Michael Kirschner

As the federal government and states offer massive subsidies to incentivize chips manufacturing in the U.S., we need to look at how these plants are using and releasing toxic chemicals like PFAS. We already know the semiconductor industry is one of the biggest users of PFAS globally. Shouldn't our taxpayer dollars incentivize companies to use safer substitutes, and not toxic forever chemicals? We have an opportunity to not only promote manufacturing with good-paying jobs, but also ensure those workforces are safe and clean for both workers and communities. https://lnkd.in/eRGqnj8b

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"The U.S. EPA is providing millions of dollars in funding to several waste and recycling initiatives around the country through its Climate Pollution Reduction Grants program. The funding comes from a $4.3 billion pot of money the agency is allocating, EPA announced July 22. The funded will support a range of projects that include landfill emissions reduction, organics recycling, cleaner collection fleets and other key climate priorities. Zero-waste advocates spent months urging applicants to get waste reduction initiatives into their priority climate action plans, which the EPA funded for agencies around the country in a previous phase of the CPRG program." https://lnkd.in/eA8tTcip #EPA #ClimatePollutionGrant

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Don't miss this excellent new analysis from Toxic-Free Future's partners at Safer States looking at how states advanced legislation to ban toxic chemicals like PFAS and leadso far this year. The key takeaway: "As of today, 12 states have adopted at least 20 policies that aim to transform our economic system into one that protects communities and creates incentives for industry to develop safer chemicals and materials. We anticipate this momentum to continue in the states that still have active legislative sessions. " https://lnkd.in/eFGcPE4B

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NGO vows restorative action after report blamed plastic pollution on poor countries Sept. 15, 2022 Hannah Alcoseba Fernandez A US-based environmental advocacy group that cited China, Indonesia, and the Philippines as the word’s top ocean plastic polluters, retracted its 2015 findings, saying it completely disregarded plastic waste exports from rich countries. Ocean Conservancy’s report retraction is an opportunity to interrupt decades of “#wastecolonialism”, said Froilan Grate, #GAIA Asia Pacific coordinator. “Waste colonialism” is the process by which developed countries show dominance over less developed countries through toxic waste exports, leaving the receiving and often, ill-equipped countries to deal with the waste, severely affecting their communities and environment.  In 2019, the #Philippines grappled with a long-standing row with #Canada for it to repatriate the remaining 69 of the 103 container vans of waste exports that came illegally to #Manila and #Subic ports six years prior. Canada finally ordered the return of the trash that year.  #Malaysia, the #world’s #main destination for #plasticwaste after #China, likewise returned as much as 3,000 tonnes of waste back to the countries of origin in 2019.  Plastic waste mainly from the #US, #UnitedKingdom, #Australia and #Canada were also found in 2019 to have #contaminated the local #foodchain in #Indonesia. Christie Keith, GAIA International Coordinator, added that responsibility for the plastic waste crisis also lies with the corporations that make and push out increasing quantities of plastic. Consumer goods giants Cocacola Now, PepsiCo, and Unilever emerged as the world’s biggest #plasticpolluters, according to an annual survey of #plasticdebris found on city streets, parks, forests, beaches, and coastal areas around the world. https://lnkd.in/dpwPAKQK.

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A thought-provoking editorial about #singleuseplastics from Los Angeles Times --> California banned single use plastic grocery bags in 2016, becoming the first state to take this major environmental step. In the eight years it has been in effect, billions of flimsy #plasticbags were removed from the waste stream, and several other states were inspired to adopt similar bans. But it's not quite the environmental win it may seem. While the ban eliminated one ubiquitous source of #plasticwaste, it inadvertently opened the door for an even more pernicious one — those thicker convenience totes for sale at the checkout that were designed to be #reused and #recycled. News flash: They aren't being reused in any meaningful way, and they can’t be recycled. Indeed, the total amount of trash from plastic bags that California sends to landfills has never been higher. This can't go on. This is easily fixable, however. There are two identical bills moving through the Legislature — Assembly Bill 2236 and Senate Bill 1053 — that would ban all plastic bags from grocery store checkouts beginning in 2026. At that point, only paper bags made of at least 50% recycled materials would be allowed for packing up groceries — as well as the truly #reusable bags that shoppers bring with them. https://lnkd.in/eTScX74C

