Denton's 59-41 vote to ban fracking has got right up the nose of the state's fossil fuel elite, writes Julie Dermansky. The Texas city has already been hit with two lawsuits - but it's going to fight them all the way, with a $4 million legal fund ready and waiting.
… to take away home rule powers from cities that stand up to the oil and … points out that politicians trying to crush cities' rights to home rule goes against the …
To save a small amount of money residents of Flint, Michigan, have been forced to consume hazardous levels of lead in their drinking water, writes Farron Cousins. Just the moment for the Republican House Speaker to attack the Clean Water Act.
Flint drinks lead-laden water; Republicans attack Clean Water Act Farron Cousins DesmogBlog.com | 22nd January 2016 News Water Politics USA Law Toxics Health fawcet-cut.jpg To save a small amount of …
Air pollution in London and other British cities is intolerable, writes Caroline Allen. Faced with the same deadly problem Paris has just imposed restrictions on cars - but here politicians do nothing. It's time to elect some who will act for public health!
… British cities deserve clean air! Caroline Allen | … 2014 Comment Pollution Transport EU Law UK Cities nelsons-col.png Air pollution in London and other British cities is intolerable, writes Caroline Allen. …
Oxford Council's Executive Board meets today to decide whether to criminalise 'noncompliant' busking, pavement art, cycling and other activities in the City's vibrant public spaces, punishable with a £1,000 fine. Jonny Walker wrote them this Open Letter.
… art! Jonny Walker | 11th June 2015 Comment Cities Commons Music Transport Law UK Politics …
The Port of Seattle is violating its shoreline permit in allowing Shell to set up a 'home port' for its Arctic oil drilling fleet, according to Seattle officials. The finding could nix Shell's oil drilling plans for the 2015 season.
Shell's Arctic oil setback - unlawful use of Seattle Port Oliver Tickell | 5th May 2015 News Transport Oil Arctic Law Corporations Energy polar-pioneer-cut.jpg The Port of Seattle is violating its …
When we speak of WMD, we usually think of weapons - nuclear, biological, or chemical - that are delivered in a moment, writes Tom Engelhardt. But what of climate change: a WMD on a long fuse, already lit and smoking ...
… - the ones destined to rise over American cities if we didn't do something to stop … arsenal and flown over America's east coast cities with unimaginable results. President … D.C., Miami , and other east coast cities. It had its own efficient delivery …
UK police now have free rein to create 'dispersal zones' in public places, writes Josie Appleton. This allows them to exclude people for anything from street drinking to looking suspicious, being homeless, protesting, or merely 'congregating'. This represents a serious breach of our Common Law and Magna Carta rights.
Freedom of speech, assembly, protest? All are nixed by new police powers Josie Appleton | 26th June 2015 Comment Law UK Commons Human Rights wmp-patrol-cut.jpg UK police now have free rein to create …
More than 25 million Americans live within an 'oil train blast zone', writes Ralph Nader. But as volumes of tar sands and shale oil carried by train soar, the oil cars identified as a 'substantial danger to life, property, and the environment' in 1991 remain in use. We must ban those dangerous railcars - and put an end to all 'extreme oil'.
… This is why train tracks run through our cities and towns. Our rail system was never …
Israel's armed forces have destroyed vital water and sewage infrastructure in their bombing campaign of the besieged territory, writes Mohammed Omer. This constitutes a severe breach of the 1977 Protocol to the 1949 Geneva Conventions on the part of Israel and all those conceiving, planning, ordering and perpetrating the attacks.
Gaza: Israel bombs water and sewage systems Mohammed Omer | 16th July 2014 News Middle East Water Health War Law Human Rights gaza-children-cut.jpg Israel's armed forces have destroyed vital water …
Brazil has suffered its biggest ever industrial disaster, write Ana Luisa Naghettini & Geraldo Lopes. Breached and overflowing dams have released a massive slug of toxic muds and tailings from iron mining into the country's fifth largest river system that provides drinking water for downstream cities, destroying ecosystems in rivers and vast areas of biologically fragile ocean.
… that provides drinking water for downstream cities, destroying ecosystems in rivers and …
Thirty years ago today, Union Carbide's pesticide factory in Bhopal, India, released toxic gases that killed 3,787 people and injured over half a million, writes Vijay Prashad. The site is still contaminated, victims remain uncompensated, and the area suffers from a high rate of serious birth defects. Yet UC's CEO evaded justice, to die in a Florida nursing home this year at the age of 92.
Bhopal 30 years on - justice evaded, but the fight goes on Vijay Prashad | 3rd December 2014 Comment India USA Law Toxics Corporations bhopal-union_carbide_cut.jpg Thirty years ago today, Union …
A huge hotel development has been built on a pristine beach belonging to the 'Amis, one of Taiwan's indigenous tribes, despite numerous court rulings confirming its illegality. Glenn Smith met 'Amis campaigner Sinsing, whose fight for justice began when the government handed out eviction notices to her community - and will continue until the hotel is razed and the beach restored.
