Keerti Gopal

Keerti Gopal

@keertigopal.bsky.social

reporting on health and climate justice @insideclimatenews.org | signal @ keerti.33

964 followers369 following53 posts

Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

Months after the Maui wildfires, residents were still finding high levels of heavy metals in their bodies. New research finds that might be harming their lungs. Our latest on the long aftermath of disasters, and how they impact human health: insideclimatenews.org/news/2909202...

insideclimatenews.orgLong After Wildfire Smoke Is Gone, Heavy Metals Could Still Be Harming Survivors’ Lungs - Inside Climate NewsA new study from University of Hawai‘i researchers links metals found in the ash of the 2023 Maui wildfires with impaired lung function.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

Hawai'i can't catch a break from hurricanes and storms this year, and disasters too often bring scams. We pulled together tips from experts on how to do your best to stay safe (and a lot of these apply anywhere!) From me and @erinnolan.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/2809202...

insideclimatenews.orgHow to Protect Yourself From Disaster Scams - Inside Climate NewsContracting fraud and misconduct are rampant after storms and fires. Experts share tips for the increasing number of Hawaiʻi communities in recovery.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

This story is a follow up to our investigation earlier this month on how Lahaina residents have been impacted by unlicensed and unreliable contractors during a long recovery from the 2023 wildfires insideclimatenews.org/news/0209202...

insideclimatenews.orgNo Relief for Maui Wildfire Survivors Losing Thousands to Contractors - Inside Climate NewsHomeowners rebuilding in Lahaina have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars to unlicensed or unreliable contractors. Government officials have so far failed to hold anyone accountable.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

first ruling against the Trump administration's use of emergency orders to keep aging (and costly, and polluting) coal plants online! from me, @dangearino.bsky.social and @mlavelle.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/1109202...

insideclimatenews.orgCourt Rules Against Trump Order to Keep Costly Michigan Coal Plant Running - Inside Climate NewsA federal appeals court has struck down the Trump administration’s use of emergency powers to require a coal-fired power plant in Michigan to remain open, ruling that the U.S. Department of Energy exc...

Keerti Gopal reposted

Inside Climate News
@insideclimatenews.org

Being behind on your trash bill could land you behind bars in this Alabama county. Read the stories of Alabamians arrested over trash debt.

insideclimatenews.orgAn Overdue Trash Bill Left This Alabama Woman in Handcuffs. She’s Not Alone. - Inside Climate NewsDOUBLE SPRINGS, Ala.—As 59-year-old Pam Benton sat handcuffed to a cold bench inside the Winston County Courthouse, shame flooded over her. All she could think about, she later explained, was what her...
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

The Trump/Zeldin EPA wants to make the U.S. "the AI capital of the world." But fast-tracking data centers and powering them with fossil fuels comes with serious human costs, detailed in a new report from former EPA officials. Read more @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1109202...

insideclimatenews.orgData Center Boom Brings Health Hazards, Former EPA Officials Warn - Inside Climate NewsExperts warn of dangers from fossil fuel expansion and federal carveouts for the AI industry.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

We need to be adapting to climate change yesterday, and hot summers (like this one) mean more medical emergencies. Faster data from heat waves can help hospitals staff up accordingly. Read more @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0409202...

insideclimatenews.orgCan Studying Heat Waves in Real Time Save Lives? - Inside Climate NewsHeat drove medical emergencies across the country last summer. Tracking those changes more quickly could help doctors prepare.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

It's not just about heat stroke — a new study finds extreme heat drives emergency room visits in Chicago for everything from accidental injuries to chronic disease. With climate change bringing more heat waves, healthcare professionals need to get ready. insideclimatenews.org/news/2608202...

insideclimatenews.orgIn Chicago ERs, Extreme Heat’s Toll Goes Far Beyond the Obvious - Inside Climate NewsNew research finds a wide range of medical emergencies spiked during heat waves in recent years.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Inside Climate News
@insideclimatenews.org

Scientists published today the world’s first climate attribution study to link major fossil fuel emitters’ emissions to water loss in the Western U.S. Almost half of decreased snowpack and streamflow in the region, they found, is attributable to 122 oil, gas and cement producers.

insideclimatenews.orgThe Biggest Carbon Polluters Are to Blame for Half of U.S. Western Water Lost to Climate Change, ‘Groundbreaking’ Paper Says - Inside Climate NewsSome of the most impactful changes have come in the stressed Colorado River basin.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Liza Gross
@lizagross.bsky.social

