Complete list of press releases

(LISBON — Jun. 30, 2022) A multi-sectoral Aquatic Blue Food Coalition formally launched at the United Nations Ocean Conference this week, a key milestone towards realizing the full potential of blue foods to help end malnutrition and build nature-positive, equitable and resilient food systems.

This launch comes after months of discussion catalyzed by the 2021 U.N. Food Systems Summit, which identified blue foods as a game-changing solution to transform food systems and meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs. More than halfway through the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture, the U.N. Ocean Conference served as a critical opportunity to combine food system and ocean goals.

The Coalition includes the European Union, Fiji, Germany, Iceland, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Palau, Portugal and the United States of America, in addition to representatives from intergovernmental organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, aquatic food producers and those along the value chain, consumer groups, financial institutions and philanthropies. In addition, Indonesia spoke at the event and is supportive. Together, these members recognize that blue foods—fish, shellfish, aquatic plants and algae captured or cultivated in freshwater and marine ecosystems—play a central role in food and nutrition security for billions of people. It is estimated that 800 million people also depend on blue food systems for their livelihoods. 

Instead of focusing narrowly on blue foods only as a natural resource, the Coalition agrees to bring a holistic approach to food systems decision-making. For example, these foods have a vital role to play in achieving several SDGs—in addressing hunger and malnutrition, reducing poverty and providing livelihoods, and reducing the impacts of the food system on climate change and biodiversity loss.

Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir of Iceland celebrated the launch of the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition at a “Future of Food is Blue” side event at the U.N. Ocean Conference on Monday: “The ocean is not only crucial to addressing the climate crisis; it is also an enormous source of resources and food. It needs to be managed in a sustainable and responsible manner and, most importantly, to the benefits of the many and not only the few. Iceland remains a proud supporter of the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition.”

The side event united 16 speakers and shared the Coalition’s vision to promote understanding, acceptance and integration of sustainable blue foods in food systems and food value chain thinking and decision-making. In addition, according to its declaration, the Coalition committed to 1) “raise the profile of aquatic foods in discussions of the future of food systems, including future international forums… and in national policy making;” and 2) “mobilize support—including investment, technical capacity and partnerships—for countries, or groups of countries, that are setting out to integrate these foods into their food systems and to implement core aquatic/blue food priorities.” 

“Small islands of the Pacific look eagerly to working with science, technology, industry and other partners to develop highly sustainable models of blue food across the Pacific,” said Dr. Satyendra Prasad, Fiji ambassador to the United Nations. At the opening plenary of the conference, Fiji’s Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama, chair of the Pacific Islands Forum, announced a commitment that, “by 2030, [Fiji] will produce more than 160,000 metric tonnes of sustainably farmed and harvested ocean product, supporting over 53,000 new jobs on [its] way to supply half of all blue foods from sustainable fisheries by 2035.”

"This isn't just about one particular part of the world—it's about food security for all of the world. The United States is very determined to be a part of the solution, which is why I'm pleased to announce that we endorse this [Aquatic] Blue Foods Coalition,” said Monica Medina, U.S. assistant secretary of state for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs of the United States. 

Jochen Flasbarth, state secretary in the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, shared how the Coalition will build on the momentum of the 2021 U.N. Food Systems Summit and 2022 U.N. Ocean Conference to mobilize change: “Last year, the United Nations Food Systems Summit stressed the importance of looking at land-based and aquatic food production together in a coherent manner. I'm glad to inform you that Germany has decided to join and support the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition. We see this Coalition as a unique opportunity to advocate for blue and aquatic foods, which can play an important role in healthy diets and food security.”

The current members of the Aquatic Blue Food Coalition are: European Union; Fiji; Germany; Iceland; Japan; New Zealand; Palau; United States of America; Canada; Portugal; Indonesia ; The Pacific Community; WorldFish One CGIAR; Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future; Environmental Defense Fund; WWF; Friends of Ocean Action; Rare; Oceana; Monterey Bay Aquarium; Regional Cluster “North-East” – Bulgaria; Conservation International, RiseUp; Lloyd's Register Foundation; Care International, Wildlife Conservation Society; Safe Seaweed Coalition; Global Salmon Initiative; Blue Food Partnership, UN Global Compact

(June 29, 2022) An expert from Environmental Defense Fund testified at a hearing today to stress the importance that EPA provides full, lasting, and durable effect to two California rules that that will help put more zero-emitting freight trucks and buses on our roads, protect people from unhealthy pollution, and create thousands of new jobs.

