newest high-speed train has captured global attention for its sleek design and energy efficiency, fueling questions about why the U.S. still struggles to build similar rail infrastructure.

Claire Elise Thompson reports for Grist.

In short:

France’s fifth-generation TGV Inoui will begin service in 2026 with 20% more energy efficiency, upgraded accessibility features, and design flourishes that have charmed international audiences.
In contrast, the U.S. has limited high-speed rail, with Amtrak’s Acela barely meeting the threshold and new projects like California’s public initiative facing delays, underfunding, and political headwinds.
A private venture, Brightline West, may offer a breakthrough, with plans for a 200 mph line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles, supported by federal funding and expected to open by the 2028 Olympics.

Key quote:

“The way Amtrak is structured, it is charged with doing way too much with way too little.”

— Rick Harnish, executive director and co-founder of the High Speed Rail Alliance

Why this matters:

High-speed rail offers a cleaner, faster alternative to driving or flying, with the potential to cut carbon emissions dramatically. Yet the U.S. remains far behind other industrialized nations in building such infrastructure, constrained by politics, underinvestment, and land-use challenges. France’s TGV and similar systems in China and Japan highlight what’s possible with sustained public support and planning. As transportation accounts for a major share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, expanding high-speed rail could ease highway congestion, reduce air pollution, and reshape intercity travel. Without momentum, however, the country risks a less efficient, more carbon-intensive transport future.

10 April 2025. A controversial facility that would process plastic waste to be burned in steel mills has been cancelled –

PITTSBURGH — International Recycling Group (IRG) has announced that they will cancel a planned plastic waste processing facility in Erie, Pennsylvania, due to President Trump’s federal funding cuts and tariffs, among other reasons.

The facility, slated to be built in a former Hammermill Paper Property less than a mile from Lake Erie, would have collected 160,000 tons of mixed plastic waste from a 750-mile radius and ground it into smaller pieces of plastic to be either burned in steel mills in Northwestern Indiana or sold for other uses.

Proponents of the plant hoped it would create local jobs and help reduce plastic waste, while opponents called it a “false solution” that would turn plastic waste into climate-warming and health-harming air pollution.

“Trucking plastics across the country to burn in blast furnaces under the guise of ‘recycling’ was and will always be a complete false solution and greenwashing attempt,” Susan Thomas, director of policy and press at Just Transition Northwest Indiana, said in a press statement.

Erie, Pennsylvania and Northwest Indiana are both home to superfund sites and industrial facilities like steel mills, oil refineries, and chemical plants. These facilities emit toxic pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, lead compounds, and particulate matter, which are linked to health effects like cancer, respiratory and heart disease, and mental illness. Advocates worried the IRG plant would add to the pollution burden and health problems in both communities.

“This project would have exacerbated toxic emissions in Northwest Indiana, harming regional health and the environment and furthering the ‘sacrifice zone’ status,” Thomas said.

Anne McCarthy, a coordinator Benedictines for Peace, an Erie-based Catholic advocacy group, said in a statement that her organization “believes this is a win for Lake Erie. We hope Erie will join the fast-growing labor force for truly renewable energy and create even more jobs than those promised by IRG.”

The project was also controversial because it received a $182.6 million loan under the federal Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) during the Biden administration. Last summer, more than 100 environmental groups wrote a letter to former U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm urging her to cancel the loan because “IRA money is supposed to be used to improve the environment, not worsen it.”

Those IRA funds are now on hold, according to an IRG press release, as the Trump administration works to claw back climate-related funding at the federal level. The IRG press release also cited Trump’s recently announced tariffs, which would result in higher costs for the project than anticipated, and difficulty securing buyers for recycled materials as companies backtrack on their sustainability goals.

“I am personally devastated after 18 years of working to bring this vision to a reality that we have failed to overcome these challenges,” Mitch Hecht, IRG’s founder and chief executive officer, said in the statement.

