January, 2025

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The AMOC is slowing, it’s stable, it’s slowing, no, yes, …

Real Climate

There’s been a bit of media whiplash on the issue of AMOC slowing lately – ranging from the AMOC being “on the brink of collapse” to it being “more stable than previously thought” AMOC, of course, refers to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, one of the worlds major ocean circulation systems which keeps the northern Atlantic region (including Europe) exceptionally warm for its latitude.

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LA Fires and the Climate Connection

Legal Planet

Like millions of Angelenos, Ive been staying indoors and off the roads, glued to the Watch Duty app, radio, and TV coverage as LA is engulfed by these historic fires. The last 48 hours of coverage has focused, understandably, on the firefight and immediate devastation. Now, its time to start hearing about the climate connection, especially from local officials, policymakers, and the TV news anchors that so many people turn to for information during scary urban fires.

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Why Were 2023 and 2024 So Hot?

Union of Concerned Scientists

The year 2023 was by far the warmest in Earths recorded history, and perhaps in the past 100,000 years , shattering the previous record set in 2016 by 0.27C (0.49F). According to recent data from NOAAs National Center for Environmental Information, 2024 is likely to be even warmer than 2023. Scientists are sounding the alarm because this warming is shockingly bigbigger than what we would have expected given the long-term warming trend from fossil fuel-caused climate change.

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At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water

Circle of Blue

More than 1 million people could pour into western Maricopa County in the coming decades if housing developers can secure the water. Buckeye, Arizona, has plans to become one of the Southwest’s largest cities in the next decades. Photo Brett Walton/Circle of Blue By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue January 31, 2025 BUCKEYE, Ariz. Beneath the exhausting Sonoran sun, an hours drive west of Phoenix, heavy machines are methodically scraping the desert bare.

2025 230
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How to Modernize Manufacturing Without Losing Control

Speaker: Andrew Skoog, Founder of MachinistX & President of Hexis Representatives

Manufacturing is evolving, and the right technology can empower—not replace—your workforce. Smart automation and AI-driven software are revolutionizing decision-making, optimizing processes, and improving efficiency. But how do you implement these tools with confidence and ensure they complement human expertise rather than override it? Join industry expert Andrew Skoog as he explores how manufacturers can leverage automation to enhance operations, streamline workflows, and make smarter, data-dri

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What Does the New Political Reality Mean for Climate Action in Canada

Enviromental Defense

Prime Minister Trudeaus recent decision to prorogue Parliament and announce his upcoming resignation may have left you wondering about what this could mean for climate change policy. At Environmental Defence, we have two main take-aways: Increased urgency: there are still a few critical climate policies that now have a shortened timeline to cross the finish line.

Politics 119
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As Oceans Warm, Predators Are Falling Out of Sync with Their Prey

Yale E360

In the sea as on land, climate change is driving shifts in the abundance and distribution of species. Scientists are just beginning to focus on why some fish predators and prey like striped bass and menhaden on the U.S. East Coast are changing their behavior as waters warm.

Ocean 363

More Trending

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The Fires in Los Angeles

Legal Planet

National attention is (rightly) focused on the terrible fire situation in Los Angeles. At the moment, the top priority is supporting first responders who are trying to control the fires, prevent more damage, and help the people who have lost homes and loved ones. There is (of course) a bunch of chatter on social media about what might have prevented the fires or fix the wildfire crisis in the US more broadly.

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Does California Need New Nuclear Power Plants?

Union of Concerned Scientists

Theres been a lot of talk about nuclear power recently. Plant owners have been making plans to restart their retired nuclear power plants, Google signed the first corporate deal to purchase energy from small modular nuclear reactors, and the US pledged to triple its nuclear generating capacity by 2050. As one energy news outlet put it, 2024 was a breakout year for the US nuclear power sector at least on paper.

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Opinion: Halt the Oil Flow Across Straits of Mackinac

Circle of Blue

Civic opposition and litigation aims to end Line 5 operation. Photo J.Carl Ganter/ Circle of Blue Keith Schneider, senior editor and chief correspondent at Circle of Blue, launches a new column offering insights and commentary on water-related trends and news. This marks the debut of his bimonthly publication. By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue – January 22, 2025 From the perspective of Americans who live in Michigan and Wisconsin, the Line 5 oil pipeline across the Straits of Mackinac ma

2025 349
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The Great Bank Exodus: what’s the story?