“California’s Heavy-Duty Omnibus Rule and Advanced Clean Truck Rule are critical health and climate protections,” said EDF legal fellow Andy Su in his testimony. “150 million people live in counties with unhealthy levels of ozone or particle pollution, and many of the hardest hit communities are in California. [The Omnibus Rule], is expected to reduce [pollution] in California by more than 23 tons per day – the equivalent of taking 16 million light-duty cars off the road in 2031.”

The Clean Air Act includes a waiver provision that allows California to adopt standards at least as protective as federal standards to protect Californians from the unhealthy air pollution emitted by cars and trucks. Building from this longstanding and time-tested authority, other states have also adopted California’s protective standards. California is now asking EPA to grant waivers for two new safeguards – the Heavy-Duty Omnibus Rule and Advanced Clean Truck Rule – which will help expand the use of zero-emitting freight trucks, delivery vans, buses, and other large commercial vehicles.

In his testimony, Su called the rules “life-saving.” He pointed out that the two measures together will prevent almost 5,000 premature deaths, save the state billions of dollars in health care costs, and create thousands of new jobs by 2035.

“Deploying clean and zero-emitting heavy-duty vehicles is critical to reach our health and climate goals,” said Su. “These standards will protect human health and the environment for all people and all communities, by reducing harmful diesel pollution and ensuring greater deployment of [zero-emitting vehicles], actions that will save money for truckers and fleets, and help to support and grow jobs.”

You can read Su’s entire testimony here.

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – June 28, 2022) The U.S. Energy and Employment Report released today shows that job growth in clean energy from 2020 to 2021 outpaced the economy overall, while fossil fuel jobs either declined or grew at a slower rate. There were more than 3 million jobs in low- and zero-emissions industries, accounting for 41 percent of all energy jobs last year.

“The nation’s accelerating growth in clean energy is creating thousands of new jobs. Investing in clean energy means more jobs, lower costs, and healthier communities. That’s why Congress should pass the major clean energy investments President Biden wants. We can strengthen the economy and chart a path toward a stable climate at the same time,” said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President, Political Affairs, at Environmental Defense Fund.

(PHOENIX, AZ – June 28, 2022) The Arizona Legislature approved legislation June 25 that dedicates $1.2 billion to water projects in response to plummeting Colorado River reservoirs. However, for the third year in a row, the Legislature failed to respond to pleas from rural communities seeking to manage their groundwater supplies and secure their water future.

“The Legislature’s approval of additional funding for water projects in the 2022-2023 budget is encouraging, especially $200 million for historic investments in improving surface water flows, groundwater recharge and aquifer health, and watershed protection. I want to especially commend and thank Rep. Morgan Abraham, Rep. Andres Cano, Sen. Lisa Otondo and Rep. Reginald Bolding, who all helped lead the way to this conservation funding. At the same time, the legislation fell far short of what’s needed to meet the daunting challenges we face in Arizona of megadrought supercharged by climate change,” said Kevin Moran, Associate Vice President, Regional Affairs, Environmental Defense Fund.

“As Colorado River conditions are becoming more dire by the day, we need an all-of-the-above approach to managing our water supplies that includes conservation, cost-effective augmentation and a regulatory framework. It’s not enough to focus on increasing water supplies through desalination, which to the extent feasible will take at least a decade and only backfill a fraction of the cuts in Colorado River water that Arizona has already taken. And such augmentation doesn’t help rural Arizona communities protect the water supplies they DO have, nor the rivers, streams and springs on which we all rely. Arizona’s communities and unique water-nourished places need protections now.     

In the next few months we need to begin wisely deploying the conservation funding approved by the Legislature, greatly expand conservation of Colorado River water and move toward a greater commitment to water conservation across all of society. And we must resume work soon on the unfinished task of providing rural Arizona communities with the groundwater protection tools and resources they are asking for,” said Moran.

