National Analysis

RFK Jr.’s Approach to Toxics Could Unite Republicans and Democrats

THE HILL 01/28/25 By Michael Shank With Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Senate confirmation hearing now scheduled for this week, there’s a lot of discussion about what Kennedy will or won’t do as secretary of Health and Human Services in President Donald Trump’s administration. Estimates are wide-ranging, but there’s one lens […]

Buildings Contain Tons of Toxic Plastic—and Big Oil Wants to Add More

FAST COMPANY 01/21/2025 By Michael Shank Here’s what we should be using instead. There’s wide consensus that single-use plastics are bad for environmental and human health, which is why eight in 10 Americans support a national policy reducing their use. The fossil fuel industry, in response, is finding new homes […]

Trump’s Embrace of Fossil Fuels Threatens National Security

NEWSWEEK 01/21/25 By Michael Shank and US Congressman Raul Grijalva With 2024 going down as the globe’s hottest year on record, and with devastating fires in California signaling a new climate-changing normal, President Donald Trump and his administration are doing exactly the thing a warming planet doesn’t need. Trump is […]

Three Ways to Restore the Public’s Trust in Government

APOLITICAL 01/10/25 LINKEDIN 01/10/25 By Michael Shank New Research Identifies Three Trust-Building Pathways for Political Candidates and Campaigns A new poll published this month shows a surge in Republican trust in the accuracy of the national vote count for the U.S. presidential election. Roughly 6 in 10 Republicans reported “a great deal” […]

How U.S. State AGs Can Hold Polluting Industries Accountable

APOLITICAL 12/03/24 By Michael Shank Americans are being peddled misinformation about what happens to the plastic they buy and use in their daily lives, and taxpayers across the United States have an opportunity to fight back. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued ExxonMobil for the fossil fuel company’s pollution […]

Maryland Should Hold ExxonMobil Responsible for Plastic Recycling Lies

BALTIMORE SUN 11/01/24 By Michael Shank Americans are being peddled misinformation about what happens to the plastic they buy and use in their daily lives, and Maryland taxpayers have an opportunity to fight back. California Attorney General Rob Bonta has sued ExxonMobil for the fossil fuel company’s pollution and track […]

Why Cities Should Hire an Artist for Their Climate Office

APOLITICAL 09/19/24 By Michael Shank This article is written by Dr. Michael Shank, director of engagement at the Carbon Neutral Cities Alliance and adjunct faculty at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs where he teaches sustainable development. There’s a transformation happening across city governments that has the potential to […]

How to Build a Pro-Farmer Food System in the U.S.

LINKEDIN 09/16/24 MEDIUM 09/16/24 By Dr. Michael Shank With Florida and Alabama banning lab-grown meat, and new lawsuits in response, the burger wars in America are getting juicier and more creative by the day. Both sides of the political aisle appear to be coming for your burger now. Unfortunately, the […]