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2.2 Million Americans Lack Running Water Amidst Broader Water Scarcity Concerns

2.2 Million Americans Lack Running Water Amidst Broader Water Scarcity Concerns

Approximately 2.2 million Americans currently live without running water in their homes, highlighting a significant domestic water access issue. This situation is being addressed by human rights non-profits working to bridge this 'water gap.' The lack of running water for these individuals is contrasted with global statistics, where nearly a quarter of the world's population lacks drinking water on premises, and almost half lack safely managed sanitation. The broader context suggests that such domestic challenges are a precursor to future water shortages, which are anticipated due to climate change. The experience of water rationing, even for a short period, serves as a practical exercise for a future where climate chaos is expected to exacerbate water scarcity.

Global Plastics Treaty Requires Binding Targets and Accountability, Says Direito Coletivo

Global Plastics Treaty Requires Binding Targets and Accountability, Says Direito Coletivo

The Institute of Collective Law (IDC) in Brazil emphasizes the critical need for a legally binding global plastics treaty that moves beyond theoretical commitments to practical implementation. Tatiana Bastos, president of the organization, states that the urgency lies not only in negotiating a robust treaty but also in ensuring it translates into effective public policies and real accountability from manufacturing companies. The IDC's work in Brazil highlights that the plastic crisis is not merely an environmental issue but also a matter of social justice, disproportionately affecting those at the bottom of the waste management chain, such as waste picker cooperatives. These cooperatives often bear the economic and labor costs of managing plastics that are difficult to recover or sell, leading to significant financial losses and wasted effort. The IDC advocates for a treaty that reduces plastic production at its source, rather than solely addressing waste after it has been generated. Their experience in Br...

Entergy New Orleans and Rebuilding Together New Orleans Launch 'Power Up Homes' Program to Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income Households

Entergy New Orleans and Rebuilding Together New Orleans Launch 'Power Up Homes' Program to Reduce Energy Costs for Low-Income Households

Entergy New Orleans, in partnership with Rebuilding Together New Orleans (RTNO), has launched a pilot program called 'Power Up Homes.' This initiative aims to help New Orleans households, particularly low-income homeowners, reduce their energy costs through critical home repairs and energy-efficiency improvements. The program addresses a gap for homeowners who are often ineligible for existing energy efficiency programs due to the poor condition of their homes. Supported by a $100,000 investment from The Entergy Charitable Foundation, 'Power Up Homes' provides upgrades such as replacing old HVAC systems and water heaters, installing attic insulation, duct sealing, and programmable thermostats. Work is currently underway on two homes in New Orleans, identified through RTNO’s weatherization pipeline as experiencing high energy use due to aging or failing home systems. These improvements are designed to make homes safer, more comfortable, and more energy-efficient, ultimately leading to lower utility bills fo...

AI Windfall Could Drive Plant-Based Food System Transformation to Address Climate and Animal Welfare Crises

AI Windfall Could Drive Plant-Based Food System Transformation to Address Climate and Animal Welfare Crises

A new initiative, the Beyond Cage-Free Open Letter, proposes that the 'AI Windfall' could be leveraged to transform the global food system towards plant-based alternatives. This shift is presented as a holistic approach to simultaneously address deepening animal and climate emergencies. The letter argues that current cage-free campaigns, while aiming for animal welfare improvements, often lead to increased environmental impacts, such as higher greenhouse gas emissions and land use, compared to fully caged systems. Instead, the focus should be on reducing the total number of farmed animals in the food system. The initiative highlights that plant-based food system change offers a win-win pathway to tackle animal exploitation, climate change, freshwater and land use, biodiversity loss, food security, and reduced pandemic risk. It cites a 2026 UK egg industry study which found that converting to organic free-range egg production would nearly double greenhouse gas emissions compared to caged systems.