(WASHINGTON – Jun. 27, 2022) In recognition of the critical work ahead at the UN Ocean Conference, Environmental Defense Fund, WWF and the Blue Food Assessment launched a video series today to call on governments, civil society and the private sector to fully recognize the diversity of small-scale actors, the crucial role they play in global food security and the contribution they make to livelihoods and economies around the globe. Decision-makers must support small-scale actors and their networks by implementing strategies and policies for protecting biodiversity and establishing the true value of aquatic foods for nutrition, food security, livelihoods and ocean health.

Portraits of Change is a video series featuring small-scale fishers and fishworkers on the front lines of climate change who contribute significantly to global food security, livelihoods, local economies and coastal resilience. The videos are individual accounts by community champions whose lives are dedicated to addressing the ocean, food and climate crises. By adopting locally led solutions to produce equitable and nature-positive blue foods, these fishers and fishworkers are working to ensure a sustainable future for coastal communities, and their stories touch on many of the pillars of the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture and the Sustainable Development Goals.

“As the world convenes to tackle the critical ocean issues of climate change, overfishing and marine conservation, this video series introduces us to some of those most affected by the climate crisis and changing oceans. Their ingenuity in the face of adversity inspires us to work harder to seek effective, locally designed and inclusive solutions to these critical challenges,” said Eric Schwaab, senior vice president for People and Nature at EDF. “Prioritizing community engagement, justice and equity for small-scale fishers and fishworkers will ensure stronger and more durable solutions that meet both conservation and biodiversity goals.”

“Small-scale fishers represent more than 90% of the fisheries workforce in developing countries but face persisting challenges of marginalization, vulnerability and poor living and working conditions. Operating inland and at sea, they contribute to nutritious food, income, jobs and the identity of millions of coastal and rural communities around the globe. These videos showcase that small-scale fishers can be effective coastal stewards where they choose to be and that we are all responsible for empowering them to lead on the solutions that bridge traditional knowledge and science. Only through those solutions and enabling policies will we catalyze the global shift needed to secure ocean health and human prosperity,” says Maria Honig, WWF’s Accelerating Coastal Community Led Conservation Initiative lead. 

This series demonstrates the importance of small-scale fishers and fishworkers to achieving sustainable food systems and the necessity of implementing the small-scale fisheries guidelines to ensure equitable and sustainable fisheries management. During and after the UN Ocean Conference, EDF, WWF and the Blue Food Assessment will continue to highlight the importance of small-scale fishers and fishworkers in building a healthy, sustainable future for people and the planet.

“Policymakers, civil society leaders and the private sector need to fully recognize the diversity of small-scale actors, the crucial roles they play in our global food system and their vital contribution to food security, especially in the face of shocks like COVID-19. This video series highlights the resilience and ingenuity of small-scale actors in the face of increasing challenges due to climate change, overfishing and biodiversity loss,” says Jim Leape of the Blue Food Assessment and the Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions. “Policymakers need to actively empower small-scale actors in blue food governance.”

(Washington, D.C. – June 24, 2022) EPA today launched an outreach effort designed to educate and engage stakeholders about a key source of delay in the review process for new chemicals: the chemical industry’s repeated revisions to their applications to manufacture a chemical. These revisions, known as “reworks,” add “at least several months” to the review process, the agency said. 

“EPA’s analysis is a very good description of the challenges the agency faces,” says Maria Doa, Senior Director, Chemicals Policy at EDF. “We applaud EPA for launching this outreach effort and engaging with stakeholders. It is especially critical for industry – which often complains about a backlog in new chemical reviews – to understand that it is often its own worst enemy when it comes to delays getting new chemicals reviewed and approved for use in the marketplace. 

“As EPA makes clear, industry’s new chemical submissions often lack details to support the submitter’s claims, resulting in multiple rounds of resubmissions, all of which must be re-reviewed, adding months to many reviews. This results in a one-sided process where industry - and not workers, consumers, or the general public - consumes the lion’s share of the agency’s attention and scarce resources. 

“This is a very good first step, and we are encouraged that this initiative will help EPA, industry and the public better understand the current problems in the new chemicals program. 

“EPA should not have to do the work of industry. The industry that should provide sufficient information up front so EPA can more quickly make a determination on the initial new chemical submission.” 

Contact:

 Terry Hyland, Environmental Defense Fund, 202-907-5265, thyland@edf.org

(WEST SACRAMENTO, CA – June 23, 2022) Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) have launched the 2022 Water Leadership Institute for communities in the Tule Subbasin in Tulare and Kern counties to gain skills and knowledge to make informed, innovative, and equitable water decisions.

