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Why the Climate Accountability Act Matters to Me—and Wisconsin 

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last month, I was invited to speak at a press conference alongside Wisconsinites from across the state for the launch of the Climate Accountability Act. At just sixty words, its a simple but powerful bill with the potential to make our communities healthier, advance racial equity, and drive our state’s economy forward: In the 2025-26 legislative session, the legislature shall pass legislation creating a viable plan to reduce carbon emissions in this state by 52 percent by 2030 and creating

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Touched by the Keeling Curve

Legal Planet

Graphic: Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego Teaching the climate change unit last week in my International Environmental Law and Policy class, I found myself so moved that I started crying at the board. My poor students thought I was in distress.I was simply telling the story of the Keeling Curve.Thats a daily record of global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration devised by Charles Keeling and taken from the Mauna Loa Observatory on Hawaii every day starting in 1958.

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Alaska Communities Struggle for Baseline Water Data Amid Climate Uncertainty

Circle of Blue

This story was originally published by the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center. Homes and a fisher on the Kenai River. Photo: Christian Thorsberg Seldovia, Alaska a quintessential sleepy fishing town on the southern edge of the Kenai Peninsula starts to wake up around late May. By then, the first salmon are running. Water taxis come and go. Fishing charters fill.

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In the Amazon, River Dwellers Fight to Restore a Way of Life

Yale E360

Indigenous communities that rely on the natural flow of the Xingu River have long fought the Belo Monte dam in northern Brazil. With the dam now up for relicensing, they are urging the government to consider their own flow-release plan, which aims to restore the rivers health.

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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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Proposed Massive Carbon Capture Hub Puts Alberta’s Water and Farmland At Risk

Enviromental Defense

This blog is co-written by Julia Levin, Associate Director, National Climate at Environmental Defence Canada, and James Hannay, Policy Assistant at the National Farmers Union. There has been a lot of talk about a massive carbon capture and storage hub being proposed by the Pathways Alliance in Northern Alberta. It would be one of the largest projects of its type in the world.

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FIRO to Avoid Water FOMO: How to Save Every Drop with Smart Reservoir Operations in California

Union of Concerned Scientists

Happy Water Week ! Have you ever seen the Sierra Nevada of California from the San Joaquin Valley in the early spring on a clear day? When the Sierra has snow and the air quality allows us to see it from here, that view is second to none. Every year at this time when I look at the Sierra from the Valley, I know if I see little snow, it means its a dry year.

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‘Deep Change Theory’ Could Pull Us Out of a Global Climate and Pollution Crisis, Scientists Say

Inside Climate News

A new U.N. report maps a path toward a more sustainable future and challenges society to question basic assumptions and values about the environment, consumption and waste. By Bob Berwyn A team of international researchers published a new U.N. report Wednesday that adds to the rising scientific call for transformative societal and economic changes to staunch critical environmental threats like global warming, plastic pollution and biodiversity loss.

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Little Juniata River Association Organized 150 Volunteers To Clean Up 20 Miles Of River Banks In Blair, Huntingdon Counties

PA Environment Daily

The Little Juniata River Association held its 20th Annual River Bank Clean Up on April 12 that attracted 150 volunteers to clean up 20 miles of river banks from Barrie, Huntingdon County to Altoona, Blair County. Volunteers collected between 4-6 tons of litter along the roads and areas near the river- everything from TVs, plastic, chairs, tires, and food packaging.

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San Francisco v. EPA: Impact on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal

Law Columbia

On March 4, 2025, the Supreme Court handed down an important ruling in City and County of San Francisco v. Environmental Protection Agency. In a 5-4 decision, the Court curtailed the Environmental Protection Agencys (EPA) authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to issue pollutant discharge permits. The case involved a wastewater treatment facility that discharged treated water into San Francisco Bay under a CWA permit issued by EPA.

