November, 2022

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As Evidence Mounts, New Concerns About Fracking and Health

Yale E360

Two decades after the advent of fracking, a growing number of studies are pointing to a link between gas wells and public health, particularly among children and the elderly. Researchers are now calling for new regulations restricting where wells can be located. Read more on E360 ?.

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What Is the Story about Greenland and Climate Change?

Union of Concerned Scientists

As the world heads into COP27 , there is no room for bad information on climate change in our major newspapers. Allow me to share the latest on what’s happening in Greenland based on information from scientists whose major focus includes study of the ice sheet and the Arctic region. Drs. Twila Moon and Nikoosh Carlo , who conduct research relevant to high northern latitudes, recently exchanged thoughts with Johanna Chao Kreilick and me about a recent article that missed the mark on Greenland and

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60% of home ‘compostable’ plastic doesn’t fully break down, ending up in our soil

Frontiers

By Suzanna Burgelman, Frontiers science writer. Image: Citizen scientist image from www.bigcompostexperiment.org.uk. In a UK-wide study, researchers found that 60% of home-compostable plastics do not fully disintegrate in home compost bins, and inevitably end up in our soil. The study also found that citizens are confused about the labels of compostable and biodegradable plastics, leading to incorrect plastic waste disposal.

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New Satellite Will See Water’s Big Picture

Circle of Blue

SWOT mission aims to fill global gaps in key water data. Part of the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite’s science instrument payload sits in a clean room at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory during assembly. Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL-Caltech. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – November 14, 2022. By foot, horse, and canoe, European explorers centuries ago undertook years-long expeditions to document the length and breadth of major rivers.

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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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Serious mistakes found in recent paper by Connolly et al.

Real Climate

Guest post by Mark Richardson who is a Research Scientist in the Aerosol and Clouds Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology. All opinions expressed are his own and do not in any way represent those of NASA, JPL or Caltech. Should scientists choose to believe provably false things? Even though that would mean more inclusive debates with a wider range of opinions, our recent paper Richardson & Benestad (2022) argues no: “instead of repeating errors, they s

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US Commits to Zero-Emissions Heavy Trucks

Environment + Energy Leader

Officials have signed on to sell only zero-emission heavy vehicles by 2040. The post US Commits to Zero-Emissions Heavy Trucks appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Don’t Believe the Lies: Five Facts to Consider as the UN’s COP27 Comes to a Close

Union of Concerned Scientists

The 27 th Conference of the Parties (COP27), this year’s UN climate conference, is in its final days. While negotiators work behind closed doors and civil society advocates raise their voices in the halls and courtyards, there has been a flood of disinformation online that has distorted how the outside world sees the conference. Seeing lies pop up on Twitter and even in news articles is frustrating enough for those of us who are here in person.

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Beginning of the End for Greenwashing?

3BL Media

GRI: Mandatory assurance of sustainability data is ‘only a matter of time’. SOURCE: GRI. DESCRIPTION: November 18, 2022 /3BL Media/ - The drive towards a comprehensive global system for sustainability reporting, which evenly addresses both impact and financial disclosure, will be a major instigator for mandatory auditing of sustainability information.

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2022 Election Recap: Landslide Victory for Florida City’s ‘Right to Clean Water’ Amendment

Circle of Blue

Voters approved most water-related initiatives on the November 8 ballot. Sunrise in Titusville, Florida. On November 8, 2022, voters there approved an amendment to the city charter to include a right to clean water. The amendment passed with 82 percent support. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Creative Commons user beleaveme. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – November 10, 2022.

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Genetically modified tobacco plant produces cocaine in its leaves

New Scientist

Researchers have reproduced the entire biochemical pathway for how coca plants make cocaine in another plant, which could help people manufacture the drug for scientific study

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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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Commercial Real Estate Seeing Green Premiums in Europe

Environment + Energy Leader

Industrial and healthcare sectors lead the way in looking for sustainable properties, according to a report from Deepki. The post Commercial Real Estate Seeing Green Premiums in Europe appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Fenced In: How the Global Rise of Border Walls Is Stifling Wildlife

Yale E360

Amid a rising tide of nationalism, walls and fortified fences are proliferating around the world. These barriers pose a growing threat to wildlife — blocking animal migrations and threatening millions of species that will need to move to keep up with a changing climate. Read more on E360 ?.