The Institute seeks to empower underrepresented and disadvantaged communities to participate more effectively in local groundwater management and water decision-making. Such community participation is critical as groundwater-dependent regions of California are finalizing plans to manage their groundwater supplies more sustainably to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.

Through a series of 10 free training sessions starting in August, the Institute will help participants build leadership skills and capacity to more effectively engage in water decision-making and develop equitable solutions. Participants will study topics such as local history and vision, water laws and water board management, leadership styles, strategic planning, and communication and storytelling.

“Water scarcity is a community problem that requires new teams of leaders and activists to solve. The Leadership Institute is a great place to develop leadership skills and gain deep water knowledge to play a more active role in solving water scarcity problems and building a better future for your community,” said Joseph Gallegos, a 2021 graduate of the Water Leadership Institute and entrepreneur.

The 2022 Water Leadership Institute will run from August 6 to October 22, 2022, with eight sessions online and two in person on Saturdays. Water management or leadership experience is not a prerequisite; all that is required is a commitment to participate fully in all the sessions and a strong motivation to serve the community. Residents of the Tule River Reservation and Tule Subbasin communities are encouraged to attend, including but not limited to Angiola, Allensworth, Alpaugh, Ducor, Earlimart, East Porterville, Pixley, Poplar, Porterville, Quality, Richgrove, Rodriguez Camp, Teviston, Terra Bella, Tipton, and Woodville.

Participants will receive a stipend for meals for each session.

Residents, community leaders, water managers and other stakeholders interested in attending the Water Leadership Institute must apply by July 25, 2022, at www.edf.org/waterleadership or www.edf.org/agualiderazgo.

Additional resources:

• Flyer on Water Leadership Institute: English and Spanish
• Video: www.edf.org/waterwarriors
• Apply here: www.edf.org/waterleadership or www.edf.org/agualiderazgo
• Blog: This Leadership Institute graduate sees a path to water security through an often overlooked strategy: innovation.

(Washington, D.C. – June 22, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund is urging EPA to update and strengthen the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule in order to protect people and communities in downwind states from smog-forming coal plant smokestack and industrial pollution that blows across their borders.

EDF filed comments with EPA yesterday in support of a proposal that would reduce the nitrogen oxides pollution from power plants and industrial sources in upwind states that significantly contributes to unhealthy smog for neighboring states. The proposal is required under the “good neighbor” protections of the Clean Air Act.

“We strongly support EPA’s proposal,” said Michael Panfil, EDF’s Senior Director of Climate Risk and Clean Power. “Downwind states are taking important measures to reduce dangerous smog within their borders, but the coal plant smokestack pollution from other states contributes to smog and leaves millions of people at risk. EPA’s proposal offers a well-designed program to ensure people are protected from upwind coal plant smokestacks that do not have modern pollution controls or are not effectively operating their pollution controls. Finalizing this proposal will protect people’s lives and health, ensure millions can breathe easier, and will help all states be good neighbors.”

The proposal would reduce ground-level ozone, commonly known as smog. It is a caustic pollutant that aggravates asthma, is linked to a wide array of heart and lung diseases and can cause premature deaths. It is especially harmful for children, seniors, people with asthma and other lung problems, and outdoor workers.

EDF, Moms Clean Air Force and M.J. Bradley & Associates (now ERM) created an interactive map with detailed information about the fossil fuel-fired power plants that are the source of smog-forming nitrogen oxides pollution around the country. People can search the map – available here – to learn about high-polluting plants near their communities.

You can read EDF’s comments here. EDF also submitted joint comments with 16 other health, environmental and community groups in support of EPA’s good neighbor proposal.

(NEW YORK) New research from Environmental Defense Fund published today in Population and Environment explores the demographics of people living near active oil and gas wells, finding that nearly 18 million individuals live within 1 mile of these, including disproportionately large numbers of communities of color, people living below the poverty line, older individuals and young children in many counties with active drilling across the US.  

“This research puts numbers on what many residents living near wells have long voiced,” said Jeremy Proville, Director in the Office of the Chief Economist and the study’s lead author. “It also highlights the importance of comprehensive policies needed to help protect frontline communities from pollution.” 

