Mon.Jul 08, 2024

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A Brutal Supreme Court Session Puts a Generation of Public Protections at Risk

Union of Concerned Scientists

There’s no sugarcoating it: over the last two terms, but particularly in the last month, an ideologically-driven Supreme Court majority has issued ruling after ruling that collectively undermine how we protect public health and safety in this country. In a string of 6-3 and 5-4 rulings emerging from deliberately selected cases, this court has targeted decades of precedent and invited further attacks on the safeguards we all rely on.

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Understanding Loper: Delegation & Discretion

Legal Planet

One thing about the Loper Bright decision is obvious: it overruled Chevron. So much for past law. What about the future.? How should courts review agency regulations now that Chevron is gone? This post tackles a key paragraph in the Loper opinion where the Court discusses congressional delegation of authority to agencies. The Court discusses three types of statutes, and it will be crucial for judges in future cases to identify which type is present.

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The True Intent of Overturning Chevron: Stifle Agency Rulemaking

Union of Concerned Scientists

This article is republished from SciLight, an independent science policy publication on Substack. It’s been a rough few weeks for the US legal framework for protecting public health and safety and science-based decision making. In a string of really problematic decisions, the US Supreme Court’s ultra-conservative majority has ensured that the hard job of regulatory agencies in protecting the public interest will get even harder, if not impossible in many instances.

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Why did humans evolve big brains? A new idea bodes ill for our future

New Scientist

Recent fossil finds suggest that big brains weren't an evolutionary asset to our ancestors but evolved by accident – and are likely to shrink again in the near future

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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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As Hurricane Beryl Surged Toward Texas, Scientists Found Human-Driven Warming Intensified Its Wind and Rain

Inside Climate News

All recent research on global warming and tropical storms show the growing threat for developing island states and other vulnerable coastal areas. By Bob Berwyn Climate heating caused by fossil fuel pollution supercharged Hurricane Beryl during its unusually early July push from the heart of the tropical Atlantic Ocean to the coast of Texas, scientists said Friday.

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Is ultra-processed food unhealthy? Here's why no one can agree

New Scientist

While ultra-processed food is the latest buzzword in nutrition, the scientific evidence for how it affects our health continues to point in different directions. Why can't researchers just tell us the perfect diet?

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Evolutionary story of Australia's dingoes revealed by ancient DNA

New Scientist

Dingoes, the native wild dogs of Australia, arrived on the continent more than 3000 years ago and their gene pool has had little input from domestic dogs

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The Curito: Guardian of Orinoquia Conservation and Tradition

Cool Green Science

The rich lands and waters of Colombia’s department (state) of Vichada are valued around the world for their biodiversity, which in […] The post The Curito: Guardian of Orinoquia Conservation and Tradition appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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Cosmic rays can help synchronise the global financial system

New Scientist

Particles generated by cosmic rays can penetrate indoor and underground environments with ease, and could provide a more secure alternative to GPS for synchronising financial transactions worldwide

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The Wild History of Hurricane Forecasting

Scientific American

Scientists, pilots and even a Jesuit priest have tried over decades to understand some of the most ferocious storms on Earth, but climate change is making such efforts to avert damage more difficult

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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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Millions of UK homes scanned for energy leaks to help reach net zero

New Scientist

Cars carrying sensors and scanners have been touring UK cities collecting data to help property owners plan carbon-cutting retrofit projects

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Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy Highlights Youth Conservation Corps 50-Mile Paddling Perki-Bay Expedition In New Video

PA Environment Daily

On July 8, the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy released a new video highlighting the Youth Conservation Corps’ recently completed a 50-mile paddling Perki-Bay Expedition following three Pennsylvania waterways. The Expedition went from the Conservancy’s home base on the Perkiomen Creek in Schwenksville, to the Schuylkill River and out to Fort Mifflin on the Delaware River.

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Gene therapy could prevent the tau tangles linked with Alzheimer's

New Scientist

Tests on lab-grown “mini-brains” show a one-off gene therapy treatment can prevent the formation of the tau tangles associated with several neurodegenerative conditions

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PA Assn. Environmental Educators Call For Presentation Proposals For 2025 Annual Conference Set For March 10-12 In Erie

PA Environment Daily

The PA Association Of Environmental Educators is now accepting presentation proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference scheduled for March 10 to 12 in Erie. The deadline for proposals is September 13. The theme of this year’s conference – Waves of Connection – celebrates what makes PAEE so special-- the collective ability as passionate environmental educators to drive change through resilience, diversity, engagement, and connections.

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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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Self-cooling artificial grass could help cities handle extreme weather

New Scientist

An artificial sports pitch that stores water below the surface cools itself down on hot days by letting water evaporate, just like natural grass

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Arboretum At Penn State's Pollinator And Bird Garden Wins International Award

PA Environment Daily

By Penn State News The Arboretum at Penn State has been recognized with an international award for sustainable landscape architecture for its Pollinator and Bird Garden. The garden was awarded the A+ International Jury Award for Sustainability for Landscapes by Architizer, an online platform for architects and designers. “This is well-deserved recognition,” said Harland Patch, director of pollinator programming at the Arboretum and assistant research professor for the Penn State College of Agric

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Ariane 6 rocket launch: What is it and when is it happening?