“Our people are dying.” That's what farmworker activist Dolores Huerta said Tuesday before an oversight hearing Calif. legislators held on pesticide regulators. If Calif. is really the green leader it claims to be, why does it allow growers to use pesticides so toxic scores of countries ban them?

insideclimatenews.orgCalifornia Pesticide Agency Hopelessly Captured by Industry, Critics Charge - Inside Climate NewsState regulators face calls to better protect low-income, Spanish-speaking immigrants from pesticide exposure in agricultural communities.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

in case you were wondering, chicago does indeed have data centers

Inside Climate News@insideclimatenews.org

Chicago environmental justice leaders praise the mayor’s new action to curb data center impacts and are calling on the City Council to pass a moratorium.

insideclimatenews.orgChicago Mayor Seeks to Curb Health and Environmental Impacts of Data Centers - Inside Climate NewsEnvironmental justice advocates see his new executive order as a step in the right direction as national opposition to the industry grows.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Clayton Page Aldern
@compatibilism.bsky.social

New from @juanpab.bsky.social, @keertigopal.bsky.social, and me: Chicago has the most lead pipes of any U.S. city... and pays wildly more than anyone else to replace them: ~$31,000 per line, more than 6x the EPA's nat'l est. of $4,700. Officials can't fully explain why. grist.org/accountabili... 1/n

grist.orgWhy is it so unusually expensive to replace lead pipes in Chicago?The city with the most lead pipes in the nation is paying way above average to fix them. Officials can't fully explain why.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Rachel Santarsiero
@rsanta.bsky.social

Spoke with @keertigopal.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org about the latest at-risk archival collection: Forest Service records. Very cool to see this story get picked up by @motherjones.com via @climatedesk.org

National Security Archive@nsarchive.bsky.social

"Eliminating swaths of Forest Service documents would fall in line with the administration’s axing of data and historical records, said Rachel Santarsiero, director of the National Security Archive’s Climate Change Transparency Project." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...

motherjones.comWill Trump's Forest Service upheaval erase a century of precious historical documents?Amid restructuring, the agency says it will retain records, but outside experts are wary.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

Wildfires and extreme heat are driving pollution across the country. Kids and communities of color are getting the worst of it. Read about the state of the air @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2204202...

insideclimatenews.orgAlmost Half of America’s Kids Are Breathing Toxic Air - Inside Climate NewsThe American Lung Association’s annual report finds that climate change is making dirty air worse, especially for communities of color. The Trump administration keeps targeting rules meant to help.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

After decades of opposition, activists are escalating their fight against the Hennepin Energy Recovery Center. Learn about why they’re going on hunger strike @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/1004202...

insideclimatenews.orgMinneapolis Activists Launch Hunger Strike to Protest Polluting Trash Incinerator - Inside Climate NewsCounty officials have said they will eventually close the incinerator, located in a predominantly Black community. Advocates want a concrete plan.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

A new study out of Sweden found a strong link between high levels of PFAS exposure and childhood asthma — adding to a growing area of study. Learn more @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0904202...

insideclimatenews.orgSevere Exposure to ‘Forever Chemicals’ During Pregnancy Could Lead to Childhood Asthma - Inside Climate NewsExposure to “forever chemicals” during pregnancy could increase the risk of childhood asthma, according to new research from Sweden. Researchers from Lund University found that prenatal exposure to very high levels of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS, in drinking water corresponded with a higher incidence of childhood asthma in a community dealing with […]

Keerti Gopal reposted

Liza Gross
@lizagross.bsky.social

My latest looks at #PFAS #pesticides, which @ewgofficial.bsky.social found on conventional produce grown in CA. EWG advises consumers to wash their produce. Whether rinsing produce laced with chemicals designed to resist water would have any effect is unclear. insideclimatenews.org/news/0804202...

insideclimatenews.orgCalifornia Bill Aims to Keep Toxic PFAS off Its Crops - Inside Climate NewsThe nation’s top agricultural producer could ban pesticides with PFAS after researchers found the “forever chemicals” on 40 percent of the conventional produce grown in the state.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Kiley Bense
@kiley.bsky.social

With my colleague @keertigopal.bsky.social, I wrote about a new report on global air pollution--that shows how climate change is making it worse. insideclimatenews.org/news/2403202...

insideclimatenews.orgClimate-Fueled Wildfires and Dust Storms Drove Up Air Pollution Around the World Last Year - Inside Climate NewsA new report shows air pollution threatens the majority of the world’s population, while information gaps increase the risks.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Martha Pskowski
@psskow.bsky.social

