The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) on plastic pollution concluded with significant disagreements on key issues, including funding for developing nations. India championed a dedicated multilateral fund to aid developing countries in tackling plastic pollution, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach that supports sustainable development.
Negotiations for a landmark global treaty to curb plastic pollution are facing major hurdles just two days before the deadline. A new draft reveals significant disagreements on key issues like production targets, definitions of plastic pollution, and funding mechanisms, raising concerns among environmental groups.
Donald Trump’s electoral victory has triggered widespread concern among scientists worldwide. Experts fear his return to power could lead to weakened environmental protections, setbacks in public health, and a decline in trust in science. The article explores the reactions of scientists and researchers, highlighting their anxieties and calls for evidence-based policies.
Academy Award-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio has publicly endorsed Kamala Harris for President, highlighting her commitment to climate change policies and her role in enacting the Inflation Reduction Act. In a video released on Friday, DiCaprio criticized Donald Trump’s environmental record and urged voters to support candidates who prioritize climate action.
The Port of Seattle is taking a significant step towards environmental sustainability by incorporating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets into future cruise berthing agreements. This proactive approach aims to mitigate the potential environmental impact of the growing cruise industry while supporting a cleaner future for the port and the region.
A new survey reveals that majorities of Republicans and Democrats in key swing states support maintaining or increasing policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, including tax credits for electric vehicles and clean energy, as well as limits on offshore drilling. These findings highlight a growing bipartisan consensus on the importance of addressing climate change.
EARTHDAY.ORG commends Brazil for enacting a new law incorporating climate change and biodiversity protection into its National Environmental Education Policy. The organization hails this move as a significant step towards achieving universal climate education worldwide.
New Zealand’s centre-right government has repealed a plan to impose a price on greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, a policy that had drawn widespread opposition from farmers. The government plans to remove the agriculture sector from its emissions pricing scheme and establish a new pastoral group to address methane emissions without reducing production. While farmers welcomed the decision, environmental groups condemned it, accusing the government of prioritizing industry interests over climate action.
Eleven EU member states, led by Germany and Ireland, are urging their counterparts to approve the Nature Restoration Law (NRL), a crucial piece of environmental legislation facing opposition as part of the backlash against the European Commission’s Green Deal agenda. The NRL, designed to address decades of biodiversity loss, aims to restore 20% of degraded marine and terrestrial ecosystems by 2030 and sets binding targets for specific ecosystems. With a vote on the law expected during the June EU Council summit, the letter signed by Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Slovenia, and Spain highlights concerns over the ongoing lack of support for the negotiated agreement. The signatories emphasize the importance of environmental protection in the face of climate change and public expectations. The law’s passage requires a qualified majority, and a shift in stance by one opposing country could secure its approval.
A UN report reveals that climate change threatens 70% of the global workforce. Co-founder of Blueland, Sarah Paiji Yoo, shares her insights on combating climate change through ecofriendly products and policy advocacy. The article also covers lobbying efforts, new Green Guides, simplified government contracts, potential TikTok ban, and Ticketmaster’s lawsuit. In recognition of National Small Business Week, readers are encouraged to share their planned celebrations.
