Wed.Mar 13, 2024

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Growing Shade Equity, One Tree at a Time

Union of Concerned Scientists

Beneath the reputation of Los Angeles as a land of cars, palms, and sunshine lies a reality of stark inequalities—including access to trees and shade. Nearly 20% of L.A.’s urban forest is concentrated where only 1% of the city’s population lives , endangering lower-income communities and people of color with hotter-feeling summers and poor environmental quality.

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Five climate megaprojects that might just save the world

New Scientist

From solar power stations in space to stabilising melting glaciers, some researchers are proposing extremely ambitious and risky projects to fight climate change. Could they work?

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Making It Easier to Choose Electric for Your Next Car

Union of Concerned Scientists

Electric car buyers have new options in 2024 to make it easier to purchase a new electric vehicle (EV) by using the federal EV tax credit. While the tax credit has been around for a while in various forms, the Inflation Reduction Act made substantial changes to the tax credit, with modifications to who is eligible to take the credit, new requirements on EV models, and also new ways for buyers to access the credit.

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Rethinking space and time could let us do away with dark matter

New Scientist

Most physicists believe that only a quantum theory of gravity can fully explain mysteries of the universe like dark matter, but now an idea called "post-quantum gravity" is demonstrating an alternative approach

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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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New Study Shows Planting Trees May Not Be as Good for the Climate as Previously Believed

Inside Climate News

The climate benefits of trees storing carbon dioxide is partially offset by dark forests’ absorption of more heat from the sun, and compounds they release that slow the destruction of methane in the atmosphere, the research shows. By Moriah McDonald Most climate-concerned people know that trees can help slow global warming by removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but a recent study published in the journal Science shows the climate cooling benefits of planting trees may be overestimated.

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Sleeping black hole is way more massive than it should be

New Scientist

The James Webb Space Telescope has found an unusual galaxy in the early universe with a black hole almost half the mass of the galaxy itself, raising questions about how it formed

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Saving the world's largest flowers in the Philippines

New Scientist

These stunning photographs, taken by botanist Chris Thorogood, chart the quest to protect species of Rafflesia, which are on the brink of extinction in the Philippines

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How the Solar Eclipse Will Impact Electricity Supplies

Scientific American

This April’s total solar eclipse will present a unique challenge to power grid operators because of the decline in solar power generation

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Methane leaks from US oil and gas are triple government estimates

New Scientist

The largest ever dataset of its kind suggests methane is leaking from US oil and gas fields at a much higher rate than previously thought, implying the environmental damage caused by the greenhouse gas is greater too

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MIT’s Sloan School Launches Ambitious Climate Center to Aid Policymakers

Inside Climate News

Environmentalists welcome the new initiative, but worry about potential funding and influence from fossil companies. By Phil McKenna An ambitious new climate change initiative at MIT’s Sloan School of Management seeks to harness the collective knowledge of the university to help tackle the climate crisis by connecting current and future climate research to policy.

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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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It's time to accept that we are in the Anthropocene once and for all

New Scientist

Humans are drastically changing the planet and the Anthropocene is a useful tool to help us deal with that – so let's stop quibbling over definitions

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US EIA Report Shows How Winter Storms Have Reduced US Natural Gas Production, But Disruptions Can Happen Any Time Of The Year

PA Environment Daily

On March 13, 2024, the US Energy Information Administration posted an article describing how winter storms disrupt US natural gas production. Over the last four winters, winter storms Uri (February 2021), Elliott (December 2022), and most recently, Heather (January 2024) interrupted weekly U.S. natural gas production by more than 15 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), according to daily estimates from S&P Global Commodity Insights.

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Why biodiversity offsetting is a contentious issue in conservation

New Scientist

As a new law is introduced in England, requiring developers to create 10 per cent more wildlife habitat than they destroy when developing a site, does it really work to destroy nature in one place, but preserve it elsewhere, asks Graham Lawton

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How Blatantly False Headlines Can Distort What We Believe In

Scientific American

New research highlights the necessity of stopping huge falsehoods during the presidential election cycle

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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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Europa’s seafloor may be impenetrable and inhospitable to life

New Scientist

The seafloor of Jupiter’s icy moon Europa was thought to provide energy and nutrients to its ocean, but it turns out that may not be possible

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Successful Reforestation Is Keeping the Eastern U.S. Cooler

Scientific American

Parts of the southeastern and central U.S. haven’t warmed as much as the rest of the country.

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Plant-killing genetic technology could wipe out superweeds

New Scientist

A ‘gene drive’ that spreads through plant populations could be used to wipe out pests such as superweeds, or to help save species by making them resistant to heat or disease

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California is Walking—Now Time to Run Toward Reconnecting Communities

NRDC

New state and federal funding is helping repair harm and reduce pollution in communities divided by roads and highways. California can do even more.