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Are There Enough Materials to Manufacture All the Electric Vehicles Needed?  

Union of Concerned Scientists

The short answer is yes. But this is a complicated question, so let’s dig in further. The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is necessary to decrease climate-changing emissions. As deployment increases, so will the demand for EV battery materials such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel. These materials are primarily supplied through two sources: 1) newly mined or 2) recovered by recycling batteries already in circulation.

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Climate Change: How It's Affecting Your Health and How Businesses Can Help Fight This Global Crisis

3BL Media

In this Teal Talks episode, we hear from leading environmental experts on the impacts of climate change on health and how businesses can make a difference. SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc. DESCRIPTION: Climate change doesn’t only affect the health of our planet — it also impacts the health of our people. As we continue to see changes to our environment, like increased temperatures, extreme weather events, poor air quality and population displacement, it may be less obvious to some how these climate

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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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Slow to Start, Federal Water Bill Assistance Program Ramps Up

Circle of Blue

New program encounters many hurdles. A Detroit resident displays a past-due water bill. Photo © J. Carl Ganter/Circle of Blue. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – November 3, 2022. It wasn’t expected to be quick and easy. And it hasn’t been, not with the staffing and technical challenges inherent to starting a new government benefit program. But the rollout of the first federally funded program to assist low-income households with their water bills is gaining speed, observers say.

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Statement: Bill 23 will Unleash a Firestorm of Environmentally Destructive Rural Sprawl – It Must Be Repealed

Enviromental Defense

Statement by Phil Pothen, Ontario Environmental Program Manager, Environmental Defence. Toronto | Traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – By forcing passage of Bill 23, the “More Homes, Built Faster Act”, Ontario’s government has lit the fuse on an explosion of expensive sprawl that will destroy much of the remaining wetland and wildlife habitat in Ontario’s most sensitive ecoregions. .

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Green Construction Technology Investments Surge

Environment + Energy Leader

Using bio-based and other low-carbon materials could help create urban sinks in the built environment. The post Green Construction Technology Investments Surge appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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How Floating Wetlands Are Helping to Clean Up Urban Waters

Yale E360

As cities around the world look to rid their waterways of remaining pollution, researchers are installing artificial islands brimming with grasses and sedges. The islands’ surfaces attract wildlife, while the underwater plant roots absorb contaminants and support aquatic life. Read more on E360 ?.

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The Electric Cars of the Future Are Already Here Today

Union of Concerned Scientists

I recently had the chance to visit the Los Angeles Auto Show and I was amazed at the number of electric vehicle (EV) offerings. The first time I had visited the show in 2015, there were only a handful of EVs scattered among hundreds of gasoline cars and trucks, while this year many automakers had EVs front and center in their displays. From prototype promises to real EVs.

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Franklin Templeton Celebrates 75th Anniversary With $75K Donation and Week of Volunteering

3BL Media

SOURCE: Franklin Templeton. DESCRIPTION: The week of November 14 marked Franklin Templeton’s 75th Anniversary and, as a key part of the celebration, the company organized an Impact Week to focus on community service. During the special week, several global “75”- themed charitable initiatives were introduced for employees to engage with colleagues and in their communities.

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November 7: Supreme Court Takes Up Navajo Nation’s Claim to Colorado River

Circle of Blue

The Rundown. The Supreme Court takes up a case regarding the Navajo Nation’s rights to the Colorado River. The EPA publishes a new list of unregulated drinking water contaminants that could be regulated in the future. EPA drinking water advisers will meet at the end of November. USGS researchers investigate contaminants in groundwater used for public supply.

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Cool Green Holiday Book Review 2022

Cool Green Science

Six new books for the nature lover or outdoor enthusiast on your holiday list. The post Cool Green Holiday Book Review 2022 appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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UN Net-Zero Guidance Calls for End of Fossil Fuels Financial Support

Environment + Energy Leader

Other topics include fighting greenwashing and supporting climate regulations. The post UN Net-Zero Guidance Calls for End of Fossil Fuels Financial Support appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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How Digital Technology Is Helping Decode the Sounds of Nature

Yale E360

Digital technology is enabling scientists to detect and interpret the sounds of species as diverse as honeybees, peacocks, and elephants. In an e360 interview, geographer Karen Bakker discusses the surprising and complex ways that animals and plants use sound to communicate. Read more on E360 ?.

