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A Science Policy Framework for the Climate Determinants of Health
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) called climate change “the single biggest health threat facing humanity.” With warming at approximately 1.14°C above preindustrial levels and set to increase, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts with very high confidence that climate-related illness will also rise (IPCC, 2022). Under high-emissions scenarios, this science-policy body […]
A Science Policy Framework for the Climate Determinants of Health
In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) called climate change “the single biggest health threat facing humanity.” With warming at approximately 1.14°C above preindustrial levels and set to increase, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) predicts with very high confidence that climate-related illness will also rise (IPCC, 2022). Under high-emissions scenarios, this science-policy body […]
Methane-infused cow burps meet climate science
A synthetic compound added to cattle feed is shown to reduce methane emissions.
Woman in cancer remission without treatment in highly unusual case
A biopsy of a woman's cancer seems to have triggered an immune response against the tumour, putting her into remission
FedEx Freight Incoming CEO: Sustainability Must Be Built on Business Reality
FedEx Freight incoming CEO John Smith framed cleaner LTL operations as a business-first transition built around safety, efficiency, lower emissions and real-world fleet performance.
Methane emissions are accelerating warming. Scientists say this plan can help
As G7 discussions turn to methane emissions, more than 250 scientists have issued a plan to accelerate action on one of the fastest ways to slow warming.
Japan Wants to Build a Giant Solar Ring Around the Moon That Will Beam Limitless Energy to Earth
A Japanese construction firm drew up plans for a 6,800-mile solar belt around the Moon that would beam continuous power to Earth without fuel or emissions.
After SBTi reset, some wonder if targets are still science-aligned
The old rules required certain companies to commit to unrealistically steep emissions cuts. But do the new regs break with IPCC recommendations on a 1.5-degree future?
Octopus Energy Is Getting Into the Carbon Credit Business
British renewable-power utility said it is seeing growth in companies looking to find ways to offset rising emissions.
Texas’ Gulf Coast has a health problem: benzene emissions are among the highest in the nation
At the worst-performing refineries, report finds operators are not tackling recurring and harmful leaks, leading to public health risk.
The Science Behind the Headlines: Understanding Attribution Science
When devastating weather events make headlines, a question increasingly follows: Did climate change play a role? Where did the emissions driving that risk come from? And what harms result when those risks materialize? This isn't just casual curiosity. Communities facing floods, families displace
For this environmental health researcher, science is an 'act of hope'
David J.X. Gonzalez, an assistant professor of public health, works to protect communities from environmental harms like air pollution and oil and gas emissions.
For this environmental health researcher, science is an 'act of hope'
David J.X. Gonzalez, an assistant professor of public health, works to protect communities from environmental harms like air pollution and oil and gas emissions.
Leveraging medical device reprocessing to reduce healthcare’s carbon footprint
In celebration of Earth Day, we highlight the impact of our Sustainable Technologies business Many hospitals and health systems have committed to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50% by...
Multifunctional ligand engineering for pure-blue halide perovskite nanocrystal LEDs
Light: Science & Applications - Passivation with a bifunctional fluorinated ligand stabilizes mixed-halide perovskite nanocrystals, enabling high-color-purity deep-blue emission...
Portland metal finishing company to halt solvent use after emissions exceed health limits
A SE metal finishing company has agreed to stop using a chemical solvent after emissions exceeded health risk levels.
Scientists discover hidden ocean methane source that could worsen global warming
Scientists have discovered that methane in the open ocean is produced by microbes under nutrient-poor conditions, solving a long-standing mystery. As warming oceans reduce nutrient mixing, these methane-producing microbes may thrive. This could lead to increased methane emissions from the sea. The result is a potential feedback loop that could intensify climate change.
Amid ‘constant' data center noise, Sterling residents also worry about health impact
Residents of a Sterling neighborhood already are upset about constant data center noise — and now they have a new concern. A study done for an environmental group shows emissions from the center could have severe health consequences. Operators of the data center say they are fully compliant with state and local rules. Whether it’s daytime or the dead of…
PGA Sustainability Toolkit Launches With Focus on Bottom Line
The trade group’s latest green production resource offers advice for cutting down emissions on set — and selling that approach to top creatives and heads of department.
