Thu.Oct 17, 2024

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Reflections on “Yes they can control the weather.”

Legal Planet

Since U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene tweeted earlier this month that “Yes they can control the weather” — a bunch of commentators have pointed out that she’s wildly wrong. Yes, she’s wildly wrong. No one can make, intensify, or steer hurricanes. No ability to do anything like this is even on the horizon. Her comment obviously got traction because it plugged into a deep strain of populist paranoia, including active, current conspiracies.

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Nine Tons of Illicit Pangolin Scales Recovered in Nigeria

Yale E360

On a single day in August, Nigerian officials recovered more than 9 tons of illicit pangolin scales. The stockpile would be worth an estimated $1.7 million in East Asia, where pangolin scales are sold for their use in traditional medicine.

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Model Uncertainty in Politics and Climate Policy

Legal Planet

The polls are predicting very tight election results. The state results could turn out to be within the margin of error, with half going one way and half the other. But there’s another plausible outcome: a sweep by one side or the other because the polls were all off a few percent in the same direction. If you could get a large and truly random sample of the population and get them to answer all questions truthfully right before they voted, the life of a pollster would be much easier.

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More evidence that limiting social media won't boost your well-being

New Scientist

People who went from using social media for at least 2 hours a day to just 30 minutes a day reported no improvement to their sleep or emotional well-being

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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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Date Labels and the New California Law

National Law Center

On September 28, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB660 into law. This bill was the first in the nation to. The post Date Labels and the New California Law appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Motor made from bacteria parts is one of the smallest ever built

New Scientist

The natural motors that power tail-like appendages in bacteria seem to have a single evolutionary origin, allowing parts from different species to be combined to create a tiny new engine

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We're starting to understand what being bullied does to the brain

New Scientist

Being bullied when young seems to alter your brain structure for years to come - with different changes seen in males and females

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Beaver County Residents Invited To Join An Oct. 23 In-Person Tour Of Shale Gas Fracking Sites & Infrastructure In Washington County And Discover Its Costs

PA Environment Daily

Join the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community October 23 for an in-person tour through Washington County and experience firsthand how shale gas fracking infrastructure is impacting families every day. Led by environmental advocate Lois Bower-Bjornson , with the Clean Air Council, this tour will take Beaver County residents to the heart of fracking country, revealing the hidden costs of this controversial industry.

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These stunning photos celebrate the intricacy of the microscopic world

New Scientist

A mouse's tumours, scales from a butterfly's wings and a smiling cross-section of a bracken fern are some of the incredible images from the Nikon Small World photography competition

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Ancient ‘Age of Dinosaurs’ Seafloor Found beneath Pacific Ocean

Scientific American

A vast, ancient slab of seafloor plunged beneath the Pacific Ocean and has hovered in Earth’s mantle for more than 120 million years, a new study suggests

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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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DCNR: 4th Fall Foliage Report: Cool Weather Will Bring A Very Colorful Change To Most Areas In Penn’s Woods This Coming Week

PA Environment Daily

On October 17, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources issued its fourth Fall Foliage Report saying consistently cold nights and cool days have spurred a very colorful change in Penn’s Woods! Bright color can be found from the southern Poconos though the middle and southern Appalachians. The Allegheny Plateau is gorgeous from northwestern Pennsylvania to the southwestern reaches of the Commonwealth.

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Small Business Disaster Loans to Hurricane Victims Are Halted as Cash Runs Out

Scientific American

The Small Business Association has announced that loans to those affected by hurricanes and other disasters have been halted to wait for more money from Congress.

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Walk With Watershed Stewards In The Paxtang Parkway, Dauphin County On Nov. 10 And Learn About The Watershed Landscape You Live In!

PA Environment Daily

Take a Walk with Watershed Stewards on the Paxtang Parkway in Dauphin County on November 10 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. and learn something new about the watershed landscape you live in! Scott Shepler, Restoration Program Manager at the Capital Area Greenbelt Association (CAGA) and board member, along with the Master Watershed Stewards will lead a walk on the Paxtang Parkway.

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You Don’t Need Words to Think

Scientific American

Brain studies show that language is not essential for the cognitive processes that underlie thought

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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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PA Parks & Forests Foundation Unveils Inclusive Playground At Little Buffalo State Park In Perry County

PA Environment Daily

On October 16, the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation announced the dedication of a new accessible playground at Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County. The playground, which prioritizes inclusivity, is designed to offer all children, regardless of ability, the opportunity to engage in meaningful play experiences. According to UNICEF and the American Academy of Pediatrics, play is a fundamental aspect of childhood that supports cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development.

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Don’t Panic. AI Isn’t Coming to End Scientific Exploration

Scientific American

Science is filled with tools that once seemed revolutionary and are now just part of the research tool kit.

