Sat.Apr 20, 2024 - Fri.Apr 26, 2024

article thumbnail

A Golden Age of Renewables Is Beginning, and California Is Leading the Way

Scientific American

California has hit record-breaking milestones in renewable electricity generation, showing that wind, water and solar are ready to cover our electricity needs

article thumbnail

A Call for Climate Justice at the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights

Union of Concerned Scientists

This week, the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights (IACHR) started to hear testimony at the University of the West Indies , near Bridgetown, Barbados, addressing one of the most pressing global issues of our time: climate change and its implications on human rights. Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) Research Scientist Carly Philips (pictured on the left above) testified on April 24.

Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

How the US is preparing for a potential bird flu pandemic

New Scientist

As the US grapples with an ongoing bird flu outbreak in dairy cattle, the country’s health agencies are ramping up surveillance efforts and working to develop a vaccine if needed

141
141
article thumbnail

Hidden Fossil Fuels: Plastic Production Drives Climate Change

NRDC

Study shows that plastic production could be nearly one third of the global carbon budget and emits four times more greenhouse gases than the airline industry.

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

How a Cloned Ferret Inspired a DNA Bank for Endangered Species

Scientific American

The birth of a cloned black-footed ferret named Elizabeth Ann, and her two new sisters, has sparked a new pilot program to preserve the tissues of hundreds of endangered species “just in case”

135
135
article thumbnail

What Fixed Charges on Your Electric Bill Could Mean for Charging an EV in California

Union of Concerned Scientists

Residential electricity rates for many Californians have increased significantly over the last year, making it more expensive to charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home. It’s still cheaper to recharge an EV than buy gasoline, but those savings have been eroded by surging electric rates. Prompted by a state law, California’s utility regulator has proposed to change the way electricity is billed by adding a fixed monthly charge to all rate plans and making a corresponding reduction to the cost for

More Trending

article thumbnail

Nixon Advisers’ Climate Research Plan: Another Lost Chance on the Road to Crisis

Inside Climate News

A 1971 plan for a global carbon dioxide monitoring network never came to fruition. The proposal is detailed in a document newly unearthed by the National Security Archive. By Marianne Lavelle In 1971, President Richard Nixon’s science advisers proposed a multimillion dollar climate change research project with benefits they said were too “immense” to be quantified, since they involved “ensuring man’s survival,” according to a White House document newly obtained by the nonprofit National Security

article thumbnail

Extrovert or Introvert: Most People Are Actually Ambiverts

Scientific American

Research on personality types in the middle of the extroversion-introversion scale is limited—yet the majority of people fall into this category

141
141
article thumbnail

The energy transition is already happening, and it’s being led by our Indigenous communities

Enviromental Defense

This blog was written by Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Founder and Executive Director of Sacred Earth Solar My name is Melina Laboucan-Massimo. I am from the Lubicon Cree First Nation in Little Buffalo, Alberta. In 2011, my community experienced what was the second-largest oil spill in the province’s history – 4.5 million litres of crude oil (28,000 barrels) contaminated hectares of an aquifer, beaver ponds, muskeg and dense forest.

article thumbnail

Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles

New Scientist

Two important barriers to a stable, powerful fusion reaction have been leapt by an experiment in a small tokamak reactor, but we don’t yet know if the technique will work in larger devices

145
145
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

DEP Invites Comments On A Proposed Declaration Of An Exceptional Air Pollution Event Due To 2023 Wildfire Smoke Impacts

PA Environment Daily

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on a proposed declaration of an Exceptional Air Quality Event due to 2023 wildfires from Canada and New Jersey causing elevated levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds impacting ozone pollution in Pennsylvania. A successful Exceptional Event declaration approved by EPA will mean DEP can essentially exclude the bad air days caused by wildfires from their analysis of wh

article thumbnail

Low-Earth Orbit Faces a Spiraling Debris Threat

Scientific American

Millions of human-made objects travel at high speeds in low-Earth orbit, polluting space and increasing the chance of collision with satellites and other spacecraft

127
127
article thumbnail

Land sparing outperforms land sharing for Amazonian bird communities regardless of surrounding landscape context

The Applied Ecologist

Benjamin Birch discusses the role of wildlife-friendly habitat in the wider surrounding landscape in promoting farmland diversity. Alongside colleagues, Birch modelled strategies of land sparing and land sharing under different levels of production. Background The conversion of natural habitats to agriculture is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity globally.

116
116
article thumbnail

Some scientists say insects are conscious – it doesn't settle anything

New Scientist

A group of around 40 scientists signed a declaration calling for formal acknowledgement of consciousness in a range of animals, including insects and fish – but the evidence is still lacking

143
143
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

DEP Posted 93 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 27 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the April 27 PA Bulletin -- -- PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 27 [PaEN] -- The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the April 27 PA Bulletin inviting public comments on a proposed declaration of an Exceptional Air Quality Event due to 2023 wildfires from Canada and New Jersey causing elevated levels of nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds impacting ozone

article thumbnail

How Temperate Forests Could Help Limit Climate Change

Scientific American

People understand how saving tropical forests is good for the planet, but temperate forests are equally indispensable in fighting climate change

article thumbnail

We Must Stop the Campellville Quarry

Enviromental Defense

This is a guest blog by George Minakakis, Chair of ACTION Milton and Campbellville resident. In the heart of Milton, a looming threat endangers the very essence of community life. The proposed Reid Road Reservoir Quarry is more than just a local issue – it’s a call to protect our fundamental right to clean drinking water, fresh air, and a safe living environment.

