Rob Verger
Contributor
Japanese Taxpayers Are Picking Up the $100B Tab for the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster
Five years ago today a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off the coast of Japan unleashed a powerful tsunami, triggering one of the worst nuclear disasters in history.
China's Environment Minister Wants More Power to Crack Down on Polluters
China's central government wants to go after more companies that pollute and local governments that inhibit enforcement of environmental regulations.
The 3-Month-Old LA Gas Leak Is Finally Under Control — At Least for Now
Southern California Gas, which operates the natural gas storage facility on the outskirts of Los Angeles, announced that a relief well had brought the leak under control.
The Michigan Officials Responsible for Flint's Water Crisis Could Face Manslaughter Charges
The special prosecutor appointed by Michigan's attorney general to investigate the crisis says criminal charges could be brought against public officials found responsible for any deaths linked to Flint's contaminated water.
Company Responsible for Huge Los Angeles Methane Leak Hit With Criminal Charges
As a state official says the Los Angeles-area gas leak could be plugged as early as next week, the Southern California Gas Company faces a growing number of state and county lawsuits.
Ban Ki-moon Says It's Time for Investors to Cut Some Checks for Renewable Energy
Nations agreed in Paris last year to quickly transition their economies away from fossil fuel sources and toward renewables — and the UN secretary-general says investors should double their commitment to clean energy sources by 2020.
Another State May Be Investigating ExxonMobil for Fraudulent Statements on Climate Change
California Attorney General Kamala Harris is reportedly joining New York's chief lawyer in questioning what the oil giant knew about climate change and what it was telling its shareholders and the public.
Alabama's Governor Uses Oil Spill Funds to Renovate Coastal Mansion
The state's auditor calls the expenditure "inappropriate" and says there are plenty of other needs that could have been addressed with funds granted to the state following the 2010 BP oil spill.
No, Bacon Isn't Better for the Environment Than Lettuce
While bacon might produce less greenhouse gases than lettuce per calorie, looking at serving sizes tells a different story altogether.
India Borrows a Page From China's Playbook in Dealing With Air Pollution
India is imposing restrictions on when and what types of automobiles are permitted, much like rules Beijing has put in place to deal with dangerously high levels of pollution.
Biodegradable Plastic Is Bullshit
The United Nations Environment Programme says the conditions for plastics to break down rarely exist in the oceans, where millions of tons of it ends up each year.
A Japanese Company Went Whaling in a Marine Sanctuary, So Australia Just Fined It $1 Million
Japan says its whaling program is legal under international law because it's for scientific purposes and it plans to kill over 300 minke whales this season in Antarctica.