The Trump administration’s EPA announced its plans to rescind the core scientific principle that underpins the agency’s ability to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including those from tailpipes, power plants, and a host of other sources. Known as the endangerment finding, the principle establishes the link between planet-warming gases and human health—therefore putting the sources of emissions within the agency’s regulatory purview. “We will not have a serious national climate policy if this goes through,” Patrick Parenteau, an emeritus professor of climate policy and environmental law at Vermont Law School, told Grist. The rollback, however, will face many legal challenges of its own, and, Parenteau also says that it could backfire and expose the fossil-fuel industry to a mess of lawsuits.
Around half of the U.S. population is currently boiling under temperatures in excess of 100 degrees—the result of a high-pressure system called a heat dome and a phenomenon known as “corn sweat,” which boosts humidity and drives up the real-feel. In extreme heat, it’s important to know the signs of heat stroke and keep both people and pets cool. There are ways to find some chill without blasting the AC, but at times they can only go so far. One thing not to do? Ratchet down the thermostat in the hopes of cooling off more quickly: All that’ll do is gobble up energy and risk overtaxing the system.
Beyond announced Beyond Ground, the latest iteration of its popular mock beef. In addition to dropping the word “meat” from its moniker, the offering has only four ingredients: fava beans, potato starch, water, and psyllium husk. Each 140-calorie serving has 27 grams of protein (psst: that’s more than beef) and no cholesterol or saturated fat. Beyond has been progressively remaking its signature product over the last year, largely in response to public uneasiness surrounding ultraprocessed food and a generally lagging alt-meat market. Their most-recent iteration is one of our top picks for plant-based burgers.
Bottle deposits—you know, those programs where people get a nickel or dime back in return for containers—have successfully boosted recycling rates in the states where they’re in place. But a new study in the journal Waste Management suggests there’s an even more effective tactic: Bottle lotteries. Researchers found that offering consumers the chance to win $1,000 each time they turn in a bottle or can increased the number of returned containers by 47% compared to getting back 10 cents per vessel. Maybe it’s time to lean into America’s love of gambling?
Emissions from the fashion industry jumped 7.5% year-over-year, according to a new report from the Apparel Impact Institute. The authors say that increasing use of virgin polyester is the main driver of the spike. “This does not surprise me at all, as the industry has known for some time that the greatest volume of carbon emissions are generated in the making of new goods,” Lynda Grose, who teaches fashion design at the California College of the Arts, told Trellis. The solution? The industry has to produce fewer fresh garments—and consumers can do their part by decreasing demand. Check out our guide to ditching fast fashion for expert tips on addressing our clothes habits.