February 20, 2025
Urban & Development
Urban & Development
The Trump administration plans to reduce staff at the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) disaster recovery office by 84%, cutting the workforce from 936 to 150.
At the Final Round of Plastic Treaty Negotiations, a Production Cap Hangs in the Balance
Summary
The fifth and potentially final round of U.N. plastic treaty negotiations (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea, centers on whether to impose global caps on plastic production. Advocates, including environmental groups and a coalition of nations, argue that production limits are essential to combating plastic pollution, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigating exposure to hazardous chemicals. Opponents, including oil-producing countries and industry groups, push for voluntary measures, citing economic concerns. The U.S., initially supportive of caps, reversed its position after President Trump’s re-election. Disputes over production limits, treaty enforcement, and funding mechanisms have slowed progress, raising concerns that the treaty may fail to address the plastic crisis comprehensively.
February 20, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Trump administration has ordered FEMA to stop its decades-long role in developing stronger building codes, a move experts warn could undermine disaster resilience
February 20, 2025
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
The Trump administration’s rollback of clean energy incentives is threatening a surge in U.S. factory construction driven by Biden-era subsidies.
February 20, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin is attempting to seize $20 billion allocated for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a Biden-era clean energy loan program...
February 20, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change
U.S. cities, including Chicago, San Francisco, and Houston, face mounting fiscal crises due to climate disasters, declining downtown economies...
February 20, 2025
Bullard Center Team
Bullard Center Team
The Trump administration is attempting to freeze or reclaim $20 billion in climate funds previously allocated by the Biden administration for green banks...
February 19, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation
On his second day as Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cut funding for three National Institutes of Health (NIH) programs focused on climate change...
February 19, 2025
Economic Justice
Economic Justice
With the HBO series White Lotus expected to drive tourism to Thailand’s Koh Samui, concerns over the environmental and social impacts of mass tourism are growing.
February 19, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton successfully blocked federal regulations that would have required states to track and report highway pollution levels.
February 18, 2025
Education
Education
As Texas faces surging electricity demand, a new pilot program is exploring the use of “virtual power plants” (VPPs) to help stabilize the grid.
February 14, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation
Vice President JD Vance previously supported increased funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI), but environmental advocates worry about his stance...
February 13, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been confirmed as Secretary of Health and Human Services in a 52-48 Senate vote, marking a shift in the Republican stance on health policy.
February 13, 2025
Education
Education
Grist has launched an interactive tool that tracks nearly $700 billion in climate and infrastructure funding allocated under the Inflation Reduction Act and the bipartisan...
February 12, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Trump administration has begun dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency under the guise of improving efficiency.
February 12, 2025
Environment & Climate Legislation
Environment & Climate Legislation
In a rare display of bipartisanship, Congress unanimously passed the EXPLORE Act, a bill aimed at expanding outdoor recreation access.