Scientist Discovers California’s Offshore DDT Mess

Scientist Discovers California’s Offshore DDT Mess

Using underwater robots that can travel more than half a mile down, a research team from the University of California at Santa Barbara recently uncovered new evidence on the ocean floor of thousands of drums full of the notorious pesticide DDT, which has been banned in the U.S. for decades.

Why This Matters:  Xia’s top-notch reporting reveals that there could be half a million barrels of DDT on the ocean floor — still contaminating marine life.

Continue Reading 609 words
You Know What’s REALLY Scary? Another Four Years of Trump

You Know What’s REALLY Scary? Another Four Years of Trump

It’s Halloween — a time when people think scaring each other is fun. But this year, we are afraid very, very afraid — of what might happen on global warming and the environment in the United States if Donald Trump, the Freddie Krueger of climate action and conservation, wins a second term in the election. Talk about a Nightmare on Elm Street.

It’s frightening to think about what our country will look like after four more years of Trump.  But in the spirit of the season, let’s try to picture it.

Continue Reading 954 words
Houston Suburb Under Boil Water Order After Tragic Death of Young Boy

Houston Suburb Under Boil Water Order After Tragic Death of Young Boy

Lake Jackson, Texas, a city in the greater Houston area, is “purg[ing] its water system for 60 days” after a brain-eating amoeba killed a 6-year old boy, NBC News reported. The city is currently under a boil-water notice, and officials have announced that it could take as long as 3 months to make the water safe. 

Why This Matters: There is little data on the risk of this amoeba, says the CDC.  More information is needed on how “a standard might be set to protect human health and how public health officials would measure and enforce such a standard.”

Continue Reading 476 words
New Reports Document How Trump Administration’s Rollbacks Harm Infants and Kids

New Reports Document How Trump Administration’s Rollbacks Harm Infants and Kids

Two new reports from the Union of Concerned Scientists explain in detail how this administration’s rollbacks of bedrock environmental, health and safety standards have exposed children to more poisons in the food they eat, the water they drink, and the air that they breathe and has actively suppressed the science that would give us a greater understanding of how children are uniquely affected by chemicals and toxins. 

Why This Matters:  The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says no safe blood-lead level for lead has been found for children — they should not be exposed at all.

Continue Reading 521 words
The Key To Air Pollution’s Harms and Our Defenses May Be In Our Genes

The Key To Air Pollution’s Harms and Our Defenses May Be In Our Genes

We know air pollution is bad for our lungs, but researchers are now finding connections between breathing bad air and disorders such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease.  The New York Times explains in a fascinating article that the reason for these links and similarly the reason why some people are more resilient in the face of air pollution may be found in our genes and in how humans evolved.  

Why This Matters:  Air pollution harms billions of people worldwide — from cars to coal-fired power plants to forest fires — not to mention vaping and cigarette smoking.

Continue Reading 325 words

Want the planet in your inbox?

Subscribe to the email that top lawmakers, renowned scientists, and thousands of concerned citizens turn to each morning for the latest environmental news and analysis.