The federal government plans to install 536 miles of massive, cylindrical buoys in the Rio Grande to prevent unauthorized crossings. The buoys could cost upwards of $3 billion, at a moment when crossings are at record lows. (photo by Michael Gonzalez)

Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

Wildfire survivors throughout Maui are still facing severe mental health burdens, two and a half years after the devastating fires. Read about how the crisis intersects with housing, job loss, and struggling healthcare infrastructure here: insideclimatenews.org/news/1103202...

insideclimatenews.orgMaui’s Mental Health Crisis Goes Far Beyond the Wildfire Burn Zone  - Inside Climate NewsOn the day of one of the deadliest natural disasters in Hawaii’s history, Blake Kekoa Ramelb watched his hometown go up in flames.  It was Aug. 8, 2023, and Maui was burning. Ramelb, born and raised i...

Keerti Gopal reposted

Stop the Money Pipeline
@stopmoneypipeline.bsky.social

Days after this winter storm, thousands are still without power, digging out, and 60+ people have died. This storm was supercharged by climate change: warmer air holds more moisture, driving heavier snow, ice, + damage. ❄️🔥 insideclimatenews.org/news/2601202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response - Inside Climate NewsA sprawling winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power, grounded thousands of flights and disrupted travel across the eastern half of the U.S. could be the first real test of the secon...
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

A climate change superfund bill in Illinois joins a national movement to force fossil fuel companies to pay for the rising costs of climate change. Read about why communities are calling to "make polluters pay" @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/2801202...

insideclimatenews.orgAmid National Call to ‘Make Polluters Pay,’ Illinois Lawmakers Are Prepping a Climate Change Superfund Bill - Inside Climate NewsIllinois lawmakers plan to introduce a climate change superfund bill in the state legislature this session, the latest in a growing number of states seeking to make fossil fuel companies pay up for th...

Keerti Gopal reposted

Michael E. Mann
@michaelemann.bsky.social

"A Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response" by @kiley.bsky.social, @bberwyn.bsky.social, @keertigopal.bsky.social, Lee Hedgepeth & Lisa Sorg for @insideclimatenews.org: insideclimatenews.org/news/2601202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response - Inside Climate NewsA sprawling winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power, grounded thousands of flights and disrupted travel across the eastern half of the U.S. could be the first real test of the secon...
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

A team effort today on the winter storm's wide reaching impacts, climate change, FEMA cuts and the health hazards of extreme cold. Stay warm and check on your elderly and unhoused neighbors! insideclimatenews.org/news/2601202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Winter Storm Fueled by Global Warming Tests U.S. Disaster Response - Inside Climate NewsA sprawling winter storm that left hundreds of thousands without power, grounded thousands of flights and disrupted travel across the eastern half of the U.S. could be the first real test of the secon...

Keerti Gopal reposted

Water Hub
@waterhub.bsky.social

States across the country need federal support to replace toxic lead pipes. But Congress may cut $125M from funding meant to remove them, raising concerns about slowing progress to protect people from lead in their drinking water. @keertigopal.bsky.social for @grist.org: grist.org/politics/sta...

grist.orgStates say they need more help replacing lead pipes. Congress may cut the funding instead.The U.S. House voted to cut millions promised for the work this year. The Senate will vote this week, as advocates and some lawmakers push back.

Keerti Gopal reposted

The Uproot Project
@uprootproject.bsky.social

Even as climate change worsens suffering for people with chronic pain, "getting funding from Washington for research at the intersection of global warming and pain is virtually impossible." Uprooter @smallthoughts.bsky.social for @insideclimatenews.org insideclimatenews.org/news/0401202...

insideclimatenews.orgThe Real Pain of Climate Change Is Easy to Feel, but Increasingly Difficult to Study - Inside Climate NewsMany chronic pain patients cite the weather as a driver of their suffering, and climate change is making the torment more likely and harder to deal with. But research on the relationship is uncertain,...

