Sat.Jul 27, 2024 - Fri.Aug 02, 2024

article thumbnail

What happens at meetings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change?

Union of Concerned Scientists

Dearest blog readers, I’m attending my first meeting of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and it is so. dang. fascinating. For twenty-ish years, I’ve relied on the IPCC’s reports countless times, and in countless ways. But seeing the IPCC’s consensus-based decision-making process in action is giving me a new perspective on the incredible amount of work that goes into producing each of the organization’s reports.

article thumbnail

Water molecules found in lunar rock sample for the first time

New Scientist

Although previous studies have found hydrogen and oxygen in moon minerals – implying the presence of water – whole molecules of H2O have never been detected in lunar rock until now

145
145
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

New Endangered Species Habitat Mapping Could Kill Proposed Highway 413

Enviromental Defense

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager, on new federal Recovery Strategy Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – New federal protections for an endangered fish may pose an insurmountable obstacle to the Ontario government’s plans to build a massive new highway north of the GTA that will inevitably result in significant forest and wetland losses to greenfield sprawl.

article thumbnail

Expect Auroras, Solar Flares and More Space Weather from the Solar Maximum

Scientific American

Space weather is heating up in our current solar cycle peak

145
145
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

Our New Research Says the Solid Earth Can Help Protect the Antarctic Ice Sheet—Only if We Cut Emissions Now

Union of Concerned Scientists

This post was co-authored with Natalya Gomez , Associate Professor, Canada Research Chair in Geodynamics of Ice sheet – Sea level interactions at McGill University. The Antarctic Ice Sheet faces an uncertain future under climate change. As the Earth’s air and oceans warm, the ice sheet is starting to melt at an ever-faster rate. As it melts it contributes to sea level rise, causing harm to coastal and island communities around the world.

Sea Level 320
article thumbnail

Glaciers in the Andes are the smallest they’ve been for 130,000 years

New Scientist

A study of rocks exposed by melting ice shows that Andean glaciers have retreated further now than at any time since Earth’s last interglacial period

145
145

More Trending

article thumbnail

Parasocial Relationships Can Tell Us a Lot about the Social Brain

Scientific American

People can form surprisingly strong bonds with others—even when that tie is one-sided

142
142
article thumbnail

Reporting from Bulgaria on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Union of Concerned Scientists

My colleague Dr. Kristy Dahl and I arrived in Sofia, Bulgaria, last week for the 61st session of the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). We are here to engage in early discussions about timelines and content for this cycle of IPCC reports. Over the next week, we will hear delegations and organizations from all across the world discuss, debate, and make decisions that will set the stage for this 7th cycle of the IPCC.

article thumbnail

Algae transformed into a 'biofactory' for green fuel and plastics

New Scientist

A strain of green algae has been artificially evolved to turn carbon dioxide into sustainable fuel and plastic

article thumbnail

Shearwater Search: The Trials and Rewards of Offshore Seabird Research

Cool Green Science

Off the coast of Long Island, researchers are helping shape conservation actions by tracking seabirds. But they have to catch them first. The post Shearwater Search: The Trials and Rewards of Offshore Seabird Research appeared first on Cool Green Science.

Cooling 133
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

Combining Ayahuasca Compound with Drugs like Ozempic Could Help Treat Diabetes

Scientific American

Researchers combined the drug harmine with a medication similar to Ozempic to boost the number and function of human insulin-producing cells transplanted into mice

141
141
article thumbnail

Three Takeaways from Twisters: Hillbillies, Science, and Solutions

Union of Concerned Scientists

I was a young’n when I first saw Twister in the 90s. Even though we rarely had tornadoes in my hometown in Kentucky back then, it left an impression. The opening scene shows a young girl losing her dad to a tornado as he gets her to safety, and it absolutely terrified me. Every time we had a severe storm or tornado warning, I would grab my flashlight and beg my dad to get us all into the basement so we could be safe.

article thumbnail

People who had severe covid-19 show cognitive decline years later

New Scientist

An analysis of people who were hospitalised with covid-19 in the first wave of the pandemic has revealed that the ongoing decline in their cognitive abilities is the equivalent to losing 10 IQ points

145
145
article thumbnail

What’s the deal with the Canada Public Transit Fund?

Enviromental Defense

If you’ve been following public transit news in Canada, you may have heard that there is a new federal funding program for public transit that doesn’t actually fund better service for public transit. So what does this program fund and how could it be improved to meet the needs of cities and public transit riders across Canada today? In case you missed it: On July 17th, 2024, the federal government announced the details of a public transit funding program called the Canada Public Transit Fu

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

How the Olympics Are Saving Athletes from Heat Stress

Scientific American

Climate change-driven heat endangers Olympians.

Cooling 141
article thumbnail

All About Arrow Crabs

Ocean Conservancy

Along a bustling coral reef lit by sunlight, one can find an array of amazing creatures from surgeonfish to green sea turtles. After dark, these reefs are just as vibrant and a little spooky as some of our nocturnal underwater friends come out to roam the sea. These night shift species, while wonderful and majestic, can seem straight out of outer space or a horror movie–one such creature of the night, the arrow crab.

