Maryland becomes first state in the U.S. to implement a foam container ban
Passed in 2019, but implemented last week, the law prohibits restaurants, schools, stores, and other institutions from serving food in polystyrene containers.
North & Central America
California to produce its own generic drugs to take down big pharma
“Our bill will help inject competition back into the generic drug marketplace—taking pricing power away from big pharmaceutical companies and returning it to consumers,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Simple blood test predicts patients most likely to die from COVID-19
One standard test that quantifies the variation in size of red blood cells was found to be highly correlated with patient mortality, and the correlation persisted when controlling for other risk factors like patient age, some other lab tests, and some pre-existing illnesses.
Overwhelming number of U.S. voters support climate action
According to The Guardian, “Seven in 10 voters support government action to address climate change, with three-quarters wanting the US to generate all of its electricity from renewable sources such as solar and wind within 15 years.
Young Republicans push GOP on climate change
A recent Pew Research Center survey shows Republicans 18 to 39 years old are more concerned about the climate than their elders. By a nearly two-to-one margin they are more likely to agree that “the federal government is doing too little to reduce the effects of climate change.”
Walmart aims for zero emissions by 2040 without buying offsets
To reach zero emissions without carbon offsets, Walmart says it will power its facilities with 100 percent renewable energy by 2035 while introducing zero-emission vehicles for all of its fleet, including long haul trucks by 2040.
Vanguard, BlackRock add new climate-focused ETFs as demand soars
Top asset managers Vanguard Group Inc and BlackRock Inc on Thursday introduced new exchange-traded funds that exclude oil companies, coal producers and other industries that a growing number of investors want to avoid.
California to ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035
The new legislation is part of a new package of policy changes that aim to reduce climate-warming emissions amidst another season of wildfires. As The Hill reports, the order also includes a provision to no longer issue new permits for oil and gas fracking by 2024.
Online tool helps mobilize Native American communities to go out and vote
The website aims to help Native Americans navigate roadblocks to the ballot box, by supplying specific, scrupulous details for registering, voting in person, and voting by mail, in all relevant counties and Indian tribal lands in the US.
Universal Hydrogen and Magnix building world’s largest hydrogen plane
A new LA-based fuel logistics startup, Universal Hydrogen, has embarked on a project to develop a retrofittable hydrogen powertrain for existing airliners, and will test it with a 40-seat De Havilland Canada DHC8-Q300, commonly known as the Dash-8, that will become the world’s largest hydrogen-fueled commercial aircraft.