News
What Does it Mean to Be an Environmental Justice Community?
Communities most impacted by environmental harms and risks are typically referred to as “environmental justice (EJ) communities” or, as the US Environmental Protection Agency defines them, “overburdened communities.” A few factors go into identifying EJ communities,...
Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool
The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool is a geospatial mapping tool that indicates disadvantaged communities nationwide facing significant burdens. These burdens are organized into eight categories: climate change, energy, health, housing, legacy pollution,...
High Seas Treaty Announced
After over a decade of tough negotiations, more than 100 United Nations member countries have agreed to the first-ever treaty to protect the world's oceans outside national boundaries. The UN High Seas Treaty places 30% of the world's oceans into protected areas, puts...
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
The Biden-Harris Administration is making $250 million available to develop innovative strategies to cut climate pollution and build clean energy economies. These planning grants, through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are the first tranche of funding...
Justice Department Takes Action Against Cancer Alley Petrochemical Plant
Cancer Alley is an 85-mile-long area along an industrial stretch of the Mississippi River known for its abundance of petroleum plants and, as the name implies, cancer cases. Research shows that there are higher-than-normal amounts of lung, stomach, and kidney cancer...
Featured Connection: Microbiology
Life at the Microscopic Level Microbiology is the study of organisms that are too small to be seen with the naked eye. These microorganisms (or “microbes”) include viruses, bacteria, algae, fungi, slime molds, and protozoa. Microbes are everywhere, and we mean...
Environmental Injustice
The recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, involving a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials, is only the most recent example of the dangers faced by vulnerable and often non-white communities that live close to train lines. Even in the absence...
Life Below Water
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable...
Featured Connection: Renewable Energy
When it comes to preserving the health and well-being of the environment, there is no greater imperative than ending our dependence on fossil fuels. The environmental evils caused by fossil fuels are well-documented – global warming, air pollution, water pollution,...
World Day of Social Justice
"The equal rights of all peoples, and the opportunity for all human beings, without discrimination, to benefit from economic and social progress in all parts of the world." United Nations
EPA Announces Effort to Curb Emissions and Stem Environmental Injustices
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced initial guidance on the design of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) program, which was created by President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act. EPA published two Federal Assistance Listings outlining key...
Advancing Antiracism, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in STEMM Organizations
Today The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine released a report which provides recommendations for advancing antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) organizations....