This week, we saw some wins for conservation in the US, setbacks for renewable energy in the UK, and increased droughts brought on from climate change in Canada. Happy reading, and happy Earth Day from ION!
Author Nicholas Rose covers the new energy developments in the United States, the ongoing water issues in Colombia and dives into some exciting innovations within the ski industry.
Author Lula Fox breaks down the effects of gentrification in Chicago, the corporations behind global emissions and a treaty seeking legal personhood for whales.
Author Lindsey Nickel explores Google’s efforts to monitor global carbon emissions, the Biden administration’s new standard for air quality and the environmental implications of the increasingly popular Stanley cup.
Author Madison Bruno covers new developments in environmental messaging, the environmental impact of Russia's invasion on Ukraine's environment and human activities' threat to migratory species this week.
Author Jonathan Zhao discusses the growing impact of climate change. Earth's temperature has exceeded 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, prompting urgent action to reduce emissions. Recent natural disasters, like wildfires in Chile, highlight the need for swift responses. Meanwhile, NASA's Pace satellite aims to gather vital data to better understand and address climate change.
The Biden administration temporarily halts liquefied natural gas export project approvals for environmental reassessment, a tanker tragedy unfolds in Ohio, Denmark grapples with a sliding landfill disaster, and the International Energy Agency reports a significant rise in global renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Written by Jonathan Zhao, the Block Museum of Art at Northwestern University is hosting a climate-focused exhibition, "Actions for the Earth: Art, Care & Ecology," featuring works by 18 artists worldwide until July 7, 2024. Meanwhile, in response to increased climate-related disasters, the Biden administration is easing restrictions on federal benefits for survivors, aiming to assist the most vulnerable and streamline the aid request process.
Written by Jamie Dickman, the article covers Hurricane Otis, the strongest storm to ever hit Mexico, House Speaker Mike Johnson's controversial legislation, methane emissions in Washington and Oregon, Patagonia's sustainable fashion initiative, and the urgent call from global scientists for a health emergency declaration due to climate change and biodiversity crisis.
Author Jonathan Zhao covers Ukraine's groundbreaking investigation of environmental war crimes during the Russian invasion, the International Atomic Energy Agency's testing of radioactivity at Fukushima Daiichi, and California Governor Gavin Newsom's pledge to collaborate with China on climate issues.
Author Ruby discusses Israel-Palestine environmental impacts, returning Scottish wildcats; PFAS contaminating water in the US.
Senior Editor Jamie Dickman shares a weekly roundup of the top environmental stories this week.
Senior Editor Anam Vaziri shares news from around the world this past week.
This Week on Earth — trains carrying toxic chemicals derailing in Ohio, rising tampon prices due to losses in cotton production and a new vegan McNugget — covered by Anam Vaziri.
Catch up on last week’s environmental news!
This Week on Earth —earthquakes in Gaziantep, Turkey, wildfires in Chile and ivory trafficking in Vietnam covered by Anam Vaziri.
For Evanston, continuing to meet the city’s zero carbon targets by 2050 will require direct carbon reduction policies to move beyond buying renewable energy from the electric grid, the biggest contributor to the city’s emissions reductions.
Evanston now is home to Eco and the Flamingo, a store focused on minimizing the environmental impact of products it provides. The store, a second location to its Chicago counterpart, has a wide variety of products, from pantry items to beauty supplies.
Chicago has a troubling history of environmental racism. The planned move of General Iron, a metal scrapping company, from Lincoln Park to the East Side, a predominately Latinx community, is a blow to the community activists who have worked for years to address environmental racism and protect their neighborhoods from further industrial development. Genevive Kosiolek has the story.
Virginia passes law similar to neighbors DC and Maryland hoping to decrease its impact on climate change. This legislature is the first of its kind in southeastern states, potentially paving the way for more states to be inspired to adopt similar change. Read more about the details in Hannah Dembosky’s piece.
As Lake Michigan continues to rise, University officials work to mitigate the effects of erosion and construct a long-term solution for the campus lakefill.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March, the production of single-use plastic and disposable medical masks has skyrocketed. Now, this waste has begun to overwhelm waste management systems and pollute ecosystems worldwide in an unforeseen consequence of these safety measures. Genevive Kosciolek has the story.
From the clock’s creators to college students to scientists, the viral Climate Week installation in Union Square has been met with a mix of enthusiasm and wariness. In Our Nature’s Jordan Hickey has the story.
On Monday, September 14, the Evanston City Council voted 8-0 in favor of adopting an environmental justice resolution. The resolution acknowledges the disproportionate effects of environmental issues on communities of color in the Evanston area, and outlines actions to correct these injustices. Read more about the process this resolution went through to get adopted here.
When the COVID-19 pandemic ravished its way through the Evanston community this year, everything was brought to a halt. Community activists like Citizens’ Greener Evanston president Rachel Rosner were faced with the task of balancing the fear of an unknown virus while adapting to a new online form of activism.
Since its foundation in 2012, Fossil Free Northwestern has pressured the school’s Board of Trustees to divest in fossil fuels, but to no avail. Bella Wilkes and Margo Milanowski explains why the divestment movement is important, and what Fossil Free has done to date.
For three days, the NU Thrift Store sold used items for $2 in Norris. Olivia Lloyd explains the sustainability of thrifting and the environmental effects of “fast fashion.”
Since its Declaration of Rebellion against the UK Parliament last year, global climate-action movement Extinction Rebellion has engaged masses around the world. Two weeks of nonviolent civil disobedience organized by Extinction Rebellion ended October 18. In Chicago, protesters took to Daley Plaza in a demonstration.
During Earth Week, Northwestern’s environmental student organizations host a bevy of events to promote sustainability and mindfulness on campus. Although students can and do take action to reduce their individual footprints, corporations that drive systemic consumerism are the biggest players in the current climate crisis. By working together, we can confront large companies and bring about real change.