Only 5-6% of all plastic used in the U.S. is recycled due to high costs for the process and the lack of a market for recycled plastics. Numerous recycling facilities that have promised to help create a “circular economy” for plastics, like IRG’s proposed Erie plant, have been canceled or shuttered in recent years, including proposed chemical recycling plants in Youngstown, Ohio and Point Township, Pennsylvania. An Indiana-based plastics recycling company also recently filed for bankruptcy. In October 2023 the advocacy groups Beyond Plastics and the International Pollutants Elimination Network (IPEN) reported that there were 11 constructed U.S. chemical recycling facilities, only five of which are operating today, according to a spokesperson for the organization.

“Taxpayer dollars should be used for real solutions to environmental issues, not a polluting project masquerading as a quick fix to the plastic waste crisis,” Jess Conard, Beyond Plastics’ Appalachia director, said in a statement. “Providing more plastic to be burned as fuel for steelmaking is not a climate or waste solution — it only creates more pollution.”

10 April 2025. Trump administration cancels funding crucial to landmark federal climate report –

The Trump administration is quietly gutting the government’s most important climate science program, a move that could cripple efforts to prepare for global warming.

Zack Colman reports for Politico.

In short:

The Trump administration is terminating funding for the U.S. Global Change Research Program, ending the cross-agency work that results in the National Climate Assessment, a report issued every four years to inform U.S. climate policy.
The move severs coordination between 13 federal agencies tasked with producing the legally mandated report, threatening the next edition due in 2027.
Several federal employees tied to the program have been fired, and critics say this aligns with Trump’s broader push to undercut science that challenges its deregulatory agenda.

Key quote:

“NASA is working with OSTP on how to best support the congressionally-mandated program while also increasing efficiencies across the 14 agencies and advisory committee supporting this effort.”

— NASA spokesperson in a statement

Why this matters:

The National Climate Assessment was supposed to be the country’s climate reality check — a blunt, science-backed answer to a burning question: What will climate change actually do to our lives, our cities, our food, our health? Now, the Trump administration is pulling the plug on the U.S. Global Change Research Program, the very backbone of the NCA. Without the National Climate Assessment, the government would lose an important, comprehensive resource for climate mitigation as well as anticipating and responding to climate impacts, including on water resources, agriculture, energy and transportation infrastructure, housing, and human health.

10 April 2025. Trump tariffs and extreme weather could send home insurance costs soaring –

Homeowners in disaster-prone states face potentially steep insurance hikes as new tariffs and climate-driven destruction push the market toward crisis.

Kiley Price reports for Inside Climate News.

In short:

Home insurance rates are projected to rise 8% nationwide in 2025, with sharper hikes in climate-vulnerable states like Louisiana, California, and Florida.
President Trump’s new tariffs on building materials like lumber and steel are increasing reconstruction costs, which insurers may pass to consumers as higher premiums.
Labor shortages from immigration crackdowns, combined with delayed regulatory approval for rate increases, are straining insurers and may lead to insolvencies or market exits.

Key quote:

“I just think that this is so important for people to be made aware that insurance rates are going up, and insurance makes the economy go and this is the tangible result of a changing climate.”

— Andrew Hoffman, professor of sustainable enterprise at the University of Michigan

Why this matters:

The cost of homeowners insurance is no longer just a line item in the household budget; it’s becoming a barometer of America’s growing climate crisis. As fires torch the West, hurricanes batter the Gulf, and floods inundate the Midwest, insurers are walking away from policies they once considered safe bets. In some states, premiums have doubled or tripled, while others are seeing major providers pull out entirely. Add to that a jump in tariffs on essential building materials, and the price of rebuilding after a disaster becomes even steeper. These shifts don’t just pinch homeowners — they threaten the financial scaffolding of entire communities.

Learn more: Rising insurance costs leave more homeowners uninsured

10 April 2025. Indigenous leaders demand land rights as Amazon prepares to host COP30 –

Thousands of Indigenous people marched in Brazil’s capital this week, calling for stronger land rights and greater representation ahead of the UN climate summit in the Amazon later this year.

Fabiano Maisonnave reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

The march was part of the Free Land Indigenous Camp, an annual gathering focused on defending Indigenous rights and protecting ancestral lands, especially in the Amazon.
Indigenous leaders warned that climate change is already damaging their communities, citing crop failures and worsening droughts in the Amazon basin.
They are pushing for greater involvement in COP30 negotiations and broader recognition of Indigenous territories as climate solutions.

