The Trump administration moves to repeal the Clean Water Rule, a.k.a. Waters of the U.S. Its reasoning in doing so is based on a 2009 split decision by the Supreme Court about whether the government can regulate swearing on television. 

Climate change is causing an increase in lightning-sparked forest fires in Arctic boreal forests. 

Meltwater from Greenland is found to be a major driver of rising sea levels. Were Greenland to lose all of its frozen water, global sea level would rise by seven meters.

Economists value Australia’s Great Barrier Reef at $42 billion.

Thermometers in the Iranian city of Ahvaz hit 129º F, a new record for Iran and possibly the hottest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth.

Another “clean coal” demonstration plant is canceled, this time in Rotterdam.

Every year, thieves in Mexico steal $1 billion worth of oil and gas from pipelines owned by Pemex, the state oil company. 

Chlorpyrifos, a pesticide manufactured by Dow Chemical, has been shown to harm children’s brains, even in minute doses. After meeting privately with the head of Dow, EPA administrator Scott Pruitt denies a petition to ban the product. 

Six otherwise healthy right whales are found dead in the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada. Only 500 right whales remain, making them the rarest of all whales. 

The Trump administration announces a new goal of “energy dominance”—for the United States to drill for oil and gas offshore and on public lands, export more gas and coal, and boost nuclear power. 

The world’s fishing fleets dump 10 percent of their catch back into the sea. 

In the wake of Tropical Storm Cindy, Gulf Coast residents are warned to be on the lookout for floating colonies of fire ants. 

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