Enviromental Defense

Four of our largest banks have recently withdrawn from the UN-backed Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). This may seem like a setback for climate progress in Canada, but it simply underscores the limits of voluntary initiatives and the need for the government to enforce climate-aligned financial regulations. This news also coincides with Mark Carneys official entrance into the Liberal Party leadership race.

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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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Whiplash: How Big Swings in Precipitation Fueled the L.A. Fires

Yale E360

UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain says that two very wet years followed by a very dry one helped to turn the Los Angeles wildfires into raging infernos. This phenomenon of hydroclimate whiplash, he says, is expected to occur in more and more places as the world warms.

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‘Virtually Any City on Earth Can Burn Now’

Inside Climate News

In the superheated 21st century, the old rules for wildfires no longer apply. John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather, explains. By Kiley Bense The journalist John Vaillants book Fire Weather begins in the spring of 2016 in the boreal forests surrounding the remote Canadian city of Fort McMurray, where a fire is growing. Although wildfire is a regular part of life in northern Alberta, this fire was destined to be different.

2016 142
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DEP Launches New Permit Tracking Webpage For Applicants, Public

PA Environment Daily

On January 14, Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley briefed DEPs Citizens Advisory Council on a new Permit Tracking webpage that just became available for applicants and the public to see where permits are in the DEP review process. With this new tool, users can search by county, program area, permit type or by the authorization (permit) ID or by keyword.

Radiation 116
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I Didn’t Lose My Home in the Fires…But Can I Drink the Water?

Union of Concerned Scientists

As the known drinking water nerd amongst my friend group, I have been informally fielding questions about whether their water is safe to use near the wildfires in Southern California. Some common questions Ive heard include: How do I know if I can drink the tap water? Can I shower with it? When will it be safe? Beyond more generally getting the facts right on the water and wildfire issues in California, as this Guardian headline suggests, its smart to assume the worst about the safety of drinkin

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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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What is a species?

Legal Planet

This article in the NY Times covers a recent scientific article that concludes that the snail darter, a fish species in the Tennessee River basin that was previously listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), is not a species after all. Using a range of genetic analyses, the authors conclude that the snail darter is closely related to another darter species (the Stargazing Darter), and that the genetic distance between those two species is much closer than for any other specie

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Remote sensing: A key to monitoring tropical forest restoration

The Applied Ecologist

Laura Vedovato introduces readers to a range of remote sensing tools, explaining how they can be applied to topical forests to monitor the effectiveness of restoration efforts. Read more in the original Review article. Introduction In recent years, global commitments to forest restoration, like the UN Decade on Restoration and the Global Biodiversity Framework, have highlighted the need for scalable, effective ways to track progress.

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In Vermont, a Push to Prevent Flooding or Get Out of the Way

Yale E360

An increase in extreme precipitation events has hit the tiny, mountainous state of Vermont especially hard. As disaster declarations mount, state officials and community groups are collaborating to restore floodplains, reduce runoff from slopes, and buy out vulnerable homes.

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Elevated Levels of Radium Found in Western Pennsylvania’s Freshwater Mussels 

Inside Climate News

Researchers detected increased radioactivity in mussels downstream of oil and gas wastewater discharge points, raising concerns about effects up the food chain. By Kiley Bense Sixty-two years ago, Rachel Carsons Silent Spring connected disappearing populations of bald eagles to the presence of the pesticide DDT in the birds food chain. Because bald eagles are apex predators, their dose of the toxic chemical was magnified and became fatal to their ability to reproduce.

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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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DEP Did Over 107,000 Inspections, Found 35,237 Violations, Responded To 410 Emergencies In 2024 To Protect PA's Environment, Public Safety

PA Environment Daily

On January 6, the Department of Environmental Protection reported its staff conducted over 107,000 inspections to protect Pennsylvanians constitutional right to clean air, pure water, and a healthy and safe environment. During those inspections, DEP identified 35,237 violations, and resolved 32,699 of them, including some from 2023. DEP also responded to 410 environmental emergencies, like spills from traffic accidents to chemical fires.

2024 107
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Ask A Scientist: How Can Scientists Drive Change Through Climate Lawsuits? 

Union of Concerned Scientists

As the climate crisis deepens, so does the urgency to hold fossil fuel companies accountable for decades of deception. Governments representing more than a quarter of the US population have filed lawsuits against major corporations including ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, and BP, seeking justice for the harm caused by their lies about the dangers of their products.

