The Anti-Environment Influence of 3 out of 4 Koch Brothers

There are three Koch brothers who have amassed a long track record of environmental malfeasance and political interference. Well known oil billionaires Charles and David Koch use their fortunes to misinform, manipulate and protect their corporate interests. They are estimated to be worth about 25 billion each. This diabolical duo own Koch Industries, the second largest privately owned corporation in the US. They also have a lesser known brother named William (Bill), he is worth a mere 4 billion but his business interests include petcoke which is some of the dirtiest petrochemical byproducts.

Bill Koch owns the Florida based Oxbow corporation, the world's largest petcoke trader. They donated $4.25 million to GOP Super PACs in 2012, making it the one of the largest corporate donors to super PACs. Oxbow also spent over $1.3 million on lobbyists in 2012.

Video - Climate Change Causing Petcoke Poisons the Air

Petcoke is a refining byproduct of tar sands oil, and when burned is substantially dirtier than coal and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas pollution. It is also a potent carcinogen. Watch this video of petcoke being blown into the air we breathe in our communities. According to two new studies, petcoke makes tar sands oil even dirtier than originally thought.

Video - Climate Change Causing Petcoke Poisons the Water

Petcoke is a refining byproduct of tar sands oil, and when burned is substantially dirtier than coal and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas pollution. It is also a potent carcinogen. In this video massive piles of coke on seen heaped by the shores of the Detroit river. This petcoke contaminates waterways and the fish that people eat and feed to their children. According to two new studies, petcoke makes tar sands oil even dirtier than originally thought.

World Agrees on a Treaty Restricting Mercury

After protracted negotiations that spanned almost half a decade more than 140 countries have signed on to the world's first legally binding international agreement to control mercury emissions. The agreement puts in place rules that limit mercury emissions from power plants and industrial boilers as well as certain kinds of smelters handling metals like zinc and gold. The treaty phases out mercury laden products, like batteries and thermometers as well as certain types of fluorescent lamps, soaps and cosmetics. The agreement also establishes rules for direct mining of mercury and addresses safe storage of mercury waste.

UNEP Mercury Study: Levels of the Toxic Metal are Increasing

A UNEP study released in January 2013 found mercury pollution in the top layer of the world’s oceans has doubled in the past century. In the past 100 years, man-made emissions have caused the amount of mercury in the top 100 metres of the world's oceans to double. Concentrations in deeper waters have increased by up to 25 percent. The study also indicates that hundreds of tons of mercury have leaked from the soil into rivers and lakes around the world. The report says an estimated 260 tonnes of mercury - previously held in soils - are being released into rivers and lakes.

Legally Binding Treaty to Reduce Mercury Emissions

On Sunday January 13 delegates from more than 130 nations began a final round of negotiations with the intent of creating the world's first legally binding treaty to reduce mercury emissions. Mercury contamination is a major problem which has serious implications for pregnant women, women of childbearing age and young children. Mercury accumulates in fish and wildlife and goes up the food chain.

According to the U.N. environment program, which is also one of the sponsors of these talks, over the past century ocean based mercury contamination has doubled. The report demonstrates that hundreds of tons of mercury have leaked from the soil into rivers and lakes around the world. High rates of mercury pollution are largely attributable to coal burning, chemical production and small-scale mining, particularly what is known as artisanal gold production.