'Oslo patient' likely cured of HIV after getting stem cell transplant from his brother, who is genetically resistant to the virus
A man known as the "Oslo patient" joins a short list of people in long-term remission from HIV following bone marrow transplants.
Climate change is outpacing evolution. Scientists are using DNA to catch up
Climate change is moving far faster. Marine heat waves, record wildfires and coastal development are pushing these systems beyond their limits as climate change, driven by emissions of fuels like oil...
Gravitational waves may be hidden in the light atoms emit
Scientists have proposed a surprising new way to detect gravitational waves—by observing how they change the light emitted by atoms. These waves can subtly shift photon frequencies in different directions, leaving behind a detectable signature. The effect doesn’t change how much light atoms emit, which is why it’s gone unnoticed until now. If confirmed, this approach could lead to ultra-compact detectors using cold-atom systems.
Scientists Are Turning Bread into Fuel. It Could Revolutionize Manufacturing.
Bacteria and breadcrumbs could soon replace fossil fuels—and drastically lower harmful emissions.
Woman With 3 Autoimmune Diseases Enters Remission After Immune 'Reset'
She no longer needs her daily blood transfusions.
Mother sues Delaware City Refinery for emissions impacting son, home
A mother is suing Delaware City Refinery due to a pollution incident in early 2025 that she believes impacted her child's health and life at home.
Carbon Emissions in a War-Torn World Threaten Brain Health
The combination of global warming and wars may deliver a double whammy to normal brain function.
China's huge push to reduce air pollution had an unexpected consequence in the Arctic
China's cuts to aerosol emissions reduced sea ice loss, but it may have revealed a bigger story about climate change.
The cost to jobs and public health from the EPA rollbacks (Episode 30)
The US Environmental Protection Agency has announced a major deregulation of greenhouse gas emissions, effectively repealing 25-year-old emission standards for all light, medium, and heavy vehicles and engines of model years 2012 to 2027 and beyond.
Two's company: ISTA scientists identify new class of star remnants
In the vastness of the Universe, any new object with interesting properties can spur the search for similar objects, potentially establishing a new class of stars. In a paper published in Astronomy & Astrophysics and an arXiv preprint, researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) describe two stellar remnants that share five properties, including X-ray emission, despite being isolated objects. According to the team, these two remnants are sufficient to define a new class of stars.
Axcelis Announces SBTi Approval of Science-Based Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets
Axcelis Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ACLS), a leading supplier of enabling ion implantation solutions for the semiconductor industry, is pleased to announce the approval of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The SBTi is a corporate climate action organization that enables companies worldwide to play their part in combating the climate crisis.
Correction: Self-powered mechanoluminescent elastomer for solar-blind ultraviolet emission
Light: Science & Applications - Correction: Self-powered mechanoluminescent elastomer for solar-blind ultraviolet emission
Costly auto mandate amounts to needless overkill
HB26-1199 is currently in the legislature, and let me explain how this affects you. Currently in the state of Colorado, your vehicle’s emissions have to meet California standards even though you do not live in California. Though we all can agree we want clean air for all of us, meeting the California specifications further harms you, the […]
How easing regulations on heavy metals air pollution could impact health | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
A recent repeal of federal environmental regulations aimed at limiting the emission of mercury and other heavy metals from power plants could have serious health impacts, according to Harvard Chan School experts.
A secret weapon to fight carbon emissions was just discovered: Beavers
A new study in Switzerland finds that beaver-built wetlands can trap and store large amounts of carbon, offering a low-cost boost for restoration and climate resilience.
Scientists Propose a Radical New Way To Detect Gravitational Waves Using Atomic Light
A new theoretical study suggests that gravitational waves may leave subtle signatures not in giant detectors, but in the light emitted by atoms.
Excess Heat Raises Tijuana River Valley Hydrogen Sulfide Emissions, Health Precautions Recommended
People in the South Bay, especially those living near the Tijuana River Valley (TJRV), are experiencing elevated hydrogen sulfide (H2S) emissions, often recognized by a strong rotten egg smell.
Integrating health equity into energy transitions and climate governance
Nature Medicine - The health benefits of clean energy transitions are unevenly distributed, even when emissions targets are met. A health-centered global governance framework is urgently needed to...
