Thu.Sep 19, 2024

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Phantastic Job!

Real Climate

A truly impressive paper was published this week with a new reconstruction of global temperatures over the last ~500 million years. There is something tremendously satisfying about seeing a project start, and then many years later see the results actually emerge and done better than you could have imagined. Especially one as challenging as accurately tracking half a billion years of Earth’s climate.

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Is Russia Helping China Expand Its Nuclear Weapons Program? 

Union of Concerned Scientists

This blog was co-authored with UCS China Analyst Robert Rust. Open-source estimates of China’s past fissile material production indicate that China does not have enough plutonium to make the more than 1,000 nuclear warheads the Pentagon claims China will deploy by 2035. The extra plutonium needed to produce new weapons, the Pentagon says, will come from China’s new fast breeder reactors , a type of nuclear reactor that produces more plutonium than the uranium and plutonium it consumes for fuel.

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Oil and Gas Sponsorships in Major League Sports

Legal Planet

If California Attorney General Rob Bonta attends a home game to cheer on his local NBA team—the Sacramento Kings—he may encounter sponsorship ads promoting not one but two of the oil companies he’s suing for allegedly deceiving the public about climate change. Then again, Attorney General Bonta, a former soccer player and self-described soccer dad , might be more likely to attend a Los Angeles Football Club game at BMO Stadium while working in L.A.

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Solar Growth Continues to Defy Predictions

Yale E360

The world is set to install a third more solar capacity this year than it did in 2023, surpassing forecasts by both industry experts and independent analysts.

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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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The Electricity Distribution System Can Stay Resilient in Extreme Weather

Union of Concerned Scientists

When Hurricane Beryl hit Texas this past July, millions of customers lost their power, some for over a week. This event, though saddening, is not a unique one. In recent years the frequency of extreme weather events has skyrocketed, and many events have included power outages that threaten people’s safety and even lives. Extreme weather, which is increasing due to climate change , can degrade the electricity system and cause these failures.

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UPCYCLING: POTATO PEELS, STARCH & BIOPLASTICS

Cleannovate

Potato chips colour our parties. They are the go-to meal when we just want that fast filling, sumptuous and easy to fix snack. A few of us like to cook potatoes with the skin. But for those of us who peel them, where do we dispose of these wastes? Well, there are a few places where peels could find use. Composting them helps return their nutrients back to the soil… Incorporating them into animal feeds helps enrich livestock diets.

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New Report: Highway 413 Would Have Devastating Impact on Critical GTA Watersheds

Enviromental Defense

Report finds that Highway 413 would contaminate streams and rivers within the Humber River, Etobicoke Creek, and the Credit River watersheds and destroy large areas of forest, meadow, river and wetland habitat. Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – A new report released today, Concrete Consequences: How Highway 413 would put GTA watersheds at risk , highlights alarming findings about the proposed Highway 413, s

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Special electrodes can split seawater to produce hydrogen fuel

New Scientist

Making hydrogen from seawater can be tricky because the salt is corrosive and the process can create toxic chlorine gas – new electrodes can split ocean water to make the clean fuel more easily

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‘Grim Outlook’ for Thwaites Glacier

Inside Climate News

A new science briefing from an international research team can’t rule out some of the worst-case sea level rise scenarios, including six feet by 2100. By Bob Berwyn ​​After six years of probing, poking and sampling a Florida-sized chunk of ice in West Antarctica with submarines, satellites and drills, scientists with the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration said Thursday that a worst-case meltdown scenario still can’t be ruled out, since emissions of climate-heating greenhouse gases cont

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Bacteria on the space station are evolving for life in space

New Scientist

Genetic analysis shows that microbes growing inside the International Space Station have adaptations for radiation and low gravity, and may pose a threat to astronauts

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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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Homeowner Complaint Results In DEP Emergency Plugging Of A Penn Resources, Inc. Conventional Oil Well Leaking Gas, Oil, Wastewater In McKean County

PA Environment Daily

On September 9, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection began an emergency contract to plug a conventional oil well leaking oil, wastewater and gas in the front yard of a home in Lafayette Township, McKean County. The well-- Lewis Run Hudson Lease 2 OP 2-- is owned by Penn Resources, Inc. with a business address in the wealthy Philadelphia Main Line community of Bala Cynwyd, Montgomery County.

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Earth got even hotter than we thought during past 500 million years

New Scientist

The average surface temperature varied more widely and was even hotter than previously thought during much of the past 500 million years, according to the most rigorous study so far

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Grassland nature reserves safeguard a high species richness and biomass of grasshoppers

The Applied Ecologist

This blog post is also available in German here. Dominik Poniatowski and colleagues describe how they evaluated the environmental drivers of species richness and biomass of grasshoppers in grasslands, comparing this between nature reserves and intensively-used agriculture landscape. Grassland exhibiting low land-use intensity is considered a hotspot of biodiversity in Central Europe.

