Environmental Justice

How Ireland’s Tree Farms, Licensed With Little Environmental Assessment, Harm Biodiversity, Rural Communities

A crowdsourced, crowdfunded investigation on the damage caused by the spread of commercial spruce plantations, both to the biodiversity-rich areas of Ireland and the isolated farming communities where they are planted, was the subject of an award-winning report from journalist Niall Sargent. Find out how he ID’d the problem, overcame investigative challenges and ultimately told a human-centered, data-rich story. Our latest Inside Story Q&A.

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A Castoff Bumper Leads to a Literary ‘Autobiography’ of Plastic

Environmental writer Allison Cobb, in “Plastic: An Autobiography,” tells the story of the ubiquitous material through a series of interwoven narratives that range from her own experiences with it (including a discarded plastic car bumper), to the corporate origins of its spread and the way it’s now dangerously carpeting nature and damaging human communities. Contributor Nano Riley has a review in our new BookShelf.

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Why the Latest TRI Update Should Be in Your Sights for Stories

Each year brings another update of the Toxics Release Inventory database. And each year, it gets ignored or downplayed by too many news outlets. As the new Reporter’s Toolbox points out, not only does the latest iteration of TRI have some notable updates but it also offers plenty of room for localizable stories. Here’s how to mine the resource.

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"Court: Duke Can’t Make Customers Pay Coal-Ash Cleanup Costs"

"Indiana’s biggest utility can’t make its customers pay more than $200 million in costs related to cleaning up its toxic coal ash, according to a ruling Thursday from the Indiana Supreme Court."

Source: Indianapolis Star, 03/15/2022

"Environmental Justice Funds Seen as Just a Start for Advocates"

"The Biden administration’s environmental justice efforts scored a big funding boost in the $1.5 trillion government spending bill, but advocates worry whether the increased attention can be sustained given years of promises that have failed to yield results in their communities."

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 03/14/2022
April 8, 2022

DEADLINE: SEJ's Student Op-Ed Contest — Unmuting the Student Press on Climate and Environmental Justice Issues

In honor of Student Press Freedom Day, SEJ invites high school and college students to enter our contest by writing an opinion editorial on the topic of self-censorship/freedom of the press in student media related to climate and environmental issues. Great prizes! Deadline: Apr 8, 2022.

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Ontario Politicians Have Dodged York Region Sewage Problem For 13 Years

"Georgina Island First Nation and other residents aren't convinced a new treatment plant will protect Lake Simcoe from more wastewater. With $100 million already spent, the Ford government is now proposing a pipe built under the Oak Ridges Moraine to an alternate facility".

Source: The Narwhal, 03/14/2022

In Texas, Biden’s EPA Chief Puts Power Plants On Notice For Pollution

"Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael Regan on Thursday put the U.S. power sector on notice, outlining how the Biden administration plans to cut air and water pollution spewing from the nation’s electricity plants."

Source: Washington Post, 03/11/2022

EPA Restores California’s Authority To Set Its Own Auto Pollution Rules

"California is back in the driver’s seat as it steers the nation toward a future of cleaner cars and light trucks. The Biden administration on Wednesday reinstated the state’s authority to set motor vehicle pollution standards stricter than the federal government’s."

Source: LA Times, 03/10/2022

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