Legal Planet

DECEMBER 20, 2024

This is the sixth in a series of posts. The first post is here. The second post is here. The third post is here. The fourth post is here. The fifth post is here. The political dynamics of decarbonization that Ive sketched out are very specific to time, space, and economic sector. The policy approaches that may work to advance decarbonization in the electricity sector will not be identical to the ones that may work to advance decarbonization in the transportation sector, or the agricultural secto

Politics 130

Politics Fossil Fuels Electricity Technology 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a cleaner option than gasoline alternatives and are essential for reducing emissions that cause climate change and illnesses. UCS has estimated the minerals needed to electrify passenger vehicle sales in the United States and our recent report has exciting findings– we can electrify using less minerals than previously thought!

Recycling 312

Recycling Electricity Climate Change Air Pollution 312

Yale E360

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Despite continued opposition, the World Bank has approved the first of five big dam projects expected to get its support in the coming months. Climate change has upped the need for renewable energy, but the environmental and social costs of building such massive projects remain.

Renewable Energy 362

Renewable Energy Climate Change 362

Enviromental Defense

DECEMBER 17, 2024

Statement byKeith Brooks, Programs Director, on the federal Clean Electricity Regulations Canada abandoning its pledge to a net-zero grid by 2035 Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat We are disappointed that the federal government significantly watered down the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), finalized today.

Electricity 119

Electricity Regulations Renewable Energy Fossil Fuels 119

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

2025

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 15, 2024

Climate change is a difficult problem to solve, politically. The costs of addressing climate change are born by current generations, but the benefits accrue to many generations to come. Addressing climate change might require people today to make significant sacrifices to benefit people around the world, as well as future generations. There are significant, powerful interest groups such as the oil and gas industry that benefit significantly from the status quo.

Climate Change 227

Climate Change Politics Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide 227

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 17, 2024

As 2024 winds down, with its parade of climate-and extreme weather-fueled disasters , people across the nation are feeling the sharp pinch of rising insurance premiums and dropped policies. There are other factors at play hereincluding growing development in flood-prone and wildfire-prone areas and fundamental inequities and information gaps in the insurance marketbut all of that is being exacerbated by worsening flooding, wildfires and intensified storms.

Climate Change 264

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Regulations 2024 264

Inside Climate News

DECEMBER 18, 2024

New research identified the counties in the U.S. with large and vulnerable populations exposed to heat stress, water shortages or wildfire, with most found in the southern half of the country. By Wyatt Myskow Counties across the southern half of the U.S., especially those with large and socially vulnerable populations, will be much more exposed to wildfire, drought and extreme heat than other parts of the country as the regions climate warms in the coming decades, according to new research from

Climate Change 116

Climate Change 116

Legal Planet

DECEMBER 19, 2024

As the market for the electric buses, cars, trucks, and trains that help curb the climate crisis continues to grow globally, the battery supply chain faces increased scrutiny. Minerals like lithium, nickel, graphite, and cobalt are too often mined and processed in ways that contribute to harming communities and ecosystems, while the batteries often face wasteful end-of-life disposal.

Law 130

Law Waste Electricity 2024 130

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The NSAC staff retreat in West Virginia Theres no such thing as a quiet year when it comes to federal food and farm policy, and 2024 proved to be no exception! As the year comes to a close, we are reflecting on the progress we have made toward building a more resilient and equitable farm and food system. Amidst endless delays in Congress, a noisy election cycle, and major natural disasters that affected farmers nationwide, NSAC continued to do what we do best: advocate for better federal food an

2024 111

2024 2018 Conservation 2025 111

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The Penn State Extension will host a January 22 webinar on How Invasive Plants Drive An Insect Invasion from 8:00 to 9:15 a.m. The recent spread of invasive insects like the spotted lanternfly has underscored the interconnected threats posed by invasive plants and insects, both of which can significantly harm ecosystems. Andrew Liebhold will delve into the complex relationship between these invasive species and discuss the critical role of reducing plant invasions to preserve forest health.

Natural Resources 103

Natural Resources 2025 Conservation 2024 103

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

2024

Yale E360

DECEMBER 17, 2024

For decades, Congolese officials have barred the Batwa from their ancestral lands in the name of preserving the critically endangered eastern lowland gorilla. But a new study suggests the Batwa were never a threat to the creatures.

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Legal Planet

DECEMBER 16, 2024

This is the second in a series of posts. The first post is here. When people think about climate policy, they probably think that the goal of climate policy is reducing greenhouse gas emissions. And of course, the ultimate goal of climate policy is to reduce emissions, eventually getting us to an economy that is net zero. But there are many different possible policy paths to get to net zero, and we necessarily have to make a range of choices about which paths to pursue.

Politics 130

Politics Technology Technology Greenhouse 130

Ocean Conservancy

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Critical minerals are key components of clean-energy technologies, which are essential to replacing fossil fuels and stabilizing the climate. At present, the United States is highly dependent on critical minerals to support a growing electric vehicle market. Yet, the United States is also vulnerable to growing geopolitical realities and supply-chain bottlenecks.

Ocean 96

Ocean Conservation Fossil Fuels Electricity 96

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Larkspur Design will be offering a yearlong Permaculture Design Course , endorsed by the Permaculture Institute of North America during 2025. Earn your Permaculture Design Certificate while you learn to garden like the forest, ecological restoration, water harvesting, natural building, and much more. Participants will meet monthly, build community, and work toward our final design projects.

Climate Change 101

Climate Change 2025 2024 101

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.

Clean Energy

Academy of Natural Sciences

DECEMBER 16, 2024

Written by Louis Andracchio Delicate fronds of a water hornfern reach out to the edges of the archival paper. A dark cluster of ginger flowers float silently between two green blades of leaves. A golden bunch of rice stalks fan out as if caught in a breeze. Safely kept through decades of storage in the Penn Museum basement labs, an important ethnobotanical collection has finally been brought back to life at the Academy.