Micah Bob Finds His Foundation in Materials Science
UC Davis materials science and engineering student Micah Bob studies sustainable cement alternatives to reduce carbon emissions. As graduation approaches, he reflects on the transformative course, research experiences and campus life — including MASC and Video Game Orchestra — that shaped his journey.
UMass Memorial Health - Milford Regional Medical Center and Shields Health Announce New Partnership for MRI and PET/CT Services in Milford
UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional Medical Center and Shields Health announced a new joint venture partnership to provide advanced imaging services at two locations in Milford. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services are available at Milford Regional Medical Center, located at 14 Prospect Street, and both MRI and Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) services are offered at the Cancer Center at Milford Regional Medical Center, located at 20 Prospect Street.
Trump Regulatory Czar Jeffrey Clark Leaves White House
Jeffrey B. Clark oversaw the dismantlement of government restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions and water and air pollution. He had also faced a criminal probe in connection with the 2020 election.
Carbon emissions now more than double the planetary boundary, analysis finds
Earth is not infinite. Pollution beyond certain levels threatens the climate and ecosystems. To prevent this, scientists have proposed planetary boundaries, defining the safe operating limits of the Earth ...
More than 200 lawsuits filed against Kettering Health Network following breach
“I think I’m gradually heading towards remission, even though I am probably not a candidate to have the tumors removed.”
California businesses and left-leaning groups clash on the ballot and in court
This year's contests of businesses versus liberal groups include corporate and wealth tax proposals and requirements for greenhouse gas emission reports.
Aviation Carbon Study Suggests It’s Time To Scrap Business Class
New research shows that airlines could cut their carbon emissions by up to 50% just from reorganising plane seating. Is it time to cut business class completely?
The Trump EPA’s Endangerment Finding Repeal: Wrong on Statute, Deceptive on Science, Reckless on Impacts
On February 12, the Trump Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized its repeal of the Endangerment Finding, which establishes EPA’s statutory obligation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Alongside, EPA also repealed the associated vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards. This action
Scotland’s new emissions strategy ‘too reliant on science fiction’, critics say
UK Climate Change Committee voices concern over Scotland’s progress on decarbonising buildings and reliance on unproved technologies
Emissions from trucks and buses cost Australia $6.2bn in health effects each year, study finds
Research describes children exposed to air pollution equivalent to eight cigarettes a day by attending childcare near major roads
Environmental groups sue EPA over climate regulation rollbacks: ‘Politics overriding science’
Last week, the EPA rolled back a key climate finding that gave the federal agency the authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Wednesday morning, environmental groups took the EPA and its administrator, Lee Zeldin, to court.
Vanderbilt Health remembers C. Leon Partain, former chair of Radiology
Clarence Leon Partain, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, whose work in nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging helped shape the field of academic radiology, died Jan. 28 in Brentwood, Tennessee. He was 85. After beginning his career as a nuclear engineer at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and as faculty at the University of Missouri and the University of North Carolina, Dr. Partain joined the ranks at Vanderbilt Radiology in 1980 and was promoted to professor in 1984. He later became the first Carol D. and Henry P. Pendergrass Professor of Radiology and Radiological Sciences and chair of the department (1992-2000), and subsequently the director of the Center for Imaging Research. Shortly after arriving in Nashville, Dr. Partain began to lead Vanderbilt Radiology’s nuclear medicine division. He remained in this role until he was named the department chair. Dr. Partain specialized in multiple fields, including nuclear medicine, magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography. Following his time as chair, Dr. Partain shifted his focus to research and spent time working clinically with radiology’s chest imaging section. In 2015, he retired and was honored for his years of service and named as emeritus faculty. Dr. Partain also held an appointment as professor of Biomedical Engineering. A Tennessee native, Dr. Partain was born in Memphis and later graduated from high school in Clarksville. He then received his BS in nuclear engineering from the University of Tennessee, his MS and PhD in nuclear engineering from Purdue University and his MD from Washington University. He completed his residency training in diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine at the University of North Carolina. Dr. Partain was clinically trained and certified in diagnostic radiology and nuclear radiology by the American Board of Radiology (ABR) and the American Board of Nuclear Medicine. Throughout his career, Dr. Partain contributed