Sadiq Khan says roadside pollutants falling faster in London than rest of UK
London's air quality improved under Mayor Sadiq Khan's tenure, with roadside pollutant levels dropping faster in the city due to the ultra-low emission zone (Ulez).
The GLA/TfL report highlights a significant reduction in NO2 pollutants in London between 2016 and 2023, with a 49% decrease despite a rise in the city's population. [ more ]
Sadiq Khan eyes SUV parking charge referendum in Paris but has 'no plans' for London tariff
Parisians are voting on whether to triple parking fees for SUV drivers in an effort to reduce air pollution.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan is said to be observing the outcome of the Paris referendum, but his office has denied plans to introduce SUV parking charges in London. [ more ]
People in the UK: tell us about your local river and the environmental issues affecting it
High rates of sewage and agricultural waste in England's rivers, especially in the northern region.
2023 marked the worst year on record for storm water pollution, with the River Irwell being the most frequent sewage dumping ground in England. [ more ]
Thames Water bypassing local opposition in attempt to launch water recycling project
Thames Water is bypassing local authorities to push through a water recycling project that critics say will increase pollution on the river.
The project involves using treated sewage to replace water abstracted for drinking water, but environmental campaigners have raised concerns about increased water temperatures, changes in river salinity, and the impact on fish and biodiversity. [ more ]
Migrating animals undergo perilous journeys every year. Humans make it more dangerous : Short Wave
Nearly half of the world's already threatened migratory species have declining populations, and more than a fifth of the 1,200 migratory species monitored by the U.N. are threatened with extinction.
The two greatest threats to migratory species are overexploitation and habitat loss from human activities. Invasive species, climate change, and pollution are also contributing factors. [ more ]
Environmentalists' 2024 Albany Agenda? Making Polluters Pay
Environmental advocates in New York are pushing for legislation that would make polluters pay for the state's transition to a low-carbon economy, instead of burdening taxpayers.
Proposed bills include the NY Heat Act, which would prevent utility companies from using customer money for new gas hookups, and the Climate Change Superfund bill, which would require oil and gas producers to fund projects to protect the state from global warming. [ more ]
London campaigners hail tripled parking charges for SUV drivers in Paris
Paris has voted to triple parking charges for SUVs in an effort to discourage drivers from bringing the large vehicles into the city center.
55% of people voting in a referendum backed increasing charges for SUVs to improve the environment and discourage suburban motorists from driving into the city center. [ more ]
The New Space Race Is Causing New Pollution Problems
The number of rocket launches has increased significantly in recent years, with companies like SpaceX and government agencies launching thousands of satellites into low-Earth orbit.
Scientists are concerned about the environmental effects of rocket launches, including the scattering of pollutants in the Earth's atmosphere.
Regulators do not currently have rules in place regarding pollution from space launches. [ more ]
Opinion: California must lead way in slashing methane emissions from landfills
Reducing methane emissions is crucial to slowing global warming, with landfills being a significant source.
The California Air Resources Board plays a key role in regulating methane emissions from landfills and can lead the nation in addressing this pollution. [ more ]
Drownings Increase Along Border As Migrants Take Different Approach To Crossing Into US | KQED
Tougher enforcement at the southern border is leading migrants to try swimming around the wall, prompting a response from lifeguards on both sides. [ more ]
Vidar Helgesen, assistant director-general of UNESCO: We need to save the oceans to save the planet'
The oceans are crucial in the climate crisis, facing challenges like rising temperatures, overfishing, and pollution, discussed at the Oceans Decade Conference by UNESCO in Barcelona. [ more ]
Africa's fight against urban air pollution DW 04/06/2024
Pollution in Cameroon's capital poses health risks like cardiovascular diseases and cancer
Efforts to monitor air quality in Africa involve innovative, cost-effective technologies with potential limitations on identifying pollution sources [ more ]
Focus - Rise in autism cases: Are environmental factors partly to blame?
Autism cases on the rise in industrialized countries. Environmental factors being considered. Study in France investigating link between pollution and autism. [ more ]
Deaths From Coal Pollution Have Dropped, but Emissions May be Twice as Deadly
Coal emissions are associated with double the mortality risk compared to fine particles from other sources.
Deaths attributable to coal plant emissions among Medicare recipients dropped more than 95 percent between 1999 and 2020.
Inhaling fine particles from coal exhaust is especially deadly, with more than double the mortality risk compared to inhaling particles from other sources. [ more ]
Waves of waste: The harsh truth about ocean plastic DW 11/13/2023
The Ocean Cleanup believes it can remove 90% of plastic floating on the surface of the ocean by using nets and floating barriers.
Critics argue that ocean cleanup technologies are a distraction and that resources should be focused on stemming the flow of mismanaged plastic waste in the first place. [ more ]
An advert for the expansion of the ULEZ in London has been deemed misleading by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
Transport for London (TfL) made claims about pollution levels and reductions that were not based on proper measurements, according to the ASA. [ more ]
Give NHS ambulances longer to become Ulez-compliant, Sadiq Khan urged
Ambulance trusts in London are set to spend almost £65 million to replace non-compliant vehicles in their fleets in preparation for the end of the Ulez exemption in 2025.
Conservative London Assembly member Keith Prince argues that placing this burden on the health service during a time of high inflation is not sensible.
The mayor's office maintains that the Ulez will save the NHS money in the long term due to the expected reduction in pollution-related illness. [ more ]
Why I'm Running for Commissioner of Agriculture in North Carolina
The role of commissioner of agriculture is often overlooked but is crucial for a state's economic health, food system, and democracy.
The responsibilities of the commissioner of agriculture include supporting the farm economy, ensuring health and safety standards, and managing crises such as disease outbreaks. [ more ]
Photos: Crab fishing in the Mississippi River Basin
Crab fisherman Lance Nacio is facing challenges in continuing his family's fishing business along the coast of Louisiana.
The Gulf of Mexico is experiencing an oxygen-deprived area over 18 times the size of Chicago due to pollution from the Mississippi River Basin. [ more ]
Daywatch: Should Illinois make judges undergo training on sexual assault cases?
The Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault has been working with law enforcement agencies and attorneys to understand sexual violence cases, but judges have been largely absent from this training.
There is a debate about whether judges in Illinois should be required to undergo training on sexual assault, victimization, and recovery.
Chicago's first-ever 'Cumulative Impact Assessment' is sparking debate as the city tries to reduce pollutants accumulated over many years. [ more ]
Raw sewage in creeks? Sunnyvale and Mountain View argue in court the Clean Water Act should not apply to them
The cities of Sunnyvale and Mountain View are facing criticism for their tactics in a court case where their lawyers argued against protecting major Bay Area creeks from pollution under the Clean Water Act.
Environmentalists are disappointed and believe that the cities should be better stewards of the streams and creeks they are responsible for protecting. [ more ]
New York City Mayor signs bill to make a major change to fleet of city vehicles: 'This is a huge, bold step that we are taking'
New York City has signed a bill to require all government fleet vehicles to be electric or zero-emissions by 2038.
The move is aimed at improving air quality, reducing pollution, and saving taxpayer funds.
New York City is leading the charge in delivering greener city vehicles and prioritizing communities most at risk from pollution-related extreme weather events. [ more ]
Improving air quality indoors is crucial for public health, not just for fighting infectious diseases but also for preventing long-term damage to the heart, lungs, and brain.
The next pandemic is likely to be driven by another airborne virus, emphasizing the need for proper ventilation and air quality in indoor spaces.
There is a lack of regulations for overall indoor air quality, highlighting the need for political will to compel change and prioritize clean air indoors. [ more ]