Thu.Dec 21, 2023

article thumbnail

Hydrogen Combustion is a Dead-End Technology for Heavy-Duty Trucks

Union of Concerned Scientists

Earlier this month, the California Air Resources Board held a workshop on the use of hydrogen combustion engines in trucks in California as part of an agreement with the Truck and Engine Manufacturers. It was clear from the workshop that industry is interested in extending the lifetime of their investments in combustion engine manufacturing regardless of the harm it would cause to the environment or the public.

article thumbnail

As Extreme Weather Intensifies, Half the World Still Lacks Access to Early Warnings

Yale E360

While the world has made significant progress in building systems that can alert people to extreme weather, many places still lack access to early warnings, a new report finds.

240
240
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Federal Court Upholds SCAQMD Warehouse Rule

Clean Energy Law

A district court has ruled that federal law does not preempt an indirect source rule that targets emissions associated with warehouses in Southern California. By Joshua Bledsoe , Nick Cox , and Jennifer Garlock On December 14, 2023, a US federal judge rejected claims that federal law preempts the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s (SCAQMD or the District) adoption of Rule 2305 (Rule), upholding the first-in-the-nation Rule [1] that regulates trucking emissions from warehouses.

article thumbnail

Quantum physicists just got more certain about quantum uncertainty

New Scientist

An extension of Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, which places limits on how precisely you can measure the properties of quantum objects, has found that it really isn't possible to cheat the laws of quantum physics

Law 145
article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Two Private U.S. Moon Landers Prepare for Historic Launches

Scientific American

The first vehicles to fly under NASA’s new lunar delivery initiative will aim to be the first commercial spacecraft to land softly on another celestial body

145
145
article thumbnail

Liquid magnet propellers could be a safer way to power boats

New Scientist

Sharp metal propellers can harm wildlife, so an alternative made using ferrofluid could be a better approach, if it can be tweaked to work at higher speeds

142
142

More Trending

article thumbnail

NASA sends cat video 31 million kilometres through space

New Scientist

The record for long-distance laser messaging has been broken with a high-resolution video of Taters the cat chasing a red laser dot – it was transmitted over 31 million kilometres

125
125
article thumbnail

“Top Ten” Issues in Ag & Env Law: 2023 Edition

National Law Center

In the world of agricultural law, 2023 was a year for significant developments and changes. In summary below, attorneys at the. The post “Top Ten” Issues in Ag & Env Law: 2023 Edition appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

2023 113
article thumbnail

Girls’ brains aged unusually rapidly during the covid-19 pandemic

New Scientist

Adolescents’ brains underwent accelerated ageing during the covid-19 pandemic, and the effect was more pronounced in girls than in boys

145
145
article thumbnail

Unravelling the seasonal dance: How flowering crops impact wild pollinators

The Applied Ecologist

Laura Riggi talks us through the latest research, conducted with colleagues, which confirms that mass-flowering crop cultivation alone is unlikely to be sufficient for maintaining pollinators.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

The best animal photos of 2023, from hyenas to southern stingrays

New Scientist

Our favourite wildlife shots of the year feature an inquisitive hyena pup, a colourful sea slug and a fruit bat being swabbed for science

2023 136
article thumbnail

PA Enviro Groups File Appeal For Removal Of Coal Ash 'Mountain’ At Stronghold Digital Mining Scrubgrass Cryptocurrency Power Facility In Venango County

PA Environment Daily

On December 21, Earthjustice , on behalf of Scrubgrass Creek Watershed Association and PennFuture , announced they have filed an appeal with the Environmental Hearing Board to overturn or modify DEPs decision to allow the Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc. cryptocurrency Scrubgrass power plant a four-year delay to remove its unpermitted coal ash pile situated near the Allegheny River in Kennerdell, Venango County.

Waste 107
article thumbnail

Sweater that mimics polar bear fur may keep you warm in extreme cold

New Scientist

An artificial fibre that mimics polar bear fur has been made into a sweater that is said to be as warm as down feather but without its thickness, but not everyone is convinced by the researchers' claims

115
115
article thumbnail

Stroud Water Research Center Update: Scaling Up Outreach To Farmers, Landowners To Improve Water Quality

PA Environment Daily

The latest UpStream newsletter from the Chester County-based Stroud Water Research Center highlights the expansion of its outreach efforts to farmers and landowners to improve water quality. and much more! Scaling Up Outreach To Landowners This year, Stroud Water Research Center welcomed two new people to the watershed restoration team: Amanda Garzio-Hadzick and Heather Titanich.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

The microbes that give cheddar cheese its distinct flavour

New Scientist

Cheddar cheese's distinct but often subtle flavour comes down to interactions between different bacteria, which cheese-makers could utilise to create a specific taste

109
109
article thumbnail

Exploring Nature: Winter Sunsets

Washington Nature

Welcome to Exploring Nature, an illustrated blog series that (re)discovers the natural world through art, science, and observation Illustration by Erica Sloniker, Marketing and Visual Communications Specialist Transcript: Winter Sunsets at Robert Y. Pratt Preserve Friday 12-19-23 The days are dark this time of year, so thank goodness it’s peak sunset season!

