Fri.Mar 24, 2023

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Rising Seas, Rising Stakes: The Case for an International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion 

Union of Concerned Scientists

Heat-trapping emissions are continuing to rise while the gap between what is needed to keep Paris Agreement goals in reach and adapt to ongoing climate impacts is ever-widening. This dire state of affairs is just one of the reasons why the Republic of Vanuatu and more than 100 other nations have drafted a resolution asking the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to issue an advisory opinion on climate change.

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European Central Bank Cuts Carbon Intensity of Corporate Bond Purchases in Half

Yale E360

The European Central Bank has made marked progress on its goal of investing in lower-carbon corporations, cutting the carbon intensity of new corporate bond purchases in half, a new report shows.

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Can International Law Save the Planet from Climate Change?

Union of Concerned Scientists

For the first time, the International Court of Justice (ICJ)—the world’s highest court—may be ruling on climate change. Ranging from human rights violations to border disputes, conflicts among nations are often complex and contentious. When diplomacy needs backup, countries turn to resolve their disputes at the ICJ, the United Nations’ principal judicial organ, to set the tone for international law.

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Electronic wound dressing releases drugs to help injuries heal

New Scientist

A stretchable sticking plaster detects whether an injury is healing well and uses stimulating electrodes and microinjections of drugs to speed up the process

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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

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Why Nuclear Justice for the Marshall Islands is the Biggest US-China Issue You’ve Never Heard Of

Union of Concerned Scientists

From wayward balloons to the future of TikTok, the US-China relationship has been front-page news, and tensions are high. But you might not have heard about the three small but mighty Pacific Island Nations sitting right in the middle of this tension: the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Republic of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

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Frontiers’ Volunteers: February’s friendly competitions for good 

Frontiers

Frontons wasted no time when it came to jumping back into volunteer activities at the start of the new year, even challenging colleagues to join them in doing good with some friendly competition. This month, we talk to journal launch specialist and Sustainability Network launch team member Hannah Kulmatycki and portfolio manager and production team member Vikki Davies about the challenges to start off 2023.

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DEP Posts 67 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In March 25 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the March 25 PA Bulletin -- -- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 25 PA Bulletin that it received a Notice of Intent under the Land Recycling Act from Norfolk Southern to start the next phase of cleanup in areas impacted by the May 26, 2022 train derailment in Harmar Township, Allegheny County. ( PA Bulletin, page 1721 ) The derailment was caused by a truck unlawfully stopped on the mainline tracks in Har

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Wearable anti-anxiety device strokes your arm with a furry pompom

New Scientist

A device that is worn around the forearm reduces anxiety during stressful tasks by gently dragging a small patch of fake fur across a person’s skin

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WeConservePA Highlights Education Programs Coming Up Through June

PA Environment Daily

The good folks at WeConservePA this week highlighted just a few of their education programs coming up between now and June. Here’s the calendar-- -- March 28: Responding to Emergency Threats to Water Quality in the Poconos, 1-2PM, Virtual: In this free virtual webinar, Donna Kohut and Abby Jones of PennFuture will recap a multi-pronged legal and communications campaign spearheaded in the Pocono region to counteract environmentally problematic developments that threatened the historically remarka

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Is GPT-4 already showing signs of artificial general intelligence?

New Scientist

Microsoft has created a series of tests for OpenAI's GPT-4 that it claims show the artificial intelligence model is already displaying "sparks" of general intelligence

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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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Rachel Schattman – Sustainable management & community engagement are the keys

Frontiers

Author: Rafa Tasnim Dr Rachel E Schattman is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Agriculture at the University of Maine School of Food and Agriculture , where she leads a group of graduate students and staff scientists in the Agroecology Lab. She is also a fellow with The George J Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions and an associate of the University of Maine Climate Change Institute.

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How to see the moon, Venus, Jupiter and Mars line up tonight

New Scientist

Tonight, after sunset, it will be possible to see three planets line up with the crescent moon – and a fourth, if you have binoculars and a dark sky

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Spending What it Takes: 7 Things We Want in Budget 2023

Enviromental Defense

Ahead of Budget 2023, we joined over 20 other organizations in calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to scale up climate investments in order to build a thriving, stable and healthy future for people in Canada. The campaign, 2% for Our Future , urges the federal government to invest two per cent of GDP over five years in climate solutions, including renewable energy infrastructure, job training, home and business retrofits and more.

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Music-Making Artificial Intelligence is Getting Scary Good

Scientific American

Google’s new AI model can generate entirely new music from text prompts. Here’s what they sound like.

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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.

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Statement from Michelle Woodhouse, Water Program Manager, Environmental Defence, on historic $420 million funding for Great Lakes protection

Enviromental Defense

Federal government is committing $420 million over the next 10 years to protect and preserve the Great Lakes Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – Today’s announcement by the government of Canada to devote $420 million over ten years to protect and preserve the Great Lakes is a moment for celebration.