Key quote:

“Indigenous territories are the most preserved and contribute to slowing the climate crisis we’re facing. But they are also the first to be impacted.”

— Luene Karipuna, Indigenous leader from Amapá

Why this matters:

Research continues to affirm what many Indigenous communities have long known: that Indigenous-managed lands are among the most resilient strongholds against deforestation, and vital to the planet’s ecological balance. The Amazon is not only their home but a global carbon sink, and as the forest falters, so too does its capacity to buffer climate chaos. Despite their frontline role, Indigenous groups have been repeatedly sidelined in international climate talks. With COP30 scheduled to be held in the Brazilian Amazon in 2025 — a first — Indigenous leaders are demanding more than symbolic gestures. Their push is as much about sovereignty as it is about science: If the Amazon is to survive, those who have protected it the longest may be the last, best chance.

10 April 2025. Most Christian leaders believe in climate change, but few talk about it –

A new study finds that 90% of U.S. Christian leaders believe humans cause climate change, but many keep quiet about it in their congregations.

Sharon Udasin reports for The Hill.

In short:

A survey of 1,600 Christian leaders across denominations showed that 90% believe in human-caused climate change, including over 80% of evangelical or fundamentalist leaders.
Despite these views, half of the leaders said they had never spoken about climate change in church, and only a quarter had discussed it more than once or twice.
A separate survey found that most U.S. Christians wrongly assume their leaders don’t believe in climate change, dampening discussion and perceived moral urgency around climate action.

Key quote:

“We find that informing Christians that the majority of their religious leaders believe in man-made climate change leads them to realize that climate action is in line with their morals, and voting for politicians who deny climate change may be at odds with their faith.”

— Gregg Sparkman, assistant professor at Boston College

Why this matters:

As the climate crisis accelerates, faith communities are emerging as a crucial but underutilized force in the public response. Many church leaders remain hesitant to speak on climate change, either due to fear of political controversy, theological ambiguity, or uncertainty about the science itself. This silence can leave room for doubt to solidify, especially in congregations where climate change feels distant or divisive. For congregants who might distrust government or media sources, a trusted pastor’s voice can provide a powerful moral lens, framing climate action not just as science-based policy but as a sacred responsibility.

10 April 2025. Keystone oil pipeline leaks again in North Dakota, adding to long list of failures –

A leak in the Keystone oil pipeline has spilled 3,500 barrels of crude in North Dakota, marking the 23rd spill in its 15-year history.

Josh Funk reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

The Keystone oil pipeline, built in 2010 by TC Energy and now operated by South Bow, leaked again Tuesday, releasing 3,500 barrels of oil in North Dakota.
The pipeline has had 23 total spills, including a 2022 rupture in Kansas that was the largest U.S. onshore oil spill in nearly a decade.
Investigators blame many of the spills on flawed construction, poor welds, and original design issues identified in government and safety agency reports.

Key quote:

“Keystone’s incident history illustrates the problematic pipeline’s systemic issues.”

— Bill Caram, executive director of the Pipeline Safety Trust

Why this matters:

The Keystone pipeline has long been a flashpoint in the debate over fossil fuels, not just for its contribution to carbon emissions but for its persistent vulnerability to leaks — failures that have environmental and public health consequences well beyond the immediate site. Compounds like benzene, toluene, and heavy metals are released when spills occur, creating particular health risks for people living nearby. With each rupture, the pipeline reveals deeper structural issues: aging materials, regulatory blind spots, and a fundamental tension between energy infrastructure built for a carbon-heavy past and a climate reality demanding urgent transition.

10 April 2025. Former White House official says legal resistance will blunt Trump’s rollback of environmental justice –

A former top environmental justice adviser in the Biden administration says President Trump’s efforts to dismantle federal programs targeting pollution and health disparities will face strong legal and political resistance.

Willy Blackmore reports for Word In Black.

In short:

Ryan Hathaway, who led environmental justice work in the Biden White House, says the Trump administration is trying to erase these initiatives but lacks the power to fully succeed.
Hathaway lost his role when Trump signed an executive order dismantling diversity and environmental justice programs on his first day in office.
Now at Lawyers for Good Government, Hathaway is helping nonprofits defend federal grants the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to rescind, many aimed at marginalized communities.

