Sat.May 18, 2024 - Fri.May 24, 2024

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New Report: Scoping the Public Health Impacts of Wildfire

Legal Planet

Wildfire smoke presents a population-wide health risk in California. Catastrophic wildfires are fueling complex and extensive public health impacts, including air pollution-related mortality and a growing toll on mental health. These risks result in hundreds of millions of dollars in estimated losses and carry stark environmental justice implications for vulnerable populations.

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Danger Season 2024: It’s Already Started

Union of Concerned Scientists

Ahead of Memorial Day, the unofficial kick-off of summer, we are back with an annual warning that gets more pointed each year: it is now Danger Season 2024, and everyone needs to be ready. Because the hits are coming, and they’re going to hurt. “Danger Season” refers to the warmer months when, turbo-charged by climate change, extreme events like heat waves, heavy rainfall, wildfires, and poor air quality bring miserable and often dangerous, conditions.

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The 2024 Hurricane Season Could Be a Dangerous One

Scientific American

The National Hurricane Center’s hurricane season outlook for the Atlantic Ocean forecasts 17 to 25 named storms in 2024 because of an expected combination of warm ocean temperatures and a La Niña climate pattern

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Three years of high temperatures will mean we have breached 1.5°C

New Scientist

The aim to limit global warming to 1.

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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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The Ontario Government’s Anti-Density Bill 185 is so Extreme and Corrupt that even Density Opponents are Concerned

Enviromental Defense

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – The Ontario government’s latest attempt to kneecap efforts to build more homes in neighbourhoods – and supercharge suburban sprawl – is so extreme that even some long-time opponents of density are joining the opposition.

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Four Steps Federal Agencies Need to Take for Better Public Engagement

Union of Concerned Scientists

For years at the Center for Science and Democracy (CSD), we have championed the need for federal agencies to adopt clear and equitable practices for engaging with the public. The public’s ability to weigh in on new rules and regulations proposed by agencies lies at the heart of a strong democracy. It offers a critical mechanism through which members of the public can have a direct say in the decisions our government is making.

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Earth-like exoplanet found just 40 light years away – the closest yet

New Scientist

A nearby planet named Gliese 12 b has an estimated surface temperature of 42°C (108°F), making it a promising candidate for liquid water and maybe life

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In Two New Studies, Scientists See Signs of Fundamental Climate Shifts in Antarctica

Inside Climate News

A steep decline of Antarctic sea ice may mark a long-term transformation in the Southern Ocean, and seawater intrusions beneath the Thwaites Glacier could explain its melting outpacing projections. By Bob Berwyn Antarctica’s vast ice fields and the floating sea ice surrounding the continent are Earth’s biggest heat shields, bouncing solar radiation away from the planet, but two studies released today show how global warming is encroaching even on the sunlight reflector in the coldest region on t

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Toronto’s Legalization of Six-Storey Apartment Buildings in Residential Neighbourhoods is the Model for Fixing Ontario’s Housing Shortage

Enviromental Defense

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Yesterday, Mayor Olivia Chow and Toronto City Council approved a large-scale Official Plan amendment and rezoning of major streets within the city’s residential neighborhoods that will permit apartment buildings of up to six storeys and sixty units on more than 30,000 lots that have –until now– been re

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Singapore Airlines Turbulence: Why Climate Change Is Making Flights Rougher

Scientific American

Warming temperatures are likely to mean that more of your plane ride will have rocky conditions, creating potentially dangerous situations

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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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Ants learn faster on caffeine

New Scientist

A dose of caffeine helped ants locate a sweet reward 30 per cent faster, suggesting the drug boosts learning in the insects

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The Torture and Killing of a Wolf, a New Endangered Species Lawsuit and Novel Science Revive Wyoming Debate Over the Predator

Inside Climate News

Conservationists are split over how to protect a keystone species in the Cowboy State. Can new science estimating the predators’ effects on carbon sequestration provide a path forward? By Jake Bolster On Feb. 29, Cody Roberts was out hunting on his snowmobile in Wyoming when he crossed paths with a lone gray wolf in the state’s “predator zone,” where wolves can be killed by almost any means and without a license.

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10 Things I Hate About You (House Majority Farm Bill)

NRDC

From undermining historic climate funding to compromising food security and weakening species protections, NRDC’s analysis lays out the worst of the worst that this Farm Bill has to offer.

