July 25, 2025
Climate
Climate
Ben Jealous was placed on leave by the Sierra Club amid widespread internal dissent over his leadership, with staff citing failed vision, contentious layoffs...
Mandatory Home Buyouts in Houston, Texas: Program Overview and Lessons Learned
Summary
Houston’s Harris County initiated the first large-scale mandatory home buyout program in the U.S. after Hurricane Harvey, targeting flood-prone neighborhoods. The program, part of "Project Recovery," aims to relocate 585 households and 390 business owners by 2026. While designed to mitigate future flood damage, the program disproportionately affects low-income, predominantly Latino communities. Challenges include inadequate financial compensation, confusing case management, and a lack of affordable replacement housing. Lessons emphasize the need for high-quality communication, support for vulnerable participants, and planning for relocation difficulties. These insights could guide future mandatory buyout efforts in flood-prone areas.
July 24, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice
The UN's International Court of Justice declared climate change a human rights issue, advising that nations must act or risk reparations, influencing global litigation...
July 23, 2025
Education
Education
The Trump administration has targeted over 4,000 federal grants worth up to $8.2 billion for termination across 600+ U.S. colleges, disproportionately affecting public...
July 23, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The USDA under the Trump administration has eliminated the term “socially disadvantaged” from its policies, ending race- and gender-based support programs for minority farmers...
July 17, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation
President Trump's elimination of federal DEI programs has halted essential USDA funding to East Texas Black farmers, further endangering their livelihoods amid decades...
July 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
Residents in the Shiloh Community have fought for years to remedy excessive storm water runoff caused by an elevated highway. Now they’re suing.
July 9, 2025
Climate
Climate
Amid devastating Texas floods, FEMA’s delayed response raises concerns as President Trump pushes to dismantle the agency, shifting disaster management costs...
July 2, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
The Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty against ExxonMobil for over 16,000 Clean Air Act violations at its Baytown plant...
July 1, 2025
Climate
Climate
Recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened federal agency powers and funding, enabling the Trump administration to bypass environmental oversight...
June 27, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change
Disputes over climate finance and fossil fuel phaseout stalled progress at the Bonn climate summit, threatening preparations for COP30 in Brazil.
June 25, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change
Texas A&M researchers determined that climate change raised wholesale electricity prices in Texas by 20% during the summers of 2023 and 2024...
June 24, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change
Scientists warn that extreme heat exacerbates air pollution, increasing health risks, especially in marginalized communities, as climate change intensifies...
June 18, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice
A federal judge deemed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin's halt of $600M in environmental justice grants illegal, stating it defied Congress’ appropriations...
June 4, 2025
Environmental
Environmental
Health officials in Texas warn that rising temperatures and recent storms have created ideal conditions for mosquito proliferation, increasing the risk of diseases...
June 2, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation
The Supreme Court's ruling in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County limits environmental litigation by emphasizing agency discretion under NEPA...