Key quote:

“They’re holding up money that’s going to save people’s lives. A lot of this money in environmental justice work is just reducing future suffering.”

— Ryan Hathaway, director of environment and climate justice at Lawyers for Good Government

Why this matters:

Environmental justice, a movement rooted in civil rights and public health, has long fought to correct the deep inequities in how pollution and environmental hazards are distributed across American communities. During the Biden administration, the federal government acknowledged this legacy through billions in Justice40 investments and EPA enforcement crackdowns. But now, with President Trump’s return to office, much of that momentum appears at risk. Funding for frontline organizations is already in jeopardy, and federal agencies face pressure to scale back climate and pollution efforts in the name of deregulation. Advocates fear a chilling effect, not only on environmental protections but on the foundational principle that all Americans deserve clean air and water — regardless of their ZIP code.

10 April 2025. New rules would require wind and solar projects in Texas to get state approval –

Texas lawmakers are pushing new rules that would force wind and solar developers to seek state permits and meet stricter environmental standards, drawing a stark contrast with the state’s looser regulation of oil and gas.

Carlos Nogueras Ramos reports for The Texas Tribune.

In short:

A bill from Sen. Lois Kolkhorst would require renewable energy projects over 10 megawatts to get permits from the Public Utility Commission, undergo environmental review, and hold public hearings.
The legislation introduces distance requirements from property lines and buildings, and imposes environmental impact fees to fund cleanup and wildlife monitoring.
Critics argue the bill targets renewables unfairly, especially compared to the less-regulated oil and gas industry, and could harm Texas' ability to meet rising energy demand.

Key quote:

“Any policy that hamstrings or puts red tape on energy development, any energy development, is not good for the grid.”

— Daniel Giese, director of state affairs, Solar Energy Industries Association

Why this matters:

Texas, long synonymous with oil and gas, now finds itself at the epicenter of the country’s renewable energy boom — a surprising twist in the energy transition narrative. Supporters argue the proposed legislation to impose stricter permitting requirements on renewables is a necessary correction, giving rural residents a greater voice and addressing visual and ecological impacts that often come with large-scale installations. Critics, however, see the move as a thinly veiled attempt to kneecap renewables under the guise of oversight, pointing out that fossil fuel projects continue to operate under looser standards. At its core, the fight is about who gets to shape the future of energy — and on what terms.

10 April 2025. Thousands of potential oil and gas violations in B.C. went unpenalized, internal records show –

A small team of provincial inspectors recorded over 9,000 potential environmental violations at fossil fuel sites across British Columbia but often marked them as compliant, according to internal inspection notes.

Matt Simmons and Zak Vescera report for The Narwhal.

In short:

Records from 2017 to 2023 show BC Energy Regulator inspectors flagged possible environmental issues, such as emissions leaks and chemical spills, but logged the sites as compliant in official databases.
The regulator, which is primarily funded by the industry it oversees, employs fewer than 20 inspectors to monitor almost 200 fossil fuel companies across thousands of sites.
Of the 146 companies contacted by The Narwhal, only 14 responded, most citing collaborative relationships with the regulator; the agency declined interview requests and defended its enforcement approach.

Why this matters:

In British Columbia, the fossil fuel industry operates across a sprawling network of wells, pipelines, and processing sites — often adjacent to rural communities, Indigenous lands, and critical ecosystems. While the province has a formal watchdog in the BC Energy Regulator, critics say the agency’s enforcement of environmental protections is alarmingly lax. Reports show that environmental violations are frequently documented by inspectors but remain unresolved, allowing polluters to continue operations with few, if any, consequences. Critics question whether a regulatory entity funded by industry fees can truly hold that industry accountable.

10 April 2025. Trump’s policies reshape shareholder climate action as ESG proposals plunge –

Environmental, social, and governance shareholder proposals have dropped sharply in 2025 as investors navigate a political landscape shaped by President Trump’s regulatory overhaul and attacks on socially responsible investing.

Joseph Winters reports for Grist.

