Mon.Apr 22, 2024

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Some scientists say insects are conscious – it doesn't settle anything

New Scientist

A group of around 40 scientists signed a declaration calling for formal acknowledgement of consciousness in a range of animals, including insects and fish – but the evidence is still lacking

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How a Cloned Ferret Inspired a DNA Bank for Endangered Species

Scientific American

The birth of a cloned black-footed ferret named Elizabeth Ann, and her two new sisters, has sparked a new pilot program to preserve the tissues of hundreds of endangered species “just in case”

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Has the US finally figured out how to do high-speed rail?

New Scientist

As work begins on building the US’s first high-speed rail service – linking Los Angeles to Las Vegas – analysts say the project could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the country

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We Must Stop the Campellville Quarry

Enviromental Defense

This is a guest blog by George Minakakis, Chair of ACTION Milton and Campbellville resident. In the heart of Milton, a looming threat endangers the very essence of community life. The proposed Reid Road Reservoir Quarry is more than just a local issue – it’s a call to protect our fundamental right to clean drinking water, fresh air, and a safe living environment.

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Changing the Game with MES: Cut Costs, Drive Efficiency, & Achieve Sustainability Goals!

Speaker: Nikhil Joshi, Founder & President of Snic Solutions

In an era where efficiency is king, are you leveraging the right tools to transform your manufacturing processes? A Manufacturing Execution System (MES) is critical for enhancing operational efficiency, reducing waste, and optimizing energy usage—key factors for improving your bottom line and lowering your carbon footprint. Join Nikhil Joshi, a manufacturing technology expert with 18+ years of hands-on experience, in this new webinar as he uncovers the secrets of MES and how to best utilize thes

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Geoengineering could save the ice sheets – but only if we start soon

New Scientist

Shading the planet by spraying aerosols into the stratosphere might stave off ice sheet collapse, modelling studies suggest, but we are running out of time

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After Months of Gibberish, Voyager 1 Is Communicating Well Again

Scientific American

NASA scientists spent months coaxing the 46-year-old Voyager 1 spacecraft back into healthy communication

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Low-Earth Orbit Faces a Spiraling Debris Threat

Scientific American

Millions of human-made objects travel at high speeds in low-Earth orbit, polluting space and increasing the chance of collision with satellites and other spacecraft

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Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Lancaster Gets Early Earth Day Gift: 100 Trees Planted At Dar Corporation Property

PA Environment Daily

Lancaster received an early Earth Day gift of 100 new trees during the weekend. Dr. Zeshan Ismat of Lancaster City, and Dart Corporation employees. planted 100 trees on the company’s property at 110 Pitney Road, Lancaster, Saturday morning. Dr. Ismat received a 2022 Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award from the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership for her conservation and Environmental Justice work in under-represented portions of her community.

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Earth Day Illustrates the Path Toward Climate and Community Resilience

Washington Nature

By Todd Reeve, CEO of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and James Schroeder, Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Washington Earth Day ignited our collective awareness of challenges facing people and nature, and spurred unparalleled legislative action bringing us cleaner air and water. Five decades later, Washingtonians face an important crossroad: our climate future will be on the ballot this November as Initiative 2117 which would repeal Washington’s most comprehensive

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Independence Conservancy Holds Community Tire Collections In Allegheny, Beaver Counties Starting April 27

PA Environment Daily

Need to get rid of tires or wheels from your car or light truck? The Independence Conservancy will hold affordable community tire collections in cooperation with the following municipalities this spring. All collections are held on Saturday mornings from 9:00 a.m. to Noon. The collection events will be held-- -- April 27: Findlay Township Public Works Department, 1058 Clinton Rd., Clinton, PA 15126 (Allegheny County) -- May 4: Ambridge Borough Building, 600 11th St., Ambridge, PA 15003 (Beaver C

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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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Biden Kicks Off Earth Week with Solar Funding, Expanding Climate Corps

Scientific American

The Biden administration is marking Earth Week with announcements of solar power funding for lower-income communities, an expansion of the Climate Corps and Clean Air Act rules

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April 22 - Earth Day: 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] ++ Earth Day Edition ++ Click Here To View

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Everything you Need to Know About the Sustainable Jobs Act (Bill C-50)

Enviromental Defense

On April 15th, Members of Parliament did something we have been urging them to do for months: they passed the Sustainable Jobs Act, or Bill C-50. This is good news. Countries that are leading the transition to a green economy have had similar legislation for years. Bill C-50 will help Canadian workers and communities prepare for the future in a low-carbon economy.

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A Dozen Nonprofit, Agency, Municipal Environmental Experts Team Up To Tackle Stormwater Runoff In The Lake Erie Watershed, Starting April 25

PA Environment Daily

On April 22, Erie regional nonprofits, municipalities, and agencies are teaming up to offer an event series focused on what Lake Erie Watershed communities can do to reduce stormwater pollution starting April 25. Events this spring and summer will highlight what elected officials and leaders, property owners, and households can do to protect Lake Erie - through action and education.

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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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Earth911 Podcast: Mapping A Smart Path To The Circular Economy At The Ellen MacArthur Foundation REMADE Conference

Earth 911

Tune in to a special Earth Day 2024 episode about accelerating the path to a. The post Earth911 Podcast: Mapping A Smart Path To The Circular Economy At The Ellen MacArthur Foundation REMADE Conference appeared first on Earth911.

