Local officials remove permit for controversial Philippine gold mine
Local activists have hailed the revocation of the permit as a victory in a decades-long campaign against the mine.
Environment
Ozone layer hits a “significant milestone” as concentrations of harmful chemicals drop 50%
In 1987, just seven years after ozone depletion from chemicals was made most obvious, every country on Earth ratified a treaty, known as the Montreal Protocol, to regulate the chemicals to protect Earth.
U.N. General Assembly declares access to clean and healthy environment a universal human right
The resolution, based on a similar text adopted last year by the Human Rights Council, calls upon States, international organizations, and business enterprises to scale up efforts to ensure a healthy environment for all.
Nearly 200 countries pass historic resolutions linking animal welfare and the environmental crisis
The crucial resolution will help develop a better understanding of the relationship between improving animal welfare and tackling the drivers of wildlife loss, climate change, pollution and pandemic diseases.
Honduras bans open-pit mining, citing environmental and public health concerns
The government is no longer granting environmental permits for open-pit mining projects, the Ministry of Energy, Natural Resources, Environment and Mines. It also plans to shut down open-pit mines already in operation.
Companies cancel Atlantic Coast Pipeline after years of delays
Duke Energy Corp. and Dominion Energy Inc. are abandoning the proposed $8 billion pipeline—which aimed to carry natural gas 600 miles through West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina and underneath the Appalachian Trail
Municipal elections in France yield a string of victories for environmentalists
The unprecedented showing for Europe Écologie Les Verts, a once minor political party, means Green mayors will take charge in Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Strasbourg. The party also came out on top in mid-sized cities such as Tours, Besancon, Annecy and Poitiers, while retaining control of Grenoble.
Global efforts on ozone help reverse southern jet stream damage
Up until about 2000 it had been moving southwards towards the Antarctic, affecting storm tracks and rainfall over South America, east Africa and Australia.
The Ocean Cleanup begins catching trash in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
At age 19, Boyan Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup. The organization has developed a massive plastic-cleaning device which is now operating in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Environmental pollution in China is now declining
For decades pollution in China has paralleled economic growth. But this connection has weakened in recent years, according to a new international research study.