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"In 1979, an internal company report deemed PFOS “certainly more toxic than anticipated” and recommended longer-term studies. That year, 3M executives flew to San Francisco to consult Harold Hodge, a respected toxicologist. They told Hodge only part of what they knew: that PFOS had sickened and even killed laboratory animals, and had caused liver abnormalities in factory workers. According to a 3M document that was marked “confidential,” Hodge urged the executives to study whether the company’s fluorochemicals caused reproductive issues or cancer. After reviewing more data, he told one of them to find out whether the chemicals were present “in man,” and he added, “If the levels are high and widespread and the half-life is long, we could have a serious problem.” Yet Hodge’s warning was omitted from official meeting notes, and the company’s fluorochemical production increased over time.... In May, 1998, 3M officials notified the agency, without informing Hansen, that the company had measured PFOS in blood samples from around the U.S.—a clear reference to Hansen’s work. It did not mention its animal research from the seventies, and it said that the chemical caused “no adverse effects” at the levels the company had measured in its workers. A year later, 3M sent the E.P.A. another letter, again without telling Hansen. This time, it informed the agency about the fourteen other fluorochemicals, several of them made by 3M, that Hansen’s team had detected in human blood. The company reiterated that it did not believe that its products presented a substantial risk to human health." Story by Sharon Lerner for The New Yorker. #environment #publichealth #pfas #pfos #foreverchemicals #pollution #northcarolina #journalism

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A new space race - the PFAS (forever chemicals) cleanup. Technically known as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, these chemicals do not break down naturally. They have become ubiquitous in the environment. Across the US, the potential PFAS removal market is estimated at $250 billion. This follows the new US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulatory limits, mandating that PFAS levels are no higher than four parts per trillion. Carsten Prasse from The Johns Hopkins University said: "These stringent new standards will require many utilities to install treatment to come into compliance." Estelle Brachlianoff, chief executive of French water company Veolia, said PFAS removal in the US is a big opportunity and is "growing fast". Via: Financial Times #water #pollution #PFAS #foreverchemicals #climate #innovation https://lnkd.in/eTMWizAV

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With the election of Trump and the inevitable rise of the power and influence of the fossil fuel industry in America, state (or, to put it in UN-speak, subnational) action on climate becomes more important than ever.

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Ideas for California Cap-and-Trade -- ClimateBrief: As CARB Readies New Cap-and-Trade Rule, Climate Experts Weigh in on Optimal Changes for California's Emissions Reduction Goals (CEB DailyNews piece - with free sign-up) https://lnkd.in/e9-wf55E

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As a human being, I support the California Air Resources Board's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) - a climate program that has allowed cleaner fuels produced from oils, fats and waste to replace more than 60% of all diesel within California in just a few short years. The LCFS supports the clean fuels like Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) and other biofuels necessary to decarbonize heavy-duty transport, while simultaneously supporting wider passenger EV adoption. Consider that Rivian, General Motors, Tesla, Hyundai Motor Company (현대자동차) and AUDI AG have all recently come out in support of the LCFS due in part to its incentives for EV infrastructure. As a husband and father of three children, I support the LCFS because it means cleaner air and improved health for Californians of all backgrounds. A 2022 study from UC Davis once concluded that Oregon’s own CFS will reduce air pollution deaths due to reductions in particulate emissions and avoid up to US$87.7 billion in healthcare costs per year, compared to a business-as-usual scenario. CARB, of its part, has estimated $5 billion in statewide health benefits savings due to California's LCFS. As the grandson of a cotton picker, I support the LCFS because it has offered incentives to farmers in our State to install anaerobic digesters on their farms that can reduce methane emissions — which are nearly 80-times as destructive for our climate compared to CO2 when evaluated on a 20-year scale. Today, California has more dairy digesters than any state in the U.S. As the Founder & CEO of Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas I support CARB's update to the LCFS because it will provide investment certainty for stakeholders considering investments in clean fuel projects, including Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) facilities. A delay to this update would only drag out uncertainty, delaying the sizable investments that will prove necessary if California is to achieve its long-term goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. #YestoLCFS #TheLCFSWorks #LowCarbonFuels #MethaneCapture #RenewableNaturalGas #RNG #SMART #LEADS

