The end of coal plants in America

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♻️ This week’s sustainability news

U.S. regulation may mean the end of coal power plants

What’s happening: The Biden administration has introduced a new regulation to address climate change. This regulation requires coal-fired power plants to significantly reduce their emissions or cease operations altogether. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a rule for coal plants in the United States to decrease 90% of their greenhouse pollution by 2039, one year earlier than originally planned. Climate activists are happy about the shorter timeline, but coal executives believe it will be impossible to meet the new standards. The EPA also introduced three more rules for coal-burning power plants. These rules include stricter limits on mercury emissions, a neurotoxin which can harm children's development, from plants that burn low-grade coal. The rules also make it harder for toxic ash from coal plants to get into water supplies and limit the amount of wastewater that coal plants can release.

Why it’s happening: The new regulation on coal plants has been nearly a decade in the making. President Obama attempted to reduce carbon pollution from coal-fired power plants with the Clean Power Plan in 2015. However, the Supreme Court prevented its implementation. Later, the Trump administration reversed the rule and introduced their own plan to extend the lifespan of coal plants. In 2022, the Supreme Court decided that the EPA can control emissions but cannot make everyone stop using coal. Instead, the government can only make rules for how each power plant operates.

Why it’s important: The new rules could result in the end of the coal industry in the United States. Coal has been the main source of energy for many years, but it also contributes to global environmental problems. When coal is burned, it releases more carbon dioxide than any other fuel. The EPA says that 1.38 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide will be eliminated by 2047 with the introduction of these rules. This is like stopping the yearly emissions from 328 million cars that run on gasoline. They will also help avoid $270 billion in economic damage caused by floods, wildfires, droughts, supply chain disruptions, and increased commodity costs related to climate change, the EPA said.

📖 Read the full story [free New York Times article]: EPA severely limits pollution from coal-burning power plants

Vegetarian diet shown to slow prostrate cancer

What’s happening: Men who ate a diet rich in fruits and vegetables experienced a slower progression of prostate cancer than men who ate more meat. Researchers from the University of California surveyed men with prostate cancer to assess the amount of plant-based food in their diets. The men who ate the most amount of plant-based food were found to have a 47% lower likelihood of the disease progressing compared to those who ate the least amount of plant-based food.

Why it’s happening: Researchers believe the anti-inflammatory properties of fruits and vegetables may explain the positive effects. Previous studies have also suggested that plant-based diets may improve the outcomes of prostate cancer because of their high content of antioxidants and fibre, which may regulate blood-glucose levels.

Why it’s important: This study adds to the increasing body of research demonstrating the better health outcomes of a plant-based diet, including lower chances of developing diabetes and heart disease and having an early death. In addition to improving your health and warding off death, switching to a plant-based diet also massively decreases environmental damage including reducing the greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change.

🌐 Travel to Karpas Peninsula

Captivating region in Northern Cyprus

The best things to do: Also known as Karpass or Karpasia, it’s one of the most famous areas in Cyprus. The peninsula is well known for its beautiful Mediterranean beaches, but there are also some great cultural spots to explore.

😇 People doing great things

Bloomberg funds youth-led climate action

In 100 cities around the world: Bloomberg Philanthropies, the nonprofit funded by former New York Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, has launched the Youth Climate Action Fund. It aims to assist 100 cities around the world with incorporating the ideas and opinions of young people aged 15-24 years old when creating and implementing policies. The cities span 38 countries across six continents, representing over 62 million residents. Every city will get $50,000 at first. If the city uses the money for programs involving youth leadership in local climate action within six months, they will receive an additional $100,000 for more youth-driven projects during one year.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Hard work on climate reparations begins

Board begins work on UN loss and damage fund: Discussing policies required to operationalise the fund and distribute money to developing countries in need.

Conservation actions reducing biodiversity loss

According to international researchers: After 10 years looking at measures, authors said their findings offered a "ray of light" for the one out of every three species currently endangered because of human activities.

European Parliament green lights eco-design rules

Ban on destruction of unsold textiles and footwear: And new design requirements to limit the environmental impact and increase reliability, reuse, repair, and recycling across a range of high-impact products.

Number of EV fast-charging stations increase in the U.S.

Now there is 1 for every 15 gas stations: Almost 600 came online in the first three months of 2024, for a total of 8,200 quick-turn EV stations.

👌 Sustainable products we love

Support animal welfare and biodiversity

Search with real purpose: KARMA is a free Chrome web browser extension which partners with nonprofits to distribute revenue from search advertisements. All you need to do is search the web like you do now, but any revenue generated goes to supporting animal welfare and safeguarding the world’s biodiversity. They also feature a ‘Learn & Act’ newsfeed full of resources to increase your knowledge and discover concrete ways to get involved.

👀 Check it out now: KARMA

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