Mon.Feb 12, 2024

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Nearly Half of Migratory Species in Decline, UN Report Finds

Yale E360

A sweeping new report, unveiled at the start of a major U.N. conference on the conservation of wildlife, held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, finds that nearly half of migratory species are in decline, from Egyptian vultures to steppe eagles to wild camels.

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A New Strategic Plan for California Offshore Wind

Legal Planet

For those following offshore wind development in California, January 19, 2024, marked an important moment—the release of the long-awaited Draft Assembly Bill 525 Offshore Wind Strategic Plan from the California Energy Commission (CEC). Some important foundations for offshore wind, a new but growing industry in California, had already been laid. Assembly Bill 525 (AB 525, Chiu, Chapter 231, Statutes of 2021) lent momentum to the development of offshore wind in the state by identifying important n

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Breathing Fresh: A Persuasive Plea for Air Pollution Remediation

Cleannovate

Introduction:Take a deep breath – if you can. In the midst of our bustling urban jungles, indoor sanctuaries, and industrial landscapes, the air we breathe is far from pristine.

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European Parliament and Council Reach Political Agreement on Right to Repair Directive

Clean Energy Law

The directive aims to reduce waste and bolster the repair sector. By Paul A. Davies , Michael D. Green , and James Bee On 2 February 2024, the European Parliament (Parliament) and European Council (Council) reached a provisional deal on a directive promoting the repair of broken or defective goods, known as the Right to Repair Directive. The directive was proposed in March 2023 by the European Commission [1] (Commission), seeking to deliver on environmental targets outlined in the European Green

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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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How Brown is Brown Enough? An Update on the IRA ITC Adder for Brownfield Sites

Law and Environment

It is now almost 18 months since Congress enacted the Inflation Reduction Act. One of the IRA’s provisions was an adder to the ITC for renewable energy projects located in an “energy community”. One way to be in an energy community is to be a brownfield. The IRA defined a brownfield simply as a facility that meets the definition of a brownfield under CERCLA.

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New Zealand Supreme Court Paves Way for Novel Climate Change Claim

Clean Energy Law

On appeal of a strike out decision, the Court gives the plaintiff “his day in court” to argue that corporates owe a common law duty of care in tort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By Sophie J. Lamb KC and Stephanie Forrest On 7 February 2024, the Supreme Court of New Zealand decided to allow a novel climate change claim to proceed to trial. In Smith v.

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Welcoming our 2024 Associate Editor Mentees!

The Applied Ecologist

Journal of Applied Ecology offers a two-year mentoring opportunity for early career researchers to gain experience of the Associate Editor role. Each mentee works with one of our five Senior Editors, who act as a mentor, as well as receives on-going support from the Editorial Office.

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California Isn’t Ready for a Megaflood. Or the Loss of Daniel Swain.

Inside Climate News

The state’s legendary and beloved “climate scientist-communicator” finds his public outreach isn’t valued by the institutions in America that fund science. By Liza Gross Powerful storms drenched California last week, as massive rivers in the sky unleashed destructive downpours and winds that caused widespread flooding and mudslides, toppled trees that killed four people in Northern California, cut power to nearly 900,000 people statewide and dumped record-setting rainfall on Southern California,

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Submerged wall could be the largest Stone Age megastructure in Europe

New Scientist

A stone wall nearly a kilometre long found under the Baltic Sea may have been built by ancient hunters to channel deer into a confined space

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Cape Cod Faces a Rising 'Yellow Tide'

Scientific American

Tourism is big business on the cape, but a growing environmental issue could disrupt the lives of tourists and residents, alike.

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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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Quantum Cheshire Cat effect may separate a particle from its momentum

New Scientist

A quantum experiment that could separate a particle’s properties from its mass has physicists arguing over how reality works in the quantum world

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How Go Commerical Thin Project is Complete

Washington Nature

by Herman Flamenco, conservation forester The How Go Commercial Thin Project began in June of 2021 on Cle Elum Ridge and officially wrapped up in September of 2023. There were a few cool things that came about from this project. One was that some of the wood from this project was used to build the Portland Airport's new wood roof. Another was the opportunity to study the impact that thinning has on snowpack depth and retention.

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Zinc provides new clue for why loud noise causes hearing loss

New Scientist

Exposing mice to continuous loud noises changed the zinc levels in their inner ears, while a zinc-trapping compound helped prevent some of the damage

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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Publishes Final Rule Amending Eagle Permit Regulations

Renewable + Law

Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“Service”) published notice in the Federal Register of a final rule amending its regulations authorizing permits for eagle incidental take and eagle nest take. The final rule comes roughly a year and four months after the Service issued its proposed rule (discussed here ) and includes most of the changes from the proposed rule.

