Grist
The World Cup is one wildfire away from an air quality disaster
Wildfire smoke poses a serious and largely unaddressed threat to the 2026 World Cup, with FIFA offering no concrete plan to protect players and fans from dangerous air quality events. Unlike heat or flooding, smoke can travel hundreds of miles and blanket entire host cities with little warning. As climate-driven wildfires grow more frequent and severe, the absence of a clear contingency protocol is a glaring gap in tournament planning.
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Louisiana lawmakers rush to support an industry they ‘do not know a lot about’
Louisiana's Legislature fast-tracked a bill supporting the wood-pellet industry despite lawmakers openly admitting limited knowledge of the sector. The industry has faced repeated pollution violations, raising concerns that the legislation prioritizes economic interests over environmental accountability. The move highlights a broader pattern of states advancing industrial subsidies with little scrutiny of their real-world consequences.
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Mongabay
Sri Lanka bans single-use plastic bottles at government events, charges for plastic bags
Sri Lanka has prohibited single-use plastic water bottles across all government institutions starting May 31, with plastic bag charges also introduced under a new regulatory circular. The policy marks a significant escalation in the country's ongoing campaign to curb plastic waste within the public sector. For a nation long struggling with plastic pollution, the measure signals a shift from voluntary reduction efforts to enforceable government mandates.
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Mongabay
Huge ivory bust raises questions about follow-up investigations in Tanzania
A North Korean national faces trial in Tanzania this week after being caught with 500 elephant tusks — one of the largest ivory seizures tied to a single individual in recent memory. The April arrest of Un Hyok Ra in Dar es Salaam has drawn international attention and raised urgent questions about the broader trafficking networks enabling such a massive haul. Conservationists and law enforcement observers are now pressing authorities on whether the case will lead to deeper investigations into the supply chain behind it.
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Mongabay
Ancient Maya knowledge helps Guatemalan farmers cut agrochemical use
Smallholder farmers in Guatemala's Western Highlands are reviving traditional Maya agricultural wisdom, blending it with modern sustainable techniques to shield crops from pests and disease. By crafting homemade biopesticides from pungent local plants, they are reducing dependence on costly and environmentally harmful agrochemicals. The approach offers a scalable model for communities across the developing world seeking affordable, ecologically sound alternatives to industrial farming inputs.
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