Sat.Apr 06, 2024 - Fri.Apr 12, 2024

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A Total Eclipse of the Heat

Legal Planet

Millions of Americans traveled this week to the path of totality to hunker down with loved ones and total strangers to gaze upwards at one of the most amazing astronomical events of our lives and share something like a transcendent, spiritual experience. I hope we can collectively reckon with another terrifyingly awesome atmospheric event: the hottest year.

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Swiss Women Lead the Way in Historic Climate Justice Victory

Union of Concerned Scientists

In a pivotal week for environmental justice, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg, France, delivered rulings on three climate cases. A landmark ruling in the Swiss Women’s case criticized governments for not acting in line with science and unequivocally stated that inadequate government action on climate change constitutes a violation of human rights.

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The D.C. Circuit Affirms EPA’s Reinstatement of California’s Authority to Set Auto Emissions Limits; Don’t Get Too Excited About It

Law and Environment

On Tuesday, in Ohio v. EPA , the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals denied several challenges to EPA’s decision to restore California’s authority under § 209(b) of the Clean Air Act to regulate emissions from motor vehicles. It’s definitely a win for EPA. And while I’m leery of my ability to predict what this Supreme Court will do, if I had to guess, I’d say that even this SCOTUS will affirm EPA’s authority.

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Peter Higgs, a Giant of Particle Physics, Dies at 94

Scientific American

The Nobel Prize-winning theorist’s prediction of the Higgs boson sparked a half-century quest of discovery that reshaped physics—and our understanding of the universe

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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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Climate Change and Nigeria

Legal Planet

By the time my youngest granddaughter is thirty, Nigeria will be the world’s third-largest country. It’s also one of the countries that’s least prepared to adapt to climate change, which will be much worse by then. Nigeria’s population is expected to roughly double by 2050, to around 400 million. The population was previously expected to double again by 2100, but the current estimate is that it will reach “only” about 550 million.

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What’s the Role of the Land Carbon Sink in Achieving US Climate Goals?

Union of Concerned Scientists

The longevity of naturally occurring carbon sinks, like those in Earth’s forests, is a key part of all modeled and projected pathways to net-zero. Without the considerable carbon absorption capacity of our lands (and oceans), we’d currently have much more CO 2 in the atmosphere and an accelerated timeline of warming. But the complexities of the interactions between the land and atmosphere, especially in a rapidly changing climate, are challenging to model, leading to uncertainty around the magni

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A Random Influx of DNA from a Virus Helped Vertebrates Become So Stunningly Successful

Scientific American

Insertion of genetic material from a virus into the genome of a vertebrate ancestor enabled the lightning-quick electrical impulses that give animals with backbones their smarts

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Not All Community Benefits Are Created Equal

Legal Planet

CLEE has just released a new report, Offshore Wind & Community Benefits Agreements in California: CBA Examples , detailing the CBA and other community provisions in California’s offshore wind leases, as well as examples of CBA precursors and models from other industries. Read it here. As California offshore wind moves forward, there are opportunities for underserved, environmental justice, and tribal communities to secure benefits and community investment (if communities are interested in ne

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Earth Day Book Review 2024

Cool Green Science

Our selections this year show how the nature writing genre continues to evolve and surprise. The post Earth Day Book Review 2024 appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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How AI mathematicians might finally deliver human-level reasoning

New Scientist

Artificial intelligence is taking on some of the hardest problems in pure maths, arguably demonstrating sophisticated reasoning and creativity – and a big step forward for AI

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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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Climate Action Is a Legal Obligation, European Court Rules

Scientific American

The European Court of Human Rights found that climate change is a human rights issue, providing a blueprint for Europeans to force their governments to tackle rising temperatures

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The Transformation of European Climate Change Litigation: Introduction to the Blog Symposium

Law Columbia

In a transformative moment for European and global climate litigation, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled today that the state has a positive duty to adopt, and effectively implement in practice, regulations and measures capable of mitigating the existing and potentially irreversible future effects of climate change. In Verein KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz and Others v.

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Southeast at a Crossroads: Bad Gas Bet or Clean Energy Boon?

NRDC

The Southeast is facing a spike in electric load growth projections. Utilities are proposing a massive gas buildout to meet it—we can do better.

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Cannabis use in pregnancy may raise children’s risk of ADHD and autism

New Scientist

A study of more than 220,000 people found that cannabis use during pregnancy was associated with their children having roughly twice the risk of ADHD, autism and intellectual disability

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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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COVID Vaccination during Pregnancy Protects Newborn Babies

Scientific American

Studies show that vaccination against COVID during pregnancy provides a powerful safeguard for vulnerable infants too young to receive the vaccine on their own

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Act 14: Little Known State Law Gives Municipalities, Counties First Chance To Comment On DEP Permits Before Applications Are Submitted; Critical First Step In Public Involvement

PA Environment Daily

Many communities and citizens are not aware that a state law passed in 1984 gives them the first chance to comment on Department of Environmental Protection permit applications even before they are submitted to the agency. Act 14 requires applicants to submit notices to municipalities and counties for air quality, water obstruction (Chapter 105), any water quality permit issued under the Cleans Streams Law (including Chapter 102, stormwater, NPDES), any solid waste and hazardous waste, land recy

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Historic and Unprecedented: The ECtHR Upholds Positive Human Rights Obligations to Mitigate Climate Change

Law Columbia

The three much-awaited judgments issued by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) on April 9, 2024 are truly historic and unprecedented. In Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland , the Grand Chamber established that climate change is “one of the most pressing issues of our times” and poses a threat to human rights. With this ruling, the Court confirmed that States have a positive obligation to adopt measures to mitigate climate change under Article 8 of the ECHR, the right

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Annie Jacobsen: 'What if we had a nuclear war?’