to the growth of Vanderbilt Radiology and received many academic and research accolades across the specialty through various associations. During his time leading the department, clinical studies increased from 180,000 to 260,000 cases per year, emerging technological imaging equipment expanded the department’s capabilities, and units for angiography and fluoroscopy were added to the tool kit. The department also expanded its footprint with outpatient imaging in Nashville, Bedford County and more. Research continued to expand with continued growth in scientific findings and millions in grant funding for radiopharmaceuticals, functional MRI, nuclear medicine, X-ray, ultrasound and more. Dr. Partain is celebrated for being instrumental in bringing the first MRI and PET/CT machines to the Medical Center. His efforts helped build Vanderbilt Radiology’s prestige in the world of academics and research both nationally and internationally. His society affiliations included the American College of Radiology, the American College of Nuclear Medicine, and the International Society of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine (ISMRM). He served as president of the Radiological Research Alliance of the Association of Academic Radiologists and has held executive roles as a member of many radiological society boards. Dr. Partain was editor-in-chief of the Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging from 2000 to 2013 and a member of the editorial boards of Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, the American Journal of Roentgenology, Academic Radiology, the Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Investigative Radiology. He has authored/co-authored/edited six textbooks, including one of the first comprehensive textbooks on MRI, “Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Imaging.” Dr. Partain has also authored/co-authored/edited approximately 100-plus book chapters and 200-plus journal articles. In 2000, Dr. Partain received the Distinguished Service Award from the ABR. In 2014, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the ISMRM. In 2016, he received the Alumni Achievement Award from Washington University for his “contributions to advance the fields of nuclear medicine and medical imaging.” Dr. Partain served the ABR as an examiner for 20 years, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education as a member of the Nuclear Medicine Residency Review Committee, and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in multiple capacities. A devout Baptist deacon and man of committed faith, he is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judy; children, David (Rebecca), Teri (Bland), and Amy; brother, Larry (Deb); brother-in-law, Tom (Cathy); grandchildren, Sarah (Brandon), Amy, Luke, Tucker, Alex, Ryan and Jake; cousins and a host of nieces and nephews. Vanderbilt Health is grateful to Dr. Partain for his decades of service and major contributions to clinical and research imaging.
Public health, green groups sue EPA over repeal of rule supporting climate protections
The repeal eliminates all greenhouse gas emissions standards for cars and trucks.
Trump administration eliminates greenhouse gas regulations : The NPR Politics Podcast
The Trump administration has rescinded the Environmental Protection Agency’s “endangerment finding,” the scientific finding that greenhouse gas emissions harm the public. We discuss what’s behind the change and what it could mean for Americans.This episode: senior White House correspondent Tamara Keith, climate correspondent Jeff Brady, and political correspondent Ashley Lopez.This podcast was produced by Bria Suggs and edited by Rachel Baye.Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi.Listen to every episode of the NPR Politics Podcast sponsor-free, unlock access to bonus episodes with more from the NPR Politics team, and support public media when you sign up for The NPR Politics Podcast+ at plus.npr.org/politics.
Federal Regulators Finally Get Out of the Climate Business
Consumers and businesses will be freer when the EPA no longer treats greenhouse gas emissions as a public danger.
EPA to repeal its own conclusion that greenhouse gases warm the planet and threaten health
Known as the endangerment finding, the decision is the legal framework that allows the EPA to regulate emissions. Its reversal could upend many climate change policies.
UCI Health launches promising clinical trial using CAR T-cell therapy to treat lupus
A promising clinical trial underway at UCI Health is aimed at helping patients achieve long-term remission.
New wood-burning stoves to carry health warnings in UK plan
Pollution from wood burners kills thousands but proposed emissions limit would cut toxic particles by 9%
This new building material pulls carbon out of the air
A new building material developed by engineers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute could change how the world builds. Made using an enzyme that turns carbon dioxide into solid minerals, the material cures in hours and locks away carbon instead of releasing it. It’s strong, repairable, recyclable, and far cleaner than concrete. If adopted widely, it could slash emissions across the construction industry.
Time Mission is LOL Entertainment's newest immersive social gaming experience
Time Mission on Chestnut Street is an immersive social-gaming experience with 25 rooms and over 30 games to play, and each room you enter is a portal. Travel to the past, the present, or the future.