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Team PA & Clean Air Task Force Convene Leaders To Discuss Challenges, Opportunities Of Industrial Decarbonization; DOE Provides Update On Decarbonization Investments In PA

PA Environment Daily

On October 16, more than 100 leaders from business, industry, labor, higher education and non-profit organizations convened today for a roundtable on industrial decarbonization, held by Team PA and Clean Air Task Force at the Energy Innovation Center in downtown Pittsburgh. The forum included keynotes by senior leaders from the US Department of Energy and the Department of Environmental Protection, who provided an update on Pennsylvania’s implementation of $400 million in federal investment to a

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EPA Proposes to Add 16 PFAS and 15 PFAS Categories to the TRI List of Chemicals

Nanotech

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed on October 8, 2024, to add 16 individual per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 15 PFAS categories representing more than 100 individual PFAS to the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) list of toxic chemicals subject to reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) and the Pollution Prevention Act (PPA) to comply with the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (NDAA). 89 Fed.

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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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Thursday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 10.17.24

PA Environment Daily

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” - - Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution [It’s Not A Suggestion] House Voting Schedule -- October 21, 22,

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More Jobs, Lower Costs - Solar for Schools Grants Opening Soon

NRDC

DCED Guidelines Now Available

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Evangelical Environmental Network Delivers Over 36,000 Comments From Pro-Life Christians To Gov. Shapiro, DEP In Support Of Strong Oil & Gas Industry Methane Emission Controls

PA Environment Daily

On October 15, EEN Action –- the 501(c)(4) partner of the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN)–- delivered over 36,000 comments from pro-life Christians in Pennsylvania to Governor Shapiro and the Department of Environmental Protection calling for a strong State Implementation Plan to meet the federal oil and gas industry methane emissions reduction rule.

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The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth

Environmental News Bits

Ripple, W. J., Wolf, C., Gregg, J. W., Rockström, J., Mann, M. E., Oreskes, N., Lenton, T. M., Rahmstorf, S., Newsome, T. M., Xu, C., Svenning, J.-C., Pereira, C. C., Law, B. E., & Crowther, T. W. (2024). The 2024 state of the climate report: Perilous times on planet Earth. BioScience, biae087.

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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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Penn State Extension Hosts 2 Educator Workshops Nov. 7 On Stream Health & Watersheds In Cumberland County; Stream Health & Acid Mine Drainage In Indiana County

PA Environment Daily

The Penn State Extension has scheduled two Dive Even Deeper educator workshops on November 7-- Stream Health and Watersheds in Cumberland County and Stream Health and Acid Mine Drainage in Indiana County Cumberland County Join a day of hands-on watershed learning through the Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience framework. Explore watersheds, riparian buffers, and tree planting to better understand the connections between land use and stream health.

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Tree species richness suppresses red imported fire ant invasion in a subtropical plantation forest

The Applied Ecologist

Chengjin Chu and co-authors discuss their latest research which presents a cross-trophic interaction study between the red imported fire ant and plants. The red imported fire ant (RIFA) is one of the most invasive insects in the world. Many pest management methods have been used to control the spread and damage of RIFA, like quarantine measures and powerful pesticides.

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Western PA Conservancy Now Accepting Applications For Fall Round Of Grants For Canoe, Kayak Access Projects In Western PA

PA Environment Daily

On October 15, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy announced it is now accepting applications for a fall round of Canoe Access Development Fund Grants to support projects that will improve canoe and kayak access to Western Pennsylvania’s waterways. The deadline to apply is November 18. The Conservancy’s CADF provides technical assistance and grants of up to $5,000 for the construction and enhancement of canoe and kayak access locations.

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Biden’s Withdrawal Made Containing War in the Middle East Harder

Scientific American

As tensions soar in the Middle East, the president’s lame duck status hinders efforts to manage the escalation of risks in the region

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Groups Call On Minnesota to Address Rampant Neonic Pollution

NRDC

The NRDC Action Fund and partners have filed a legal petition demanding that the state act to stop harmful, unnecessary pesticide pollution.

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'Wonder Drug' Explores Thalidomide’s Secret History and Harms in the U.S.

Scientific American

In her book Wonder Drug, Jennifer Vanderbes explores the history of thalidomide’s secret history—and harms—in the U.S.

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Navigating Choppy Waters: EPA Rule Challenges After Loper Bright

Acoel

Posted on October 17, 2024 by Donald K. Shandy On October 4, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court denied requests from states and industry groups to block the implementation of two Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) rules. The decisions did not include reasoning behind declining the stay requests. Both orders were unsigned and did not include recorded dissents.

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Poll: EV politics could cost Michigan its auto industry

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Bridge Michigan. Michigan’s investment in electrical vehicle manufacturing tops $1 billion. Is it worth it? Almost half of registered voters in the state would say no. So says the Detroit Regional Chamber this week, as the business group released its latest poll produced with The Glengariff Group Inc.

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What’s Next for Scientific Integrity at Federal Agencies?

Union of Concerned Scientists

As the Biden administration draws to a close, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) has issued a new report recapping progress on scientific integrity and highlighting areas where more work is needed. The many government employees who have been working for the past four years to create a strong infrastructure of scientific integrity in the executive branch deserve credit for all they’ve accomplished.

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Microsoft signs deal with UNDO to capture CO2 using rocks and soil

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at ESG Today. Microsoft announced a new purchase agreement with enhanced rock weathering (ERW)-focused carbon removal project developer UNDO, for the permanent removal of 15,000 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere using rocks and soil.