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⚠️YES THERE IS PFOS/PFAS CHEMICALS IN TECHNOLOGY ⚠️ Where and how? What is PFOS/PFAS? PFOS/PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals widely used in industrial and consumer products since the 1940s for their water, oil, and stain-resistant properties. What parts could have PFOS/PFAS? - Electronic Components: PFOS/PFAS may be used in manufacturing electronic components like semiconductors and microchips for specialized coatings. - Plastic Casings: Devices often have plastic casings potentially treated with PFOS/PFAS for water or stain resistance. - Cables and Connectors: Some cables and connectors may contain PFOS/PFAS in insulation or coatings for durability. - Packaging Materials: PFOS/PFAS could be in packaging materials for shipping and storage, like protective films. - Environmental Concerns: PFOS/PFAS, while not a direct risk during use, pose environmental concerns during production and disposal. Efforts to phase out PFOS/PFAS are ongoing, but they can still be present in electronics due to their wide use. HUMAN RISK: Exposure to PFOS/PFAS can lead to health risks like developmental delays, fertility issues, liver damage, and immune system problems. These chemicals accumulate in the body, disrupting hormones and increasing susceptibility to chronic health issues over time. Understanding and regulating PFOS/PFAS exposure is essential for safeguarding public health. 🌏 Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo will feature in "How To Poison A Planet," a new Australian documentary revealing the widespread presence of PFOS/PFAS chemicals in everyday products, affecting 98% of the world's population. 🎬 The documentary, a collaboration between The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and director Katrina McGowan, exposes 3M Company's actions in contaminating drinking water supplies with PFOS/PFAS, resulting in a $US12.5 billion settlement. It uncovers suppressed evidence and follows the legal fight for justice. 💧 Premiering on Stan (Australia) from April 28, "How To Poison A Planet" aims to raise awareness about global chemical contamination issues. #EnvironmentalProtection #Documentary #Awareness #safety #ohs Article: https://lnkd.in/gFupm_e7

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Wait—💥California could ban trash bags this year🧐 You need to keep an eye on SB 1053 and AB 2236 All packaging folks that sell any bags in California... I have been following this bill and its a HOT mess. Current language was amended in July to prohibit the sale, distribution or offering of “a bag” in California supermarkets. Only exemptions are paper retail bags, produce bags, pharmacy bags, and dry cleaning bags. Just saw legal memo that verified my understanding. The definition of bag was left so broad and inclusive it wraps in (packaging pun not intended but approriate) ANY bag other than the four exceptions….so you may see issues with -Trash Bags 🚮 -Reusable Bags—regardless if made of cotton, plastic or other -Back Packs 🎒 -lunch brown bags -Sandwich bags 🥪 -Lawn and Leaf Bags 🍁—paper or plastic -other bags YES CALIFORNIA WOULD BAN REUSABLE BAGS—think of that for a moment. Actually it is a stated goal of the authors.. since they dont get reused enough they proposed to ban them too. If its a bag supermarkets would be prohibited from selling or offering it. Bill came off suspense yesterday and could get a vote as early as Monday. Ugh SB 1053 and AB 2236 are a mess.

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Important to take the time to read this document if you work on, or care about, our environmental future. This is a list of environmental roll-backs that US manufacturing trade associations are requesting the Trump Administration take action on. It's sobering, but important to know what their priorities are. (hint: it's broad in scope.)