Fuelling the Future: How Business, Finance and Policy can Accelerate the Clean Fuels Market
Amid rising global energy demand and evolving market dynamics, clean fuels are a key pillar for a more secure, affordable and sustainable energy system. Examples ranging from biofuels, e-fuels and hydrogen derivatives to lower-carbon fossil fuels offer multiple sources of economic and societal value. This report, produced in collaboration with Bain & Company, highlights the important role of expanding clean fuels in our future energy system. Clean fuels have been shown to reduce import dependence on fossil fuels by 5-15%, while providing two to three times the job intensity of conventional fuels. They can reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions and support productive land use – provided well-designed policies protect land, biodiversity and water resources. The report’s analysis builds on consultations with expert stakeholders to present success stories and key insights to help business leaders and policy-makers overcome barriers to greater investment in the sector. The paper is complemented by a digital playbook of solutions drawing from real-world case studies and success stories from across the clean fuels industry. For more information or to inquire about joining the initiative, please visit the Future of Clean Fuels initiative page.
Trump’s EPA could limit its own ability to use new science to strengthen air pollution rules
President Trump’s EPA is reconsidering whether it had the legal authority to update its rules for ethylene oxide emissions
EPA says it will no longer consider health costs in pollution regulations
The EPA weakened emissions standards for new power plants and said it would no longer consider the economic impacts of public health in rule making.
Health Care Providers Are Dropping a Common Anesthesia Drug That’s Also a Climate Super Pollutant
Limiting use of desflurane helps hospitals reduce their greenhouse gas emissions; the European Union now prohibits its use during most procedures.
From rent to utility bills: the politicians and advocates making climate policy part of the affordability agenda
As the Trump administration derides climate policy as a ‘scam’, emissions-cutting measures are gaining popularity
Scientists found a dangerous feedback loop accelerating Arctic warming
The Arctic is changing rapidly, and scientists have uncovered a powerful mix of natural and human-driven processes fueling that change. Cracks in sea ice release heat and pollutants that form clouds and speed up melting, while emissions from nearby oil fields alter the chemistry of the air. These interactions trigger feedback loops that let in more sunlight, generate smog, and push warming even further. Together, they paint a troubling picture of how fragile the Arctic system has become.
Tata Steel Says NGO Seeks $1.6 Billion for Alleged Health Damage
A Dutch nonprofit is seeking €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) in compensation from Tata Steel’s Netherlands units, alleging that harmful emissions from its operations have caused environmental harm and health damage to nearby residents.
Thermal Energy Receives $1.5 Million in Repeat Business from Multinational Building Materials Company
Turnkey heat recovery project for four two-stage HeatSponge boiler economizers to be installed at second customer siteOttawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 17, 2025) - Thermal Energy International Inc. (TSXV: TMG) (OTCQB: TMGEF) ("Thermal Energy" or the "Company"), a provider of innovative energy efficiency and carbon emission reduction solutions to major corporations around the world, today announced an order valued at approximately $1.5 million from a leading multinational building...
Kenner business owner in cancer remission arrested in Operation Catahoula Crunch
Cremilsa Caetano, 47, is a mother of three with health issues
Why Porsche Switched From Air-Cooled To Water-Cooled Engines
Porsche switched to water cooling to meet stricter emissions and noise rules, handle more power and heat, improve efficiency, and cut costs.