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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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People who are blind can navigate indoors with a phone in their pocket

New Scientist

Two wayfinding apps use motion sensors and AI to help people who are blind navigate a building, without needing to hold their phone out in front of them and risk theft

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Helping Washington’s Coastal Forests Prepare for the Future

Washington Nature

by Sara Adams, freelance writer The coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest are integral to our way of life. Hunters, foragers, and recreators alike delight in their offerings. Sustainable harvesting is an important part of our economy and source of local jobs. They help keep our water clean, rivers healthy, and provide habitat to wildlife. However, as we turn the page on the hottest year on record, we are reminded of the challenges facing our forests.

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Half of migratory animal species are in decline – many face extinction

New Scientist

The first ever UN report into the state of migratory species suggests animals from sharks to sea birds face a bleak future

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Befriending A Sperm Whale

PBS Nature

Patrick Dykstra has a life-changing experience in Dominica when he has a close encounter with a sperm whale he names “Dolores.” During this first encounter, he attempts to communicate with her and she seems to respond.

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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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Most newborn black holes spew gas so hard they almost stop spinning

New Scientist

When black holes are born from collapsing stars, they emit a short-lived jet that may slow down the black hole’s rotation to nearly a standstill

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Antarctica's Penguins Could Be Devastated by Avian Influenza

Scientific American

Scientists are watching closely to see whether avian influenza will reach Antarctica before this year’s penguin chicks disperse for the season

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Intuitive Machines is about to launch its Odysseus moon lander

New Scientist

US company Intuitive Machines is launching its Odysseus lander towards the moon's south pole.

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EPA Objects To Allegheny County's Air Quality Permit For The US Steel Edgar Thomson Plant

PA Environment Daily

On February 12, environmental groups announced the US Environmental Protection Agency formally objected to an air quality permit for the US Steel Edgar Thomson Plant issued by the Allegheny County Health Department in August 2023 saying it was not in compliance with the Clean Air Act. In September 2023, environmental groups submitted a petition to EPA requesting it object to the Title V air quality permit issued to U.S.

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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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Why string theory has been unfairly maligned - and how to test it

New Scientist

String theory is widely considered beyond empirical investigation.

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CFA, Dept. Of Education To Begin Accepting Applications For 2 Grant Programs To Help Public Schools Make Environmental Repairs, Improvements

PA Environment Daily

On February 12, the Commonwealth Financing Authority announced it will begin accepting applications for the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program for heating, air conditioning upgrades and other improvements March 1. The Department of Education announced it will accept applications for grants to help public schools make environmental repairs and improvements under the Public School Environmental Repairs Grant Program starting May 1.

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Small Spaces in the City review: Can we thrive in a smaller future?

New Scientist

As we increasingly live in cities, tiny apartments are likely to become the norm.

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You Can't Fix Burnout With Self-Care

Scientific American

Individual interventions for burnout don’t work. Researchers explain why.

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Smith v Fonterra: A Common Law Climate Litigation Breakthrough

Law Columbia

Litigation against major corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters has proven extremely tough. Even as successful cases against governments have blossomed, private suits face significant barriers. A civil law breakthrough came in 2021, with the ruling of a Dutch court against Shell. In Smith v Fonterra , decided by New Zealand’s Supreme Court this week, we have perhaps the biggest common law breakthrough.

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Cybercrime Security Gap Leaves People Who Aren't Proficient in English Poorly Protected

Scientific American

Our research finds that language is often a barrier for people dealing with cybercrime issues and that it’s important to close this security gap

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Adaptive Management Should Anchor California’s Ocean Conservation Goals

NRDC

A prime opportunity to bolster California's MPA network is close at hand. State decision makers should move to ambitiously conserve our state's vulnerable seascape.

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Here's Why Infants Are Strangely Resistant to COVID

Scientific American

Very young children’s developing immune systems respond to the COVID-causing virus SARS-CoV-2 very differently than do those of adults

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Help Wanted: Penn State University College Of Agricultural Sciences Dean

PA Environment Daily

Penn State University is seeking nominations and candidates for the next dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences that works to fulfill Penn State’s land-grant mission through its integration of teaching, research and extension. Priority consideration will be given to materials received by March 1. The College of Agricultural Sciences is seeking an inspirational leader who brings passion and an understanding of the convergent activities and disciplines that fuel the college’s mission.

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BOEM and NOAA Fisheries Announce Final North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy

Endangered Species Law

On January 25, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries released a final North Atlantic Right Whale and Offshore Wind Strategy (the “Strategy”). The Strategy expresses the agencies’ joint goal of protecting and promoting the recovery of the North Atlantic right whale ( Eubalaena glacialis ) while responsibly developing offshore wind energy.

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