Keerti Gopal reposted

Ed Maibach
@maibached.bsky.social

My hat is off to Farah Waseem, a 26 year old physician in Pakistan, who "sees advocacy (for human & planetary health) as a moral and civic duty." Every health professional, me included, should stand with Dr. Waseem. @docsforclimate.bsky.social @gchalliance.bsky.social @keertigopal.bsky.social

insideclimatenews.orgIn Lahore’s Smog Season, This Gen Z Doctor Is Centering Climate Change - Inside Climate NewsDr. Farah Waseem has advocated for climate awareness since childhood. Now, it’s a matter of life and death for her patients in Pakistan.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

People drinking contaminated water and living in flooded tents face kidney and gastrointestinal disease, hypothermia, starvation and more. “This winter is going to be catastrophic,” said Lena Dajani of The Sameer Project.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Inside Climate News
@insideclimatenews.org

Eighteen-year-old Danny Nolasco died last summer working construction in the scorching Texas heat. He wasn’t the only one. As Texas continues to block heat safety labor protections, advocates call for a national standard.

insideclimatenews.orgTexas Workers Keep Dying in the Heat - Inside Climate NewsDespite its blazing temperatures, Texas has no labor protections for heat. That leaves workers, especially immigrants, vulnerable on the job.
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

Heat is the no. 1 weather-related killer in the world, but as temperatures rise, heat deaths are still severely undercounted. Meanwhile, Texas has blocked and overturned worker heat protections, and there's currently no national heat safety rule for workplaces, although OSHA is considering one.

Keerti Gopal reposted

safe-climate
@safe-climate.bsky.social

Trump doubles down on fossil fuels but Republicans make it one in a row! Trump’s Plans to Expand Offshore Drilling Meet Bipartisan Opposition. California and Florida lawmakers oppose the plan. It's a rare example of Republican pushback. @keertigopal.bsky.social insideclimatenews.org/news/2111202...

insideclimatenews.orgTrump’s Plans to Expand Offshore Drilling Meet Bipartisan Opposition - Inside Climate NewsIt’s not often that the governors of California and Florida are on the same page, but this week they’re aligned in opposition to the White House’s latest plan to expand offshore oil drilling near both...

Keerti Gopal reposted

Climate Desk
@climatedesk.org

We are starting week two of COP30. Want a recap? Watch @insideclimatenews.org's Sunday Morning for journalist @bberwyn.bsky.social's thoughts live from Belém. insideclimatenews.org/news/1611202...

insideclimatenews.orgWhat’s Happening at COP30 - Inside Climate NewsGo behind the scenes with executive editor Vernon Loeb and climate science reporter Bob Berwyn as they explain the key issues setting the agenda at this year’s U.N. climate change conference.
Climate Desk@climatedesk.org

🚨 COP 30 Thread 🚨 The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference will be held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21th. This will be our thread to keep up with what is going on ⬇️

Keerti Gopal reposted

Kiley Price
@kileyprice.bsky.social

A timeline cleanser: My recent newsletter is about rise of "repair cafes" around the world, where communities come together to fix each other's beloved things. The goal: reduce consumer waste, and maybe make some buddies in the process 🔧👭 insideclimatenews.org/news/1111202...

insideclimatenews.orgA Growing Number of ‘Repair Cafes’ Are Popping Up Around the World to Curb Consumer Waste - Inside Climate NewsLocal communities are hosting events where people can bring in their broken goods for repairs—free of charge.

Keerti Gopal reposted

Food & Water Watch
@foodandwater.bsky.social

“It’s been repeatedly demonstrated that those who are contributing the least to climate change are often suffering the greatest impacts, and that’s particularly relevant with respect to heat stress.” Thanks to @keertigopal.bsky.social

insideclimatenews.org‘Millions of Avoidable Deaths’: Climate Change Health Harms Reach Unprecedented Levels - Inside Climate NewsHeat waves, extreme drought and deadly wildfire smoke are just some of the climate-related health hazards that have reac
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

The latest Lancet Countdown report paints a dire picture of climate change and global health. Authors summed it up as "a world in turmoil." Read more about heat waves, disease and deadly inaction — and how scientists are turning to social movements for hope insideclimatenews.org/news/2810202...

insideclimatenews.org‘Millions of Avoidable Deaths’: Climate Change Health Harms Reach Unprecedented Levels - Inside Climate NewsHeat waves, extreme drought and deadly wildfire smoke are just some of the climate-related health hazards that have reached record levels of harm, according to the latest report from a global collabor...
Keerti Gopal
@keertigopal.bsky.social

Activists are suing Trump over a proclamation that gives 50 chemical manufacturing facilities, mostly in Texas and Louisiana, a 2-year exemption from limits on cancer-causing pollutants insideclimatenews.org/news/2210202...

insideclimatenews.orgGulf South Residents and Green Groups Sue Trump and EPA Over Toxic Air Pollution Exemptions - Inside Climate NewsThe lawsuit fights a White House proclamation exempting 50 chemical manufacturing plants from hard-won restrictions on cancer-causing pollutants.