George Woodwell, climate change pioneer and ecologist, passes away at 95

George Woodwell, founder of the Woods Hole Research Center, whose influential work shaped U.S. environmental policies, died at 95.

Keith Schneider reports for The New York Times.

In short:

George Woodwell, who founded the Woods Hole Research Center in 1985, was instrumental in shaping U.S. policies on toxic substances and climate change.
His research highlighted the dangers of synthetic pollutants and the impact of rising carbon dioxide levels, making him a key figure in early climate change awareness.
Woodwell's work led to significant environmental actions, including the federal ban on DDT and the establishment of the Environmental Defense Fund.

Key quote:

"I said the same things then that I say today. The climatic disruption has the potential of changing the earth as much as a nuclear war will."

— George Woodwell, ecologist

Why this matters:

George Woodwell's pioneering research and activism laid the groundwork for modern environmentalism and climate policy, spearheading the ongoing need to address climate change to protect public health and the environment. Read the announcement from the Woodwell Climate Research Center.

www.nytimes.com

George Woodwell, climate change pioneer and ecologist, passes away at 95

The 'age of electricity' is here. No one knows what comes next

As the UN global climate talks lose momentum, a smaller coalition eyes a fossil fuel exit

Republican lawmakers attempt to shield big oil from climate lawsuits in ‘alarming’ bills

‘Cut fossil fuel industry’s lifeline’: How subsidies and petrochemicals are propping up oil and gas

How Canadians pay for fossil fuels with our bodies

Move to relax federal coal ash rules 'potentially concerning'

How Google turned its climate program into an AI booster

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.