Sat.Sep 28, 2024 - Fri.Oct 04, 2024

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Hurricane Helene’s Massive Destruction Was Supercharged by Climate Change, Here’s How You Can Help 

Union of Concerned Scientists

Hurricane Helene has left an 800-mile path of destruction across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Kentucky. Right now, people are desperately waiting to hear from loved ones to confirm their safety, while others are living their worst fears as the death toll rises. My heart is heavy. The grief of yet another climate-changed event is overwhelming.

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Why We Need a Strong Global Agreement on Plastics Pollution

Yale E360

Twenty years ago, scientist Richard Thompson sounded the alarm on microplastics pollution. Now, as understanding of the problem has grown, he says it is critical that international negotiators produce an effective plastics treaty when they meet next month in South Korea.

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Parts of Antarctica are turning green at an 'astounding' rate

New Scientist

Satellite images of the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands reveal that the area covered by vegetation grew dramatically between 1986 and 2021 and the rate of growth has accelerated since 2016

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Power-Thirsty AI Turns to Mothballed Nuclear Plants. Is That Safe?

Scientific American

As Microsoft strikes a deal to restart a reactor at Three Mile Island to power AI, nuclear specialists weigh in on the unprecedented process

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Precision in Motion: Why Process Optimization Is the Future of Manufacturing

Speaker: Jason Chester, Director, Product Management

In today’s manufacturing landscape, staying competitive means moving beyond reactive quality checks and toward real-time, data-driven process control. But what does true manufacturing process optimization look like—and why is it more urgent now than ever? Join Jason Chester in this new, thought-provoking session on how modern manufacturers are rethinking quality operations from the ground up.

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Election 2024 Is Already Happening—and So Is the Fight in the Courts

Union of Concerned Scientists

In Pennsylvania, voting is underway—the first voters are already completing their mail ballots. However, there are still significant legal questions that remain unsettled in courts, which could significantly influence the upcoming presidential election. More than a hundred lawsuits have been filed in 26 states this election cycle, many of them aimed at delegitimizing the election and setting the stage for election challenges.

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On Navajo Lands, Ancient Ways Are Restoring the Parched Earth

Yale E360

Farming once thrived in the Black Mesa region, before overgrazing and climate change wreaked havoc with the land. Today, the Navajo are restoring their watersheds — and boosting their food sovereignty — with earthen berms and small dams made of woven brush, sticks, and rocks.

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How Climate Change Intensified Helene and the Appalachian Floods

Inside Climate News

Rain just before the storm set the stage for a catastrophe. By Sean Sublette Helene is the fourth Gulf Coast hurricane to make landfall this year. Only five other years had that many since comprehensive hurricane records began in 1851.

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Protecting Public Health Is Complicated. But Science Can Help, and the Time Is Now.

Union of Concerned Scientists

For a long time, public health protections that limit the harm of pollutants have been narrowly targeted, asking “Will this chemical from this source pose harm to people?” But that’s not how pollution is actually experienced. When we breathe the air or drink the water, we’re taking in any potential contaminants all at once—with effects that can combine or even compound.

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Study Finds Plastic Additives in the Air

Yale E360

Scientists have found evidence of plastic additives in the air over Southern California, including one additive that has been banned from use in toys.

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Stem cell transplant gives hope for treating age-related sight loss

New Scientist

A monkey that performed poorly on vision tests did much better after having a stem cell transplant to patch up holes in its retina

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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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Greening of Antarctica is Another Sign of Significant Climate Shift on the Frozen Continent

Inside Climate News

New research documents accelerating plant growth on the Antarctic Peninsula and nearby islands. By Bob Berwyn When satellites first started peering down on the craggy, glaciated Antarctic Peninsula about 40 years ago, they saw only a few tiny patches of vegetation covering a total of about 8,000 square feet—less than a football field.

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How to Avoid Misunderstanding Chinese Nuclear Weapons Policy

Union of Concerned Scientists

During a recent presentation on whether the world is “destined for a Cold War in the 21st century,” one of the panelists drew attention to a sentence from an authoritative Chinese document that said China decided to “accelerate the development of strategic deterrent capabilities.” A colleague walked away from the presentation with the impression “strategic deterrent capabilities” refered to nuclear weapons.

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Edge of Antarctica Has Grown Dramatically Greener

Yale E360

Over the last four decades, vegetation cover on the Antarctic Peninsula has grown tenfold, a new study finds.