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Legal Planet

DECEMBER 18, 2024

This is the fourth in a series of posts. The first post is here. The second post is here. The third post is here. What lessons can we draw from this analysis for key climate policy debates? Here, I will focus on two key lessons, first for carbon pricing, and second for the use of mass movements to drive climate policy. For carbon pricing, the takeaway is that it is a poor tool to initiate climate policy sequencing with, and will generally work best as a subsidiary policy tool, or a follow-on to

Politics 130

Politics Climate Change Technology Technology 130

Yale E360

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Scientists have discovered that in addition to seeds and nuts, some California ground squirrels also eat voles.

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PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 18, 2024

On December 18, the Department of Environmental Protection said the agency will review the Shell Petrochemical Plant Title V Air Quality Permit application under the enhanced public participation process established in its Interim Final Environmental Justice Policy holding local stakeholder meetings, one or more public meetings and a hearing. DEP made the comments in response to an inquiry about the agencys public participation plan for the application.

Air Pollution 113

Air Pollution 2023 Environmental Protection 2024 113

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.

2022

Ocean Conservancy

DECEMBER 20, 2024

This year, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree traveled for more than three weeks across 4,000 miles from the Tongass National Forest in Southeast Alaska for display on the Capitols West Lawn in Washington D.C. The 80-foot Sitka spruce, nicknamed Spruce Wayne, was handpicked from the small community of Wrangell, located 120 miles from where I live in Sitka.

Ocean 91

Ocean Conservation Recycling 91

The Applied Ecologist

DECEMBER 19, 2024

In this blog post, Taylor Craft discusses the use of GPS tracking and satellite imagery to uncover the lives of Black-tailed Godwits in the Senegal Delta. You can read their latest study, published alongside co-authors, here. A pressing challenge The landscapes of the endangered continental Black-tailed Godwit face increasing pressures at nearly every key site along their migratory route.

Conservation 73

Conservation 73

Yale E360

DECEMBER 16, 2024

Malaria killed almost 600,000 people in 2023, as cases rose for the fifth consecutive year, according to a new report from the World Health Organization.

2023 220

2023 220

PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 18, 2024

On December 18, the PA Resources Council announced the student and adult winners of the 2024 Gene Capaldi Lens On Litter Photo Contest. Student Winners In the student category, the winner of the $500 first place prize is Delores Simpson of Glenville, York County, a 13-yr. old 8th grade student at Emory H. Markle Middle School in Hanover. Deloress photo titled Beauty in Chaos pictures a flower growing up through a pile of debris.

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2024 2025 94

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.

Waste

Law Columbia

DECEMBER 20, 2024

Over the last five years, at least 25 states have expressly preempted local governments from enacting requirements , or even incentives, to construct new buildings that do not rely on natural gas as a fuel source. On December 6, 2024, two local governments finally fought back in court. Seattle and King County, Washington, along with various nonprofit and individual plaintiffs, brought suit against the state of Washington in Climate Solutions v.

Natural Gas 59

Natural Gas Law Government Clean Air Act 59

Scientific American

DECEMBER 20, 2024

As the bird flu virus moved into cows and people, sluggish federal action, deference to industry and neglect for worker safety put the country at risk

Government 145

Government 145

New Scientist

DECEMBER 20, 2024

An experiment showing that quantum and classical communication can be carried out through the same fibre at the same time may open the door to building a quantum internet with existing infrastructure

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PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 17, 2024

The Department of Environmental Protection is still accepting applications for the Shared Energy Manager Program to help local governments, authorities and school districts reduce energy costs, consider renewable energy alternatives and implement local climate action plans. Wilson Engineering provided an overview of the Program and the results of the first two years for DEPs Climate Change Advisory Committee on December 17.

Renewable Energy 104

Renewable Energy Government Conservation Greenhouse 104

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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.

Sustainable Development

Law Columbia

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The Sabin Center published a report that explores the international and U.S. laws governing atmospheric methane removal (AMR) via soil amendments. AMR refers to human interventions to accelerate the conversion of methane in the atmosphere to a form that causes less warming (e.g., converting it to carbon dioxide). Scientists have proposed a range of potential AMR approaches, but all are in the early stages of development and require significantly more research to evaluate their efficacy and impac

Atmosphere 59

Atmosphere Carbon Dioxide Paris Agreement Fossil Fuels 59

Scientific American

DECEMBER 16, 2024

A mathematician has calculated the ideal shape for a beer glass to keep the liquid inside as cool as possible

Cooling 29

Cooling 29

New Scientist

DECEMBER 19, 2024

Recent findings show that Stonehenges stones came from all over Britain and this offers clues to the monuments purpose, say archaeologists

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PA Environment Daily

DECEMBER 19, 2024

The fall newsletter of the Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program features an article on the decades-long effort to monitor the biodiversity of the Upper Middle Allegheny River. Other articles include-- -- Surveys For Weasels In Western PA -- Bountiful Bryophytes -- Return To The Coastal Plain Oldenlandia -- Invasive Jumping Worms -- Rediscovery Of A Tick-Trefoil -- Species Associated Other Old Growth -- Assessing The Forrest H.

2024 103

2024 103

A Greener Life

DECEMBER 18, 2024

Image generated by AI. By Anders Lorenzen The impacts of climate change, such as droughts, intensive and large-scale industrial farming , land degradation, chemical overuse and surging demand for meat to be farmed are combined reasons for the declining health and quality of the soil the world over. If serious and urgent action is not taken, it will speed up desertification and the worlds agricultural land’s ability to produce the level of food it is today.

Deforestation 52

Deforestation Climate Change Conservation 52