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Report from COP27: The Fossil Fuel Industry Continues to Block the Path to Climate Justice

Union of Concerned Scientists

The situation is dire. Entire neighborhoods are underwater, priceless cultural heritage has disappeared, and ecosystems have been destroyed. The destruction caused by climate change is directly linked to human activity, primarily burning fossil fuels. There are multiple realistic, tangible solutions that would rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, yet policy addressing anthropogenic climate change remains slow and insufficient.

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Our Partnerships Help Make Vaccines Accessible Worldwide

3BL Media

How our colleagues are collaborating with organizations to improve global vaccination rates. SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc. DESCRIPTION: Providing vaccines to some of the hardest-to-reach places around the world. We’re steadfast and dedicated to discovering, developing, supplying and delivering vaccines to help prevent diseases around the world. However, we alone can’t achieve the broadest possible access and distribution to our vaccines.

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What’s Up With Water – November 15, 2022

Circle of Blue

Transcript. Welcome to “What’s Up With Water” – your need-to-know news of the world’s water from Circle of Blue. I’m Eileen Wray-McCann. In the United States, midterm elections were held on November 8. Nationally, control of Congress was at stake. In state and local races, water issues were also on the ballot. Based on election night totals, voters approved most water-related initiatives.

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Minister Wilkinson and Pathways Alliance top September’s oil & gas lobbying round up

Enviromental Defense

It has been about a month since we launched the Federal Oil & Gas Lobbying Bot on Twitter. Since then, it has been tweeting out a constant stream of announcements about which oil & gas companies and associations have been lobbying which Canadian government politicians and ministries. ( Read more about the bot. ). We’ve looked at the raw data from the lobbyist registry , and pulled out highlights from September, the most recent month with complete data.

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Reporting Tool Helps Food Industry Track Scope 3 Emissions

Environment + Energy Leader

The system from HowGood uses ingredient data sets including crop- and location-based emission factors. The post Reporting Tool Helps Food Industry Track Scope 3 Emissions appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Scientists Discover More Than 22,000 Endangered Manta Rays off Coast of Ecuador

Yale E360

Scientists have identified a population of endangered oceanic manta rays off the coast of Ecuador that is 10 times larger than any other known population. The discovery offers hope for the future of the species, experts say. Read more on E360 ?.

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New Analysis Shows Truck Manufacturers’ Scare Tactic Just a Bunch of Hot Air

Union of Concerned Scientists

I’ve written previously about how the truck industry is fighting regulations at the state and federal level with everything they’ve got. One of the scare tactics truck manufacturers have been pushing is the old industry canard of job-killing regulations. To tackle this topic head-on, UCS, together with the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Sierra Club, commissioned a study of the impacts of truck regulations on employment from Environmental Resources Management (ERM), an independent cons

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Navigating the Politics of ESG as a Business Leader

3BL Media

SOURCE: Antea Group. DESCRIPTION: During the latest election cycle, it's been almost impossible to ignore the controversy swirling around ESG investing in certain corners of the political arena. As a business leader who is vested in the financial and regulatory implications of ESG going forward, you might find yourself wondering what’s driving the criticism, and what it all might mean to the future of corporate sustainability.

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What’s Up With Water – November 1, 2022

Circle of Blue

Transcript. In Europe, new threats of pollution to waterways have compelled government officials to take action. The European Union’s executive branch proposed stricter pollution limits for rivers, lakes, and groundwater, along with stronger controls for handling wastewater. The European Commission made several moves to protect ecosystems and human health from chemical and biological contaminants.

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New Report Shows How Highway 413 Would Threaten Endangered Species 

Enviromental Defense

29 species listed under the federal Species at Risk Act, including birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, insects and trees, are in harm’s way. Toronto | Traditional territories of the Huron-Wendat, the Anishnaabeg, Haudenosaunee, Chippewas and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation – A new report from Environmental Defence, The Road To Our Ruin: How Highway 413 Would Impact Threatened and Endangered Species , draws attention to the fact that the proposed highway would put threatened and endang