… hoping to curtail the exodus to the cities of young people from their villages. …
A fusion of drone systems and chemical agents is set to transform the landscape of combat for states and non-state actors alike, writes Paul Rogers. These technologies won't just be used for warfare, but for 'public order' ... suppressing riots, protests and political dissent. Forget water cannon - this is the real deal.
War and police? Drones, chemicals and political repression Paul Rogers | 10th January 2015 Comment War Technology Toxins Law UK Protest water-cannon-chile-cut.jpg A fusion of drone systems and …
Should rivers be given legal rights like humans? A Bristol campaigner is testing the waters of British law in an effort to protect the Avon from further pollution.
The rights of rivers Billy Stockwell | 9th August 2022 | News Rivers Pollution Ecocide Law Bristol Bristol Cable Conservation becca-bristol-cable-23.06.2022-18-of-22-1536x1024.jpg Should rivers be …
The European Commission has launched legal proceedings against the UK for persistent air pollution problems - specifically its failure to cut toxic oxides of nitrogen, known as 'NOx'.
… and congestion, and make our towns and cities cleaner, healthier places for people to …
Remember when the UK was the 'dirty man of Europe'? What has changed since then, writes Caroline Lucas, is our membership of the EU - which has made us raise our environmental performance on everything from fisheries to air pollution, nature conservation, clean bathing waters and renewable energy. Leave, and it could all go into reverse.
… of the fumes comes from traffic in our cities, while some of the tiny toxic particles … France as it does to our own towns and cities - is forcing Government's like our own … levels of killer pollution in our towns and cities. Coal-fired power stations in the UK - …
Protesters have now blocked a Monsanto seed factory in Córdoba, Argentina for over two years, writes Ciara Low. Another eviction attempt is now imminent, and campaigners are calling for a big mobilization this Sunday to fortify the blockade and send out a strong message to Monsanto and its acolytes: 'No Pasaran!' - 'They shall not pass!'
… of the blockade. Others gathered in the cities of Córdoba and Buenos Aires to march in …
The UK will break nitrogen dioxide limits until after 2030, EU judges were told today. And now the 'secret' information is public - accidentally published on a Government website, while lawyers were asking judges to keep it secret.
… | 10th July 2014 News UK EU Law Pollution Cities London london-air-cut.jpg The UK will … deadly diesel vehicles out of our towns and cities." Supreme Court: Government in breach …
The UK government's response to the Supreme Court's order to clean up air quality in key urban areas has been condemened as vague, weak and slow, lacking in clear targets and compulsory measures. New figures reveal that over 50,000 people a year are being killed by air pollution.
… under the Government's own projections, many cities in the UK will still have illegal …
Thanks to damage to coastal wetlands by the oil & gas industry, Louisiana is losing two acres to the sea an hour, writes Julie Dermansky. The companies are legally obliged to repair their damage - but they haven't and the cost has reached $50 billion. The answer? A Bill backed by the state governor to make them immune from lawsuits.
New Orleans: oil & gas evading $50bn coastal restoration obligations Julie Dermansky | 5th September 2014 News USA Oil Fossil Fuels Oceans Law Politics la-wellhead-paul-goyette-cut.jpg Thanks to …
An array of solar panels on a Chiswick side street, facing a brewery wall, constitute a threat to the quality of life of future generations, according to the council and a planning inspector. Paula Owen begs to differ, and wonders - exactly what kind of mushroom have they been smoking?
… Paula Owen | 18th August 2014 Activism UK Cities Renewables Solar Law …
An African movement for Earth-centred living and governance, founded in traditional cultures, is growing across the continent, writes HANNIBAL RHOADES. Meet the newly graduated Earth Jurisprudence practitioners helping a revival to flourish
Africa’s first class of Earth Jurisprudence practitioners graduate Hannibal Rhoades | 4th September 2017 News Earth Jurisprudence Gaia Foundation Law Justice Indigenous Nature 405217.jpg An African …
A bill to quadruple the UK's aid funding to a profit-driven 'private equity' company owned by the government comes before MPs today for its third reading, writes Global Justice Now. Trouble is the investments do little or nothing for the poor, and instead entrench corporate power in health, education and infrastructure. Parliament should seize this last chance to reject the new law.
UK's 'development for profit' private equity arm set to grab £6 billion of aid funds Global Justice Now | 10th January 2017 Activism Development UK Law Politics beggar-india-cut.jpg A bill to …
Despite a raft of legislation to protect our wildlife, 60% of our key species are in decline, writes Jenny Jones. That's why we need a new and positive approach, going beyond protection to rebuilding flourishing, sustainable wildlife populations. And people too will see the benefits - in our own as is our health and wellbeing.
… that will create even more crowding in our cities and a political environment that is … all of our day-to-day lives, making all our cities work for humans, not just machinery, …