June, 2022

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Will a Nile Canal Project Dry Up Africa’s Largest Wetland?

Yale E360

South Sudan is moving ahead with plans for a 240-mile canal to divert water from the White Nile and send it to Egypt. But critics warn the megaproject would desiccate the world’s second largest wetland, impacting its rich wildlife and the rains on which the region depends. Read more on E360 ?.

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5 Powerful Facts for Global Wind Day

Union of Concerned Scientists

We at the Union of Concerned Scientists think a lot about wind power. In honor of Global Wind Day , here’s a roundup of what we’re seeing and what we’ve been thinking—five facts about wind energy to keep in mind as you celebrate, or at least make note, on June 15. 1. Wind power is big, and getting bigger. Wind is impressive. I’ve felt that most explicitly when sidling up to an offshore wind turbine in a boat, or when standing on top of a land-based one, hundreds of feet in the air.

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Mmm-k scale climate models

Real Climate

Ocean eddy visualization ( Karsten Schnieder ). Two opinion pieces ( Slingo et al. , and Hewitt et al. ) and a supportive Nature Climate Change editorial were published this week, extolling the prospects for what they call “k-scale” climate modeling. These are models that would have grid boxes around 1 to 2 km in the horizontal – some 50 times smaller than what was used in the CMIP6 models.

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A Beautiful Day for Bumblefish?

Legal Planet

A California appeals court ruled last week that bumblebees are fish and are therefore protected by the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). That may sound ridiculous, but there’s actually a convoluted legal argument to support the court. That argument does justify giving the CESA some extra coverage beyond what we would ordinarily classify as fish.

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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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HotSpots H2O: “Day Zero” Looms for South African Province

Circle of Blue

Government dysfunction has multiplied drought risks. Steenbras Dam, east of Cape Town. Photo © Brett Walton / Circle of Blue. By Laura Gersony, Circle of Blue — June 20, 2022. South Africa’s Eastern Cape province is scrambling to avoid a “Day Zero” scenario in which taps run dry. Water levels behind Impofu Dam — which forms the second-largest reservoir in Nelson Mandela Bay district — dropped too low for extraction on June 13, according to data released by the local government.

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DHL Is Investing $7.5 Billion to Ensure Climate Goals Are Met

Environment + Energy Leader

When DHL first set its GoGreen target in 2007-2008, the goal was to become 30% more efficient by 2020. But it blew past that threshold in 2016, prompting the company to set even more ambitious targets — to reduce all transport-related emissions to zero by 2050. . The post DHL Is Investing $7.5 Billion to Ensure Climate Goals Are Met appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Biden Administration Moves to Unblock Solar Power

Union of Concerned Scientists

For months, the US solar industry has been frozen by a pending trade case and the uncertainty it has brought. A new move by the Biden administration proposes to fix that. The solar trade case. In February, a small California-based solar panel manufacturer filed a complaint with the Department of Commerce alleging that China, the subject of other US trade tariffs for solar, was illegally bypassing tariffs by channeling solar products through a few neighboring countries.

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Overselling k-scale? Hmm

Real Climate

Guest commentary from Paul Bates, Peter Bauer, Tim Palmer, Julia Slingo , Graeme Stephens, Bjorn Stevens, Thomas Stocker and Georg Teutsch. Gavin Schmidt claims that the benefits of k-scale climate models (i.e. global climate models with grid spacing on the order of 1 km) have been “potentially somewhat oversold” in two recent Nature Climate Change papers.

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When is a bee a fish?

Legal Planet

Bees are fish! And not just tuna. That was the question before the Third District of the California Court of Appeal. The California Fish and Game Commission had accepted petitions to list four species of native California bees for protection under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA). A group of agricultural trade associations challenged the decision as exceeding the Commission’s authority under CESA, on the grounds that terrestrial invertebrates are not covered by CESA.

