Thu.Mar 07, 2024

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EVs Are at a Turning Point, It May Not Be What You Think

Union of Concerned Scientists

There’s been a lot of nay-saying around EVs lately, including, amongst other things, worries that EV sales are stalling out now that all the early adopters have already made the switch and mainstream buyers aren’t ready to dive in. I wouldn’t blame you if you thought nobody was buying EVs or that sales were about to plummet. While there are some near term headwinds, I’ve never had as much confidence in the ability to zero out tailpipe emissions from our cars and trucks.

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More solar shenanigans*

Real Climate

Going back a few months, I spent a bit of time pointing out the strategy and nonsense in the various Willie Soon and company’s efforts to blame current warming on solar activity. I specifically pointed out their cultish devotion to a single solar activity reconstruction (Hoyt and Schatten, 1993) (HS93); with an update from Scaffeta (2023) , and their increasingly elaborate efforts to create temperature series that correlate to it.

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Wildfire Threat to Texas Nuclear Weapons Facility Highlights Intersecting Risks

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last week, Texas’s Windy Deuce Fire, one of several large fires that broke out in the state’s panhandle region, passed within a few miles of a nuclear weapons facility and necessitated an emergency evacuation of nonessential employees. The immediate threat of wildfire to the Pantex nuclear facility, at which nuclear weapons are assembled and disassembled, has passed for now.

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As Flooding Increases on the Mississippi, Forests Are Drowning

Yale E360

Ever-worsening floods are killing trees at an increasing rate along the upper Mississippi River, and invasive grasses are taking over. The Army Corps of Engineers has launched a project to boost both tree density and diversity, and to improve habitat for fish and waterfowl, too.

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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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Harsh Result in a Drilling Contract Dispute

Energy & the Law

Frontier Drilling, LLC v. XTO Energy , Inc. has the indicia of an inequitable result, but as I remind my wife every time she objects to what she deems to be an outrageous jury verdict, we don’t know all the facts and the court’s gotta follow the law, so let’s not judge. The facts Drilling contractor Frontier and operator XTO were parties to a drilling contract that was amended several times by negotiations via oral and/or email communications and then written agreements memorializing the discuss

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Mandatory Climate Reporting in Singapore From FY2025

Clean Energy Law

The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority and Singapore Exchange Regulation have provided details of mandatory climate reporting for listed issuers and large non-listed companies. By Paul A. Davies , Farhana Sharmeen , Michael D. Green , James Bee , and Kevin Mak On 28 February 2024, the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and Singapore Exchange Regulation (SGX RegCo) introduced regulations for mandatory climate-related disclosures (CRD) (the Regulations).

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Deepwater Sharks Are Threatened by Demand for Liver Oil

Scientific American

One in seven species of deepwater sharks and rays is threatened with extinction because of the liver oil and meat trade and emerging fishing technologies that make it possible to catch deep-sea fishes

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D-Wave says its quantum computers can solve otherwise impossible tasks

New Scientist

Quantum computing firm D-Wave says its machines are the first to achieve "computational supremacy" by solving a practically useful problem that would otherwise take millions of years on an ordinary supercomputer

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The First Amphibian Known to Beg Its Mother for Milk Is More Bizarre than You Might Imagine

Scientific American

Surprisingly, the young of limbless amphibians called ringed caecilians stimulate their mother by touch and sound to release a milklike substance

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AI chatbots use racist stereotypes even after anti-racism training

New Scientist

Large language models still demonstrate racial prejudice against speakers of African American English, despite the safety guard rails implemented by tech companies such as OpenAI

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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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We Need Small Astronomy as Much as Big Astronomy

Scientific American

In an era of budget-busting mega-telescopes, we shouldn’t forget the importance of smaller telescopes, more focused missions and the unexpected surprises they reveal about the universe

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Experimental weight loss pill seems to be more potent than Ozempic

New Scientist

The results, of 13 per cent weight loss after three months, need to be confirmed by larger and longer studies, but are seen as promising

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Scientists Thought Only Humans Learn Complex Behaviors from Others. They Were Wrong

Scientific American

New studies in bees and chimps challenge the long-held assumption that only humans can learn from innovative peers

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Worm-like amphibian produces a kind of milk for its hatchlings

New Scientist

After hatching from eggs, young ringed caecilians feed on their mother’s skin, but also on a milk-like substance secreted from her rear end

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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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EPA Delays Rescinding Gasoline Volatility Waivers Until 2025

National Law Center

In 2023, approximately forty percent of corn produced in the United States (“U.S.”) was used for ethanol production. The top three. The post EPA Delays Rescinding Gasoline Volatility Waivers Until 2025 appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Jupiter’s stormy surface replicated in lab

New Scientist

By rotating a tank of water at 75 revolutions per minute, it’s possible to replicate some of the stunning, swirling patterns on Jupiter’s surface

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Analysis: Why TV and film scripts need to stop ignoring the climate crisis?

A Greener Life

By Wahid Bhat TV and film are powerful mediums that can inform, entertain, and inspire millions of people around the world. They can also shape the public perception and awareness of the most pressing issues of our time, such as the climate crisis. However, a new study by Good Energy and the USC Norman Lear Center has found that most TV and film scripts are ignoring the climate crisis, or failing to address it in a meaningful and realistic way.

