December, 2023

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After a Decade of Planning, New York City Is Raising Its Shoreline

Yale E360

Inspired by the Dutch model of living with water, New York’s coastal defenses are on the rise. The city — like others around the country — is combining infrastructure like floodwalls with nature-based features, as it moves ahead with the largest resiliency project in the U.S.

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The UN Nuclear Ban Treaty is Leading Resistance to Nuclear Autocracy

Union of Concerned Scientists

During the week of November 27 th , under a cloud of international conflict and unease, delegates, politicians, activists and academics convened for the Second Meeting of States Parties (2MSP) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at the UN Headquarters in New York. Attendees came together to examine the global state of disarmament and harm-reduction work and call for more states to sign the nuclear ban treaty and join the stand against nuclear weapons.

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2023 appears to follow an upward trend in the North Atlantic/Caribbean named tropical cyclone count

Real Climate

This year’s (2023) tropical cyclone season in the North Atlantic and Caribbean witnessed a relatively high number of named tropical cyclones : 20. In spite of the current El Niño, which tends to give lower numbers. But it appears to follow a historical trend for named tropical cyclones with an increasing number over time. The number of North Atlantic/Caribbean named tropical cyclones in and the estimates based on the area with sea surface temperature above 25.6°C (Benestad, 2009).

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Yes, It’s That Time of Year Again

Legal Planet

Like everyone else, I’m sure you find fundraising appeals annoying. That’s why we only do them two days a year on Legal Planet. But there couldn’t be a more important time for the work we do. This has been the hottest year on record. It’s really now or never to address climate change. That means that the environmental work we do at Berkeley and UCLA remains as urgent as ever.

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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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Who is responsible for the negligence of the “company man” on the well?

Energy & the Law

Parkman v. W&T Offshore, Inc., et al features two contractors playing hot potato over liability for a company man’s alleged negligence. The takeaway: Write your Master Service Agreement to address your liability concerns, and then pay attention to what really happens on the location, regardless of what the MSA says. (And good luck monitoring that second factor!

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Encryption upgrade in 2024 will keep data safe from quantum computers

New Scientist

We probably don't need to worry about quantum computers being able to break encryption in 2024, but cryptographers are planning a security upgrade just in case

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Fossil Fuel Disinformation Threats Aim to Hinder Meaningful Action at COP28 

Union of Concerned Scientists

While there are thousands of people here in Dubai at COP28 fighting for genuine change, the climate summit is facing a barrage of disinformation. Combatting climate change has never been more urgent, and COP28 is poised to advance critical global action. Yet, driven by vested interests in the fossil fuel industry , misleading narratives aim to distort and hinder meaningful climate commitments.

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Zapping the Vagus Nerve Could Relieve Some Long COVID Symptoms

Scientific American

Ongoing research shows electrical vagus nerve stimulators could relieve some long COVID symptoms. But are the expensive devices worth the price?

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Pearl Harbor Today

Legal Planet

Today is Pearl Harbor Day, the anniversary of the Japanese attack that launched the U.S. into World War II. Those of us who don’t live in Hawaii may not think much about the harbor, but I started to wonder how things were going environmentally there. The geography is more complex than I had expected. I think of a harbor as just an area where boats can park, maybe in a protected bay.

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Master Service Agreement Dispute Turns on Definitions

Energy & the Law

The outcome of a multimillion-dollar suit was in the hands of a jury of 12 good and honorable citizens. The question: Was a certain party an agent, consultant, contractor, or none of the above? One side wanted the jury to be instructed on the legal definitions of those terms. The other wanted the words to be interpreted in their “ordinary and popular sense”.

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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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Get ready to see a total solar eclipse in 2024 – here's how

New Scientist

The moon will cover the sun on 8 April 2024 for people in parts of the US, Canada and Mexico, creating an experience unlike any other

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How Mounting Rubber Demand Is Driving Loss of Tropical Forests

Yale E360

The growing market for rubber is a major, but largely overlooked, cause of tropical deforestation, new analysis shows. Most of the rubber goes to produce tires, more than 2 billion a year, and experts warn the transition to electric vehicles could accelerate rubber use.

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Five Factors are Driving Offshore Wind

Union of Concerned Scientists

Offshore wind has been getting a lot of attention lately—some good, some less good. As in other parts of the economy, high interest rates hit the offshore wind industry hard, given the billions of dollars required upfront to build a single project, and inflation didn’t help. Supply chain crunches also have hit, including with the supply of the special ships that help install these huge machines.

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Extreme Weather Has Long-Term Health Consequences

Scientific American

Authorities must take proactive measures to mitigate the damaging effects of extreme weather and climate events on long-term health

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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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Statement from Environmental Defence on the Ontario Ministry of Energy’s Move to Reverse the OEB’s Decision on Gas Rates

Enviromental Defense

Statement from Keith Brooks, Programs Director Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – It is shocking that the Ministry of Energy is moving to overrule the Ontario Energy Board, which made a very sound decision to save homeowners money by encouraging new homes to be built with heat pumps, rather than gas furnaces.

