Read the full story in the Guardian.
In the wake of Trump’s Paris withdrawal, California is taking the lead to fight emissions – and it’s rethinking how to get more out of its cap-and-trade program.
Day: June 21, 2017
EPA just gave notice to dozens of scientific advisory board members that their time is up
Read the full story in the Washington Post.
The Environmental Protection Agency has given notice to dozens of scientists that they will not be renewed in their roles in advising the agency, continuing a scientific shake-up that has already triggered resignations and charges from some researchers that the administration is politicizing the agency.
37 of the World’s Biggest Banks Fueling Climate Change
Read the full story in EcoWatch.
A report released Wednesday by Rainforest Action Network, BankTrack, Sierra Club and Oil Change International, in partnership with 28 organizations around the world, revealed that the world’s biggest banks are continuing to fuel climate change through the financing of extreme fossil fuels.
Clean Tax Cuts for Commercial Real Estate
Many new ideas may be considered in tax reform discussions. One idea is clean tax cuts—the application of supply-side tax-rate cuts for clean investments that reduce pollutant emissions. Lower tax rates for income from clean investments (where clean is specifically defined) will encourage such investments and could leverage large amounts of private capital. Clean tax cuts may be particularly appealing in markets where investment returns are passed on to individuals and included on individual tax returns. One such market is commercial real estate, where individuals often invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs), limited liability corporations (LLCs), and limited liability partnerships (LLPs). This paper provides background information on commercial real estate investments and outlines two proposals for clean tax cuts in this area.
Five Trends Shaping How the Waste and Recycling Industry is Managing Food Waste
Read the full story in Waste360.
Waste360 has identified five key trends that are shaping how the industry is managing food waste.
Heat waves expected to increase, says study: Can adaptation outpace climate changes?
Read the full story from the Christian Science Monitor.
What constitutes ‘deadly heat,’ and who might be affected by it the most? A new study explores these questions, while the lead author acknowledges the superior ability of developed countries to adapt to extreme weather.
Case Study: Bakery Implements Dry Ice Cleaning
Read the full story in Food Manufacturing.
A Texas bakery was seeking a solution to its cleaning problem. It previously was utilizing the traditional cleaning method of pressure washing and manual hand-washing. But those methods proved laborious and time-consuming, and produced too many negative side effects, including secondary wastewater. The bakery decided to implement a dry ice cleaning system into its plant, and the new system dramatically reduced the amount of people and time required to clean the equipment by hand. The bakery was able to recoup 24-30 hours per person, which can now be allocated to other cleaning and maintenance projects.
Can States and Cities Really Uphold the Paris Climate Deal?
Read the full story in Governing.
They have pledged to carry out the landmark accord on behalf of America. We asked environmental experts for the most effective and politically practical ways they can help do that.
The Florence Statement on Triclosan and Triclocarban
Read the full statement and supporting documentation in Environmental Health Perspectives.
The Florence Statement on Triclosan and Triclocarban documents a consensus of more than 200 scientists and medical professionals on the hazards of and lack of demonstrated benefit from common uses of triclosan and triclocarban. These chemicals may be used in thousands of personal care and consumer products as well as in building materials. Based on extensive peer-reviewed research, this statement concludes that triclosan and triclocarban are environmentally persistent endocrine disruptors that bioaccumulate in and are toxic to aquatic and other organisms. Evidence of other hazards to humans and ecosystems from triclosan and triclocarban is presented along with recommendations intended to prevent future harm from triclosan, triclocarban, and antimicrobial substances with similar properties and effects. Because antimicrobials can have unintended adverse health and environmental impacts, they should only be used when they provide an evidence-based health benefit. Greater transparency is needed in product formulations, and before an antimicrobial is incorporated into a product, the long-term health and ecological impacts should be evaluated.
EPA plans to buy out more than 1,200 employees this summer
Read the full story in the Washington Post.
The Environmental Protection Agency plans on shedding more than 1,200 employees by early September through buyouts and early retirements, as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to shrink a government entity the president once promised to eliminate “in almost every form.”
Environmental News Bits 
You must be logged in to post a comment.