iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

SB 868, California's balcony solar bill, is on Gov. Newsom's desk right now. The idea: plug a solar panel into a regular outlet, like an appliance that gives you energy back. Nine states have legalized it. I talk it through with my colleague Bernadette Del Chiaro.

youtube.com

Making energy affordable: California could boost balcony solar

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Tens of thousands got sick this summer in a preventable cyclospora outbreak. I talked with Sarah Sorscher of @cspinet.org about why, and how big outbreaks are a warning sign the systems meant to catch them are failing.

youtube.com

Outbreak of failure: Cyclospora shows food safety unraveling under RFK Jr.

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

I sat down with Vernice Miller-Travis, one of the founders of environmental justice. Her line has stayed with me: the air is not segregating. What gets released in one community does not stay there.

youtube.com

Vernice Miller-Travis and the roots of the environmental justice movement

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

The systems meant to make sure food is actually safe to eat are the ones being undercut by this administration. Worst measles outbreak in 35 years. Nearly 2,000 cyclospora illnesses tied to Taylor Farms lettuce. I spoke with Dr. Georges Benjamin of @apha.org about how we got here.

youtube.com

Dr. Georges Benjamin on our public health crisis

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Every day we rely on regulatory systems and animal testing to tell us whether the chemicals we're exposed to are safe. But what if AI could get us more ethical, more accurate answers, and avoid animal testing altogether? That's the question at the heart of my conversation with Dr. Thomas Hartung.

youtube.com

How AI could transform chemical testing

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The same chemicals linked to earlier puberty in girls may also affect the end of the reproductive lifespan. Dr. Lauren Petrick shares why perimenopause and menopause are a "window of susceptibility" to environmental exposures like pregnancy and puberty.

youtube.com

Environmental chemicals and menopause

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

My guest Dr. Jabeen Taiba found a statistically significant association between 32 pesticides and pediatric cancer. We are almost never exposed to one chemical at a time, yet our system evaluates them one by one.

youtube.com

Unregulated chemical mixtures are always in our bodies

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Plastic is Big Oil's next big bet, just as the world is finally starting to turn away from fossil fuels. That's the argument of Plastic Inc. by award-winning journalist Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social.

youtube.com

How big oil hooked the world on plastic

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

In March, a federal judge handed the American Academy of Pediatrics a significant victory against HHS. Lead attorney Richard Hughes breaks down what it means and what comes next.

youtube.com

The vaccine lawyer suing RFK Jr.

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 06/05/2026

Two battles over glyphosate last week — one at the Supreme Court, one on the House floor. Dr. Chuck Benbrook breaks down what's at stake for pesticide accountability across the country.

youtube.com

Pesticide protections in the crosshairs

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

This Earth Day, instead of progress, we're watching environmental protections get systematically rolled back. Dr. Landrigan and Dr. Gaffney joined the podcast to document what's being lost and what it will cost us. @awgaffney.bsky.social

youtube.com

Doctor, doctor: How the Trump administration is making America sicker

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

On the podcast: Rina Shah was the first Republican delegate to publicly challenge Trump's nomination in 2016. Her party erased her name in retaliation. She didn't leave. Ten years later, no regrets.

youtube.com

Rina Shah: Principles over power

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Reposted by Ken Cook

David A. Graham @dgraham.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

For your weekend entertainment, here's a great conversation I had with @ewgprez.bsky.social about Project 2025—and I'd say on a more fundamental level, how American government works, or doesn't: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F_G...

youtube.com

David A. Graham on Project 2025's assault on American government

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

Rep. Pingree has fought pesticide preemption, SNAP cuts and toxic chemicals since 2009 — mostly without fanfare. Now MAHA is promising to do in a news cycle what she's spent decades on legislatively. The record tells a different story. @pingree.house.gov

youtube.com

Democrats were MAHA before MAHA — Rep. Chellie Pingree unpacks the contradictions

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

Microplastics are in our food, blood, and even brain tissue. While industry says concerns are overblown, researchers like Dr. Matthew Campen are finding evidence that deserves serious attention. We’re diving into how these particles affect our long-term health. Listen here: ow.ly/hIyM50Yl9zH

ow.ly

The plastics problem

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 10/02/2026

This week on the podcast: Congress cut $200B from SNAP, taking food from 48M food insecure Americans, including families, veterans and seniors. I’m joined by Rep. Jim McGovern to unpack whose interests are really being served. @repmcgovern.bsky.social

youtube.com

Rep. Jim McGovern on ending hunger in the richest country in the world

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Celebrity activism can get a bad rap—but Hilary Swank proved its power. Fresh off a red-eye, she testified for CA SB 646, helping pass a law requiring prenatal vitamins to be tested for heavy metals & results publicly disclosed. She shares why she’s using her platform to protect the next generation.

