We must beware an 'environmental' agenda that excludes the human dimension, Pope Francis writes in his recent Encyclical: the poor are least to blame for the ecological and climate crises, yet they are its primary victims. Humanity must make enduring decisions about the world we and our children will share.
… crises, yet they are its primary victims. Humanity must make enduring decisions about …
America's shale gas boom threatens families, pets, and food, writes Allison Wilson. Fresh from her reading of 'The Real Costs of Fracking', she finds a host of adverse health impacts on those living near fracking sites, the toxic pollution of the food chain, and a wall of corporate and official secrecy.
Exposed: what fracking really does to you, your family, pets and food Allison Wilson | 25th February 2015 Reviews Fracking Health Energy Toxics Pollution Food Farming USA …
A proposed factory farm at Foston, Derbyshire, condemned by locals as a 'pig prison' for 25,000 animals has been refused a permit by the Environment Agency because of the powerful stench it would emit and potential risks to health and the environment.
Big stink! 24,500-pig factory farm defeated The Ecologist | 26th February 2015 News Farming Waste Pollution Regulation farms-not-factories-cut.jpg A proposed factory farm at Foston, Derbyshire, …
Oxygen levels in our oceans are falling, writes Lee Bryant, producing growing 'dead zones' where only the hardiest organisms can survive. The causes are simple: pollution with nutrient-rich wastes, and global warming. But the only solution is to stop it happening - or wait for 1,000 years.
Ocean 'dead zones' are spreading - and that spells disaster for fish Lee Bryant | 9th April 2015 News Oceans Pollution Farming Waste red-tide-dead-fish-cut.jpg Oxygen levels in our oceans are …
House prices could fall 7% near fracking rigs, according to the 'secret' Defra report on fracking in rural areas, only published in full after a legal battle, while leakage of waste water could damage human health and contaminate food.
Secret report: fracking could hurt house prices, health and environment Adam Vaughan Rowena Mason Guardian Environment | 2nd July 2015 News Fracking Health Pollution Economics UK Politics Energy …
In a landmark judgment today, four Niger Delta farmers have won the right to sue Dutch oil multinational Shell in the Netherlands courts after oil spills destroyed their farms and fish ponds. The case sets a precedent for other victims of corporate environmental and human rights harms around the world.
Nigerian farmers' win right to sue Shell in Netherlands courts The Ecologist | 18th December 2015 News Netherlands Law Oil Pollution Human Rights Corporations niger-delta-1-cut.jpg In a landmark …
Three scientific expeditions into the Atlantic ocean will take place this summer, writes outdoor philosopher Kate Rawles. But as well as gathering data about plastic pollution and over-fishing, they will give participants the chance to think deeply about our society, its values, the often false narratives it tells; and our place, as humans, in the natural world.
Sea Dragon - exploring the oceans, exploring ourselves Dr Kate Rawles | 16th June 2015 Ethical Living Oceans Pollution Natural World Society Waste sunset-cut.jpg Three scientific expeditions into the …
The NHS is one of our greatest institutions and we must defend it to the hilt, writes Natalie Bennett. But to build the healthy society we all want and deserve, we need joined up policies across the policy spectrum, valuing human wellbeing above crude economic growth.
… prosperous society. And turning to issues of humanity and decency, a society that doesn't …
Air quality across the UK is currently monitored by just a few hundred fixed stations, writes Prashant Kumar. That leaves most of us ignorant about the pollution we are breathing. But tiny air quality sensors in our mobile phones could soon create a network of millions of data points - and spur much needed official action to clean our air.
Information to the people! The coming air quality revolution Prashant Kumar | 15th January 2015 Comment Pollution Health Technology smartphone-smoke-cut.jpg Air quality across the UK is currently …
A massive oil spill in the oil-rich Niger Delta in 2008 has caused years of environmental and economic devastation. But only after legal action in London has Shell been forced to reveal the truth, admit liability, pay compensation, and begin the clean-up.
Shell finally pays out £55 million over Nigeria oil spills The Ecologist | 7th January 2015 News Oil Waste Pollution Nigeria Africa shell_own_up_pay_up_and_clean_up-cut.jpg A massive oil spill in the …
Lead poisoning from industrial pollution has imposed a terrible toll on Kenyans, writes Sophie Morlin-Yron, and single mother Phyllis Omido is no exception - lead from a nearby metal refinery badly damaged her own son's health. But it was when she decided to fight back against the polluters that a whole new realm of threats and dangers opened up.
Lead poisoning - fighting industrial pollution in Kenya is a dangerous business Sophie Morlin-Yron | 15th April 2015 Comment Pollution Kenya Africa Toxics Health Corporations Monday 20 April 2015 …
Modern industrial capitalism is based on a simple premise, writes Derrick Jensen: our mother Earth is a great store of raw materials for us to pillage, and a vast trashcan for our endless volumes of waste, no matter how long-lived and deadly. How can this be changed? First we must regain our own sanity.
Confronting industrialism: if you can't clean it up, don't make it! Derrick Jensen | 4th March 2015 Comment Waste Pollution Corporations Society anguskirk-cut.jpg Modern industrial capitalism is …
Iraq is working hard to remediate the environmental impacts of two Gulf wars and Saddam Hussein's chemical weapons programme, writes Wim Zwijnenburg. But it now faces new hazards deliberately caused by Islamic State - and is in desperate need of international support.
