restoration
Newsletter
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Insurers leave Maui wildfire survivors in unsafe homes, families say
Maui residents whose homes survived last year's wildfires are grappling with toxic contamination and insufficient insurance coverage to restore their homes, leaving many unable to return.
In short:
- Many Maui homeowners are battling insurers over inadequate payouts for smoke damage after the 2023 wildfires, which left homes filled with toxic residue.
- Independent experts estimate restoration costs up to four times higher than what insurers, like State Farm, are covering, leaving families displaced.
- Hawaii lacks industry standards for assessing wildfire smoke damage, leaving insurers to determine what is safe.
Key quote:
“We are not trying to make money or profit off of disaster. We just want our houses cleaned. We want to know we are safe in our homes, and we don’t know that.”
— Maria Linz, Lahaina resident
Why this matters:
As wildfires increase due to climate change, more homeowners face costly battles with insurers over smoke contamination. Without standards or regulation, families are left at risk, both financially and health-wise.
Read more: The Maui fires may cause long-term health problems
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Peatland restoration in Scotland struggles to secure funding
Despite its potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions, peatland restoration in Scotland is not being fully recognized as a climate change solution, hindering private investment.
In short:
- Experts argue that the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) does not recognize peatland restoration as a valid method for offsetting emissions.
- Damaged peatlands in Scotland release over six million tonnes of CO2 annually, equating to emissions from home heating.
- Public funding alone is insufficient, and private finance is needed to meet restoration targets set by the Scottish government.
Key quote:
“We are seeing active sales falling through or companies not even wanting to look at peatland carbon credits because of SBTi.”
— Dr. Renée Kerkvliet-Hermans, peatland code manager
Why this matters:
Recognizing peatland restoration in carbon offsetting standards could unlock essential private funding, aiding in the significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change more effectively.
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EU nations push to preserve biodiversity laws
Eleven EU countries, spearheaded by Ireland, advocate for the ratification of pivotal biodiversity restoration laws, aiming for legislative success within the month.
In short:
- Environment ministers from 11 nations, including Ireland, Germany, and France, have called on peers to support EU nature restoration laws, set to expire.
- The legislation mandates restoring a significant portion of degraded habitats by 2050 and proposes planting 3 billion trees.
- Amidst political tension, the upcoming EU presidency of Hungary could derail the initiative unless ratified soon.
Key quote:
"We must act urgently and decisively to conclude the political process. Failure to do so would be a carte blanche to destroy nature and would fundamentally undermine public faith in the EU’s political leadership at home and internationally."
— Eamon Ryan, Ireland’s Environment Minister
Why this matters:
Biodiversity, the variety of life in all its forms, provides essential services that make the Earth livable. Our natural environments purify our air and water, pollinate crops, control pests, and provide food. When species and habitats are lost, these services are diminished or disappear, posing direct and indirect threats to human health. For instance, the loss of biodiversity can increase the transmission of infectious diseases and reduce the resilience of food systems to pests and climate shocks.
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Credit: Glynnis Jones/Big Stock Photo
Disaster restoration workers face health risks from exposure to toxins
Workers in the disaster restoration industry are reporting significant health issues from exposure to dangerous substances while cleaning up after natural disasters.
In short:
- Disaster restoration workers, primarily Latino immigrants, face severe health risks from toxins like asbestos, lead and mold in poorly regulated conditions.
- Incidents include a worker being temporarily blinded and another left in a coma due to job site accidents; long-term effects include respiratory issues and headaches.
- A joint investigation highlights systemic issues in safety regulations and the industry's response to protecting its workers.
Why this matters:
Without strict safety protocols and proper protective equipment, disaster responders may unknowingly be exposed to these substances, jeopardizing their health in both the short and long term. This risk is compounded by the urgent nature of their work, which can sometimes lead to corners being cut on safety measures.
Be sure to read Brian Bienkowski’s 2017 piece arguing that low doses of the most ubiquitous toxics are hurting people—updating how we test and regulate could save lives.
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EU's green laws on shaky ground as countries pull back
In a setback for environmental progress, EU nations, including Hungary and Italy, retract their support for crucial nature restoration legislation, putting its future in doubt.
In short:
- The intended vote on nature restoration laws was canceled due to insufficient support, showcasing a divide among member states.
- Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European environment commissioner, emphasizes the potential global reputational damage to the EU if the bill fails.
- Upcoming elections and farmers' protests have further complicated the legislation's prospects, amidst calls for the EU to maintain its environmental ambitions.
Key quote:
“It would be enormously irresponsible to drop the entire European green agenda.”
— Teresa Ribera, Spain's environment minister
Why this matters:
This legislation seeks to cover a broad range of ecosystems, from agricultural lands and forests to freshwater bodies and marine environments. The goal is to restore these habitats to a condition that can sustain healthy populations of plants and animals while also contributing to human well-being and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
In urban parks and forests, scientists dig to unearth answers to an age-old question—why are people healthier (and happier) when surrounded by nature?
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Camels aid in Joshua tree restoration efforts
In a novel approach to environmental restoration, camels are being used to transport Joshua tree sprouts across the Mojave Desert's burn scars.
In short:
- The Mojave Desert's Joshua trees, devastated by wildfires and climate change, are struggling to naturally regenerate.
- Human volunteers and camels are collaborating to plant and water Joshua tree sprouts, aiding their spread across large burn scars.
- This unique method echoes the historical role of large mammals in seed dispersal and offers a creative solution to current ecological challenges.
Key quote:
"Even if they are only a small part, camels bring a certain je ne sais quoi to the event that adds a mix of absurdity plus practicality."
— Brendan Cummings, conservation director, Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
By reintroducing large mammals for seed dispersal, we not only aid in the recovery of the iconic Joshua tree but also demonstrate a creative approach to adapting conservation strategies in the face of climate change.
If there is anywhere in the nation that holds the promise to inspire unified action on climate change, it is the national parks.
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Restoring boreal caribou habitat, one tree at a time
Seismic lines have carved up forests in northern B.C. To protect the caribou, the Fort Nelson First Nation is trying to erase as many as possible.
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