Wed.Feb 21, 2024

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Will the EPA Strengthen Ethylene Oxide Standards Without Outside Interference?

Union of Concerned Scientists

One year ago, UCS published a report on ethylene oxide (EtO), a colorless toxic gas that is emitted by chemical manufacturing and medical device sterilization facilities. We found that medical device sterilization facilities, known as “commercial sterilizers,” are scattered throughout residential communities nationwide, within five miles of nearly 13 million people in the United States and Puerto Rico.

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California’s Climate Leadership: A Timeline

Legal Planet

The Golden State has adopted a slew of climate change laws over the past twenty years, and an even greater number of regulations. To help you keep track, here is a timeline of California’s most important actions. 2002 SB1078. California established first renewable portfolio standard (20% from renewables by 2010). AB 1493 (Pavley Act). Required the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to set standards for greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) new vehicles. 2006 AB 32.

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Europe Sees Natural Gas Demand Hit 10-Year Low

Yale E360

In the two years since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, European demand for natural gas has dropped by 20 percent.

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Could Neanderthals Make Art?

Scientific American

Scientists are finding ever-earlier examples of artistic expression in the archaeological record that reshape what we know about the abilities of Neanderthals and other archaic humans

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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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Largest volcanic eruption in recorded history happened 7300 years ago

New Scientist

The Kikai-Akahoya eruption of an underwater volcano off the coast of Japan ejected enough material to fill Lake Tahoe twice, three times as much as the eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815

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New Analysis Shows Widespread PFAS Contamination of Tap Water in CA

NRDC

Estimate of Californians with PFAS in drinking water jumps to 25 million - highlights need for proposed bill SB 903 to end unnecessary use of forever chemicals.

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Sculptures about to Land on the Moon Join a Long History of Lunar Art

Scientific American

A lunar lander nicknamed Odie carries 125 small moon sculptures by artist Jeff Koons that could become the first authorized artwork on the moon

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Magnificent yellow-crested bird photographed for the first time

New Scientist

The yellow-crested helmetshrike was considered lost after going unseen for nearly 20 years – now an expedition has rediscovered what appears to be a healthy population in central Africa

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Citizen Complaint Leads DEP To Possible Breakout Of Mariner East Natural Gas Liquids Pipeline Drilling Mud That Contaminated The Lake At Marsh Creek State Park, Chester County

PA Environment Daily

In response to a citizen complaint on February 15, DEP inspected a tributary that feeds the lake at Marsh Creek State Park in Chester County on February 16 and found a clay-like material contaminating the stream and a portion of the nearby wetlands. DEP’s inspection report notes the area is the location where a sinkhole developed and an “inadvertent return” of drilling mud used in the construction of the Energy Transfer/Sunoco Mariner East Pipeline occurred in August 2020.

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Stark mountain landscapes exposed in Canada as glaciers shrink

New Scientist

Global warming means many of the world’s ancient rivers of ice will be gone within decades, threatening ecosystems that rely on their meltwater, a looming crisis that photographer Edward Burtynsky highlights in his work

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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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Scientists Are Putting ChatGPT Brains Inside Robot Bodies. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Scientific American

The effort to give robots AI brains is revealing big practical challenges—and bigger ethical concerns

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Humpback whales have a specialised larynx for underwater singing

New Scientist

The distinctive melodies of baleen whales are produced by pushing air against a fatty cushion on one side of the larynx, and a sac lets them recycle air back into the lungs

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Why Writing by Hand Is Better for Memory and Learning

Scientific American

Engaging the fine motor system to produce letters by hand has positive effects on learning and memory

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Batteries made with water could power e-scooters without exploding

New Scientist

In the hunt for an alternative to lithium-ion batteries, which can catch fire, researchers have developed an improved water-based power source

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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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A New Type of Cancer Drug Shrinks Hard-to-Treat Tumors

Scientific American

New drugs called antibody-drug conjugates help patients with cancers that used to be beyond treatment

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Is the human brain really the most complex object in the universe?

New Scientist

There are 86 billion neurons in your brain, roughly the same number as there are galaxies in the observable universe.