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Ants can be used to make yogurt – and now we know how it works

New Scientist

A traditional yogurt-making practice from south-eastern Europe uses live ants as a starter, with the insects providing the bacteria and acid needed to initiate fermentation

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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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Where Did All the Thalidomide Pills Distributed in the U.S. Go?

Scientific American

FDA medical examiner Frances Oldham Kelsey saved American lives by refusing to approve thalidomide. But millions of pills had been sent to doctors in the U.S.

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This Hydrogen Tax Loophole Would Spike Carbon Emissions–But it’s Not Too Late. 

Union of Concerned Scientists

For hydrogen to have any role in the clean energy transition , it must be cleanly produced. The Section 45V Clean Hydrogen Production Tax Credit (“45V”), passed as part of 2022’s landmark climate investment law , was specifically designed to spur the shift away from today’s dirty methods of hydrogen production to truly clean production processes instead.

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Hurricane Helene Raises Questions About Raising Animals in Increasingly Vulnerable Places

Inside Climate News

Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock are growing. So are climate-fueled storms that pummel the industry. By Georgina Gustin Matthew. Michael. Florence. Now Helene.

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Ancient DNA tells story of toddler who lived in Italy 17,000 years ago

New Scientist

A young boy who lived towards the end of the last glacial period had dark skin, blue eyes and a congenital heart condition, a study of his genome reveals

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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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How Dark Is the Night Sky?

Scientific American

The night sky isn’t perfectly dark—instead it glows faintly, and the source isn’t exactly local

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What to Expect in the EPA’s New Lead in Tap Water Rule

NRDC

The EPA will soon issue a major new rule to control lead in tap water. We expect it will finally take a big step toward addressing this public health scourge.

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At Climate Week NYC, Advocates for Plant-Based Diets Make Their Case for the Climate

Inside Climate News

Reports say investing in plant-centric diets pays huge dividends for slowing climate change, but the livestock industry tells another story. By Georgina Gustin The agenda for Climate Week NYC this year was packed with events at venues all over the city, but prominent among them were panels and discussions focused on food and agriculture.

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China's answer to SpaceX's Starlink is also threatening astronomy

New Scientist

The first 18 satellites of a planned Chinese mega constellation are brighter than all but 500 stars in the sky, raising fears of a huge impact on astronomy

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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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Pickleball Physics Explained, from Balls and Paddles to Shots

Scientific American

‘Professor Pickleball’ reveals the science behind the U.S.

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Wetlands 101

Enviromental Defense

The experience of exploring a wetland is like no other. The sounds of birds singing and frogs croaking, paired with the incredible sights like watching turtles sunbathe on rocks and logs, or seeing a beaver collect materials for its dam, wetlands are truly remarkable ecosystems. On top of being a natural paradise, wetlands are some of the hardest working ecosystems – which is why they are often referred to as the “kidneys of the earth.

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Joliet, Illinois, Plans to Source Its Future Drinking Water From Lake Michigan. Will Other Cities Follow?

Inside Climate News

As aquifers dry up, some Midwest communities are looking to the region’s greatest natural resources for a solution. A 2008 law governs access to it—with an exemption for Illinois. By Nina Elkadi The aquifer from which Joliet, Illinois, sources its drinking water is likely going to run too dry to support the city by 2030—a problem more and more communities are facing as the climate changes and groundwater declines.

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Will semiconductor production be derailed by Hurricane Helene?

New Scientist

Hurricane Helene hit a quartz mine in North Carolina that is key to global semiconductor production, which could impact the entire tech industry.

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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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How Mathematicians Wrestled with the Biggest Controversy in the Field

Scientific American

A surprisingly simple concept shook the foundations of mathematics

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UPCYCLING: GOLDEN BEEF TALLOW (THE SOAP)

Cleannovate

The thing with beef tallow is that it turns waxy immediately it’s removed from the flame. Wax, as we know it, it hard. And that’s exactly what we are looking for when we want to make bar soap. Combine hardness with good foaming, and you have a superb soap bar that can serve you for ages. And that’s what we shall be talking about here.

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California Becomes First State to Ban “Sell By” Dates on Packaged Foods

NRDC

Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 660, which bans the use of consumer-facing “Sell By” dates and requires the use of standardized food date labeling terminology, reducing consumer confusion and the environmental and socio-economic impacts of food waste

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It's parents who are anxious about smartphones, not their children

New Scientist

Smartphones have indeed created an "anxious generation", but it isn't young people, it is their parents, argues neuroscientist Dean Burnett

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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.