On Friday, CNN reported the Trump administration told U.S. federal scientists to cease assisting an Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report due in 2029. IPCC is the global authority on climate change, and its report informs lawmakers globally. Additionally, an international meeting of IPCC authors that was scheduled to occur in China this week is in limbo. CNN reported Kate Calvin, NASA’s chief scientist and senior climate advisor, was intended to co-chair the discussion but was affected by the stop-work order, according to the scientist involved in the report. The meeting was planned to talk about the next steps in the report’s development. On his first day in office this year, Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, an international climate change treaty in which nearly 200 countries agreed to work together to limit global warming. This behavior repeated an action Trump took in his first term. In January, Copernicus reported 2024 saw unprecedented global temperatures, following on from the remarkable warmth of 2023. In turn, last year was the warmest year on record. It also became the first year with an average temperature clearly exceeding 1.5°C above the pre-industrial level— a threshold set by the Paris Agreement to reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. Multiple global records also were broken, for greenhouse gas levels, and for both air temperature and sea surface temperature, contributing to extreme events, including floods, heatwaves and wildfires. These data highlight the accelerating impacts of human-caused climate change, Copernicus said.
The global construction and demolition (C&D) waste management market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing concerns about environmental sustainability and stringent regulatory frameworks. Construction activities generate significant amounts of waste, which, if not managed effectively, can pose serious environmental and health risks. The construction and demolition waste management market is projected to grow significantly, increasing from US$ 215.8 million in 2025 to US$ 301.7 million by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of 4.9% during the forecast period (2025–2032). The rapid expansion of global construction activities has led to a notable rise in C&D waste generation. Simultaneously, advancements in technology and evolving market trends are reshaping the C&D waste management industry, enhancing efficiency and driving sustainable practices. Governments, industry players, and environmental advocates are increasingly emphasizing sustainable waste management solutions to reduce the ecological impact of construction and demolition projects. Persistence Market Research highlights the evolving trends, challenges, and opportunities in this dynamic market. Construction and demolition activities contribute significantly to the global waste burden. C&D waste accounts for nearly one-third of all global waste, with materials like concrete, asphalt, wood, and metals dominating the waste stream. As urbanization accelerates and infrastructure projects expand, managing this waste sustainably has become imperative. Governments across the globe are introducing policies to promote the recycling, reuse, and responsible disposal of C&D waste. For instance, the European Union’s Circular Economy Action Plan emphasizes the recycling of construction materials to achieve resource efficiency. Similarly, in the U.S., regulations like the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act encourage the adoption of sustainable waste management practices. The construction and demolition waste management market is at the forefront of the global sustainability agenda. With increasing awareness, regulatory support, and technological innovations, the market is poised for significant growth. However, overcoming challenges such as high costs and fragmented dynamics will require collaborative efforts from governments, industry players, and consumers. As the world transitions to a greener future, sustainable waste management will play a pivotal role in shaping an eco-friendly industry.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) released its annual list of the Top 10 States for LEED. In 2024, the top 10 states certified 1,437 LEED projects equaling over 414 million gross square feet. Massachusetts ranked first in 2024 based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year, improving its showing from 2023. Massachusetts topped the ranking with 4.95 LEED-certified square footage per capita. After Massachusetts, the top five states were Illinois (4.017 certified square feet per capita), New York (3.438 certified square feet per capita), Washington state (3.03 certified square feet per capita) and Maryland (2.775 certified square feet per capita). Though not officially on the list because it is a federal district, the District of Columbia continued to lead the nation, seeing more than 33 square feet of certified space per resident across 111 green building projects. “More than ever, governments and organizations are seeking to build more resilient, healthy, affordable, and sustainable cities and communities that address immediate and future needs,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC president and CEO. “LEED provides a proven path to meeting these critical priorities. We commend these states and the District of Columbia for their leadership and progress toward a more resilient and sustainable future for all.” The full Top 10 States for LEED are: Some notable achievements among the Top 10 States: Massachusetts climbed two spots from 2023 to reach the top spot. Texas and Nevada return to the list after not placing in 2023. Texas ranked ninth in 2022, and Nevada last placed in 2021. Maryland made the biggest jump in the ranking, climbing five spots. The state had a 61% increase in the number of projects. USGBC is finalizing its later iteration of the rating system–LEED v5. In 2024, USGBC held two public comment periods and received more than 6,000 comments from stakeholders worldwide. LEED volunteers and staff reviewed and responded to the critical input. The final version of LEED v5 will be released later this year and will reflect the feedback received from the community. Additional information on the 2024 rankings, along with a list of notable projects, can be found here.