Tue.Jun 04, 2024

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Finding Light in Dark Places: Specific Obligations for Climate Change and Ocean Acidification Mitigation

Law Columbia

Can the new advisory opinion interpreting the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) move us beyond the lethargy of unmet climate change policy needs ? The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (the Tribunal, ITLOS) established the gravity of this question by stating that “climate change represents an existential threat and raises human rights concerns” (para. 66).

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People are less likely to believe an AI if it conveys uncertainty

New Scientist

When a large language model expresses doubt about the information it supplies, people are less likely to accept it as fact and more likely to find accurate information elsewhere

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Heat Waves Make AC Too Expensive for Many People

Scientific American

Poorer households face climate-related dangers during heat waves amid climbing electricity costs, a report by state energy officials warns

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Why excessive positivity is bad for your health and mental well-being

New Scientist

There are real benefits to a positive mindset, but the idea that we should always look on the bright side has gone too far.

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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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Western ‘checkerboard’ lands to be discussed at Western Ag & Environmental Law Conference

National Law Center

Western ‘checkerboard’ lands to be discussed at Western Ag & Environmental Law Conference Wyoming attorneys Ryan Semerad and Karen Budd-Falen will. The post Western ‘checkerboard’ lands to be discussed at Western Ag & Environmental Law Conference appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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China is sending giant pandas to US zoos for the first time in decades

New Scientist

In recent years, China recalled pandas from three out of four US zoos that had the bears, signalling diplomatic tensions between the two countries – but this year China has offered two new pairs of giant pandas

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More Trending

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Starship launch 4: What time is the SpaceX flight tomorrow?

New Scientist

SpaceX is getting ready to launch its massive Starship rocket tomorrow and we have all the details on the mission

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Exotic Quantum ‘Bose-Einstein Condensate’ State Finally Achieved with Molecules

Scientific American

Molecular Bose-Einstein condensates could help to provide the answers to fundamental questions or form the basis of new quantum computers

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Glitching radio waves from dead stars explained by swirling superfluid

New Scientist

Pulsars that emit radio waves “glitch” as they rotate – this seems to be caused by interruptions to swirling vortices inside these ultra-dense stars

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Cuckoos’ Evolutionary Arms Race Creates New Species

Scientific American

Cuckoos are “nest pirates” that lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, setting off an evolutionary arms race that leads to the development of new species

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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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Diet-monitoring AI tracks your each and every spoonful

New Scientist

An AI that watches you while you eat can estimate how much you’re consuming, and could help people track their calorie intake

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Ada Lovelace’s 180-Year-Old Notes Previewed the Future of Computers

Scientific American

Ada Lovelace’s wisdom about the first general-purpose computer can be found buried in the appendix of another paper

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Treetops and Tar Sands: What I learned from a photography exhibit

Enviromental Defense

The True Cost of Oil photography exhibit, presented by Environmental Defence and Keepers of the Water, took place from May 15th to June 1st. Here, Colleen shares her Impressions of the exhibit launch on May 16th. It poured in Edmonton, the day Garth Lenz’s The True Cost of Oil photography exhibit launched on May 16, at the University of Alberta’s Fine Arts Building (FAB) Gallery.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene's Attacks of Fauci Over COVID’s Six-Foot Rule Not Based in Science

Scientific American

Attacks on Anthony Fauci over guidance on masking and social distancing ignore the science on viral spread

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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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Controlling an invasive shrub across the year with basal bark herbicide treatment

The Applied Ecologist

Nick Barber and colleagues share a new invasive plant management technique to better control invasive species and improve biodiversity. Controlling invasive plants can be a never-ending battle for land managers, and this work is costly — not just in materials like expensive herbicide, but costly in time as well. This is especially the case when invasive control efforts overlap with other management responsibilities.

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US Dept. Of The Interior Awards $28.67 Million To PA To Revitalize Abandoned Mine Lands, Create Jobs Under AMLER Program

PA Environment Daily

On June 3, the US Department of the Interior announced the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE) is making available $130 million in fiscal year 2024 funding for the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. The six Appalachian states with the highest number of unfunded high priority abandoned mine land (AML) problems and three Tribes with approved AML programs are eligible to receive these funds.

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Release: NSAC Applauds Introduction of the Save Our Small Farms Act

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

Washington, DC, June 4, 2024 – Today, Connecticut Representatives Hayes (D-CT-5), Larson (D-CT-1), Courtney (D-CT-2), DeLauro (D-CT-3), and Himes (D-CT-4) teamed up with Reps. Adams (D-NC-12), Neal (D-MA-1), McGovern (D-MA-2), and Jackson (D-TX-18) to introduce the Save Our Small (SOS) Farms Act. This bill would meaningfully expand access to the farm safety net for small, diversified, and underserved farmers and ranchers who find themselves at the mercy of worsening storms but unable to access c

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Fauci Calls COVID Cover-Up Claim ‘Preposterous’

Scientific American

Congressional representatives grilled Anthony Fauci, former head of the U.S.

