Anna & Isabelle
Environmental Science
Dr. Webb
1/28/17
Headlines
Donald Trump To Sack Climate Change Scientists And Slash Environmental Protection Agency Budget, Says Official.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-epa-myrion-ebell-environmental-protection-agency-global-warming-climate-change-a7548926.html
According to President Trump’s transition team leader, Myron Ebell, Trump is planning on cutting a large portion of the Environmental Protection Agency’s funding and staff. Now the EPA’s research has to be approved by the government and some could be removed from the website. Ebell says Trump is aiming for half of the EPA, and will go from there, and cut one billion from the EPA’s eight billion dollar budget.
The Problem With President Trump’s Wall That No One Is Talking About.
http://time.com/4650178/donald-trump-border-wall-environment/
President Trump’s plan to build a wall may have one unheard of side effect. Conservationists are voicing their concerns that this wall will be a disruption to the local wildlife. The wall would limit animal's ability to access food and water and mate. Since the wall is planned to be 55 feet tall, the only animals who will have a chance at survival are birds. Threatened species like jaguars, ocelots, and Mexican gray wolves will likely take the greatest hits. Since the executive order omits an environmental review and Trump has referred to them as unnecessary requirements, it is up in the air if the administration will voice any concerns.
Scott Pruitt’s EPA: A Dream For Oil And Gas First Is Nightmare For Environment.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/08/scott-pruitt-trump-administration-epa-oil-gas-environment
Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt has recently been nominated by President Donald Trump to be the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. Pruitt was elected attorney general in Oklahoma in 2010 after a career as state senator. He has been a supporter of ExxonMobil, has accepted donations from fossil-fuel companies in the past, has even attempted to halt the public health regulations, and he has even sued the company he is now supposed to run. Pruitt is a long time questioner of climate change, despite the evidence that it was caused by man.
Trump Bans EPA Employees From Giving Social Media Updates.
http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/315876-trump-bans-epa-employees-from-giving-social-media-updates
President Trump has planned to cut the EPA at least in half, but he has also banned its staff from giving interviews and using their social media accounts. There have been other sources claiming that the president has limited EPA staff from interacting with Congress members and the public. This was announced one day after the EPA grants were frozen.
Donald Trump Signs Order To Speed Up Environmental Review Of Infrastructure Projects.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/donald-trump-infrastructure-executive-order-signs-a7544106.html
President Donald Trump has signed five executive orders this week. Perhaps the biggest one is the one that will expedite the environmental review and approval of infrastructure projects. This order will allow the process of permitting and regulation to be dramatically reduced. President Trump signed this order because he wants to get a definite answer instead of waiting for years to find out. These orders will accelerate the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipeline projects and officially order that any pipelines for America will be built in America. President Trump hopes this order will increase jobs during his term and control environmentalism.
Chinese New Year Firework Celebrations Spark Fears Of Toxic Smog In Beijing.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/chinese-new-year-firework-celebrations-spark-fears-toxic-smog-beijing-1603638
With air pollution at a five year high, Chinese officials hoped to lessen the contribution by warning residents of the dangers with lighting of fireworks during Chinese New Year. Some stores have even banned the selling of fireworks. Despite these efforts, the city of Beijing was surrounded by dense smog on Saturday January 28th. While firework sales were reduced by 4.9 percent in Beijing, pollution levels stayed intact. The level of PM2.5, or the measure of matter declining health, spiked by 647 micrograms, the second highest in five years. In order to combat this, many celebrating Chinese New Year wore protective masks. Smog was officially put on par with smoking as a cause of death according to the Nanjing University’s School For The Environment.
“You Can’t Live In A Museum,” The Battle For Greenland’s Uranium.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jan/28/greenland-narsaq-uranium-mine-dividing-town
In 2013 there was pressure to repeal a 1988 ban on uranium mining, and after the country was divided, the band was repealed. “The most common argument raised against is the danger that radioactive dust will fall on neighboring settlements and farmland.” One company is trying to pitch their mining plans as contribution to the green movement because many of the minerals are rare and are used in wind turbines, hybrid cars, etc. What’s interesting is that the locals see profit in the melting glaciers surrounding them. Tourism and access to more minerals makes climate change seen as a blessing to some in Greenland. The locals are still divided regarding wanting the mines and not.
Activists Race To Archive Environmental Data.
http://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2017-01-27/activists-mobilize-to-archive-environment-and-climate-data
In 2008, a vault housing seed samples was built in Norway for the purpose of growing a reliable food source in case there was a nuclear attack or environmental meltdown. Recently, a similar bunker is being constructed, but instead of being outside it is online, and it is for preserving data from climate change and the environment. However, instead of protecting data from a nuclear attack, this will protect it from President Trump and his administration. Over the past few days, the sections on climate change has disappeared from the white house website, and other environmental sites are being restricted. Currently, the EDGI, or Environmental Data and Government Initiative group, is working to archive sites, and monitor them for any changes made. The EDGI has been watching President Trump’s transition and figuring out what their plan should be.
Top International News In Chemical Policy And Regulation.
http://www.natlawreview.com/article/top-international-news-chemical-policy-and-regulation-january-27-2017-asia
South Korea has proposed a plan to revise the Act for the Registration and Evolution of Chemicals. The plan includes getting rid of the current reporting system, adding a pre-registration system, improving substance management, and providing hazard information to consumers. If successful, these and other changes will be take effect in a year.
California Fights Monsanto For Popular Weed Killer.
http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/legal/25629-california-fights-monsanto-on-labels-for-popular-weed-killer
Officials want to label the weed killer, RoundUp, for containing cancer causing chemicals. The company has sued the nation’s leading agricultural producer because they believe that there are no health risks from the herbicide. The EPA categorizes the main ingredient, glyphosate, as having a low toxicity, but a study France stated that it’s a probable carcinogen. Monsanto states that placing labels would create unnecessary fear but the state argues the people have a right to know.