Eco-Justice

CHICAGO (July 18, 2011) – In response to a petition the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) the US Fish & Wildlife Service agreed that the whitebark pine, a wide-ranging species of tree found on mountain tops in much of western North America, faces an “imminent” risk of extinction brought on by climate change. The “warranted but precluded” decision acknowledges that climate change is driving the tree species to the brink, but the Service’s limited budget prevents adding whitebark to the federal endangered species list at this time. A recent study shows 80% of the whitebark pine forests in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem are already dead or dying; similar declines have been observed in other parts of its range. Last year the Canadian government declared the tree endangered throughout its range.

WASHINGTON (July 14, 2011) –The House of Representatives on Friday is expected to vote on a spending bill amendment that seeks to derail energy efficient light bulb standards that Congress and President George W. Bush passed into law four years ago.

WASHINGTON (July 14, 2011) –The House of Representatives on Friday is expected to vote on a spending bill amendment that seeks to derail energy efficient light bulb standards that Congress and President George W. Bush passed into law four years ago.

WASHINGTON, DC (July 13, 2011) -- Scientists, environmental advocates, and Appalachian residents affected by mountaintop removal called on Congress today to heed the warning in new research that suggest a link between mountaintop removal mining and elevated rates of certain birth defects.

WASHINGTON (July 13, 2011) – By voting to pass H.R. 2018, a bill that guts the Clean Water Act, the House of Representatives would demolish the very foundation for safeguarding our rivers, wetlands, lakes and streams, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council.

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2011) – The House Committee on Appropriations took up the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill today, which promises to do extensive harm to public health and the environment.

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2011) – The House Committee on Appropriations took up the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations bill today, which promises to do extensive harm to public health and the environment.

WASHINGTON (July 12, 2011) – After the House rejected a misguided attempt to repeal lighting efficiency standards, NRDC Legislative Affairs Director Scott Slesinger made the following statement. "This vote is a victory for consumers, businesses, the environment and our health. It’s also an encouraging sign that the House is able to differentiate between facts and the misinformation that was spread widely and irresponsibly on this issue....

WASHINGTON (July 11, 2011) -- Everything that can be said about the benefits of more energy-efficient light bulbs has been said. But not everyone has said it. And we certainly have not heard--until now--from four direct descendants of Thomas Edison, the man who invented the incandescent light bulb 132 years ago...

WASHINGTON (July 8, 2011) – With Congress about to consider eliminating 2007 lighting efficiency standards before they even take effect, a new analysis shows the standards would save the country more than $12.5 billion annually when fully implemented in 2020.