Watch 1PM Weekly News - February 19, 2024
This week Nicki covers 5 sustainable news stories from the EPA approving a herbicide linked to Parkinson's disease, to migratory animals becoming endangered.
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EPA Approves Herbicide Linked to Parkinson’s
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is facing intense scrutiny for its re-approval of paraquat-based herbicides, despite growing evidence that the products are increasingly tied to Parkinson's disease. The EPA's recent draft report has triggered significant back-lash from public health advocates and sparked legal action from a union of agricultural and health groups. Concerns have been raised about potential industry influence on regulatory decisions that reveal efforts by Syngenta, the producer of paraquat, to shape regulatory outcomes and downplay associated risks. With paraquat use escalating in the US, the need for stringent regulation to protect workers and communities has never been stronger. As the EPA navigates this contentious issue, pressure is mounting for the agency to prioritize public health over industry interests and align with global efforts to restrict the use of paraquat to safeguard the well-being of agricultural workers and communities throughout the country.
Migratory Animals are Becoming Endangered
A comprehensive report released by the United Nations’ Environmental Program reveals that human activities are pushing migrant animals—such as sea turtles, chimpanzees, and lions towards extinction. The State of the World’s Migratory Species report highlights alarming declines in nearly half of the 1,200 species listed under the Convention on Migratory Species, citing habitat loss, contamination, over-utilization and climate change as primary drivers. Recommended solutions in the report include the promotion and protection of key habitats, stricter regulations against over-exploitation, expanding conser-vation areas, and restoring connectivity between protected zones. The report also emphasizes the preservation needs of migrant species, respecting Indigenous rights of people as they play a vital role in ecosystem stewardship, and enforcing existing conservation treaties more effectively. Through intensive and immediate action, the report seeks to reverse devastating trends while safeguarding the invaluable biodiversity of our planet.
Utah Legislation Stomps on Rights of Nature
Utah lawmakers are pushing forward with legislation aimed at curbing the "rights of nature" movement, specifically in response to various efforts to protect the Great Salt Lake, which is facing significant threats from climate change, development, and agriculture. The bill, H.B. 249, would prevent state and local governments from granting legal person-hood to bodies of water, animals and plants. The bill has passed in the State House of Representatives, and is now moving to the Utah Senate. The move has sparked controversy, with advocates arguing that recognizing nature's inherent rights is crucial for environmental protection, while opponents fear it could hinder development and economic growth. Despite the pushback, the rights of nature movement continues to gain momentum globally, with countries like Ecuador preserving such laws in their constitutions. The debate over legal personhood for nature reflects broader shifts in how society views environmental stewardship and the relationship between humans and the natural world. While some argue that nature deserves legal recognition and protection akin to human rights, others emphasize the need to balance environmental concerns with economic interests. As the Great Salt Lake faces existential threats, including drying up due to human activities, the outcome of this legislative battle in Utah could have far-reaching implications for environmental policy and conservation efforts nation-wide.
Human Hair Sweaters the Next Fashion Trend?
Zsofia Kollar, a material designer based in Amsterdam, has spearheaded a ground-breaking effort to repurpose human hair waste from salons and barbershops into fabric for various applications that range from clothing to carpets. The initiative, known as the Human Material Loop, addresses the staggering amount of hair discarded daily in the United States and Canada, which is estimated to be approximately 32 tons. With a vision of sustainability and creativity, Kollar's start-up seeks to capitalize on this overlooked resource, turning what was once considered waste into valuable material. Leveraging human hair’s strength-to-weight ratio which is similar to steel, Kollar's process involves treating the hair with environmentally friendly chemicals to produce yarn. This yarn can then be woven into fabric, resembling wool both in texture and appearance. The potential of this approach represents a paradigm shift towards a circular economy, where waste is minimized and resources are maximized. Kollar aims to scale up production, with a long-term goal of annually producing 550,000 tons of human hair fabric by 2034, a significant contribution to the global textile market. Through her pioneering efforts, Kollar seeks to redefine fashion and consumer goods, and create a lasting legacy of environmental stewardship and innovation.
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Electric Vehicles are still Cheaper than Gas
Canary Media recently reported that gasoline is cheap, but charging an electric vehicle is even cheaper. Cars and trucks make up about 23% of carbon pollution in the US. The average price of a gallon of gas today is $3.15, while the price of an e-Gallon, which is the cost of charging an electric vehicle by an amount equivalent to one gallon is $1.41. Gasoline prices fluctuate more rapidly and by larger margins than electricity rates, so if you power your car with electrons, then it’s much easier to estimate long-term cost. If you have solar panels, then the cost of powering your EV is nothing.
Not only does an e-Gallon cost less than half of a gallon of gas, it also emits much less C02, depending on what the source of electricity is. The cleaner the electricity sources are, the greater the pollution reduction. For example, Vermont, Washington, South Dakota and Idaho have the cleanest in-state electricity generation in the country, which reduces carbon pollution by around 90% compared to gasoline. West Virginia and Kentucky generate most of their electricity from coal, which reduces carbon pollution by around 30%. As renewable energy grids come online and electric vehicle prices become lower, the choice to go electric becomes more obvious every day. It’s just a matter of time.