A Harris presidency could tackle plastic pollution

A Harris administration could make significant strides against plastic pollution, leveraging her background as California’s attorney general and her support for federal legislation aimed at reducing plastic waste.

Joseph Winters reports for Grist.

In short:

Kamala Harris has a strong environmental record, including co-sponsoring the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act of 2020.
As vice president, she supported initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics from federal operations.
Harris' potential presidency could continue efforts to address plastic pollution, holding polluters accountable and supporting international treaties.

Key quote:

“Harris is at least competent and a true public servant, and she believes in international diplomacy and tackling global problems. I can’t say the same for Trump.”

— Julie Teel Simmonds, senior attorney, Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund

Why this matters:

With her track record as a tough-on-corporate-crime prosecutor and a staunch environmental advocate, Harris brings the chops needed to tackle the plastics crisis head-on. Read more: Biden administration unveils plan to wean US government off single-use plastics.

grist.org

A Harris presidency could tackle plastic pollution

Study of 20,000 Nigerians explores the links between drug use, climate change and poverty

How climate and health science is turning international law into action

The ocean circulation that persists even after a key AMOC component fails

Photos: Taiwan’s tea revival blends ancient terraces with new climate adaptations

How AI chatbots may be talking people out of climate action

Climate activists protest African Energy Week in South Africa

Opinion: Wisconsin doesn’t have to accept new gas plants as inevitable

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.