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Why I Don’t Buy Data Centers’ Claims They Can Leapfrog Over Utilities 

Union of Concerned Scientists

In the rush to integrate artificial intelligence into the economy, fast-moving information technology companies are running into a problem: slow-moving electric utilities. In more ways than one, the electricity supply so vital to running a data center simply doesnt respond the way Silicon Valley and big investors want. Broadly speaking, developers of data centers, which house the computers and servers that run AI tasks, are looking for three things: places to build, electricity to buy, and physi

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What’s Up With Water – March 5, 2018

Circle of Blue

Transcripts Whats Up With Water for March 5, 2018 Im Eileen Wray-McCann, for Circle of Blue, and heres Whats up with Water, a condensation of the worlds water news. Residents of Cape Town continue to forestall Day Zero with an extreme conservation strategy. Day Zero, the projected date water runs out for most homes and businesses in the city, is holding at July 9th.

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We need NOAA now more than ever

Real Climate

Guest commentary by Robert Hart, Kerry Emanuel , & Lance Bosart The National Weather Service (NWS) and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), delivers remarkable value to the taxpayers. This efficiency can be demonstrated by its enormous return on investment. For example, the NWS costs only several dollars per citizen to operate each year, yet results in an estimated 10-100 times larger financial return that includes: improved citizen preparedness, imp

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The Long History of Climate Models

Union of Concerned Scientists

Climate models are the main tool scientists use to assess how much the Earths temperature will change given an increase in fossil fuel pollutants in the atmosphere. As a climate scientist, Ive used them in all my research projects, including one predicting a change in Southwestern US precipitation patterns. But how exactly did climate models come to be?

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How to Drive Cost Savings, Efficiency Gains, and Sustainability Wins with MES

Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

Is your manufacturing operation reaching its efficiency potential? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) could be the game-changer, helping you reduce waste, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions, in this value-packed webinar as he breaks down how MES can drive operational excellence and sustainability.

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Five Reasons Renewable Energy Developers are Losing Confidence in Ontario

Enviromental Defense

In 2024, renewable energy developers had all the right reasons to be optimistic about the prospect of building solar and wind installations in Ontario: Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce touted the upcoming power purchase as being technology agnostic with a focus on the lowest cost resources” The last procurement under the former Minister of Energy revealed that gas is expensive: battery storage beat out gas on price by a wide margin.

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State-Level Actions To Decarbonize Aviation

Legal Planet

Aviation is a significant and growing source of greenhouse gas emissions. But the federal government in the United States has failed to address it so far. In response, some state policy makers and advocates are now considering legal avenues to effectively require the use of sustainable aviation fuels, which emit less carbon than traditional jet fuel when burned and in some cases can eliminate these emissions altogether.

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Can Toxic Mining Waste Help Remove CO2 from the Atmosphere?

Yale E360

On the coast of Newfoundland, waste from a shuttered asbestos mine has been a troubling source of contamination for decades. Now, a company plans to process the waste to draw CO2 from the air one of several projects worldwide that aim to turn this liability into an asset.

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Human-wildlife coexistence: The need for evidence-based solutions

The Applied Ecologist

Chen Huang provides an overview of their investigation into human-wildlife conflict, and explains how research gaps can be turned into opportunities. Humans and wildlife share the planet, often in proximity. In many parts of the world, villagers see elephants, lions, dolphins, and seabirds as part of their daily livesmuch like city dwellers spot starlings feeding in a park.

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The Rhino Whisperer | In Her Nature

PBS Nature

The tragic loss of her mother to a rhino attack hasnt stopped Doma Paudel from her fearless conservation efforts. Instead, it inspired her to become Nepal’s first female nature guide and to fight to save Nepalese rhinos from near extinction, double Nepals tiger population, and teach Nepalese communities how to compassionately coexist with wildlife.