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Chimpanzees and Bonobos Have Surprisingly Different Parenting Styles

Scientific American

Chimpanzee “helicopter moms” often protect their offspring from bullies, but bonobo moms are more hands-off

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'Useless' appendage of the ovaries may play key role in fertility

New Scientist

An appendage of the ovaries that had been dismissed as useless may actually help control ovulation and the menopause

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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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Keep PA Beautiful: Sheila Shea, Fayette County Recycling Coordinator Recognized With Community Pride Award

PA Environment Daily

On February 20, Keep PA Beautiful recognized Sheila Shea, Fayette County Recycling Coordinator, with the Community Pride Award. She was nominated for the Award by Sen. Patrick Stefano (R-Fayette). “Sheila has done an outstanding job growing Fayette County’s recycling program over the past years. It’s because of her efforts that recycling is more accessible throughout the county now than ever before,” Sen.

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How Sleep Engineering Could Help Heal the Brain

Scientific American

Stimulating the sleeping brain may ease suffering from memory loss, stroke or mental health problems

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LDEQ Releases Louisiana’s First-Ever Voluntary Environmental Self-Audit Program

The Energy Law Blog

On December 20, 2023, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (“LDEQ”) issued regulations implementing the state’s first-ever voluntary environmental self-audit program. Pursuant to La. R.S. § 30:2044, the regulations provide for the reduction or elimination of civil penalties for certain violations disclosed to LDEQ as the result of a voluntary environmental self-audit.

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Deepfakes are out of control – is it too late to stop them?

New Scientist

AI-manipulated audio clips, images and videos have been used to harass people, scam money and influence elections, despite efforts to rein them in

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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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Mike Schaefer: Stewarding a Remarkable Trustee's Gifts of Time and Money to Pacific Northwest Conservation

Washington Nature

By Anya Blaney © Mike Schaefer Mike Schaefer began his decades-long involvement with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) by stewarding the legacy donations of his late partner, Ric Weiland. The first donation to TNC was a $6.4 million gift to its global programs, and the second was a $6.4 million gift to the Washington chapter. Those funds were directed toward protecting and restoring vital wild salmon habitats that run along the Hoh, Queets, Clearwater, and Quinault Rivers on the Olympic Peninsula, an

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Supercommunicators review: Learning how to change deeply held beliefs

New Scientist

In Charles Duhigg's new book, we discover why some people are great at getting others to alter entrenched views, where conversation fits in and how neuroscience underpins it all

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Penn State Extension Watershed Winds: Webinars On Managing Natural Resources On Farms; Nutrient Retention On Pasture Lands; Art Gover Recognized; Other Educational Opportunities

PA Environment Daily

The latest Watershed Winds newsletter from Penn State Extension highlights lots of upcoming learning opportunities. Managing Natural Resources On Farms Penn State Extension will be offering free webinars on Mondays at noon to highlight climate-smart agriculture, stream restoration, and pond management on farms-- -- February 26: Climate Smart Ag Mitigation and Spotlight on Conservation Practices This presentation will review the USDA's mitigation categories and common agricultural conservation pr

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Constellation review: Thriller's science frustrates but it looks great

New Scientist

After the International Space Station is hit by a mystery object, astronaut Jo Ericsson must fix an escape module to get home – against the clock and shifting realities.

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Weather forecasts can help us save migratory birds from collisions with city buildings

The Applied Ecologist

In their latest research article, Sara Kross, Katherine Chen, Benjamin Van Doren and colleagues utilise 5 years of bird collision counts in New York City to determine the influence of nocturnal weather conditions and bird migration traffic rates on collisions with buildings.

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Just add sugar for an almost death-defying study on tea and coffee

New Scientist

Feedback is astonished at the results of research into the mortality of tea and coffee-drinking Danes

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Chicago Becomes the Latest City to Sue the Oil Industry over Climate Change

Scientific American

Chicago has joined several other cities and states in suing oil companies.

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Alarm over ultra-processed food shouldn't put us off plant-based diets

New Scientist

The concern over factory-made fare, especially many plant-based meat substitutes, is often misplaced and lacking evidence, says biologist Jenny Chapman

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DEP: No Applicants Have Asked For Their Money Back Yet Under The PAyback Permit Review Money Back Guarantee Program

PA Environment Daily

On February 21, DEP reported that since the state’s PAyback Money Back Permit Review Guarantee Program started on November 1, 2023, no applicant for a DEP permit in the program has requested their permit application fee back. The comments were made at the DEP Environmental Justice Advisory Board meeting. “As of last week, we had about 2,100 pending authorizations that were received by DEP after November first,” said Ramez Ziadeh, Acting DEP Executive Deputy Secretary.

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Neural-network brain scans are revealing how to boost your creativity

New Scientist

With fresh insights into the communication between different brain networks in creative people, neuroscientists have shown how we can all produce more original ideas

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