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California’s Push to Close the EV Battery Loop

Union of Concerned Scientists

Electric vehicle (EV) sales are increasing , and these vehicles are important to reduce fossil fuel use and air pollution. Increasing sales means more EVs eventually reaching their end of useful life. When an EV retires, the battery can be recycled and the materials recovered to make new batteries. These recovered materials replace what would otherwise be mined, which lessens the environmental and social impact of production.

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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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More state and local attention to financing can advance sustainable groundwater management

Legal Planet

A map of DWR’s designation of the state’s groundwater basins as high and medium priority under SGMA. In 2014, California passed the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), a law that establishes a statewide framework for advancing the long-term availability of the states groundwater resources. SGMAs framework provides local government with relative flexibility to manage its groundwater resources, but gives state agencies oversight authority and the right to intervene.

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Ask an AI: We asked ChatGPT about its carbon footprint

A Greener Life

A graphic visualisation of the carbon footprint of ChatGPT. Image generated about AI. By Anders Lorenzen This new monthly series focused on asking a Large Language Model (LLM) such as ChatGPT a relevant climate , energy or sustainability-potent question. This months question With the growing debate about ChatGPT’s and other LLMs’ carbon footprints, the question that would kickstart this series was rather obvious.

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Environmental Quality Board Tables Vote On Accepting Petition For Study To Increase Setbacks From Shale Gas Wells Until Last Minute Comments Can Be Reviewed

PA Environment Daily

On April 8, the Environmental Quality Board voted 16 to 3 to table a vote on whether to accept a rulemaking petition for study to increase setbacks from shale gas wells until comments submitted at the last minute to the Board can be reviewed. Commissioner Kathryn Zerfuss, representing the Public Utility Commission on the Board made the motion and was seconded by Matt Osenbach, representing Sen.

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Regulation of Seaweed Cultivation and Sinking for Carbon Dioxide Removal in Alaska: New Sabin Center Report

Law Columbia

Last year, for the first time, global temperatures exceeded 1.5 o C above pre-industrial levels. This follows a decade of record-breaking temperatures, with the World Meteorological Organization concluding that the past ten years 2025-2024 are the ten warmest years on record. Reversing this trend requires urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions but that wont be sufficient by itself.

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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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Growing Risk of 'Thirstwaves' as the Planet Warms

Yale E360

The atmosphere is getting thirstier. A new study finds that warming is leading to more frequent bouts of hot, dry weather that cause soils to lose large volumes of water to evaporation.

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Groups Call on Peel Council to Oppose Brampton Incinerator Expansion

Enviromental Defense

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat Environmental and community groups have sent a letter to Peel Region Council members urging them to pass a motion at todays council meeting against the proposed expansion of the privately-owned waste incinerator in Brampton. Council is in receipt of a report from the regions Medical Officer of Health and Commissioner of Health Services that raises concerns about the impacts of

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No, the dire wolf has not been brought back from extinction

New Scientist

Colossal Biosciences claims three pups born recently are dire wolves, but they are actually grey wolves with genetic edits intended to make them resemble the lost species

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Keep PA Beautiful Now Accepting Applications For Young Ambassadors Program From Students In Grades 10-12

PA Environment Daily

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful , with funding from the Department of Transportation, is seeking civic and environmental leaders in 10th -12th grade to keep Pennsylvania clean and beautiful through the Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania Program. The deadline to apply is June 10. The Young Ambassadors program empowers young community stewards and civic leaders to become ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania.

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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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Michigan Court of Appeals Considers Challenge to New Process for Siting Renewables

Law Columbia

Over the last five years, several states, including New York (2020), California (2022), Illinois (2023), and Michigan (2023) have adopted comprehensive permitting reforms that curtail the power of local governments to block development of large-scale renewable energy projects. Amicus brief filed by the Sabin Center and Goodman Acker P.C. on behalf of landowners in Milan Township, Michigan In two states, New York and Michigan, local governments have sued to block implementation of these reforms.

