Sat.Feb 25, 2023 - Fri.Mar 03, 2023

article thumbnail

Good News from the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Legal Planet

The headline news is that Minnesota has adopted a 2040 deadline for a carbon-free grid. The headline is accurate, but the law in question contains a lot of other interesting features that deserve attention. Despite the law’s extremely unglamorous name (“Senate File 4”), this is a big step forward for the state, as well as evidence of how much difference it makes to unified party control of state government.

article thumbnail

The Importance of the “S” in ESG

Environment + Energy Leader

Long regarded as a consistent financial metric with over $20 trillion of assets under management today, isn't it time to consider how we align more with the intangible assets of the social impact of ESG? The post The Importance of the “S” in ESG appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

279
279
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

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

article thumbnail

Endangered Mexican Gray Wolves on the Rebound in U.S. Southwest

Yale E360

Once driven to the brink of extinction, Mexican gray wolves have slowly returned to the U.S. Southwest. For the first time since their reintroduction more than two decades ago, their numbers total more than 200, according to federal officials.

195
195
article thumbnail

As Millions of Solar Panels Age Out, Recyclers Prepare to Cash In

Yale E360

Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, but they contain valuable metals, including silver and copper. With a surge of expired panels expected soon, companies are emerging that seek to recycle the reusable materials and keep the panels out of landfills.

Recycling 358
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

Guiding Principles for EV Battery Recycling Policy

Union of Concerned Scientists

Electrifying our transportation system is essential for mitigating emissions that cause climate change and adverse health impacts. This electrification will require a lot more batteries and therefore a lot more minerals. Recovering these materials from retired electric vehicle (EV) batteries is an alternative source to mining. Essentially, the materials recovered through battery recycling can replace future material supply that would otherwise need to be extracted from the earth to meet demand.

Recycling 234
article thumbnail

AT&T Is Cutting CO2 By Ratcheting Up Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Environment + Energy Leader

AT&T aims to cut its Scopes 1 and 2 emissions through improved energy efficiencies and to replace fossil fuel usage with renewable energies. It plans to reduce greenhouse gases by 63% by 2030 from a 2015 baseline. The post AT&T Is Cutting CO2 By Ratcheting Up Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

More Trending

article thumbnail

Explorers Club Names J. Carl Ganter a Fellow, Recognizing Contributions to Freshwater Research, Conservation and Journalism

Circle of Blue

Circle of Blue co-founder joins roster of explorers who have “inspired many of the world’s greatest discoveries” as water stress becomes a serious threat to people, business, the environment and political stability across the world NEW YORK (FEB 27, 2023) — The Explorers Club — the distinguished international society that promotes scientific expeditions and discovery that push the bounds of human possibility — has named J.

article thumbnail

Farmland Consolidation, Not Chinese Ownership, Is the Real National Security Threat

Union of Concerned Scientists

Following the wide coverage of a suspected Chinese spy balloon in US airspace earlier in February, Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) and others have proposed legislation that would seek to limit foreign ownership of US farmland, targeting China, Russia, and other “adversaries” of the US government. But how much land do foreign entities really own in this country?

2017 251
article thumbnail

US Solar and Wind Power Production Soars in 2022: California and Texas Lead the Charge

Environment + Energy Leader

The increasing importance of renewable energy from solar panels and wind turbines in the United States is driven by the rapid decline in costs for these technologies The post US Solar and Wind Power Production Soars in 2022: California and Texas Lead the Charge appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

article thumbnail

In Cambodia, a Battered Mekong Defies Doomsday Predictions

Yale E360

After years of environmental assault — from dam building, overfishing, and logging — stretches of the Mekong River, upon which millions of people depend, appear to be recovering. Heavy rains have helped, along with a crackdown on illegal fishing and other conservation efforts.

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

The Stream, March 1, 2023: Okefenokee Swamp, Among World’s Largest Freshwater Wetlands, Threatened by Proposed Mine

Circle of Blue

Shanties in Portelinha, a favela in São Paulo, Brazil. Photo © J. Carl Ganter / Circle of Blue YOUR GLOBAL RUNDOWN In southern Ukraine , a reservoir controlled by Russian troops has been drained to its lowest level in three decades. Extreme rains and mudslides in southeastern Brazil kill dozens of people and force thousands from their homes. Farming leaders in England push for new reservoirs as water shortages become more common and severe.

