Whether in the form of historic droughts, blistering wildfires, record-setting hurricanes, extreme heat or catastrophic flooding, it’s clear that natural disasters in the U.S. are increasing in frequency and severity. In the face of a changing climate, we need environmental protection now more than ever.  But when environmental issues are challenged, will they be protected by the nation’s highest court? Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem so.  This past June, the Supreme Court restricted the ability of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to fight the climate crisis in its decision to strike down West Virginia v. EPA. With its conservative majority, the current Supreme Court justices have been called “the most anti-environmental court in the modern era.”1 With more environmental issues likely to come before the court soon, EcoWatch got together with environmental lawyer, Heather Croshaw, […]

Of the 8.3 metric tons of plastic produced in this world to date, 6.3 billion tons of that is trash, and less than 10% of it is recycled, which has created a global crisis, not just with the environment, but our health.  Microplastics — tiny pieces of plastic debris, which result from the disposal and breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste — are now ever-present pollutants now found to be in most places in the world, from marine life to the top of Mt. Everest, and now our bloodstreams.  Plastic pollution also disproportionately affects marginalized communities and communities living near plastic waste sites.  According to a report from the United Nations, polluting facilities and industries — particularly the companies drilling for the oil that helps make plastic — are often placed in vulnerable communities, […]

The National Marine Sanctuary System was established on Oct. 23, 1972 with the signing of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. That means the network – which includes 15 national marine sanctuaries and 2 marine national monuments –  turns 50 this year. Now, they’ve got a 16-stamp set to celebrate! On Aug. 5, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will release a new series of Forever stamps that celebrates the rich diversity and beauty within our sanctuaries and the marine ecosystems they protect. The collection commemorates the 50th anniversary of the sanctuary system. Marine sanctuaries protect the ecological, cultural and historical inheritance of the American people and balance those against their rights to recreate and enjoy these resources. They preserve critical habitat for threatened and endangered wildlife and safeguard the ancients ites and living traditions […]

More than half of the world’s agricultural soils are already degraded, and both scientists and UN agencies agree that the remaining soil will only take us another 40 to 50 years.  Yet despite the threat this poses to biodiversity, the climate and global food security, soil health receives less attention than other looming environmental crises. That’s why yogi, mystic and visionary Sadhguru has set off on a 100-day, 30,000 kilometer (approximately 18,641 mile) motorcycle journey to save soil. “Everybody knows the problem. Everybody generally knows what is the solution, but they’ve all been waiting for one idiot to come and bell the cat,” the 64-year-old said during a talk in Tbilisi, Georgia, on day 37 of his journey. “So here I am.” A 24-Year Journey  Sadhguru revved up for his motorcycle odyssey from Trafalgar Square, […]