Trending Articles

article thumbnail

Chicago’s “Quantum Prairie” Promises New Era of Great Lakes Technology and Water Use

Circle of Blue

Where the mouth of the Calumet River meets Lake Michigan on Chicago’s Southeast Side is an abandoned lakefront parcel where one of the world’s largest steel mills once operated. For over 100 years, U.S. Steel South Works provided jobs to over 20,000 Chicagoans at its peak and served as one of the Windy City’s largest employers. In 1992, South Works closed, leaving behind a legacy of heavy industry and pollution.

article thumbnail

The Struggle against Fossil Sovereignty: The International Court of Justice in the Climate Crisis

Law Columbia

Private actors are still expanding fossil fuel exploration and production while states continue to enable and even encourage such activities by granting subsidies, licences, and legal protection. This happens even though most fossil fuels must clearly stay in the ground if the Paris target of limiting global warming to 1.5˚C is to stay within reach ( IPCC , IEA , and UNEP agree).

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

Book review: Climate Injustice, by Friedericke Otto

A Greener Life

Friedericke Otto’s Climate Injustice. By Jeremy Williams The book cover of Climate Injustice. Friedericke Otto is a German climatologist who is best known for her work on climate attribution science. This is the science of assessing natural disasters and determining to what extent they have been caused by climate change. That is explained in her previous book, Angry Weather , which hinted at how this new science could be a tool for justice.

article thumbnail

Iranian president says country is on brink of dire water crisis

Circle of Blue

DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian warned against excessive water consumption which he said was untenable for the country and could leave Tehran facing severe shortages by September, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday. Faced with resource mismanagement and over-consumption, Iran has faced recurrent electricity, gas and water shortages during peak demand months. “In Tehran, if we cannot manage and people do not cooperate in controlling consumption,

article thumbnail

Precision in Motion: Why Process Optimization Is the Future of Manufacturing

Speaker: Jason Chester, Director, Product Management

In today’s manufacturing landscape, staying competitive means moving beyond reactive quality checks and toward real-time, data-driven process control. But what does true manufacturing process optimization look like—and why is it more urgent now than ever? Join Jason Chester in this new, thought-provoking session on how modern manufacturers are rethinking quality operations from the ground up.

article thumbnail

Why suppressing all wildfires has made today’s megafires worse

Nature

Nature, Published online: 05 August 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02455-4 Satellites, drones and artificial-intelligence tools can improve fire management — but they must be informed by wildfire science, or we risk worsening the problem for decades.

article thumbnail

PFAS Update: States Continue To Be Out Front on PFAS in Products Restrictions

Arnold Porter

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often dubbed “forever chemicals,” continue to be a major focus of environmental regulation across the United States. At least 10 states have enacted prohibitions on sales of certain products containing PFAS, such as in carpets and rugs and personal care products. Several states have enacted very broad prohibitions affecting a substantial number of consumer use product categories; New Mexico is the most recent to join the ranks of a handful

More Trending

article thumbnail

The Animal Agriculture Industry Undermines Climate Action

Legal Planet

Photo by MRC Témiscamingue via Unsplash The case for decarbonization to address climate change is often, understandably, directed toward the fossil fuel industry. Public opinion toward the oil and gas industry has shifted in recent years, driven in part by public protests and litigation. Why hasn’t there been more movement against greenhouse gas emissions caused by animal agriculture?

article thumbnail

August 4 - Weekly PA Environment Digest Now Available

PA Environment Daily

“The people have a right to clean air, pure water, and to the preservation of the natural, scenic, historic and esthetic values of the environment. Pennsylvania's public natural resources are the common property of all the people, including generations yet to come. As trustee of these resources, the Commonwealth shall conserve and maintain them for the benefit of all the people.” -- Article I, Section 27 Pennsylvania Constitution [It’s Not A Suggestion] Click Here To View Or Print The Entire Aug

article thumbnail

We can repurpose retired coal plants to produce green energy

New Scientist

Piles of dirt can cheaply store renewable energy as heat – and that stored energy can reactivate the machinery of retired coal power plants, letting them provide backup power for the electricity grid

article thumbnail

Green Chemistry and the Ten Commandments of Sustainability

Environmental News Bits

Manahan, S. E. (n.d.). Green Chemistry and the Ten Commandments of Sustainability. LibreTexts Commons. Retrieved August 5, 2025, from [link] Abstract Green chemistry seeks to present a body of chemical knowledge from the most fundamental level within a framework of the relationship of chemical science to human beings, their surroundings, and their environment.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

