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The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) argues that the EPA has systematically undermined scientific integrity since January 2017 through political censorship, the sidelining of expert advisory committees, and the suppression of research. The report details specific instances of scientific failure—such as the reversal of a chlorpyrifos ban and the delay of a formaldehyde assessment—and proposes a comprehensive roadmap for reform. Key recommendations include lifting hiring freezes on scientific positions, rescinding rules that restrict the use of confidential data in regulatory science, and establishing a formal process for resolving differing scientific opinions. The document also emphasizes the need to eliminate industry conflicts of interest among political appointees and to protect the rights of scientists to communicate their findings to the public without political interference.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) is demanding urgent government intervention to provide water and sanitation to over 200 communities across South Africa. The letter highlights systemic failures in water distribution, the inadequacy of the Department of Water and Sanitation's hotline, and the severe health risks posed to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a detailed annexure of affected areas in the Western Cape, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Free State, citing issues such as dry taps, polluted water sources, and a lack of soap and sanitation products.

A coalition of health and environmental organizations is advocating for New York State legislation to ban PFAS in food packaging, citing severe health risks, the availability of safer alternatives, and the disproportionate impact on vulnerable communities.

The document highlights the intersection of public health disparities and electoral access in Arizona, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for voting reforms. It identifies systemic health inequities affecting Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities and links these to a lack of adequate political representation. To improve the 2020 election, the Union of Concerned Scientists recommends implementing automatic and same-day registration, expanding voting centers in rural and tribal lands, and improving the verification and tracking of mail-in ballots.

Dr Paola Arias, an author for the IPCC Sixth Assessment Report, details a 2019 community meeting in Bogotá where a ceiling collapse caused by heavy rains served as a real-time example of climate risk. She argues that interpreting scientific evidence through the lens of social impacts and daily local issues—such as Bogotá's flood plain construction and landfill collapse—is more effective for public engagement than traditional presentation protocols.

The South African Water Caucus (SAWC) is urging the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to address critical water and sanitation shortages in more than 200 communities. The letter highlights failures in the DWS hotline, the lack of coordination via the National Disaster Water Command Centre, and the severe health risks posed to vulnerable populations during the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides a detailed annexure of affected areas across several provinces, including the Western Cape, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, and Free State, where residents rely on polluted rivers, unreliable water trucks, or have no infrastructure at all.

Mighty Earth declares that climate justice is unattainable without racial justice, noting that environmental crises disproportionately affect Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. The organization pledges to challenge structural oppression and prioritize the voices of those most affected by these intersecting crises.

The document highlights the intersection of public health disparities and voting access in Arizona, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic underscores the need for administrative election upgrades. It recommends the adoption of same-day registration, improved vote-by-mail protocols, and the establishment of rural voting centers to protect marginalized communities and ensure a credible 2020 election.

The brief supports the vacatur of the easement for the Dakota Access Pipeline, asserting that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers committed a serious violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by failing to prepare a required Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The authors argue that the risk of irreparable environmental harm from oil spills outweighs any economic disruption, especially given a global oil supply glut and the existing negative impacts of Bakken shale oil production on public health and Indigenous communities.

The document argues that the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fragility of a global food system where 820 million people suffered chronic hunger before the crisis. It calls on G20 governments to protect the rights and health of food producers and migrant workers, restrict financial speculation in agricultural futures to prevent price crises, and rebuild the food system to stop environmental degradation and climate crisis drivers. The authors advocate for a global political response coordinated by the UN Committee on World Food Security, grounded in international human rights instruments and the principle of food sovereignty.

The statement urges G20 ministers to address the vulnerability of food producers and migrant workers during the COVID-19 crisis. It calls for measures to prevent financial speculation on food, the protection of fundamental rights for agricultural workers, and a systemic shift away from industrial food chains toward sustainable, local food sovereignty to mitigate future pandemics and climate crises.

The policy brief examines the conflict between the boom in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) and the sustainability of smallholder agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, specifically Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Burkina Faso. While ASM provides immediate income and employment, it often displaces farmers, contaminates water sources with mercury and cyanide, and draws young labor away from agriculture. The document highlights that ASM is frequently an unsustainable tool for poverty reduction due to the non-renewable nature of minerals and the shift toward capital-intensive operations funded by external investors. It recommends strengthening institutional capacity, implementing rigorous land-use mapping, and dismantling patronage structures to ensure the coexistence of mining and farming.

The document outlines a framework for scientists to engage with communities disproportionately affected by pollution, emphasizing listening, accessibility, and the navigation of power dynamics to ensure productive advocacy.

Mighty Earth is demanding transparency from Tyson Foods regarding a pledge made one year prior to improve farming practices on 2 million acres of U.S. corn. The organization notes that Tyson has provided no further detail or reporting since the announcement, despite a 2020 deadline. Mighty Earth requests specific data on the locations of engaged acres, implemented practices, environmental outcomes—specifically regarding nutrient runoff—and verification methods.

The document outlines the dangers of hydraulic fracturing, noting that in 2018, more than two thirds of Canada's natural gas was "fracked gas," primarily from Northeastern BC. It details health risks including increased incidences of preterm birth, miscarriage, and childhood leukemia (ALL), as well as environmental threats such as water contamination and induced earthquakes. The text highlights that methane leaks from fracking are 86 times more harmful to the climate than CO2 over 20 years, undermining the concept of natural gas as a "bridge fuel." It concludes by urging Canada to implement a moratorium on new wells and develop just transition plans for workers.

The document outlines the risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, specifically focusing on water and air pollution, reproductive health issues, pediatric cancers, and seismic activity. It highlights the role of methane leaks in undermining climate goals and advocates for a phased elimination of fracking wells in Canada to meet Paris Agreement commitments.

The report argues that unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development, specifically hydraulic fracturing, poses significant risks to human health, water and air quality, and climate stability. It highlights strong evidence linking UOG to adverse birth outcomes and asthma, while noting that methane leakage undermines the role of natural gas as a 'bridge fuel'. The document calls for a rapid transition to renewable energy and recommends that Canadian provinces and territories implement moratoria on new fracking development.

The report examines the risks associated with unconventional oil and gas extraction (PGNC), specifically hydraulic fracturing. It details significant health concerns, including adverse birth outcomes, asthma exacerbation, and potential links to childhood leukemia. Environmental risks identified include water contamination, air pollution (specifically benzene and ozone precursors), and induced seismicity. The document highlights the disproportionate impact on Indigenous populations and argues that methane leaks undermine the role of natural gas as a transition fuel, calling for a moratorium on new projects and a strategic phase-out to meet Paris Agreement goals.

The document criticizes the EPA's August 31, 2020, final rule that weakened the 2015 effluent limitation guidelines (ELGs) for coal-fired power plants. It asserts that the rollback allows utilities to avoid investing in modern wastewater treatment technologies, thereby increasing the volume of toxic pollutants entering U.S. waters. The text highlights specific loopholes for plants planning retirement by 2028 and those with limited operating hours, and notes that the 2015 rule was originally intended to prevent 1.4 billion pounds of pollutants annually.

The report finds that while Americans are concerned about the impact of plastics on marine life and water quality, they often feel unable to avoid plastic packaging or believe their individual actions are insignificant. There is strong public support for producer responsibility, with businesses ranked as the most responsible party for reducing plastic waste and the entity that should pay for recycling infrastructure. While there is broad support for positive regulations like credits and refund programs, Americans are more divided on taxes and fees.