climate injustice
Newsletter
Scorching heat wave in Mexico and Southwest US intensified due to climate change
Climate change has significantly worsened the recent deadly heat wave in Mexico and the Southwestern United States, making it 35 times more likely and 2.5 degrees hotter.
In short:
- Human-caused climate change increased the likelihood and severity of the heat wave, with daytime temperatures soaring 2.5 degrees hotter.
- Nighttime temperatures were even more devastating, becoming 2.9 degrees warmer and 200 times more likely, contributing to at least 125 deaths.
- The prolonged heat wave highlighted existing inequalities, as those without air conditioning faced greater risks.
Key quote:
"It’s an oven here; you can’t stay here."
— Margarita Salazar Pérez, Veracruz resident
Why this matters:
This heat wave underscores the immediate and lethal impact of climate change, exacerbating health risks and highlighting social inequalities. As extreme weather events become more common, the need for effective climate action grows ever more urgent. Read more: Worsening heat waves are hammering the disabled community.
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Democrats investigate oil execs' support for Trump campaign funds
Congressional Democrats are probing oil industry executives about their potential contributions to Donald Trump's campaign in exchange for favorable policies.
In short:
- Senate Democrats are probing nine oil companies and trade associations regarding potential discussions on industry-friendly policies in exchange for campaign donations to Trump.
- Letters were sent to companies including Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Occidental Petroleum, asking if they provided Trump with policy documents for a potential second term.
- This investigation follows accusations of collusion between Big Oil and OPEC to keep oil prices high.
Key quote:
“Such an obvious policies-for-money transaction reeks of cronyism and corruption.”
— Senators Whitehouse and Wyden
Why this matters:
This investigation focuses on concerns over political corruption and potential collusion in the oil industry, which has the potential to influence elections as well as impact both environmental policies and consumer gas prices. Read more: “Code Red” for climate means reducing US oil and gas production.
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The struggle to preserve North Sami language amid climate change
In a warming Arctic, the North Sami language, rich in specialized terms for snow, reindeer and fishing, faces the loss of words and knowledge integral to the Sami people's heritage.
In short:
- The North Sami language, vital to traditional Sami activities, is at risk due to the changing Arctic environment and declining salmon stocks.
- Climate change is altering the Arctic's ecosystems, impacting Sami livelihoods like reindeer herding and fishing, leading to the loss of specific linguistic terms.
- As traditional activities and environmental conditions change, unique words and knowledge integral to Sami culture are disappearing.
Key quote:
"It's likely that the North Sami term ealát will disappear. It refers to conditions where reindeer find nutrition easily underneath the snow. It's disappearing because we haven't had such conditions in the 21st century."
— Klemetti Näkkäläjärvi, president of Sami Climate Council
Why this matters:
The survival of the Sami language reflects broader concerns about the impact of climate change on Indigenous cultures and their traditional ways of life. Yet climate policy has historically excluded Indigenous populations, even though Indigenous communities across the globe have been some of the most impacted by global warming.
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Federal appeals court overturns coal lease ban, affecting climate policy and energy production
A federal appeals court has lifted the moratorium on coal leasing from federal lands, potentially impacting future coal sales and climate change efforts.
In short:
- The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision marks a defeat for environmentalists and Democrats who sought to limit federal coal leasing due to climate concerns.
- Despite the ruling, the demand for new coal leases remains uncertain as the energy sector shifts toward cleaner alternatives.
- Coal production on federal lands has seen a decline, yet it still represents a substantial portion of the U.S. total, with significant mining activities in Western states.
Key quote:
“We need the Biden administration to step up and live up to its promises to protect our climate, conduct a long overdue review of the federal coal leasing program, and make thoughtful plans for the future of public lands.”
— William Walksalong, Northern Cheyenne tribal administrator
Why this matters:
This development exemplifies the complex dynamics between energy production, environmental policy, and the struggle to transition to renewable resources. Coal production and coal burning remain a toxic source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions with far-reaching repercussions on human health.
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The East Coast's slow descent into the ocean intensifies threats from sea level rise
A recent study highlights the increasing peril to coastal communities from land subsidence and sea level rise, exacerbated by groundwater depletion.
Mira Rojanasakul and Marco Hernandez report for The New York Times.
In short:
- Satellite research by Virginia Tech and the U.S. Geological Survey emphasizes an urgent need to address coastal threats, with nearly 40% of Americans living in vulnerable areas.
- Groundwater overuse is pinpointed as a significant factor for the sinking land, aggravating the impact of global sea level rise.
- The study identifies "distortion hotspots" in areas like Cape Canaveral and the Delmarva Peninsula, where land movement threatens infrastructure.
Key quote:
“You have a hazard that is becoming worse every day with sea level rise.”
— Leonard Ohenhen, Ph.D. candidate at Virginia Tech.
Why this matters:
The slow encroachment of the sea, coupled with sinking land, poses a silent but escalating threat to infrastructure, homes, and emergency routes along the East Coast. Vulnerable populations with nowhere to go are likely to suffer the most.
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Newsletter
‘Smoking gun proof’: fossil fuel industry knew of climate danger as early as 1954, documents show
Documents show industry-backed Air Pollution Foundation uncovered the severe harm climate change would wreak
How a Black Miami neighborhood became ‘ground zero for climate gentrification’
A documentary, Razing Liberty Square, examines the plight of families in Liberty City as developers ‘revitalize’ community on desirable higher land.
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