Large degree of overlap and well density

The authors identified 41 different clusters in the country with both high well density and a large degree of overlap among people who have been historically marginalized and often find themselves more exposed and vulnerable to environmental impacts. Many of these clusters are concentrated in three regions with their own unique demographic characteristics: California, the Southwest (San Juan, Eagle Ford and Permian Basins in Texas and New Mexico) and Appalachia. People who live near oil and gas operations are at an increased risk of exposure to contaminated groundwater and air pollution. 

In several states, large percentages of the total population live within one mile of oil and gas wells. For example, in West Virginia and Oklahoma, more than half of the states’ residents live near wells (50.9% and 50.1% respectively), while more than a quarter (25.9%) of Ohio residents live within a mile of oil and gas wells. Almost 19% of Texans and 15% of Pennsylvanians live near active wells. The authors also identified counties where higher population shares of people who have been historically marginalized live within 1 mile of active wells than compared to the population for the wider county. 

These findings illustrate the importance of strong policy approaches to protect historically vulnerable frontline communities from the harmful impacts associated with oil and gas production.

“This study highlights how overburdened communities in New Mexico and across the U.S. can bear the brunt of oil and gas waste and pollution,” said Oriana Sandoval of the Center for Civic Policy. “This is why the EPA must build from the approaches states like New Mexico are taking and finalize strong, comprehensive rules that include key provisions like frequent leak inspections even at smaller wells.”

“Spills, leaks, venting and flaring are taking a toll on our air, water and health, and rural communities, tribal communities, children and the elderly are especially at risk,” said Ahtza Dawn Chavez of the NAVA Education Project. “Navajo communities are located across a patchwork of federal, state and tribal lands where drilling affects public health and climate. We need to ensure that the federal EPA adopts strict, comprehensive air pollution rules that will help protect overburdened communities at the fence lines of oil and gas operations.”

“Hispanic communities are disproportionately affected by oil and gas pollution in many counties across California, New Mexico and Texas. EPA Administrator Michael Regan has an opportunity to protect those living closest to development by adopting strong, comprehensive rules that require inspections at all well sites and ban routine flaring,” said Maite Arce of the Hispanic Access Foundation.

Opportunities for future study

By combining data on active oil and gas well locations with census data, EDF researchers quantified the characteristics of communities living near them, then performed cluster analyses to develop an index to explore the overlaps of different groups living in high density areas. This work builds on prior analyses and is the first study to explore such a deep demographic cross section and associated overlaps on a national scale.

“We hope environmental justice organizations and community groups, policymakers, researchers and industry will use this data to create better and healthier outcomes for populations on the front lines,” Proville said. 

Users can access the companion tool to look up population counts, shares, disproportionalities, and significance statistics for all population groups at four different distances from wells (1 mile, ½ mile, ¼ mile, 1/10th mile) and well type (primarily oil, gas, or both). Visit our interactive dashboard to engage with and download data.

The new analysis comes as the EPA is considering new requirements to limit methane pollution from oil and gas wells across the U.S. Leading states including Colorado and New Mexico have established requirements in recent years that help protect frontline communities from oil and gas pollution including regular inspections at smaller wells with leak-prone equipment and bans on routine flaring. EPA will have the opportunity to build from these comprehensive approaches when it issues its supplemental rule proposal later this year. 

While the research does not explore the root causes of the disparities, this study provides a quantitative approach to mapping populations and environmental impacts, which the authors hope can complement other analyses of environmental injustice. 

(17 June, 2022) The Biden Administration announced several actions to tackle the climate crisis, including a “Green Shipping Challenge” to galvanize global action to decarbonize the international shipping industry. The United States and Norway issued the Green Shipping Challenge to encourage governments, ports, maritime carriers, cargo owners, and others in the shipping value chain to commit to concrete steps at COP 27 to help put the sector on a credible pathway this decade toward decarbonization by 2050. 

These commitments could include, for example, steps to produce zero-carbon fuels; develop zero-emission bunkering and recharging capabilities; deploy low- or zero-emission vessels; and create, or provide financial and technical support for green shipping corridors. 

Recent analysis from Environmental Defense Fund and the Maersk-McKinney Moller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping found that there are plausible pathways to fully decarbonize shipping by 2050. The analysis, which identifies the role of investors in decarbonizing shipping, concluded that with immediate action to test and de-risk new fuel pathways, stakeholders can reduce long-term costs and manage the risk of price or fuel supply shocks in the future. 

