Our Stories

The Latest by John McManus

Media Director

John was Earthjustice’s Media Director and chief press wrangler from 2001 until 2013. He came to Earthjustice in 2001 to defend freshwaters and public land—and salmon.

February 22, 2013

Storage Needed When There Is No Sun, Wind

By John McManus  /  California Office

Most people know that solar and wind energy is only generated when the sun shines or the wind blows. This leaves potential power gaps at times of no sun or wind. One of the Holy Grails of renewable energy has been storage systems (think battery here) that can store surplus energy when it’s produced for …

February 5, 2013

Attorney Persevered Like A Wolverine To Protect Them

By John McManus  /  Northern Rockies Office

Last Friday, the federal government proposed to protect wolverines as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Wolverines are the biggest member of the weasel, mink, marten and otter family, but they don’t act like good family members—they are loners who cover huge ranges usually high in mountain ranges above tree line up in …

January 31, 2013

EPA Moves To Ban Dangerous Rat Poison

By John McManus  /  California Office

There’s a dangerous type of mouse and rat poison on the market that when eaten by the rodents, causes them to bleed to death internally. Problems arise when the poison sometimes finds its way into the hands of kids or pets or moves up the food chain from rats and mice to foxes, bobcats, owls …

Solar panels on the roof of the Kapiʻolani Medical Center parking garage in Oahu, Hawaiʻi.
January 30, 2013

Hawaii Utility Now Open For Rooftop Solar Biz

By John McManus  /  Mid-Pacific Office

State is leading the way to a national clean energy future

December 30, 2012

One-Year Anniversary Of California's Lone Wolf

By John McManus  /  Headquarters Office

Wolf OR7 has successfully lived in northeast corner of state

December 18, 2012

Warning To Parents About Kids' Exposure To Pesticides

By John McManus  /  Headquarters Office

The American Academy of Pediatrics is calling on the government, schools, parents and medical professionals to take concerted action to protect children from pesticides. The 60,000-member physicians organization is worried about the growing body of scientific evidence that links these toxic chemicals not only to obvious poisoning but also to subtle health problems kids can …

December 11, 2012

Mercury in Fish, A Growing Problem

By John McManus  /  California Office

A new report has some not-so-great news for those who love to eat fish. Mercury is turning up in fish from all over the world—and coal is one of the main culprits. Coal burned in power plants releases mercury, basically dissolved in smoke, that later settles out over the land. It typically falls out of …

December 11, 2012

W. Virginia Factory Farm Seeks Right To Pollute

By John McManus  /  Northeast Office

Recently the EPA ordered an industrial animal factory in West Virginia to clean up massive amounts of chicken manure and other pollution lying around the ground, lest they end up in local streams after it rains.

November 28, 2012

Resident Orcas Attacked By Anti-Environment Group

By John McManus  /  Northwest Office

A far right anti-environmental group based in Sacramento, California is trying to get federal Endangered Species Act protections removed from a small extended west coast family group of killer whales. This group of killer whales, or orcas, is known as the southern residents because they spend much of their time residing in coastal waters between …

August 17, 2012

Feds About To Toss Wolves To The Hunters

By John McManus  /  Northern Rockies Office

The Associated Press reports that the federal government will abandon its protections for Wyoming wolves by August 31—if not sooner—leaving the wolf’s fate in the hands of the “Cowboy State.” This has wolf supporters worried. The state plans to immediately allow wolves to be killed at any time by most any means in about 85 percent …