The New WHO Pandemic Treaty and Global Health Governance: Incorporating Common but Differentiated Responsibilities into PABS - Georgetown Journal of International Affairs
On May 20, 2025, the World Health Assembly unanimously adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement, an international treaty designed to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response. The product of three years of arduous negotiations, the treaty marks a new era of global cooperation in public health. However, core aspects of the agreement remain unresolved—notably the Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System, which is intended to ensure equitable access to pandemic-related materials and benefits. To support the successful implementation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Introduction For the first time, an international treaty has enshrined the principle of “One Health,” the compelling idea that the health of animals, humans, and the environment all contribute to pandemic risks. SARS (2003), H1N1 (2009–10), Ebola (2014–16), and COVID-19 all emerged through zoonotic spillover from animal hosts—respectively, civets, hogs, and bats. Together, they underscore the need for a coordinated, cross-sectoral approach. The Pandemic Agreement responds to this call, requiring state parties to acknowledge the ecological interplay and commit to a comprehensive “One Health” strategy. Specifically, Article 5 charges governments to address “the drivers of pandemics and the emergence and re-emergence of infectious disease at the human-animal-environment interface,” including wild animal markets, deforestation, and antibiotic overuse. Yet the effectiveness of this “One Health” vision depends equally on the free flow of scientific information and data among countries and institutions. Just as environmental and animal health factors have been neglected in past global frameworks, so too has data sharing been marginalized, despite its centrality to timely detection and response. The Pandemic Agreement takes an important step by requiring governments to enhance data collection and cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO). However, these provisions will remain aspirational without a robust Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) annex. The PABS system will determine whether countries and researchers can rapidly exchange pathogen samples and genetic data while ensuring equitable access to resulting research and development, including diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines. Without such mechanisms, the treaty’s promise to operationalize “One Health” and strengthen global preparedness will risk becoming largely symbolic, echoing earlier failures to translate shared principles into coordinated action. Equity Concerns When the 2025 Health Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement, it left the difficult question of access to pathogens and the sharing of resulting benefits to be addressed in a separate agreement. Negotiations on this separate agreement, PABS, are now underway in Geneva. Yet governments remain divided over fundamental questions of equity between the countries that primarily contribute to the system and those that primarily draw from it—and consequently benefit. For example, wildlife in countries bordering the equator is likely to produce PABS materials, but companies in Europe are likely to use them to develop lucrative products. The most likely contributor countries are likely to be those biodiverse countries around the equator, such as Brazil, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Indonesia, where the number of human-mammalian viral host interactions is large. Conversely, countries most likely to benefit from this material are those with the technology, investors, and infrastructure to capitalize on genomic data, such as the United States, EU member states, and Japan. This imbalance reflects a broader pattern seen in prior international frameworks. Now, as in the past, the wealthiest countries in the world (a useful heuristic is membership of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)) disproportionately benefit from systems in which pathogens and genomic sequencing data are contributed to a common source. Under the International Agreement on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the “Plant Treaty” or “Seed Treaty”) and the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Framework, companies from Europe and North America disproportionately withdraw biological samples and data for development into lucrative medical products. Their governments and companies have both statutory and contractual claims to the products that those companies correspondingly produce. PABS appears poised to follow the same pattern. The text calls for strong language on access to pathogens and associated data, but the corresponding benefits that should flow to poorer countries are couched in equivocal or non-binding language. Common but Differentiated Responsibilities To address these inequities, the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities” should be formally incorporated into the negotiating agenda of the PABS annex. Common but differentiated responsibilities are often a feature of climate change negotiations. The basic principle is that, even though all countries should reduce carbon emissions, governments that became rich and powerful through massive carbon emissions (e.g., France, the United Kingdom, the United States) should have a greater obligation to address the resulting crises. Applied to PABS, it would require that governments hosting and supporting companies developing lucrative products carry greater obligations toward the cost of running the PABS system; share benefits or final medical products; and transfer technology to help countries worldwide develop their own capacities to innovate and manufacture vaccines during an emergency. For example, an annex could mandate that any company based in an OECD country that withdraws PABS material would be obligated to donate the resulting diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines to the WHO during a public health emergency or pandemic. Questions remain about how robust those donations would be, but the principle is that they should deliver highly significant lifesaving benefits to be equitably shared. Theoretically, this approach mirrors the PIP Framework, in which companies withdrawing influenza samples are required to pay half of the operating costs. In practice, however, the framework has fallen short. The PIP Framework Secretariat has struggled to secure payments from companies, with companies often