Ocean 129
article thumbnail

Nerve fibres in the brain could generate quantum entanglement

New Scientist

Calculations show that nerve fibres in the brain could emit pairs of entangled particles, and this quantum phenomenon might explain how different parts of the brain work together

145
145
article thumbnail

So Your CPRG Application Didn’t Get Funded

Law Columbia

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the 25 successful applicants for a shared $4.3 billion in implementation funding under the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program. The grants will enable investments in solar projects , building energy-efficiency upgrades , the buildout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure , and the promotion of climate-smart agricultural practices , among many other projects.

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

Bird Flu Cases in People Are Being Undercounted

Scientific American

Dairy workers in Texas show signs of prior, undetected bird flu infections in a new study

140
140
article thumbnail

‘A Repair Manual for the Planet’: What Would It Take to Restore Our Atmosphere?

Inside Climate News

“Optimism and hope are muscles we have to exercise,” climate scientist Rob Jackson says. His new book offers a paradigm for how to think about climate change and the health of the planet. By Phil McKenna In a final chapter of his new book, climate scientist Rob Jackson profiles several individuals he considers to be climate heroes.

article thumbnail

Photos of an island paradise reveal plastic threat for bird population

New Scientist

Neal Haddaway's photographs show how flesh-footed shearwater chicks on a beautiful island in the Tasman Sea are in danger from mounting marine plastic pollution

145
145
article thumbnail

Easy Carbon Sequestration You Can Do Yourself

Earth 911

As any sci-fi fan can tell you, human survival depends upon an Earth-like atmosphere that’s. The post Easy Carbon Sequestration You Can Do Yourself appeared first on Earth911.

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

19 Good News Science Stories to Savor This Summer

Scientific American

From lifesaving cancer treatments and frog “ spas ” to a view of the cosmos from your own backyard, science can keep you going through the long , hot days of summer

140
140
article thumbnail

Feds Contradict Scientific Research, Say the Salton Sea’s Exposed Lakebed Is Not a Significant Source of Pollution for Disadvantaged Communities

Inside Climate News

The government’s draft environmental assessment, released in June, moves a key water agency closer to approval of a plan that could worsen pollution in the region. By Sarah Hopkins As the Salton Sea shrinks, a crisis deepens. The water levels of the 345-square-mile lake, located in an arid swath of agricultural land in Southern California’s Imperial County, have been receding for years, exposing the lakebed to strong winds that dry it, churn it to dust and drive the particles into surrounding co

117
117
article thumbnail

Rising land under Antarctica could slow sea level rise

New Scientist

Antarctica’s melting ice sheet is relieving pressure on the land beneath, allowing it to push upwards in a way that could slow sea level rise in coming centuries – but only if greenhouse gas emissions are low

Sea Level 145
article thumbnail

Stories You May Have Missed Last Week: PA Environment & Energy Articles & NewsClips By Topic

PA Environment Daily

PA Environment Digest Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic-- -- 7.29.24 - PA Environment Digest - All Articles & NewsClips From This Issue By Topic Other Handy Groups Of Articles & NewsClips From This Week-- -- 107 New Stories - REAL Environmental & Conservation Leadership In PA [PaEN] -- Environment & Energy Educational Opportunities For Students & Adults [PaEN] -- Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported

Politics 116
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.

article thumbnail

NASA Retires Asteroid-Hunting Telescope

Scientific American

NASA’s NEOWISE telescope has searched for asteroids, brown dwarfs and luminous galaxies.

article thumbnail

Battery Storage Can Maintain Reliability, Even After Fossils Retire

NRDC

New analysis shows that Illinois can maintain reliability even after retiring fossil resources by deploying 3 GW of 4-hour battery storage.

113
113
article thumbnail

What made us human? The fossils redefining our evolutionary origins

New Scientist

Fossils found 50 and 100 years ago seemed to pinpoint the moment humanity emerged – but defining a human has turned out to be far trickier than we thought

145
145
article thumbnail

PJM Electricity Auction Price 9 Times Higher Than Previous Auction-- $269.92/MW-Day For 2025/26 Delivery Compared To $28.92/MW-Day In 2024-25; Extreme Weather Risk Big Factor

PA Environment Daily

On July 30, the PJM Interconnection reported its latest electricity auction produced a wholesale price of $269.92/MW-day for much of the PJM footprint for delivery in 2025-26-- 933% more than the $28.92/MW-day cost for delivery in the 2024/2025 auction. Auction prices were significantly higher across the RTO, PJM said, due to decreased electricity supply caused primarily by a large number of generator retirements, combined with increased electricity demand and implementation of FERC-approved mar

2025 114
article thumbnail

Why Controlling Landfill Methane Is Key to Slowing Climate Change

Scientific American

The EPA plans to propose a rule in 2025 that will tackle methane emissions from landfills, one of the country's largest sources of the greenhouse gas