Category Archives: Environment

UN to Launch Talks on Treaty to Regulate High Seas

Talks kick off in New York on Tuesday to negotiate a UN treaty on the high seas by 2020; this would extend the existing law of the sea framework beyond each nation’s territorial waters.

If Vanuatu Can Ban Single-Use Plastics, So Can the Other Commonwealth Countries

Vanautu is in the vanguard of commonwealth states moving to ban single-use plastic items, which are choking marine life, slowly poisoning fish (and those who eat them), and negatively affecting tourism.

Fracking, the Water Cycle, and Sacrifice Zones

Groundwater contamination with endocrine distruptors from fracking, and its uneven distribution

Plastics: Don’t Microwave, or Place in the Dishwasher

American Academy of Pediatrics highlights health concerns for children from plastics, and recommends reducing use of plastics, and not microwaving them or placing them in the dishwasher.

Ninth Circuit Orders EPA to Ban Chlorpyrifos Pesticide

Ninth Circuit orders EPA to implement a long overdue ban of chlorpyrifos, a pesticide linked to developmental delays in children and nervous system damage to people and animals exposed. Court previously had to order Obama EPA in 2015 to act on the issue; it’s unclear whether this decision will survive appeal.

Fracking Fracas: BLM to Open California Public Lands

The US Bureau of Land Management yesterday took first steps to opening 1.6 million acres public lands in California to fracking, ending a five-year moratorium on such practices.

Neoliberalism Drives Climate Breakdown, Not Human Nature

Attempts by the New York Times to blame humanity as a whole for climate change let the real culprits off the hook.

Court Rules that Portland Oil Terminal Ban Does Not Violate the Commerce Clause

The court ruled that the city’s ban on new fossil fuel terminals within its borders did not violate the Commerce Clause, which is the main argument the oil industry has used against bans like the ones in Portland, Oregon and other cities.

What’s with the New York City Subway System?

Climate change, aging cars, signals, and tunnels, plus looting by the political class and the bankers.

Gaius Publius: There Will Be No Chinese Century

Why on current trajectories, China (and the US) are toast.

Ocean Wilderness Vanishing

First major study devoted to mapping marine wilderness issued last week documents that most of the world’s oceans have been damaged by human activity, including pollution and fishing.