youtube.com

Hilary Swank fights for transparency in baby products

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Within a year, the Trump admin has moved to repeal emissions standards, extend the life of coal burning power plants & dismantle the EPA's scientific capacity. My guest Joe Goffman—who shaped U.S. air quality law for 35+ years—shares what we’re losing & why strong environmental protections matter.

youtube.com

What happens when the EPA stops protecting the environment?

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Honored to join an inspiring group of speakers at #TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch -- bringing expertise & clarity to what it will take to end plastic pollution. From policy to materials to justice, these talks show what’s possible. Watch: bit.ly/TEDxGPGP #PlasticPollutes #BreakFreeFromPlastic #TEDx

youtube.com

Let’s Get Plastics Out of Our Food! | Ken Cook | TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch

YouTube video by TEDx Talks

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Each year, millions resolve to eat healthier & lose weight. Most won’t fail from lack of willpower — they’ll fail because our food system makes unhealthy choices cheap & easy. I talk with @juliabelluz.bsky.social about why nutrition science is misunderstood & why policy, not personal blame, matters.

youtube.com

Understanding the toxic food environment with Julia Belluz

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

I’m joined by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis — infectious disease physician and public health leader. From HIV innovation to leading the White House Mpox response, he unpacks what recent CDC vaccine decisions mean for science, trust and public health. @drdemetre.bsky.social

youtube.com

Why I left the CDC: Dr. Demetre on vaccine policy changes and public health

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 02/12/2025

Today’s podcast episode: I chat with author and cultural journalist, Jane Borden, about how cult-like thinking—from Pilgrims to MAGA—shapes America. We explore healthy skepticism vs. dangerous groupthink and how history repeats itself. @janeborden.bsky.social

youtube.com

Cult-like thinking in America

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

In my latest episode: a deep dive with @kff.org's Liz Hamel into new MAHA polling and the stark disconnect between what parents say they want for their children’s health and the political chaos that just left millions facing unaffordable insurance.

youtube.com

Who supports MAHA? New polling reveals surprising divides

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

It’s Election Day—and key issues Lindsay Dahl @lindsaydahl.bsky.social has spent her career on are on the ballot: how we regulate chemicals, protect public health and decide what’s safe in our homes. In this episode, we talk about her new book and why science, politics & culture all matter.

youtube.com

Environmental health across party lines

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 21/10/2025

My guest this week is Matt Randolph, aka @mrglobaltoo.bsky.social — oil industry veteran with 33+ years of experience and 1M+ followers breaking down energy and policy. We discuss where environmentalists get it right — and where we might get it wrong.

youtube.com

Oil expert, Mr. Global: We are heading towards an energy crisis

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Proud to join my EWG colleagues as @governor.ca.gov signed AB 1264 bill into law — a major step toward removing the “worst of the worst” UPFs from CA schools. “It’s a powerful signal to all food companies… Smart companies will start reformulating now.” — Scott Faber, EWG

nytimes.com

California Will Ban Certain Ultraprocessed Foods in Schools

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

This week's podcast: journalist Brian Deer, author of The Doctor Who Fooled the World. We discuss his investigation, why misinformation remains prevalent today & the incredible scope of disarray and dysfunction playing in public health under RFK Jr. @briandeer.com

youtube.com

The lasting damage of vaccine misinformation and the disgraced doctor fueling it

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

This week on the podcast: Errol Schweizer, one of the sharpest minds in food + grocery. Former Whole Foods V.P., Forbes writer and author of The Checkout Grocery Update on Substack, he unpacks the politics shaping our food system. @grocerynerd.bsky.social

youtube.com

The privilege of MAHA and inflation in your kitchen

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 09/09/2025

Excited to share this week’s episode with Lo Bosworth — author, founder & CEO of Love Wellness. We dive into self-care, functional medicine and why self-advocacy in women’s health matters. A powerful conversation for anyone navigating their own health journey or supporting a loved one.

youtube.com

Lo Bosworth on women’s health advocacy

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 28/08/2025

You know the iconic Dr. Bronner’s bottles — but the company is so much more. I’m joined by Lisa Bronner to talk about family legacy, advocacy & her book, Soap & Soul.

youtube.com

Lisa Bronner on her family’s soap legacy and beyond

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Reposted by Ken Cook

Re-Volt @exposeutilities.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

By exposing the corruption of California’s investor-owned utilities, we will hold them and our government accountable. EWG has a long and proud history of taking on big oil, big pesticide companies, big polluters, and more.