Chemours, DuPont, Corteva settle New Jersey PFAS claims for $875 million

Circle of Blue

This story was originally published by Reuters ; August 4, 2025 (Reuters) -Chemours, DuPont and Corteva have agreed to pay $875 million over 25 years to the State of New Jersey to settle environmental claims including pollution linked to PFAS, or “forever chemicals”, the companies said on Monday. Lawsuits accusing major chemical companies of polluting U.S. drinking water with toxic PFAS chemicals led to over $11 billion in settlements in 2023, with experts predicting that new federal

article thumbnail

Safer States Publishes Takeaways from 2025 Legislative Session on Toxic Chemicals and Plastics, Including PFAS and Microplastics

Nanotech

On July 23, 2025, Safer States published its takeaways from the 2025 legislative session on toxic chemicals and plastics. According to Safer States, in 2025, ten states have adopted at least 22 policies intended to reduce exposure to toxic chemicals and advance safer solutions. Safer States notes the following trends from the 2025 legislative sessions: Safer States anticipates that this momentum will continue in the states that still have active legislative sessions.

article thumbnail

Lancaster Clean Water Partners: Record-Breaking Rainfall In Lancaster County Put Stormwater, Watershed Restoration Projects To The Test

PA Environment Daily

The following article was first printed on the Lancaster Clean Water Partners Blog which has more photos and information. July brought record-breaking rainfall to Lancaster County, putting our local stormwater solutions to the test. July 1 brought nearly 7 inches of rain to Manheim. Nearly 5 inches was reported at the Lancaster Airport and 3 inches in West Lampeter Township.

article thumbnail

Can Residential Electrification Support Energy Affordability?

Legal Planet

As the L.A. City Council considers repealing the city’s All-Electric Building Ordinance, reacting to the 2023 decision in California Restaurant Association v. Berkeley , new UCLA research suggests that electric buildings can save LA households hundreds of dollars each year on energy bills. Over the past decade, Los Angeles city leadership has put forth a suite of ambitious climate mitigation goals.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

I want to be Green! The role of social engagement in a circular economy transition

Environmental News Bits

Ferrante, L., & Scandurra, F. (2025). I want to be Green! The role of social engagement in a circular economy transition. Journal of Policy Modeling. [link] Abstract Over the past decades, the circular economy has garnered significant attention from the international community as a paradigm for economic recovery, poverty alleviation, and emissions reduction, all contributing … Continue reading I want to be Green!

article thumbnail

Factbox- What are the key recommendations for reforming UK’s water sector?

Circle of Blue

Originally published July 21, 2025 LONDON (Reuters) -An official report released on Monday outlined a plan to overhaul Britain’s water sector, seeking to better protect the environment, investors, and consumers. The privatised water industry in England and Wales has sparked widespread anger by releasing record levels of sewage into rivers and lakes, prompting the Labour government to promise major reforms when it was elected last year.

article thumbnail

Troubling Scenes From an Arctic in Full-Tilt Crisis

Inside Climate News

The heat that hit Svalbard in February was so intense that scientists could dig into the ground with spoons, "like it was soft ice cream." By Matt Simon, Grist This story was originally published by Grist. Sign up for Grist’s weekly newsletter here.

article thumbnail

Shaver's Creek Environmental Center Has A New Animal Ambassador-- Pip, A Northern Hawk Owl Chick

PA Environment Daily

A tiny owl with a big mission has landed at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg, Huntingdon County. Pip, a Northern hawk owl chick, is helping the center break new ground as one of the first in the country to raise this rare species in a conservation education environment. The arrival marks a new chapter not only for Shaver’s Creek, which is a service of Penn State Outreach, but for the entire community that will learn and grow alongside Pip.

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

World Cannot Recycle Its Way Out of Plastics Crisis, Report Warns

Yale E360

The 8 billion tons of plastic waste that have amassed on Earth pose a grave and growing danger to human health, according to a new report published in the leading medical journal The Lancet. Ahead of a U.N. conference on plastic pollution, authors warn that countries urgently need to cut production.

article thumbnail

Webinar: The Hidden Costs of PFAS Remediation: Energy, Waste, and Long-Term Viability

Environmental News Bits

Aug, 19, 2025, noon CTRegistration This seminar, hosted by the Center for the Remediation of Complex Sites (RemPlex) and the Sustainable Remediation Forum (SURF), will explore the environmental footprint of treating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination.

article thumbnail

When tracking corporate climate conduct, do we focus too much on emissions?

