Environmental Impact of Road Transport - Road transport accounts for approximately 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions [1] - Globally, new road building projects are estimated to be worth $27 trillion [1] - Europe's highway length increased by 60% between 1995 and 2020, while railways shrank by 65% [3] Challenges and Alternatives - Many regions lack public transport infrastructure to replace private vehicles [2] - The transition to electric vehicles will reduce emissions, but projections indicate that half of cars sold globally will still be fossil fuel-powered by 2035 [2] - Highway expansion's emission reduction benefits are often temporary [3] Sustainable Approaches - Some governments are scrapping road construction programs for sustainability reasons [4] - Some transport departments are reallocating funds to eco-friendly transit projects like faster buses and better bike lanes [4] - Sustainable highway construction includes using recycled concrete and asphalt and employing less heavy machinery [5]

Regulatory & Policy Changes - The Trump administration, through the EPA, is moving to revoke the endangerment finding, which forms the legal basis for regulating greenhouse gas emissions [1][2][3] - This action aims to undo the scientific and legal basis for existing and future regulations on greenhouse gas emissions [5][6] - Environmental groups, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), plan legal challenges if their concerns are not addressed [7] Environmental & Health Impacts - Repealing the endangerment finding endangers Americans' health due to increased pollution and adverse climatic events [9][10] - Scientific evidence conclusively demonstrates that greenhouse gas emissions endanger human health through pollution and climate change impacts [10] - The revocation could exacerbate issues like wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and respiratory problems such as asthma [7][9][10] Economic & Geopolitical Implications - The move could harm the clean energy industry, potentially benefiting the fossil fuel industry [14][15] - The policy shift may give China an advantage in clean energy technologies [19] - Subsidies for the oil and gas industry are seen as detrimental to the economy and public health [17][18] Political Motivations - The decision is perceived as fulfilling a promise made to oil companies in exchange for campaign contributions [13][15] - Critics argue the administration is prioritizing the interests of the fossil fuel industry over public health and environmental protection [15][16]

Regulatory Changes & Policy Implications - The Trump administration moved to eliminate landmark climate change research on greenhouse gas dangers, specifically the endangerment finding, which is crucial for regulating emissions [1] - This action is viewed as the administration's most significant attack on climate change regulations, with grim implications for American climate policy [2][3] - The administration's actions across the EPA, including pulling back restrictions on lead and mercury, indicate a lack of care for the planet's climate and environment [4] - The EPA's decision, according to administrator Lee Zelden, is based on a cost-benefit analysis, arguing that climate change regulations could bankrupt the country [6] - Deregulation rollbacks could face legal challenges, but the Supreme Court's stance suggests potential support for the Trump administration's deregulatory agenda [10][11] - An Associated Press examination found that the EPA targeted rules could prevent an estimated 30,000 deaths [14] Economic & Environmental Impact - The previous administration estimated the social cost of carbon, implying the US was causing approximately a trillion dollars in global climate damages annually [8] - The current administration's actions contradict movements dedicated to cleaning up the environment, favoring big corporations' freedom to pollute [5][16] Future Outlook - Reinstating deregulations later may be difficult, potentially limiting future administrations' ability to act on climate change [12][13] - Administrative actions are crucial tools for addressing climate change, especially given the difficulty of large-scale legislative action [13][14]

Climate Policy - Turkey approves plans to launch a carbon market [1] - The carbon market aims to help Turkey reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2053 [1]

What if I told you that the leftovers on four planes are leading the push towards climate change. While we often don't think about hold waste on a daily basis, it's more connected to our lives than we realize. According to the United Nations School of Courts, approximately onethird of food produced is wasted while 828 million people go to bed hungry every night.Yet at the same time, the fossil fuel industry produces 36.8% million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. These three crises, food waste, food i ...