In short:

Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) shareholder proposals fell 34% this year, as investors anticipate regulatory hurdles under a new, more conservative Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Two new SEC policies make it harder to submit and sustain ESG proposals, while giving companies more opportunities to exclude them from proxy statements.
Some companies are now more open to negotiating with investors to avoid public proxy votes, leading to a spike in withdrawn proposals compared to 2024.

Key quote:

“It was clearly a biased decision stacked against shareholders.”

— Michael Passoff, CEO of Proxy Impact

Why this matters:

Once a buzzy acronym on Wall Street and a rallying cry for sustainability advocates, ESG investing is now under siege, especially following President Trump’s return to office. Republican lawmakers and conservative pundits have framed ESG as “woke capitalism,” portraying it as a vehicle for imposing liberal values on business. In response, red-state legislatures have introduced or passed laws that restrict the use of ESG criteria in public investments, while companies are increasingly filing “no-action” requests to avoid shareholder votes on climate-related proposals.

ESG is a framework for evaluating long-term risks, including those posed by climate change. As sea levels rise and extreme weather intensifies, the rollback of ESG could erode transparency around corporate emissions and delay the already-fragile transition to clean energy.

10 April 2025. Lego opens solar-powered Vietnam factory to cut emissions and supply Asia –

Lego has opened a $1 billion factory in southern Vietnam that runs entirely on clean energy, part of its push to lower emissions and grow its presence in Asian markets.

Aniruddha Ghosal reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

The Danish company's new facility in Binh Duong will be its first factory designed to run entirely on clean energy by 2026, powered by solar panels and a battery-backed energy center.
The highly automated plant, expected to eventually employ thousands, is central to Lego’s target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 37% by 2032 and hitting net zero by 2050.
Vietnam, where manufacturing makes up a fifth of GDP, sees this project as a model for reducing its industrial emissions while maintaining economic growth.

Key quote:

“So even if the sun is only shining during the day, we store the energy and can use it all over. That will cover by far the majority of the consumption of the factory.”

— Niels Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group

Why this matters:

As global plastic production surges past 400 million tons annually, the toy industry’s heavy reliance on fossil fuel-derived plastics remains a largely overlooked climate liability. For companies like Lego—an icon built on brightly colored petrochemical blocks—this presents a paradox. Lego’s move suggests that multinationals can rethink how and where they manufacture goods. Yet for all its promise, the project shines a light on deeper industry tensions: the elusive search for non-fossil alternatives to durable plastics, and whether cleaner production models are scalable — or just symbolic. With plastic toy sales continuing to grow and few truly sustainable materials ready to match plastic’s cost and performance, the sector appears to be at a crossroads.

9 April 2025. Trump’s coal comeback plan clashes with the reality of the energy market –

Donald Trump wants to bring coal roaring back, but even industry insiders say the economics don’t work.

Josh Siegel, Catherine Morehouse, and Alex Guillén report for Politico.

In short:

Trump signed executive orders to jumpstart coal production, including efforts to label it a "mineral" and direct $200 billion in financing toward coal infrastructure.
His plan targets powering AI data centers with coal and keeping aging plants online, but utilities remain uninterested in building new coal facilities.
Experts and even coal-friendly Republicans admit market forces — like cheap natural gas and renewables — make a true coal resurgence unlikely.

Key quote:

“I don’t think this order changes the facts that coal-fired power plants are old, expensive to run, and unlikely to operate very often or for many more years.”

— Rob Gramlich, president of power grid consulting firm Grid Strategies

Why this matters:

Trump is once again trying to dig coal out of its economic grave, but even the industry isn’t buying it. Trump’s push for coal flies in the face of the health and climate realities tied to burning one of the dirtiest fuels. While the president may want to reframe coal as a patriotic lifeline to fuel a high-tech future, that idea ignores the fact that coal is a top-tier climate pollutant tied to heart disease, black lung, and increasingly extreme weather.

9 April 2025. Solar and wind helped clean energy supply 40% of the world’s electricity in 2024 –

Clean energy sources provided more than 40% of global electricity in 2024, driven by a record surge in solar power that has more than doubled in capacity in just three years.

