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The document examines the limitations of GDP as a measure of progress, noting that the pursuit of material gain leads to social inequity and environmental degradation. It identifies systemic roadblocks to redefining prosperity—including national reliance on GDP for revenue, cultural associations of success with consumption, and business models based on consumerism. The authors propose a suite of actions, such as the adoption of complementary well-being indicators, the potential introduction of wealth taxes to decouple growth from resource use, and a shift in corporate marketing to reshape societal values. Case studies from countries like Bhutan, Australia, and the UK illustrate various ways beyond-GDP indicators have been implemented.

The analysis examines the transition of Nevada's medium- and heavy-duty (M/HD) vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) under three scenarios: the California Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) Rule, the ACT Rule plus the NOx Omnibus Rule, and a highly ambitious '100 x 40 ZEV + Clean Grid' scenario. The most aggressive scenario projects cumulative net societal benefits of over $9.6 billion by 2050, including 98 avoided premature deaths and 71 fewer hospital visits. While ZEVs currently have higher purchase costs, the report finds that average ZEVs in Nevada are projected to reach lifetime cost parity with combustion vehicles by 2030, eventually providing significant fuel and maintenance savings. The transition would reduce petroleum dependence, increase electricity demand, and potentially lower residential and commercial electricity rates due to increased utility net revenue. Macroeconomic modeling suggests national net job gains through 2035, with new jobs in electrical component manufacturing and infrastructure construction offering wages nearly twice as high as the jobs they replace.

The report evaluates zero-emission alternatives to natural gas-driven pneumatic controllers, which are known to release methane. It focuses on electric controllers and solar-powered instrument air systems, finding that both are cost-effective compared to the social cost of methane. The analysis highlights that electric controllers generally offer the lowest abatement costs and that recent technological advancements, such as vertical solar panel stacking and new failsafe systems for Emergency Shut Down (ESD), have expanded the viability of these technologies.

Phosmet is a U.S. registered pesticide used in 40 states, primarily on orchards and grapes, and is currently under registration review. It is associated with serious health effects, including cancer, neurodevelopmental harm, and reproductive toxicity, with exposure occurring via food, drinking water, and occupational contact. The pesticide is applied to a significant percentage of several common crops, including peaches (55%) and nectarines (50%).

Fossil-fuel burning appliances in the US contribute significantly to outdoor and indoor air pollution, climate change, and public health disparities. Gas appliances are particularly problematic, emitting more than twice as much NOX as gas power plants. RMI proposes that the EPA implement a NOX standard of performance under Clean Air Act Section 111(b), requiring all new appliances to be electric by 2030. This transition could avoid over 500,000 tons of NOX and 14,400 tons of PM2.5 annually by 2045, potentially saving over 3,750 lives per year and providing $21 billion in annual economic benefits. The document emphasizes that electric appliances are cost-effective and that policies should include incentives to ensure low-income consumers can access these technologies.

The document outlines the legal and procedural steps of federal rulemaking and place-specific environmental actions, such as permitting and Superfund cleanups. It provides strategic advice for citizens to submit effective comments, request meetings with officials, and use legal mechanisms like citizen suits to ensure agency accountability. A significant portion of the guide is dedicated to environmental justice, explaining how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by pollution and climate change and detailing resources and grants available to help these communities participate in decision-making.

GreenLatinos is calling on the Biden administration and Secretary Deb Haaland to protect up to 29 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands by designating them as Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs) under Section 202 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA). The organization argues that arid ecosystems in the Western U.S., specifically in Utah and Nevada, provide critical carbon sequestration and climate adaptation benefits that are currently threatened by oil, gas, and mineral extraction. The statement highlights that 83% of Latinos support the 30x30 initiative to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030. It further notes that no new FLPMA § 202 WSAs have been established since 2003 due to an out-of-court agreement with the State of Utah, which the authors argue is not legally binding.

Conservation corps in the United States employ youths, veterans, and seniors in environmental restoration and resilience projects. These programs, modeled after the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, provide workforce training in green skills while reducing federal land maintenance costs. Current efforts to expand these programs include President Biden's 2021 Civilian Climate Corps Initiative and various legislative proposals to increase national service positions and funding for reforestation and public land restoration.

The document details the evolution of conservation corps in the U.S., from the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps to modern initiatives like the 21st Century Conservation Service Corps. It highlights the environmental benefits of these programs, such as reforestation and disaster response, and their economic impact, including workforce development and cost-efficient land management. The text also outlines various funding mechanisms and recent legislative efforts, including President Biden's 2021 executive order for a Civilian Climate Corps Initiative, aimed at scaling up resilience and sustainability efforts.

