Disasters

"Nuclear Rules in Japan Relied on Old Science"

"In the country that gave the world the word tsunami, the Japanese nuclear establishment largely disregarded the potentially destructive force of the walls of water. The word did not even appear in government guidelines until 2006, decades after plants — including the Fukushima Daiichi facility that firefighters are still struggling to get under control — began dotting the Japanese coastline."

Source: NY Times, 03/28/2011

"Maine’s Support for Farms With ‘Forever Chemicals’ Seen as Model"

"It’s been a decade since farmers began to learn that contamination from PFAS unknowingly spread across their property could devastate their lives and livelihoods, but Maine is showing it’s possible to keep farms going despite the problems caused by the “forever chemicals.”

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 03/31/2026

Iran War Could Leave Environmental Damage, Health Risks For Decades: Experts

"The Iran war has unleashed a toxic mix of chemicals, heavy metals and other pollutants that threaten everything from agriculture to drinking water to people’s health — and will leave behind environmental damage and health risks that could persist for decades, experts said."

Source: AP, 03/31/2026

EPA Rollbacks Would Raise Communities' Risk For Chemical Disasters: Workers

"Workers, lawmakers and environmental advocates gathered  this week to speak out against a proposed federal rule that would roll back protections for people who live near hazardous facilities across the country."

Source: The New Lede, 03/31/2026

"Federal Court Reverses Trump Administration’s Past Cuts To ESA"

"A federal judge on Monday partially ruled that the first Trump administration erred when it weakened aspects of the Endangered Species Act.

The ruling (attached below) was heralded by environmental groups, saying it underscored that “federal agencies must use the best available science when assessing harm to species, they cannot ignore incremental harm to critical habitat, and the agencies must firmly commit to any measures relied upon to reduce harm to imperiled plants and animals.” (Emphasis added—ed.)

Source: National Parks Traveler, 03/31/2026

"Court Allows Endangered Species ‘God Squad’ to Meet Tuesday"

"Interior Secretary Doug Burgum can convene the Endangered Species Committee, or “God Squad,” on March 31 to approve the Pentagon’s request to exempt all Gulf of Mexico oil and gas operations from the Endangered Species Act because of national security needs, a judge ruled Friday."

Source: Bloomberg Environment, 03/31/2026

"US Has Caused $10Tn Worth Of Climate Damage Since 1990, Research Finds"

"The US has caused an eye-watering $10tn in global damages to the world over the past three decades through its vast planet-heating emissions, with a quarter of this economic pain inflicted upon itself, new research has found."

Source: Guardian, 03/27/2026

Ferocity Of Latest Hawaii Downpour, Flooding Surprised Even Meteorologists

"Crews on Tuesday began evaluating damage from a surprise downpour that sent floodwaters raging through a neighborhood near downtown Honolulu — the latest bout in a series of storms and flooding that have pummeled the state over the past two weeks."

Source: AP, 03/26/2026

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