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Most effective migraine drugs revealed by review of trial data

New Scientist

A meta-analysis of 137 clinical trials finds triptan drugs are among the most effective for treating migraines, while newer ditan and gepant drugs were rated less highly

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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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The Strange Story of the Algorithm Meant to Solve Life, the Universe and Everything

Scientific American

Some researchers dream of solving all mysteries with a common method—but a mathematical paradox may keep such solutions out of reach

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Giant rats trained to sniff out illegal wildlife trade

New Scientist

African giant pouched rats proved adept at detecting four commonly trafficked products derived from endangered species including rhino horn and elephant ivory

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PA Assn. Of Environmental Professionals Recognize Kristina Thompson & PennDOT District 5-0 With Walter Lyon Award; Former DEP Secretary David Hess With Karl Mason Award

PA Environment Daily

On September 12, the PA Association of Environmental Professionals recognized Kristina Thompson and PennDOT District 5-0 with the 2024 Walter Lyon Award and former DEP Secretary David Hess with the Karl Mason Award. PAEP presents these awards to Pennsylvanians who made unique and creative contributions 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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The cactus family’s surprising evolutionary journey

New Scientist

We are finally untangling the ancient history of the cactus family, revealing some surprising forces that shaped these plants – ­­­­­­and prompting concern for their future

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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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When Wetlands Go Dry: Prior Converted Cropland under Swampbuster and the CWA

National Law Center

The Wetland Conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, known colloquially as “Swampbuster,” introduced a new program to promote. The post When Wetlands Go Dry: Prior Converted Cropland under Swampbuster and the CWA appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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We’ve just doubled the number of gravitational waves we can find

New Scientist

Nearly imperceptible quantum flickers used to limit how precisely we could detect the way space-time ripples, but squeezing the laser light used in detectors overcomes this and doubles the number of gravitational waves we can see

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Obesity-Drug Pioneers Win Prestigious Lasker Award for Medical Science

Scientific American

Three scientists are honored for developing a class of blockbuster weight-loss drugs. Is a Nobel prize on the way?

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Strange binary star system has three Earth-sized exoplanets

New Scientist

Exoplanets in binary star systems usually orbit both stars, but astronomers have now spotted three planets orbiting one or the other star in a pair

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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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Ultra-Precise Particle Measurement Narrows Pathway to ‘New Physics’

Scientific American

A long-awaited calculation of the W boson’s mass agrees with theory, contradicting a previous anomaly that had raised the possibility of new physics beyond the Standard Model

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What the Newest Energy Jobs Report Says About the Clean Energy Economy

NRDC

Market forces and government incentives are creating a growing number of renewable energy jobs.

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This Elegant Math Problem Could Help You Make the Best Choice in House-Hunting and Even Love

Scientific American

Math’s “best-choice problem” could help humans become better decision-makers, at everything from choosing the best job candidate to finding a romantic partner

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Utility Dive: North American Electric Reliability Corp Sounds Alarm Over Maintaining Sufficient Winter Natural Gas Supplies To Address Extreme Winter Conditions; PA Gas Producers Cutting Production, Pulling Drill Rigs

PA Environment Daily

On September 19, Utility Dive reported the North American Electric Reliability Corp issued a statement that it "remains concerned about maintaining sufficient natural gas supplies to address extreme winter conditions." December could be colder than normal across the northern U.S., and grid operators and the natural gas sector say they are preparing, said Utility Dive.

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Was Thalidomide Safe? Frances Oldham Kelsey Was Not Convinced

Scientific American

In the U.S. in the early 1960s the distributor of a thalidomide drug was impatient to get it on the market.

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Allegheny Institute For Public Policy: Counites, Municipalities Need To ‘Begin Lowering Their Expectations’ On The Support From Shale Gas Industry Drilling Impact Fee

PA Environment Daily

On September 19, the Pittsburgh-based Allegheny Institute for Public Policy published a policy brief on the steep decline in revenues from the Act 13 shale gas impact fees going to counties and municipalities. “Revenues from Pennsylvania’s impact fee imposed on unconventional (i.e. fracked) gas wells set a new record in 2022, with collections of $278.9 million.

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A Missed Opportunity to Decarbonize Municipal & Nonprofit Buildings: Section 179D Tax Deduction

Law Columbia

Two years into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the several tax credits that are eligible for “ elective pay ” are starting to catalyze investment in renewable energy , electric vehicles, and EV charging by nontaxable entities like local governments and nonprofit organizations. Slower to develop is a robust, cohesive response by nontaxable entities to the main tax tool for energy retrofits of their buildings – offices, schools, hospitals, and even multifamily housing – the Section 179D tax ded

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PA Coal Alliance Members Recognized For Mine Reclamation And Employee Safety

PA Environment Daily

On September 19, the Pennsylvania Coal Alliance announced the winners of its annual mine safety and mine reclamation awards. Recognition is given for superior employee safety records and the completion of outstanding reclamation at coal mine sites throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Reclamation Awards The PA Coal Alliance also recognizes the environmental enhancements and outstanding reclamation work completed by its members companies.

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Meet the Mysterious Long-Nosed Chilean Shrew Opossum

Cool Green Science

Spoiler alert: it's not a shrew. It's a relict marsupial, and has lived in the forests of Chile's Valdivian Coast for millennia. The post Meet the Mysterious Long-Nosed Chilean Shrew Opossum appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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EPA Announces New Outdoor Use Safer Choice Label

Nanotech

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on September 18, 2024, the launch of an Outdoor Use Safer Choice label. According to EPA, this new label expands on its existing Safer Choice label and will identify outdoor use products — such as pet care products, fire defense products, and car, boat, or grill cleaners — that meet additional EPA criteria to help protect the environment.