Fri.Feb 21, 2025

article thumbnail

Viewpoint: Resilience is key to climate action in a disrupted world. Here’s why

A Greener Life

Resilience offers a forward-looking approach to corporate climate action and energy transition strategy. Image credit: Getty Images. By Bernice Lee Following the Paris Agreement, corporate enthusiasm for climate action surged, with net-zero commitments and the energy transition taking a central role in both government and business agendas. However, political shifts and implementation challenges have slowed that momentum.

article thumbnail

Rice scientists create tiny, water-based reactors for green chemistry

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from Rice University. Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for performing chemical reactions using water instead of toxic solvents. The scientists created microscopic reactors capable of driving light-powered chemical processes by designing metal complex surfactants (MeCSs) that self-assemble into nanoscale spheres called micelles.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

PUC Approves $9,000 Penalty Against Columbia Gas For Defective Welding At Gas Regulator Station In Beaver County

PA Environment Daily

On February 20, the Public Utility Commission approved a settlement concerning welding issues and in-service repairs that were discovered in October 2021 at a Columbia Gas regulator station in Beaver County. The Commission voted 5-0 to approve the joint settlement presented by Columbia Gas and the PUCs independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E).

article thumbnail

One in four chance per year that rocket junk will enter busy airspace

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story from the University of British Columbia. There’s a 26 per cent annual chance that space rocket junk will re-enter the atmosphere and pass through a busy flight area, according to a recent study.

article thumbnail

Precision in Motion: Why Process Optimization Is the Future of Manufacturing

Speaker: Jason Chester, Director, Product Management

In today’s manufacturing landscape, staying competitive means moving beyond reactive quality checks and toward real-time, data-driven process control. But what does true manufacturing process optimization look like—and why is it more urgent now than ever? Join Jason Chester in this new, thought-provoking session on how modern manufacturers are rethinking quality operations from the ground up.

article thumbnail

New Tools for Communities Seeking to Leverage Energy Infrastructure Projects for Community Priorities

Legal Planet

The Biden Administration placed substantial emphasis on community benefits mechanisms in federal climate infrastructure investments, building on years of legal and community advocacy work that laid the foundation for federal community engagement standards for project developers. With the Trump Administration taking a different approach at the federal level, the role of stakeholders at the local level becomes even more critical.

article thumbnail

EPA facing monumental battery cleanup after LA wildfires

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at The Hill. The Environmental Protection Agency is facing a monumental challenge clearing up batteries after the California wildfires, a task theyre calling the biggest lithium-ion battery cleanup in the history of the agency. Southern California is the nations biggest market for electric vehicles EV and hybrid cars.

More Trending

article thumbnail

Public Environmental Data Partners (updated)

Environmental News Bits

Update 2/21/25: PEDP’s version of EJScreen is now available. They also have data from the CDC. The Public Environmental Data Partners (PEDP) are a volunteer coalition committed to preserving and providing public access to federal environmental data.

article thumbnail

Friday PA Environment & Energy NewsClips - 2.21.25

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 [Its Not A Suggestion] House Voting Schedule Budget Hearings Februa

article thumbnail

What’s the difference between cool climate and warm climate wines?

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at Food & Wine. Vineyards can be found on mountainsides and valley floors, in areas that receive plenty of rain or are extremely arid, alongside coasts, or tucked inland. But few aspects of a wines origin receive more attention than the amount of heat that its grapes are subjected to during … Continue reading Whats the difference between cool climate and warm climate wines?

article thumbnail

Feb. 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam, PA Parks & Forests Foundation

PA Environment Daily

The February 21 Take Five Fridays With Pam is now available from the PA Parks and Forests Foundation featuring articles on-- -- Bald Eagle State Park/Local Fire Companies Ice Rescue Training -- High Winds Cause Damage At Several State Parks -- Forest Fridays: Black CCC Camps In State Forests -- Registration now open for Run For The Trees 5K -- Note: No Take Five Next Week Click Here to read the entire Take Five.

