By Ben Chisam. While President Trump has only been in office for a week and half, there have already been major changes to the political landscape. Most of the action taken towards environmental policy by the Trump administration thus far has come in the form of executive orders, the majority of which were signed on Trump’s first day in office. Executive orders are different from legislation and thus do not require congressional approval. The power of an executive order varies, and is subject to review by the courts, but generally

By Sharon Franklin. Cami Ferrell, reported in Environmental Health Network (EHN) in mid December 2024, Top polluters are benefiting the most from tax breaks https://www.ehn.org/tax-breaks-for-industry-cost-houston-area-1-billion-2670440965.html.  Ferrell reported on what is happening in Harris County, which includes Houston, Texas, and how it is projected that Harris County is expected to lose nearly $1 billion in revenue over the lifespan of current tax breaks.  Unfortunately, these tax breaks are given to many corporations, including top polluters, as noted by the environmental advocacy group, Texas Campaign for the Environment, who commissioned a study

By Gregoy Kolen II. Each year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Born January 15th, 1929, celebrated on January 20th, this year), we reflect on the life and legacy of a leader whose vision of justice, equality, and dignity for all continues to inspire movements for social change. Dr. King’s enduring message of interconnectedness—that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”—resonates deeply with the environmental justice movement, which seeks to address the disproportionate environmental burdens faced by marginalized communities. The Ties Between Civil Rights and Environmental Justice Dr. King’s

By Sharon Franklin. Recent data collected by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) during a air monitoring trip included a benzene reading that was three times the Texas hourly guideline, which is the weakest in the nation.  In two instances, benzene fumes were so strong that scientists with TCEQ, experienced headaches and had to leave the area.  Why is this important?  The health effects of benzene can cause immune problems, nervous system conditions, and even certain cancers. Acute symptoms of relatively short-term exposure to benzene include skin, eye, and

By Stephen Lester. Excerpted from Bhopal: 40 Years of Injustice, an update and report by Amnesty International Yesterday marked the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, often considered the world’s worst chemical industrial disaster. Shortly before midnight on December 2, 1984, tons of the deadly chemical methyl isocyanate (MIC), along with other chemicals, began to leak from storage tanks on the property of the U.S. multinational corporation Union Carbide Corporation located on the outskirts of Bhopal in central India. Over the course of that night, more than 27 tons of this

By Ben Chisam. With the recent presidential election, it’s important to anticipate the incoming administration’s approach to environmental issues. While Trump’s exact plans are unclear, we can gain some insight from Project 2025, a federal policy agenda written by former Trump officials and The Heritage Foundation.  Project 2025 is a thorough blueprint for restructuring the federal government, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Overall, the plan would greatly reduce the size and strength of the EPA to target the economic impact of environmental regulations. In practice, Project 2025 would reduce