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Gulf drilling wins ESA waiver after 'God Squad' vote
A U.S. Endangered Species Committee known as the 'God Squad' voted to exempt Gulf of Mexico oil and gas drilling from Endangered Species Act protections, a move environmentalists say threatens Rice's whale and other species with extinction, justified by national-security concerns amid Iran-related disruptions.

Corpus Christi’s water crisis: months of supply left as industrial demand surges
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Yuka scans labels to push healthier processed foods
The Washington Post•25 days ago
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Global Sea Level Exceeds Predictions, Southeast Asia at the Frontline
Global coastal sea level is about 1 foot higher than previously assumed, with gaps up to 3 feet in Southeast Asia, because many studies relied on models without satellite measurements; a review of 385 papers found 90% used model-based estimates, risking 132 million more people being exposed sooner than projected. The authors call for recalibrating baselines by integrating satellite data with models, while long-term rise projections stay the same.

Gates-Backed Natrium Reactor Secures Construction Permit in Wyoming
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission unanimously approved TerraPower’s construction permit for the Natrium reactor in Kemmerer, Wyoming—the first new U.S. commercial reactor in about a decade—clearing the way for construction of a 345‑MW, sodium‑cooled design with a molten‑salt battery. The plant is expected to come online around 2031, backed by Bill Gates and supported by the Energy Department for partial cost sharing, though it still faces licensing, fuel, and cost‑overrun challenges as regulators continue to oversee its safety and deployment.

The Superfood Label Is Marketing hype, Not Science
Washington Post Climate Coach columnist Michael J. Coren argues that the term ‘superfood’ has no legal or scientific definition and is driven by marketing. The piece recounts how blueberries helped launch the trend in 1995 and notes roughly $190 billion is spent annually on promoted superfoods, but urges readers to focus on a varied, nutrient-rich diet rather than chasing labels or hype to improve health.

Beef tops deforestation chart as palm oil and soy follow
New Nature Food analysis links two decades of forest loss to commodity farming, with beef the leading driver (about 120 million acres destroyed, mostly in the tropics like the Amazon) and beef-related emissions exceeding three times the US’s annual total. Oil palm and soy also cleared millions of tropical forests, while staples such as maize, rice, and cassava can have large footprints. The study suggests reducing beef can help rainforests, though global demand remains strong and data limitations complicate measurement of cocoa/coffee impacts.

Climate Rule Repeal Sparks Legal Showdown
President Trump's administration moved to rescind the EPA's endangerment finding, a bedrock basis for regulating greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act, triggering planned lawsuits by environmental groups and Democrat-led states that are likely to reach the Supreme Court as the Court shifts conservative, with years of litigation ahead that could reshape how U.S. climate policy is enforced and challenged.

Durable coffee makers offer long-term savings and less waste
A Washington Post column argues that investing in buy-it-for-life coffee makers can save money and cut waste by avoiding frequent replacements, while still delivering quality brews and supporting a more sustainable kitchen habit.

Private wells across the U.S. tainted by PFAS “forever chemicals” go undetected
A sweeping AP investigation finds that PFAS, the so‑called forever chemicals, are quietly contaminating drinking water wells across the United States, including many private wells that homeowners may not test or even know are contaminated, raising health concerns and exposing gaps in monitoring and accountability that communities are pushing to close.

Doomsday Clock 2026: 85 Seconds to Midnight, Nearest Ever
The Doomsday Clock for 2026 is set to 85 seconds to midnight—the closest it has ever been—after the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists pushed the minute hand forward by four seconds amid rising risks from nuclear weapons, climate change, AI, autocracy and biotechnology.

Trump-era removals purge climate and Native history signs from Grand Canyon and 16 parks
Trump officials have ordered the removal of signs and displays about climate change, environmental protection, and Native American history from Grand Canyon and 16 other national parks as part of a broader push to reshape how American history is presented.

The Real Complete Protein May Be Found in Your Everyday Diet
A Washington Post Climate Coach column argues that the so‑called ‘most complete’ protein is likely one you already eat; with a balanced, varied diet you can meet daily protein needs without turning to exotic sources or meat-heavy regimens, and the popularity of protein trends (like protein water or snacks) tends to be more marketing than necessity.