Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 30, 2024

Even casual followers of energy and climate issues have probably heard about the alleged wonders of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs). This is due in no small part to the “ nuclear bros ”: an active and seemingly tireless group of nuclear power advocates who dominate social media discussions on energy by promoting SMRs and other “advanced” nuclear technologies as the only real solution for the climate crisis.

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Legal Planet

MAY 1, 2024

There are many different ways that our global society has attempted to address environmental damage and climate change. We fund climate technology startups. We elect representatives that keep the climate in mind. We start nonprofits dedicated to reestablishing our collective sustainable relationships with earth systems. And we litigate in civil and federal courts at the national level when environmental rights have been violated.

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Law Climate Change Deforestation 2024 233

Legal Planet

APRIL 29, 2024

The bad news is that we’re not yet on track to avoid dangerous climate change. But there’s also good news: We’ve taken important steps that will ease further progress. We should resist the allure of easy optimism, given the scale of the challenges. Neither should we wallow in despair. There’s a good basis for hope. To begin with, there’s been major progress in U.S. climate policy.

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Fossil Fuels 2008 2010 Clean Energy 258

Scientific American

MAY 1, 2024

A Dutch man with lymphoma and other blood disorders was infected with the COVID-causing virus for nearly two years, during which time the pathogen evolved numerous mutations

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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.

2024

Inside Climate News

MAY 1, 2024

Heat waves recently extended across nearly 30 percent of the world’s oceans, an expanse equivalent to the surface area of North America, Asia, Europe and Africa. By Bob Berwyn Over the past several years, the temperature of the Earth’s oceans have been spiking high enough to trigger numerous die-offs of marine species , killing millions of corals, fish, mammals, birds and plants.

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Ocean Climate Change 144

New Scientist

MAY 2, 2024

The record-breaking heat of 2023 has seen a rare disagreement break out between climate scientists, with some saying it shows Earth may have entered a new period of warming

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Climate Change Climate Scientist 2023 136

Scientific American

APRIL 30, 2024

A declaration signed by dozens of scientists says there is ‘a realistic possibility’ for elements of consciousness in reptiles, insects and molluscs

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PA Environment Daily

MAY 3, 2024

On April 30, Senate Bill 1174 (Stefano-R-Fayette) was reported out of the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee with unanimous Republican support that would allow any “public utility” to petition the Public Utility Commission to waive any law, regulation or policy under the Commission’s jurisdiction, if it benefits ratepayers. While the intended purpose of the legislation is to help customers of electric, gas and telephone utilities by providing an opportunity for public utili

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Regulations Law Natural Gas Fossil Fuels 118

New Scientist

APRIL 30, 2024

Long feted by fossil hunters and geologists, if UNESCO recognises the extraordinary rock formation at Madygen in Kyrgyzstan, it will soon be a player on the world stage

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Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 29, 2024

Last year, the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) made headlines across the country when we published a report demonstrating how worsening wildfires in the West are linked to the unrelenting, shameless emissions of the fossil fuel companies. While we hope that our science will bolster efforts to hold these companies accountable, the truth is that such accountability is necessary but insufficient.

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Fossil Fuels Climate Change 2022 Air Pollution 228

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.

Clean Energy

Legal Planet

MAY 2, 2024

The Supreme Court is currently considering whether to overrule the Chevron doctrine. Chevron requires courts to defer to an agency’s reasonable interpretation of an ambiguous statute. We should know by the end of next month whether the current conservative super-majority on the Court will overrule Chevron. In the meantime, it’s illuminating to put the current dispute in the context of the last 80 years of judicial doctrine regarding deference to agencies on issues of law.

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2001 Regulations 2006 2009 130

Scientific American

MAY 1, 2024

One percent of scientific articles published in 2023 showed signs of generative AI’s potential involvement, according to a recent analysis

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2023 145

Real Climate

APRIL 30, 2024

This month’s open thread on climate topics. Many eyes will be focused on whether April temperatures will be the 11th month in row of records… Note that we have updated the data and figures from the Nenana Ice Classic and Dawson City river ice break up pools (the nominal 13th and 5th earliest break-ups (or 15th and 4th, w.r.t. to the vernal equinox) in their respective records)).

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2024 130

New Scientist

MAY 2, 2024

A male Sumatran orangutan chewed the leaves of a plant used in Indonesian traditional medicine and placed them on a wound on his face

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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.

2022

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 1, 2024

Tyson Foods, the largest meat and poultry producer in the United States, churns out billions of animal products each year. In addition to countless ribeye steaks and chicken nuggets, Tyson also produces contaminated wastewater—over 18.5 billion gallons in 2022 alone. This toxic stew includes animal parts and byproducts like blood and feces, pathogens like E. coli and Enterococcus , and nitrogen and phosphorus that can deplete oxygen in bodies of water.

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2018 2022 177

Enviromental Defense

MAY 1, 2024

Statement from Julia Levin, Associate Director, National Climate Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – Today Capital Power announced that they would not be pursuing carbon capture at the Genesee Generating Station, east of Edmonton Alberta, given the high costs and complexity of implementing the technology. The project was first proposed in 2021, and has already received government subsidies.

