Thu.Oct 03, 2024

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Why We Need a Strong Global Agreement on Plastics Pollution

Yale E360

Twenty years ago, scientist Richard Thompson sounded the alarm on microplastics pollution. Now, as understanding of the problem has grown, he says it is critical that international negotiators produce an effective plastics treaty when they meet next month in South Korea.

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Hurricane Helene’s Massive Destruction Was Supercharged by Climate Change, Here’s How You Can Help 

Union of Concerned Scientists

Hurricane Helene has left an 800-mile path of destruction across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Right now, people are desperately waiting to hear from loved ones to confirm their safety, while others are living their worst fears as the death toll rises. My heart is heavy. The grief of yet another climate-changed event is overwhelming.

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Ants can be used to make yogurt – and now we know how it works

New Scientist

A traditional yogurt-making practice from south-eastern Europe uses live ants as a starter, with the insects providing the bacteria and acid needed to initiate fermentation

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What to Expect in the EPA’s New Lead in Tap Water Rule

NRDC

The EPA will soon issue a major new rule to control lead in tap water. We expect it will finally take a big step toward addressing this public health scourge.

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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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China's answer to SpaceX's Starlink is also threatening astronomy

New Scientist

The first 18 satellites of a planned Chinese mega constellation are brighter than all but 500 stars in the sky, raising fears of a huge impact on astronomy

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Room to Roam Act Becomes Law

Endangered Species Law

On September 27, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California Assembly Bill 1889 , the “Room to Roam Act.” The Act amends Section 65302 of the Government Code to add certain fish, wildlife, and habitat connectivity considerations to the provisions governing general plans for land use in Californian cities and counties. In light of the Act’s passage, cities and counties will be required to update their general plans to include considerations regarding wildlife movement within o

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Where Did All the Thalidomide Pills Distributed in the U.S. Go?

Scientific American

FDA medical examiner Frances Oldham Kelsey saved American lives by refusing to approve thalidomide. But millions of pills had been sent to doctors in the U.S.

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Signals from exotic new stars could hide in gravitational wave data

New Scientist

A computer simulation suggests that some collisions between exotic, hypothetical stars would make space-time ripple with detectable waves

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PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In September Now Available

PA Environment Daily

The PA Environmental Council In Case You Missed It In September is now available featuring articles on-- -- Northeast Environmental Partners Awards In Wilkes-Barre Oct. 17 -- Philadelphia Environmental Partnership Dinner Nov. 12 -- Opinion Piece: Trails Are Transportation By Patrick Starr -- PEC Receives Grant For Trail Connectivity In PA, NY -- Celebrating Trails Month In Northeast PA -- Water Trail News: Ohio River Basin -- Watershed Spotlight: Allegheny Land Trust + Chalfant Run-Thompson Run

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Oil and gas waste disposal is endangering drinking water sources

NRDC

The oil and gas industry generates massive volumes of dangerous wastewater each day: In 2021, U.S. wells created almost 1.1 trillion gallons.

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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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Watershed Success Spotlight: Allegheny Land Trust + Chalfant Run-Thompson Run Watershed Assn., Allegheny County

PA Environment Daily

By Tali MacArthur, PA Environmental Council Watershed Program Manager This article is part of the Pennsylvania Organization for Watershed and Rivers (POWR) Spotlight on Success Series. Click Here for more stories like this one. When neighbors gathered in 2018 to save the defunct Churchill Valley Country Club — located about ten miles from Pittsburgh — and turn it into a dedicated community green space, they had no idea that this effort would eventually evolve into something much bigger.

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How to Save the World from Apocalyptic Asteroids

Scientific American

Sooner or later a doomsday asteroid will wipe out most life on Earth—unless, that is, we prevent threatening space rocks from hitting us in the first place

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DCNR: Second Fall Foliage Report: Best Viewing In Northeast, Southwest PA

PA Environment Daily

On October 3, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its second Fall Foliage Report saying colors in Pennsylvania’s forests are relatively unchanged from last week due to stable day-to-day weather that included persistent mist, light rain and clouds. “It seems the acceleration of color change due to prevalent dryness entering the fall foliage season has been mostly offset by the recent wet and moderating temperature pattern.

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Hurricane Helene Survivors Face a Second Disaster—Insurance Woes

Scientific American

Only 2 percent of households in parts of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina that were flooded by Hurricane Helene can get insurance payments

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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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Rapamycin could make an epilepsy drug much safer during pregnancy

New Scientist

The epilepsy medication sodium valproate is linked to developmental problems in fetuses, but lab studies may now have found a way to prevent this

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Stroud Water Research Center Highlights Streamside Forests & Climate Resilience; How Many Trees To Protect A Stream?; Herbicides & Buffers; Honoring Paul Greenberg

PA Environment Daily

The latest Upstream newsletter from the Stroud Water Research Center features articles on a variety of topics, including honoring bestselling author Paul Greenberg. Forests & Climate Resilience Whether it’s too much, too little, or too dirty, the primary way humans experience climate change is through water. Streamside forests can help. They provide food and habitat for wildlife.

