Environment

Trade deal to undermine health, environmental standards

Closed-door trade negotiations on the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), set to begin July 8, could significantly lower health and environmental protections as EU and U.S. negotiators work to “harmonize” standards as part of the agreement. A group of 34 family farm, consumer, faith, public health, development and environment organizations from the U.S.

Repealing the Monsanto Protection Act

On Saturday, May 25, IATP participated in the March Against Monsanto (MAM) in St. Paul, Minnesota. The MAM took place in 436 cities in 52 countries, with an estimated two million participants.

Breast cancer at 30: Is it something in the environment?

Some of the hardest cases of breast cancer to treat manifest in those under the age of 40. These women tend to have more aggressive cases and lower survival rates than older women.

Chemical policy reform—Who speaks for industry?

The Minnesota Green Chemistry Forum hosted a happy hour event on May 15, entitled The Business Case for Chemical Policy Reform. The group of fifty, over half from the business community, heard presentations about how sound chemical policies can benefit businesses and why business voices are needed in chemical policy debates.  

New report raises concerns about expansion of frac sand mines in Minnesota and Wisconsin

St. Paul – The true economic impact of frac sand mining may fall short of industry claims promising sustained prosperity and economic opportunity, says a first-of-its-kind expert report to be released Wednesday, May 15.

The Economic Benefits and Costs of Frac-Sand Mining in West Central Wisconsin

Executive Summary

Nanomaterials in fertilizer products could threaten soil health, agriculture

Minneapolis – Nanomaterials added to soil via fertilizers and treated sewage waste used to fertilize fields could threaten soil health necessary to keep land productive, says a new report released today by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP). Peer-reviewed scientific research also indicates possible negative impacts of nano-fertilizers on public health and the food supply.

IATP congratulates Goldman Prize winners

The Goldman Environmental Prize honors grassroots environmental leaders in each of the six continents. It’s an important forum that lifts up inspirational, justice-based work in communities around the world that often goes unrecognized. Earlier this week, the six winners were announced:

Water Governance in the 21st Century

As water insecurities increase globally, there is an increasing emphasis on demand management approaches, which for the most part emphasize market mechanisms as a means to ensure water security for all. Water trading is one of the market-based mechanisms that helps transfer water from one user to another.

Group Comments Submitted to the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technical Advice (SBSTA)

The following three documents were submitted to SBSTA by a coalition of groups providing comments on Decision 1/CP.18. #1 - Non-market-based approaches: Decision 1/CP. 18, paragraph 48: Views from Parties and admitted observer organizations on the matters referred to in paragraph 47 of document FCCC/CP/2012/L.14/Rev.1.