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Breakthrough Prize Winner Gerard ’t Hooft Says Quantum Mechanics Is ‘Nonsense’

Scientific American

After netting the world’s highest-paying science award, preeminent theoretical physicist Gerard ’t Hooft reflects on his legacy and the future of physics

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Maine Board Approves Motion to Adopt Rule on PFAS in Products; CUU Proposals for Products Prohibited as of January 1, 2026, Are Due June 1, 2025

Nanotech

As reported in our April 1, 2025, blog item, the Maine Board of Environmental Protection (MBEP) was scheduled to consider the Maine Department of Environmental Protections (MDEP) December 2024 proposed rule regarding products containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) during its April 7, 2025, meeting. As reported in our December 31, 2024, memorandum, on December 20, 2024, MDEP published a proposed rule that would establish criteria for currently unavoidable uses (CUU) of intentionall

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Plant-based waterproof material could replace single-use plastics

New Scientist

Cellulose, the main component of paper, can be turned into clear, waterproof objects such as cups that are almost indistinguishable from plastic, but break down more quickly

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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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PA Solar Center, Philadelphia Energy Authority To Hold April 22 Webinar On How Businesses, Municipalities, Schools Can Save Money Going Solar In Southeast PA

PA Environment Daily

On Earth Day-- Tuesday, April 22-- the Philadelphia Energy Authority and the Pennsylvania Solar Center will host a free webinar over Zoom for businesses, municipalities, schools, and other nonprofits in the five-county Greater Philadelphia region to learn how they can save major money on their electricity bill by going solar and in certain cases, with little to no money down.

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Head of African Bank Warns of "Carbon Grabs" by Foreign Firms

Yale E360

Akinwumi Adesina, outgoing president of the African Development Bank, is warning that foreign firms are underpaying for carbon credits from African forests.

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The Dire Wolf Isn’t Back—But Here’s What ‘De-Extinction’ Tech Can Actually Do

Scientific American

Colossal Bioscience says it has “de-extincted” the dire wolf, but other scientists disagree and say more important conservation science is being lost in all the hype

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EC Scientific Committee Begins Public Consultation on Preliminary Opinion on Hydroxyapatite (Nano)

Nanotech

On April 3, 2024, the European Commissions (EC) Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) began a public consultation on its preliminary opinion on the safety of hydroxyapatite (nano) in oral products. The EC asked SCCS if it considers hydroxyapatite (nano) safe when used in toothpaste up to a maximum concentration of 29.5 percent and in mouthwash up to a maximum concentration of ten percent according to the specifications as reported in the submission, taking into The post EC Scientific Co

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Space could emerge from time

New Scientist

An investigation of the changing behaviour of a single quantum bit through time has uncovered a tantalising similarity to the geometry of three-dimensional space

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PA Resources Council Announces Schedule Of Western PA Household Chemical Collection Events

PA Environment Daily

Mark your calendar for dates to drop off a wide variety of household chemicals ranging from pesticides and paints to auto fluids and household cleaners at Spring recycling events in western PA sponsored by Pennsylvania Resources Council and its partners. Its important to divert these materials from landfills since many contain toxic elements that can leach into our waterways or introduce dangerous toxic chemicals into our environment, according to PRC Executive Director Darren Spielman.

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The Feed: Vol. 3, Issue 7

National Law Center

The Feed newsletter highlights recent legal developments affecting agriculture, with issues released twice a month. Click below to sign up for.

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String Theorists Say Black Holes Are Multidimensional String ‘Supermazes’

Scientific American

Physicists think the insides of black holes may be complex mazes of tangled strings in higher dimensions

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Andy Fitch joins the Sabin Center as Climate Finance & Regulation Fellow

Law Columbia

We are proud to welcome Andy Fitch, who joined the Sabin Center as a Climate Finance and Regulation Fellow in April 2025. His work covers intersections of ESG and antitrust law with sustainability and climate-resiliency goals. He focuses on regulatory and policy responses to climate-related financial risk at the federal and state level. Prior to joining the Sabin team, Andy worked for the Department of Justice Antitrust Divisions front office.

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World's first baby born by IVF done almost entirely by a machine

New Scientist

A baby has been born after being conceived via IVF performed by a machine, with a medical professional merely overseeing the process

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