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Food Labeling: The Regulation of Food Allergen Labels

National Law Center

On September 17, 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released a summary report finding that 13 of 210 retail dark. The post Food Labeling: The Regulation of Food Allergen Labels appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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No False Solutions PA Coalition: 2nd Carbon Dioxide Leak Reported At ADM Carbon Capture Plant In Illinois, Delay In Notifying Public Should Give PA Pause On Carbon Capture Storage

PA Environment Daily

The US Environmental Protection Agency issued a notice of violation in August to Archer-Daniels-Midland Company for failing to construct carbon capture facility wells to contain carbon dioxide in two monitoring wells and failing to follow emergency response procedures based on a review of well records between January 1, 2022 and July 1, 2024 and inspections of the wells done in June, 2024.

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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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In Floods like Hurricane Helene’s, Toxic Chemicals Are a Silent and Growing Threat

Scientific American

People living near industrial facilities often have few details about the chemicals inside, which poses major risks when floods occur

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Ya-Wei (Jake) Li, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs, to Leave EPA and Take Position with FWS

Nanotech

On September 30, 2024, Ya-Wei (Jake) Li, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Pesticide Programs at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announced that he will be leaving EPA to take a position with the U.S. Department of Interior’s (DOI) Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) as the Assistant Director for Ecological Services. This program is responsible for how the agency conserves endangered species and many other wildlife.

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Why Mount Everest Is the World’s Tallest Mountain

Scientific American

A model suggests a massive uplift caused by a phenomenon called “river piracy” partly explains Everest’s impressive height

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Minnesota Posts Q&As from July 2024 Webinars on PFAS in Products Law; Leaders Mark 100 Days until Law Takes Effect

Nanotech

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) held two public webinars in July 2024 to provide updates and answer questions on Minnesota’s per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in products law (Amara’s Law), which takes effect in stages between 2025 and 2032. MPCA has posted its presentations, recordings of the webinars, and written responses to questions received during the webinars.

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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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Viewpoint: Empowering Indigenous communities through reforestation

A Greener Life

Gareth Lloyd. By Gareth Lloyd, Founder, Truly Nuts! When we embarked on a reforestation initiative in Peru , our vision extended beyond planting trees. It was about creating a sustainable future that empowers indigenous communities, the true custodians of the rainforest. Collaborating with indigenous organisations like FECONAPIA and FECONAU, we set ambitious goals: planting one million trees and reforesting 1,000 hectares in the Huánuco and Loreto regions.

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The NALC Quarterly Newsletter: 3Q24

National Law Center

The National Agricultural Law Center compiles and publishes a quarterly newsletter highlighting recent and upcoming events and resources. The newsletter. The post The NALC Quarterly Newsletter: 3Q24 appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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TSCA Reform: Eight Years Later — Panel 4: Shaping the Agenda, Section 21 Citizens’ Petitions and Other Mechanisms Influencing Priority Setting

Nanotech

On June 26, 2024, B&C, along with the Environmental Law Institute and the George Washington University Milken Institute of Public Health, sponsored the all-day virtual conference, TSCA Reform — Eight Years Later. The quality of the discussion, the caliber of the participants, and the timeliness of the content motivated us to repurpose the substantive sessions.

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A solventless carbonyl addition reaction as a guided inquiry laboratory activity for second-year undergraduate organic students

Environmental News Bits

Tracey, M. P., Nigam, M., Pirzada, E., & Osman, T. (2024). A solventless carbonyl addition reaction as a guided inquiry laboratory activity for second-year undergraduate organic students. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews, 17(1), 2400121.

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California Notches Wins for Climate, Nature and Health

NRDC

Californians can look forward to new environmental laws

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Human urine could be used as eco-friendly crop fertilizer

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the University of Birmingham. Bacterial communities in soil are as resilient to human urine as synthetic fertilizers — making recycling the bodily fluid as a fertilizer for agricultural crops a viable proposition.

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Highlighting Major Wins of National Clean Energy Week 2024 

Cresforum

National Clean Energy Week (NCEW) 2024 brought together policymakers, industry leaders and advocates to discuss the future of clean energy in the U.S. and abroad. The NCEW Policymakers Symposium featured two full days of in-person programming at the Conrad in Washington, D.C. With a robust lineup of panels, congressional speakers , and thought-provoking discussions, NCEW 2024 highlighted several key wins for clean energy advocates everywhere.

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Fertilizer from human waste faces scrutiny but remains a profitable industry

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Investigate Midwest. The cool morning spring breeze hit Saundra Traywick “like a punch to the face.” Walking through her wooded 38-acre donkey farm in central Oklahoma, Traywick suddenly found it hard to breathe as the air smelled “toxic” and “like death.

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Media Advisory: Environmental Defence Hosts Event Exploring the Relationship Between Finance and Climate Change

Enviromental Defense

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – On Thursday October 3rd, Environmental Defence will be hosting an event at STACKT Market in Toronto, to explore the relationship between our financial system and climate change. The evening will feature immersive games, art and lively discussions with climate finance experts.

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Webinar: A Conversation About the Climate Crisis

Environmental News Bits

Oct 24, 2024, 6 pm CDTRegister here. More about the event from the registration page: 350 Chicago is excited to announce and invite you to a new type of an event: A Conversation About the Climate Crisis. This Zoom meeting will bring together people who want to discuss their climate crisis concerns& questions.

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