Sat.Oct 21, 2023 - Fri.Oct 27, 2023

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California Climate Policy: A Preliminary Report Card

Legal Planet

We all know that California’s climate policies have led the nation. But how well have these policies actually worked? That’s not as easy to answer as you might think. You have to do some digging to come up with the numbers, and their meaning isn’t always completely clear. If you compare California with the country as a whole, however, it does seem clear that our climate policies have had a real impact on emissions.

2009 286
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Stopping the Carnage: A Push to Protect Birds from Window Strikes

Yale E360

A massive bird kill this month highlighted a grim problem: As many as a billion birds die in the U.S. each year by flying into windows and glass walls. Efforts are now underway in cities to dim building lights, make glass more visible, and adopt other bird-friendly practices.

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Transition to EVs: a Win for Climate; Let’s Make it a Win for US Workers

Union of Concerned Scientists

A global transition to electric transportation is underway and momentum is growing. Traditional and new auto manufacturers are bringing more and more models to market. Even in California, where a tradition of stringent regulation has pushed the industry to innovate over the past 50 years, automakers are selling EVs at levels well above sales requirements.

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Louisiana Oilfield Settlement Agreement Fails to Release Non-Party

Energy & the Law

Most states call it a third-party beneficiary contract. Leave it to Louisiana to be different. In Adams v. Chevron USA Inc. , the plaintiffs claimed that oilfield pipe-cleaning activities of Chevron and others contaminated their land with NORM. The Grafers owned the land where, pursuant to a lease, the pipes and other equipment were cleaned. Plaintiffs also sought damages from the Grefers for their own alleged negligence.

2014 147
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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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Livestock Operations Are Responsible for Over Half of California’s Methane Emissions—Why Won’t CARB Regulate Them?

Legal Planet

U.S. Dep’t of Agriculture At a recent California Air Resources Board (CARB) meeting, a staff member responded to a question about why CARB’s program for reducing emissions from transportation fuels incentivized the capture of methane from landfills so much less than the capture of methane from dairies: “Landfills have a different CI [carbon intensity] score because they are regulated,” the staff member explained.

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Why Native Women’s Voices Are Crucial to Saving Brazil’s Forests

Yale E360

Cristiane Julião — a member of the Pankararu Indigenous group and co-founder of the National Articulation of Ancestral Warriors Women — challenges the deeply rooted sexism that hinders environmental protection in Brazil. “The state needs to listen to women,” she insists.

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Defense of a Deed Signed by a 12-Year-Old Fails

Energy & the Law

Foreshadowing a grim future for family weddings and funerals, Bell and Petsch v. Petch is a property dispute over five tracts of land in Gillespie County, Texas, in which siblings are the combatants. The events are less important than the takeaway: To win an adverse possession claim, the claimant must establish all six of the elements. Adverse possession , the requirements actual and visible possession of the disputed property that is adverse and hostile to the claims of the owner of record titl

2020 147
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Taylor Swift and Climate Change Songs

Legal Planet

We don’t need Taylor Swift to “fall in love with a climate scientist,” we just wish she’d write a song about the climate crisis. When the breathless coverage of her relationship with Travis Kelce first boosted ratings for NFL football, some suggested Swift should use her star power for good by “dating a climate scientist.” Though they probably meant well, it’s offensive—misogynist even— to suggest that Taylor Swift has nothing more to contribute to the climate movement than a date.

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Human-Caused Warming Now a Major Factor in Formation of El Niño

Yale E360

A new study finds that climate change has become a significant factor in the formation of El Niños.

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Sowing Scholar-Activism: Situating Solidarity Alongside Science

Union of Concerned Scientists

Many frontline communities serve as the source of scientific data for researchers and scientists looking to use them as research topics—but see little to no benefit in sharing their knowledge, expertise, and traditions. Some communities have even seen their efforts and livelihoods undermined by outside scholarship, and from these negative experiences, develop a healthy distrust of academics.

Politics 311
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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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New Report Details Massachusetts Whole-of-Government Approach to Climate Crisis

Law and Environment

Yesterday, Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer issued a report detailing how “to implement the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s whole-of-government approach to addressing the climate crisis.” The report identifies trends, barriers, and gaps in Massachusetts climate policy, establishes guiding principles for whole-of-government climate action, and offers recommendations to strengthen the “climate-related practices and policies of executive department agencies.

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How countries can go fossil fuel free with wind and solar superpowers

New Scientist

South Australia is a renewable energy champion and now plans a truly fossil fuel-free grid. How did it make such a remarkable turnaround, and can the rest of the world follow suit?

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Bird Flu Reaches Antarctic Region

Yale E360

Scientists have recorded the first cases of avian flu in the Antarctic, finding the disease has spread among migrating brown skuas.

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Does Humanity Have to Eat Meat?

Scientific American

Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

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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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Statement: Reversing forced boundary expansions in Hamilton, Halton, Waterloo and other municipalities would be another modest step towards ending Ontario’s sprawl and land speculation scandal

Enviromental Defense

Statement by Phil Pothen, Ontario Environmen t Program Manager on Ontario Government’s Commitment to Reverse Forced Boundary Expansions in Hamilton, Halton, Waterloo and other Ontario Municipalities Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – The provincial government will take another modest step to try to end its sprawl and land speculation scandal if it follows through on Minister Calandra’s promise to reverse the

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How Much Trash is in the Ocean?

