Looking to recap everything green and good that happened this past month? Don’t worry, we’ve got you! From finalising the US’ “forever chemicals” limits in drinking water to making paracetamol without coal tar and crude oil, we’re giving you the scoop on 10 of the weird and wonderful things that happened around the world in April or so.
- EPA finalises the US’ first PFAS limits in drinking water
After roughly 70 years of widespread use, the federal government is finally taking action to regulate the so-called “forever chemicals” found in products ranging from nonstick cookware to menstrual pads. On April 10, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the nation’s first drinking water standards for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of synthetic chemicals that persist in the environment and have been associated with cancer, heart disease, liver damage, developmental issues, and other health risks.
The new standards will limit the concentration of two of the most extensively studied PFAS—PFOA and PFOS—to the lowest level that technology can detect, about 4 parts per trillion. Additionally, three other common PFAS will have a combined limit of 10 parts per trillion, either individually, together, or with another unregulated chemical.
These regulations cover only a small portion of the PFAS class, which contains more than 15,000 distinct chemicals. However, the EPA projects that these measures could protect around 100 million people from harmful exposure and prevent tens of thousands of serious illnesses, especially cancer cases. By capping the levels of these hazardous substances in drinking water, the EPA is taking a significant step towards addressing the risks posed by these enduring chemicals.
- California companies secure $700 Million for cement decarbonisation
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) is investing up to $6 billion in 33 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy industry, focusing on cleaner technologies for steel, cement, aluminium, and similar carbon-intensive processes.
Two California-based cement companies will receive nearly $700 million to demonstrate lower-carbon cement production, supporting California’s SB 596, a law mandating all cement used in the state be net-zero by 2045. The companies are Brimstone’s technology and National Cement which will receive $189 and $500 million respectively.
Cement production is responsible for about 8% of global carbon emissions due to the high heat needed and the chemical breakdown of limestone, which releases CO2. OCED’s funding will help test solutions like carbon capture and innovative production methods, neither of which have yet been proven on a large commercial scale.
- ‘Nature’ is now an official, credited artist on streaming platforms
On April 18, a new artist made her debut on Spotify and other streaming platforms, though her sounds were already familiar—like ocean waves, birdsong, or falling rain. The artist was nature, and her streaming music is aimed at raising funds for conservation.
The Museum for the United Nations – UN Live, a Copenhagen-based organisation that leverages pop culture to promote climate awareness and action, launched Sounds Right, an initiative to use nature’s music to support conservation. By listing nature—styled as NATURE—as an official, credited artist on streaming platforms, at least half of all royalties will go to conservation partners.
The initial royalties will be directed to EarthPercent, a charity co founded by ambient music pioneer Brian Eno. An advisory panel comprising conservation experts, biologists, environmental activists, and Indigenous representatives will then allocate the funds.
- Germany shuts down 15 coal-fired power plants
Germany decommissioned 15 coal-fired power plants over Easter to stay on track with its climate neutrality goals. Economy Minister Robert Habeck explained that these plants were “neither necessary nor economical.”
The country aims to eliminate coal-fired power by 2030, but the energy crisis following the war in Ukraine has led to a temporary reactivation of these plants to address rising energy costs. With energy prices stabilising, Germany chose to shut them down.
“Several coal-fired power plants that were kept on standby over the last two years are now unnecessary and can be permanently removed from the grid,” Habeck stated to the German Press Agency (dpa) on April 1.
- Catan’s new board game lets you pit fossil fuels against green energy
Catan, originally released as Settlers of Catan in 1995, is a board game created by Klaus Teuber that’s sold over 40 million copies. Players become settlers on the fictional island of Catan, collecting resources like lumber and grain to build settlements, cities, and roads.
The upcoming edition, Catan: New Energies, brings new challenges as the island faces an energy crisis due to population growth. Players can choose to build fossil fuel power plants for quick energy, leading to pollution, or invest in slower, more sustainable renewable energy. If pollution rises too high, the game ends in disaster, and the eco-friendliest player wins.