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What Does Water Want?: A Conversation with Author Erica Gies

Circle of Blue

In February 2017, the Mokelumne River broke through a levee and flooded this farm near Walnut Grove, California. Photo © Eric Gies. By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue – June 7, 2022. Modern societies have dramatically disrupted the water cycle. We have paved wetlands, diverted rivers, overpumped groundwater, and built levees that allow no room for streams to ebb and flow.

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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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Study Highlights Methods to Reduce Ad Campaign Emissions

Environment + Energy Leader

A study addresses the emissions created by advertising campaigns and ways companies can make improvements. The post Study Highlights Methods to Reduce Ad Campaign Emissions appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Pollen and Heat: A Looming Challenge for Global Agriculture

Yale E360

Farmers and scientists are increasingly observing that unusually high springtime temperatures can kill pollen and interfere with the fertilization of crops. Researchers are now searching for ways to help pollen beat the heat, including developing more heat-tolerant varieties. Read more on E360 ?.

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The Start of the Unraveling of Cheap Gas-Fired Power

Union of Concerned Scientists

Note: “gas” in this post refers to what is traditionally called natural gas. For years, gas has been touted as a cheap fuel and a cheap electricity source. Perhaps not as much in today’s world , but historically, this has been the case. But not all gas-fired power plants are the same, and not all gas-fired power plants are as cheap to operate as proponents want us to believe.

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Will Evidence of a Coming Apocalypse Change Human Behavior?

Law and Environment

I’m not much for apocalyptic thinking. I don’t think it’s productive. I have to confess, though, that this story about the Great Salt Lake got me thinking about whether human nature is such that the apocalypse is not that far away. It makes compelling reading. And viewing – do check out the video of what used to be Owens Lake, which could be described as a cautionary tale for Salt Lake City, except that no one seems to be taking precautions.

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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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Some quick reactions to W Va v. EPA

Legal Planet

Dan already has a good post up on the basics of the Supreme Court’s ruling today in the climate case West Virginia v. EPA , with initial thoughts on its implications (and more to come, I’m sure). Here are some quick thoughts from my morning’s reading of the case, in which William Boyd, Andria So and I filed an amicus brief on behalf of electricity grid experts in favor of EPA’s position.

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Drought’s Spillover Effect in the American West

Circle of Blue

In a region latticed with pipelines and canals, the consequences of dry conditions in one basin are exported to neighboring watersheds. The Buena Vista Pumping Plant, in southern Kern County, lifts water in the California Aqueduct. Part of the State Water Project, the aqueduct spans hundreds of miles, transferring water from northern watersheds to farms and cities in the south.

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Pennsylvania County Implementing Energy Performance Program to Save Millions

Environment + Energy Leader

Greene County in Pennsylvania is using a program to improve efficiencies with its lighting, HVAC, and water systems to save millions over the next 20 years. The post Pennsylvania County Implementing Energy Performance Program to Save Millions appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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The Vanishing Rio Grande: Warming Takes a Toll on a Legendary River

Yale E360

The Rio Grande, which flows out of the Rockies and later forms the U.S.-Mexico border, has long been impacted by withdrawals for agriculture and other uses. Now, rising temperatures and an unprecedented drought pose a grave and growing peril to the river and its ecosystems. Read more on E360 ?.

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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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EPA’s Proposed Truck Rule Delays Justice for Freight-Impacted Communities

Union of Concerned Scientists

It has been over twenty years since smog-forming and particulate pollution standards for heavy-duty trucks were strengthened. In the absence of federal action, states have moved forward to reduce pollution from trucks. Unfortunately, just last week truck manufacturers filed a lawsuit to prevent states from enforcing these more protective standards. And as EPA moves forward with its own proposal to finally strengthen truck pollution regulations, industry has been waging an all-out war on those, t

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Meet the Idiomysis Shrimp, the Social Butterfly of the Ocean

Ocean Conservancy

Recently, while looking at underwater macro photography, I stumbled across an adorable type of shrimp that I had never seen before. Their bulging eyes and tiny, colorful bodies were simply too cute to handle. I wanted to learn more. Surprisingly, a Google (and even Bing!) search showed me that there is very little written about these interesting critters.

