August, 2022

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Rare and Severe Weather Events Are Now More Common Thanks to Climate Change

Union of Concerned Scientists

This summer, also known as danger season , already has seen record heat waves, drought, and floods. It continues a trend of recent summers that saw record flooding, major hurricanes, and severe wildfires unlike what many of us can remember from our lifetimes. When these types of events happen, they are often couched in terms of an event once-every-x-number-of-years.

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Climate impacts of the #IRA

Real Climate

With the signing of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on Tuesday Aug 16, the most significant climate legislation in US federal history (so far) became law. Despite the odd name (and greatly overused TLA ), the IRA contains a huge number of elements, totalling roughly $350 billion of investment, in climate solutions over the next ten years. This is an historic effort though it falls short of the broader ‘ Green New Deal ‘ goals that were proposed in 2019, and doesn’t include al

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‘A Tsunami of Human Waste’: Half of South Africa’s Sewage Treatment Works Are Failing, Says Report

Circle of Blue

A critically failing sewage works in Springbok in the Northern Cape is one of 334 in the country which obtained a Green Drop score of 30% or less. The cause of the failure was not investigated but is typical of broader municipal service failures. Photo © Steve Kretzmann / CCIJ. By Steve Kretzmann, CCIJ — July 9, 2022. Data visualizations by Yuxi Wang.

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Collateral Damage: The Environmental Impacts of the Ukraine War

Yale E360

As the war in Ukraine drags on, scientists are increasingly concerned about the environmental consequences of the destruction. From forests ignited by shelling to wrecked factories spewing pollution to precarious nuclear plants, the long-term impacts could be profound. Read more on E360 ?.

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Manufacturing Sustainability Surge: Your Guide to Data-Driven Energy Optimization & Decarbonization

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.

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Two Companies Join Together to Produce Commercial Quantities of SAF from Hemp Biomass

Environment + Energy Leader

Atlantic Biomass signed a Letter of Intent with Bionoid signaling their joint commitment to producing commercial quantities of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) from residual hemp biomass. The post Two Companies Join Together to Produce Commercial Quantities of SAF from Hemp Biomass appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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For the Love of Lake Erie

Enviromental Defense

Written by Annette Paiement, Artist, Producer. Growing up in Ontario, I have always had a deep connection to the Great Lakes, so when the opportunity arose to work with Environmental Defence to assist with raising awareness about threats to Lake Erie, I jumped at the chance. With a background in arts & culture, using visual art to engage people was a natural way for me to connect with people from different communities.

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Can Wolves and Beavers Help Save the West From Global Warming?

Inside Climate News

A regional rewilding network would help capture carbon, boost water supplies and protect against flooding and drought. By Bob Berwyn Restoring and protecting beaver and wolf populations and reducing cattle grazing across large tracts of the western United States could be a big part of meeting President Joe Biden’s goal of conserving at least 30 percent of the country’s lands, lakes and rivers by 2030, a new study suggests.

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Arizona and California Farmers, Targets for Colorado River Cuts, Draft Their Conservation Strategy

Circle of Blue

Nearly 1 million acre-feet of compensated water cuts are being discussed. Farm fields resemble a mosaic in California’s Imperial Valley. The Imperial Irrigation District holds more rights to Colorado River water than any other user in the basin. Photo © Brent Stirton/Reportage by Getty Images for Circle of Blue. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – August 4, 2022.

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River Cleanups Move to the Next Level Using Grasses and Oysters

Yale E360

In the Delaware River and other waterways and estuaries across the United States, scientists and conservationists are restoring aquatic vegetation and beds of mussels and oysters to fight pollution and create a strong foundation for healthy ecosystems. Read more on E360 ?.

