KEEP CALM AND CARRION: This week, the 35-year-old California condor known as AC-4 was released into the wild following his stay in a captive breeding program that helped save the endangered species. AC-4 had been one of 23 condors left worldwide in the 1980s, and he fathered 30 chicks in the program.

CANNING COAL: Beginning in 2016, China will not approve new coal mines for three years and will cut coal’s share in energy production to 62.6 percent. These decisions come as government officials face public pressure to alleviate air pollution.

CLEAN DIESEL IN COURT: The US Department of Justice filed a civil lawsuit against Volkswagen for up to $48 billion after the company admitted to installing emissions cheat devices in some of their diesel vehicles. The lawsuit accuses Volkswagen of violating the Clean Air Act by tampering with emissions control devices and failing to report violations.

BYE BYE MICROBEADS: President Obama signed bipartisan legislation to ban the use of microbeads beginning in 2017. Used for exfoliation in personal beauty products, the tiny pieces of plastic do not dissolve when they wash down the drain and are causing long-lasting damage to the nation’s waterways.

THE WILD WEST: Armed anti-government activists took over Malheur National Wildlife Refuge last Sunday calling for the release of local ranchers convicted of using arson to cover up an illegal deer hunt. They claim they are protesting the federal government’s involvement in wild lands and demand those lands be turned over to local control.