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Expert Blogs

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Why Do Water Bills Vary So Wildly?

Expert BlogUnited States, Arizona, Georgia, Wisconsin, New HampshireLarry Levine

A new study holds lessons for water affordability.

Water Crisis in Philly Highlights Our Broken National System

Expert BlogPhiladelphia, Jackson, Ohio, United StatesErik D. Olson
An industrial chemical spill upstream of the city’s water intakes is poised to contaminate the water supply. If you feel like you’ve seen this movie before, it’s because you have.

Mutual Aid and Disaster Justice: “We Keep Us Safe”

ExplainerUnited States, Puerto Rico, Louisiana, Mississippi, FloridaNicole Greenfield
As climate-fueled disasters become more frequent—from Mississippi to Puerto Rico and beyond—relief efforts by communities, for communities, could become increasingly critical.

Environmental Injustice: Cumulative Impacts in Kansas City

Expert BlogKansas, Kansas City (Kansas), Kansas City (Missouri), MissouriDr. Veena Singla

The EPA is responsible for setting environmental regulations to limit the amount of pollution industrial facilities release. This approach has been ineffective in controlling exposures because they do not take into account the cumulative impacts or toxic air contaminants.

New Wisconsin Cover Crop Bill Helps Farmers Save Money

Expert BlogWisconsin, MidwestLara Bryant
Governor Evers signed into law a bill that advances water quality and authorizes a program that offers farmers $5 per acre savings on their crop insurance if they plant cover crops, a regenerative agriculture practice.

Madison Commits to Food Waste Reduction

Expert BlogWisconsin, MadisonMadeline Keating

A new resolution passed by the Madison, WI Common Council sets a food waste diversion goal of 50% from the landfill by 2030 and commits to establishing metrics for measuring and tracking progress.

Environmental Injustices Plague Parchman Prison, Mississippi

Expert BlogMississippiSarah Tallman, Natalia Ospina, Marisa Guerrero, Sara Imperiale

For years, the people incarcerated at the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman have reported a host of problems relating to drinking water and sewage. Now, an investigation confirms repeated and likely ongoing environmental violations at the notorious Parchman prison.

Celebrating Year One of the Food Matters Regional Initiative

Expert BlogChicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Madison, Ohio, Baltimore, Jersey City, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, North Carolina, Memphis, OrlandoMadeline Keating, Darby Hoover

A year after the launch of the Food Matters Regional Initiative, we are pleased to report considerable progress and accomplishments from the 15 regional initiative participants.

Latin America at the Leaders Summit on Climate

Expert BlogArgentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, MexicoCarolina Herrera, Jessica Carey-Webb, Marilyn Kunce, Amanda Maxwell
The five Latin American countries that participated in the Leaders Summit on Climate – Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico – displayed a broad range of ambition. Once again, some countries demonstrated their willingness to be climate action leaders while…

The Kansas Energy Story—and Opportunity

Expert BlogKansasGabrielle Habeeb, Ashok Gupta
Kansas may not be the first state that comes to mind when you think “renewable energy powerhouse”—but it has become one.

Honolulu Charts a Path Away from Fossil Fuels

DispatchHawaii, HonoluluCourtney Lindwall
As part of the American Cities Climate Challenge, a coalition of climate advocates just helped pass a series of bills that will curb emissions and rein in Honolulu’s sky-high cost of living at once.

Monarch Butterflies Struggle as Feds Delay Protection

Expert BlogMexico, United StatesDr. Sylvia Fallon
In the last six years, many voluntary efforts have been made to help boost monarch populations. Now the butterflies will have to wait even longer to receive more help.

America’s Dairyland May Have a PFAS Problem

DispatchMidwest, Wisconsin, MaineSusan Cosier
The toxic chemicals have been showing up in milk around the country, prompting midwestern farmers to take a closer look at their land.

The Festering Sanitation Crisis at Our Border

DispatchArizona, Mexico, CaliforniaTim Vanderpool
As the Trump administration ratchets up its rhetoric demanding billions for a wall, American communities along the Mexico border are in need of basic services, like reliable sewage treatment.