Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Winter is once again here, bringing great festivities and respite via holidays, but also great worries to energy regulators, grid operators, and communities about dangerous winter storms that can spread across large parts of the United States and negatively affect electric grid reliability. Power plants that use methane gas as a fuel will be relied upon to keep people warm and out of the dark, since gas plants are the country’s largest source of generating capacity.

Electricity 273

Electricity Fossil Fuels 2011 2014 273

Clean Energy Law

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The Private Members Bill, if passed, would establish the UK’s first law mandating business due diligence on human rights and the environment. By Paul A. Davies , Michael D. Green , and James Bee On 28 November 2023, Baroness Young of Hornsey (Baroness Young) introduced the Commercial Organisations and Public Authorities Duty (Human Rights and Environment) Bill (the Bill) to the UK House of Lords.

Deforestation 130

Deforestation Law 2023 Government 130

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

A new technology called AntiFake prevents the theft of the sound of your voice by making it more difficult for AI tools to analyze vocal recordings

Technology 143

Technology Technology 143

Inside Climate News

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Animals’ roles in the carbon cycle have long been overlooked. At the climate conference in Dubai, scientists showed how rewilding ecosystems can have big climate benefits. By Bob Berwyn DUBAI, United Arab Emirates— As COP28 ended with just a faint glimmer of hope that the world will take seriously the need to decarbonize by 2050, leading scientists at the conference said it’s time to “put the protection and restoration of wild ecosystems at the heart of global climate policy” as a viable option

Carbon Dioxide 129

Carbon Dioxide Climate Change 129

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

New Scientist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

The AI company DeepMind claims it has developed a way to harness the creativity of chatbots to solve mathematical problems while filtering out mistakes

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133

Inside Climate News

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Scientist-activists ask the world’s biggest society of earth and space scientists to revoke the fossil fuel industry’s social license. By Liza Gross SAN FRANCISCO—Scientists who have risked their careers, freedom and livelihoods led a town hall meeting here on Tuesday at the world’s largest annual gathering of earth and space scientists to ask their colleagues to consider what their professional society’s stance should be in relation to the fossil fuel industry.

Fossil Fuels 123

Fossil Fuels Climate Change 123

New Scientist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Hydrogen cyanide, ethane and traces of methanol are present in the water spewing from Enceladus's ocean – all of which could be building blocks of life

Ocean 123

Ocean 123

NRDC

DECEMBER 14, 2023

EPA should do more to protect pollinators – and we need to ramp up resources to help farmers build healthy ecosystems themselves.

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140

The Applied Ecologist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Lenka Kuglerová, John S. Richardson, Timo Muotka, Darshanaa Chellaiah and Jussi Jyväsjärvi talk to us about their latest perspective article which suggests that locally developed and adjusted targets for riparian buffers must move away from vague objectives. A switch towards quantifiable goals that specify what is supposed to be achieved and protected will help to implement, monitor and evaluate targets.

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112

NRDC

DECEMBER 14, 2023

After EPA issues rare veto of massive Bristol Bay mine, Dunleavy Administration throws lifeline to Canadian owner, lodging dubious claims in U.S. Supreme Court.

2023 122

2023 122

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

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 14, 2023

On December 14, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced it will host nearly 60 guided hikes in 43 state parks and two forest districts on New Year’s Day, as part of the nationwide “First Day Hike” efforts. These guided hikes, all taking place on January 1, are designed to promote a healthy start in the new year while offering families an opportunity to forge new and stronger connections with the outdoors.

2024 107

2024 Natural Resources Conservation 2023 107

NRDC

DECEMBER 14, 2023

During COP28, the White House released a strategy to guide federal agencies towards incorporating justice and equity in ocean use and conservation.

Ocean 126

Ocean Conservation 126

New Scientist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Fagilde’s trapdoor spider seemingly vanished after it was first described in 1931, but now scientists have finally spotted it again in northern Portugal

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117

Washington Nature

DECEMBER 14, 2023

By Anya Blaney Ocean scientist and TNC in Washington trustee Marco Hatch creates opportunities for under-resourced students to pursue higher education while revitalizing ancestral clam gardens. As climate challenges unfold, clam gardens remain a testament to the resilience of Indigenous people and nature. These intertidal structures—where the land and sea meet during low and high tides—are vital to maintaining healthy waters and sustainable food systems.

Ocean 98

Ocean 2002 Environmental Science Conservation 98

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

Earth 911

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Antifreeze: Wise car owners have some stored in the garage to keep their engines running. The post Recycling Mystery: Antifreeze appeared first on Earth911.