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Reducing Methane From Livestock Is Critical for Stabilizing the Climate, but Congress Continues to Block Farms From Reporting Emissions Anyway

Inside Climate News

A long standing pattern of letting livestock producers off the hook continues, even as billions pour into the industry. By Georgina Gustin, Phil McKenna Anyone feeling compelled to look into a bill passed recently by the House of Representatives will see some familiar language.

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Aloe vera plants turned into energy-storing supercapacitors

New Scientist

A battery-like device known as a supercapacitor can be created from different parts of aloe vera plants – and it can be used to make living plants power lights

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‘Green Roads’ Are Plowing Ahead, Buffering Drought and Floods

Yale E360

As the developing world witnesses a boom in road building, a movement to retrofit existing roads is gathering steam. Using embankments, channels, and dikes, so-called “green roads” harvest excess water for use in irrigation and flood prevention, while slashing maintenance costs.

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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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Diesel is the Reason for the Sneezin’: Cleaner Holiday Deliveries are on the Horizon

Union of Concerned Scientists

With the holidays fast approaching, I sat down the other night to finish the list of gift ideas for the folks who’ve made my nice list. As I worked my way through family and friends, attempting to strategically formulate gift ideas within my budget, my mind drifted from the task at hand (as it often does) to ways I could reduce the environmental impacts of my holiday shopping and shipping decisions.

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Now There Are Better Ways Than BMI Charts to Assess Health Risks

Scientific American

The body mass index is flawed, and medicine now has better options to measure obesity

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Environmental and Farm Organizations Say Provincial Legislation Needs Major Changes to Keep Premier Ford’s Greenbelt Promises

Enviromental Defense

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE Ten year review process must be overhauled to repair damage caused by Greenbelt scandal Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Nineteen of Ontario’s leading environmental and farm organizations are calling for significant changes to the Greenbelt Statute Law Amendment Act, 2023 – legislation introduced by the Ontario government last month in hopes of beginning to extract itself from th

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COP28 Climate Fund Pledge Tracker

NRDC

At COP28, countries will pledge to UN climate funds that help developing countries reduce greenhouse emissions and address the impacts of climate change. Keep track here.

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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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Quantum state of matter made with 'dipolar' molecules for first time

New Scientist

A quantum state of matter comprising molecules with opposite charges at each end has been made for the first time.

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U.S. Saw a Record Number of Billion-Dollar Weather Disasters in 2023

Yale E360

In 2023, the U.S. experienced a record 25 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters — three more than the previous record, set in 2020.

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For Black STEM PhDs, the “D” Also Means Debt

Union of Concerned Scientists

As hard as it is for Black students to earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and medicine (STEM) fields, a final insult accompanies the diploma. They leave school dragging a ball and chain of debt far heavier than that for most White graduates. The latest evidence of this comes in a report last week by the Research Triangle Institute and the Sloan Foundation.

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Intervention at an Early Age May Hold Off the Onset of Depression

Scientific American

Preventing initial episodes might stop depression from becoming a disabling chronic condition

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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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December 15th Deadline: Torontonians who Care About the Environment Must Support Six Storey Apartment Buildings in Existing Neighbourhoods

Enviromental Defense

From now until December 15th, the City of Toronto is conducting public consultation on Environmental Defence’s proposed change to how housing can be built in existing neighborhoods. This change would allow apartments up to six storeys and 30 units on the major streets that fall within the “Neighborhoods” designation of the City’s Official Plan. If you live in Toronto, we urge you to support this proposal.

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Nature Got a More Prominent Place at the Table at COP28

Inside Climate News

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

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Human cells have a resonant frequency – and it’s just barely audible

New Scientist

Like a tuning fork, living human cells have frequencies at which they naturally vibrate – and now we have estimates for what some of them are

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Energy Sector Not Ready for Rapid Rise of Renewables, Analysts Say

Yale E360

The rapid growth of wind, solar, and electric vehicles means that demand for fossil fuels is likely to peak this decade. Is the energy sector ready for the transition?

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Mobilizing the Student Vote: 4 Takeaways from the Students Learn, Students Vote Summit

Union of Concerned Scientists

In 2024 students are determined to show up to vote, make their voices heard, and overcome any systemic, institutional, and individual challenges that stand in their way. That’s my biggest takeaway from attending the inspiring Students Learn, Students Vote Summit at the University of Maryland last month. The two-day gathering brought together nearly 240 students, faculty, and nonprofit partners from dozens of groups, campuses, and 25 different states who collectively focus on one thing: Turning o

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