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

Comment: NSAC Responds to “First Tranche” Release of Popular Conservation Funding

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Laura Zaks National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition press@sustainableagriculture.net Tel. 347.563.6408 Comment: NSAC Responds to First Tranche Release of Popular Conservation Funding Washington, DC, February 21, 2025 Today, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) released the following statement attributable to Mike Lavender, NSAC Policy Director, in response to USDAs announcement that it would release a fraction of paused conservation investments.

article thumbnail

PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - February 22

PA Environment Daily

The following notices were published in the February 22 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. -- DEP posted a solicitation on the PA eMarketplace to procure six professional services related to plugging abandoned conventional oil and gas wells. Proposals are due April 14, 2025.

article thumbnail

Push to Rewild in Wealthy Countries Fueling Destruction in Poorer Ones

Yale E360

A new study details how, as wealthy countries rewild farmland, they are driving the destruction of forests in countries that are richer in wildlife.

article thumbnail

DEP Posted 97 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In February 22 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the February 22 PA Bulletin -- -- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - February 22 [PaEN] -- DEP published notice in the Feb. 22 PA Bulletin announcing a March 19 hearing on its interim Hazardous Sites Cleanup Act response at the North Centre Township PFAS Investigation Site in North Centre Township, Columbia County. ( PA Bulletin, page 1772-1773 ) Read more here. -- The Fish and Boat Commission p

article thumbnail

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

article thumbnail

Texas Measles Outbreak Nears 100 Cases, Raising Concerns About Undetected Spread

Scientific American

Low vaccination rates and undetected infections are driving the measles outbreak in West Texas

article thumbnail

Time can move both forwards and backwards at the quantum scale

New Scientist

Physicists may be using mathematical assumptions in many situations that forbid time from moving backwards but that isnt necessarily a reflection of quantum reality

article thumbnail

Feeling Overwhelmed by the News? Here’s How to Protect Your Mental Health

Scientific American

An explanation of the science behind news fatigue, plus expert advice to take control and protect your well-being while staying engaged

article thumbnail

AI can decode digital data stored in DNA in minutes instead of days

New Scientist

A new AI-based method can accurately recover digital data from DNA strands nearly 90 times faster than older techniques, raising the possibility of practical DNA storage for computing

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

"Diversity" Documents That Weren't about DEI Were Purged from OSHA Websites

Scientific American

OSHA webpages removed for containing the word "diversity" had no relation to gender or racial diversity

article thumbnail

Mini-brains have been fused to resemble that of a 40-day-old fetus

New Scientist

By fusing different human organoids, researchers have created mini-brains containing most of the cell types found in fetal brains

article thumbnail

Biological Anthropology Points to Possible Reasons for Hair and Skin Tone Diversity

Scientific American

Humans have a surprising lack of hair for mammals. Biological anthropology may provide insights into why the hair we have sometimes comes out curly.

article thumbnail

US stops sharing flu data with WHO amidst one of its worst flu seasons

New Scientist

The US withdrawal from the World Health Organization formally takes one year, but the country has already stopped sharing influenza surveillance with the international body, which could impact the efficacy of the next flu vaccine

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Why Emotional Sounds Translate across Culture and Language

Scientific American

The sounds we make during emotional moments or when experiencing pain may not be arbitrary

article thumbnail

The bold plan to bring back Tasmanian devils across mainland Australia

New Scientist

Tasmanian devils are already being released inside predator-proof sanctuaries in New South Wales, and rewilding advocates believe they could suppress feral cats and foxes across the continent

article thumbnail

What’s on the Milky Way’s Far Side?

Scientific American

With radio and infrared telescopes, astronomers can pierce the dusty veil of our galaxy and map its farthest reaches

article thumbnail

Asteroid 2024 YR4 will now almost certainly miss Earth in 2032

New Scientist

New observations have dramatically reduced the chances of asteroid 2024 YR4 hitting Earth in 2032, lowering the risk to the planet to minimal levels, but the extraordinary close approach will now offer astronomers the chance to examine it in detail

article thumbnail

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.

article thumbnail

Delaware River Basin Commission Releases 2025 Annual Report On The State Of The Delaware River Watershed

PA Environment Daily

On February 21, the Delaware River Basin Commission released its 2025 State of the Basin report , which provides an overview of the health of the water resources and key species of the Delaware River Basin, along with factors impacting the Basin including water pollution and climate change. "I am pleased to say the state of the Delaware River Basin is generally good and improving in several key indicators," said DRBC Executive Director Kristen Bowman Kavanagh.

article thumbnail

How one farm is testing multiple carbon-capture tricks all at once

New Scientist

Rock dust, compost and biochar can all help capture carbon dioxide and boost crop yields when spread on soil but researchers are discovering they may be even more effective when used in combination

article thumbnail

Falling costs drive US toward green energy — even as political tides shift

Environmental News Bits

Read the full story at The Hill. The U.S. is barreling toward an energy transition as renewables especially solar become ever-cheaper sources of energy.

article thumbnail

Hair conditioner made from wood is black and smelly, but eco-friendly

New Scientist

Hair conditioner made using lignin, a polymer found in wood and bark, works just as well as a commercial product - as long as you don't mind the smell

article thumbnail

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.