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Crows Rival Human Toddlers in Counting Skills

Scientific American

Counting crows proclaim “caw, caw, caw, caw” when staring at the number four

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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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Hot Atlantic sets the stage for extreme hurricane season

New Scientist

This year could bring up to 25 named tropical storms, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says, due to hot Atlantic Ocean surface temperatures and a shift to La Niña conditions

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NOAA 2024 Hurricane Forecast Is for More Storms Than Ever Before

Inside Climate News

The unprecedented prediction is based most notably on near-record sea surface temperatures, which are as warm now as they normally are in August. By Amy Green ORLANDO, Fla.—Get ready for an active hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is predicting the greatest number of named storms this hurricane season since the forecasts began in 1998.

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One Year Later: Responding to the Supreme Court’s Attack on Clean Water

NRDC

This weekend marks one year since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Sackett v. EPA, the worst judicial rollback of environmental protections ever.

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The Great Solar Storm of 2024 May Have Made the Strongest Auroras in Centuries

Scientific American

Northern and southern lights produced by a recent bout of severe space weather may rival the most intense auroras of the past 500 years

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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 quantum entanglement really works and why we accept its weirdness

New Scientist

Subatomic particles can appear to instantly influence one another, no matter how far apart they are.

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The Midwest Could Be in for Another Smoke-Filled Summer. Here’s How States Are Preparing

Inside Climate News

Fires fueled by drought are sending smoke south from Canada into the U.S., leaving folks exposed to dangerous particulate matter in the air. By Kristoffer Tigue Nick Witcraft knew he’d have a busy morning when his phone notified him that Canadian wildfire smoke was drifting across the U.S.-Canadian border eight days ago.

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Extreme Birding: Shorebirds at the Sewage Lagoon

Cool Green Science

Shorebird identification can be a challenge. The best place to practice might just be your local sewage lagoon. The post Extreme Birding: Shorebirds at the Sewage Lagoon appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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Could Putting Neosporin in Your Nose Fend Off COVID?

Scientific American

People may someday have a surprisingly familiar tool to prevent viral infections: one of the antibiotics found in a common ointment

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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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Ancient viruses in the human genome linked to mental health conditions

New Scientist

People with higher genetic risk for depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder are more likely to have unusual activity levels of "fossil viruses" in their genomes

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Q&A: The Dire Consequences of Global Warming in the Earth’s Oceans

Inside Climate News

Imagining a world without fish in the world’s tropical oceans. Interview by Aynsley O’Neill, Living on Earth From our collaborating partner “Living on Earth,” public radio’s environmental news magazine , an interview with Bob Bewyn, a staff writer at Inside Climate News, based in Austria.

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Proposed Quarry Puts Ontario’s Turtle Protections to the Test

Enviromental Defense

This is a guest blog by Katie Krelove, Ontario campaigner at Wilderness Committee. Katie works to build relationships and advocate towards strong campaigns to advance the Wilderness Committee’s goals of people-powered wilderness preservation for the benefit of all in Ontario. Ontario’s Endangered Species Act (ESA) is meant to protect and recover species-at-risk and their habitats, but does it work?

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Cities Are Switching to Electric Vehicles Faster Than Individuals

Scientific American

Electric trucks and sedans have proven popular with municipal fleets, but cities have also bought niche vehicles such as an electric Zamboni

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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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Cattle used for cuddling therapy may prefer women over men

New Scientist

Cattle seem to be more willing to lick and accept food from women, and are more likely to act aggressively around men

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New NASA Mission Tracks Microscopic Organisms in the Ocean and Tiny Particles in the Air to Monitor Climate Change

Inside Climate News

The spectrum of colors viewed by the PACE satellite can identify different phytoplankton species in the ocean and a variety of aerosols in the atmosphere, helping researchers identify threats to the health of people and the planet. By Teresa Tomassoni From more than 400 miles above Earth, NASA is tracking some of the planet’s smallest life forms drifting just beneath the ocean’s surface to monitor how global warming affects ocean health.

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Does incorporating complexity into coastal engineering increase fish diversity along urban shorelines?

The Applied Ecologist

Authors of a recently published research article explain how, to enhance fish diversity, it is important to provide three-dimensional habitat architecture that incorporates a wide range of microhabitat sizes and types. Habitat complexity Habitat complexity is a key driver of marine fish diversity and essential for determining structure and function of fish communities.

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This Start-Up Wants You to Put Custom Bacteria on Your Teeth

Scientific American

Lumina Probiotic has said a genetically modified microbe could prevent cavities.

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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.