“The Biden Administration’s “Green Shipping Challenge” is exactly the call-to-action that the industry needs. To reach zero emissions by 2050, the shipping sector needs to take ambitious action to reduce fossil fuel usage right away and accelerate the uptake of zero-carbon fuels.  

Shipping's transition to zero carbon will be a challenge, but it is also an opportunity. Acting now to begin our voyage to zero carbon shipping will not only work toward a more stable, resilient and healthy climate, but also a stable, resilient and healthy shipping industry.” 

• Marie Hubatova, Senior Manager, Global Transportation, Environmental Defense Fund 

(Washington, D.C. – June 17, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund, New York University School of Law’s Institute for Policy Integrity, and other experts are supporting the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) proposed standard on climate-related financial risk disclosure.

The groups filed three sets of comments today in SEC’s public comment period about its proposal, which would help meet investor demand for decision-useful information about climate related financial risks faced by publicly traded companies across the U.S. financial system.

“Climate change poses significant and growing financial risks across the United States. Bringing disclosure of climate risk level with the requirements for disclosure of other forms of financial risk, as the SEC’s proposed, is long overdue,” said Michael Panfil, Senior Director and Lead Counsel of Climate Risk and Clean Power at EDF. “The SEC has a responsibility to ensure investors have access to relevant risk information. Our filings today make clear that the financial risks posed by climate change should no longer be exempted from that obligation.”

A wide range of other experts have also filed comments in support of the SEC’s proposal – including investors, asset managers, companies, former bipartisan SEC regulators, public officials, climate scientists, and law school and business school professors.

You can read our comments here, here and here.

(Washington, DC — June 13, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund is launching a new radio ad to help settle the debate on the best pepperoni roll, and how bold climate and clean energy investments from Congress will benefit and sustain West Virginia communities with good paying jobs.

“The clean energy and transportation transition is here, and West Virginia is positioned to gain many great benefits in jobs and manufacturing.  Clean energy investments result in good paying, green jobs. That’s why we’re calling on Congress and President Biden to hammer out a deal and deliver support to Appalachian workers,” said Elizabeth Gore, EDF Senior Vice President for Political Affairs. “Powering up our economy with clean energy and transportation is the climate action West Virginia needs, because they know that these investments will help future generations thrive by creating new jobs and ensuring more energy independence.”

This radio ad is the newest addition to the over $8.5 million EDF and its advocacy partner EDF Action have spent on promotions in support of the President’s climate agenda since June 2021. Environmental Defense Fund is a lead supporter of bold and ambitious climate and clean energy action, working closely with the Biden administration and on the Hill to get results.

(HOUSTON, TX) Environmental Defense Fund today unveiled Air Tracker, a first-of-its-kind web-based tool that allows users to plot the likely path of air pollution. Run on real-time, trusted scientific models and coupled with air pollution and weather data and developed in partnership with the University of Utah and the CREATE Lab at Carnegie Mellon University, Air Tracker helps users learn more about the air they're breathing, including pollution concentrations and its potential sources. 

“Air quality monitors can show us how polluted our air is, but they aren’t equipped to tell us what is causing the pollution,” says Tammy Thompson, Senior Air Quality Scientist and creator of the tool. “With Air Tracker, we’re able to see likely sources of pollution hotspots, which is especially helpful in cities where a variety of emitters contribute to overall air quality.” 

Users can click anywhere on maps of Houston, Salt Lake City and Pittsburgh to create a “source area,” which shows the most likely origin of the air they’re breathing at any given time. They can also click on locations of individual air quality sensors to show real-time and historical fine particle (PM 2.5) pollution readings, wind speed and direction. 

Relying on STILT, the Stochastic Time-Inverted Lagrangian Transport model, Air Tracker incorporates a variety of weather forecasting models to show how particles move through the atmosphere, allowing the tool to map the probability of pollution’s path. Air Tracker goes beyond common source identification models–which are unable to capture fine-scale air pollution variability–to identify pollution sources at the city block level.  

In Houston, for example, where a lack of zoning has allowed industrial sources to operate near communities with homes, schools, churches and hospitals, Air Tracker uses both real-time and historical data to show how different sources contribute to poor air quality at different dates and times. 