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We may finally know why people tend to regain weight after losing it

New Scientist

When mice lose weight, brain signals that trigger hunger are dialed up, making the animals eat more until they return to their starting weight

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Allegheny County Conservation District, Grow Pittsburgh Offering Gardeners Free Soil Lead Screening April 19-22

PA Environment Daily

The Allegheny County Conservation District is hosting its bi-annual free soil lead screening in partnership with Grow Pittsburgh from April 19 to 22. Soil samples will be accepted at five locations. Interest in backyard gardening is surging in Allegheny County, as well as initiatives to revitalize vacant lots into community green space and urban gardens.

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UK criticised for failing to join UN-backed river restoration scheme

New Scientist

The Freshwater Challenge is a pledge for nations across the world to restore 300,000 kilometres of rivers and 350 million hectares of wetlands by 2030.

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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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DEP: Norfolk Southern Gives Notice On Starting Next Phase Of Cleanup At Site Of 2022 Trail Derailment In Harmar Twp., Allegheny County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the March 25 PA Bulletin it received formal notice Norfolk Southern Railroad is starting the next phase of cleanup in areas impacted by the May 26, 2022 train derailment in Harmar Township, Allegheny County. ( PA Bulletin, page 1721 ) The derailment was caused by a truck unlawfully stopped on the mainline tracks in Harmar Township that resulted in 17 tank cars derailing and the release of petroleum distillates, diesel fuel, and polym

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Mysteriously Young 'Peekaboo' Galaxy Could Reveal Secrets of Early Universe

Scientific American

A strange discovery could provide a window into the universe’s earliest galaxies

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PA Resources Council Partnering With Large-Scale Events In Western PA To Reduce Event Waste Thru Zero Waste Program

PA Environment Daily

Again this year, many of Western Pennsylvania’s largest festivals, foot races and fundraisers will share a common theme – waste reduction – as the PA Resources Council aims to reduce event waste through its Zero Waste Program. “In addition to greening festivals and fundraisers, PRC offers commercial businesses, institutions and local governments across the state a wide variety of Zero Waste services including technical assistance, audits and analysis,” explains PRC Executive Director Darren Spie

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IPCC Report Will Likely Shake Up U.N. Climate Talks

Scientific American

Scientists say countries need to cut emissions far deeper to prevent catastrophic warming. That fact will hang over delegates when they meet later this year at the annual U.N.

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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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PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices/Opportunities To Comment - March 25

PA Environment Daily

The following DEP notices were published in the March 25 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. Land Recycling/Brownfield Cleanups -- 2022 Train Derailment Site - Harmar Twp., Allegheny County. DEP received Notice Of Intent from the Norfolk Southern Railroad on the next phase of cleanup of areas impacted by the May 26, 2022 train derailment in Harmar Township, Allegheny County. ( PA Bulletin, page 1721 ) The derailme

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Hundreds of children made to wear GPS tags by UK's Ministry of Justice

New Scientist

Child offenders as young as 12 have been given GPS ankle tags as part of a scheme introduced for England and Wales by the UK's Ministry of Justice

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Registration Open! Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy's Summer Student Science Academy

PA Environment Daily

The Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy is set to host their annual Summer Science Academy single day and week long camps throughout the summer in Schwenksville, Montgomery County. Professional educators will lead small groups in hands-on explorations and outdoor discovery. If your child enjoys spending time outdoors and learning about nature, they will love summer camp at the Conservancy!

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Least Grebe

Reflections of the Natural World

Beautiful Birds of Belize Blog – Post #3 By Jim Gain 3/24/2023 About this Bird The Least Grebe (Tachybaptus dominicus) is a small waterbird that inhabits freshwater wetlands throughout the Yucatan Peninsula.

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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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DEP Sets May 10 Hearing On Perdue AgriBusiness Plant NOx/VOC RACT 3 Air Quality Plan In Lancaster County

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection will hold a May 10 hearing on a proposed RACT 3 Air Quality Plan related to nitrogen oxide and volatile organic compound emissions at the Perdue AgriBusiness LLC plant in Conoy Township, Lancaster County. ( PA Bulletin, page 1722 ) The hearing will be held at the DEP Southcentral Regional Office, 909 Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg starting at 10:00 a.m.

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City life may help Darwin's finches survive bloodsucking flies

New Scientist

In the Galapagos Islands, finches that live near cities have higher survival rates against parasitic flies than those who live in the country

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What is spillover? Bird flu outbreak underscores need for early detection to prevent the next big pandemic

Environmental News Bits

by Treana Mayer, Colorado State University The current epidemic of avian influenza has killed over 58 million birds in the U.S. as of February 2023. Following on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, large outbreaks of viruses like bird flu raise the specter of another disease jumping from animals into humans. This process is called … Continue reading What is spillover?

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What the IPCC Report Says About Our Ocean

Ocean Conservancy

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has sounded the alarm on climate change since their first report in 1990. Their reports provide policymakers with the information they need, like those in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) who set the ambition for global climate action. This week the IPCC released the AR6 Synthesis Report , and the message is clear: To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we need to drastically cut emissions.

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Colombia targets reforestation growth

A Greener Life

Colombia’s Environment Minister Susana Muhamad during COP27. Photo credit: Reuters / Emilie Madi. By Anders Lorenzen When talking about the Amazon rainforest, most of us think of Brazil. This without realizing that the bordering country, Colombia , has a fair share of the world’s largest tropical forest. And in a green push, the government of Colombia has announced an ambitious reforestation target.