Tue.Jul 23, 2024

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Wetlands — what are they good for? (mitigating flooding)

Enviromental Defense

Last week, Toronto experienced another “100 year storm” just 11 years after the previous one in 2013. The city saw some of the worst flooding caused by torrential rainfall that surpassed the daily record from 1941. The storm caused widespread power outages and shut down major traffic routes such as the Don Valley Parkway, as vehicles were submerged in a cocktail of rain and sewage water.

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Could we set Uranus on fire to steal its hidden diamonds?

New Scientist

It would be tricky to burn away the outer layers of Uranus, but doing so could reveal a possible stash of gems – in this episode of Dead Planets Society, the hosts reveal a relatively simpler technique to rob the ice giant

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Fire Once Helped Sequoias Reproduce. Now, it’s Killing the Groves.

Inside Climate News

Two recent studies find that sequoia groves burned in megafires of 2020 and 2021 were so severely damaged that the world’s tallest trees may not be able to naturally regenerate. By Caroline Marshall Reinhart Giant sequoia groves in California’s Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks that were extensively burned in the megafires of 2020 and 2021 produced numbers of seedlings that were so “drastically low” in some areas that they may not naturally regenerate, according to two new studies by gover

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Why slow running could be even more beneficial than running fast

New Scientist

The slow-running movement, in which people meet for unhurried jogs, is booming – but don't be fooled into thinking that if there's no pain, there's no gain

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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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Climate-Friendly Concrete Paves Path to Green Construction

Scientific American

A California company says it has developed a novel way of making concrete that doesn’t contribute to global warming

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Can solar panels designed for space boost clean energy on Earth?

New Scientist

Efficient solar panels have helped make solar power the cheapest form of energy on the planet, and new designs based on space-age technology are going further

More Trending

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Physicists may now have a way to make element 120 – the heaviest ever

New Scientist

A method that helped create two atoms of the rare, super-heavy element livermorium may pave the way towards making the hypothetical element 120

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500-Million-Year-Old ‘Alien Fish Taco’ Was among First Creatures with Jaws

Scientific American

A bizarre fossil of a Cambrian creature that looked like an “alien fish taco” reveals how a single group with jaws came to account for around 90 percent of all animal species on Earth

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What is the optimal amount of exercise and how much is too much?

New Scientist

When it comes to exercise, more isn't necessarily better – and we're now discovering the ideal dose for better health

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Court of Appeals Rejects Chemours’s Attempt to Void EPA Health Advisory for GenX in Drinking Water

NRDC

WASHINGTON, DC – The Third Circuit Court of Appeals today rejected arguments by Chemours Company that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acted unlawfully when it issued a health advisory about the risks of exposure to the PFAS forever chemical.

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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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Robot dog can stifle weeds by blasting them with a blowtorch

New Scientist

A Spot robot equipped with a blowtorch can locate weeds on farms and precisely heat them up to stop them growing, offering a possible alternative to herbicides

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Why did the Pathways Alliance scrub its website? New Greenwashing Rules Explained

Enviromental Defense

There’s a lot of buzz right now about new rules that crack down on greenwashing – and the backlash from oil and gas companies. Last month, Bill C-59 – an omnibus budget bill – passed through Parliament. Bill C-59’s amendments introduced new language to strengthen the rules and penalties around false or misleading environmental claims, ie. greenwashing.

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Neanderthal cooking skills put to the test with birds and stone tools

New Scientist

In an effort to understand ancient Neanderthal food preparation techniques, researchers butchered five wild birds using flint stone tools and roasted them

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Northeast Pennsylvania Environmental Partners Announce Award Recipients; Recognition Dinner Oct. 17 In Luzerne County

PA Environment Daily

On July 22, The Northeast Environmental Partners announced the recipients of the 34th Annual Environmental Partnership Awards. Awardees will be honored at the Evening for Northeast Pennsylvania’s Environment on October 17, at the Woodlands Inn & Resort in Plains, Luzerne County. Environmental Partnership Awards Recipients of the 34th Annual Environmental Partnership Awards: -- Anthracite Bicycle Coalition , Lackawanna County -- Deborah Pike & the Dallas Intermediate School “Turtle Titans

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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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Robot dog can stifle weeds by blasting them with a flamethrower

New Scientist

A Spot robot armed with a flamethrower can locate weeds on farms and precisely heat them up to stop them growing, offering a possible alternative to herbicides

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Alaskan Heat Wave Will Send Temperatures Soaring to 90 Degrees F

Scientific American

Temperatures in Fairbanks, Alaska, are predicted to reach a record-tying 90 degrees Fahrenheit because of a prolonged, unusually late heat wave

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Universe’s missing matter may be explained by galaxies leaking gas

New Scientist

The gas that surrounds galaxies appears to be more spread out than previously thought – and this could help solve a mystery over missing matter

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Call For Nominations! PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals Karl Mason And Walter Lyon Awards

PA Environment Daily

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for the Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards to commemorate the vision of both remarkable pioneers. The deadline for nominations is August 19. These prestigious awards are presented to Pennsylvanians who made a unique and creative contribution to the field of environmental management in Pennsylvania with preference given to the fields of administration, law, regulation and community organization.

