Recent Events

US E.P.A. Seeks to Reverse Previous Climate Regulations

In 2009, the “endangerment finding” allowed the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create rules that would seek to regulate the amount of carbon emissions in the US. This was a result of a Supreme Court ruling in 2007 that asserted that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases were a form of air pollution. Since these gases were classified as air pollution, it allowed the EPA to regulate these emissions under the Clean Air Act. Recently, the EPA announced a proposal that seeks to remove existing emission standards, particularly in the auto industry. The proposal is based on the reasoning that the effects of carbon dioxide on air pollution are not as significant as they are presented to be, and it claims that removing these regulations would save billions of dollars annually. This move is extremely controversial as climate experts criticize the validity of the claims about carbon dioxide because the scientific consensus is that greenhouse gases play a significant role in climate change. Experts warn of serious consequences if this proposal passes and greenhouse gases go unregulated.

Japan Experiences a New Record High in Temperature

This past month, temperatures in Japan continued to rise, and hit a record-breaking 41.2 degrees Celsius (106.16 degrees Fahrenheit). Over the past few decades, temperatures have continued to rise all over the world, with Japan being no exception. These increases in temperature can be attributed to many factors: greenhouse gas emissions, land use, deforestation, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Japan recently recorded its hottest June in history, after experiencing its hottest summer and autumn in 2024. This data shows that high temperatures are unfortunately becoming more common due to ongoing climate change. As a result of the extremely hot temperatures, Japanese citizens are at much higher risk of heatstroke, which poses a severe risk as Japan has one of the world’s highest proportions of elderly people, who are particularly vulnerable.

Bike Lane Debate

For many years, there has been debate between bikers and drivers about bike lanes in cities. Bikers argue for more protection for their vulnerable bikes, while drivers argue for more space on the road for their larger cars. Are there solutions to this debate? To begin, let’s look at the different available options:

There are many different types of bike lanes. 

• In the most extreme case, bike users have no bike lane and no shoulder available on the road, forcing them to use the same space as drivers. This is the most dangerous scenario. 

• One step up from that is a road with a shoulder, allowing cyclists some partially dedicated space. However, even this setup is very dangerous — news articles have shown that 85% of bike fatalities occur when no dedicated bike lanes are present. 

• When bike lanes are present, the simplest setup is having a small marked path on the road just for cyclists. Even though this is a dedicated space, however, it doesn’t fully ensure cyclists’ safety. For example, there’s a risk of “dooring”, where cyclists are hit by suddenly opened doors from parked traffic.

• A better solution for bikers is a separated bike lane, which provides some space as a buffer between cyclists and motorists. These mitigate a lot of the concerns from fully unprotected bike lanes.

• The best solution for cyclists is a protected bike lane, where physical barriers separate the bike lane and the road. Such bike lanes have been shown to dramatically increase bike traffic

(Notably, multi-use paved “bike paths” aren’t included in this list, as they accommodate a wide range of non-motorist traffic and so serve a slightly different purpose than dedicated bike lanes on the road.)

From the perspectives of cyclists, bike lanes encourage cycling, promote safety, and cite economic, health, social, and environmental benefits of cycling. Those who oppose the creation of bike lanes bring up concerns about limited motorist or parking space (after bike lanes are created), congestion, or cost considerations. As such, cities are at odds about how best to address the issue. Many solution concepts and compromises have been proposed. Comprehensive urban planning is emphasized as particularly important, to understand where cyclists travel most frequently (where bike infrastructure is most needed). Greater overall diversified investment in infrastructure, detailed review of accident data, and optimization of traffic flow are also all important. And, of course, community feedback and engagement serve as a valuable measurement of the efficacy of current and planned transportation offerings. 

Tips: How to Practice Mindful Consumption

The concept of mindful consumption stems from aiming to make intentional, informed choices as a consumer in order to reduce waste, conserve resources, and support practices that are healthier for the planet. Everyone can practice mindful consumption, even frugally. Here are some ways how:

1. Purchase from locally-sourced or seasonal foods: this reduces food transportation emissions and supports local farmers. Visiting farmers’ markets or joining community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs are great ways to start buying locally.

2. Use energy-efficient appliances: these are designed to perform the same tasks as regular appliances do while consuming less energy. When replacing household items such as refrigerators, air conditioners, heaters, or washing machines, shop for items with high energy ratings. While they may cost more upfront, using them over a long period of time saves money by cutting down on electricity usage, while also helping the environment. On a smaller scale, LED lights are a great energy-efficient substitute for regular bulbs.

3. Ask yourself if you really need something: marketing tactics such as sneaky product placement and persuasive language are extremely effective at taking advantage of human psychology in an attempt to maximize sales. It’s incredibly easy to be enticed into purchasing countless useless products that add up to thousands of lost dollars in the long-term. Before buying something, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” Also, never go shopping for groceries on an empty stomach.

4. Choose durable and reusable products: disposable items are convenient and cheap, but are immensely destructive to the environment. Investing in high-quality reusable products like water bottles, stainless steel straws, cloth shopping bags, etc. saves money in the long run and is ultimately more practical.

5. Shop second-hand or thrift: this is less expensive, reduces textile waste, and lessens the demand for fast fashion

6. Support ethical and sustainable brands: purchase from brands that make an explicit commitment to sustainability. Before buying, make sure they are transparent about their manufacturing and sourcing practices, and if possible find reports/data about their efforts. Sustainability certifications can also be an indicator that a company is eco-friendly.