Fri.Jan 10, 2025

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Did Climate Change Help Fuel the Los Angeles Wildfires?

Yale E360

Wildfires in Southern California have burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed thousands of buildings, and killed at least 10 people. Experts say global warming may have set the stage for the catastrophic blazes.

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Six Facts About Water and Wildfire in the West 

Union of Concerned Scientists

While deaths and destruction are mounting and tens of thousands flee a devastating inferno in Los Angeles, the President-Elect has used the catastrophic wildfires to spread misinformation, offer false solutions, and disrespect the suffering of people and the hard work of first responders. Here, we provide the facts and avoid the fiction. Fact 1: reservoirs are full Due to a relatively wet winter in Northern California, almost every reservoir in Southern California is at or above its historical a

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The Fires in Los Angeles

Legal Planet

National attention is (rightly) focused on the terrible fire situation in Los Angeles. At the moment, the top priority is supporting first responders who are trying to control the fires, prevent more damage, and help the people who have lost homes and loved ones. There is (of course) a bunch of chatter on social media about what might have prevented the fires or fix the wildfire crisis in the US more broadly.

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Misinformation Spreads Like Wildfire on the Internet While LA Neighborhoods Burn

Inside Climate News

Misleading claims and falsehoods about water and firefighting resources distracted from the unprecedented conditions that left Los Angeles primed for the most destructive fire in its history. By Wyatt Myskow, Martha Pskowski Fish and wildfires don’t tend to go together. But as a series of blazes driven by 100-mile-per-hour winds burned throughout Los Angeles, the countrys incoming president centered blame on a three-inch fish found in a completely different part of the state.

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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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Glyphosate-resistant weeds have evolved in the UK for the first time

New Scientist

The herbicide glyphosate is helping farmers adopt more environmentally friendly practices, and resistant weeds will make this transition more difficult, experts say

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Another Polar Vortex Is Blasting the U.S. With Harsh Winter Weather. So How Is Climate Change Involved?

Inside Climate News

A recent study explains how warmer temperatures at the top of the planet destabilize the jet stream and allow colder air to travel south. By Kristoffer Tigue A second bout of severe winter weather is set to pummel the central United States with freezing temperatures and icy conditions, forecasters warned this week. It comes just days after a massive winter storm, traveling from Kansas to New Jersey, dumped upwards of a foot of snow on some cities, disrupting traffic and knocking out power for hu

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DCNR/PA Environmental Council Host Jan. 30 Webinar On New Outdoor Ambassador Program Launching In The Laurel Highlands And Poconos Conservation Landscapes

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is pleased to announce a new Outdoor Ambassador Program in partnership with the Pennsylvania Environmental Council. The purpose of this pilot program is to provide training, resources, and a peer network for those who interact with visitors to the regions outdoor spaces. This program will launch in Spring 2025 in the Laurel Highlands [Somerset, Westmoreland, Fayette, and portions of Cambria and Bedford counties] and Pocono Forests and Waters [

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Gene-edited cells that evade rejection show promise in type 1 diabetes

New Scientist

Insulin-producing cells injected into a man with type 1 diabetes have survived for a month so far without the need for immune suppression

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Hunters Disagree on the Threat of Chronic Wasting Disease in Deer

Scientific American

The prion disease that causes deer, elk and other cervids to waste away could someday jump to humans, but many hunters are not convinced they should worry

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World’s first fully 3D-printed microscope made in under 3 hours

New Scientist

The microscope cost less than 50 to build using an open-source design and a common 3D printer

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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. â™ğ️ 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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Jan. 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

PA Environment Daily

The January 10 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on-- -- 2,494 First Day Hikers, 48 locations, 6,497 Miles and 224 Dogs -- Jan. 30 Webinar On New Outdoor Ambassador Pilot Program -- PA Outdoor Corps Now Recruiting For This Season -- Summer Intern Opportunities In DCNR -- Nominations: Keep PA Beautiful Litter Hawk Youth Award Program Click Here to read the entire Take Five.

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Physicists discover the secret to perfect cacio e pepe pasta

New Scientist

The classic Italian cacio e pepe pasta is notoriously tricky to get right, but physicists have come up with a trick to achieve a perfectly smooth cheese sauce

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Why We’re So Preoccupied by the Past

Scientific American

People talk more about past events than future ones—and memories hold clues for navigating the present

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DEP Extends Comment Period On Proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order For Penn State Benner Township PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Contamination Site In Centre County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 11 PA Bulletin extending the comment period seven days to February 12 on a proposed Hazardous Sites Cleanup Consent Order and Agreement with Penn State University on the cleanup of PFAS forever chemical contamination in Benner Township, Centre County. ( PA Bulletin, page 418 ) The contamination was the result of the use of fire-fighting foam containing PFAS chemicals at the State College Regional Airport that resulted in

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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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Tomato plants are covered in tiny anti-pest booby traps

New Scientist

A more detailed understanding of the natural anti-insect protections of tomato plants can lead to better pest-management strategies

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DEP Begins Accepting Applications For First Round Of Local Abandoned Mine Reclamation Grants March 3

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection will begin accepting applications for the first round of local Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Drainage Treatment Grants in 2025 on March 3. The deadline to apply is April 25. ( formal notice ) A second round is planned for September 2 to October 24. Eligible applicants include a county or municipality, conservation district, council of government, municipal authority and nonprofit organizations.

