SCOTUS hinders climate change battle

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♻️ This week’s sustainability news

United States Supreme Court curtails climate action

What’s happening: Four decisions have been handed down by the Supreme Court in America in recent weeks which will make it more difficult to protect the environment and battle climate change. This week, they weakened a law that was used to protect federal regulations from being sued. Companies now have more time to sue and there will no longer be any time limit for questioning rules made by many federal agencies, which could put even old regulations at risk of being challenged in court. Just days before that decision, the court overturned the Chevron doctrine, a long-standing rule that allowed for many regulations affecting daily life, like environmental and labor protections. This, along with two other recent decisions, could greatly reduce the power of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other federal agencies to control air pollution, manage toxic substances, and create climate policies.

Why it’s happening: While these cases questioned the authority of various federal agencies, like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of Commerce, the decisions will greatly affect those making climate policies. Conservatives have especially criticised the EPA, saying its rules make things too difficult for industries like power generation and construction. The court's conservative justices showed they agree with these recent decisions. They are a win for businesses and people against regulations, who saw Chevron in particular as an example of government overreach. Conservative groups, like the Koch network, have supported getting rid of Chevron for a long time. Lawyers connected to Koch represented plaintiffs in one of the two cases that ended it.

Why it’s important: The major ruling on the Chevron doctrine could change the future of environmental and climate rules. The conservative justices overturned the precedent that allowed federal agencies to use their expertise and scientific knowledge to interpret laws. It will take years to see the full effects of this decision, but it will most likely lead to many lawsuits against climate change regulations. Legal scholars and climate and environmental activists said it could jeopardise current and future climate policies because it expands the power of courts to review and strike down regulatory guidelines or efforts. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson warned in her dissent for this week’s ruling that, together with the court’s decision to discard Chevron, there will be a “tsunami of lawsuits against agencies” that could “devastate the functioning of the federal government.” According to the advocacy group Public Citizen, the timeframe eliminated by this decision has previously prevented challenges to regulations like limiting oil and gas extraction on public land.

📖 Read the full article: These Supreme Court decisions just made it harder to solve climate change

Good news for the Amazon rainforest in Brazil

What’s happening: Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon dropped a lot in May, hitting the lowest point since March 2018, according to new data from Brazil's national space research institute, INPE. Deforestation so far this year is 40% less than in 2023. It is expected that there will be a big drop in deforestation by the end of the "deforestation year" on July 31. This has been achieved despite the region experiencing a rise in forest fires due to a severe drought.

Why it’s happening: Last year, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon was 9,064 square kilometres. This was 22% less than in 2022 and the lowest since 2018. Most of the decrease in Amazon deforestation happened in Brazil, which has about two-thirds of the world's largest rainforest. The decrease in deforestation is good news for people trying to save the Amazon rainforest. However, more forest fires due to a severe drought in the area are causing concern among conservationists.

Why it’s important: The Amazon is incredibly important because people everywhere, not just those living nearby, rely on it. They need it for food, water, wood, and medicines. It also helps keep the climate stable by storing a lot of carbon, about 150-200 billion tons. The trees in the Amazon also release 20 billion tons of water into the air every day, which is crucial for the world's carbon and water cycles.

📖 Read the full article: Deforestation in Earth’s largest rainforest continues to plummet despite a rise in fires

🌐 Travel to Samoa

Eating sustainably in Samoa

Guide to plant-based food: It's challenging to stick to a plant-based diet in Samoa due to the popularity of American fast food and various types of meat. But with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, Samoa does offer delicious and healthy plant-based food options.

😇 People doing great things

Cleaning Bali’s rivers to prevent plastic in our oceans

Plus up-cycling plastic for furniture: Sungai Watch was founded in 2020 by Gary, Kelly and Sam Bencheghib in Bali, Indonesia. They now have over 100 members working every day on solutions to stop plastic waste from reaching the ocean. They aim to protect and restore our world’s rivers by developing and designing simple technologies to stop the flow of plastic pollution. Sungai Watch has installed 270 floating barriers throughout Indonesia’s rivers to stop the flow of plastic from reaching the ocean and to date has collected over 1,800,000kg of plastic, 36% of which is plastic bags. Having captured all of this plastic waste, they have also formed Sungai Design to showcase the possibilities of creating products with up-cycled plastic.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Portugal’s largest wind farm coming next year

Environmental approval obtained: The wind farm will use the same grid connection as a nearby pumped-storage hydro complex to maximise output.

Small island nations celebrate historic climate ruling

Per the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea: Parties to the relevant United Nations convention are obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The Vatican to go solar

Pope announces plan for solar panels: To be constructed on Vatican-owned land, the power generated could supply all of Vatican City’s energy needs.

NASA helping to protect endangered species

Using their powerful satellites to find suitable habitats: Larger species such as tigers and elephants are some of the most vulnerable due to habitat loss.

Proposed heat protection for American workers

Biden administration pushing to finalise regulation: Could protect up to 36 million workers from the harmful effects of exposure to extreme heat.

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