Sat.Feb 25, 2023 - Fri.Mar 03, 2023

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Good News from the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Legal Planet

The headline news is that Minnesota has adopted a 2040 deadline for a carbon-free grid. The headline is accurate, but the law in question contains a lot of other interesting features that deserve attention. Despite the law’s extremely unglamorous name (“Senate File 4”), this is a big step forward for the state, as well as evidence of how much difference it makes to unified party control of state government.

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Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves on the Rebound in U.S. Southwest

Yale E360

Once driven to the brink of extinction, Mexican gray wolves have slowly returned to the U.S. Southwest. For the first time since their reintroduction more than two decades ago, their numbers total more than 200, according to federal officials.

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As Millions of Solar Panels Age Out, Recyclers Prepare to Cash In

Yale E360

Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, but they contain valuable metals, including silver and copper. With a surge of expired panels expected soon, companies are emerging that seek to recycle the reusable materials and keep the panels out of landfills.

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Guiding Principles for EV Battery Recycling Policy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Electrifying our transportation system is essential for mitigating emissions that cause climate change and adverse health impacts. This electrification will require a lot more batteries and therefore a lot more minerals. Recovering these materials from retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries is an alternative source to mining. Essentially, the materials recovered through battery recycling can replace future material supply that would otherwise need to be extracted from the earth to meet demand.

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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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The Great-Great-Grandmother of Climate Science

Legal Planet

The first climate science ever published was in 1856 by Eunice Newton Foote, who discovered that CO2 and water vapor trapped the sun’s heat. Her paper was read at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. That paper, along with another paper of hers, were the only physics papers by an American woman for the next thirty years.

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Explorers Club Names J. Carl Ganter a Fellow, Recognizing Contributions to Freshwater Research, Conservation and Journalism

Circle of Blue

Circle of Blue co-founder joins roster of explorers who have “inspired many of the world’s greatest discoveries” as water stress becomes a serious threat to people, business, the environment and political stability across the world NEW YORK (FEB 27, 2023) — The Explorers Club — the distinguished international society that promotes scientific expeditions and discovery that push the bounds of human possibility — has named J.

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Chevron Corporation Authorizes $75B Share Repurchase Program

Environment + Energy Leader

“Chevron intends to be a leader in both traditional and new energy businesses,” said Mike Wirth, chairman, and CEO. “We’re growing energy supply, lowering carbon intensity, and returning more cash to shareholders.” The post Chevron Corporation Authorizes $75B Share Repurchase Program appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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CEQA and UC Berkeley Housing: Don’t Panic

Legal Planet

Where’s The Toga? (Photo Credit: Library of Congress) Lots of screaming and yelling about last week’s Court of Appeal CEQA decision concerning student housing at UC Berkeley. The Court struck down the university’s plan for more student housing on the grounds that the final Environmental Impact Report did not adequately assess noise impacts from students.

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The Stream, March 1, 2023: Okefenokee Swamp, Among World’s Largest Freshwater Wetlands, Threatened by Proposed Mine

Circle of Blue

Shanties in Portelinha, a favela in São Paulo, Brazil. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN In southern Ukraine , a reservoir controlled by Russian troops has been drained to its lowest level in three decades. Extreme rains and mudslides in southeastern Brazil kill dozens of people and force thousands from their homes. Farming leaders in England push for new reservoirs as water shortages become more common and severe.

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Minnesota Can Do More to Protect People from Ethylene Oxide Emissions

Union of Concerned Scientists

Lately, I have been writing a lot about cumulative impacts from environmental hazards. Meanwhile, the Union of Concern Scientists just published an important report on the potential threat posed by emissions of ethylene oxide from facilities that use the cancer-causing gas to sterilize medical equipment and other products. The report includes case studies of hotspots for ethylene oxide emissions (including in Minnesota ) and an interactive map.

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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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Louisville Selects Solar Energy Solutions & Icon Solar Power for Solar Over Louisville Campaign

Environment + Energy Leader

The Solar Over Louisville initiative proved to be a significant success as 92 contracts were signed, marking it as the third-largest solar campaign in the US in 2022, and the most extensive solar project to date in Louisville. The post Louisville Selects Solar Energy Solutions & Icon Solar Power for Solar Over Louisville Campaign appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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To Study Human-Wildlife Encounters, Scientists Turn to Tik Tok

Yale E360

Herders on the Tibetan plateau are prone to seeing gray wolves, snow leopards, brown bears, and other wildlife, with the potential for conflict. Historically, it has been difficult to study these encounters, but the rise of smartphones has given researchers a valuable new tool — videos of wildlife taken by the herders themselves.

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Reserved Royalty Interest is “Floating”

Energy & the Law

Co-author Tiereney Bowman* Texas courts continue to address the “fixed or floating” non-participating royalty interest question. The El Paso Court of Appeals’ answer in Bridges v. Uhl et al. was floating, based on the language in that particular reservation, In 1940 the Klattenhoffs sold a 640-acre tract in Upton County to Virgil Powell, reserving, “an undivided one-half (1/2) of the usual one-eighth (1/8) royalty in, to and under the above-described land….

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“Temporada de peligro” en Sudamérica: El cambio climático rompe los récords de calor en la región

Union of Concerned Scientists

Traducido del inglés por Felipe Castro Mientras una ola de frío ártico sin precedentes se apoderaba de Estados Unidos, una ola de calor sin precedentes se extendía por partes de Sudamérica durante gran parte de los últimos meses. Mientras nos encontramos en medio de brutales tormentas invernales en el hemisferio norte, resulta fácil olvidar que es verano en el hemisferio sur.