Recycling 104

Recycling 104

New Scientist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Potentially dangerous battery damage that would normally be hidden from sight could be revealed quickly and at low cost using ultrasound waves

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109

Ocean Conservancy

DECEMBER 14, 2023

We know the deep sea is full of some exceptional animals—for proof, look no further than the gulper eel , lizardfish or snailfish. Today, we’re diving into another weird and wonderful deep-sea fish: the blob sculpin. Despite its somewhat lackluster name, the blob sculpin has flashy adaptations that allow it to thrive in the harsh conditions of the deep sea.

Ocean 93

Ocean Conservation 93

NRDC

DECEMBER 14, 2023

After EPA issues rare veto of massive Bristol Bay mine, Dunleavy Administration throws lifeline to Canadian owner, lodging dubious claims in U.S. Supreme Court.

2023 98

2023 98

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Sustainable Development

New Scientist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Pressure sensors on a prosthetic foot that send electrical pulses to the spinal cord help improve walking stability – and they also reduce phantom limb pain by an average of 70 per cent

Electricity 92

Electricity 92

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

More people are using doorbell cameras and sharing the footage with the police, but there are few data showing their effectiveness

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102

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Ontario’s blue bin system is failing to keep non-alcoholic beverage containers out of landfills and the environment Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – We are relieved to learn that The Beer Store’s successful reuse and recycling program will be preserved. The existing deposit return program keeps hundreds of millions of reusable glass beer bottles in circulation, and even more cans and plastic container

Recycling 82

Recycling Government 82

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Even as the COP28 climate meeting agreed to transition away from fossil fuels, global emissions are on the rise, coal consumption is set to break records, and oil and gas production is booming in the U.S.

Fossil Fuels 91

Fossil Fuels Climate Change 91

National Law Center

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Agriculture can be a hazardous occupation, and adding child workers into the equation can lead to even more dangerous situations. During. The post Recent Federal and State Legislation to Amend Child Labor Laws appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

Law 82

Law 82

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

New studies unlock the mysteries of prosopometamorphopsia, a disorder that distorts faces.

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113

New Scientist

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Maze-like bones in the noses of Arctic seals turn out to be an adaptation for keeping warm in chilly conditions

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Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Molecules in Enceladus’s icy plumes suggest that alien life could exist in our solar system

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PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 14, 2023

On December 14, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has issued a Notice of Violation (NOV) to Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Lackawanna County for failure to control odors at its facility in the boroughs of Dunmore and Throop. The action comes after the DEP confirmed landfill gas odors numerous times in the past several months. During the months of November and December, DEP staff conducted after-hours odor patrols twice daily, including nights and weekends and were able to co

Waste 75

Waste 2023 Environmental Protection Regulations 75

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Retrieving isn’t just for dogs, but the emerging science of cat play can’t fully explain the feline phenomenon

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Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Statement by Emilia Belliveau, Energy Transition Program Manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – At today’s Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development (ENVI) hearings, Imperial Oil’s CEO, Brad Corson, refused to accept full responsibility for the tailings leak, underscoring the failure of oil companies to protect communities and the environment from their toxic waste.

Waste 67

Waste 2009 Sustainable Development Government 67

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Emma Unson Rotor worked on the proximity fuze, a groundbreaking piece of World War II weapons technology that the U.S. War Department called “second only to the atomic bomb.

Technology 75

Technology Technology 75

Nanotech

DECEMBER 14, 2023

This week, listeners are in for a real treat as I sit down with Dr. Meibao Zhuang, Senior Scientist/Regulatory Consultant with B&C and our consulting affiliate, The Acta Group, to discuss double-stranded ribonucleic acid interference, better known as ds RNAi. Ds RNAi is a technology that allows scientists to silence (or interfere with) a particular gene.

Technology 64

Technology Technology 64

Scientific American

DECEMBER 14, 2023

New studies unlock the mysteries of prosopometamorphopsia, a disorder that distorts faces.

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Acoel

DECEMBER 14, 2023

Posted on December 14, 2023 by Jeff Thaler ‘Twas the 4 th night of Hanukkah, 11 th night of COP 28, umpteenth night of Christmas lights and inflatables, and 16 th night before Kwanzaa, and all through my mind is not that this is the 200 th anniversary of the original “’Twas the” poem, nor wondering if anyone is lighting menorahs in Dubai (they are—the first “purpose-built synagogue in the Persian Gulf in a hundred years” opened this winter in the UAE), but rather for climate sensitive souls the

Climate Change 52

Climate Change 2010 Recycling 2024 52