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By Ari Pottens and Scott Seymour It’s no secret that the rampant, out-of-control wildfires which are devastating parts of Canada and creating toxic air quality conditions for millions of people, are exacerbated by climate change. This makes it all the more crucial to rapidly reduce the greenhouse gases behind the climate crisis. In 2020, Canada’s …

By Michelle Allen, Manager, Community Engagement Recent high-profile chemical disasters in East Palestine, Ohio, and Deer Park, Texas, have highlighted the risks facing communities where the petrochemical industry operates, but not every spill or toxic pollution release makes headlines. By some counts, there is a chemical fire, explosion or release every other day in this …

EDF, Allies Call on EPA to Strengthen Protections against Coal Plant Mercury and Toxic Air Pollution

Today Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and other legislators put forward the Technology Assessment for Air Quality Management Act, which will expand access to local air pollution data and health impacts and help us know what tools will help communities most afflicted by air pollution.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed tailpipe pollution standards would be a win for your health.

President Biden today vetoed a Republican-led repeal of public health and clean air rules that his administration finalized in December 2022. EPA’s Heavy-Duty NOx Final Rule applies nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions standards to new medium- and heavy-duty diesel vehicles sold in model years 2027 and later, the first update to the standards in over 20 years. The new standards on NOx emissions are more than 80% stronger than current standards according to the EPA.

Proposed Consent Decree Addresses EPA’s Failure to Modernize National Pollution Limits for Gas-Burning Power Plants

A new study from EDF of satellite data shows smog intensifying in Northern India over the last 40 years. The links between meteorology, particulate emissions from both urban and rural areas suggests mitigation measures across the region could benefit communities.

In this analysis published in Geophysical Research Letters, we use long-term satellite data to show a significant increase in aerosol exceedances over northern India, resulting in sustained atmospheric warming and surface cooling trends over the last two decades.

EDF Experts Testify in Support of EPA Proposals to Reduce Tailpipe Pollution from Cars, Mercury Pollution from Power Plants

EDF Welcomes EPA Proposal to Limit Climate Pollution from Power Plants

In passing SB 23-016, the legislature has reaffirmed the imperative to achieve rapid and sustained emissions reductions in line with what climate science tells us is necessary to avoid the most damaging impacts of the climate crisis.

Statement from Dr. Elena Craft, Associate Vice President, Climate and Health, Environmental Defense Fund

Sergio Sanchez talks about a groundbreaking new partnership with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) that aims to improve air quality across 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

EDF paper demonstrates who is at risk from diesel trucks serving warehouses, summarizes the new science about health impacts from air pollution generated by these trucks, and points to solutions that can protect community health.

Growth of delivery brings more warehouses, diesel trucks and associated health impacts closer to communities

Statement from Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

“The Race Is On” – EPA Reportedly Poised to Propose New Limits for Pollution from Cars and Trucks

EPA Proposes Crucial Protections Against Toxic Air Pollution from Petrochemical Facilities

EPA Announces Plan to Strengthen Protections from Coal Plant Mercury Pollution

Key Findings and Recommendations  Air pollution results in a large burden of childhood asthma across the country, and this burden is disproportionately borne by people of color. More than $100 million in grants from the Environmental Protection Agency is available for environmental justice initiatives, but targeting programs to alleviate the health impacts of air pollution to …

(This post was co-authored by EDF analyst Jolie Villegas)  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) just finalized its Good Neighbor Plan this month and that means millions of people in downwind states will be protected from unhealthy smokestack pollution that blows across state lines. The new plan will significantly reduce smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) pollution …

The EPA is poised to strengthen mercury regulations from power plants.

EPA’s Good Neighbor Plan Reduces Smog-Causing Pollution in Downwind States, Helping Millions of People Breathe Easier

Appeals Court Rejects Challenge to Life-Saving Cross-State Air Pollution Rule