Ocean Conservancy

In many ways, the ocean is “ground zero” for the plastic pollution crisis. It is so vast, yet plastics have been found in every corner of the ocean —from the deepest trench to the most remote Arctic ice sheets. Sea turtles , whales and seabirds are frequently discovered with plastics in their guts, unable to escape the plastic deluge. So, it’s normal to wonder, how much trash is in the ocean?

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Smart glasses that play sounds help people who are blind find objects

New Scientist

Smart glasses that play a specific noise when an object comes into their field of view, such as the sound of a page turning to represent a book, enable people who are blind to locate that item

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What Happens to a Werewolf on the Moon?

Scientific American

Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

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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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What the Expiration of the 2018 Farm Bill Means for Food and Agriculture

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

On October 1, 2023, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 – more commonly known as the 2018 Farm Bill – expired. The expiration did not come as a surprise, as Congress’ timeline for reauthorizing the 2018 Farm Bill has been increasingly drawn out for a variety of reasons such that neither the House nor Senate Agriculture Committees have yet been ready to unveil their bills.

2018 130
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Extinction Findings Underscore Need for Strong ESA

NRDC

Twenty-one long-missing endangered species have been declared extinct. Far from a failure of the ESA, the announcement shows the need for prompt ESA protections.

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Vegan cheese made from fermented peas could taste more like dairy

New Scientist

When a mixture of pea protein and sunflower oil is fermented with lactic acid-producing bacteria, it develops a firm texture and produces flavour compounds found in dairy cheese

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What Went Wrong with a Highly Publicized COVID Mask Analysis?

Scientific American

Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

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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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The Plucky Puffin, Endangered Yet Coping: Scientists Link Emergence of a Hybrid Subspecies to Climate Change

Inside Climate News

Studying puffin populations on three Norwegian islands, scientists have uncovered the first evidence to connect a large-scale hybridization to 20th-century warming trends. Yet a serious decline in the birds’’ genetic diversity does not bode well for their future. By Lydia Larsen The brisk increase in warming rates in the Arctic is bringing rapid shifts in range for plants and animals across the region’s tree of life.

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DEP Secretary Negrin Resigns Effective Dec. 8, On Medical Leave; Jessica Shirley Named Interim Acting Secretary

PA Environment Daily

On October 26, ABC27 News reported DEP Secretary Richard Negrin resigned his position and is on medical leave until December 8. In an October 26 email to DEP employees, Acting Secretary Shirley confirmed “there has been a leadership change” and she will lead the agency until a replacement is named. Jessica Shirley Jessica Shirley was named Acting Executive Deputy Secretary at DEP in February 2023.

2006 122
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Roosters may be able to recognise themselves in a mirror

New Scientist

Very few non-human animals have passed the mirror self-recognition test, but roosters have now succeeded at a modified version, which may mean they can understand that a reflection represents their own body

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The World Solved Acid Rain. We Can Also Solve Climate Change

Scientific American

Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

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Farm Animal Confinement: Legal Challenges to Mass. Question 3

National Law Center

Last October, the Supreme Court (“SCOTUS”) considered a challenge to Proposition 12, a California law regulating the production and sale of. The post Farm Animal Confinement: Legal Challenges to Mass. Question 3 appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

Law 118
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Sen. Mastriano To Introduce Bill To Establish A Process To Formally Recognize The Lenape Nation In Pennsylvania

PA Environment Daily

On October 20, Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Adams) began circulating a co-sponsor memo announcing he plans to introduce legislation to establish a process for the formal recognition of the Lenape Nation by the Commonwealth. “The Lenape Nation of Pennsylvania has worked as stewards and caretakers of the Delaware River and have engaged in partnerships with over 130 organizations who work together to protect the Delaware watershed.

2002 119
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We may finally know which brain cells cause motion sickness

New Scientist

Researchers have identified neurons in mice that influence whether the animals experience motion sickness, which could lead to new ways of preventing the condition in humans

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All Natural Numbers Are Either Happy or Sad. Some Are Narcissistic, Too

Scientific American

Scientific American is the essential guide to the most awe-inspiring advances in science and technology, explaining how they change our understanding of the world and shape our lives.

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Do people everywhere care less about their cats than their dogs?

Frontiers

by Angharad Brewer Gillham, Frontiers science writer Image/Shutterstock.com Previous studies have suggested that owners care more about dogs than cats — maybe because dogs are generally considered more affectionate and require more hands-on care. But these studies have used convenience samples and are only based in one country. Scientists surveyed representative samples from Denmark, Austria, and the UK, and found that people generally invest more emotionally and financially in their dogs than t

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Federal Court Dismisses Fishing Industry Challenge to Massachusetts Offshore Wind Project

Endangered Species Law

On Thursday, October 12, 2023, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted summary judgment in favor of the United States Department of the Interior and Vineyard Wind, and denied summary judgment to the plaintiffs in two cases challenging federal authorizations for the Vineyard Wind project: Seafreeze Shoreside, Inc. v.

2023 116