New Carbon Impacts Tracer Tool Measures Damage from Individual Fossil Fuel Projects

New Carbon Impacts Tracer Tool Measures Damage from Individual Fossil Fuel Projects

A new open-source climate tool, the Carbon Impacts Tracer, has been developed to quantify the specific damage and warming caused by individual fossil fuel projects. This tool directly links emissions from a project to its impact across eight areas, including crop losses and heatwave deaths. Historically, fossil fuel companies and governments have used the 'drop in the ocean' defense, arguing that individual project emissions are too small to track their specific damage. However, advancements in attribution science now allow for precise measurement of these impacts. The International Court of Justice has also indicated that fossil fuel production and expansion may constitute an internationally wrongful act, recognizing the possibility of establishing a causal link between emissions and climate harms. The Carbon Impacts Tracer aims to provide robust causal links, enabling greater accountability for governments and fossil fuel companies.

Amazon Launches Colorado River Basin Collaborative with $20 Million Donation to Address Water Scarcity

Amazon Launches Colorado River Basin Collaborative with $20 Million Donation to Address Water Scarcity

Amazon has initiated the Colorado River Basin Collaborative, a new effort aimed at funding water conservation projects across the Colorado River Basin. The company has committed $20 million towards a goal of raising $100 million over the next two years from various organizations. This initiative seeks to address the severe water shortage in the basin, which has seen its largest reservoirs fall below 30% capacity after 25 years of megadrought. The gap between water supply and demand in the region is estimated at approximately 1 trillion gallons per year. Will Hewes, Amazon’s water sustainability lead, emphasized that solving this crisis requires a collective industry-wide effort. In addition to the collaborative, Amazon is investing $2.4 million in an Arizona irrigation efficiency project. This project, in partnership with agricultural technology company Arable, will implement an irrigation management tool for tribal farmland in the Lower Colorado River Basin. The tool, powered by Amazon Web Services (AWS) ...

China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development Emphasizes Global Collaboration for Green Transition

China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development Emphasizes Global Collaboration for Green Transition

The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), an international high-level policy advisory body, is emphasizing the critical role of cooperation in driving a global shift towards clean energy and addressing environmental challenges. Huang Runqiu, Chinese executive vice-chairperson for CCICED and China's minister of ecology and environment, highlighted the deepening triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental pollution, which pose severe challenges to sustainable human development. He noted the growing global aspiration for advancing green transition. Canada's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, underscored that addressing climate change is both a moral imperative and an economic and strategic necessity. He pointed out Canada's progress in clean electricity grids, methane reduction, and nature conservation, and stated that CCICED's recommendations have significantly contributed to China's green transition. The cou...

Meta's Texas Solar Purchase Smaller Than Data Center Gas Plant, Raises Clean Energy Commitment Questions

Meta's Texas Solar Purchase Smaller Than Data Center Gas Plant, Raises Clean Energy Commitment Questions

Meta's Texas Solar Purchase Smaller Than Data Center Gas Plant, Raises Clean Energy Commitment Questions

New Orleans City Council Approves $23.6 Million Incentive for Neighborhood Power Plan

New Orleans City Council Approves $23.6 Million Incentive for Neighborhood Power Plan

The New Orleans City Council has unanimously approved a $23.6 million incentive package to fund the Neighborhood Power Plan. This initiative, spearheaded by Climate Change & Sustainability Committee Chair and District A Councilmember Aimee McCarron, aims to provide battery backups for approximately 800 homes and over 200 businesses across the city. A significant portion, 40%, of the upfront funds is specifically allocated for low- and moderate-income households. The plan, which integrates with previously approved Community Solar incentives, will establish a network of microgrids. These microgrids will enable home batteries and other community resources to collectively support the electrical grid, offering resilience during power outages caused by storms, heat waves, or grid strain. The funding for these incentives comes from a settlement with Entergy New Orleans, and the project is a collaborative effort with organizations like Together New Orleans and Alliance for Affordable Energy.

Arizona Republic

Environment is a bigger issue for Latinos than non-Latinos, data says

Environment is a bigger issue for Latinos than non-Latinos, data says

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce published new data that shows environmental conditions are a major issue Latinos care about.

Why scientists are paying more attention to urban trees

Why scientists are paying more attention to urban trees

Beyond shade and beauty, scientists are uncovering the critical roles urban trees play in public health, climate resilience, and even social equity.

The MacArthur Foundation’s ‘genius’ fellows: The full 2026 class list

The MacArthur Foundation’s ‘genius’ fellows: The full 2026 class list