Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has updated its MiEJScreen tool, which maps how environmental contamination intersects with health
Zombie Wells, Part 1: Texas Oil Wells Are Leaking Toxic Waste, and No One Wants to Pay to Clean It
Legacy oil wells in Texas have reanimated, causing environmental concerns and spewing toxic mixtures of crude oil, salty water, and methane from decades-old wells. These unplugged wells, known as "zombie wells," are emitting noxious fumes and climate-warming gases, poisoning groundwater aquifers, and posing environmental hazards. While there is no precise count of leaking wells, estimates suggest there could be around 500,000 plugged wells leaking nationwide. In addition, the nation is grappling with over 120,000 orphaned wells with no responsible owner, and many more undocumented wells are yet to be discovered. Addressing this costly problem requires federal funds, and the Biden administration has allocated $25 million to plug 800 wells in Texas. However, plugging wells is becoming more expensive, and the total number of unplugged wells remains a significant concern for climate change.
Black homeowners in Elba, Alabama, face a worsening flooding crisis as insurance companies pull out of the region due to climate change.
Germany has equipped over 550,000 apartments with balcony solar systems, known as “balkonkraftwerk”, providing renters an accessible way to generate renewable energy.
Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent but often overlooked greenhouse gas, has drawn increased attention as global efforts to combat climate change intensify.
The EPA has awarded $53 million in grants to 133 community groups to monitor air quality in underserved areas, aiming to address gaps in air monitoring.
Following the tragic death of 12-year-old Yahushua Robinson during an extreme heatwave, California has enacted a new law aimed at protecting students from extreme weather.
An MIT study examines the increasing risks of heat exposure in U.S. prisons, highlighting how climate change worsens the vulnerability of incarcerated populations.
Despite calls from the United Nations to address environmental discrimination in Louisiana's "Cancer Alley," little progress has been made.
Louisiana's Black communities are facing severe health impacts from the rapid expansion of methane facilities
A new study examines how neighborhood perceptions influence gentrification, focusing on Houston's Northside, a predominantly Latino neighborhood.
Advocates are urging the EPA to continue enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, a critical tool in addressing environmental justice.
Over the past 20 years, microplastics have been found in virtually every ecosystem, including the human body, with growing concerns about their potential harm.
Texas is experiencing significant growth in clean energy jobs, now employing over 250,000 workers, surpassing the oil and gas sector.
Researchers at Emory University are mapping tick populations in Georgia as rising temperatures, driven by climate change, expand the range of ticks like the lone star tick.
New research published in *Earth’s Future* reveals that most U.S. cities have avoided building in floodplains since 2001, contradicting common assumptions about risky development.