“Breathing dirty air is bad for our health, and these health effects are not distributed equally.” said Sarah Vogel, EDF Senior Vice President, Healthy Communities. “The poorer and more disadvantaged groups disproportionately suffer the greater exposures and health impacts from air pollution. We hope community leaders and individuals will use this pollution data to hold polluters accountable and advocate for clean air policy change.”

In addition to learning more about the sources likely influencing the air they breathe, Air Tracker users can also use the real-time source area identification to help speed mitigation and help spot and control emissions resulting from accidents and unusual events. Through its “Share” feature, users can take screenshots of source areas to send to regulators and local officials. 

Air Tracker is part of EDF’s ongoing work to better understand local air pollution, its behavior and its impacts. Air Tracker can be adapted to include additional pollutants and used in other cities around the world, including those that may not yet feature extensive, hyper-local air quality monitoring programs. 

To learn more about Air Tracker, EDF’s Global Clean Air efforts and the project partners, visit https://globalcleanair.org/air-tracker/

(June 9, 2022) The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is holding a hearing today that will bring the state closer to adopting historic standards that will ultimately eliminate pollution from new cars and passenger trucks sold in California by 2035. The final vote on adoption of the rule is expected in August.

“We are eager to see California adopt these standards and achieve this historic milestone,” said Alice Henderson, Director of Transportation and Clean Air Policy for Environmental Defense Fund. “Reaching 100% sales of zero-emitting new cars and trucks by 2035 will be one of the most significant steps California, and our nation, have ever taken to reduce the climate and air pollution that endangers us all. It will also save Californians money at the gas pump and will help grow well-paying jobs in the state and around the country. We urge CARB to finalize standards that include equity provisions to ensure that overburdened communities are able to participate in and benefit from the program.”

EDF was one of many groups that testified in support of strong clean car standards at today’s hearing. EDF also submitted written comments to CARB that included detailed analyses of the both the benefits of zero-emitting vehicles and the market for them. Recent EDF analysis found that if the rule is adopted and all new cars, SUVs and passenger trucks sold in California are zero-emitting by 2035, it would:

• Prevent more than 7,400 premature deaths in the state by 2050
• Eliminate more than 1.2 billion tons of climate pollution by 2050
• Significantly reduce dangerous smog-forming and particulate pollution
• Save Californians who buy a zero-emitting vehicle in 2035 more than $13,000 over the life of the vehicle, compared to a gas-powered car
• Save the state of California at least $194 billion in health and economic benefits by 2050

Other analyses show that the cost of zero-emitting vehicles if declining significantly and show market data underscoring that the rapid transition to zero-emitting vehicles is already underway.

There was also widespread support among automakers for protective Advanced Clean Car II Standards, both at today’s hearing and in filed comments.  For instance, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents 98% of the car and light truck industry, submitted comments stating it “share[s] the ambition of California to converge upon a future mobility system of zero-emission vehicles” and “will work to meet the standards CARB ultimately adopts.” 

(Washington, D.C. – June 9, 2022) New legislation from U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) aims to reduce climate pollution while strengthening competitiveness of clean U.S. manufacturing through new incentives.   

“Manufacturing accounts for nearly one-quarter of U.S. climate pollution and is a rapidly growing sector globally. Reducing its pollution is vital for a stable climate and healthy, thriving communities. The Clean Competition Bill and similar measures can create a race to the top among competitors as part of a larger effort to move toward a low-carbon economy,” said Elizabeth Gore, Senior Vice President at Environmental Defense Fund.

“U.S. manufacturers should be able to compete in global markets on terms that give them a fair chance – and should be rewarded if they emit less pollution than their foreign counterparts. We believe that the proposed carbon border adjustment will boost U.S. competitiveness while creating incentives for cleaner manufacturing at home and abroad.”

“We see the bill creating an opportunity for prioritizing investment into the communities that bear the brunt of legacy pollution and climate change but have been left behind in our current economy. Moving forward, we urge policymakers to adhere to the Biden Administration’s Justice40 goals of ensuring that at least 40 percent of the benefits go to these communities. Any environmental policy should center community-based and environmental justice organizations because they are closest to the problems and best equipped to lead in designing the solutions.

“We also recognize that the least developed countries bear little responsibility for global climate change but experience the greatest harms from damages they can’t prevent. Any border adjustment should reflect this reality and prevent any additional harm to these countries.”