Sometimes You Have To Laugh
"Climate journalism is crucial, but it’s not enough. Release the comedians!"
Source: Climate-Colored Glasses, 08/27/2026
EJToday: Top Headlines
EJToday is a daily weekday digest of top environment/energy news and information of interest to environmental journalists, independently curated by Editor Joseph A. Davis. Sign up below to receive in your inbox. For queries, email EJToday@SEJ.org. For more info, read an EJToday FAQ. Plus, follow EJToday on social media at @EJTodayNews, and flag stories of note by including the @EJTodayNews handle on your posts. And tell us how to make EJToday even better by taking this brief survey.
Want to join the EJToday team? Volunteer time commitments can vary from just an hour a month up to a daily contribution, and would involve helping to curate content of interest. To learn more, reach out to the director of publications, Adam Glenn, at sejournaleditor@sej.org.
Note: Members have additional options to choose from (you'll need your log-in info).
Canada Retaliates With Up to 50% Tariffs on Hundreds of U.S. Products
"Canada announced retaliatory tariffs as high as 50 percent on hundreds of American products on Tuesday, just days after the collapse of trade talks triggered punishing tariffs from the Trump administration." "Canada said the higher levies, on items from aluminum foil to dishwashers to fish, would help protect workers, producers and manufacturers harmed by new Trump tariffs."
Source: New York Times, 08/26/2026EPA Moves to Curb Public Input on State Data Center Air Permits
"The Trump administration is moving to make it harder for communities to weigh in on proposed data centers, even as a backlash against the behemoth projects grows across the country." "Under the proposal, states would no longer need to provide public notice or solicit comments on air pollution permits for data centers and other projects."
Source: New York Times, 08/26/2026At Least 35,000 Excess Deaths Recorded In Europe’s Back-To-Back Heatwaves
"At least 35,000 more people died during Europe’s four record-breaking, back-to-back heatwaves this summer than would normally be expected, according to incomplete figures from barely half the continent."
Source: Guardian, 08/26/2026Ohio Grapples With Fake Comments On Clean Energy: Some Want Crackdown
"A troubling trend has shown up in some communities around the U.S.: Public officials are being inundated with seemingly fake public feedback that aims to block renewable energy and promote fossil fuels."
Source: Canary Media, 08/26/2026Fossil Lobbyists Also Represent 100s Of Cities Fighting For Climate Damages
"Congressional lobbyists working for fossil fuel firms that are exacerbating the climate crisis are simultaneously representing more than 300 local governments raising funding to recover from climate damage, according to a new analysis."
Source: Guardian, 08/26/2026Why We Should Stop Eating Lettuce, Cyclospora Or Not
"Explosive diarrhea is in the news." "Lettuce makes us sick, wastes resources and has minimal nutritional value. Why are we still consuming it?"
Source: Washington Post, 08/26/2026In A Global First, Mexico Approves Use Of RNA-Based Fungicide
"Grape growers in Mexico have a new tool to fight powdery mildew, a common fungal disease, after the country became the first in the world to approve the commercial sale of an RNA-based biofungicide." "Oifirax, created by GreenLight Biosciences, uses RNA molecules to kill the fungus responsible for powdery mildew on grapes"
Source: Science, 08/26/2026Trump Border Wall Construction Threatens Rock Art As Old As The Pyramids
"On an overcast summer morning, Carolyn Boyd, an archeologist at Texas State University, stood at the foot of a cave in west Texas, looking up toward a series of towering murals painted on a rock wall. Three massive human-like figures soared toward an overhang that had sheltered the painting from the elements since they were drawn here perhaps 4,000 years ago."
Source: Public Domain, 08/26/2026Living With Drought Has Taught Pastoralists Lessons The World Needs
"Half a billion pastoralists draw on generations of knowledge to thrive on rangelands. They say protecting their way of life would help others prepare for a hotter, drier world."
Source: Grist, 08/26/2026"The Revolution Will Be Planted With Wildflowers"
"When you buy the “Decolonize This Yard” native wildflower mix seed packet from Matiz Press in Chicago, you get much more than a lush garden" "A new generation of green thumbs are creating beautifully designed seed packets to encourage the growth of lush gardens — and social consciousness."
Source: New York Times, 08/26/2026Talks Collapse. Ottawa Says Come Back With 'Right Attitude' And 'Real Offer'
"Prime Minister Mark Carney said Canada will return to the negotiating table when the U.S. shows the “right attitude,” not treating Canada as a subsidiary of the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump made further threats on U.S.-Canada trade early Monday, saying in an online post that tariffs on Canadian automobiles, car parts and steel will increase to 50 per cent on Jan. 1."
Source: CBC News, 08/25/2026Leaked Memo Shows US Aims To Weaken Global Limits On Plastic Pollution
"The United States has doubled down on its opposition to plastic production limits in global treaty talks, according to a diplomatic memo reviewed by The Washington Post, pushing to create a broad loophole to disregard the treaty on national security grounds."
Source: Washington Post, 08/25/2026WH Aide Helped Oil Firm Boost Its Projects. Now She’ll Lead Its DC Office.
"Brittany Kelm’s departure from the White House to lead the Washington office of a Houston oil company has raised questions about the close proximity between a government official and the interests of a private corporation."
Source: E&E News, 08/25/2026Trump Shuns EVs And Wind Power, But He’s Pouring Billions Into Batteries
"President Trump has been scornful of electric cars for years. But his administration is now pouring billions of dollars into the battery technology that powers them."
Source: New York Times, 08/25/2026
