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The Harare City Profiling Report 2025 details the challenges facing Zimbabwe's capital, characterized by rapid informal urban growth, severe infrastructure decay, and a strained relationship between the opposition-led city council and the national government. While Harare serves as the country's economic hub, it suffers from critical gaps in water, sanitation, and waste management, with a significant portion of the population living in informal settlements. The report highlights a severe fiscal crisis where the city relies almost entirely on its own limited revenue sources while facing low payment compliance and high levels of non-revenue water.

The report reveals that nature is a unifying force in the United States, with a strong majority of Americans viewing it as essential to their cultural identity and personal health. While 84% of respondents express concern over threats to nature—specifically water pollution, climate change, and air pollution—there is a broad consensus that protecting the environment is a shared civic duty. The findings highlight a preference for collective action, with significant expectations for national and state governments to lead protection efforts.

A coalition of organizations and experts is petitioning the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to implement a mandatory pesticide data reporting system. They argue that MDA has failed to meet a statutory obligation dating back to 1989 to develop a comprehensive data program, relying instead on sporadic, voluntary surveys that undercount pesticide use and lack the detail necessary for scientific research. The petition highlights the severe risks pesticides pose to children, farmworkers, and the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, noting that climate change exacerbates these harms. The petitioners propose a system where certified applicators and restricted-use pesticide sellers submit annual records to a searchable public database, citing similar models in California and New York.

The document examines the expansion of non-conventional hydrocarbon production in the Vaca Muerta region of Argentina, highlighting significant risks to water sources and public health. Using the OBSERVAR spatial data platform, the authors identify thousands of wells in high-risk proximity to communities and water bodies, while noting a critical lack of transparent data on wastewater management. The brief argues that current provincial regulations in Neuquén and Río Negro are insufficient or inconsistently enforced and recommends a watershed-based governance approach, the creation of buffer zones, and mandatory reviews of older conventional wells before new fracking permits are issued.

The assessment finds that SMB's mining operations in the Boké region have caused severe environmental degradation, including deforestation and water pollution, and have negatively impacted local health and livelihoods. The report concludes that SMB has failed to comply with several Guinean laws, including the 2019 Environmental Law and the 2011 Mining Code, particularly regarding community compensation and environmental protection.

The project establishes a Nitrogen, Society, and Environment Network (Nnet) to study the impacts of human activity on the nitrogen cycle across various Latin American ecosystems. It integrates empirical measurements of biological nitrogen fixation, atmospheric deposition, and fertilizer use with regional modeling to inform policy and environmental management.

The project aims to create a regional understanding of the nitrogen cycle in Latin America by measuring biological nitrogen fixation, atmospheric deposition, and the impacts of land-use changes. Initial findings include high nitrogen pollution in Venezuelan rivers, low biological nitrogen fixation in Chilean forests affected by copper mining, and the influence of urban and industrial areas on NOx concentrations in São Paulo. The initiative seeks to provide guidelines for policymakers to manage nitrogen and minimize environmental degradation.

The document criticizes the U.S. EPA and state governments for failing to regulate industrial PFAS discharges, which shifts cleanup costs to taxpayers. It proposes three primary actions: enforcing pretreatment requirements for Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs), codifying Method 1633 for wastewater testing, and establishing Effluent Limitation Guidelines (ELGs) to mandate PFAS removal by industries.

The document examines the prevalence of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known as "forever chemicals," in the U.S. environment and population. It details the health risks, including cancer and immune suppression, and outlines the regulatory response led by the EPA's 2021 Strategic Roadmap and the 2024 National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. The brief also covers state-level phase-outs, legislative efforts in the 118th Congress, and technical challenges in remediating PFAS from water and soil.

The document highlights the role of Radio Stereo Ideal in Napo province, Ecuador, as a critical communication hub for Indigenous Kichwa communities and environmental activists. By providing a platform for marginalized voices and holding officials accountable, the station has helped secure the suspension of mining licenses and the removal of corrupt officials, arguing that democratic local media are essential for implementing effective climate solutions.

The report details a community health screening in Phola, Mpumalanga Highveld, finding severe environmental degradation and widespread health issues linked to coal mining. Key findings include high rates of respiratory symptoms, chronic conditions, and a strong community perception that the environment is hazardous. The study also highlights socio-economic vulnerabilities, including high unemployment and reliance on social grants, and recommends strategies for government, healthcare providers, and the community to mitigate these impacts.