New Scientist

Not long after the last world war, the historian William L. Shirer had this to say about the next world war. It “will be launched by suicidal little madmen pressing an electronic button. Such a war will not last long and none will ever follow it. There will be no conquers and no conquests, but only the charred bones of the dead on an uninhabited planet.

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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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Scientists Found a Way to Supercharge Cancer-Fighting Cells

Scientific American

The bioengineered immune players called CAR T cells last longer and work better if pumped up with a large dose of a protein that makes them resemble stem cells

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Westmoreland County-Based Protect PT Calls For Ban On Road Dumping Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater; CAC Member Asks For DEP Response

PA Environment Daily

On April 9, the Westmoreland County-based Protect PT advocacy group joined the rising chorus of groups calling on DEP to ban the road dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater, just like they have shale gas drilling wastewater. In remarks before DEP’s Citizens Advisory Council , Tom Pike, an Environmental Policy Advocate with Protect PT, said -- “ProtectPT is requesting that the PA Department of Environmental Protection revise its rules on road spreading of gas industry waste.

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Zambians Feel the Personal Consequences of Climate Change—and Dream of a Sustainable Future

Inside Climate News

Zambia, like its southern African neighbors, depends on rain for its food, energy and economy. But it hasn’t gotten enough this year, and likely won’t in the future, a victim of a climate crisis it didn’t cause. By Georgina Gustin CHONGWE, Zambia—Benson Chipungu sits in a leather armchair and reaches for the remote to switch off the news. Pieces of fabric hang over the windows, darkening the room against the heat.

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Are you languishing in life? Here’s how to find your purpose again

New Scientist

If your life feels aimless and joyless, you may be languishing, says psychologist Corey Keyes — who reveals how it differs from depression and what you can do to flourish instead

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Why We Believe the Myth of High Crime Rates

Scientific American

The crime issue, a focus of the 2024 presidential election, is sometimes rooted in the misplaced fears of people who live in some of the safest places

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DEP Posted 63 Pages Of Permit-Related Notices In April 13 PA Bulletin

PA Environment Daily

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the April 13 PA Bulletin -- -- Act 14: Little Known State Law Gives Municipalities, Counties First Chance To Comment On DEP Permits Before Applications Are Submitted; Critical First Step In Public Involvement Many communities and citizens are not aware that a state law passed in 1984 gives them the first chance to comment on Department of Environmental Protection permit applications even before they are submitted to the agency.

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Restoring Landscapes: When restoration actions don’t lead to restoration outcomes

The Applied Ecologist

As part of the ‘Restoring Landscapes’ blog series, author Jake Williams presents a case study illustrating the value of satellite data in filling the knowledge gap on the effect of passive restoration efforts in different climatic and ecological contexts.

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Watch mini humanoid robots showing off their football skills

New Scientist

These soccer-playing robots can respond faster than ones trained in a standard way because they improved their skills via an artificial intelligence-based technique called deep reinforcement learning

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Forensic Genealogy Offers Families the Gift of Closure

Scientific American

The forensic scientist’s toolbox is growing thanks to creative methods that generate reliable leads, analyze evidence, identify suspects and solve cold cases

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DEP Issues $1.1 Million Civil Penalty To Equitrans For Violations Related To The Uncontrolled Venting Of 1.1 Billion Cubic Feet Of Gas From The Rager Mountain Gas Storage Area In Cambria County

PA Environment Daily

On April 9, the Department of Environmental Protection announced it has assessed significant civil penalties totaling $1,114,000 from Equitrans, L.P. for air quality, waste, and oil and gas violations related to the uncontrolled gas release from Equitrans’ Rager Mountain natural gas storage field and George L Reade 1 storage well in November 2022. Over 1.1 billion cubic feet of gas was released at the facility in uncontrolled venting.

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Earth Day Adventures: Six Family-Friendly Activities to Connect with Nature

Earth 911

Earth Day, coming up on April 22nd, is a global event dedicated to connecting us. The post Earth Day Adventures: Six Family-Friendly Activities to Connect with Nature appeared first on Earth911.

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Arctic permafrost is now a net source of major greenhouse gases

New Scientist

An Arctic-wide survey has found that the permafrost region is emitting more carbon into the atmosphere than it absorbs, causing the planet to heat even further

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Paxlovid COVID Treatment Most Beneficial for Unvaccinated People with Risk Factors. Others May Not Need It

Scientific American

A recent study suggests that Paxlovid is ineffective at treating symptoms in people with mild illness or those who have been fully vaccinated.

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CNX Completing $20 Million Fresh Water Pipeline To Serve Future Shale Gas Drilling, And Potentially Local Communities As An Alternative To The Westmoreland Municipal Authority

PA Environment Daily

On April 9, the CNX Resources Corporation announced it is nearing completion of its Kiski Water Line project, which will serve the Company's local operational needs, reduce the local impact of natural gas development, and potentially optimize regional water resources by providing additional reliable water infrastructure to area communities. The $20 million project is expected to be completed in June 2024 and will serve future natural gas development in the area.

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Reducing Water Loss Requires Upgrading Aging Ag Water Infrastructure

NRDC

California’s ag sector will continue to struggle with unsustainable water use until it addresses broader inefficiencies across its aging water delivery system.

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