New Scientist

Europe is set to regain its capacity to launch satellites into space when the Ariane 6 rocket finally flies after years of delays

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How to Avoid Petrochemical Products

Scientific American

It’s well known that petrochemicals are toxic to our health. Here’s how to steer clear of these by-products of the fossil fuel industry.

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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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DEP/EPA AirNow Advisory: Code Orange Air Quality Action Day Tuesday, July 9 For Susquehanna Valley, Southeast PA

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection and US Environmental Protection Agency forecast a Code Orange Air Quality Action Day for Tuesday, July 9 for the Susquehanna Valley and Southeast PA-- -- Susquehanna Valley includes Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon and York counties; and -- Southeast PA includes Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.

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‘Frog Saunas’ Could Protect Species from Devastating Fungal Disease

Scientific American

A low-tech immune boost may help some species of frogs survive a brutal fungal disease that’s already ended 90 species

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Guest Essay: March 28, 1979 -- Three Mile Island

PA Environment Daily

By James M. Seif, Former Administrative Assistant to Gov. Dick Thornburgh At 3:53 a.m., March 28, 1979, the cascading failures of valves, pumps, gauges and reactor operators combined to produce the worst accident in the U.S. commercial nuclear power industry. The accident occurred at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant Unit 2 near Middletown, a few miles downstream from Harrisburg.

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Marijuana’s New Legal Status Must Spark More Research

Scientific American

While most Americans enjoy access to marijuana, barriers to research and knowledge expansion persist—with dangerous consequences.

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Sierra Club DelCo Green Team To Host July 15 Webinar On Congress, the Environment, And Congressional Review Act

PA Environment Daily

U.S. Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-D) will be the featured speaker during The Sierra Club DelCo Green Team webinar on July 15 starting at 7:30 p.m. The topic of the webinar will be Congress, the Environment, And Congressional Review Act. There is substantial concern among the environmental community nationally that the Congressional Review Act (CRA) could be used to weaken or undermine environmental administrative rulings nationally.

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Training with 'Digital Twins' Could Boost Olympic Swimmer Speeds

Scientific American

In the Paris 2024 summer, Olympic swimmers will be guided by their digital twin.

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July 8 Weekly PA Environment Digest Now Available

PA Environment Daily

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” -- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution [It’s Not A Suggestion] Click Here To View Or Print The Entire Jul

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What Is False and Misleading Is Anyone’s Guess

Acoel

Posted on July 8, 2024 by Lynn L. Bergeson * A federal district court recently issued an Order to enjoin enforcement of California’s Proposition 65 warnings related to titanium dioxide in cosmetics and personal care products. This is the third case successfully challenging Prop 65 warnings on First Amendment grounds, with previous cases involving glyphosate and acrylamide, as discussed in our FIFRA blog.

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Trash or treasure? A circular business model of recycling plasmix

Environmental News Bits

Zilia, F., Andreottola, F. G., Orsi, L., Parolini, M., & Bacenetti, J. (2024). “Trash or treasure? A circular business model of recycling plasmix.” Circular Economy, 100089. [link] Abstract The production of plastic materials in the mid-20th century brought about transformative changes in consumer goods manufacturing and societal norms.

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‘Phantom Costs’ Explain Why Some Deals Seem Too Good to Be True

Scientific American

Fear of hidden costs pushes us to avoid “free money” or suspiciously good offers

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Renewables but unjust? Critical restoration geography as a framework for addressing global renewable energy

Environmental News Bits

Nsude, C. C., Loraamm, R., Wimhurst, J. J., Chukwuonye, G. N., & Debnath, R. (2024). Renewables but unjust? Critical restoration geography as a framework for addressing global renewable energy injustice. Energy Research & Social Science, 114, 103609. [link] Abstract A global transition toward a sustainable energy system, incorporating for example Renewable Energy Technologies (RETs), is … Continue reading Renewables but unjust?

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CISA Will Host 2024 Chemical Security Seminars on July 11 and 18, 2024

Nanotech

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is hosting the fully virtual 2024 Chemical Security Seminars on July 11 and 18, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (EDT). The sessions will cover a range of topics related to the security of dangerous chemicals. The preliminary agenda includes: The seminars are free to attend and open to the public.

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A comprehensive review of recent developments in hydrogen production methods using a new parameter.

Environmental News Bits

Azizimehr, B., Armaghani, T., Ghasemiasl, R., Kaabi Nejadian, A., & Javadi, M. A. (2024). A comprehensive review of recent developments in hydrogen production methods using a new parameter. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 72, 716–729. [link] Abstract The current study reviews recent developments in hydrogen production methods. Also, the study seeks to take a step … Continue reading A comprehensive review of recent developments in hydrogen production methods using a new parame

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APHIS Issues Regulatory Status Review Responses

Nanotech

On June 27, 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced that it recently reviewed the following plants modified using genetic engineering to determine whether they posed an increased plant pest risk relative to non-modified comparators: Plants modified for altered product quality: CoverCress, two pennycresses; Hjelle Advisors, rice; and Toolgen, soybean; Plant modified for increased yield: Inari, two soybeans; Plant modified for

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Manitowoc conservationists release Coho Salmon into Lake Michigan to fight an invasive species

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from Local5 News. Families and wildlife enthusiasts gathered in Manitowoc to see salmon released into the wild. At the Lincoln Park Zoo, more than 11,500 Coho Salmon were raised over the last year to kill an invasive species of fish threatening the Great Lakes called Alewives.

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