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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Greenwashing in Graphs: an ExxonMobil Story

Union of Concerned Scientists

Earlier this year, ExxonMobil released its annual Advancing Climate Solutions report detailing the company’s current and planned contributions to a net-zero future. Put another way—earlier this year, ExxonMobil released its annual greenwashing report, outlining its purported progress towards addressing climate change, a problem the company helped to create.

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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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Statement: Bill 185 and Proposed Provincial Planning Statement Would Unleash a Wave of “Greenfield Scandals” by Removing Tribunal Oversight of Sprawl Approvals

Enviromental Defense

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 – Ontario’s proposed Provincial Planning Statement and Cutting Red Tape to Build More Homes Act seem calculated to ensure that the Greenbelt sprawl and real estate scandal spreads and expands into a wave of suburban “Greenfield Scandals”.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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 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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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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A bacterium has evolved into a new cellular structure inside algae

New Scientist

A once-independent bacterium has evolved into an organelle that provides nitrogen to algal cells – an event so rare that there are only three other known cases

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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A Future with Sturgeon: A Personal Journey with Dinosaur Fish

Cool Green Science

TNC extern Joseph Hill recounts his experiences helping to protect Atlantic sturgeon. The post A Future with Sturgeon: A Personal Journey with Dinosaur Fish appeared first on Cool Green Science.

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One of the biggest mysteries of cosmology may finally be solved

New Scientist

The expansion rate of the universe, measured by the Hubble constant, has been one of the most controversial numbers in cosmology for years, and we seem at last to be close to nailing it down

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Restoring Landscapes: Knowledge Exchange Visit in the Cairngorms

The Applied Ecologist

In this series, we are promoting knowledge exchange in restoration around the world: from success to failures and anything in between! In this post Taylor Shaw from the Endangered Landscapes and Seascapes Programme shares their experience attending a Knowledge Exchange Visit hosted by Cairngorms Connect in Scotland, where restoration practitioners from across Europe met to discuss how science can support their work.

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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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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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Update on Proposed Food Additive Bans

National Law Center

In October 2023, California passed the California Food Safety Act becoming the first state to ban the manufacturing, distribution and sale. The post Update on Proposed Food Additive Bans appeared first on National Agricultural Law Center.

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Planets that look alike might be a sign of spacefaring aliens

New Scientist

We don’t know what alien life might look like, but if other civilisations can colonise multiple worlds, we might see planets that look unusually similar

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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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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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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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Bizarre crystal made only of electrons revealed in astonishing detail

New Scientist

To capture the clearest and most direct images of a “Wigner crystal”, a structure made entirely of electrons, researchers used a special kind of microscope and two pieces of graphene unusually free of imperfections

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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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Feeling Angry? Chilling Out Helps More Than Blowing Off Steam

Scientific American

When anger strikes, decreasing arousal is more likely to reduce aggression than venting is, according to a massive review of 154 studies

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Why Young Caracaras Form Gangs

PBS Nature

When a young caracara comes across a penguin carcass guarded by older birds, he calls for backup from other young birds. Young caracaras stick together and join gangs for the first years of their lives.

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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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