Sat.Dec 30, 2023 - Fri.Jan 05, 2024

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Annual GMSAT predictions and ENSO

Real Climate

For the last few years ( since at least 2016 ), I’ve shared predictions for the next annual global mean surface air temperature (GMSAT) anomaly based on the long term trend and the state of ENSO at the start of the year. Generally speaking, this has been quite skillful compared to persistence or just the long term trend alone – the eventual anomaly was consistently within the predicted bounds.

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When Species Names Are Offensive, Should They Be Changed?

Yale E360

Amid a wider social justice reckoning, some scientists are calling for scrapping species names that honor people considered objectionable, including dictators and enslavers, or use offensive words. Others question whether such a monumental effort is worthwhile or even possible.

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After The Lights Go Out, Then What?

Union of Concerned Scientists

A new North American Electricity Reliability Corporation (NERC) and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) review of power outages and gas industry failures reveals the potential for prolonged and deadly power outages. But their simple, yet potentially life-saving recommendations are voluntary, and the responsible parties go unnamed. NERC—as well as the regional organizations across the country tasked with ensuring the electric grid remains reliable and secure—identify gas supply failures a

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Retail Electricity Customers Denied Relief from Uri

Energy & the Law

In re Luminant Generation Company LLC et al is a bitter pill for the litigation hangover from Winter Storm Uri. Takeaway: Texas does not recognize a legal duty owed by wholesale power generators to retail customers to provide continuous electricity to the electric grid and ultimately to the customers. The claims Hundreds of retail electricity customers sued hundreds of entities involved in virtually every aspect of the Texas electricity market.

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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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Severe covid-19 infections linked to increased risk of schizophrenia

New Scientist

People with severe covid-19 infections are more than 4 times as likely to later be diagnosed with schizophrenia than people who have not been infected, though the risk of developing the condition is relatively low

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U.K. Fossil Power Falls to Lowest Level Since 1957

Yale E360

The U.K. is drawing less power from natural gas and coal than it has at any point in the last 66 years.

More Trending

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Dying in the Fields as Temperatures Soar

Inside Climate News

Scores of California farmworkers are dying in the heat in regions with chronically bad air, even in a state with one of the toughest heat standards in the nation. By Liza Gross, Peter Aldhous For most of July 2019, stifling heat hung over the agricultural fields of California’s Central Valley, as farmworkers like William Salas Jiminez labored under the sun’s searing rays.

2019 140
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Vast submerged area near Australia may once have hosted 500,000 people

New Scientist

An area of the seabed north of Australia has been mapped in detail for the first time, revealing that large numbers of people could have lived there until it was inundated by rising seas

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European Imports of Russian Pipeline Gas Dropped by Half Last Year

Yale E360

Pipeline deliveries of Russian natural gas to Europe were down 55.6 percent, year on year, in 2023.

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Human Remains Are Headed to the Moon, Despite Objections

Scientific American

The Navajo Nation has called for a delay in launching the commercial lander Peregrine, which is set to carry human remains on a private mission to the moon

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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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Meet the Mole Crab

Ocean Conservancy

Under the wet sand along beautiful shorelines, just beneath our feet during beach strolls, there lies an entire ecosystem. The mole crab (also known as a sand crab or sand flea) is a small but mighty sea creature that lives just below the surface of the sand. When thinking of a sand flea, the first thought that comes to mind is probably not pleasant.

Ocean 133
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Probiotics help treat recurring urinary tract infections

New Scientist

Taking a vaginal probiotic, either on its own or with an oral probiotic, for four months reduced the incidence of urinary tract infections in women with a history of recurring UTIs

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Three in Four Industrial Fishing Boats Are 'Dark Vessels,' Study Finds

Yale E360

A sprawling analysis of ocean traffic reveals that 75 percent of industrial fishing vessels are not publicly tracked, with the bulk of untracked fishing taking place in Southeast Asia.

Ocean 183
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Is California Overstating the Climate Benefit of Dairy Manure Methane Digesters?

Inside Climate News

CO2 released by burning biogas from cow manure is counted as an emission reduction, rather than a climate pollutant, and multiple state programs are taking credit for the cuts that some see as phantoms. By Phil McKenna A California state grant program designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions results in the direct release of approximately 225,000 to 300,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide into the air each year, according to an Inside Climate News analysis of state data.

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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 Happens When You Deny Scientific Evidence? Look at Brazil's Pesticide Problem

Scientific American

The overuse of dangerous pesticides in Brazil threatens public health and serves as a warning to the rest of the world about the dangers of science denial

Politics 145
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Most large fishing boats go untracked as ‘dark vessels’

New Scientist

An AI analysis of satellite images reveals fishing, shipping and offshore development activities worldwide by monitoring boats that don't publicly broadcast their location

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DEP: Shale Gas Operator Found Responsible For Water Supply Contamination After Investigation Documents Chemical Contamination Spread Across 3 Townships In Greene County

PA Environment Daily

On December 28, 2023, DEP posted an inspection report for the Mohr A and B shale gas well pads in Cumberland Township, Greene County operated by Greylock Production LLC-- formerly Energy Corporation of America-- saying-- “This administrative inspection is being conducted of the Mohr A and B locations well sites to document violations related to impacts to a private water supply.