disagreeing over how much is owed. Additionally, without another pandemic influenza to test the strength of the agreement during a public health emergency, corporate compliance with sharing mechanisms remains unknown. Even if these limitations did not characterize the PIP Framework, partially paying for operating expenses does not address the inequity in access to genetic data and pathogen samples that left less developed countries last in line for COVID-19 vaccines (and, before them, H1N1). Common but differentiated responsibilities would go further, addressing governments’ legitimate grievances regarding information sharing. It would make withdrawals of PABS material and resulting products more transparent, building trust across the board. Enforcement and Enduring Success A key implication of this approach is that the governing mechanism of the PABS must have real enforcement authority. The WHO Pandemic Agreement delegates its core governance responsibilities to a Conference of the Parties (COP)—a governing body composed of one representative from each participating government, similar to those established under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The proposed WHO Pandemic Agreement COP is charged with oversight functions but ultimately possesses no real authority to compel a government to take any action it does not wish to take. The text does not give the COP the ability to, for example, sanction a party that does not comply with either textual obligations or PABS provisions. In other words, there are no effective mechanisms in place to ensure compliance. Perhaps just as significant, establishing a meaningful enforcement mechanism within the PABS system would strengthen the WHO’s credibility and its ability to ensure compliance across global health governance. By setting a precedent for accountability, such a mechanism could enhance the organization’s authority not only within the Pandemic Agreement but also in enforcing the revised International Health Regulations and other frameworks for public health emergencies. Conclusion The PABS annex can—and should—be different. It should establish clear responsibilities for funding as well as for sharing the diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines that result from contributions to the system. The system, in turn, must include a dedicated body empowered to hold governments and the corporations they sponsor accountable for their responsibilities before, during, and after pandemics. Doing so would restore trust in the broader agreement, which was eroded as commitments were repeatedly diluted while parties scrambled to meet their own self-imposed deadlines during the Pandemic Agreement negotiations. A robust PABS Annex would cement a grand social bargain. Wealthier countries and their corporations would gain unimpeded access to scientific information essential for developing and manufacturing lifesaving medical products. As such, they would stand to gain considerable economic benefit. Yet that privilege must be matched with responsibility. The grand bargain must include not only the right to innovate, but also the duty to ensure that innovation serves all. As medical products are developed and produced through collective contributions, every person must have equal access. All human beings deserve an equitable chance to survive—to save their own life, the lives of their families, and the well-being of their communities. … Sam Halabi, JD, MPhil, is the Bette Jacobs Endowed Professor at Georgetown University’s School of Health and the Director of the Center for Transformational Health Law at Georgetown Law. He serves as the co-lead for the WHO’s Working Group on Regulatory Consideration on AI and Health’s training workstream. He earned his JD from Harvard, his MPhil from Oxford, and undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University. Lawrence Gostin, LLD (Hon.), JD, BA, is University Distinguished Professor and Founding Director and Timothy and Linda O’Neill Professor of the O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law. He is the author of Global Health Security: A Blueprint for the Future (Harvard University Press, 2021); Global Health Law (Harvard University Press, 2014); Public Health Law: Power, Duty, Restraint (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2016); Public Health Law and Ethics: A Reader (University of California Press, 3rd ed., 2018); Law and the Health System (Foundation Press, 2014); Principles of Mental Health Law & Practice (Oxford University Press, 2010). He also directs the WHO Collaborating Center at Georgetown University. Image Credit: United States Mission Geneva, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Science history: Female chemist initially barred from research helps helps develop drug for remarkable-but-short-lived recovery in children with leukemia
In December 1954, Gertrude Elion and colleagues described a new compound they had developed that sent children with leukemia into remission. It would guide a new approach to "rational drug design."
As energy plan nears completion, New York lags on climate goals
New York’s progress on its higher level emissions benchmarks has deteriorated even from the release of the draft plan in July.
As energy plan nears completion, New York lags on climate goals
New York’s progress on its higher level emissions benchmarks has deteriorated even from the release of the draft plan in July.
Powering Brazil's Transition to Zero-Emission Trucking: Improving Air Quality, Public Health and the Economy with Coordinated Efforts
The electrification of Brazil’s heavy-duty trucking sector represents a critical opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improve air quality, and enhance public health. While Brazil’s long-standing reliance on biofuels has leveraged domestic resources and infrastructure, this strategy is best viewed as a transitional measure that may not fully meet the country’s long-term climate and economic objectives.
Column: As US steps away from climate science, the world must step up
There’s an easy way to counter White House threats and make a meaningful reduction in global emissions, author Eugene Linden writes in a Los Angeles Times column.
Antarctica's Southern Ocean might be gearing up for a thermal 'burp' that could last a century
When humans manage to cut enough emissions and eventually reduce global temperatures, new research shows the Southern Ocean could kick warming back into gear.
Mark Easter felt "urgent" link between food science, carbon emissions
The author of "The Blue Plate" and greenhouse gas accountant at CSU connected the science to a personal look at his family's Colorado farm.