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Steelton-Highspire School District, Tröegs Independent Brewing Show Benefits Of Going Solar, Driving Electric Busses In Dauphin County

PA Environment Daily

On March 14, a tour of Steelton-Highspire School District facilities and Tregs Independent Brewing in Dauphin County shows the benefits of going solar and electric school buses. Local officials and residents, including Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin), Steelton Manager Kathy McCool, and Highspire Mayor Von Hess, joined leaders from Steelton-Highspire School District, the nonprofit environmental group PennEnvironment , McClure Company , and First Student for an informative

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The Key to Sustainable Energy Optimization: A Data-Driven Approach for Manufacturing

Speaker: Kevin Kai Wong, President of Emergent Energy Solutions

In today's industrial landscape, the pursuit of sustainable energy optimization and decarbonization has become paramount. ♻️ Manufacturing corporations across the U.S. are facing the urgent need to align with decarbonization goals while enhancing efficiency and productivity. Unfortunately, the lack of comprehensive energy data poses a significant challenge for manufacturing managers striving to meet their targets. 📊 Join us for a practical webinar hosted by Kevin Kai Wong of Emergent Ene

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The User-Pay Myth: We ALL Pay for Our Roads, Not Just Drivers

Union of Concerned Scientists

Contrary to popular belief, we do not have a user-pay model today for our infrastructure and have not for some decades. And that might not be a problem. Yet in one of his first official acts as Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT), Sean Duffy delineated a set of principles governing DOT funding (to the extent there is any legal discretion).

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In This Storied Egyptian City, Rising Seas are Causing Buildings to Crumble

Yale E360

As waters rise along the Egyptian coast, hundreds of buildings in the historic port city of Alexandria have collapsed.

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The ICJ’s Advisory Opinion on Climate Change: Key Takeaways from the 2024 Hearing (Part 3)

Law Columbia

UN Photo/ICJ-CIJ/ Frank van Beek This blog post is Part 3 of a three-part series highlighting the main legal arguments presented during the hearings of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the request for an advisory opinion regarding the obligations of States with respect to climate change. Part 1 focused on discussions on applicable law, and the no-harm rule.

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H5N1 flu is now killing birds on the continent of Antarctica

New Scientist

A highly pathogenic strain of bird flu is spreading south along the Antarctic Peninsula and could devastate populations of penguins and other seabirds

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Implementing D.E.J.I. Strategies in Energy, Environment, and Transportation

Speaker: Antoine M. Thompson, Executive Director of the Greater Washington Region Clean Cities Coalition

Diversity, Equity, Justice, and Inclusion (DEJI) policies, programs, and initiatives are critically important as we move forward with public and private sector climate and sustainability goals and plans. Underserved and socially, economically, and racially disadvantaged communities bear the burden of pollution, higher energy costs, limited resources, and limited investments in the clean energy and transportation sectors.

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From Classrooms To Communities: Keep PA Beautiful Young Ambassadors Are Making a Difference

PA Environment Daily

To fulfill their responsibilities as Keep PA Beautiful Young Ambassadors , students are required to host an educational event in their community or school. Below are a few highlights of events held so far by our class of 2024-2025. Many more are scheduled through the end of April! Ava, a junior from Indiana County, partnered with her local library to teach children and their parents about the importance of not littering and taking care of the Earth.

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How Do ‘Future Climate Scenarios’ Shape Climate Science and Inform Policy? 

Union of Concerned Scientists

The IPCC compiles scientific insights on climate change, informing policymakers and the public about risks and possible actions. One of its core tools is the use of future scenarios. Climate models and climate impact studies use emission scenariosestimates of potential future changes in heat-trapping emissionsto help us see how choices made about emissions today can shape tomorrows climate.

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Peruvian Farmer Sues German Energy Giant Over Its Role in Climate Change

Yale E360

Hearings began Monday in a landmark climate case in Hamm, Germany, where a Peruvian farmer is suing energy giant RWE over its role in warming.

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The Next Flu Pandemic Could Be Worse Than Covid If We Don't Heed History

Scientific American

COVID and the 1918 flu pandemic gave us playbooks on how to prepare for the next pandemic. But we aren’t using it.

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Shaping a Resilient Future: Climate Impact on Vulnerable Populations

Speaker: Laurie Schoeman Director, Climate & Sustainability, Capital

As households and communities across the nation face challenges such as hurricanes, wildfires, drought, extreme heat and cold, and thawing permafrost and flooding, we are increasingly searching for ways to mitigate and prevent climate impacts. During this event, national climate and housing expert Laurie Schoeman will discuss topics including: The two paths for climate action: decarbonization and adaptation.

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Giving blood frequently may make your blood cells healthier

New Scientist

Men who had given blood more than 100 times in their life were more likely to have blood cells carrying certain beneficial mutations, suggesting that donating blood promotes the growth of these cells

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Penn State Extension Hosts Soak Up Science - Be A Stream Doctor Day Camp For Youth 8-12 July 29 To Aug. 1 At The Southeast Agricultural Research Farm In Centre County

PA Environment Daily

Youth aged 8 to 12 are invited to join Penn State Extension to Soak up Science and Be a Stream Doctor at Penn States Southeast Agricultural Research Farm in Millheim, Centre County from July 29 to August 1 where they will learn how they can be Stream Doctors. The camp will follow the theme of Penn State Extensions new childrens book, Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor featuring Dr.