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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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Climate change’s impacts on coastal cities could be heightened as those cities sink: Study

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at The Hill. Sea level rise caused by the changing climate is expected to wreak havoc on the nation’s coastal cities, impacts that could be heightened in the years ahead as the cities themselves are sinking, according to a study published this week.

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National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology Announces Introduction of Agricultural Bills

Nanotech

On May 23, 2024, the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology (NSCEB) issued a press release applauding its Congressional Commissioners — Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Todd Young (R-IN) and Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-OK) and Ro Khanna (D-CA) — for introducing the legislative recommendations from its first report. The press release states that recognizing that food security and agricultural supply chains are key elements of national security, NSCEB developed it

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Microalgal biochar assisted simultaneous removal of particulate matter, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC’s) from indoor air

Environmental News Bits

Kumar, R., Dalvi, V., Pant, K. K., & Malik, A. (2024). “Microalgal biochar assisted simultaneous removal of particulate matter, formaldehyde, and total volatile organic compounds (TVOC’s) from indoor air.” Chemosphere, 355, 141866.

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Animal Ag in the “Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024”

National Law Center

The Farm Bill proposal by House Committee on Agriculture Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson made it through an initial markup discussion and. The post Animal Ag in the “Farm, Food and National Security Act of 2024” appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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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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Meeting the closed-loop challenge: The “Who-What-How” strategic choices for a successful remanufacturing approach

Environmental News Bits

Pesce, D., Franzè, C., & Paolucci, E. (2024). Meeting the closed-loop challenge: The “Who-What-How” strategic choices for a successful remanufacturing approach. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1–20. [link] Abstract Remanufacturing is a life-cycle renewal process recognised as one of the most effective circular strategies that can be adopted to achieve sustainable production.

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Release (Cross-Post): CCAR Praises Secretary Vilsack on the Proposed Rule to Infuse Basic Fairness Requirements into Poultry Grower Payments Systems and Capital Upgrade Requirements

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Steve Etka, Policy Director Campaign for Contract Agriculture Reform steveetka@gmail.com | 703-519-7772 CCAR Praises Secretary Vilsack on the Proposed Rule to Infuse Basic Fairness Requirements into Poultry Grower Payments Systems and Capital Upgrade Requirements Rule marks an important next step toward broader fairness for our nation’s poultry growers Editor’s Note: NSAC shares the following statement by Steve Etka, Policy Director for the Campaign for Contr

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Will climate change suck the air out of Illinois’ wind power industry?

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story in the Chicago Sun-Times. Illinois’ march toward all-green energy hit a bump last year. Electricity from renewable sources dropped even as Illinois and surrounding Midwest states pushed to replace fossil fuels, such as coal and natural gas, with wind and solar power. Things didn’t work out as expected, and climate change … Continue reading Will climate change suck the air out of Illinois’ wind power industry?

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How can we peak emissions and fast forward towards Net Zero ?

Edouard Stenger

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you know that I dedicated to peaking greenhouse gases emissions two blog posts in the past few months. Chinese greenhouse gases emissions – and with them global ones – are to peak either this year or next. Unless they peaked last year ? This is the topic developped in Carbon Brief’s lengthy analysis.

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Webinar: Storage Wars: Industrial Energy Storage Solutions

Environmental News Bits

Jul 9, 2024 10 am CDTRegister here. From electrical and chemical to thermal and air-based solutions, there’s more than one way to store energy. Join this webinar to hear from Better Plants partners that have implemented innovative energy storage solutions at industrial facilities that increase efficiency and cost savings.

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CIRCULAR REVOLUTION: WASTE AS RAW MATERIALS

Cleannovate

I’m just from teaching a class of environmental chemistry. So what I’ve done over the three hour class period is to share my presentation for about an hour then allow a group to present some work they’ve been researching on for about 3 or 4 weeks.

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Are chief sustainability officer jobs women’s fast-track to the C-suite?

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the BBC. As women traditionally struggle to climb the corporate ladder in general – for reasons including gender stereotypes, lack of support and shaky confidence – a new class of sustainability leadership positions represents a novel path to high-ranking roles, including within the C-suite. And for some women, it’s a … Continue reading Are chief sustainability officer jobs women’s fast-track to the C-suite?

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Trump’s Personality Cult Plays a Part in His Political Appeal

Scientific American

Personality measures suggest Donald Trump exerts a cult of personality over his followers, people who are psychologically susceptible to his appeal. This could help explain how he has succeeded in U.S.

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2024 Chicago Bird Photography Contest

Environmental News Bits

The Chicago Park District, Chicago Ornithological Society, and Chicago Bird Alliance want you to capture the vibrant avian life of Chicago through your lens and participate in the inaugural Chicago Birds Photography Contest. Photographers of all experience levels are invited to compete with winning submissions eligible for eternal bragging rights and cash prizes.

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Our Constitutional Rights are at Risk: Why the Notwithstanding Clause is Cause for Concern

Enviromental Defense

A country’s Constitution is the set of rules that everyone must follow for it to run well. We should all resist those who want to by-pass it. Especially Canadians who support organizations like ours, who advocate for a better world. Canada joined many modern democracies when it adopted a new constitution in 1982 that protected key individual freedoms under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.