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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 diseases like smallpox survived long ocean voyages

New Scientist

Modern mathematical tools reveal the conditions pathogens needed to remain active in a ship’s population for the duration of a historical journey

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Coal Plants Earned $1 Billion For Knocking Cheaper Midwest Wind Offline

NRDC

CARMEL, IN – New analysis commissioned by the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) shows that customers throughout the central United States paid more than $1 billion in excess energy costs and lost out on nearly 400 megawatts of wind capacity.

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If your gym instructor is an iPad, what is lost – and gained?

New Scientist

When your gym class is online at home, you don't necessarily need to miss out on the benefits that come from exercising in-person with others

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With Support from Met-Ed/Penelec Sustainable Energy Fund, Green Building Alliance Launches Resilient Communities Initiative In Reading, Meadville

PA Environment Daily

On July 23, the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance announced it will launch its newest program, Resilient Communities, in Meadville and Reading to provide both communities with a range of services to help reduce energy demand, cut utility costs, and increase energy efficiency and resiliency for the municipal buildings, commercial facilities, and nonprofit and educational institutions within each region.

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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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Rare Whale Beached in New Zealand Offers Glimpse of Little-Known Species

Scientific American

Scientists hope the incredibly rare beaching of a spade-toothed whale will help them learn more about this persistently elusive species

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Farm transition planning focus of upcoming conference

National Law Center

“The Cultivating Connections Conference targets the professionals who enable a critical issue today: the successful transfer of agricultural operations from one. The post Farm transition planning focus of upcoming conference appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Enhance Workplace Safety with Our Complimentary OSHA Checklist 

Capaccio

We understand the pivotal role that leadership plays in creating and maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. We are dedicated to supporting organizations in their efforts to protect their most valuable asset—their employees. In line with this commitment, we are excited to offer a complimentary OSHA checklist designed to help you stay prepared and ensure the safety of your workforce.

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Perception and awareness of circular economy within water-intensive and bio-based sectors: Understanding, benefits and barriers

Environmental News Bits

Chrispim, M. C., Mattsson, M., & Ulvenblad, P. (2024). “Perception and awareness of circular economy within water-intensive and bio-based sectors: Understanding, benefits and barriers.” Journal of Cleaner Production, 464, 142725. [link] Abstract Perception and awareness can affect behaviour and decision-making, for example, how companies implement Circular Economy (CE) practices.

2024 52
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Battery Storage Stands the Heat in California and the West

NRDC

California’s fleet of batteries helped the grid not only survive the recent heat wave, but support neighbors in the broader West.

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Human biomonitoring of novel brominated flame retardants: A review on invasive and non-invasive biomarkers

Environmental News Bits

Olagoke, O. M., Oluseyi, T. O., Njoku, K. L., Harrad, S., & Abdallah, M. A.-E. (2024). Human biomonitoring of novel brominated flame retardants: A review on invasive and non-invasive biomarkers. Emerging Contaminants, 10(3), 100378.

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How the Nutrition Facts Label Has Changed Food in the U.S.

Scientific American

Almost all packaged food sold in the U.S.

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Metrics in the circular economy: An inclusive research landscape of the thematic trends and future research agenda

Environmental News Bits

Shevchenko, T., Shams Esfandabadi, Z., Ranjbari, M., Saidani, M., Mesa, J., Shevchenko, S., Yannou, B., & Cluzel, F. (2024). Metrics in the circular economy: An inclusive research landscape of the thematic trends and future research agenda. Ecological Indicators, 165, 112182.

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DPR Announces Modifications to Its Proposed First-of-Its-Kind Pesticide Application Notification System

Nanotech

On July 2, 2024, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) announced the release of modifications to its proposed pesticide application notification regulation. DPR states this regulation will support the statewide implementation of what it describes to be a “first-of-its-kind” system that would provide information to the public in advance regarding the planned applications of “restricted material pesticides” used in agriculture.

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PFAS are toxic ‘forever chemicals’ that linger in our air, water, soil and bodies – here’s how to keep them out of your drinking water

Environmental News Bits

by Jessica Ray, University of Washington Close to half of America’s tap water contains PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These “forever chemicals” are in thousands of products, from clothing and cosmetics to cleaning products, and are linked to cancers, liver damage, high cholesterol and asthma. Dr.

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