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The Fossil Fuel Industry’s Lasting Imprint on Global Sea Levels 

Union of Concerned Scientists

The fossil fuel industrys role in driving climate change is undeniable, yet corporate accountability remains a contested space. As the scientific evidence strengthens, courts around the world are increasingly considering the role of major fossil fuel companies in climate-related damages. Our latest research published today in Environmental Research Letters adds a critical piece to this legal and scientific puzzle by quantifying how emissions from the worlds largest fossil fuel and cement produce

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African Solar Installations Headed for Banner Year

Yale E360

African solar installations are projected to grow by 42 percent this year, according to an industry group.

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Sustainability at Retail

Sustainability impacts every nation, company, and person around the world. So much so that, in 2015, the United Nations (UN) issued a call for action by all countries to work toward sustainable development. In response to this and as part of a global Sustainability at Retail initiative, Shop! worked collaboratively with its global affiliates to address these critical issues in this white paper.

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The Secret to Understanding Animal Consciousness May Be Joy

Scientific American

Animal emotions—including joy—may be key markers of conscious beings

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Revealed: How the UK tech secretary uses ChatGPT for policy advice

New Scientist

New Scientist has used freedom of information laws to obtain the ChatGPT records of Peter Kyle, the UK's technology secretary, in what is believed to be a world-first use of such legislation

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Lancaster Conservancy, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Coalition Partners Appeal FERC's Decision On Susquehanna River Pumped-Hydroelectric Project To Federal Court

PA Environment Daily

On March 14, a coalition of conservation, recreation, and environmental organizations filed a petition for review in the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit as they pursue further legal action in the Federal Energy Regulatory Commissions (FERC) decision to grant a preliminary permit for a pumped storage facility at Cuffs Run in York County, PA.

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How Major Carbon Producers Drive Sea Level Rise and Climate Injustice

Union of Concerned Scientists

In a new study released today, UCS attributes substantial temperature and sea level rise to emissions traced to the largest fossil fuel producers and cement manufacturers. And for the first time, we extend sea level projections into the future, quantifying how past heat-trapping emissions from the fossil fuel industry will impact the world for centuries to come.

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Release: NSAC Responds to Termination of Critical Local Food Funding, Envisions Future for Popular Program

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

For Immediate Release Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Release: NSAC Responds to Termination of Critical Local Food Funding, Envisions Future for Popular Program Washington, DC, March 11, 2025 Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) lamented the termination of previously announced funding for the Local Food for Schools and Child Care Cooperative Agreement (LFSCC) and Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Ag

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How to Help Butterflies That Are Disappearing

Scientific American

A new report finds that butterfly populations in the continental U.S.

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Saturn has 128 new moons – more than the rest of the planets combined

New Scientist

Saturn has dozens of new moons, bringing it to a total of 274. All of the new moons are between 2 and 4 kilometres wide, but at what point is a rock too small to be a moon?

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Keep PA Beautiful Open Your Eyes To Litter In A Watershed Activity Books Now Available In English, Spanish

PA Environment Daily

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced the latest update to the Open Your Eyes To Litter, a collection of five educational activity books-- Open Your Eyes to Litter In A Watershed -- is now available in English and Spanish, along with its comprehensive teacher's guide. This 28-page book delves into the impact of littering on watersheds, featuring vocabulary, journal prompts, and engaging activities designed to reinforce the concept of watersheds and their significance to both people and animals.

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Ask a Scientist: What’s the Future for Trucks?

Union of Concerned Scientists

Big rigs, box trucks, and buses are part of our lives and economies. Almost everything we buy is carried by trucks, which move billions of tons of goods each year. School buses that bring kids to school, city buses that serve commuters, garbage and recycling trucks that keep streets clean, 18-wheelers that haul goods: these are all classified as medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.

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EPA Will Review 2024 Rule Amending the TSCA Risk Evaluation Framework Rule

Nanotech

On March 10, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intent to reconsider the May 3, 2024, rule amending the procedural framework rule for conducting risk evaluations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (2024 Risk Evaluation Framework Rule). According to EPA, it will initiate a rulemaking that will ensure the agency can efficiently and effectively protect human health and the environment and follow the law.