A landslide triggered by heavy rains in the northwestern Ecuadorian province of Esmeraldas caused a rupture in the Trans-Ecuadorian Oil Pipeline System (SOTE), spilling a large amount of crude oil into the Esmeraldas River and surrounding waters. Initial estimates put the volume of the spill at 12,000 barrels (about 1.9 million liters), but local officials…

From March 25-27, 2025, the 2nd Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health will kick off in Cartagena, Colombia. Co-hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Government of Colombia, the conference aims to promote a concerted global response to the health threats posed by air pollution through a science-driven policy framework. In the…

Against the backdrop of a worsening global climate crisis, China is accelerating the transformation of its energy structure with new energy technology breakthroughs as its engine, becoming a key leader in global emissions reduction actions. China has made breakthroughs in photovoltaics, electric vehicles, extra-high voltage transmission, etc., with the market share of new energy vehicles…

Antarctic iceberg A23a, drifting northward after nearly 40 years, could collide with South Georgia, disrupting habitats and food chains for wildlife such as penguins. If A23a were to run aground on South Georgia, it could form a natural barrier that would cut off foraging paths for penguins, seals, and other animals, leading to starvation in…

Key Consultations in 2025 Following the failure to reach agreement at the 2024 meeting in Korea, countries will continue negotiations in 2025 around reducing plastic production, phasing out hazardous chemicals and improving waste management, with the goal of reaching the first global plastics pollution control treaty. If successful, this would have a direct impact on…

On March 27-29, the Macau International Environmental Cooperation Forum and Exhibition 2025 (MIECF) will attract the participation of nearly 40 countries and regions, focusing on topics such as green city transformation and carbon credit market. The Secretary General of ICOC – Local Sustainable Development Association will deliver a keynote speech to promote low-carbon technologies and…

Since the military took over power in Myanmar, illegal mining activities in Kachin State and Sagaing Division have led to deforestation, water pollution and the extinction of wildlife. Valuable timber (e.g. teak, rosewood) in Ayeyarwaddy Division has been subjected to large-scale logging, with serious collusion with local officials

On March 13, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the rollback of 31 key environmental regulations in the core areas of air pollution, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. The policy shift includes repealing carbon emission limits for power plants, relaxing vehicle emission standards, narrowing Clean Water Act protections, and for the first…

On March 10, local time, Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, officially launched a large-scale ecological restoration project, breaking ground for the Nairobi River Basin Comprehensive Management Project contracted by Guangxi Electric Power Design and Research Institute of China Energy Construction Group. The project covers dredging of the river, upgrading of the sewage treatment system, rainwater…

The small industrial city of Birnihat in the Indian state of Assam had an average annual concentration of 128.2 of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) last year, more than 25 times the WHO standard, according to a report released March 11 by IQAir, a Swiss-based air-purification information technology company. Local residents say growing industry, construction and…