The document details a series of record-breaking climate events in 2020, including an unprecedented number of billion-dollar disasters in the US, extreme wildfires in California and Colorado, and devastating tropical cyclones in the Philippines and the Bay of Bengal. It highlights that 2020 was on pace to be the second-hottest year on record and notes the acceleration of Arctic sea ice retreat. Experts cited in the text emphasize that these events are driven by human-caused climate change and call for urgent climate action and funding for affected poor populations.

The report examines the growth of private equity (PE) in the behavioral health sector, specifically focusing on autism, eating disorders, and addiction treatment. It argues that PE's demand for outsized returns in an underfunded sector creates risks such as inadequate staffing, reliance on unlicensed personnel, and the potential for patient abuse. The document provides detailed case studies of Sequel Youth and Family Services and Community Intervention Services to illustrate these risks, including allegations of fraud, neglect, and systemic abuse across multiple US states.

The Union of Concerned Scientists identifies systemic barriers to public participation in US federal rulemaking, noting that industry interests often have disproportionate influence and that marginalized communities are frequently excluded. The document recommends earlier community involvement, the use of plain language, increased transparency regarding funding and meetings, and improvements to digital accessibility on platforms like regulations.gov.

Spanish Fork City issued a USD 73 million US Municipal green bond on August 5, 2020, with a maturity date of September 1, 2040. The proceeds are designated for the construction of additions and improvements to the city's sewer system, specifically including a new membrane bio–reactor treatment plant with solids holding tanks based on recommendations from a 2018 assessment. The bond carries an AA credit rating from S&P and a coupon of 4.000%.

A survey conducted in April 2020 found that 78% of Americans nationally support ensuring all citizens can vote by mail to limit COVID-19 infections. Support remained high across the United States, with more than three quarters of the public supporting the measure in 46 states. The lowest levels of support were found in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi, while the highest were in states that already utilized vote-by-mail systems, such as Hawaii, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and California.

The document highlights the intersection of public health disparities and voting access in Michigan, arguing that the COVID-19 pandemic necessitates urgent reforms to the state's election processes. It specifically calls for scaling up vote-by-mail (VBM) capacity, improving ballot verification and correction procedures, and establishing early in-person voting centers to protect voters' health and ensure representation, particularly for marginalized communities of color who have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

The report contends that US ICBM policy is outdated, as submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) now match or exceed ICBM capabilities while remaining invulnerable at sea. It argues that the continued deployment of ICBMs on high alert creates a dangerous risk of mistaken launch due to compressed decision timelines. The authors assert that the retention of the ICBM force is driven by non-security factors, including the economic interests of the 'ICBM Coalition' of senators and lobbying by defense contractors like Northrop Grumman. The report recommends retiring the ICBM force, eliminating 'launch-on-warning' options, and extending the life of existing Minuteman III missiles instead of spending $100 billion on the new Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD) system.

A February 2020 survey of 1,934 registered voters across 26 U.S. primary states reveals strong support for government action on climate change and a preference for renewable energy over fossil fuels. A majority of respondents support the Green New Deal and specific policies such as a 100% national renewable portfolio standard by 2050. Climate change is a top-tier voting issue for Democrats in these states, and voters indicate they are more likely to support candidates who favor stronger pollution and fuel efficiency standards.

Mighty Earth opposes the Trump administration's removal of protections from millions of acres of US public lands and waters, warning that companies engaging in extractive activities in these areas face risks of stranded assets, legal challenges, and public backlash. The statement calls for companies and banks to adopt policies against new or expanded commercial activity on protected or formerly protected federal lands.

The report argues that HIG Capital's consolidation of the correctional food and commissary markets through TKC Holdings (comprising Trinity Services Group and Keefe Group) incentivizes the provision of low-quality cafeteria food to drive incarcerated individuals toward expensive commissary purchases. It documents instances of food contamination, riots, and contract terminations in states like Michigan, as well as allegations of bribery and extensive political lobbying. The document also highlights the public health risks of poor nutrition and foodborne illness in correctional facilities, suggesting that improving diets could reduce taxpayer healthcare costs.

The document advocates for the integration of nature-based solutions (NbS)—categorized into green and natural infrastructure—as a resilient alternative or supplement to traditional 'gray' manmade infrastructure in the U.S. It details how NbS can mitigate coastal storm damage, inland flooding, and extreme heat while providing co-benefits like carbon sequestration and improved water quality. The text provides specific cost comparisons and case studies from various U.S. cities and states to demonstrate the economic and environmental efficacy of these approaches.