Environmental Tidbits

No plastic straws, no pollution (Photo – maxpixel.freegreatpicture.com).

Environmental News compiled for you by our editors.

By News Desk

– San Francisco Environmental Groups Sue Exxon for Hiding the Truth About Single Use Plastics

A coalition of non-profit environmental organizations including the Surfrider Foundation, the Sierra Club, Heal the Bay, and San Francisco Baykeeper, represented by Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy, filed a lawsuit against ExxonMobil (“Exxon”), the world’s largest producer of single-use plastic polymers.

The complaint, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, alleges violations of California nuisance law and California unfair competition law and alleges Exxon concealed the harms caused by single-use plastics. The suit further alleges that Exxon systematically led the public to believe that plastic waste is easily and safely disposable via recycling, incineration, or landfills, when in reality, plastic persists in the environment for thousands of years, leaking toxic chemicals that are known to harm human health and the environment. Exxon’s conduct has exacerbated the environmental crises of plastic pollution and harmed California’s coasts and waterways. The California Attorney General’s Office filed a separate action Monday addressing the same crises.

Even with recycling programs in place, less than 5% of our plastic is recycled into another plastic product,  Even when plastic is recycled, it is often just recycled once and then ultimately discarded, which is why Exxon is continuing to scale up its virgin plastic polymer production capacity. As alleged, these Exxon-produced polymer resins are directly responsible for over 6 million metric tons of plastic waste annually which end up contaminating our environment and our bodies, at every stage of its product lifecycle.

– Pest Pressure Warning: Experts Predict Surge in Pests Across the U.S. This Fall & Winter

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) released its bi-annual Bug Barometer®, forecasting what Americans can expect from pest populations in their respective regions across the U.S. this fall and winter based on weather patterns, long-term forecasts and pest biology. With warmer-than-normal temperatures expected to continue, NPMA’s pest experts are anticipating tick and mosquito populations will remain active through the fall season. Temperature drops at the start of winter will result in a spike in rodent issues as these pests flock to homes and businesses in search of warmth and food sources.

To help prevent pest problems this fall and winter, the experts at NPMA recommend keeping kitchens clean, storing food in airtight containers, and lifting boxes off the floor to avoid creating hiding spots for pests. Homeowners should also seal any cracks and holes on the exterior of the home, repair torn screens, and eliminate standing water or overgrown grass around their property.

– Gen Z Is Hungry for Transparency in Food Sustainability and Quality Amid Climate Concerns

According to a new Whole Foods market survey, Gen Z consumers are placing an overwhelming emphasis on both sustainability and quality in their grocery products, and many are willing to spend more to support brands that reflect these values, according to a recent YouGov survey.

These findings are part of a new survey which was conducted independently by YouGov on behalf of the retailer. The national online survey sampled 1,023 adults between the ages of 18 to 27 in the U.S.   The study reveals that 70% of Gen Z supports climate-smart agricultural practices. Additionally, 55% are willing to pay more for environmentally sustainable products, and over half of Gen Z consumers prefer brands that prioritize lower environmental impacts or locally sourced foods.

Quality is also important for this younger generation. Eighty percent of Gen-Z said they prioritize food quality in purchasing decisions, and 70% are willing to spend more on high-quality food.

– California’s Clean Energy Future: Net Zero by 2045 is Within Reach

The clean energy future for California is still attainable, despite infrastructure challenges, extreme weather impacts and technological and policy gaps.

Edison International released Reaching Net Zero, a forward-looking analysis that reinforces the urgent need for multisector collaboration, enhanced efficiencies and significant investment in clean energy generation to meet California’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

Highlights from Reaching Net Zero:

• Edison International reaffirms its net-zero commitment, including Southern California Edison’s plan to deliver 100% carbon-free power to customers.
• Electricity demand in SCE’s service area is projected to grow 35% faster over the next decade than estimated just two years ago, underscoring the need for accelerated grid readiness.
• Achieving California’s climate goals requires clean electricity across all sectors, significant investment and industry-government cooperation.
• New clean firm resources, like next-generation geothermal, are essential for a resilient, carbon-free power supply. As the electric sector approaches net zero, batteries and solar are important but insufficient alone.
• Until sufficient clean firm resources are deployed, natural gas generation capacity in California should be retained for reliability and affordability, with reduced operations.