Iraq seeks help in its fight to overcome the toxic fallout of war and terror Wim Zwijnenburg Insight on Conflict | 8th April 2015 News War Pollution Waste WMD Iraq Middle East …
As south-east England goes onto an air pollution 'red alert', write Frank Kelly & Julia Kelly, be warned: in addition to causing respiratory and cardiovascular damage, the microscopic particles befouling the air also impact on the brains and nervous systems of unborn children whose mothers suffer high levels of exposure.
Air pollution may be damaging children's brains - before they are even born Frank Kelly Julia Kelly | 10th April 2015 News Health Pollution pregnant-cut.jpg As south-east England goes onto an air …
Landfill sites, giant hog farms, incinerators and other 'bad neighbor' industries in the US tend to be situated in African American communities, writes Heather Kathryn Ross. The Environmental Protection Agency is legally obliged to prevent 'environmental racism', but from California to Michigan, low-income communities of color have been waiting years for it to take a stand. Now, backed by Earthjustice, they are forcing the issue - in the courts.
Environmental racism in the US - black communities fight for justice Heather Kathryn Ross Earthjustice | 11th November 2015 News USA Law Pollution Waste Society stones-throw_jeronimo-nisa-cut.jpg …
Most gold mining in Peru causes serious environmental damage, write John Crabtree & Judith Condor-Vidal, but there is one exception - a Fair Trade certified mine close to the world-famous Nazca Lines. Now it's up to us to demand Fair Trade gold from the jewellery trade, rewarding responsible producers and expanding the market for new Fair Trade gold miners.
Fair Trade gold mining in the highlands of Peru John Crabtree Judith Condor-Vidal | 14th January 2015 Ethical Living Mining Pollution Society Peru South America company-office-cut.jpg Mining with a …
The revival of traditional rainwater harvesting has restored flow to rivers in India's driest state, Rajasthan - thanks to the tireless efforts of Rajendra Singh, recent winner of a Stockholm water prize. And as Pramila Krishnan discovered in a fascinating meeting, Singh's techniques, and his philosophy, are of truly global significance.
'Water man of India' makes rivers flow again Pramila Krishnan | 8th April 2015 Comment Water India Farming Pollution rajendra-singh-cut.jpg The revival of traditional rainwater harvesting has …
There's a quick climate win for COP21 negotiators to ponder, writes Wilf Lytton - one that could convert a billion tonnes a year of CO2 into mineral form while neutralising caustic wastes like coal ash and slag. But first, industries and regulators must adopt a 'recycling' mentality to these hazardous materials, rather than the 'dump and forget' model that prevails today.
Recycle industrial wastes to cut 1Gt from world's carbon emissions Wilf Lytton Sandbag | 1st December 2015 Comment Climate Change Waste Pollution Regulation Emissions caustic-waste-cut.jpg There's a …
Indigenous Australians are systematically deprived of the benefits of mining and other developments, writes Seán Kerins, and being left to suffer their environmental impacts. As Abbott's government prepares a bonfire of 'red tape', it's time to put Indigenous interests first, and place their communities at the centre of decision making.
Australia: Indigenous communities must take centre stage in 'development' Seán Kerins | 7th September 2015 Comment Australia Indigenous Peoples Waste Pollution Mining Human Rights …
The renewable power boom is excellent news for people and planet, writes Pete Dolack. But let's not get carried away: much energy that claims to be 'renewable; like biomass and big hydro, is no such thing. And greening our energy is just one of many steps to a sustainable world. The greatest challenges - like tackling the monster of infinite 'growth' - all lie ahead.
… global warming take hold - the very path humanity is treading - will be much higher. …
It was all going so well for Chevron - a New York court had ruled that a $9.5 billion judgment against it set by Ecuador's supreme court for massive pollution deep in the Amazon was corrupt and fraudulent. But then its star witness broke ranks and admitted, in another court, that he had lied, and the only bribes were coming from Chevron. Will Ecuador's pollution victims finally get justice?
Chevron's star witness in $9.5 billion Ecuador oil pollution claim admits: 'I lied' Paul Paz y Miño Amazon Watch | 28th October 2015 News Law Ecuador USA Corporations Oil Pollution Waste Forests …
A month-long blockade of the Rio Tigre deep in the Peruvian Amazon has secured promises of compensation and cleanup for Peru's Kichwa communities who have suffered 40 years of contaminated waters from oil drilling operations in their remote Amazon region. But until the funds materialize, they are holding firm in their resolve.
Victory in prospect for Peru's Kichwa People after 40 years of oil pollution David Hill | 10th February 2015 News Oil Pollution Peru South America Politics Indigenous Peoples kichwa-girl.jpg A young …
The discovery that Volkswagen has been 'gaming' vehicle emissions tests has taken the world by storm, writes Paul Nieuwenhuis. But it comes as no surprise to campaigners who have long been aware of the huge gap between 'official' emissions and real word pollution. Where were the regulators? And why did it take an NGO to uncover the scandal?
How Volkswagen got caught cheating emissions tests by a clean air NGO Paul Nieuwenhuis | 23rd September 2015 News Pollution Health Regulation Air Quality USA EU vw-golf-diesel-cut.jpg The discovery …
China's farming boom has massively increased food production, writes John Dearing - especially of meat. But it has come at a massive cost: the wholesale pollution and destruction of core ecosystems.
Meat boom propels China's ecosystems into total collapse John Dearing | 2nd March 2015 News Food Farming China Water Pollution lake-chao-cut.png China's farming boom has massively increased food …