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Light and sound therapy for Alzheimer’s may also prevent 'chemo brain'

New Scientist

An experimental Alzheimer's treatment involving sounds and flickering lights also prevented a decline in mental sharpness among mice having chemotherapy

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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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Five Species of Parrotfish All Ocean Lovers Should Know

Ocean Conservancy

Parrotfish are serious showstoppers—just like their land-dwelling namesakes, they come in a range of bright, bold colors. Their beauty is as equally notable as their importance to our ocean: Parrotfish are essential to the survival of coral habitats as they feed on algae that could otherwise suffocate the reefs. There are so many fascinating facts about parrotfish, including their trademark “ beaks ” that are formed with incredibly strong teeth and jaws to make it easier to chomp on coral all da

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Extreme Summer Heat Threatens Coral Replanting Effort

Scientific American

A marine heat wave last year undercut efforts to regrow coral reefs off Florida’s coast.

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DEP Declares 101 Medina Res Dev Co. LLC Conventional Oil & Gas Wells Abandoned, Not Plugged In Crawford, Erie Counties

PA Environment Daily

On March 5, 2024, the Department of Environmental Protection issued violations to 101 conventional oil and gas wells operated by Medina Res Dev Co. LLC in Crawford and Erie counties abandoned and not plugged, according to DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database. The wells included-- -- Crawford County, Cambridge Twp.: Fred Wade 1, Krietz 1, Wade Unit 2, John Clegg 2, -- Crawford County, Cussewago Twp. : Florek 1, -- Crawford County, Rockdale Twp. : Larry McDuff 1, Birchard Donachy 1, Hughes 1, RAC

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Clownfish avoid the sting of their anemone hosts with sugary slime

New Scientist

As a clownfish spends time with an anemone, its mucus coating begins to change.

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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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EPA Opens Regional $1.5 Million Grant Competition For Pollution Source Reduction Projects

PA Environment Daily

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency invites eligible applicants in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, and Washington D.C. to apply for a Regional Source Reduction Assistance Grant by April 15, 2024. This regional competitive grant provides awardees with up to $240,000 in funding for projects that promote practical source reduction practices, tools and training, or Pollution Prevention (P2) approaches to measurably improve the environment.

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Powerful flowers

The Applied Ecologist

In a recent study, Charlotte Howard and her colleagues report that floral strips can be a practical and effective way to encourage natural pest control in commercial apple orchards. Floral margins can deliver a measurable increase in yield of undamaged fruit.

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WeConservePA Honors Steven J. Schiffman, Esq. With 2024 Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award

PA Environment Daily

Steven J. Schiffman, Esq., will receive the WeConservePA 2024 Lifetime Conservation Leadership Award at the Pennsylvania Land Conservation Conference at the Thursday night dinner on April 4. Steven J. Schiffman, Esq. (Steve to those who know him), has for decades given generously of his time to and shared his extraordinary breadth of knowledge with conservation organizations and causes, helping with myriad issues big and small.

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Microplastics found in blood vessels linked to greater risk of heart problems, study finds

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at STAT. Micro and nanoplastics, tiny pieces of plastic scattered throughout the environment, have been increasingly found to be able to enter the body, raising questions about where they end up and how they affect people’s health.

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EPA Region III Issues Formal Notice With Instructions On Appealing Penneco Oil & Gas Wastewater Injection Well In Allegheny County

PA Environment Daily

On March 7, 2024, US Environmental Protection Agency Region III Underground Injection Well Program issued formal notice by email with instructions on appealing the Penneco Environmental Solutions, LLC oil and gas wastewater injection well in Plum Borough, Allegheny County. A petition for review must be filed with the EPA Environmental Appeals Board within 30 days of this notice.

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Court Upholds Service’s Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Listing Decision

Endangered Species Law

On February 28, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (Service) denial of a petition filed by the New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (Cattle Growers) urging the Service to remove the southwestern willow flycatcher ( Empidonax traillii extimus ) (flycatcher) from the list of endangered species (Petition).

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6 things to look out for during the total solar eclipse

New Scientist

A total solar eclipse is a unique experience.

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TSCA Section 8(a)(7) PFAS Reporting Rule — A Conversation with Richard E. Engler, Ph.D.

Nanotech

This week I discuss with my colleague, Dr. Richard E. Engler, Director of Chemistry for B&C and The Acta Group, our consulting affiliate, the super-hot topic of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) reporting under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). PFAS, the class of so-called forever chemicals, are the talk of this town, and likely the talk of many jurisdictions given the intense global scrutiny all things PFAS endure.

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DEP Reports Progress On Permitting Reform; Reduces Permit Backlog By 41%

PA Environment Daily

On March 7, the Shapiro Administration announced efforts to enhance and improve permitting are showing early success as the Department of Environmental Protection improves online permitting, online payment, and delivers on-time permit decisions. DEP has successfully implemented the PAyback program , the Shapiro Administration’s online money-back guarantee system and begun making significant progress in reducing backlogs and speeding up processing timelines.

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EPA Releases New Methodology to Detect Low Levels of PFAS in HDPE Containers

Nanotech

On February 15, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the release of a new methodology for detecting 32 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers. According to EPA, the method can accurately identify PFAS contamination at levels as low as 0.002 parts per billion (ppb) (or 2 parts per trillion (ppt)).