Green Cities
EDN Week in Review: Environmental News for the Week of July 8
July 14, 2018
Improving the Environment
A new study links air pollution with an increase in hospital visits. (Matthew Taylor, Guardian)Study: Air pollution leads to spikes in health problems and drives up hospital admissions and visits, via @guardianeco https://t.co/u7WGsdGSpQ #ActOnClimate #EarthDayEveryDay
— Earth Day Network (@EarthDayNetwork) July 11, 2018
Acting on Climate
Clean Money: Ireland announced it is divesting from fossil fuels. (Damian Carrington, Guardian)“The [divestment] movement is highlighting the need to stop investing in the expansion of a global industry which must be brought into managed decline if catastrophic climate change is to be averted,” said Thomas Pringle, the independent member of parliament who introduced the bill. “Ireland by divesting is sending a clear message that the Irish public and the international community are ready to think and act beyond narrow short term vested interests….” More…Heat Is On: More global heat waves broke records. (Jonathan Watts, Guardian)
The past month has seen power shortages in California as record heat forced a surge of demand for air conditioners. Algeria has experienced the hottest temperature ever reliably registered in Africa. Britain, meanwhile, has experienced its third longest heatwave, melting the roof of a science building in Glasgow and exposing ancient hill forts in Wales…. More…Speak Up: We need to talk more about climate change impacts.
Out of 127 ABC, CBS and NBC news segments about blistering heat across the U.S., just one mentioned climate change — despite climate change’s important role in amplifying heat waves. https://t.co/dfCdh9soE4
— John Upton (@johnupton) July 12, 2018
Ending Plastic Pollution
Good Business: Starbuck announced it was going to stop offering disposable plastic straws. (Christina Caron, New York Times) Also: EDN’s President, Kathleen Rogers, in USA Today on the news.“By nature, the straw isn’t recyclable and the lid is, so we feel this decision is more sustainable and more socially responsible,” Chris Milne, director of packaging sourcing for Starbucks, said in a statement…. More…
National Action: Odisha in India announced plans to ban plastic. (Meera Mohanty, The Economic Times)People keep saying the Starbucks plastic straw phase-out is insignificant to solving the ocean plastics crisis. I think that’s wrong. My latest:https://t.co/S96g2NLZll
— Emily Atkin (@emorwee) July 10, 2018
Protecting Life on Earth
New world heritage sites were named. (Gulnaz Khan, National Geographic)Nominees must meet one of 10 criteria—six cultural and four natural—ranging from Earth’s most biodiverse landscapes to artistic works of universal significance. This year, the committee recognized 19 new sites for their “outstanding universal value,” extended the boundaries of Central Sikhote-Alin, a Russian biosphere reserve, and removed the Belize Barrier Reef from the List of World Heritage in Danger…. More…
The killing of a blue whale reveals how disconnected we are from nature | Philip Hoare https://t.co/gh0CVGajEq
— Philip Hoare (@philipwhale) July 13, 2018
