Lahaina celebrates recovery of historic 151-year-old banyan tree that survived devastating Maui wildfire & more environmental news.

[View this email in your browser]( Friday, August 9, 2024 “Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.” — Edward Abbey [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [X]( Lahaina Celebrates Recovery of Historic 151-Year-Old Banyan Tree That Survived Devastating Maui Wildfire The August 2023 [Maui wildfires]( were devastating for the Hawaiian island’s people, [wildlife]( and flora, including a century-and-a-half-old banyan [tree]( in the [beach]( community of Lahaina. The historic town is celebrating the landmark’s recovery, as parts of the 151-year-old banyan tree have begun to regrow and are even thriving in Lahaina’s decimated waterfront district. [Read More]( Related: [Hawaiian Electric and Other Defendants Reach Tentative $4 Billion Maui Wildfire Settlement]( European Energy Majors Hide Nearly Half of Their Damage to Biodiversity, Researchers Find A new study has found that large energy companies in Europe hide 47 percent of the damage they cause to [biodiversity]( through their activities. [Read More]( Related: [Nearly 25% of Major Fashion Brands Lack a Decarbonization Plan, Report Finds]( EPA Issues Emergency Ban on the Pesticide Dacthal The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an emergency notice pulling the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate, also known as DCPA or Dacthal. The chemical was placed under an emergency order to stop further use, the first order of its kind in nearly four decades, because of the risk it poses to fetuses in pregnant people. According to the EPA, when pregnant people are exposed to DCPA, it can change the fetal thyroid hormone levels. [Read More]( Related: [Vermont Becomes Second State to Ban Bee-Killing Neonic Pesticides]( Vaccinations Work Better Than Culling for Bovine Tuberculosis in Badgers, Study Finds Rather than culling animals amidst major disease outbreaks, a new study has found a potentially more effective alternative: vaccinations. At least that’s what researchers confirmed for curbing bovine tuberculosis in badgers in research recently [published]( in the journal People and Nature. [Read More]( Related: [Scientist ‘Scared’ to See Evidence That Climate Change Worsens Infectious Diseases]( Nearly 1 in 4 Members of Congress Are Climate Change Deniers: Report The Center for American Progress (CAP) has periodically analyzed the statements of sitting members of Congress to find out if they deny that human-caused [climate change]( exists. CAP’s most recent analysis of the [118th United States Congress]( determined that there are 123 elected officials who are [climate deniers]( — that’s 23 percent of the 535-member total, a press release from the progressive thinktank said. [Read More]( Related: [YouTube Profiting off ‘New’ Climate Denial, Report Says]( Do you get this newsletter daily? If not, [sign up here]( or forward to a friend. [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Website]( [Instagram]( Copyright © 2024 EcoWatch, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up for EcoWatch Top News of The Day Our mailing address is: EcoWatch 1122 Oberlin RoadRaleigh, NC 27605 [Add us to your address book]( Want to change how you receive these emails? You can [update your preferences]( or [unsubscribe from this list](. [Mailchimp Email Marketing](