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is currently undergoing the largest wildfire hazardous waste cleanup in the history of the agency as it assists local governments and residents in the wake of catastrophic fires in Los Angeles County. The EPA has completed reconnaissance at 6,022 properties, including 3,636 properties impacted by the Eaton Fire and 2,386 properties impacted by the Palisades Fire. The agency has removed 80 electric vehicles and bulk energy storage systems, which are extremely dangerous to the public and the environment, and will continue ramping up such operations. As of Feb. 3, 1,050 response personnel are in the field, up from 478 at the end of last week. The EPA is assembling 60 teams to clear hazardous materials from the more than 13,000 residential and 250 commercial fire-impacted properties. At the request of water utilities, the EPA is also providing technical assistance to help bring systems back online. The EPA has been assigned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with the first stage of the overall recovery and cleanup: the project to remove lithium-ion batteries and to survey, remove, and dispose of hazardous materials from properties burned by wildfires. The EPA will remove potentially dangerous everyday products including household products like paints, cleaning supplies, and automotive oils; garden products such as herbicides and pesticides; batteries, including both standard and rechargeable types; and propane tanks and other pressurized gas containers. The EPA field teams will remove visible asbestos and inspect pressurized fuel cylinders (like propane tanks). After a fire, these products require special handling, especially if their containers are damaged. The teams will also remove items thought to have asbestos if they are easy to identify, but the property will not be fully cleared until Phase 2 (debris removal). The EPA will also continue to remove lithium-ion batteries from vehicles and homes. Many homes have damaged or destroyed lithium-ion batteries, lithium-ion battery energy storage systems, and electric and hybrid vehicles. The batteries should be considered extremely dangerous, even if they look intact. Lithium-ion batteries can spontaneously re-ignite, explode, and emit toxic gases and particulates even after the fire is out. Additionally, the EPA is partnering with the U.S. military and Department of Homeland Security to develop and execute a plan to expedite the removal of contaminated and general debris. In related environmental news, about 2.2 billion gallons of water was ordered released from federal reservoirs in Central California on Jan. 31 by President Donald Trump. CNN reported he had the misguided intent to send water to the fire-ravaged Southern California. However, Los Angeles’ water sources are completely separated from the reservoirs that were ordered released. Experts also said that the water was wasted by being released during the wet winter season instead of saving the water for the upcoming dry summer months.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is expanding ways in which Californians can receive help and support as Southern California continues to battle wildfires and begins the recovery process. As part of California Governor Gavin Newsom’s proclaimed State of Emergency and Executive Order, the CDPH’s efforts span the department’s many public health programs and include actions such as issuing widespread approval for expanded response, eliminating or limiting fees and processes, and expanding areas of coverage. CDPH understands that recovering from these wildfires will be challenging and has developed a single online space for wildfire response information: go.cdph.ca.gov/wildfires “Across our entire department, our teams are working toward the shared goal of supporting Californians impacted by these wildfires and easing their pain in whatever ways possible,” said Dr. Tomás Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer. “Public health isn’t just about supporting physical health, but also mental health, document recovery, food supply, logistics, recovery safety, and other essential needs." CDPH, which oversees hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and more care access points across the state, has coordinated with local public health and emergency response teams to facilitate and ensure proper transfer of individuals in healthcare facilities to safe and secure locations. More than 130 long-term care residents have been transferred to safety, and CDPH continues to work with 120 facilities across the region to assess additional capacity and other facility needs. CDPH issued blanket approval for these facilities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties to quickly add bed capacity and services to their licenses. The blanket approval also allows facilities to set up additional beds in areas not traditionally used for patient rooms. CDPH also is providing guidance through All Facilities Letters for these facilities on how to submit additional waiver requests. These waivers are designed to support all facilities experiencing fire- and windstorm-related surges in capacity, as well as those dealing with staffing shortages due to impacted personnel. CDPH staff are on the ground in affected areas, working together with local, state, and federal partners to assess and mitigate the risks posed by the aftermath of a fire. Their work includes supporting coordinated guidance on soil, air, water quality, and the safe handling of debris. Additionally, CDPH continues to coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts: CDPH has provided resource requests for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as N95 respirators, medical and health staffing resources, and comfort kits. CDPH is coordinating with state, local and federal partners on recovery efforts to restore healthcare facilities and to address the risks to public health caused by the wildfires. CDPH shares mental health resources for people affected by the wildfires through CalHOPE Emotional Support Services and CalHOPE Mental Health Support for Youth & Families.