Environmental Health

"Abandoned Mines Cover The West"

"Their legacy is destruction and pollution of lands and waters."

"In 1953, the Anaconda Minerals Company leased nearly 8,000 acres of land in central New Mexico from the Pueblo of Laguna to mine uranium for nuclear weapons. The company gouged and blasted away at the earth, constructing the three massive holes known as the Jackpile-Paguate Mine.

Source: High Country News, 07/10/2024

"Record Heat Engulfs Both U.S. Coasts"

"A record-breaking heat wave across the Western U.S. that’s been checking all the key boxes — intensity, duration, and geographic spread — may just be the opening scene of the worst kind of summer blockbuster, one that’s spreading nationwide."

Source: Yale Climate Connections, 07/10/2024

Border Town Firefighters Scramble To Save Migrants From Extreme Summer Heat

It’s a relatively quiet — and hot — afternoon at Sunland Park’s Fire Department Station 1. ... Suddenly, a loud radio call blasts through the station’s speakers. ... Four firefighters rush to get ready, which includes loading ice into a cooler. The ice is essential — it's used to lower the body temperature of someone in distress from extreme heat."

Source: NPR, 07/09/2024

Will the Coming Plastics Treaty Solve the Problem Or Enshrine It?

A major intergovernmental gathering later this year will address plastic pollution, including in oceans. But an overview from our Issue Backgrounder notes that the likelihood of solving the problem may be small. One reason? Petrochemical industry lobbying. Another? The shifting world market for plastic waste. And there are more concerns, such as the effectiveness of incineration and chemical recycling techniques. More, including questions to ask, in Backgrounder.

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