Jillian Ambrose reports for The Guardian.

In short:

Solar power accounted for nearly 7% of global electricity last year, while wind contributed just over 8%, both still trailing hydropower’s 14% share.
A report by Ember found clean energy is now growing faster than global electricity demand, signaling a potential shift away from fossil fuels.
Despite gains, emissions from the power sector rose 1.6% to a record high in 2024, fueled by heatwaves and increased demand for cooling and digital infrastructure.

Key quote:

“Solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition. Paired with battery storage, solar is set to be an unstoppable force.”

— Phil MacDonald, managing director of the Ember energy thinktank

Why this matters:

Power generation is the single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions globally, and while clean energy technologies like wind and solar are making record gains, they’re still not outpacing demand. Emerging forces — from energy-hungry artificial intelligence systems to the rising number of electric vehicles and widespread air-conditioning during record-breaking heat — are stretching grids and escalating the need for more electricity. Yet much of that demand is still being met by fossil fuels. The paradox is stark: Clean power is growing faster than ever, but so is overall energy consumption.

Learn more: Solar power surge drives global growth in clean energy, but targets remain out of reach

9 April 2025. Trump administration ends climate disaster program that saved billions –

As flooding overwhelms communities like Natchitoches, Louisiana, the Trump administration has quietly ended a climate resilience program that saved taxpayers $6 for every $1 spent, withdrawing support from disaster-prone, low-income, and Black communities.

Adam Mahoney reports for Capital B News.

In short:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has canceled over $1 billion in BRIC grants, including funds earmarked for Natchitoches, Louisiana, to support disaster-prevention infrastructure like backup generators for flood response.
BRIC, created under Trump in 2018 but expanded under Biden, prioritized pre-disaster planning in disadvantaged communities. Its cancellation reflects broader efforts by the current Trump administration to reverse climate-related equity programs.
The program funded projects like floodwalls, wetland restoration, and upgraded drainage systems. FEMA estimated that every dollar spent saved $6 in future disaster costs.

Key quote:

“Any funding, especially for a smaller place, you want to win and keep it. I don’t have an unlimited pot of money.”

— Ronnie Williams, mayor of Natchitoches

Why this matters:

Originally created to help communities fortify themselves before disaster strikes, BRIC focused on proactive infrastructure investments—flood walls, fire breaks, storm-proof housing—especially in areas historically left behind by federal recovery efforts. Its absence will likely be most keenly felt by poor, rural, and Black communities, who have long faced systemic hurdles in accessing both private insurance and government aid. The consequences go beyond physical safety: Research shows that after disasters, white households often see their net worth increase due to quicker access to recovery resources, while Black families and renters typically experience steep financial losses.

9 April 2025. Flooding fears grow in Tennessee as warming waters fuel extreme rainstorms –

Memphis and other parts of the South saw deadly storms and record rainfall, renewing fears that flood control efforts may not be enough as climate-driven weather extremes worsen.

Scott Dance reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

A multiday storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain across parts of Tennessee, killing at least 10 people and straining drainage systems that narrowly prevented major flooding in Memphis.
Experts warn these events are becoming more frequent due to warmer temperatures and moisture from the Gulf, while existing flood defenses may not keep up.
Tennessee officials are pushing for improved forecasting tools like a $3 million mesonet sensor network, though other efforts remain stalled.

Key quote:

“This much rain in such a short period of time, we’ve never experienced that — especially over such a wide area.”

— Cliff Berry Jr., mayor of Tiptonville

Why this matters:

What might have once been rare, days-long deluges are now hitting cities like Memphis or Nashville with little warning, straining aging infrastructure built for a different era. The challenge is especially acute in areas where urban development has sprawled over what used to be porous land, leaving stormwater with nowhere to go. It’s a collision of natural forces and human choices — climate change meets concrete. The aftermath doesn’t end when the water recedes. Communities are grappling with mold outbreaks, sewage contamination, and mental health burdens tied to repeated disasters. And since flood maps and building codes often lag behind reality, residents find themselves caught in a gap between what has been planned for and what is coming.

Learn more: Forty trillion gallons of rain inundate the Southeast after multiple storms