The document examines Zambia's water security challenges, noting that despite abundant freshwater resources, the country faces crises driven by climate change, population growth, and poor governance. It highlights the severe impact of contaminated water on public health, the vulnerability of rain-fed agriculture to droughts, and environmental degradation caused by mining pollution and deforestation. The brief argues that current legal frameworks, such as the Water Act 198, are insufficient, particularly regarding groundwater and shared watercourses. Key recommendations include establishing a National Water Resources Authority, investing in irrigation and infrastructure maintenance, and addressing gender inequalities in water access.

The report assesses three intervention scenarios for the Pandarachirathodu Canal in Kochi, India, to combat degradation, pollution, and flooding. It finds that all three scenarios—ranging from a hybrid 'integrated wetland technology' (IWT) to a comprehensive biodiversity park—are investment worthy. While the highest net benefits (INR 325-331 million) are achieved by combining IWT with nature-based interventions like mangroves and floating wetlands, the highest benefit-to-cost ratio is found in the baseline IWT scenario, yielding INR 9.78 in net benefits for every INR 1 invested.

The document outlines Ghana's position as a leading gold exporter and the resulting economic benefits, contrasted with severe environmental and health impacts caused by mining, particularly illegal 'galamsey' operations. It details the legislative framework, centered on the Minerals and Mining Act 2006, and the institutional roles of entities like the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Minerals Commission. The briefing introduces a series of thematic papers focusing on mineral rights, benefit sharing, stakeholder engagement, and mining in forest reserves.

The testimony details the devastating effects of nickel mining on Kabaena Island, Indonesia, specifically impacting the Bajau people. It reports significant environmental degradation, including deforestation and water contamination, which has led to health issues, loss of livelihoods, and child fatalities. The document argues that while electric vehicles are necessary for climate goals, the current extraction model is destructive, calling for the adoption of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance standards and a greater focus on recycling to reduce mining demand.

The report analyzes the ASM value chain, from exploration to mine closure, highlighting a stark divide between rudimentary artisanal methods and more capitalized small-scale operations. It identifies critical gaps in technology for ore extraction, transportation, and beneficiation, while showcasing promising innovations in mercury-free gold processing, blockchain-based traceability, and digital mining cadastres. The document warns that while mechanization can boost yields and critical mineral supply, it risks displacing labor—particularly women—and increasing environmental degradation if not managed through inclusive policies and strategic zoning.

Between 2019 and 2023, agribusiness interests spent over $523 million lobbying on the US food and farm bill, with spending peaking in 2023. The report highlights the role of the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) in opposing climate action and environmental regulations while advocating for commodity subsidies. It recommends that Congress prioritize small and marginalized farmers and strengthen antitrust enforcement to curb corporate power.

The report evaluates the expansion of Parques del Río Norte in Medellín, Colombia, finding that the project generates a return of USD 1.67 for every dollar invested over 30 years. These benefits stem from reduced flood risk, improved air quality, and economic gains in property values and retail revenue. The document recommends investing in nature-based infrastructure (NBI) and ensuring continuous maintenance to combat urban heat islands, water pollution, and river erosion.

The Spring 2024 survey of 1,031 American adults shows that 70% believe global warming is happening, with 59% attributing it primarily to human causes. While 64% of respondents express worry about global warming and 50% report personally experiencing its effects, there is a significant gap in understanding the scientific consensus, with only 21% aware that over 90% of climate scientists agree on human-caused warming. Americans conceptualize the issue primarily as environmental (77%) and scientific (68%). Despite 62% feeling a personal responsibility to help, social engagement remains low, with 66% rarely or never discussing the topic with family and friends.

The report by Trend Asia and Walhi Jambi opposes the planned PLTU MT Jambi 1 and 2 projects. It highlights that Jambi already experiences an electricity oversupply, with PLN's capacity at 2,415 MW against a demand of 1,333 MW. The document details the socio-ecological threats to local villages, such as Pemusiran and Lubuk Napal, including water pollution in the Sekamis and Selempado rivers and projected health costs of USD 640 million over 30 years for PLTU MT Jambi 1. It further notes that investors like China Huadian have reportedly withdrawn due to China's policy against building new coal plants abroad, and recommends the immediate cancellation of these projects in favor of renewable energy.