NITRATE NIGHTMARE: A recent United Nations Environment Programme report warns that climate change’s effects might impact the health of individuals The amount of nitrates in crops might be increasing over time, which is potentially toxic for humans. The findings also name plastic pollution and an increase of animal-human transferred diseases as growing concerns.

APPEAL GRANTED: The Sierra Club and Environment Texas won their appeal against a 2014 ruling that ExxonMobil, despite violating legal emission limits, would not be penalized. The Fifth District Court of Appeals for Texas released a 40-page reaction to the initial ruling, vacating the original decision and sending the case back to court “for assessment of penalties based on the correct number of violations.”

G7 GOES GREEN: Leaders from the UK, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, and Italy have pledged to stop “inefficient fossil fuels subsidies” by 2025. They also reinforced their commitment to the Paris Agreement, stating each country will work to lower greenhouse gas emissions before the international deadline of 2020.

FRACK NO MORE: Scottish parliament voted Wednesday to ban fracking, a move spearheaded by the country's Labour party. The legislation will have to be signed by Scotland’s Energy Minister Paul Wheelhouse before going into effect, but the country already has a moratorium on the practice.

FUNGUS FRIGHT: North America’s newts and salamanders are at risk from a fungal disease that can cause the amphibians to develop lesions and stop eating or moving. The disease originated in Asia and has yet to be seen in the United States. or Canada, but environmental officials worry that any of the 2 million salamanders sold through the pet trade from Asia to North America could bring the disease over.