Agency cuts impact feds’ response to endangered species litigation

Recent developments in federal litigation underscore a growing concern regarding the operational capacity of U.S. government agencies, as an attorney with the Department of Justice formally requested additional time to respond to a significant lawsuit, citing “staffing constraints.” This incident highlights a broader issue within US politics concerning the allocation […]

Cropped 2 July 2025: US public lands under attack; How India’s gig workers are suffering under climate change; Bonn to Belém

This edition of Carbon Brief’s ‘Cropped’ newsletter casts a critical eye over two pivotal global issues: the contentious shifts in US land policy and the escalating suffering of India’s burgeoning gig economy workers due to the undeniable impacts of climate change. These seemingly disparate narratives are, in fact, profoundly interconnected, […]

Opinion: Drone fireworks are the safer option

The dazzling spectacle of traditional fireworks has long been a staple of celebrations worldwide, yet an increasingly compelling argument is emerging for a fundamental paradigm shift towards drone-based fireworks displays, primarily driven by significant environmental and public safety advantages. This opinion piece champions the transition from conventional pyrotechnics, underscoring the […]

Congressionally mandated climate reports disappeared from their federal websites

A disturbing development has recently emerged within the realm of federal information accessibility: a number of congressionally mandated climate reports have reportedly vanished from their official government websites. These crucial documents, compiled from extensive scientific data and rigorous analyses on climate change impacts and future projections, were explicitly commissioned by […]

Malaysia Shuts Door to US Plastic Waste

Malaysia has decisively closed its borders to the influx of plastic waste from the United States, a significant move that underscores a burgeoning global resistance by developing nations against becoming the world’s refuse bins. This bold environmental policy shift by Kuala Lumpur is not merely an isolated incident but a […]

Department of the Interior Announces Key Initiatives on PILT Funding, Critical Minerals, and Mine Cleanup

The Department of the Interior recently announced a comprehensive suite of initiatives aimed at fundamentally reshaping resource management and environmental stewardship across the United States, with a significant focus on bolstering Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) funding. This vital federal program provides essential financial support to counties containing large […]

Could a flight tax help fix the climate finance gap?

Air travel, a symbol of modern freedom and global connectivity, increasingly finds itself at the heart of a critical environmental debate: its escalating contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for a “flight tax” to address the pressing climate finance gap. While offering unparalleled convenience and fostering economic […]

EPA employees accuse Trump administration of ‘ignoring’ science

In a striking move that underscores deep internal divisions, hundreds of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) employees have publicly accused US President Donald Trump’s administration of systematically disregarding scientific consensus, claiming policies are tailored to benefit polluters. This unprecedented letter of dissent, issued Monday, marks a significant internal challenge to the […]