It’s hard to say which was a bigger story in 2024: the many, many reasons plastic is a disaster for human health and the environment or … Taylor Swift. Both made our list of the seven most clicked-on articles this year, though, sorry Swifties, plastic made the list more times than the world’s biggest pop star. Here’s more about the articles that resonated most with our members and readers this year.
1. Why Earth Day’s Planet vs. Plastics Theme Is Spot On
Earth Day 2024 had a topical theme: reducing plastics. This makes sense as plastic has permeated nearly every aspect of our lives and also our bodies. If we aren’t breathing it in, we are eating it. Ridding the Earth of plastics is impossible, which we spelled out in a 3-part series on the scam that is recycling (see #5 below). At this point, the better option is to curb it—especially nonessential single-use plastic—from your life. Our Earth Day post details why we all need to ditch disposable plastic, and our readers clicked—quite a lot!
Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Progress to Cut Air and Climate Pollution
2. Proposed Gas Pipeline Oversight Rule Could Slash Methane Pollution
We are all seeking potentially good climate news, and that’s likely why so many of us chose to read this article about a rule proposed by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) that would cut pollution from pipelines across the U.S. by modernization and improved oversight. This is very good news—once the rule gets finalized. So far, it has been significantly delayed.
Moms Clean Air Force has been doing our part, joining other community, environmental, and health groups to deliver over 80,000 petition signatures urging PHMSA to get it done ASAP. Our message: our families’ health and future are at stake.
3. Taylor Swift Can Be the Climate Hero We Need Now
We offered some unsolicited advice to Taylor after reading a viral tweet about her relationship with Kansas City Chief’s All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce: “I wish Taylor Swift was in love with a climate scientist.” She’s not, but we climate-concerned people are more than happy to advise the 14-time Grammy winner who obviously could spur massive action on climate change. Our first suggestion for Taylor? To take a look at her emissions, specifically her private jet.
Read on for our other ideas for the most visible singer who has said in the past that climate change was one of the “horrific situations that we find ourselves facing right now.”
4. Ask Mom Detective: Are Plastic Toys Safe for My Children?
Mom Detective articles are perennial favorites on our website. This one was the most clicked on because, as mentioned, plastic safety is a big 2024 theme—for good reason. Plastic is bad news for the environment and our health, and playing is such an important part of childhood. Our Mom Detective points out that children are uniquely vulnerable to plastic chemicals as they’re still developing, then suggests best practices as well as safer material alternatives for everything from dolls to trucks to building blocks.
Take a look at the full Mom Detective series for more answers to questions about the toxic chemicals hiding in your stuff—even plastic-free stuff! You can also submit your own environmental health question to be answered in a future column.
5. Recycling Plastics Doesn’t Work
Recycling plastics, long believed to be environmentally friendly, doesn’t work. Since the 1950s, plastics producers have led marketing and education campaigns claiming plastic pollution can be limited through recycling. But a groundbreaking report by the Center for Climate Integrity, a fossil fuel accountability advocacy group, blew the lid off this story in 2024. According to the report, the plastics industry knew it was misleading the public all along. The myth of plastic recycling, plus its actual practice, may even do more harm than good. This must-read story is hard to take for us diehard recyclers—and harder not to click through to read.
6. Electric Car Curious? Seven Reasons to Make the Switch Today
There are apparently a lot of people curious about electric cars—and seeking reasons to make the switch. Sales of electric vehicles are soaring while those of conventional gas cars are declining. While the considerable benefits of EVs are well established, some drivers remain hesitant about taking the leap. Embracing anything new involves growing pains.
When you haven’t owned or even driven an EV before, questions about everything from battery range to locating chargers on the road arise. Thankfully, this is no longer new technology, which means there’s an easy answer for any EV-related concern. Our article details seven great reasons to start driving an EV. Maybe one will inspire you!
7. This Moms’ Husband Died on a Hike Because of Heat Stroke. Here’s What She Wants You to Know.
Three months after Moms Clean Air Force member Amy Dishion gave birth to a baby girl, her husband, Evan, died of heat stroke. He was 32, a medical resident, and out hiking with a group of friends on a 109-degree Arizona day. It was hot, but they were young and in good shape, so they thought they could handle it.
Now Amy is on a mission to warn as many people as possible about the very real dangers of extreme heat: heat stroke, heat exhaustion, and death. We are humbled to be able to share this tragic personal story with our community—and not surprised in the least that so many people bore witness and were educated by reading it.
Tell Congress: Hold the Line on Progress to Cut Air and Climate Pollution