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

EWG scientists work to identify potential health harms from chemical exposure in everyday products so that consumers can make safer choices—and to debunk the myth that “the dose makes the poison.” Dr. Bruce Lanphear and I discuss why even low-level exposures can be harmful. @blanphear.bsky.social

youtube.com

“The dose makes the poison” is outdated

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

‪This week’s podcast: I talk with Will Westmoreland (@westmoreland-pops.bsky.social) -- farmer, activist & founder of The Back Forty -- about what rural America is really facing: harmful policies, lost SNAP & Medicaid access and farm subsidies favoring big ag over small farmers.

youtube.com

Helping rural Americans hurt by Trump’s policies

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 22/07/2025

Since January, the Trump admin has waged a campaign to eliminate thousands of federal scientists who help with research and rules that protect us from harmful substances. Dr. Micah Niemeier-Walsh, an industrial hygienist at N.I.O.S.H., cautions this will have serious consequences for public health.

youtube.com

Brain drain: The Trump administration’s war on scientists

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

This week’s podcast episode is driven by what's happening to science under the Trump administration. I talk with Dr. Linda Birnbaum & Dr. Micah Niemeier-Walsh about how scientists are losing their jobs — and why that puts us all at risk.

youtube.com

Brain drain: The Trump administration’s war on scientists

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Reposted by Ken Cook

The New Lede @thenewlede.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

“Pesticide applicators and farmworkers in the fields … pay the highest price in this flawed system,” said Alexis Luckey of Toxic Free NC. A new study finds that cancer risk doubles for pesticide applicators who use carbaryl. @toxicfreefuture.bsky.social‬ www.thenewlede.org/2025/07/carb...

thenewlede.org

Cancer risk doubles for Iowa, NC pesticide applicators who used carbaryl, study finds

By Brian Bienkowski Pesticide applicators in North Carolina and Iowa who sprayed the insecticide carbaryl often during their career have a higher risk of getting stomach, esophageal, tongue and pros...

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Reposted by Ken Cook

The New Lede @thenewlede.bsky.social · 07/07/2025

Big news: Our investigation #PoisonPR just won the Environmental Reporting prize from @oneworldmedia.bsky.social. Thanks to our lead partner @lighthousereports.com and to all who helped uncover the hidden forces shaping our food system. oneworldmedia.org.uk/awards/winne...

oneworldmedia.org.uk

Winners 2025

Presenting One World Media's 2024 Awards Longlist

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 02/07/2025

Bayer has settled 114K+ lawsuits from people who allege they developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after using glyphosate-based herbicides like Roundup. But the legal battles aren’t over. Journalist @careygillam.bsky.social, editor-in-chief of @thenewlede.bsky.social, breaks down the latest developments.

youtube.com

Is Bayer losing the Roundup fight? | Carey Gillam reports

YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 05/04/2025

#MAHA March on Washington, you say? 🧵3 To protest what has clearly become the deepest, most aggressive assault on environmental protection and health in history? Will Kennedy address the assembled masses and condemn outrages any environmental lawyer of his experience would immediately recognize?

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

Reckless budget cuts, made with no evidence they will advance efficiency or curb 'waste and corruption', have hurt farmers, rural food banks and schools in some 40 states. Where are you, #MAHA moms? www.cnn.com/2025/03/30/b...

cnn.com

‘A huge blow’: USDA cuts threaten to throw Wisconsin’s local food supply into disarray | CNN Business

Federal funding cuts have thrown local food systems in Wisconsin — and across the US — into chaos.

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

See national impact of federal health research cuts scienceimpacts.org

scienceimpacts.org

SCiMaP

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Ken Cook @ewgprez.bsky.social · 30/03/2025

www.ewg.org/news-insight... If this is really about greater efficiency, where's the analysis showing exactly how that would be achieved by these cuts? If your kids tried to pull off a scam like this in school you'd be sitting with them in the principal's office every afternoon.

ewg.org

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