This concept reflects real-world climate change impacts, where smaller, less polluting island nations often suffer the most. As Benjamin Teuber, managing director of Catan GmbH and son of the game’s creator, notes, it shows “the unfairness of the world.” Benjamin and his father Klaus, who passed away in April 2023, co-designed Catan: New Energies.
- Bloomberg funds youth-led climate action in 100 cities worldwide
Few governments worldwide have actively responded to youth demands for climate action. To address this, Bloomberg Philanthropies, the nonprofit funded by Michael Bloomberg, launched the Youth Climate Action Fund on April 10. The initiative aims to help 100 cities globally include youth voices in their climate policies and plans.
James Anderson, who oversees the organisation’s government innovation programs, explained that the fund seeks to boost youth participation in climate activism and encourage local governments to engage with those eager to make a difference.
The fund has already granted initial awards to cities in 38 countries across six continents. Each selected city will receive an initial $50,000. If their mayor quickly commits to using this money for programs involving youth leadership in climate action within six months, the city will receive an additional $100,000 to further support youth-led climate projects.
- Oil and gas companies have to pay more to drill on public lands in the US
According to a new rule issued on April 12 by the Biden administration, oil and gas companies will face higher costs to drill on public lands and must meet stricter requirements for cleaning up old or abandoned wells.
The rule, introduced by the Interior Department, increases the royalty rate for oil drilling on federal lands from 12.5% to 16.67%, a one-third jump. This change aligns with the 2002 climate law passed by Congress, marking the first rate increase in a century. The previous rate was significantly lower than what many states and private landowners charge for drilling leases.
While the new rule doesn’t ban new oil and gas leasing on public lands—a move many environmental groups and President Joe Biden, during his 2020 campaign, supported—it aims to create a more responsible leasing process that generates greater returns for U.S. taxpayers.
The plan solidifies provisions from the Inflation Reduction Act, the 2021 infrastructure law, and recommendations from a 2021 Interior Department report on oil and gas leasing
Frederick Florin | Afp | Getty Images
- Swiss women win landmark climate case at Europe top human rights court
The top human rights court in Europe ruled in favour of over 2,000 elderly Swiss women who argued their government’s response to climate change didn’t adequately protect them from heat waves. The European Court of Human Rights’ decision is seen as groundbreaking for climate litigation worldwide. It found the Swiss government violated the right to private and family life and failed in its climate change obligations. This ruling could prompt Switzerland to revise its climate policies, aligning them with the Paris Agreement. It’s a significant win for those using legal means to hold governments accountable for climate inaction; according to Vesselina Newman, fundamental rights lead at ClientEarth.
- European supermarkets see huge increase in plant-based food sales
Sales of vegan products at Lidl Germany, a budget supermarket chain, have surged by over 30% in the last six months, according to Vegconomist. The announcement came at a protein transition event in Berlin earlier this month. Lidl credits the boost to its move in October 2023 to price-match meat and plant-based alternatives. To encourage customers to choose plant-based options, the supermarket also began placing vegan products alongside animal-based ones.
Lidl is leading the shift toward plant-based protein among major food retailers. In February 2023, the company announced plans to reduce its animal product offerings while expanding its vegan selection. At the time, Lidl’s chief buyer, Christoph Graf, stated that reducing animal product sales is essential if we want to “feed ourselves within planetary limits.”
- Paracetamol can be made without coal tar and crude oil
Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen in the US and Japan, has traditionally been produced from chemicals derived from coal tar or crude oil, which are environmentally damaging. Researchers have now found a more sustainable way to make the drug using wood from poplar trees.
First developed in the 1800s, paracetamol is one of the most popular over-the-counter drugs for treating pain and fever. It’s sold under brand names like Tylenol and Panadol and is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines.
The problem with paracetamol is that it typically relies on non-renewable petrochemicals for production. Historically, it was called a “coal tar analgesic” because its primary ingredient, phenol, came from coal tar. These days, phenol is mostly derived from crude oil, which still poses environmental concerns.
With limited fossil fuel resources and a push toward net zero emissions, researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a greener method to make paracetamol from trees. In 2019, a team led by John Ralph and Steven Karlen received a patent for a process that uses lignin, a plant polymer found in poplar trees, to synthesise paracetamol. They’ve since been refining their technique.
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