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) settled with Stericycle Inc. for systemic, nationwide violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), and related regulations in the operation of its former hazardous waste management business from May 5, 2014, through April 6, 2020. The settlement resolves Stericycle’s failures to manage hazardous waste properly, accurately maintain required manifest records when transporting hazardous waste, and timely submit information for thousands of manifests to EPA’s electronic manifest database, the e-manifest system. Stericycle will pay US$9.5 million in civil penalty, one of the largest civil penalties ever paid for RCRA violations. The settlement is subject to approval by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. “Stericycle repeatedly failed to ensure the proper transport, management, and storage of hazardous waste—a job that they were paid to do and entrusted to perform on behalf of customers nationwide,” said Cecil Rodrigues, EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance acting assistant administrator. “EPA is committed to ensuring companies comply with the law and to protecting communities from the potential risks associated with the mismanagement of hazardous wastes.” “This penalty should put other waste management firms on notice that we will hold them accountable when they shirk their legal responsibilities and put the public and environment in harm’s way,” said Matthew Podolsky Southern District of New York attorney. Stericycle is a waste management company that operated a nationwide hazardous waste transportation, storage, treatment and disposal business until it sold most of the business on April 6, 2020. Stericycle operated 13 RCRA-permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities (TSDFs) and 44 waste transfer facilities. On April 6, 2020, Stericycle completed the sale of its Stericycle Environmental Solutions hazardous waste business and, since that date, has largely ceased managing hazardous waste in the U.S. However, Stericycle remains accountable for its systemic RCRA violations prior to that sale. The hazardous waste manifest is the key to tracking who generated the waste, the kind of waste being shipped, any potential dangers the hazardous characteristics of the waste pose, and where and how the waste is disposed. This information is critical for ensuring that hazardous waste is handled properly and safely, and in the case of an emergency, giving first responders the information needed to handle leaks or spills that may occur during transport or in the event of an accident. The EPA’s e-manifest system is the database for all hazardous waste shipments in the U.S. that are generated, transported, and disposed of in the U.S. The system’s requirements ensure that our nation’s hazardous waste data is transparent, easily accessible, and publicly available. Complete and on-time submissions to the e-manifest system by companies like Stericycle are required by RCRA and essential to maintaining awareness of the hazardous waste activities in communities and on highways and rail systems, EPA said.
Each January, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) seeks to raise awareness of radon exposure during National Radon Action Month, encouraging Americans to “Test, Fix, Save a Life” and protect themselves by having their homes tested for the presence of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of radium, thorium, and uranium in the ground. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. If left untreated, radon can accumulate indoors, leading to significant health risks. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, claiming the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans each year. However, radon exposure is a preventable health risk with a simple solution: Testing for radon can help avoid prolonged exposure. “Radon is a threat to millions of Americans, especially those living in areas with a high potential for radon,” said Dana Skelley, EPA Region 7 Air and Radiation Division director. “In the Midwest, many homes are naturally predisposed to have elevated radon levels. We urge everyone to protect themselves and their families from this preventable health risk by testing their homes for radon gas.” Most homes in EPA Region 7’s four states are in areas classified as EPA Radon Zones One or Two, indicating a high or moderate potential for elevated radon levels. To determine if your home is in one of these zones, view EPA’s Map of Radon Zones for your state. Radon test kits can be bought online and in home improvement stores. National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers test kits for purchase online. EPA recommends taking action to fix a home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If a home does have elevated levels, a qualified professional can install a system to reduce indoor radon levels. For more guidance on addressing radon risks, visit EPA’s Radon page. Additionally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has chosen the last week of January (Jan. 27-31) to observe Radon Awareness Week. More information can be found here.
