The Southern Environmental Law Center’s award-winning podcast, ‘Broken Ground,’ launches its seventh season, focusing on the unique environmental issues facing the rural South. Through five distinct stories, the season highlights the impact of pollution and climate change on small towns, showcasing the resilience and activism of communities fighting for a cleaner future.
ReNew Energy Global Plc has signed a green attribute sale contract with Microsoft, aiming to generate over one million units of green electricity annually. This partnership will support Microsoft’s carbon negativity goal and contribute to environmental justice initiatives through a dedicated community fund.
The Justice Climate Fund (JCF) has appointed Amir Kirkwood as its new CEO. Kirkwood brings over two decades of experience in local economic development investment and will lead the organization as it implements its Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) program, part of the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. JCF is a first-of-its-kind coalition dedicated to ensuring that the most affected communities benefit from this fund, focusing on communities and enabling American families, businesses, and communities to save money and build a cleaner, greener, and more inclusive future.
The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) celebrated its 30th anniversary with a Council Session focused on strengthening environmental justice through community empowerment. The session highlighted successful projects, emphasized the importance of inclusion and equity, and outlined future priorities for tackling climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Grassy Narrows First Nation, located in northern Ontario, has filed a lawsuit against the Ontario and Canadian governments for their failure to address and remediate mercury contamination in the English-Wabigoon river system. Despite decades of mercury poisoning, the governments have allegedly failed to safeguard the community’s right to fish safely and have authorized industrial activities that have exacerbated the contamination.
The Supreme Court of India has extended the constitutional rights to life and equality to include the right to be free from the negative effects of climate change. This landmark judgment has the potential to create positive change, but it also contains some flaws that could undermine its impact. The Court’s focus on mega-solar and wind energy projects without considering the negative impacts they can have on the environment and local communities is a major concern. Additionally, the Court’s failure to address the potential of alternative energy sources and demand management strategies is a missed opportunity. Despite these flaws, the judgment has the potential to be a positive step towards climate justice in India if the Court takes further steps to address these concerns.
At an Earth Award ceremony, environmental justice advocate Dr. Robert Bullard highlighted the decades-long efforts of grassroots organizations and frontline communities in advancing environmental justice. Dr. Bullard emphasized the need to center the experiences of those most affected by climate change in finding solutions and emphasized that the movement is far from over, despite progress made since the landmark case he supported in 1979.
Same-sex couples in the United States are more vulnerable to climate change threats compared to heterosexual couples, according to a report from the UCLA School of Law. The study highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on LGBTQ+ communities, particularly in coastal and urban areas with inadequate infrastructure and fewer resources. The researchers emphasize the need for disaster relief policies that are inclusive and non-discriminatory, ensuring access to essential services and financial support for LGBTQ+ individuals and families. Additionally, they recommend expanding federal and local surveys to collect data on a wider range of sexual orientations and gender identities to better assess climate risks and inform policies.
A staggering 131.2 million Americans face unhealthy levels of air pollution, according to the American Lung Association’s annual report. This increase of nearly 12 million compared to last year highlights a concerning trend. People of color bear the disproportionate burden, representing over half of residents in counties with failing grades for air quality measures.
Environmental experts emphasized the need for an equitable transition to clean energy, acknowledging that communities disproportionately affected by pollution should benefit from the transition. The Inflation Reduction Act has allocated funds for equitable transition, and international cooperation is crucial for supporting countries vulnerable to climate change impacts.
