Search Climate Insights Directory

The report argues that the Trump administration has systematically undermined science-based decision-making, which exacerbates existing environmental and health inequities for marginalized communities. It documents rollbacks in air and water pollution enforcement, the suppression of scientific data, and the dismantling of social safety nets and community participation programs. The document provides specific examples of these failures, such as the refusal to ban the pesticide chlorpyrifos and the suppression of PFAS contamination data, while highlighting state and local victories where communities have successfully pushed back against these trends.

The report advocates for treating fossil fuels as the root cause of air pollution and climate change, drawing parallels to tobacco control. It recommends identifying the health impacts of combustion, implementing regulatory measures such as subsidy reform and taxation, and establishing just transition plans for those dependent on the fossil fuel industry.

The author argues that the Trump-era EPA's 'Strengthening Transparency in Regulatory Science' rule (the 'Censored Science Rule') is an attempt to undermine mainstream science to justify deregulation. The document highlights concerns from the EPA's own Science Advisory Board (SAB) regarding the rule's potential to exclude critical human health data and its overall vagueness, which may lead to legal challenges under the Administrative Procedure Act.

The document outlines the physical and mental health risks posed by climate change, such as increased heat-related deaths, air pollution, and the spread of insect-borne diseases like Lyme Disease in Canada. It cites the World Health Organization's view of climate change as the 21st century's greatest health challenge and echoes the IPCC's call to cut emissions by 45% by 2030. The text also details global impacts, including lethal heat waves and economic losses from extreme weather, and provides a list of advocacy actions for health professionals and the public to influence Canadian federal policy.

The document details how climate change increases health risks through heatwaves, air pollution, extreme weather, and vector-borne diseases, while threatening mental health, food security, and water access in Canada.

The report analyzes the gender-specific vulnerabilities in Togo's climate-sensitive sectors and provides a framework for integrating gender into the National Adaptation Plan (NAP). It identifies systemic barriers, such as limited land rights and low literacy for women, and recommends sex-disaggregated indicators and inclusive decision-making across agriculture, water, energy, and health sectors.

A coalition of organizations urges the Governor of New York to sign Senate bill S5343, which would ban the neurotoxic pesticide chlorpyrifos. The document argues that the chemical poses severe risks to pregnant women and children, including cognitive development issues and reduced IQ, and notes that the federal EPA has failed to enact a ban despite its own scientific findings. It highlights that other states like Hawaii and California have taken action and that safer alternatives for crops are available.

The analysis finds that the July 2019 heat wave in Western Europe was made significantly more likely and more intense by human-induced climate change. In France and the Netherlands, the event would have been extremely unlikely without human influence, with return periods increasing by at least 10 times (and up to a hundred times). In the U.K. and Germany, the likelihood of such an event is estimated to be about 10 times higher (at least 3 times) due to climate change. Across all studied locations, temperatures would have been 1.5 to 3 ºC cooler in an unchanged climate.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER), representing the Life After Coal campaign and several environmental justice alliances, formally objects to a proposed amendment by the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries to double the Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) Minimum Emission Standard (MES) for new plants in sub-category 1.1 from 500 mg/Nm3 to 1000 mg/Nm3. The CER argues that this weakening of standards is unlawful, violates the South African Constitution's right to a healthy environment, and would lead to significant premature deaths and exacerbated air pollution in priority areas.

The author contends that the fossil fuel industry is the primary obstacle to climate progress, using lobbying and financial influence to block government action and corrupt international negotiations. Drawing a parallel to the tobacco divestment movement, the text argues that divestment removes the 'social license' of fossil fuel companies. It specifically calls on highly trusted UK health professionals and institutions, such as Royal Colleges, to divest from fossil fuels to create a ripple effect that pressures other investors and politicians globally.

The report argues that doubling the SO2 emissions limit would lead to significant increases in PM2.5 exposure and mercury deposition, resulting in approximately 3,300 premature deaths, with a high concentration of impacts in the Gauteng region.

The analysis concludes that human-induced climate change has made the June 2019 heatwave in France more likely and more intense. Observational data suggests that a heatwave of this intensity is occurring at least 10 times more frequently today than a century ago, with temperatures approximately 4C higher. While climate models qualitatively agree on the strong human influence, they show smaller trends and fewer severe heatwaves than observations, simulating a probability increase of between a factor of 2 and 20. The study emphasizes that early-season heatwaves in June have more severe health and organizational impacts than mid-summer events.

The report examines the Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) system, describing it as a "parallel justice system" that privileges wealthy investors and multinational corporations over public interests. Through ten case studies across Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the document illustrates how ISDS is used to challenge environmental protections, public health measures, and land rights. It specifically criticizes the European Union's efforts to institutionalize the system through the Investment Court System (ICS) and a proposed Multilateral Investment Court, arguing these reforms do not address the fundamental imbalance of power. The report concludes that ISDS creates a "regulatory chill," where governments avoid passing progressive laws to avoid multi-billion dollar lawsuits, and calls for the complete dismantling of these "VIP courts."

The report analyzes how China and India are tackling coal-driven air pollution through stricter emission standards, renewable energy subsidies, and improved air quality monitoring, contrasting these efforts with Indonesia's current policy landscape. It highlights that while China and India are shifting toward renewables and implementing rigorous coal plant standards, Indonesia continues to expand its coal capacity and maintains more lenient emission limits and scarce air quality data.

Brazil developed its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) between 2013 and 2016, involving over 40 institutions across government, academia, the private sector, and NGOs. The process followed a timeline starting with the 2009 National Climate Change Policy and culminating in the plan's launch in May 2016 and a subsequent monitoring and evaluation report in June 2017. Future implementation focuses on refining monitoring systems, securing funding, and integrating gender issues and mitigation co-benefits during the 2020 review.

The document provides a comparative overview of National Adaptation Plan (NAP) processes in multiple countries, detailing their specific strategic approaches, priority sectors, and implementation milestones. It emphasizes the integration of climate adaptation into national development planning, the importance of cross-sectoral coordination, and the mobilization of climate finance to build resilience against diverse hazards such as sea-level rise, droughts, and extreme weather events.

Jordan launched its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process in February 2017, coordinated by the Ministry of Environment's Climate Change Directorate. The process aims to create a formal roadmap for sectoral adaptation plans, identify financial needs, and establish a national monitoring and reporting system. Priority sectors for adaptation include water, agriculture, health, gender, biodiversity, ecosystems, and protected areas, with a focus on addressing impacts such as severe water shortages, desertification, and extreme weather events.

Viet Nam is developing a National Adaptation Plan for 2021-2030 with a Vision 2050, aimed at reducing climate vulnerabilities and integrating adaptation into socio-economic planning. The process is linked to the country's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which is being updated by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. Priority sectors for adaptation include agriculture, public health, and infrastructure, addressing impacts such as sea level rise and saltwater intrusion.

The report analyzes future extreme heat in the US, finding that a 'no action' emissions scenario would lead to a staggering increase in dangerously hot days, particularly in the Sunbelt and Midwest, while rapid action could significantly limit these risks.

Professor Peter Orris reviews Dr. Andrew Gray's modeling of emissions from 12 coal-fired power plants, a Synfuels facility, and a NatRef refinery in South Africa. Orris concludes that these facilities create a significant public health hazard, contributing to hundreds of premature deaths annually via PM2.5 exposure. He notes that while implementing the 2020 Minimum Emission Standards (MES) would significantly reduce PM2.5-related deaths, it would not eliminate all WHO guideline exceedances for SO2 and NO2. The review emphasizes the vulnerability of children and the elderly at sensitive sites like schools and hospitals.