As part of a statewide response to multiple wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) urged Californians in areas affected by wildfire smoke to take steps to protect their health, including staying indoors and reducing outdoor activity if necessary to avoid the inhalation of smoke and ash. Americans can check their local air quality index (AQI) at EPA AirNow. “Wildfires, and the resulting smoke and ash, can be particularly unhealthy for vulnerable people, including children, older adults, those with respiratory illness or asthma, and pregnant people,” said Dr. Tomás Aragón, CDPH director and state public health officer. “Californians should be aware of the risks of wildfire smoke and ash inhalation. Vulnerable people, especially children, older adults, and those who are pregnant should reduce outdoor activity and stay indoors, if possible.” Wildfire smoke contains fine particles which are respiratory irritants, and when inhaled deeply, can affect the lungs and the heart. Exposure to high concentrations of fine particles can cause persistent cough, runny nose, phlegm, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Smoke from wildfires can cause eye irritation, reduced lung function, and bronchitis. Breathing smoke can also make asthma symptoms worse. People with underlying lung or heart problems should limit their exposure by staying indoors. People who must work outdoors for long periods, in areas with heavy smoke, or where ash is present, should wear a well-fitting N95 or P100 respirator mask, CDPH advised. Since wearing a respirator can make it harder to breathe, those with lung or heart problems should ask their doctor before using one. Wildfires can also lead to emergency evacuations and it's important to follow the direction of local officials when evacuations are ordered. Current evacuation information can often be found by monitoring local news outlets as well as official social media channels of emergency responders such as a sheriff’s office, police department, and fire department. To avoid possible health problems, CDPH recommended taking the following steps: Stay indoors. The most common advisory during a smoke episode is to stay indoors, where people can better control their environment. Whether at home or in a public space, indoor environments that have filtered air and climate control can provide relief from smoke and heat. Adjust AC to avoid drawing in smoky air. If you have a central air conditioning system in your home, set it to re-circulate or close outdoor air intakes to avoid drawing in smoky outdoor air. Be sure to change your air filter on a regular basis. Reduce other sources of indoor air pollution. Smoking cigarettes; using gas, propane, and wood-burning stoves; running furnaces; spraying aerosol products; frying or broiling meat; burning candles and incense; and vacuuming can all increase particle levels in a home and should be avoided when wildfire smoke is present. Reduce physical activity to reduce inhalation of smoky air. During exercise, people can increase their air intake as much as 20 times from their resting level. Be ready to evacuate. Monitor wildfire activity in your area and be prepared to evacuate if advised. Avoid getting ash into the air as much as possible. Avoid sweeping dry ash, and use water and a wet cloth or a mop to clean items and surfaces. Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air. Use PPE. Wear a well-fitting respirator mask, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants when cleaning up ash. Avoid skin contact. If you do get ash on your skin, wash it off immediately. Some wet ash can cause chemical burns. Avoid vacuums that don’t filter small particles. Shop vacuums and other common vacuum cleaners do not filter out small particles. They blow such particles out the exhaust into the air where they can be inhaled. The use of shop vacuums and other non-HEPA filter vacuums is not recommended. HEPA filter vacuums could be used, if available. Monitor children and young adults. Do not allow children to play with ash or be in an area where ash-covered materials are being disturbed. Wash ash off toys before children play with them. Clean ash off pets. Monitor children and young adults as they may be more susceptible to the health and emotional effects of fire recovery. Prepare emergency supplies. Make sure you have an emergency kit, complete with medications, copies of prescriptions, and medical supplies. Locate nearby shelters, including ones that take pets. Medical care. If you experience chest pain, chest tightness, or shortness of breath, seek medical care immediately. “During a wildfire event, you should prioritize your safety and the safety of your loved ones, Dr. Aragón said. “If you are ordered to evacuate your home or the area, please do so immediately.”
With the devastation of the California wildfires this week, you may be hearing a lot about the Santa Ana Winds. So, what are these specifically named winds, and what is causing them to be so strong this year? The winds, named after Southern California’s Santa Ana Canyon, occur most often in the fall and winter. According to The Weather Channel, the Santa Ana Winds develop when a ridge of high pressure sets up across the Great Basin in the West while an upper low spins across the dessert Southwest. The difference in pressure between the two allows easterly or northeasterly winds to rush down the mountainside, said Tiffany Savona, a Weather Channel meteorologist. As air descends it is compressed, meaning it warms up and dries out. Winds speeds increase even more and the air squeezes through canyons and passes. The Santa Ana winds often lead to a high fire danger, especially if Southern California is in a drought. More than 83% of Los Angeles County was in a drought, according to the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor. Extremely critical fire weather conditions persisted across portions of the Southern California Coast last week as strong downslope Santa Ana winds continued, according to the National Weather Service. The very strong winds, combined with relative humidities in the teens and dry fuels, continued to support a dangerous wind and fire weather event.. This is the second time this winter that Santa Anas have fueled fires in California. In December, Malibu's Franklin Fire was fanned by these winds.