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Reuse, Rewear, Repair

Academy of Natural Sciences

It is the new year and time for a lifestyle change. While its daunting to contemplate the many issues that we need to tackle to achieve greater social equity and environmental sustainability especially in our everyday lives small, individual actions can add up to make a difference. Here are some tips to get you started on simply reusing, repairing and rewearing, all to inspire care and support for our natural world.

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How Can We Protect the Environment and Thrive in 2025? We’ve Got a Plan!

Enviromental Defense

2024 had some bumps in the road for environmental protection. Attacks on nature, clean energy, and livable communities filled the headlines. But what about for 2025? Can we secure a better future despite the regressive forces out there that want to drag us all down? We are committed to trying, and history shows that together we can succeed. Lets take a look at some key issues and explore how we can work together to create a better 2025.

2025 98
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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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Carbon Dioxide Levels Rose by a Record Amount Last Year

Yale E360

Carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere faster than ever before, putting hopes of limiting warming in jeopardy.

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Another Polar Vortex Is Blasting the U.S. With Harsh Winter Weather. So How Is Climate Change Involved?

Inside Climate News

A recent study explains how warmer temperatures at the top of the planet destabilize the jet stream and allow colder air to travel south. By Kristoffer Tigue A second bout of severe winter weather is set to pummel the central United States with freezing temperatures and icy conditions, forecasters warned this week. It comes just days after a massive winter storm, traveling from Kansas to New Jersey, dumped upwards of a foot of snow on some cities, disrupting traffic and knocking out power for hu

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Range Resources And MarkWest Liberty Midstream File Legal Challenges To The Shale Gas Facility Setback Ordinance Adopted By Cecil Township, Washington County

PA Environment Daily

On January 12, Cecil Township Supervisor Cindy Fisher announced in a Facebook post Range Resources Appalachia LLC and MarkWest Liberty Midstream have filed two different legal challenges to the shale gas facility setback ordinance adopted by the Township in November. The ordinance establishes setbacks from shale gas well pads of 2,500 feet from homes and businesses as protected structures and 5,000 feet from schools and hospitals.

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A Duty on Public Bodies to Prioritize Climate Action? Coolglass Windfarm Limited v. An Bord Pleanala

Law Columbia

Planning law has proven to be a useful tool for climate activists seeking to block or challenge new fossil fuel developments. However, it has also been used to frustrate efforts to accelerate the renewable energy transition by delaying the construction of new renewable energy infrastructure (see here ). Ireland has been a particular victim of this latter problem, with developers citing concerns over current planning laws as a reason for delays in constructing onshore wind farms, among other faci

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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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Collecting useful data on NEPA

Legal Planet

As Ive recently posted , permitting reform is (appropriately) in the news right now. That means theres also a reason for various think tanks, NGOs, academics, and others to release studies that might inform the policy debate. One such study from 2024 that has gotten some coverage on social media recently is a report by the Breakthrough Institute on NEPA litigation.

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Statement: The Federal EV Incentive Program Pause was Preventable

Enviromental Defense

Statement from Nate Wallace, Clean Transportation Program Manager Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People Today, Environmental Defence issued a statement in response to the news from Transport Canada indicating that the federal electric vehicle incentive program will run out of funding before March 31st, 2025, and is set to pause.

2025 116
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Did Climate Change Help Fuel the Los Angeles Wildfires?

Yale E360

Wildfires in Southern California have burned tens of thousands of acres, destroyed thousands of buildings, and killed at least 10 people. Experts say global warming may have set the stage for the catastrophic blazes.

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Global Warming Surges Well Past 1.5-Degree Mark in 2024

Inside Climate News

International agencies coordinate release of annual climate data to highlight the past years exceptionaland dangerousclimate conditions. By Bob Berwyn Nearly all major global climate datasets agree that, in 2024, human-caused global warming for the first time pushed Earths average surface temperature to more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial average for a full calendar year, a level that countries around the world had agreed to do all they could to avoid.

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TECfusions Unveils Massive 1,400-Acre Data Center Project With 3 Gigawatts Of Natural Gas-Fired Power Generation In Westmoreland County

PA Environment Daily

On January 14, TECfusions announced the acquisition of 1,395 acres in Upper Burrell, Westmoreland County for a data center project, known as TECfusions Keystone Connect. This strategic purchase, which includes the former Alcoa R&D campus and surrounding real estate, marks a significant expansion of TECfusions' portfolio. The project will transform the shuttered office and industrial site into a state-of-the-art data center campus, with plans for 3 gigawatts of natural gas-fired power generat