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Unforced variations: Jan 2024

Real Climate

New year, new open thread on climate topics. Note that summaries and updates to include 2023 data will be posted on the surface temperature graphics page and model-observations comparison page over the next couple of weeks as the data becomes available. The post Unforced variations: Jan 2024 first appeared on RealClimate.

2024 137
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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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Judge Orders Jail Time For Prominent Everglades Scientist

Inside Climate News

Tom Van Lent is accused of stealing “trade secrets” from his former employer, the well-connected Everglades Foundation By Amy Green ORLANDO, Fla.—A renowned Everglades scientist whose work has helped steer one of the most ambitious attempts at ecological restoration in human history has been sentenced by a state judge to spend 10 days in jail in a bitter legal dispute with his former employer.

Politics 119
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1.75-billion-year-old fossils help explain how photosynthesis evolved

New Scientist

Fossilised bacteria from Australia contain the earliest evidence of photosynthetic structures called thylakoids, which may have driven the accumulation of oxygen in Earth's atmosphere

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Vaccination Dramatically Lowers Long Covid Risk

Scientific American

Several new studies reveal that getting multiple COVID vaccine doses provides strong protection against lingering symptoms

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PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - January 6

PA Environment Daily

The following DEP notices were published in the January 6 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. -- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 6 PA Bulletin announcing it has disapproved an Act 2 Land Recycling Risk Assessment December 21 on remediation of soil and groundwater contamination at the American Refining Group, Inc.

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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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What’s Going On With the Goats of Arizona

Inside Climate News

As temperatures rise in the state, so are prices for water and feed. One pioneering goat lady is eyeing new pastures. By Emma Peterson PHOENIX — Inside the show barn at the Arizona State Fair, there’s a bit of a traffic jam. Trucks pulling trailers containing goats, many of which are pregnant, line up to claim the corral their animals will sleep in for the next few nights.

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First working graphene semiconductor could lead to faster computers

New Scientist

Researchers have created a functional semiconductor from graphene for the first time, creating the possibility of computer chips with greater performance and efficiency

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Did Neurons Evolve Twice?

Scientific American

Tracing the history of the earliest animals offers clues to whether the birth of the neuron was a one-time event

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DEP Disapproves Land Recycling Risk Assessment For Dozens Of Chemicals At American Refining Group Refinery In Bradford, McKean County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the January 6 PA Bulletin announcing it has disapproved an Act 2 Land Recycling Risk Assessment December 21 on remediation of soil and groundwater contamination at the American Refining Group, Inc. Refinery in the City of Bradford, McKean County. ( PA Bulletin, page 54 ) DEP said the report did not demonstrate attainment of the Site-Specific Act 2 Land Recycling Standard, one of three cleanup standards in the Land Recycling Program.

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Analysis: Climate advocate Crown Prince Frederik to be sworn in as the next King of Denmark

A Greener Life

Denmarks incoming king Crown Prince Frederik attending the Nordic Climate Solutions in 2009. Photo credit: Johannes Jansson / norden.org, CC BY 2.5 dk via Wikimedia. By Anders Lorenzen Danes nearly fell off their party seats when, during her annual New Year`s Eve address, Queen Margrethe II announced that in mid-January she would step down as the Danish Head of State and leave the throne to her oldest son, Crown Prince Frederik André Henrik Christian.

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Tiny T. rex fossils may be distinct species – but not everyone agrees

New Scientist

Palaeontologists can’t agree on whether fossils from several small dinosaurs represent juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex or smaller adults of a separate species that lived alongside them

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No, COVID mRNA Vaccines Won't Damage Your DNA

Scientific American

You have a “better chance of becoming Spider-Man” than being harmed by DNA from COVID vaccines

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DEP Announces Over $12 Million In Watershed Restoration, Stormwater Infrastructure Grants Funded In-Part By Mariner East Pipeline Penalties, Federal American Rescue Plan Funding

PA Environment Daily

On January 5, the Department of Environmental Protection announced over $12 million in Growing Greener Plus Grants to support local watershed restoration projects, reclaim abandoned mines, reduce flooding, nutrient and sediment pollution. Funding for the projects comes from-- -- State Environmental Stewardship Fund for Growing Greener Plus Grants; -- Penalties paid to the Office of Attorney General from Mariner East Pipeline operator Energy Transfer Marketing & Terminals, L.P. for environmen

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Viewpoint: A top-ten climate-positive wishlist for 2024

A Greener Life

By Anders Lorenzen 2023 was the warmest year ever recorded, COP28 showed us how far away we still are from where we need to be as to what climate science demands to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. So it is no wonder if one is heading into 2024 feeling a bit downbeat. With that in mind and our calendar in some parts of the world have just rung 2024, what would need to happen in the coming year for it to be a year we could not only say that has been a climate-positive year, but we are a

2024 105
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How Bulgarian yogurt could help us colonise Mars

New Scientist

Feedback reads up on the latest research into how Bulgarian-style yogurt could enhance astronauts' performance during missions to Mars – but might affect flatulence frequency

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