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Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Renewable Energy Government 119

Scientific American

MAY 1, 2024

As climate change brings more intense heat waves, scientists are trying to understand how certain medications interact with the body’s thermoregulation system

Climate Change 120

Climate Change 120

PA Environment Daily

MAY 1, 2024

On May 1, Senate Republicans passed Senate Bill 832 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) giving a state authority the power to take over the review of all necessary permits from any state agency for large-scale energy projects, eliminating any public comment, waiving any regulation needed for the project and providing immunity from prosecution for waived regulations. The legislation would also authorize the authority to select a licensed land surveyor, landscape architect, engineer or any other state “licensed prof

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Regulations Law Environmental Protection Waste 116

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Sustainable Development

New Scientist

MAY 3, 2024

The inactivation of one copy of the X chromosome in female mammals may start to fail as they get older, which may be why women have a higher risk of autoimmune conditions such as lupus

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Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 29, 2024

Earlier this month, the Environmental Protection Agency announced it would regulate two forms of PFAS contamination under Superfund laws reserved for “the nation’s worst hazardous waste sites.” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said the action will ensure that “polluters pay for the costs to clean up pollution threatening the health of communities.

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Regulations Toxic Substances Control Act Government 2006 158

Enviromental Defense

APRIL 30, 2024

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – In November 2022, Ontario Premier Doug Ford claimed that sprawl construction would be in progress on the Greenbelt by the end of 2023. Developers tried to evict tenants to make way for construction and survey trucks were on the ground in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve.

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2025 Government 2023 Law 122

Scientific American

MAY 2, 2024

Researchers say this may be the first observation of a nonhuman animal purposefully treating a wound with a medicinal plant

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PA Environment Daily

MAY 2, 2024

On May 2, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) approved his recent request to make financial aid available to survivors after devastating flooding on April 11-12, 2024. SBA financial aid is available in Allegheny County as well as the surrounding counties of Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington and Westmoreland. Read more here.

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2024 2025 Government 103

New Scientist

MAY 1, 2024

People who were asked to recall past events that made them angry experienced a change to their blood vessels that has been linked with heart attacks

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PBS Nature

MAY 1, 2024

Crowds await the arrival of Grizzly 399, the most famous bear in Grand Teton National Park. When she arrives, she surprises "her fans" with an exceptional litter of four cubs.

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Enviromental Defense

APRIL 29, 2024

This Earth Month, Environmental Defence celebrated its 40th Anniversary. Our Executive Director, Tim Gray, marked the occasion with a speech underscored with a message of hope—a message we’d like to share with all of you now. Four decades of creating meaningful change is no small feat and perseverance often requires hope. But, as you’ll read in Tim’s message below, there’s a certain type of hope that promises a better future, and it’s one rooted in grit, not blind optimism.

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Recycling Climate Change Government Electricity 114

Scientific American

MAY 3, 2024

Lobbyists’ and politicians’ campaigns against lab-grown meat appeal to emotion, not logic and reason

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PA Environment Daily

MAY 2, 2024

“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] House next voting day May 6, 7, 8, 20, 21

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Natural Gas Conservation 2024 Natural Resources 109

New Scientist

MAY 3, 2024

The air and dust in climbing centres contain high levels of rubber particles from the soles of climbing shoes, some of which contain toxic additives

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HumanNature

APRIL 30, 2024

Written by Samantha Nordstrom Art Club event organizer Sidney Stadelmann shows event attendees how to start a wind chime craft from a repurposed can at the Nancy Richards Design Center on April 17. (Samantha Nordstrom | The Green Bulletin) The Student Sustainability Center, Art Club, and Center for Environmental Justice hosted a climate grief workshop focusing on transforming anxiety into art from 5-7 p.m. at the Nancy Richards Design Center on April 17.

Waste 98

Waste Cooling Recycling Conservation 98

Enviromental Defense

MAY 2, 2024

Statement from Keith Brooks, Program Director Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – New data released today by the Government of Canada shows that Canada is finally starting to bend the curve when it comes to climate pollution. GHG emissions in 2022 were the lowest they have been in 25 years, with the exception of the pandemic years.

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Greenhouse Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions 98

Scientific American

APRIL 29, 2024

With an injection of rat cells, mouse brains that were genetically engineered to be unable to smell could detect odors and even track down an Oreo cookie stash

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PA Environment Daily

MAY 3, 2024

The following DEP notices were published in the May 4 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. Land Recycling/Brownfield Cleanups -- Range Resources-Appalachia, LLC - Cornwall Mountain Shale Gas Well Pad: DEP approved a Final Report on remediation of soil contaminated with wastewater to meet the Statewide Health Standard for the pad located in Lewis Twp., Lycoming County. ( PA Bulletin, page 2415 ) -- Chesapeake Appala

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Air Pollution Recycling 2024 Natural Gas 102