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Attend The April 30 Southeast PA Electric School Bus Lunch & Learn Webinar

PA Environment Daily

Community Advocates for Clean Energy and Highland Electric Fleets will host an April 30 Southeast PA Electric Bus Lunch & Learn webinar starting from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants will learn about available funding options, discover resources to help make the electrification process more straightforward, and hear firsthand accounts of what it takes to electrify a depot from Pennsylvania districts that have done it.

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Deliberate fires are responsible for half of the land burned each year

New Scientist

The finding that managed fires burn a much greater area than thought means we may be underestimating the increase in wildfires due to global heating

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Clean Air Council/Sierra Club: PA Falling Behind In Conventional Oil & Gas Well Plugging Bonding; Burden Falls On Taxpayers

PA Environment Daily

On April 22, the Clean Air Council and Sierra Club noted the federal government finalized a significant rule that increases minimum bonding amounts from $10,000 to $150,000 per oil and gas lease on federal land. Well bond amounts are the money that drilling companies have to put aside for eventual cleanup and plugging before being allowed to drill a new well.

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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 might the new global climate finance goal look like?

NRDC

Back in 2015, governments in the UNFCCC agreed to negotiate a new collective quantified goal (NCQG) for climate finance prior to 2025. What are the key elements that countries need to agree on?

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5 Pennsylvania Colleges, Join 3 From North Carolina In Joint Solar Energy Power Purchase Agreement From Facility In Kentucky

PA Environment Daily

On April 22, Dickinson College, Haverford College, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Muhlenberg College and Swarthmore College announced they have joined with three colleges in North Carolina as a part of an innovative, large-scale solar energy facility in western Kentucky. The joint initiative will allow the schools to access the benefits of renewable energy through a deal typically only feasible for large customers.

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Drug residue can be detected in fingerprints left at crime scenes

New Scientist

Forensic investigators can reliably measure drug and explosive residue using gels that lift fingerprint samples

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Gov. Shapiro Announces Commitment To Get 50% Of Electricity For State Government From Solar Energy Facilities In Pennsylvania

PA Environment Daily

On April 22, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined Department of General Services Secretary Reggie McNeil, Constellation President & CEO Joseph Dominguez, and Lightsource bp Senior Vice President Alyssa Edwards to unveil the Commonwealth’s renewable energy initiative, the Pennsylvania Project to Utilize Light and Solar Energy (PA PULSE). By next year, Pennsylvania will get 50 percent of its electricity from ten new solar arrays around the Commonwealth – making Pennsylvania the first state in the country

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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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Time Slows Down When We See Something Memorable

Scientific American

New research shows that looking at memorable images can warp our perception of time

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PUC Urges Congressional Action To Address Potential PFAS ‘Forever Chemical’ Cleanup Liability For Water & Wastewater Utilities

PA Environment Daily

On April 22, members of the Public Utility Commission voiced concerns over the potential impacts on water and wastewater public utilities and the resulting financial burden on Pennsylvania water customers as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency moves toward finalizing its proposal to designate Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) – also known as “forever chemicals” – as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

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Will the Amazon Rain Forest Help Save the Planet?

Scientific American

Years in the making, a project in the Amazon rain forest is finally set to determine whether a rise in carbon dioxide could save one of the world’s largest carbon sinks.

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PennFuture: Learn How To Protect the Natural Environment With Public Participation Public Power - A Community Guide to Local Land Use Decision-Making In PA

PA Environment Daily

On April 22, PennFuture’s Legal Team unveiled its latest guidebook: Public Participation, Public Power: A Community Guide to Local Land Use Decision-Making in Pennsylvania. This new resource is designed to educate and equip community members across Pennsylvania so that they can feel empowered to advocate for themselves and effectively engage in processes that they have often felt left out.

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Peatlands Are One of Earth’s Most Underrated Ecosystems

Cool Green Science

Five places that show the importance of peatlands as allies against climate change. The post Peatlands Are One of Earth’s Most Underrated Ecosystems appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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Quantum Computers Can Run Powerful AI That Works like the Brain

Scientific American

The influential AI design that makes chatbots tick now runs on quantum computers

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EPA Issues Fourth TSCA Test Order for PFAS

Nanotech

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on March 25, 2024, that it has issued the fourth Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) test order requiring testing on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under its National PFAS Testing Strategy. According to EPA, the action requires the 3M Company (3M) and Wacker Chemical Corporation (Wacker) to conduct and submit testing on the physical-chemical properties of 2-(N-Methylperfluoro-1-octanesulfonamido)ethanol (NMeFOSE) (Chemical Abst

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: Experimental Ovarian Cryopreservation Could Delay Menopause, but Experts Are Weighing the Risks

Scientific American

Extracting, freezing and retransplanting slices of hormone-producing ovarian tissue could postpone menopause, but some experts say it’s not effective enough—or necessary

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Guide to the New SEC Climate Disclosure Rules

Capaccio

On March 6, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released a set of disclosure rules that require some public companies to include climate-related information in their annual financial reports. The ultimate aim of the new SEC rules is to reinforce and bolster transparent communication between companies and their investors, particularly in regard to climate-related risks and opportunities.

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Recent progress in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sensing: A critical mini-review

Environmental News Bits

Thompson, D., Zolfigol, N., Xia, Z., & Lei, Y. (2024). Recent progress in per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) sensing: A critical mini-review. Sensors and Actuators Reports, 7, 100189. [link] Abstract Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of fluorinated pollutants found widely in numerous industrial and consumer products.

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