2023 244
article thumbnail

CEQA and UC Berkeley Housing: Don’t Panic

Legal Planet

Where’s The Toga? (Photo Credit: Library of Congress) Lots of screaming and yelling about last week’s Court of Appeal CEQA decision concerning student housing at UC Berkeley. The Court struck down the university’s plan for more student housing on the grounds that the final Environmental Impact Report did not adequately assess noise impacts from students.

Law 236
article thumbnail

Louisville Selects Solar Energy Solutions & Icon Solar Power for Solar Over Louisville Campaign

Environment + Energy Leader

The Solar Over Louisville initiative proved to be a significant success as 92 contracts were signed, marking it as the third-largest solar campaign in the US in 2022, and the most extensive solar project to date in Louisville. The post Louisville Selects Solar Energy Solutions & Icon Solar Power for Solar Over Louisville Campaign appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

article thumbnail

Biden Must Fix New Senate Legislation on China

Union of Concerned Scientists

President Biden’s recent address in Warsaw , read together with President Putin’s speech in Moscow , suggest we’re heading towards a second cold war in Europe. The confrontational exchange between Secretary of State Blinken and Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi at the Munich security conference portends the same for Asia. The signs are everywhere. National Nuclear Security Administration Administrator Jill Hruby recently described growing international interest in nuclear technology and the weapo

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

To Study Human-Wildlife Encounters, Scientists Turn to Tik Tok

Yale E360

Herders on the Tibetan plateau are prone to seeing gray wolves, snow leopards, brown bears, and other wildlife, with the potential for conflict. Historically, it has been difficult to study these encounters, but the rise of smartphones has given researchers a valuable new tool — videos of wildlife taken by the herders themselves.

178
178
article thumbnail

NEW REPORT: More than enough land available to build over 2 million homes in the Greater Golden Horseshoe by 2031, without touching the Greenbelt or expanding urban boundaries

Enviromental Defense

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – A new report makes it clear that there is more than enough land already in the planning pipelines to build over 2 million homes by 2031, far more than the 1.5 million housing units the Province wants built across Ontario. This makes it evident there is no planning rationale for building on the Greenbelt or mandating sprawl development.

article thumbnail

Liquibox Develops Recycle-Ready Urn-Liners to Meet Green Initiatives

Environment + Energy Leader

The new urn-liners are made from all-polyethylene material, making them compatible with recycling streams and reducing the company’s ecological footprint. The post Liquibox Develops Recycle-Ready Urn-Liners to Meet Green Initiatives appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

Recycling 278
article thumbnail

Minnesota Can Do More to Protect People from Ethylene Oxide Emissions

Union of Concerned Scientists

Lately, I have been writing a lot about cumulative impacts from environmental hazards. Meanwhile, the Union of Concern Scientists just published an important report on the potential threat posed by emissions of ethylene oxide from facilities that use the cancer-causing gas to sterilize medical equipment and other products. The report includes case studies of hotspots for ethylene oxide emissions (including in Minnesota ) and an interactive map.

article thumbnail

Remnants of Two Banned Insecticides Nearly Eliminated in Great Lakes Region

Yale E360

Two banned insecticides known to linger in the atmosphere have been all but eliminated from North America's Great Lakes region, a study finds.

article thumbnail

We’re starting to understand how viruses trigger chronic conditions

New Scientist

Widespread cases of long covid have shone a spotlight on the role viral infections play in previously neglected conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

145
145
article thumbnail

Janus Electric to Convert Diesel Logging Truck into All-Electric Vehicle for Fennell Forestry

Environment + Energy Leader

The 720-horsepower electric truck will undergo a two-year testing period to assess its performance and maintenance costs. The post Janus Electric to Convert Diesel Logging Truck into All-Electric Vehicle for Fennell Forestry appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

article thumbnail

Will an Equity Commission Report Address Systemic Racism at the USDA?  

Union of Concerned Scientists

On February 28, an advisory committee to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) presented Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack with its interim recommendations on how the department should address its long history of programmatic inequity and injustice. The recommendations are sweeping—they span across USDA programs and address the services the department provides to farmers, farmworkers, and consumers, while also tackling institutional issues within the department itself and its sup

article thumbnail

A Simple Thing You Can Do to Benefit Backyard Birds and Bees

Cool Green Science

It’s time to ease up on the spring clean-up to help pollinators and other local wildlife. The post A Simple Thing You Can Do to Benefit Backyard Birds and Bees appeared first on Cool Green Science.