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"Will this help us rethink fast fashion?"...if this new law leads fast fashion companies to pass the costs of taking responsibility on to the consumers, perhaps! It would be great to see real shifts in the way apparel companies choose materials and design clothing. Will also be interesting to track how a textile and apparel producer responsibility program compares to other existing programs for things like beverage containers, light bulbs, paint in terms of influencing consumer vs. producer behavior.

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Could the California Wildfires Be Linked to Domestic or International Terrorism? A Hypothetical Scenario The recent devastating wildfires in California, including the Palisades Fire, Altamira, and others, have caused immense destruction, leaving communities in ashes and lives altered forever. As a seasoned security professional with years of law enforcement experience, I can’t help but wonder: Could these fires be linked to something more sinister, like a domestic or international terrorist attack? Could they have been ignited by an angry individual, including an illegal immigrant with a grudge, or a more coordinated effort by a foreign adversary? Let’s explore a hypothetical scenario. While wildfires are typically caused by natural factors like dry weather, lightning strikes, or human error, there is always the potential for malicious actors to exploit such environments for their own purposes. A carefully orchestrated attack using fire as a weapon could have disastrous consequences, particularly in densely populated or economically critical areas. For a domestic threat, an individual with radical views or a personal vendetta could easily set a fire, causing widespread damage and chaos. We’ve seen in the past that acts of domestic terrorism often stem from extreme ideologies, whether related to political views, anti-government sentiment, or personal anger. An illegal alien, in particular, may harbor resentment and target areas they believe represent their frustrations with society, especially if they have been mistreated or marginalized. It’s crucial that we examine the possibility of individuals or groups with a motive using such a devastating method of attack. On the international front, foreign adversaries—particularly those seeking to destabilize the U.S.—could see California’s wildfires as an opportunity to strike. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, terrorism takes on new forms. A foreign state actor, such as China or Russia, could potentially sponsor groups or individuals within the U.S. to carry out attacks designed to disrupt infrastructure and spread fear. With the current global tensions and the rapid pace of technology, this type of attack could easily involve the use of sophisticated methods, including drones or cyber attacks, to start fires remotely. Of course, these are hypothetical scenarios, but as a seasoned LEO, I know the importance of considering all possibilities when it comes to national security. The response to these wildfires must not only focus on containment and recovery but also on investigating potential foul play. Whether it’s an individual with a vendetta or an international player seeking to weaken us, we must remain vigilant. As we continue to battle these fires, we should not dismiss the possibility that these could be a symptom of a larger, more coordinated effort—one that may involve individuals or groups with motives far beyond mere destruction of nature. Jorge Reyes Jr., CLPI, CLPD, CISM

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The EPA is a straight-up terrorist organization that, for decades, allowed heavily polluted #biosludge toxins to be spread on America's farms, saturated with PFAS chemicals, including PFOA, PFOS and many others. Now many of these farms are not legally allowed to produce food, according to the FDA, because the farm soils are too toxic. EPA whistleblower Dr. David Lewis, author of 'Science For Sale' was intimidated, threatened and ultimately had his EPA lab de-funded and shut down because he was trying to warn America about this well over a decade ago. I made a documentary featuring his testimony called "Biosludged" at Biosludged.com. Importantly, the EPA knowingly and willingly allowed America's farms to be repeatedly saturated with "forever chemical" pollutants, knowing this would render the farms unusable. This is a form of FAMINE WARFARE that was also used across Europe many centuries ago, even in Rome, when soldiers would "salt the fields" of enemies to prevent food crops from growing there. The EPA 'salted the fields' of American farms with toxic forever chemicals, and the EPA even defended this practice, even while famine warfare, mass pollution and sabotage of food output was being carried out with the full approval of the #EPA. Make no mistake: The Environmental Protection Agenda is a terrorist sabotage operation that has been targeting America's farms for decades, and they have successfully rendered millions of acres unusable for food production for the next 100+ years. I believe top EPA officials should be criminally indicted and held accountable for their crimes against farmers and the environment. More importantly, the EPA needs to be completely defunded and dismantled before it can cause even more damage to America's farms and our natural environment. https://lnkd.in/gfPQDwhU