Sat.Aug 12, 2023 - Fri.Aug 18, 2023

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A Montana Victory for the Youth Climate Movement

Legal Planet

A state court judge in the ‘Last Best Place’ just gave the youth climate movement a shot in the arm with the first decision of its kind that directly connects specific state actions to global climate change and then to injuries suffered by young people. It’s a decision worth reading , as U.S. courts have not yet engaged in this kind of fact-finding on climate change.

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Wealthiest 10 Percent of Americans Responsible for 40 Percent of U.S. Emissions

Yale E360

The top 10 percent of U.S. earners are responsible 40 percent of the country's emissions, according to a new analysis, the first to look at the climate impact of how Americans make money, including from investments.

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EVs Can Support Power Grid Reliability and Reduce Costs. Here’s How.

Union of Concerned Scientists

I’m not going to beat around the bush: the past few years have not been great for the U.S. power grid, particularly when it comes to grid reliability. There have been high-profile rotating power outages caused by a heatwave in California (August 2020), a winter storm in Texas (February 2021), and another winter storm in Tennessee and North Carolina (December 2022).

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Guidance Is Still Not the Same as Regulation

Law and Environment

Earlier this week, the 10 th Circuit Court of Appeals vacated EPA’s disapproval of Montana’s regional haze plan for the PacifiCorp’s Wyodak power plant. The basis for the disapproval was an issue near and dear to my heart. In rejecting Montana’s SIP, EPA repeatedly pointed to Montana’s failure to comply with EPA’s guidelines for determining Best Available Retrofit Technology, even though the guidelines were not enforceable regulations.

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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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Montana “Youth Citizens” Win Landmark Climate Change Case Against State Government

Legal Planet

A Montana state district court has issued its long-awaited decision in a major climate change case brought by Montana children against state officials. In Held v. State of Montana, a Montana trial court ruled that the state Constitution’s guarantee of a healthy and clean environment prevails over Montana’s longstanding fossil-fuel-based state energy system.

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Spreading Rock Dust on Farmland Has Potential to Draw Down Huge Sums of Carbon Dioxide

Yale E360

Spreading volcanic rock dust on cropland could help the world reach a key carbon removal goal, a new study finds.

More Trending

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Federal Court Distinguishes Devon v. Sheppard

Energy & the Law

Co-author London England Producers disappointed by the Supreme Court’s holding in Devon Energy Production v. Sheppard might have reason to feel vindicated. The question in HL Hawkins Jr., Inc. v. Capitan Energy Inc. et al. was whether producer Capitan deducted impermissible post-production costs from gross proceeds used to calculate royalties. Lessor Hawkins‘ royalty was one fourth of gross proceeds.

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Montana Youth Plaintiffs Prevail: One-Off or Tidal Wave?

Law and Environment

Yesterday, the plaintiffs prevailed in the Montana climate litigation. Time will tell whether the decision will end up being seen as a watershed moment or just a blip. In trying to answer that question, it does seem worth briefly reviewing what the case was actually about and what the decision says. First, it’s important to acknowledge that the decision’s formal reach is limited.

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On the Mekong, Sand Mining Threatens the River and a Way of Life

Yale E360

In "Lost Lands" — Second-Place Winner of the Yale Environment 360 Film Contest — Cambodia-based filmmaker Andy Ball focuses on two families who describe how unchecked mining of river sand for urban development has devastated their fisheries and food-producing wetlands.

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California Has a Chance to Ensure EVs Get Even Better With Bidirectional Charging

Union of Concerned Scientists

We are well on our way to an electric transportation future, and that’s a good thing, too. Electrification is a key strategy to reduce climate warming and local air pollution emissions from the transportation sector. Of course, battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) need to obtain electricity from the grid and use that electricity directly as a fuel to power their electric motors.

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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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Consciousness traced to specific clusters of nerve cells in the brain

New Scientist

Researchers have mapped how clusters of nerve cells in the brain connect to regulate wakefulness, which could open doors to new treatments for people in comas

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Ötzi the Iceman Gets a New Looks from Genetic 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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For Decades, Our Carbon Emissions Sped the Growth of Plants — Not Anymore

Yale E360

For the last century, rising levels of carbon dioxide helped plants grow faster, a rare silver lining in human-caused climate change. But now, as drier conditions set in across much of the globe, that uptick in growth is leveling off, a new study finds.

