No. 121, Feb. 27, 2020
Hello Revelator readers, Can a state law help protect federal public lands from the Trump administration's expansion of oil and gas extraction? California thinks so, and its recently passed regulations could serve as a model for other parts of the country. You've probably heard that EPA enforcement of environmental crimes has plummeted under the Trump administration. That's already bad news, but environmental law expert Joel Mintz tells us why the worst may be yet to come. Polar bears are often seen as the poster child for climate change — but they're hardly alone. Our latest video reveals 10 more species at risk from a warming planet. That's not the only thing pushing species into extinction. A newly emerged fungus threatens the amazing salamanders of the American Southeast. Subscriber bonus: The Wild 5 Let's go a little deeper. Here are five more stories we're watching this week. 1. Plans for a massive tar sands mine in Alberta that would have produced 4 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually are on ice after Teck Resources withdrew its application for the project. 2. A Trump administration plan to permit 3,500 new gas wells in southwestern Wyoming would disrupt the 6,000-year-old migration route of the region's pronghorn. 3. JPMorgan Chase, a big financier of fossil fuel projects, announced that it will no longer back efforts to drill in the Arctic. 4. The Supreme Court this week took up a case that could allow the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to cross under the Appalachian Trail. 5. Why do solar storms seem to throw whales off course? Scientists have theories. In case you missed it: Gov. Kate Brown of Oregon recently voiced her support for removing four dams on the Snake River in Washington state, an effort many experts believe would help save the last Southern Resident killer whales from extinction. The Revelator at PIELC The annual Public Interest Environmental Law Conference takes place next week in Eugene, Oregon. Come see me Saturday morning on the panel "Saving Life on Earth: Tools for Fighting the Extinction Crisis." What should we cover next? Our stories rely on insight from experts and readers around the world, so we always welcome your ideas and inside scoops. Drop us a line anytime. Coming up: We've talked about how noise pollution harms wildlife, but scientists are also using sound to help animals around the world. We'll have the story soon, along with looks at emerging water conflicts, clean transportation opportunities, and a whole lot more. Look for our latest links in next Thursday's newsletter — or follow us on Twitter and Facebook for the headlines as they go live. As always, thank you for reading. | 
