This week’s good climate news
With so much still to do to slow warming and avoid the worst impacts of climate change, it’s important to fortify ourselves by celebrating wins along the way.
EU's Nature Restoration Law pushes ahead
The European Union moved forward with a groundbreaking law aimed at restoring nature and combating biodiversity loss. The legislation sets ambitious targets for restoring damaged ecosystems, protecting vulnerable species.
The law now moves to the parliament's environment committee for negotiations on potential regulations.
Chicago debuts Green New Deal proposal
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveiled a blueprint Chicago's "Green New Deal," aiming to tackle climate change and advance environmental justice.
The report from his transition team outlines ambitious goals, including moving to 100% clean, renewable energy, providing equitable access to green jobs and addressing racial and economic disparities exacerbated by climate change.
Funding bump for plugging orphan wells
The Biden administration allocated $660 million in funds to address orphan oil and gas wells in the U.S., which pose environmental and safety risks. The initiative will create jobs, reduce methane emissions and benefit the overall health of communities affected by the abandoned wells.
At least 14 million people in the U.S. live near an abandoned, polluting oil and gas well.
EPA seeks to eliminate lead paint
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed a new rule to eliminate lead paint from buildings and homes. The rule would protect children from the harmful effects of lead exposure, which can lead to developmental issues and other health problems.
Roughly 31 million homes built before 1978 in the U.S. still have lead paint.