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Natalia Kucirkova and Loleta Fahad – We all must come together – without one part of the puzzle, there isn’t a full picture 

Frontiers

Authors: Rose Gordon-Orr and Carolina Capelo Garcia Natalia Kucirkova is a professor at the University of Stavanger in Norway and The Open University in the UK. She also holds the position of visiting professor at University College London (UCL), UK, and acts as the chair of the International Collective of Children’s Digital Books. Loleta Fahad serves as the head of Career Development in Organizational Development at University College London (UCL), UK.

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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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IBM has just made error correction easier for quantum computers

New Scientist

The difficulty of quantum error correction has been a major stumbling block for quantum computers, but IBM researchers have developed a way to make it far more efficient

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Math's 'Hairy Ball Theorem' Has Surprising Implications

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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Greater Snowfall Can Speed Arctic Melting, Unleashing Buried Carbon, Study Finds

Yale E360

With climate change, parts of the Arctic are seeing greater snowpack. Paradoxically, a thick blanket of snow can speed the melting of permafrost underneath, releasing buried stores of carbon, new research shows.

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A Trailblazer for Tribal Sovereignty

NRDC

NRDC Board member John Echohawk, a member of the Pawnee Nation, has devoted his career to asserting the legal and civil rights of Native Americans.

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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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AI chatbots become more sycophantic as they get more advanced

New Scientist

If a person says they believe an objectively false statement, AIs tend to agree with them – and the problem seems to get worse as models get bigger

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Fossils Buried in LA Tar Pit Show Why Saber-Toothed Cats Blinked Out of Existence

Scientific American

At Los Angeles’ La Brea Tar Pits, scientists found they could watch large mammals disappear from the fossil record—and could trace the ecosystem through the catastrophe

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Third District Declines To Reach CEQA Exemption Claim In Reversing On Other Grounds Judgment Upholding State Department of Public Health’s Approval of Santa Cruz County Needle Exchange Program But Notes New Statutory CEQA Exemption Now Exists

CEQA Developments

In a published opinion filed August 14, 2023, the Third District Court of Appeal reversed a judgment that denied a petition for writ of mandate challenging the State Department of Public Health’s (Department) approval of Real Party in Interest Harm Reduction Coalition of Santa Cruz County’s (real party) needle exchange program. Grant Park Neighborhood Association Advocates v.

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From Highways to Healthy Communities

NRDC

Following the Federal-Aid Highway Act's signing in 1956, California fully built out its interstate and state highway system, expanding mobility access for car-owners, stimulating economic development, and creating thousands of jobs. But these benefits came with unacceptable and avoidable costs.

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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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First cargo ship powered by 'green methanol' has begun maiden voyage

New Scientist

A container ship on its way from South Korea to Denmark is using methanol fuel that reduces emissions – although future fuels may be greener

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What Happens when People with Dementia Commit Crimes?

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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“Compostable” Checkout Bags Are Still Plastic and Should Not Be Exempted from the Federal Single-Use Plastic Bans

Enviromental Defense

Statement from Karen Wirsig on Calgary Co-op’s campaign to exempt its checkout bags from single-use plastic bans Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – We are deeply concerned that the Calgary Co-op grocery store is undermining the federal ban on plastic checkout bags by seeking an exemption for their so-called “compostable” bags.

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8 Great U.S. National Parks for Birding

Cool Green Science

With summer in full swing, there's no better time to go birding. Here are 8 U.S. national parks that offer interesting birding opportunities. The post 8 Great U.S. National Parks for Birding appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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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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Astronomers have found a strange new type of extremely magnetic star

New Scientist

A new type of star may eventually collapse and become a magnetar – a highly magnetic neutron star, whose origins have been a cosmic mystery for decades

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Arecibo Observatory Shuts Down Its Science

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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Celebrating the 7th Annual #WeAreLakeErie Day: Let’s Show Our Government How Much We Love This Global Treasure!

Enviromental Defense

Lake Erie is a global treasure. The lake is home to thousands of species, complex ecosystems, and beautiful sights and vistas. It is also the source of drinking water for around 11 million people. We often talk about the problems plaguing Lake Erie, but behind all those facts and figures, we know there are deep personal connections to Lake Erie and that’s a huge part of what makes the lake so special.

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Sen. Hoylman-Sigal and Advocates Call on Governor Hochul to Sign Birds & Bees Protection Act

NRDC

With summer drawing to a close and World Honey Bee Day approaching (August 19th), legislators, advocates, and farmers from across the state called on Governor Hochul to sign the Birds and Bees Protection Act.

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Black holes may be hurtling around at 10 per cent the speed of light

New Scientist

When two black holes merge to form a single one, it can zoom off at an extraordinary pace – but scientists have found that it does have a speed limit

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