For almost 66 minutes, U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday heard lawyers argue over Florida’s complaint that Georgia is to blame for the demise of the oyster fishery in Florida’s Apalachicola Bay.
Tag: Environment
Posted inLatest News
John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve named to Old-Growth Forest Network
The John Ripley Forbes Big Trees Forest Preserve, in Sandy Springs, has been designated part of the Old-Growth Forest Network, a national network of mature forests that are protected, native and publicly accessible.
Posted inLatest News
Atlanta seeking to curb use of gas-powered leaf blowers
Leaf blowers as both a polluter and an irritant of urban life are coming under scrutiny in Atlanta and possibly, at Atlanta’s behest, by state environmental officials. Recommendations to manage their use are due in Atlanta by May 31.
Posted inColumns
Endless litigation over Chattahoochee River, no matter who wins water war
The Supreme Court is slated to hear oral arguments next week in the relentless case of Florida seeking more water from Georgia for Apalachicola Bay. No matter who wins, it won’t be the end of litigation over the major river system in metro Atlanta – the Chattahoochee River.
Posted inColumns
EPA’s mandated review of Georgia rivers usage resumes after two-year lag
The clock is ticking on the state’s review of requests by river advocates to upgrade the designated use of Georgia’s rivers – including the Chattahoochee and South rivers. The effort appears to rely heavily on volunteers with riverkeeper and paddling organizations.
Posted inColumns
A climate solution that cuts carbon and gives money to people
By Guest Columnist STEVE VALK, an Atlanta resident who serves as communications coordinator for Citizens’ Climate Lobby
At long last, it appears the climate crisis will finally be addressed with the urgency it demands. In his inaugural address, President Joe Biden said, “A cry for survival comes from the planet itself, a cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear now.”
Posted inLatest News
Measuring climate change as NOAA updates definition of ‘climate normals’
The headline on a climate report from Yale Climate Connections says a lot: “What’s ‘normal’ in a changing climate?”
Posted inColumns
Backyard hurricane: Leaf blowers exact huge toll to create a world with fewer leaves
By Guest Columnist PETER BAHOUTH, climate activist and visual artist
My very first job was raking leaves in the fall. … Now, the simple and efficient rake has been replaced by the daily intrusion of loud and polluting gas-powered leaf blowers designed to blast away any leaf that dares land on a lawn.
Posted inLatest News
Right whale caught in deadly tangle of fishing gear spotted off Georgia’s coast; watch continues
State environmental officials continue to watch the waters off Georgia’s coast for a North Atlantic right whale tangled in a potentially deadly mess of line that looks like commercial fishing gear. This endangered species is Georgia’s marine mammal.
Posted inLatest News
Art contest for Youth Birding Competition begins amid newfound passion for birds
The pandemic hasn’t stopped the T-shirt Art Contest that’s part of Georgia’s planned 16th annual Youth Birding Competition. The statewide art contest was won last year by an eighth-grader from Duluth.
Posted inLatest News
Rhode Island senator visits Georgia coast, reminds voters of sea level rise
A Rhode Island senator is back in Georgia today to share one message with Georgia voters. “Think about the coast as you cast your vote,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat.
Posted inLatest News
Senate runoff: Okefenokee Swamp represents environmental, security concerns
The fate of a proposed strip mine near the Okefenokee Swamp represents environmental and national security issues at stake in the Senate runoff in Georgia.
Posted inColumns
Catholics to have role in determining Senate runoff results
By Guest Columnist SUSAN VARLAMOFF, retired director of the University of Georgia’s Office of Environmental Sciences
As Georgia is the political epicenter of the nation with two U.S. Senate runoff races, the 1.2 million Catholics in the state may play an outsized role in deciding which party controls the Senate.
Posted inLatest News
Environmental justice, sustainable structures, municipalization at issue in lawsuit
A lawsuit that involves issues of environmental justice, sustainable construction materials, and the rule-making processes of a new city continued Wednesday in DeKalb Superior Court.
Posted inLatest News
DeKalb County water, sewer rates may be increased: bond analysts, consultant
Customers of DeKalb County’s water and sewer system may be facing a series of rate hikes that could begin next year and continue into 2026. The county’s revenues from customers need to increase by 40% by 2026 to cover expenses, according to a consultant’s report.
Posted inLatest News
Chattahoochee River’s new boat ramp is just the second south of Peachtree Creek
The scarcity of access to the Chattahoochee River has been eased with the opening of a boat ramp in Chattahoochee Hills. It’s just the second ramp on the southern side of metro Atlanta, according to Mayor Tom Reed.
Posted inLatest News
Georgia Tech wins national award for teaching students to address sustainability, social justice
Georgia Tech’s Serve-Learn-Sustain program received a first place award Thursday from the national campus sustainability association, AASHE, for its approach to teaching students methods to solve problems involving environmental sustainability and social justice.
Posted inLatest News
Whale Week: Female pioneers in conservation to speak about careers for women
A researcher who’s devoted her career to help marine life is to join three other women who work in marine conservation in a discussion Thursday about careers in the sector, as part of the third Whale Week in Georgia.
Posted inColumns
Time to pass SAVE Right Whales Act, celebrate state marine mammal during Whale Week
By Guest Columnist NANCY K. DAVES, retired international specialist, NOAA Fisheries
As Winter arrives, ‘tis the season for many holidays. But the ocean off Georgia’s coast has a different reason to celebrate. November marks the beginning of North Atlantic right whale calving season in our southern waters.
Posted inLatest News
Environmental justice advocates want to promote public health
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated with a response from Georgia Power.
Advocates of environmental justice met Tuesday to discuss their interest in promoting public health at the local, state and national levels, and obtaining funding to promote the campaigns.