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Will Russia “Win” the Climate Crisis?

Legal Planet

The conventional view is that climate change is going to be a great thing for Russia. The reason is pretty obvious: a lot of Russia is cold and icy right now; warming will be an improvement. That’s likely to be true in some ways, but warming may be a mixed blessing. Whether what is good for Russia will turn out to be good for the Russian people is another question.

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What’s Up With Water — June 7, 2022

Circle of Blue

This week’s episode of What’s Up With Water covers an unusually warm month in France, famine in Somalia, and withering wheat crops in Iraq. 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 France, May was unusually warm, and that could limit operations at some of its nuclear power facilities.

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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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Steel Dynamics, Aymium to Reduce Steel Emissions with Biocarbon

Environment + Energy Leader

A joint venture by Steel Dynamics and Aymium is expected to significantly lower the emissions in the steelmaking process. The post Steel Dynamics, Aymium to Reduce Steel Emissions with Biocarbon appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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The Living City: Weaving Nature Back Into the Urban Fabric

Yale E360

Urban ecologist Eric Sanderson focuses on the natural history of cities. In an interview with Yale Environment 360 , he explains why recovering and restoring streams, salt marshes, and woodlands should be a vital part of how cities adapt to climate change in the 21st century. Read more on E360 ?.

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What Firefighters Can Teach Us about Preparing the Grid for Extreme Weather

Union of Concerned Scientists

Preparing for emergencies and preventing disasters requires planning, equipment and communications. This is true for fighting fires and for keeping the electric power system operating in extreme weather. Firefighters have strategic plans regarding territory to address, as well as operational plans. Equipment includes fire trucks, protective gear and hoses.

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Deep learning identifies head-on collisions in LHC data

Physics World

Deep learning could hold the key to making sense of proton collisions generated in the world’s premier particle accelerator. That is the message from physicists in Europe and the US who have shown how an algorithm developed for language translation can efficiently filter out noise from data taken by detectors at at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider.

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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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Equity Weighting: A Brief Introduction

Legal Planet

The logic of cost-benefit analysis (CBA) favors the rich over the poor. CBA is based on willingness to pay. In essence, that means voting with dollars, which comes with inherent inequality. There’s a possible fix to this problem, however. It’s called equity weighting. Equity weighting adjusts the monetary values used in CBA to take into account that a dollar to a poor person is worth much more than a dollar to a rich one.

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COP15: Canada to replace China as venue for UN biodiversity summit

New Scientist

The COP15 meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity will be relocated to Montreal due to fears the Chinese government would postpone the event again

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FedEx Receives First 150 Electric Delivery Vehicles, Marks Milestone

Environment + Energy Leader

FedEx Corp. announced it has received its first 150 electric delivery vehicles from BrightDrop, the technology startup from General Motors (GM) aimed at decarbonizing last-mile delivery. The post FedEx Receives First 150 Electric Delivery Vehicles, Marks Milestone appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

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Solution or Band-Aid? Carbon Capture Projects Are Moving Ahead

Yale E360

Long discussed but rarely used, carbon capture and storage projects — which bury waste CO2 underground — are on the rise globally. Some analysts see the technology as a necessary tool in reducing emissions, but others say it simply perpetuates the burning of fossil fuels. Read more on E360 ?.

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What Danger Season Looks Like in the Midwest

Union of Concerned Scientists

If there’s one region of the country that has been Exhibit A this year for summer-turned- Danger Season , it’s the Midwest. The warm season began with an incredibly unseasonable heatwave , smashing records left and right. And now, the Midwest is currently playing whack-a-mole with weather and climate hazards. Here in Madison, Wisconsin, we’ve been under an intense heatwave that rolled into the area on Monday, announcing its arrival with severe thunderstorms that downed power lines across the are