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EPA considers placing limits on ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water
The agency doesn’t place any limits on PFAS in drinking water, despite research suggesting the entire class of chemicals is toxic
The Environmental Protection Agency announced this week that it’s considering drinking water limits for the entire class of PFAS compounds, which public health advocates say are categorically toxic.
The chemicals are used to make products resistant to water, stain and heat, and are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t fully break down or degrade. They’re linked to a range of serious health problems such as cancer, liver disease, kidney problems, heart disease, decreased immunity, and more.
Continue reading...Climate crisis rallies young people
South Korea’s first KAU-21 auction fails to sell out
Livestreamed documentary Rivercide to unmask UK’s water polluters
George Monbiot hosts innovative investigation naming the farms and water firms damaging Britain’s rivers
Giant livestock farms and privatised water firms accused of polluting the nation’s waterways are to be named in what is thought to be the world’s first livestreamed investigative documentary.
The crowdfunded investigation Rivercide, which will be broadcast online at 7pm on Wednesday, will be hosted by environmental journalist and Guardian columnist George Monbiot. Monbiot will travel along the River Wye, which flows between England and Wales, to collect water samples that will be analysed as the documentary unfolds.
Continue reading...“Complex web of issues:” AEMO chief warns social licence crucial to 100 pct renewables
New AEMO chief lists major transmission upgrades as some of the “hard realities” of the transition to renewables, as community push-back continues to build.
The post “Complex web of issues:” AEMO chief warns social licence crucial to 100 pct renewables appeared first on RenewEconomy.
ARENA funds industry research into transition of “hard-to-abate” sectors
ARENA to put $2 million into new initiative led by ClimateWorks looking at emission cuts in "hard to abate" industry sectors.
The post ARENA funds industry research into transition of “hard-to-abate” sectors appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Wärtsilä tests 100 pct hydrogen plants to back 11,000GW of wind and solar
Finnish tech giant Wärtsilä reveals its has started testing hydrogen power units, targeting a 900GW+ future market for zero emissions thermal generation.
The post Wärtsilä tests 100 pct hydrogen plants to back 11,000GW of wind and solar appeared first on RenewEconomy.
UK ministers resist calls to reduce VAT on green home improvements
MPs and builders want tax cut included in government strategy to cut emissions from home heating
Ministers are resisting calls to reduce VAT on green home improvements, despite pleas from MPs and builders, as they prepare to set out a national strategy for cutting greenhouse gas emissions from home heating.
Heating Britain’s homes accounts for about 14% of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions, and that number has barely budged in the past decade. This year, ministers scrapped the green homes grant, a scheme to subsidise insulation and low-carbon heating systems, after only six months. This left the UK with no plan to bring homes into line with the government’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050.
Continue reading...People in the UK want bold climate action – why aren’t politicians listening? | Carys Roberts
Across the country, citizens’ juries have shown strong support for ambitious green policies that improve lives
The fight against climate change is often presented as a binary decision between a costly but sustainable future or missing environmental targets while protecting people’s jobs. Not only is this framing environmentally dangerous, it’s politically unnecessary. There is strong support for ambitious government policy to tackle the climate crisis, and optimism about the positive benefits of doing so, as long as the measures taken are fair.
The IPPR Environmental Justice Commission, which publishes its final blueprint for a fair transition today, has seen this first-hand from hundreds of hours of conversations with citizens across the UK. Over the past 18 months, we have convened “citizens’ juries”, where people from different areas are randomly invited to take part in a series of events, to hear from experts and discuss and propose their own ideas. We spoke with people from all walks of life and different viewpoints in Aberdeenshire, Tees Valley and County Durham, Thurrock and south Wales. In each place, we asked these jurors what a fair transition would look like to them.
Continue reading...Benjamin Jesty: The unsung hero of vaccination
Committee rejects Steggall’s climate bills, but rebel Liberals call for net zero by 2050
Government controlled committee rejects Zali Steggall's proposed climate bills, but two Liberals call for net zero 2050 target.
The post Committee rejects Steggall’s climate bills, but rebel Liberals call for net zero by 2050 appeared first on RenewEconomy.
‘Fossil fuel friends’: Saudi Arabia and Bahrain back Australia’s lobbying on Great Barrier Reef
Exclusive: oil rich nations back push against Unesco recommendation to have reef placed on world heritage ‘in danger’ list
Australia has gained the support of oil-rich Saudi Arabia and Bahrain in its lobbying effort to keep the Great Barrier Reef off a list of world heritage sites in danger.
The two nations, both members of the 21-country committee, are co-sponsoring amendments seen by the Guardian that back Australia and ask the world heritage committee to push back a key decision until at least 2023.
Continue reading...Prince Charles' warning over survival of small farms
UK public should get ‘people’s dividend’ in drive to hit green targets
Landmark report proposes free public transport, more green spaces and cash for home improvements
The British public should be given a “people’s dividend” worth billions of pounds as part of the national drive to hit targets for net zero carbon emissions and the restoration of nature, according to the most detailed blueprint to date for a green transition.
Free public transport, more green spaces and money for improving homes are at the core of a landmark report that proposes one of the greatest advances in the fairness agenda since the creation of the NHS.
Continue reading...Trains far greener but much more costly than planes, analysis finds
Passengers face ‘near impossible’ choice between low prices and climate-friendly travel, says Which?
Train fares on popular UK routes are 50% more expensive than plane fares despite rail journeys causing 80% lower carbon dioxide emissions, according to analysis by the consumer group Which?.
It said passengers face a “near impossible” choice between low ticket prices and climate-friendly travel. More people are taking holidays in the UK due to coronavirus and airlines have launched dozens of new domestic routes.
Continue reading...WA to update grid transition plan as rooftop solar heads to half of homes
WA to update its grid transition plan as rooftop solar becomes an even more dominant player in the market.
The post WA to update grid transition plan as rooftop solar heads to half of homes appeared first on RenewEconomy.
5 rocks any great Australian rock collection should have, and where to find them
Storage company 1414 Degrees names oil and gas executive as new CEO
1414 Degrees appoints long time oil and gas executive as its new CEO.
The post Storage company 1414 Degrees names oil and gas executive as new CEO appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Taylor appoints another fossil fuel executive to a key clean energy body
Angus Taylor installs yet another fossil fuel executive to the board of a key government body - this time it's the Clean Energy Regulator.
The post Taylor appoints another fossil fuel executive to a key clean energy body appeared first on RenewEconomy.
Wind and solar projects warned of “material” constraints in Victoria, NSW
AEMO has again warned of "material" constraints and delays to wind and solar projects due to lack of capacity in key part of grid.
The post Wind and solar projects warned of “material” constraints in Victoria, NSW appeared first on RenewEconomy.