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How Beauty Brands Can Better Market Sustainability

Environment + Energy Leader

The new ‘Social Media Sustainability Playbook’ report from Eyecue Insights suggests that for industry-wide sustainability to succeed, brands must improve their messaging. The post How Beauty Brands Can Better Market Sustainability appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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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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These are the UK supermarket items with the worst environmental impact

New Scientist

Meat, fish and cheese top the list of food products with the biggest environmental impact, in new research that points the way to widespread eco labels

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Why I Have Renewed Hope for Climate Action on Farms

Union of Concerned Scientists

Watching the climate crisis unfolding all around us, I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of hope and disappointment over the last year. With last week’s surprise announcement about a Senate compromise on climate action legislation, I’m back to hope again. My colleagues have argued forcefully about what’s at stake and how the Inflation Reduction Act would affect the cars we drive.

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Modern pesticides damage the brain of bees so they can’t move in a straight line

Frontiers

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer. Image: Shutterstock.com. Researchers show for the first time that honeybee foragers exposed to the pesticides sulfoxaflor and imidacloprid have an impaired optomotor response, which makes them poor at keeping themselves on a straight trajectory while moving. This impairment is accompanied by damage to brain cells and dysregulation of detoxification genes.

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“Fighting for Inches” in the Southeast’s Struggle With Salt

Circle of Blue

Can coastal agriculture withstand rising seas, migrating marshlands, and frequent storms? Saltwater intrusion on a corn field in Hyde County, NC. Lighter green areas are fallow/abandoned sections of the fields with salt concentrations too high to plant. Photo © Dr. Matthew Ricker / NCSU. By Hannah Richter, Circle of Blue – August 22, 2022. Saltwater intrusion threatens coastal agriculture on the Delmarva Peninsula and in the Carolinas.

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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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In Nebraska, Bighorn Sheep Reclaim Their Former High Plains Home

Yale E360

In “High Plains Wild” — the Third Runner-Up in the 2022 Yale Environment 360 Film Contest — filmmaker Mariah Lundgren tells the story of efforts by wildlife biologists, conservationists, and landowners to reintroduce and sustain the magnificent bighorn sheep in Nebraska. Read more on E360 ?.

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Report: Recycling Rate Can Be Boosted with Minimal Investment and Existing Infrastructure

Environment + Energy Leader

The Association of Plastic Recyclers found that US plastic recyclers could increase the recycling rate with minimal additional investment and using existing processing infrastructure in the US. The post Report: Recycling Rate Can Be Boosted with Minimal Investment and Existing Infrastructure appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Whale songs can spread between groups nearly 8000 kilometres apart

New Scientist

Songs that were first heard from humpback whales off eastern Australia were picked up in whales off Ecuador several years later, suggesting that the noises passed between groups across the south Pacific Ocean

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Congress Considers First-Ever Purchase Incentive for Commercial EVs

Union of Concerned Scientists

Last week, Senators Schumer and Manchin announced a compromise on a reconciliation bill, called the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 , that includes significant climate and air quality progress and a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions nationwide by 40 percent by 2030. This bill would establish a federal tax credit for businesses to purchase electric and plug-in hybrid trucks, buses, vans, shuttles, and other heavy-duty vehicles, among many significant investments in decarbonization and air q

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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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Can’t Add Solar Panels to Your Roof? Join a Community Solar Farm

Earth 911

Although solar energy has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, many people aren’t in the. The post Can’t Add Solar Panels to Your Roof? Join a Community Solar Farm appeared first on Earth911.

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Eastern Kentucky Floods Continue Cycle of Poverty

Circle of Blue

The hardest-hit areas are some of the poorest in the United States. A Kentucky National Guard flight crew aided in flood relief efforts. Photo © Jesse Elbouab / U.S. Army National Guard. By Laura Gersony, Circle of Blue — August 5, 2022. Catastrophic downpours in the last week of July killed dozens of people in Eastern Kentucky, after a powerful storm system passed through some of the poorest counties in the United States.

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Germany Sees Solar Power Soar as It Works to Wean Off Russian Gas

Yale E360

German solar power is hitting new records this summer, and is set for further growth as the government enacts new policies to spur the expansion of renewable energy. Read more on E360 ?.

