Environmental Justice

‘Carbon Colonialism’ Details the Exporting of Degradation, Climate Collapse

The climate change debate is often so focused on fossil fuels and mining that it ignores impacts in economic, political, neo-colonial and social terms, writes BookShelf’s Melody Kemp in her review of “Carbon Colonialism: How Rich Countries Export Climate Breakdown.” Why concepts like corporate social responsibility do little to stem the losses that come with such development.

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Brazil Orders Vale, BHP, Samarco To Pay $9.7 Bln Damages For Dam Disaster

"A Brazilian federal judge ruled that miners Vale, BHP and their joint venture Samarco must pay 47.6 billion reais ($9.67 billion) in damages for a 2015 tailings dam burst, according to a legal decision on Thursday seen by Reuters."

Source: Reuters, 01/26/2024

"Pollution Has Made Houston Ship Channel Communities A ‘Sacrifice Zone’"

"The average life expectancy in predominantly nonwhite communities along the Houston Ship Channel, the site of largely unregulated petrochemical production, is up to 20 years less than nearby predominantly white communities, according to a report released Thursday by Amnesty International"

Source: The Hill, 01/26/2024

Coastal GasLink Trial on Hold as Court Probes Police Excessive Force

"The trial of three Indigenous land defenders arrested at a pipeline construction site on unceded Wet’suwet’en First Nation land was adjourned until spring on Friday, as the court looks into potential abuses by Canadian police."

Source: Inside Climate News, 01/25/2024

"LNG Production Comes With A Price, Gulf Coast Communities Warn"

"US takes the global lead on liquid natural gas production and export, as economic promises and environmental worries collide." "In southwest Louisiana, amidst natural disasters and industrial expansion, everyone’s lost something — boats, income, family, homes — Leo Dyson admits."

Source: EHN, 01/25/2024

"White House Said to Delay Decision on Enormous Natural Gas Export Terminal"

"The Biden administration is pausing a decision on whether to approve what would be the largest natural gas export terminal in the United States, a delay that could stretch past the November election and spell trouble for that project and 16 other proposed terminals, according to three people with knowledge of the matter."

Source: NYTimes, 01/25/2024

"UN Expert Condemns UK Crackdown On Environmental Protest"

"A severe crackdown on environmental protest in Britain with “draconian” new laws, excessive restrictions on courtroom evidence and the use of civil injunctions is having a chilling impact on fundamental freedoms, the United Nations special rapporteur has said."

Source: Guardian, 01/24/2024

Tribes, Greens Ask US Court To Block $10B Transmission Project In Arizona

"A federal judge is being asked to issue a stop-work order on a $10 billion transmission line being built through a remote southeastern Arizona valley to carry wind-generated electricity to customers as far away as California."

Source: AP, 01/24/2024

Louisiana Court Upholds Permits For Petrochemical Complex In Cancer Alley

"A Louisiana appellate court has upheld air permits for a giant proposed petrochemical complex in a region known as Cancer Alley, enraging local advocates. The decision, issued on Friday, will help clear a path for Formosa Plastics to build the nation’s largest petrochemical complex of its kind. The project has long faced staunch opposition from local and national environmental justice groups."

Source: Guardian, 01/23/2024

What’s Ahead on Climate Justice, Climate Crisis Beat

What environment stories will matter most in 2024 to communities of color and Indigenous communities? Columnist Yessenia Funes sheds light on concerns ranging from the environmental damage in Gaza and extreme weather across the United States to the fallout from the U.S. presidential election to the local impacts of the clean energy transition. Insights in the latest Voices of Environmental Justice.

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