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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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Alzheimer’s may be caused by a build-up of fat in brain cells

New Scientist

Fat droplets accumulating in brain immune cells could be behind the biggest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease

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Pennsylvania’s Electric Grid Is Dependent On One Fuel To Generate 59% Of Our Electricity; Market Moving To Renewables + Storage

PA Environment Daily

On March 7, the Independent Fiscal Office issued its latest Pennsylvania Electricity update that reports the electricity grid is dependent on one fuel for 59% of the state’s electricity generation-- natural gas-- followed by nuclear power-- 31.9%, coal-- 5.4% and 3.7% from other sources. In 2000, the electric generation fuel mix was 57% coal, 36% nuclear, 2% renewable, 2% petroleum and 1% gas.

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Starship launch 3: What time is the SpaceX flight and what to expect?

New Scientist

Elon Musk’s SpaceX is gearing up for the third launch of its massive Starship rocket on 14 March, following two failed missions. What will the company be hoping for and what can we expect?

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WeConservePA: Environmental Advisory Council Conference Smashes Attendance Records; Fall EAC Gathering Being Planned

PA Environment Daily

The 2024 Environmental Advisory Council Virtual Conference was attended by a record 186 people who wanted to learn more about how people in other communities are tackling today's environmental issues. The event kicked off with a short presentation on the EAC Network resources available through WeConservePA, followed by a lightning share session featuring brief presentations from nine EACs on projects and initiatives happening across the state.

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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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Watch an AI-powered robot dog crawl around an obstacle course

New Scientist

A four-legged robot can handle real-world obstacles that require scrambling up and down or leaping sizeable gaps.

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CRES Forum Event Recap: Facing Headwinds to the Deployment of U.S. Offshore Wind Energy 

Cresforum

CRES Forum hosted a briefing last week with keynote remarks from Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-Va.) and industry experts, who discussed what Congress can do to help strengthen U.S. offshore wind as developers navigate various setbacks. The event was kicked off by Rep. Jen Kiggans, a Conservative Climate Caucus Vice Chair, CRES Clean Energy Champion and Vice Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries Subcommittee.

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Extreme heat could trigger the worst global financial crisis ever seen

New Scientist

Thanks to globalisation, severe heatwaves in one part of the world can cause financial losses in another.

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Volunteers Needed For 24-Hour Tree Planting Relay April 5-6 Organized By The Alliance For The Chesapeake Bay

PA Environment Daily

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is seeking volunteers for its second annual 24-Hour Tree Planting Relay on April 5-6. The sites in Pennsylvania include-- -- April 5 – 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. – Upper Oxford Township Arboretum, Chester County -- April 5 – 9:00 p.m. to Midnight – Elizabethtown, Lancaster County -- April 6 – Midnight to 2:00 a.m. – Lititz, Lancaster County -- April 6 – 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. – Abbottstown Park, Adams County -- April 6 – 9:00 a.m. to Noon – Millersville, Lancaster Coun

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US legislators vote to ban TikTok unless it severs ties with China

New Scientist

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that will require TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell the app or risk a nationwide ban

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NCEW Recap: The Government’s Role in Incentivizing the Clean Energy Transition

Cresforum

In the ever-evolving world of renewable energy, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) emerged as a piece of legislation aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean energy practices have become a point of contention among political parties. During the 2023 National Clean Energy Week Policymakers Symposium, industry experts delved into the IRA and how it relates to the deployment of clean energy projects.

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One in eight ski resorts worldwide could have no snow by 2100

New Scientist

All major skiing regions worldwide are predicted to see a severe drop in snow days by the end of the century, with Australian resorts the worst affected

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Moving Trees North Could Save Forests from a Changing Climate

Scientific American

"Assisted migration" could help sustain productive forests in the face of warming habitats

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How to spot the Spring Triangle as the equinox approaches

New Scientist

Now is a great time to look for a pattern of stars known as the Spring Triangle, wherever you are in the world, say Abigail Beall

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Gov. Shapiro Unveils Cap-And-Invest PA Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative To Reduce Carbon Pollution From Power Plants; Update Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards To Diversify Electric Generation, Improve Reliability

PA Environment Daily

On March 13, Gov. Josh Shapiro unveiled a cap-and-invest PA Climate Emissions Reduction Initiative in legislation to reduce carbon pollution from power plants to protect and create nearly 15,000 energy jobs, lower utility bills for Pennsylvania households, and take real action to address carbon pollution. A second legislative initiative, as well, to build out a more diverse, reliable, and affordable energy sector by updating the state's Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards to require 35% of Pe