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Canadian Farmers Push Back Against Fertilizer Emissions Target

Environment + Energy Leader

The country wants to reduce the agriculture emissions by 30% through 2030. The post Canadian Farmers Push Back Against Fertilizer Emissions Target appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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UK government to hold back data on state of biodiversity in England

New Scientist

Only 7 of 24 of biodiversity indicators will be published this year, and many of those being omitted show a deterioriating natural environment

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California Needs a Petroleum Phaseout Plan

Union of Concerned Scientists

The California Air Resources Board is close to finalizing an updated scoping plan that will guide the implementation of policies aimed at meeting its commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2045. Reaching carbon neutrality as quickly as possible is essential to limit global temperature rise to 1.5C and doing so requires a transformation of how we produce and use energy, how we get around, and much more.

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Badger social structure maintained despite selective culling

The Applied Ecologist

In their new study, Allen et al. present a case study in Northern Ireland (NI) showing how selective culling can be less disruptive to badger social structures than indiscriminate culling. This method could be an effective and more socially acceptable means of controlling bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in wildlife.

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Living in a ‘Critical State’: The Price of a South African Town’s Dirty Water

Circle of Blue

In Winberg, residents have to boil their water or risk falling ill. . Residents of a new informal settlement outside Winburg gather to fill containers with water from a pipe supplied by the municipality. Sana Ntho, 54, said the water either has to be boiled or disinfected before drinking. With no electricity available, and firewood a scarce commodity, she adds a spoon of bleach to every 20-liter bucket of water.

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In Indonesian Mining Region, the EV Boom Takes a Heavy Toll

Yale E360

The green electric vehicle revolution has a decidedly dirty side, and the Winner of the 2022 Yale Environment 360 Film Contest — “From Dreams to Dust” — vividly tells the story of the high cost of nickel mining through the life of an Indonesian mine worker. Read more on E360 ?.

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Emissions Reduction Ebook Helps Companies Balance Sustainability and Profitability

Environment + Energy Leader

New ebook offers help for sustainability professionals who want to make emissions reduction a cornerstone of their sustainability strategies while successfully managing profitability. The post Emissions Reduction Ebook Helps Companies Balance Sustainability and Profitability appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Rewetting dried wetlands could stop 100 billion tons of CO2 emissions

New Scientist

Half the planet’s wetlands are dried out or degraded, and rewetting them could limit more greenhouse gas emissions this century than restoring global forests

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Four Months into Danger Season, Here’s the Tally of Extreme Heat, Floods, Fire Weather Events

Union of Concerned Scientists

Danger season in the United States is the time of year between roughly May and October when a number of climate-related hazards, including heatwaves, floods, wildfires, and hurricanes, tend to occur—at times simultaneously or back-to-back. Climate change is making many of these events more frequent, intense, and/or longer-lasting, and as a result, more and more communities are at risk of being harmed.

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Apple Is Tackling Climate Change by Using Renewables, Increasing Recycling, Limiting Waste

Environmental Leader

Apple's goal is carbon neutrality by 2030 and to create products that are also net zero by the same time. It also hopes to ensure its product supply chain only uses renewable electricity by 2030. . The post Apple Is Tackling Climate Change by Using Renewables, Increasing Recycling, Limiting Waste appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Traces of 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill still detectable in 2020

Frontiers

By K.E.D. Coan, science writer. Image: Breck P. Kent/Shutterstock.com. Small amounts of highly weathered oil residues from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster were still present in the surroundings ten years later, shows a new report. Crude oil is a complex mixture with many components that undergo chemical reactions in the environment. These transformed chemicals, as well as longer persisting oil products, can impact local ecosystems and a better understanding of the fates of these molecules ca

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A Thai Community Treasures — and Defends — Its Woodlands

Yale E360

“We and the Woods,” the Second Runner-Up in the 2022 Yale Environment 360 Film Contest, tells the story of an ascetic community in western Thailand whose residents have a deep connection to the forest and have banded together to protect their woodlands from logging, tourism projects, and other development. Read more on E360 ?.

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