2018 111
article thumbnail

Has the US finally figured out how to do high-speed rail?

New Scientist

As work begins on building the US’s first high-speed rail service – linking Los Angeles to Las Vegas – analysts say the project could serve as a blueprint for similar projects across the country

138
138
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

PA Oil & Gas Industrial Facilities: Permit Notices, Opportunities To Comment - April 27

PA Environment Daily

The following DEP notices were published in the April 27 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities. Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments. Land Recycling/Brownfield Cleanups So far in 2024, DEP received or acted on 111 Act 2 Land Recycling notices related to oil and gas facility site cleanups. Air Quality Permits -- Mountain Gathering LLC - Pipeline Compressor Station: DEP invites comments on proposed modifications of an Air Quality Plan Approval for the faci

article thumbnail

Biden Kicks Off Earth Week with Solar Funding, Expanding Climate Corps

Scientific American

The Biden administration is marking Earth Week with announcements of solar power funding for lower-income communities, an expansion of the Climate Corps and Clean Air Act rules

article thumbnail

Brazil's Attorney General Urges Investigation of Environmental Progress Founder Michael Shellenberger

Environmental Progress

Statement by Environmental Progress Founder and President Michael Shellenberger: “Brazil's Attorney General has just accused me of having committed a "probable" crime because I published the "Twitter Files - Brazil." It's a monstrous lie. President Lula is persecuting me because I exposed the government's illegal censorship. The Lula Government is spreading disinformation and ridiculous conspiracy theories that are easy to debunk, as I do in the video below.

article thumbnail

5 extraordinary ideas about the mind and what it means to be conscious

New Scientist

To celebrate the launch of our new event series in the US, kicking off with a masterclass on the brain and consciousness, we have unlocked five incredible long reads

136
136
article thumbnail

South Mountain Partnership Action Alert: Support Needed For New Michaux State Forest District Resource Center In Franklin County

PA Environment Daily

The South Mountain Partnership is requesting citizens to support the new Resources Management Center proposed for Michaux State Forest District to replace the current District Office in Franklin County. The chosen site is State Forest property that is currently leased to the South Mountain Golf Course. The new RMC will improve services in the South Mountain Conservation Landscape by better serving district forest needs, residents, and visitors.

article thumbnail

Glow-in-the-Dark Animals May Have Been Around for 540 Million Years

Scientific American

Ancestors of so-called “soft” corals may have developed bioluminescence in the earliest days of deep-ocean living

Ocean 141
article thumbnail

Power Plant Carbon Rules: What’s Changed Since the 2023 Proposal?

NRDC

The EPA's finalized rules for carbon emissions from the power sector have just been released. Here's how they've evolved.

article thumbnail

Bowhead whales still harmed from whaling that ended a century ago

New Scientist

Commercial bowhead whaling ended in the early 20th century, but the industry’s lasting effects on the whales’ genetic diversity are leading to declines again

144
144
article thumbnail

DEP, DCNR, Agriculture, Fish Commission, Local Partners Celebrate Turtle Creek Watershed Stream Restoration, Investments, Water Quality Improvements

PA Environment Daily

On April 25, four state agencies, legislators and two land conservancies celebrated portions of the Turtle Creek watershed in southeastern Union County being removed, or “delisted” from the federal Clean Water Act impaired waters list. The participants included the Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources joined the Fish and Boat Commission, Sen.

article thumbnail

Elizabeth Bates and the Search for the Roots of Human Language

Scientific American

In the 1970s a young psychologist challenged a popular theory of how we acquire language, launching a fierce debate that continues to this day

121
121
article thumbnail

Stop Food Waste: Redistribution and Upcycling Opportunities

NRDC

NRDC and our partners at Drexel Food Lab are raising awareness about expanded liability protections and upcycling opportunities for food businesses.

Upcycling 116
article thumbnail

Japan’s SLIM moon lander has shockingly survived a third lunar night

New Scientist

Almost all moon landers break down during the extraordinary cold of lunar night, but Japan’s Smart Lander for Investigating Moon has astonishingly survived three nights

137
137
article thumbnail

Chesapeake Bay Foundation: Lancaster Gets Early Earth Day Gift: 100 Trees Planted At Dar Corporation Property

PA Environment Daily

Lancaster received an early Earth Day gift of 100 new trees during the weekend. Dr. Zeshan Ismat of Lancaster City, and Dart Corporation employees. planted 100 trees on the company’s property at 110 Pitney Road, Lancaster, Saturday morning. Dr. Ismat received a 2022 Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award from the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership for her conservation and Environmental Justice work in under-represented portions of her community.

Earth Day 110
article thumbnail

People Keep Secrets Because They Overestimate Harsh Judgments

Scientific American

Research suggests that people tend to exaggerate how critically they will be viewed if they reveal negative information about themselves to others

118
118
article thumbnail

Earth Day Illustrates the Path Toward Climate and Community Resilience

Washington Nature

By Todd Reeve, CEO of the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and James Schroeder, Director of Conservation for The Nature Conservancy in Washington Earth Day ignited our collective awareness of challenges facing people and nature, and spurred unparalleled legislative action bringing us cleaner air and water. Five decades later, Washingtonians face an important crossroad: our climate future will be on the ballot this November as Initiative 2117 which would repeal Washington’s most comprehensive

Earth Day 105