Unfolding disaster in East Palestine is a reminder of the risk communities on frontlines of petrochemical development face.


** News of the world environment
------------------------------------------------------------
NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 17, 2023
[link removed]
[link removed]
[link removed]


** History Repeats itself in Ohio
------------------------------------------------------------


A train carrying a massive amount of hazardous chemicals, including highly volatile vinyl chloride, benzene, and butyle acrylate, derails in a rural town. Fearing a potential explosion that could launch deadly shrapnel as far as a mile, officials evacuate the town and burn, yes burn, some of the chemicals instead, sending large, toxic plumes into the air. In five days, which is hardly enough time for a proper cleanup, residents are told: All good. Come on back. But, just in case, don’t drink water from local sources. When they return, they find the air still reeks of fumes. Their eyes smart and heads spin. Their animals fall ill ([link removed]) and fish die by thousands in local waterways.

If you’ve been following this unfolding public health disaster ([link removed]) in East Palestine, Ohio, you’ll know that it’s playing out in the same old way such disasters always seem to play out. People are told not to worry much, but reliable information about the extent of damage done and risks posed is really hard to come by. Meanwhile the corporations responsible, one iteration or the other of the peterochemical industrial complex, offer crisis-management PR speak and try to shift blame as much as possible and state actors don’t do nearly enough to help those in harm’s way.

As news reports have pointed out, this is the eighth major train derailment ([link removed]) in the greater Pittsburgh region in the past five years, and the third derailment involving hazardous material in the country this month. Given the fossil fuel industry’s ongoing plastics buildout, including Shell’s new petrochemical complex in western Pennsylvania, the transport by rail of volatile chemicals is only going to ramp up in Pittsburgh and elsewhere. Which means the next big derailment probably isn’t far off.

The incident reminds me of the 2015 Aliso Canyon gas storage facility blowout ([link removed]) in Los Angeles that spewed out an oily mix of methane and other toxic compounds for 111 days on communities living downhill. Seven years after what’s been called the largest gas blowout in US history, tens of thousands of Angelenos are still living with the fallout, including illnesses that may be related to their toxic exposures, and are still seeking justice.

I’m hoping the residents of East Palestine will be better taken care of, but so far, the evidence hasn’t been reassuring. All in all, this is a stark reminder of the great risk communities living on frontlines of petrochemical development face every day, one more reason why we should wean off of fossil fuels and their byproducts asap.

Maureen Nandini Mitra
Editor, Earth Island Journal
Photo by William Warby ([link removed])

TOP STORIES ()
[link removed]


** Early Warning ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Just 15 years ago, public climate change art projects seemed pretty out there. Some even got heavy push back from local communities. Today, they seem prescient.
READ MORE ([link removed])


** YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE! ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------
Earth Island Journal is a nonprofit publication. Our mission is to inform and inspire action. Which is why we rely on readers like you for support. If you believe in the work we do, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to our Green Journalism Fund ([link removed]) .
DONATE TODAY! ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Details Murky ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Cops say South River Forest defender Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, who they shot and killed outside Atlanta last month, fired the first bullet. Newly-released bodycam footage calls that claim into question.
READ MORE ([link removed])
[link removed]


** Cities Abuzz ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Urban beekeeping is on the rise and — in addition to producing tasty honey — it’s changing the way people view their cityscapes.
READ MORE ([link removed])
ICYMI ()
[link removed]


** Newts Need Help ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

Newts are long-living, charismatic amphibians, and adorable to boot. Sadly, in California, their numbers are echoing a decline seen in amphibian populations worldwide

Read More » ([link removed])
Photo: Anton Sorokin

[link removed]


** Avian Hoarders ([link removed])
------------------------------------------------------------

This is just downright impressive: An ambitious pair of woodpeckers managed to stash some 700 pounds of acorns in a California home.

Read More » ([link removed])
Photo: Becky Matsubara ([link removed])


** Send this to a friend:
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed] Share ([link removed])
[link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fc525a11cae98%2Fgrowing-change-13364372 Tweet ([link removed]: https%3A%2F%2Fmailchi.mp%2Fc525a11cae98%2Fgrowing-change-13364372)
[link removed] Forward ([link removed])


**
------------------------------------------------------------
Did a thoughtful friend forward you our newsletter? Keep up with the latest from Earth Island Journal!


** SIGN UP TODAY ([link removed])

------------------------------------------------------------

============================================================
** Like the Journal ([link removed])
** Like the Journal ([link removed])
** Tweet our Stories ([link removed])
** Tweet our Stories ([link removed])
** Follow us on Instagram ([link removed])
** Follow us on Instagram ([link removed])
You are receiving this email newsletter because you signed up on our website.
If this newsletter was forwarded to you, you can ** si ([link removed])
** gn up ([link removed])
** to the email newsletter ([link removed])
** here ([link removed])
** . ([link removed])

Support our work by ** subscribing ([link removed])
** to our quarterly print magazine ([link removed])
.
Copyright © 2023 Earth Island Journal, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
Earth Island Journal
2150 Allston Way Ste 460
Berkeley, CA 94704-1375
USA
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.
Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
[link removed]