article thumbnail

Sniffing Women's Tears Makes Men Less Aggressive

Scientific American

For the first time, researchers have used behavioral measures, brain imaging and molecular biology to test how odorless chemicals from human tears affect people

111
111
article thumbnail

Governor’s Office Releases List Of DEP, Other Agency Permits Included In PAyback Permit Fee Refund Program And Review Deadlines

PA Environment Daily

On December 19, in response to a Right To Know Request, the Governor’s Office released the list of state permits, licenses and authorizations covered by the Shapiro Administration’s PAyback Permit Fee Refund Program. The list also includes the deadlines for agencies to review each of those permits from applicants. There are over 750 different permits covered from the Department of Environmental Protection.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Online COVID Wastewater Sites Can Help You Stay Safe during the Holidays

Scientific American

Here’s how to plan COVID-safer holiday get-togethers, using websites that show viral levels in wastewater

143
143
article thumbnail

Federal Office Of Surface Mining Awards PA $300,000 To Update Abandoned Mine Land Inventory

PA Environment Daily

On December 19, the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement announced $8 million in grants for states and Tribes to update their abandoned mine land inventories, to support future remediation efforts. Pennsylvania is due to receive $300,000, according to the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation. The enhanced Abandoned Mine Land Inventory System , commonly known as e-AMLIS, is the publicly available central database for all AML problems and reclaimed sites.

Law 102
article thumbnail

Cutting Salt May Lower Blood Pressure as Much as Medication

Scientific American

A new study confirms the blood pressure-lowering power of a low-sodium diet

144
144
article thumbnail

PA’s Ag Conservation Assistance Helps Strayer Cattle Farm In Cumberland County Improve Water Quality; $140 Million Committed To Projects So Far Statewide

PA Environment Daily

Liquid manure doesn’t run off of Greg Strayer’s Cumberland County beef farm and threaten the Conodoguinet Creek any longer, thanks to a new 185,000-gallon storage area made possible with cost-share funds through Pennsylvania’s Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP). “This being a $100,000 project, that’s a big chunk of change,” Strayer said.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Antarctic Octopus Holds Secrets of Prehistoric Ice Loss in Its Genome

Scientific American

As the climate crisis continues, sooner or later the massive West Antarctic Ice Sheet will collapse.

Ocean 139
article thumbnail

Western PA Conservancy Protects 460 Acres In McKean County To Create New Nature Reserve

PA Environment Daily

On December 18, the Western PA Conservancy announced the permanent protection of 460 forested acres in Keating Township, McKean County. The Conservancy acquired the land from the Collins Pine Company , a sustainable forestry and wood products operator in the PA Wilds. The Conservancy will own this property, now named the Babcock Family Nature Reserve, and manage it as a natural area open to the public for outdoor recreation that includes hiking, birding, hunting, fishing and wildlife watching.

article thumbnail

AI Beats Humans on Unsolved Math Problem

Scientific American

Large language model does better than human mathematicians trying to solve combinatorics problems inspired by the card game Set

article thumbnail

Major Milestone for Western Grid Integration

NRDC

FERC approves day-ahead market option in a vital step toward integrating the western electricity grid

article thumbnail

How Much Vitamin D Do You Need to Stay Healthy?

Scientific American

Most people naturally have good vitamin D levels.

145
145
article thumbnail

EPA Proposes to Determine That TCEP, as a Whole Chemical Substance, Presents Unreasonable Risk to Human Health and the Environment

Nanotech

On December 15, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the availability of and solicited public comment on its draft risk evaluation for tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) and related draft charge questions. 88 Fed. Reg. 86894. EPA states on its website that it reviewed the exposures and hazards of TCEP uses and made risk findings on TCEP.

article thumbnail

How Two Pharmacists Figured Out That Decongestants Don't Work

Scientific American

A loophole in FDA processes means older drugs like the ones in oral decongestants weren’t properly tested.

111
111
article thumbnail

NCEW Recap: Driving Forward Emissions Reduction in the Transportation Sector

Cresforum

Achieving global decarbonization in the transportation sector is challenging. As policymakers charge forward with the implementation of policies that pick winners and losers when it comes to reducing emissions in the transportation industry, transportation leaders are feeling the gear pressure. During the 2023 National Clean Energy Week Policymakers Symposium , Bob Stout , a Senior Fellow at the Duke Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability, moderated a panel discussion on t

article thumbnail

See Your Body's Cells in Size and Number

Scientific American

The larger a cell type is, the rarer it is in the body—and vice versa—a new study shows

111
111
article thumbnail

NCEW Recap: How Permitting Reform Will Advance American Clean Energy Production

Cresforum

It’s time for the United States to expand its energy infrastructure, but due to regulatory barriers imposed by both federal and state governments, many companies are being forced to delay projects that would help advance the clean energy transition. During a 2023 National Clean Energy Week Policymakers Symposium panel, Christine Harbin of CRES Forum moderated a discussion between Jason Grumet of the American Clean Power Association , Anne Bradbury of the American Exploration & Production Cou