Health
The New York Times has updated its tracker of nearly
100 environmental protections that have been or are set to be overturned by the Trump administration. (The New York Times)The EPA will place no limits on
perchlorate, a chemical found in U.S. drinking water, despite scientific evidence linking it to brain damage in newborns and thyroid problems in adults. (The Washington Post)A new
study found that
extreme heat and humidity will continue to increase in
severity, with scientists projecting resulting surges in mental health conditions and heat stroke. (The Washington Post, Reuters)New
research revealed that the number of Americans exposed to extreme heat, prolonged drought, extensive flooding and other extreme weather events will
double by 2050. (Scientific American)
Equity
Illegal deforestation in the Amazon has increased by more than 50 percent during the first quarter of 2020, destroying indigenous lands and continuing to chip away at the Amazon’s ability to absorb carbon in the earth’s atmosphere. (ABC News)
Politics & Economy
Coal demand in China has surged 30 percent above levels from the same period last year as factories and businesses resume operations and rush to fulfill orders lost during coronavirus lockdowns. (Bloomberg)
Coronavirus stimulus plans in China, Japan and South Korea will fund new coal infrastructure and provide bailouts to the fossil fuel industry despite falling electricity demand. (Reuters)
Nearly 600,000 clean energy jobs have been lost in the U.S. over the last two months, with a majority of newly unemployed workers in the sector from energy-efficiency jobs. (The Los Angeles Times)
In better news, carbon emissions have dropped in India for the first time in four decades, and a new analysis shows that demand for coal was already falling before COVID-19 lockdowns due to cheaper renewable energy sources and shifting demand. (BBC News)
Legislators in Alabama have advanced legislation to criminalize nonviolent protests against pipelines and severely limit where aerial drones can fly to monitor pollution from fossil fuel facilities. (HuffPost)
Action
Cities including Brussels, Paris and Seattle will permanently close miles of streets to cars and create new bike lanes to increase space for cyclists, reduce vehicle emissions and curb urban pollution. (The Washington Post)
With growing evidence tying pollution exposure to increased COVID-19 risks, eight states are suing the EPA for permitting companies to stop monitoring pollution levels. (The San Francisco Chronicle)
Climate Power 2020 and Evergreen, two newly launched advocacy groups, will push for Democratic candidates to adopt aggressive climate policies and rally voter support in critical swing states during the election cycle. (The Washington Post, Our Daily Planet)
Kicker
Need some animal therapy this week? Check out this preview of contest entries featuring funny photos of animals in the wild.
