Water & Oceans

Georgia Officials Knew Carpet Mills Were Polluting Water. People Did Not

"Growing up in northwest Georgia, Stormy Bost lived her life in the water. During summers she plucked crawdads from the neighborhood creek and played in its cool depths, racing home for dinner to beat the setting sun."

"Health Advocates Demand Federal Action In Nitrate “Health Emergency”"

"More than 80 health and environmental groups are calling on federal agencies to use emergency powers to protect Americans from a “public health emergency” driven by industrial farming practices that are dangerously polluting drinking water."

Source: The New Lede, 05/07/2026

Texas Bills Could Have Protected Residents From Deadly Floods

"Texas lawmakers have for years rejected legislation that could have protected residents in the state’s flood-prone areas. Three bills would have banned youth camps or nearly all development in areas most at risk of dangerous flooding. Experts said the bills could have saved lives."

Source: ProPublica/Texas Tribune, 05/07/2026

"Storm Season Is Here and the National Weather Service Is Short-Handed"

"The National Weather Service is struggling to recover from last year’s deep staff cuts, raising doubts among some meteorologists about whether the agency is ready for severe storms or hurricane season, which starts next month."

Source: New York Times, 05/07/2026

"Flooding in Chicago Is Getting Worse. Here’s Why."

"In a little-noticed memo early last year, Illinois scientists made a dire prediction." "Blamed in part on climate change, the threat of water ponding in your yard or your basement is growing, a Sun-Times/WBEZ investigation has found, putting health, homes at risk."

Source: Chicago Sun-Times, 05/06/2026

Endangered Whale Protections May Be Delayed Until 2035 Under Trump Plan

"For roughly 380 right whales left in the North Atlantic, which can die after getting tangled in fishing ropes or hit by ships, the Trump administration said this month it wants to delay new protections by almost a decade in favor of commercial fishing interests."

Source: AP, 05/06/2026

Trump USFS Falls Behind On Wildfire Prevention With Risky Fire Season Ahead

"With wildfires already burning and drought persisting across much of the U.S., fire experts are bracing for what could be an extreme fire season. The U.S. Forest Service is going into it having done far less work than in recent years to manage the dry, flammable vegetation that can fuel catastrophic fires."

Source: NPR, 05/06/2026

Amid Fertilizer Pollution, Iowa To Invest $100 Million in Water Treatment

"After years of worsening water quality, the move marks Gov. Kim Reynolds’ first official action to tackle harmful agricultural nutrients in state waterways. Critics say it’s “too little too late.”"

Source: Inside Climate News, 05/05/2026

IMO Keeps Working On Global Fee On Ship Emissions, But Keeps Options Open

"The world’s maritime nations preserved a plan to adopt the first global carbon fee on shipping, as they agreed to keep working on it in the fall and adjourned their meeting Friday. However, they also agreed to continue discussing alternative proposals and entertain new ones, which could change the plan substantially."

Source: AP, 05/04/2026

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