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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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Philips Persists in ESG Commitments, Despite Disappointing Year

Environment + Energy Leader

In spite of widespread recalls, Philips reduced operational emissions and announced major progress towards its ESG commitments. The post Philips Persists in ESG Commitments, Despite Disappointing Year appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Remnants of Two Banned Insecticides Nearly Eliminated in Great Lakes Region

Yale E360

Two banned insecticides known to linger in the atmosphere have been all but eliminated from North America's Great Lakes region, a study finds.

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Oil’s Fate is in CA Voters’ Hands

Legal Planet

The impacts of oil and gas production on the environment and communities, particularly low-income communities of color, are well-documented. The health effects associated with living near oil and gas wells include asthma, nose bleeds, headaches, birth defects, cancer, and premature death. Oil and gas operations also pollute the air and water and contribute to climate change.

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Long-Running Texas Boundary Dispute Continues

Energy & the Law

Co-author Travis Nadilini Ellison v. Three Rivers Acquisition LLC et al. , on remand from the Texas Supreme Court, is the third round of a boundary dispute between mineral lessees in Irion County. For the history of Ms. Ellison’s odyssey from court to court to court, see our 2019 post discussing the first Court of Appeals decision , and our 2021 post discussing the Supreme Court decision.

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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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LG Innotek Receives ISO Cybersecurity Assurance Program Certificate from UL Solutions

Environment + Energy Leader

UL Solutions assists automotive OEMs and suppliers in evaluating cybersecurity risks across the entire life cycle of their products helping to detect potential issues in the design phase, thereby preventing the discovery of problems in the final product. The post LG Innotek Receives ISO Cybersecurity Assurance Program Certificate from UL Solutions appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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A Simple Thing You Can Do to Benefit Backyard Birds and Bees

Cool Green Science

It’s time to ease up on the spring clean-up to help pollinators and other local wildlife. The post A Simple Thing You Can Do to Benefit Backyard Birds and Bees appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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Vaccine Makers Are Preparing for Bird Flu

Scientific American

Although most experts say bird flu is not an immediate threat to humans, efforts are underway to produce vaccines for H5N1 or another potential pandemic virus

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We’re starting to understand how viruses trigger chronic conditions

New Scientist

Widespread cases of long covid have shone a spotlight on the role viral infections play in previously neglected conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

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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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UAE Companies Sign $2B of Industrial Agreements

Environment + Energy Leader

Companies from the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain signed industrial agreements with an investment value exceeding $2 billion at the third Higher Committee meeting of the Industrial Partnership for Sustainable Economic Development. The post UAE Companies Sign $2B of Industrial Agreements appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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12 exotic bacteria found to passively collect rare earth elements from wastewater

Frontiers

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer Scientists have shown that the biomass of 12 previously unstudied strains of cyanobacteria from around the globe is efficient at the biosorption of the rare earth elements lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and terbium from aqueous solutions. This allows these rare elements, for which demand is steadily growing, to be collected from wastewater from mining, metallurgy, and the recycling of e-waste, and reused.

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Is the Alpha Wolf Idea a Myth?

Scientific American

The idea that wolf packs are led by a merciless dictator, or alpha wolf, comes from old studies of captive wolves.

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Giant insect thought extinct in eastern US found in a Walmart

New Scientist

A giant lacewing found clinging to the exterior of a supermarket is the first time in 50 years the species been spotted in the eastern half of the US

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The Surprise Parts Obsolescence Impact of PFAS

Environment + Energy Leader

When it comes to PFAS (forever chemicals) regulations are secondary — production sunsetting and parts obsolescence is where manufacturers will first feel the pressure. The post The Surprise Parts Obsolescence Impact of PFAS appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Scientists unveil plan to create biocomputers powered by human brain cells 

Frontiers

by Liad Hollender, Frontiers science writer Credit: Thomas Hartung, Johns Hopkins University Despite AI’s impressive track record, its computational power pales in comparison with that of the human brain. Scientists today unveil a revolutionary path to drive computing forward: organoid intelligence (OI), where lab-grown brain organoids serve as biological hardware. “This new field of biocomputing promises unprecedented advances in computing speed, processing power, data efficiency, and sto

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WOTUS Update: 2022 WOTUS Rule Faces Legal Challenges

National Law Center

In late December 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) released its long-anticipated final rule to redefine the term “waters of the. The post WOTUS Update: 2022 WOTUS Rule Faces Legal Challenges appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Humans Started Riding Horses 5,000 Years Ago, New Evidence Suggests

Scientific American

Archaeologists have found a handful of human skeletons with characteristics that have been linked to horseback riding and are a millennium older than early depictions of humans riding horses

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EPA: Long-Term Trends Show Significant Reductions in Power Sector Emissions

Environment + Energy Leader

Since 1990, power plant emissions of SO2 have declined by 93%, and NOX emissions have decreased by 87%. In 2022, sources in both the CSAPR annual program and the Acid Rain Program (ARP) emitted 0.85 million tons of SO2, a decrease of 11 million tons from 1995 levels. The post EPA: Long-Term Trends Show Significant Reductions in Power Sector Emissions appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Scientists find that people use emojis to hide, as well as show, their feelings

Frontiers

by Angharad Brewer Gillham, Frontiers science writer Image: Shutterstock.com Scientists asked 1,289 people who use emojis to respond to internet chat messages and report their feelings and emoji use. They found that more emojis were used between closer friends, that using positive emojis to express positive feelings correlated with personal wellbeing, and that positive emojis could be used to mask the expression of negative feelings.

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