Environment

News Brief: Presidential Debate, EPA Changes Clean Water Rules

5:47am September 13, 2019

As the Democratic primary field narrows, those seeking the party's nomination sharpened their debate message in Houston. And, the EPA makes the rollback of clean water rules official.

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Environment

Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama-Era Water Rule

4:44pm September 12, 2019

by Nathan Rott

The Trump administration is repealing a major Obama-era water rule that had extended federal protections to smaller streams and wetlands. The move will lift a range of restrictions on farmers and developers.

EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler says the repeal of Obama-era water rules will end an overreach by the federal government.

EPA Makes Rollback Of Clean Water Rules Official, Repealing 2015 Protections

3:45pm September 12, 2019

by Bill Chappell

The change ends an "egregious power grab," Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler says.

'Waste' Examines The Global And Local Afterlife of Recyclables

1:31pm September 12, 2019

by Terry Gross

Environmental scientist Kate O'Neill discusses recycling and the global politics of waste. "Once you throw something away, you've got to think about where's it going to go next," she says.

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Several hundred Haitians and Bahamians wait at the port of Marsh Harbour in hopes of boarding a boat to Nassau on Friday.

Getting Aid To Bahamas Is A Logistical Nightmare As Support Systems 'Do Not Exist'

8:27pm September 10, 2019

"Anywhere we could put a warehouse has been destroyed by floodwaters and may not be safe for storing supplies," one aid group says of the widespread destruction brought by Hurricane Dorian.

The EPA says it aims to eliminate the testing of chemicals and pesticides in animals by 2035.

EPA Chief Pledges To Severely Cut Back On Animal Testing Of Chemicals

5:24pm September 10, 2019

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Alternative tests are emerging, the agency says, such as computer modeling and tissue studies of cells grown in the lab. Environmental advocates say the move is too quick, and disregards human health.

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In Measure Overhauling Energy Policy, Ohio Pivots Away From Green Energy

6:14am September 10, 2019

by Andy Chow

While most states are embracing green energy plans, Ohio appears to be doing the opposite. A new law props up struggling coal plants and trims support for renewable energy forms.

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Millions of homes built before 1978 still contain lead-based paint. A report published Monday finds the Environmental Protection Agency is not adequately enforcing laws meant to protect children from lead-laden paint flakes and dust.

Federal Watchdog Warns EPA Is Failing To Enforce Lead Paint Abatement Rules

6:24pm September 09, 2019

by Rebecca Hersher

Home renovations can kick up dangerous dust from lead-based paint. A new report finds the Environmental Protection Agency is not adequately enforcing rules meant to protect kids from lead exposure.

In this picture taken on September 3, 2019 used medical waste is pictured on Clifton beach in Karachi. - Swarms of flies, water-borne illnesses, and rivers of sewage have brought Pakistan's Karachi to its knees this rainy season as decades of mismanagemen

She Tweeted About Medical Waste On A Beach — And It Had An Impact

3:14pm September 09, 2019

by Benazir Samad

Shaniera Akram, the wife of the legendary Pakistani cricket star Wasim Akram, took a walk on a Karachi beach and saw hazardous medical waste. So she issued a plea for action on social media.

Since purple sea urchins have eaten up their food supply, many of them are empty inside.

Saving California's Kelp Forest May Depend On Eating Purple Sea Urchins

1:54pm September 09, 2019

by Erika Mahoney

Purple sea urchins are devouring the kelp forest off California's coast. To help the forest survive, researchers are trying to make these urchins a delicacy on menus at seafood restaurants.