More than 100,000 residents in neighborhoods of Los Angeles are in mandatory evacuation areas due to three wildfires that all started on Tuesday. The fires are zero percent contained and have been fueled by winds gusts from the Santa Ana Winds of up to 100 mph, according to The Weather Channel. Winds gusts up to 60 mph are expected to continue through Thursday, potentially affecting further fire activity and suppression efforts, according to Cal Fire. As of Thursday morning, the Palisades Fire has already burned through more than 17,000 acres, followed by the Eaton Fire with 10,600 acres and the Hurst with 855 acres, according to Cal Fire. An estimated 1,000 structures have been destroyed due to the Palisades Fire alone. Additionally, Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported a high number of “significant injuries to residents who did not evacuate,” in addition to injuries among first responders on the fire line. Also on Thursday morning, five deaths were reported along with several significant injuries due to the Eaton Fire. On Thursday morning, Los Angeles air was considered "unhealthy," according to AirNow, a government-run site on air quality data. On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health also released a smoke advisory, stating smoke impact from the Palisades Wildfire had caused unhealthy air quality in Los Angeles County, particularly its northwest coastal area. As part of a statewide response to multiple wildfires burning in the Los Angeles area, California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás Aragón also urged Californians in areas affected by wildfire smoke to take steps to protect their health, including staying indoors and reducing outdoor activity if necessary to avoid the inhalation of smoke and ash. “Wildfires, and the resulting smoke and ash, can be particularly unhealthy for vulnerable people, including children, older adults, those with respiratory illness or asthma, and pregnant people,” Dr. Aragón said. “Californians should be aware of the risks of wildfire smoke and ash inhalation. Vulnerable people, especially children, older adults, and those who are pregnant should reduce outdoor activity and stay indoors, if possible.”
On Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published for public comment its plan for studying and developing technology-based PFAS limits on industrial wastewater discharges. The plan is a key action under the agency’s PFAS Strategic Roadmap as it considers rulemaking efforts to protect communities from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS, also known as forever chemicals) in local waterways and supports the Biden Cancer Moonshot’s efforts to reduce Americans’ exposure to cancer-causing chemicals. “EPA is committed to working with state partners to develop strong national rules to reduce the presence of forever chemicals in our waterways,” said Bruno Pigott, EPA principal deputy assistant administrator for water. “That means we must work to develop our collective understanding about PFAS discharges from industry. From there, we can better innovate and implement durable treatment solutions that protect our communities over the long run.” Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan 16 (Preliminary Plan 16) shows the agency’s intent to initiate detailed studies of wastewater pollution discharges and their treatment potential for several industrial categories. EPA has determined that it needs to collect additional data and information from facilities in the battery manufacturing category, the centralized waste treatment category, the oil and gas extraction category, as well as from PFAS processors (industrial facilities engaged in processing PFAS into commercial products). The goal of these studies is to enable the agency to make informed, data-driven decisions on the need for new rulemakings to establish revised effluent limitations guidelines. Any future rulemakings developed because of these studies would be based on the best available science and designed to stop PFAS contamination at the source. With the announcement of this preliminary plan in the Federal Register, EPA is opening a 30-day public comment period. To submit a written comment, visit EPA’s Preliminary Effluent Guidelines Program Plan webpage for more information.
California firefighters are battling the Franklin Fire in Malibu near Pepperdine University, prompting evacuations amid dangerous fire conditions due to strong Santa Ana winds. According to The Weather Channel, gusts of more than 50 mph were reported in the area of the fire. The cause of the fire is under investigation. The Franklin Fire began late Monday evening and has grown to more than 4,00 acres with 7% containment as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Cal Fire. At least seven structures were reported destroyed and another eight damaged as of Tuesday night. No injuries or casualties have been reported as of Wednesday morning. Nearly 7,570 structures are in danger and 12,600 people are under evacuation orders and another 7,582 people under evacuation warnings. Luckily, Wednesday marked the last day of Red Flag Warning, or a severe fire warning for the area. The National Weather Service forecast the weather conditions are likely to improve, which should aid firefighters. More than 1,500 personnel, 187 engines, 56 dozers, and 12 water tenders have been assigned to the Franklin Fire.
