environmental defense fund

5 Things to Know as China Launches the World’s Largest Carbon Market

5 Things to Know as China Launches the World’s Largest Carbon Market

By Diane Regas China has announced the launch of a national emissions trading system that will become the world’s largest and most consequential environmental program, fulfilling a commitment of President Xi Jinping and setting up China to meet or even exceed its commitment to the Paris climate agreement. The nation is moving deliberately, gradually phasing […]

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    Halloween Horror Story: 5 Scariest Aspects of Climate Change

    Halloween Horror Story: 5 Scariest Aspects of Climate Change

    By Casey Ivanovich Halloween has arrived, and it’s time once again for goblins, gremlins and ghost stories. But there’s another threat brewing that’s much more frightening—because it’s real. An unrecognizable world is quickly creeping up on us as climate change progresses—and the anticipated impacts are enough to rattle anyone’s skeleton. Here are five of the […]

    Trump’s Pick for Top EPA Post Under Scrutiny for Deep Ties to Chemical Industry

    Trump’s Pick for Top EPA Post Under Scrutiny for Deep Ties to Chemical Industry

    From Scott Pruitt to Betsy DeVos, President Donald Trump has notoriously appointed a slew of individuals with serious conflicts of interests with the departments they oversee. The latest is Michael L. Dourson, Trump’s pick to head the EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, the government’s chemical safety program. Media reports reveal that the […]

    5 Glaring Examples of Scott Pruitt’s Pattern of Secrecy and Why You Should Care

    5 Glaring Examples of Scott Pruitt’s Pattern of Secrecy and Why You Should Care

    By Martha Roberts The imposing limestone government building in central Washington where Scott Pruitt holds sway is increasingly operating away from public view with decisions made behind closed doors, once-public information blacked out, and influential insiders taking charge. As the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Pruitt has also proven elusive, having spent […]

    EPA Chemical Safety Nominee Is a Hired Gun for Tobacco and Chemical Industries

    EPA Chemical Safety Nominee Is a Hired Gun for Tobacco and Chemical Industries

    By Jack Pratt For decades, a weak law left Americans at risk from toxic chemicals in everyday products such as cleaners and fabrics. As a result, chemicals tied to infertility, learning disabilities and even cancer found their way into all our homes, schools and workplaces. A turn-around looked likely in 2016 when Congress passed a […]

    ‘Unseen Dangers’ of Harvey: Petrochemical Plants Release 1 Million Pounds of Harmful Air Pollution

    ‘Unseen Dangers’ of Harvey: Petrochemical Plants Release 1 Million Pounds of Harmful Air Pollution

    As some of the nation’s largest crude processors and refineries shut down their facilities amid ” unprecedented” rainfall and flooding from Harvey, residents nearby are reporting noxious, gaseous smells clouding the air. “I’ve been smelling them all night and off and on this morning,” Bryan Parras, from the environmental justice group TEJAS, told New Republic […]

    Red Team-Blue Team Is No Way to Conduct Climate Science

    Red Team-Blue Team Is No Way to Conduct Climate Science

    By Keith Gaby Like a television executive peddling reality shows, Scott Pruitt has decided to stage an exercise pitting the well-established science of climate change against a grab bag of fringe theories. It will be marketed by the Trump administration as an effort in the best traditions of scientific inquiry, but the real goal is […]

    ‘Industry Friendly’ EPA Completes Review of 600 New Chemicals

    ‘Industry Friendly’ EPA Completes Review of 600 New Chemicals

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it has eliminated a backlog of more than 600 new chemicals it is reviewing under the agency’s new chemical safety program. “I am happy to report that the backlog of new chemical reviews is eliminated,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said. The goal of the agency “is to ensure […]

    Say Goodbye to the Internal Combustion Engine

    Say Goodbye to the Internal Combustion Engine

    By Rory Christian and Larissa Koehler Electric vehicles (EVs) don’t make much noise on the road, but they’re generating a lot of buzz about the future of this technology and what it means for business and the environment. Cars, buses and trucks are the second biggest source of pollution in the U.S. after electricity production. […]