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Senate Committee Hearing on Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency Scheduled for January 16, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Nanotech

Senator Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), has scheduled a hearing on the Nomination of Lee Zeldin to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for Thursday, January 16, at 10:00 a.m. The hearing will be held in room 406 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building and will be viewable by webcast as well.

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DEP Sets Feb. 20 Hearing On Interim Response To PFAS Well Water Contamination Near The Middle Spring Creek HSCA Site In Southampton Twp., Cumberland & Franklin Counties

PA Environment Daily

The DEP Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program is scheduled to hold a hearing February 20 to take comments on its interim response to PFAS well water contamination from the Middle Spring Creek HSCA Site in Southampton Township, Cumberland and Franklin counties. ( PA Bulletin, page 406 ) DEP has been providing or offering replacement water to the residents in seven homes near the site since October 14 when they were found to have well water contaminated with PFAS forever chemicals above 4 parts per tril

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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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How the EPA administrator protects public health, air, water and the environment

Environmental News Bits

by Stan Meiburg, Wake Forest University From the time you get up in the morning until you go to bed at night, and even while you are asleep, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency affects your life.

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Will We Find Planet Nine with the Vera Rubin Observatory’s New Telescope?

Scientific American

Pluto was unseated as the ninth planet in our solar system. Will we find a real Planet Nine?

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DEP Posted 84 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In January 11 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the January 11 PA Bulletin -- -- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - January 11 [PaEN] -- DEP published notice in the January 11 PA Bulletin announcing the Hazardous Sites Cleanup Program is scheduled to hold a hearing February 20 to take comments on its interim response to PFAS well water contamination from the Middle Spring Creek HSCA Site in Southampton Township, Cumberland and Franklin counti

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Sky Sights to Watch in 2025

Scientific American

The heavens will provide a bounty of viewing treasures in the coming year

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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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Study of the litter in the urban environment as primary and secondary microplastics sources

Environmental News Bits

Jaafarzadeh, N., Reshadatian, N., Feyzi Kamareh, T., Sabaghan, M., Feizi, R., & Jorfi, S. (2024). Study of the litter in the urban environment as primary and secondary microplastics sources. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 31645. [link] [open access] Abstract Microplastic is one of the most important environmental challenges of recent decades.

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U.S. TikTok Ban Looms as Supreme Court Hears Arguments

Scientific American

TikTok is on the clock: ByteDance, the app’s China-based owner, must sell it by January 19 or face a ban

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Here’s how you can be nudged to eat healthier, recycle and make better decisions every day

Environmental News Bits

by Jos Antonio Rosa, Iowa State University Every day, you make important choices about whether to feast on fries or take a brisk walk, whether to spend or save your paycheck, whether to buy the sustainable option or the disposable plastic one. Life is made up of countless decisions.

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Mother Cheetah’s Breathtaking Hunt

PBS Nature

This mother cheetah's name Phefo means 'wind,' and you'll know why when you see her run. In seconds, she can go from zero to one of the fastest creatures on land.

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Apply Now! Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps Youth Employment Program Now Accepting Applications

PA Environment Daily

The DCNR/Student Conservation Association 2025 Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps is now seeking applications from youth (15 to 18 - summer) and young adults (18 to 25 - 9 months) for job training crews. The Pennsylvania Outdoor Corps provides paid work to youth and young adults. The training includes skill building; professional development; and environmental education Crew members work in state parks and state forests to complete projects to conserve natural resources and infrastructure.

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Bird Flu, Salmonella and Other Health Risks from Raw Eggs, Explained

Scientific American

Eggs can carry nasty viruses and bacteria.

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The Role of Values and Attitude in Food Waste Reduction: Exploring Ideal Sustainable Business Strategies

Environmental News Bits

Kumar, S., Mehrotra, A., Yaqub, M. Z., Gupta, B., & Agarwal, V. (2024). The Role of Values and Attitude in Food Waste Reduction: Exploring Ideal Sustainable Business Strategies. Business Strategy and the Environment, n/a(n/a). [link] Abstract Food waste concerns are growing globally. Previous studies identified several strategies to reduce food waste.

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EPA Further Extends Review Period for CBI Claims for the Identity of Chemicals on the TSCA Inventory

Nanotech

On January 6, 2025, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the extension of the review period for confidential business information (CBI) claims for specific identities of all active chemical substances listed on the confidential portion of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory submitted to EPA under TSCA. 90 Fed. Reg. 645.

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DCNR Conservation & Natural Resources Advisory Council Meets Jan. 22 On Accessible Recreation Topics

PA Environment Daily

The DCNR Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Council is scheduled to meet on January 22 to hear presentations on a variety of accessible recreation topics. DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn is also on the agenda to provide an update on agency activities. Click Here for the complete agenda. The accessibility presentations include-- -- Ensuring a Place and Experience for Everyone in the Outdoors -- Marci Mowery, President, PA Parks and Forests Foundation -- Expanding Access and Opportunity:

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Doing the change at work: Installing photovoltaics emerges as environmental behaviour tackling skill shortages in Germany

Environmental News Bits

Wehden, S., Garber, H., Aichinger, M., Hempel, E., Creutzig, F., & Janda, K. (2024). Doing the change at work: Installing photovoltaics emerges as environmental behaviour tackling skill shortages in Germany. Journal of Cleaner Production, 144534. [link] Abstract Shortages of skilled workers in vocational jobs constitute critical obstacles to achieving low-carbon transitions in many countries worldwide.

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