Biden administration releases new U.S. Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan 

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WASHINGTON (December 16, 2024) — On December 11, President Biden announced a U.S. Maritime Decarbonization Action Plan that builds on the foundations presented in the administration’s U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization. The maritime decarbonization plan provides near- and long-term strategies for decarbonizing the maritime sector and identifies key actions that the federal government and … Read more

Pacific Environment’s August 2024 Newsletter: The stories of our work for people and the planet

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Welcome to the August 2024 edition of Pacific Environment’s monthly e-newsletter! This is an opportunity to highlight some of our work and share our victories for communities, climate and wildlife. Arctic Ship Pollution: From Air to Ocean The Science on Pollution Scrubbers and Why EPA Should Ban Scrubber Discharge Pacific Environment recently released a policy … Read more

The cure for disposable “plastic crap” is here — and it’s simple

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How WIRED’s recent piece on the solution to plastic pollution circumvents the emerging science on plastic and public health. WIRED’s article, “The Cure for Disposable Plastic Crap Is Here—and It’s Loony,” highlights the urgent and daunting task of tackling plastic pollution, but completely misses the point that the solution to the plastic problem is actually … Read more

Clean air victory: New rule will curb deadly pollution from Southern California railyards — ports should be next.

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This month, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) Headquarters was packed with about 100 clean air advocates in attendance, who erupted in cheers as the South Coast AQMD’s governing board voted unanimously to adopt the Railyard Indirect Source Rule (ISR). A big win for clean air, the facility-based measure aims to reduce harmful … Read more

Champion the Beyond Methane Pledge

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The Say No to LNG campaign, an international shipping coalition, launched the “Beyond Methane Pledge,” calling on industry leaders to end LNG and other methane-based fuels. The pledge calls upon key industry leaders, including ship owners, cargo owners, ports, cities, policymakers, energy producers, suppliers/utilities, transporters, and financial institutions, to take decisive action by committing to … Read more

Reducing Single-use Plastic and Imagining a Sustainable Future Through Art

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This month, Pacific Environment and the Vietnam Zero Waste Alliance hosted the Young Painter Contest as part of Plastic Free July. Part of a broader campaign to reduce single use plastics, Trendy July: Reduce Single-Use Plastic, Embrace Sustainability, aims to encourage sustainable living among younger generations through art tailored to primary school students across Vietnam. … Read more

We need all hands on deck for a strong Global Plastics Treaty

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Last week, the Pacific Environment team returned home from the fourth meeting of the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty negotiations (also known as INC-4) in Ottawa, Canada. This meeting brought together delegates from over 160 countries, as well as hundreds of industry, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, rightsholders, health advocates and other observers. Our team focused … Read more

May Day pride means climate & labor side by side!

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International Workers’ Day, also known as May Day, is the internationally-recognized labor holiday to honor the invaluable contributions of workers everywhere. This day started as a way to commemorate a general strike in the United States where workers fought for the adoption of the eight-hour workday, which began on May 1st, 1886. Today on May … Read more

Biden Administration Sets National Goal of Zero-Emissions Freight Sector Including Maritime

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On April 24, the Biden administration announced its first-ever national goal to transition the U.S. to a zero-emissions freight sector (i.e., truck, rail, aviation, and maritime), as well as a commitment to develop a national zero-emissions freight strategy. The whole-of-government strategy includes new federal funding, continued engagement with stakeholders on zero-emissions freight infrastructure and forthcoming … Read more

Thank you! 345,606 petitions delivered calling for a stronger plastics treaty

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Late yesterday, Plastic Pollution Coalition along with many other organizations from the Break Free From Plastic allies delivered 345,606 petition signatures from civil society calling on the Biden administration to negotiate a legally binding treaty that centers impacted communities, public health, and human rights while acknowledging the myriad impacts that plastic poses at all stages … Read more

EPA: Approve life-saving protections and safeguard California’s health and air quality!

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In a victory for people and climate, the California Air Resources Board amended the Commercial Harbor Craft Rule in 2022, setting the first zero-emissions mandate for ferries in the U.S and requiring cleaner engine upgrades for tugboats and other regulated vessels. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has yet to approve these lifesaving amendments. … Read more

It’s time to kick fossil-fueled ships out of the Arctic

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By James Gamble, Senior Director, Arctic Program Home to imperiled polar bears, bowhead whales and more than 5,000 species of wildlife, the Arctic is feeling the brunt of climate change more than any other region in the world. Snow and ice are melting at an increasing rate – contributing to rising sea levels and causing … Read more

Igniting a Reuse Revolution in China’s War Against Plastic Waste

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Originally posted on the Wilson Center’s New Security Beat blog. China has rapidly moved to address escalating food and beverage packaging waste, including the 2018 ban on importing plastic recyclables, the implementation of extensive urban waste sorting pilots, and the 2022 prohibition of non-biodegradable single-use plastics. But China’s plastic mountains are still growing. While exerting … Read more

E&E News: Meet the boss of a West Coast green group

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Originally published by E&E News here E&E NEWS PM | Shannon Wright, a longtime environmental advocate whose resume includes stints with Greenpeace and Amazon Watch, is the new leader of the San Francisco-based group Pacific Environment. She took over in January as executive director of the group that’s aimed at protecting the environment and wildlife in … Read more