A new study from the Houston Advanced Research Center is warning that the rapid growth of data centers could erase much of Texas’ air-quality progress over the past two decades...
Trump administration drops work on stronger building codes for disasters
Summary
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. FEMA is withdrawing from the International Code Council’s process for updating construction standards that protect homes from hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. Critics argue this weakens national preparedness at a time when climate-driven disasters are increasing. The decision follows Republican opposition to stricter building regulations due to cost concerns. Studies show modern codes reduce damages by billions of dollars. FEMA has also recently fired over 200 staff members, further weakening its disaster response capabilities. Experts liken this rollback to abandoning aviation safety regulations, stressing that climate adaptation requires stronger—not weaker—building standards. The administration is also expected to halt a rule requiring public buildings to meet higher flood protection standards, reversing a policy reinstated by the Biden administration.
Hurricane Isaias has strengthened to a Category 3 hurricane as it approaches Florida and the northern Gulf Coast, bringing threats of devastating winds, life-threatening storm...
The Supreme Court is opening its 2026 term with a major climate case that could determine whether local governments can hold fossil fuel companies financially responsible...
At a UN General Assembly meeting, world leaders from vulnerable nations issued urgent calls for coordinated global action against climate change, highlighting severe threats...
Underserved communities are again asking federal courts to restore $3 billion in environmental justice grants that the Trump administration canceled, arguing that delays...
Local opposition to AI data centers is adopting the same organizing tactics, legal strategies, and community-level pushback over rising utility costs and water usage...
Two federal court rulings dealt major setbacks to the Trump administration by determining that the Environmental Protection Agency unlawfully terminated billions of dollars...
his press release highlights a global report examining how nations are translating "Just Transition" commitments into concrete laws, environmental rule of law policies...
A federal judge ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to resume distributing $2.8 billion in environmental and climate justice grants designed to address health...
June 26, 2026
Energy Justice
Energy Justice
Driven by the sudden demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, Texas is facing an influx of at least 248 planned data center projects, primarily targeting rural...
Federal grant cuts are significantly impacting environmental justice and public health efforts in Houston, with tens of millions of dollars eliminated from local programs...
Representative Christian Menefee is working to elevate environmental justice as a key priority within the Democratic Party, emphasizing the need to address pollution and climate..
America’s rapidly expanding data center industry is carrying a steep hidden environmental and public health cost, estimated at nearly $25 billion annually...
A recent Newsweek analysis highlights how accelerating sea level rise, driven in part by the potential collapse of Antarctica’s Thwaites “doomsday” glacier, could reshape U.S...
May 15, 2026
Human Health
Human Health
A new study found that "forever chemicals" (PFAS) are present in 98.8% of over 10,000 human blood samples tested. Most individuals carry a complex mixture of at least five...