Over 1,500 families in Chennai’s Pulianthope are suffering from the unbearable stench of a nearby garbage transfer station. The station, which receives 1,500 tonnes of unsegregated waste daily, creates a health hazard and impacts the quality of life for residents. Experts suggest decentralizing waste management and improving segregation to address this issue. Discussions are underway for relocation and improved bio-CNG plants.
A groundbreaking coalition, spearheaded by Microsoft and Acadia Infrastructure Capital, targets a massive 5 GW of renewable energy development over five years, promising billions in investment and prioritizing community benefits and environmental justice. The initiative aims to prevent 15 billion pounds of carbon emissions annually.
Union Minister Piyush Goyal addressed the CII Partnership Summit 2024, advocating for environmental justice for the Global South, sustainable consumption, and inclusive global cooperation. He highlighted the need for a balanced approach to technological advancement, emphasizing the importance of skilling youth and fostering stronger trade and tourism ties.
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) has announced the two winners of the inaugural Eric and Wendy Schmidt Environment and Art Prize: Julian Charrière and Cecilia Vicuña. Each artist will receive $100,000 and institutional support from MOCA to create a commissioned project exploring the intersections of art, climate change, and environmental justice.
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.