Law Columbia

A low-angle shot of skyscrapers on a foggy day. Original public domain image from Wikimedia Commons This blog is the first in a three-part series on sustainable finance metrics that better evaluate corporate climate risk, opportunity, and impact, and make metrics more relevant to financial decision-making. Corporate climate practices have matured for over a decade, creating a specialized industry of experts evaluating climate performance within and outside of firms of all stripes.

article thumbnail

China embarks on world’s largest hydropower dam, capital markets cheer

Circle of Blue

By Farah Master and Samuel Shen; July 21, 2025 HONG KONG/SHANGHAI (Reuters) -China’s Premier Li Qiang announced construction had begun on what will be the world’s largest hydropower dam, on the eastern rim of the Tibetan Plateau, at an estimated cost of at least $170 billion, the official Xinhua news agency said. Commencement of the hydropower project, China’s most ambitious since the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze, was seized by Chinese markets as proof of economic stimulus,

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults

PA Environment Daily

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults-- Awards/Recognition -- DCNR Highlights 10 Years Of Workforce Training Through The Expanded PA Outdoor Corps Program For Young People Ages 15-25 [PaEN] -- PA Wilds Center 2025 PA Wilds Champions Received Awards At July 24 Dinner -- Republican Herald: Auburn Tree Farm Chosen To Send Christmas Tree To VP Vance Home In D.C. -- Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Multi-Municipal Shade Tree Commis

article thumbnail

How I’m electrifying transportation in Tanzania

Nature

Nature, Published online: 04 August 2025; doi:10.1038/d41586-025-02463-4 Technician Erasto Job assembles and fixes electric three-wheelers for TRí, a sustainable transportation company in Dar es Salaam.

article thumbnail

As politicians quarrel over wildfire smoke, research on its health impacts piles up

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Inside Climate News. A growing body of research shows the cascading health impacts of wildfire smoke, from cognitive decline to heart issues.

article thumbnail

The Ruling and the Mirror: The ICJ’s Climate Change Advisory Opinion as Institutional Self-Portrait

Law Columbia

On July 24, 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its long-awaited advisory opinion on climate change. Reactions have been swift and enthusiastic. Some of the excitement arguably stems less from the content of the ruling than from the sheer scale of the process itself. The list of individuals who appeared before the Court during the two weeks of hearings back in December reads like a who’s who of contemporary international law – an extraordinary assembly of legal minds that si

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

Sustainability In Your Ear: Carbon Direct Chief Scientist Julio Friedmann on the Path to Carbon Removal

Earth 911

The scale of our climate challenge is staggering: humans have pumped 1.6 trillion tonnes of. The post Sustainability In Your Ear: Carbon Direct Chief Scientist Julio Friedmann on the Path to Carbon Removal appeared first on Earth911.

article thumbnail

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Draft Chesapeake Bay Agreement Falls Short; Bay Faces Pivotal Moment And A Stronger Bay Agreement Is Needed

PA Environment Daily

As state and federal leaders around the region update the major agreement guiding Chesapeake Bay restoration, this August is a pivotal time to urge stronger measures to protect the Bay. A draft update of the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed is open for public feedback through Sept. 1, and people across the region can urge leaders to adopt a stronger Bay Agreement here.

article thumbnail

Data Center Permitting: A Roadmap     

Legal Planet

The Department of Energy estimates that power use by data centers could be three times as high in 2030 as it was in 2023. The reason is AI, which is fueling a big buildout of new data and computing centers. These facilities will require permits, as a new White House report on AI acknowledges. This wave of new facilities is going to be a jolt to the permitting system, depending on the source of the power.

article thumbnail

Safer Stuff: Green Chemistry Gets Down to Business

Environmental News Bits

This video is an introduction to green chemistry and is episode 1 of a 7 episode documentary series, Safer Stuff: Green Chemistry Gets Down to Business, which is an upbeat exploration of solutions to the problem of toxic chemicals in everyday products and the part green chemistry plays.

article thumbnail

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.