Cooling 140
article thumbnail

Vaccine Makers Are Preparing for Bird Flu

Scientific American

Although most experts say bird flu is not an immediate threat to humans, efforts are underway to produce vaccines for H5N1 or another potential pandemic virus

145
145
article thumbnail

The Surprise Parts Obsolescence Impact of PFAS

Environment + Energy Leader

When it comes to PFAS (forever chemicals) regulations are secondary — production sunsetting and parts obsolescence is where manufacturers will first feel the pressure. The post The Surprise Parts Obsolescence Impact of PFAS appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

article thumbnail

“Temporada de peligro” en Sudamérica: El cambio climático rompe los récords de calor en la región

Union of Concerned Scientists

Traducido del inglés por Felipe Castro Mientras una ola de frío ártico sin precedentes se apoderaba de Estados Unidos, una ola de calor sin precedentes se extendía por partes de Sudamérica durante gran parte de los últimos meses. Mientras nos encontramos en medio de brutales tormentas invernales en el hemisferio norte, resulta fácil olvidar que es verano en el hemisferio sur.

2023 182
article thumbnail

Giant insect thought extinct in eastern US found in a Walmart

New Scientist

A giant lacewing found clinging to the exterior of a supermarket is the first time in 50 years the species been spotted in the eastern half of the US

143
143
article thumbnail

12 exotic bacteria found to passively collect rare earth elements from wastewater

Frontiers

By Mischa Dijkstra, Frontiers science writer Scientists have shown that the biomass of 12 previously unstudied strains of cyanobacteria from around the globe is efficient at the biosorption of the rare earth elements lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and terbium from aqueous solutions. This allows these rare elements, for which demand is steadily growing, to be collected from wastewater from mining, metallurgy, and the recycling of e-waste, and reused.

article thumbnail

Li-Cycle Receives $375M Loan to Build NA Battery Resource Recovery Facility

Environment + Energy Leader

The Rochester Hub is expected to become a significant domestic source of battery-grade materials, including lithium, nickel, and cobalt, and will be one of the first-of-its-kind commercial facilities in North America. The post Li-Cycle Receives $375M Loan to Build NA Battery Resource Recovery Facility appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

article thumbnail

Beyond Black History Month: taking action on environmental racism and justice

Enviromental Defense

This is a guest blog by Dr. Ingrid Waldron There’s a toxic mix of factors that impact the health of racialized communities, and only some of these factors are the chemical properties of the hazards we are exposed to through our products, communities and occupations. These start with the cumulative health impacts of daily toxic exposures, colonialism and its white and Eurocentric beauty standards, outdated toxics laws and weak transparency policies.

Waste 116
article thumbnail

Ford patents car that can repossess itself and drive back to showroom

New Scientist

A new patent allows Ford to build cars that take action if the owner falls behind on payments by playing annoying sounds – or even driving themselves back to the seller

128
128
article thumbnail

Scientists unveil plan to create biocomputers powered by human brain cells 

Frontiers

by Liad Hollender, Frontiers science writer Credit: Thomas Hartung, Johns Hopkins University Despite AI’s impressive track record, its computational power pales in comparison with that of the human brain. Scientists today unveil a revolutionary path to drive computing forward: organoid intelligence (OI), where lab-grown brain organoids serve as biological hardware. “This new field of biocomputing promises unprecedented advances in computing speed, processing power, data efficiency, and sto

article thumbnail

Building a Greener Future: Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership

Environment + Energy Leader

The partnership aims to contribute to India's goal of achieving 450 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, as well as to support the country's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a more sustainable energy system. The post Building a Greener Future: Indo-Danish Green Strategic Partnership appeared first on Environment + Energy Leader.

article thumbnail

French NGOs Target Bank’s Activities Contributing to Climate Change

Law Columbia

Photo by Floriane Vita on Unsplash In October 2022, French environmental NGOs Notre Affaire à Tous, Les Amis de la Terre, and Oxfam France sent a notice of intent to sue BNP Paribas. Considering the answer by BNP Paribas, sent on January 24, 2023, as largely insufficient and unsatisfactory, the NGOs brought a suit before the Judicial Court of Paris.