Environment | WPN World People News

Picture taken by Gábor Szellő, one of the winners in our guest photographer contest

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed action to reduce harmful emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2) to improve visibility at some of Texas' and Oklahoma's most treasured parks and wilderness areas. After a thorough review, EPA has proposed to partially approve and partially disapprove the state of Texas’ regional haze plan intended to meet federal Clean Air Act requirements for improving visibility and reducing haze in the nation’s national parks and wilderness areas.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is helping the Redwood Valley County Water District, in Mendocino County, Calif. assess the risks they face from climate change and to take actions that increase resilience. The Water District and more than 20 other communities nationwide will each receive up to $30,000 in training and technical assistance to identify assets, threats, and adaptation options to reduce their risk from climate change.

As the planet warms further, heat-waves and other weather extremes that occur once in hundreds of years, if ever, would become the “new climate normal,” creating a world of increased risks and instability. The consequences for development would be severe as crop yields decline, water resources shift, sea-levels rise, and the livelihoods of millions of people are put at risk, according to a new scientific report released by the World Bank Group.

German sports brand Puma announced an important step towards the elimination of hazardous chemicals from its products and supply chain. In response to Greenpeace’s Detox campaign, the brand has laid out a credible action plan for the elimination of per-and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and set key milestones to achieve full supply chain transparency.

The valley below the Roan Plateau dotted by oil and gas development.

German sports brand Puma announced an important step towards the elimination of hazardous chemicals from its products and supply chain. In response to Greenpeace’s Detox campaign, the brand has laid out a credible action plan for the elimination of per-and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and set key milestones to achieve full supply chain transparency.

Natural gas well pads, pipelines, and other associated infrastructure in the Upper Green River Basin in Wyoming. Once home to pristine, clean air and very little industrial activity, emissions from oil and gas production in this area now lead to unhealthy levels of smog.

A bigeye tuna. Highly valued for sushi, bigeye tuna has been increasingly in demand for the past decade.

Senior international nuclear safety and radiation protection experts concluded a 10-day International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) mission to review the regulatory framework for radiation safety in Zimbabwe.