2025

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LA Fires and the Climate Connection

Legal Planet

Like millions of Angelenos, Ive been staying indoors and off the roads, glued to the Watch Duty app, radio, and TV coverage as LA is engulfed by these historic fires. The last 48 hours of coverage has focused, understandably, on the firefight and immediate devastation. Now, its time to start hearing about the climate connection, especially from local officials, policymakers, and the TV news anchors that so many people turn to for information during scary urban fires.

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The Court Has Spoken: A Healthy Climate is a Human Right

Union of Concerned Scientists

Right before the holiday weekend, the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights (IACtHR), the Americas’ highest human rights court, released a landmark advisory opinion (AO) establishing the human right to a healthy climate. This powerful statement of law and principle is part of a growing wave of international legal action on climate change, following last year’s AO from the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea and ahead of a highly anticipated opinion by the International Court of Justice.

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The Alberta Energy Regulator has turned a blind eye to over a decade of toxic spills in the oil sands

Enviromental Defense

The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) was caught hiding evidence of environmental degradation caused by toxic tailings spills, and misleading the public with false claims that it is closely monitoring the oil sands industry. The AER is supposed to regulate energy companies to protect communities and the environment, but it has already come under fire in the past for protecting the oil industrys interests over those of Albertans.

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Dry Colorado River Forecast Gets Drier

Circle of Blue

What a difference a month makes. The forecast for how much water will flow this year into Lake Powell, a bellwether reservoir on the Colorado River, was already meager. Now, after a dry April, its even more miserly. That does not bode well for a basin mired in contentious debate about which of the seven states should cut their water use and by how much.

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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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National Climate Assessment links

Real Climate

For some reason , it has become hard to locate the various National Climate Assessments (NCAs) that have been produced by the USGCRP over the decades (and it’s pretty hard to find the USGRCP as well…). However, the reports are still accessible if you know where to look. So for future reference, here are all the links (and we’ve downloaded the pdfs locally so that they will always be available here).

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The Bloom of Nature’s Rights: On the IACtHR’s Recognition of Nature’s Legal Personality in AO-32/25

Law Columbia

The delegation speaks in front of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in Brazil. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights’ (IACtHR) advisory opinion on human rights and the climate emergency ( AO-32/25 ) addresses numerous dimensions of the climate crisis, setting an important precedent for the protection of our planet. This post focuses on one particularly significant development: the IACtHR’s recognition of Nature as a subject of rights.

Law

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The International Court of Justice delivers watershed climate ruling

A Greener Life

The President of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Judge Iwasawa Yuji, delivers his advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change. Photo credit: ICJ. By Anders Lorenzen A ruling by the highest global court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), states that individual countries must protect their people and environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and act with due diligence to fulfil this obligation.

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In a First, Solar Was Europe's Biggest Source of Power Last Month

Yale E360

For the first time, solar was the largest source of electricity in the EU last month, supplying a record 22 percent of the bloc's power.

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The Future is Green: Amending State Constitutions to Safeguard the Environment for Future Generations

Vermont Law

The Future is Green: Amending State Constitutions to Safeguard the Environment for Future Generations By Natalie Schaffer Modern America swings between two futures: one that chants drill, baby, drill and another that preaches reduce, reuse, recycle. For many, the future we look to depends on the person in power, and because of the constantly shifting whims of politics, that future is continuously changing.

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Migraine Drug Ubrogepant Tackles Debilitating Early Symptoms

Scientific American

Results from a phase 3 clinical trial suggest that taking ubrogepant at the first sign of an oncoming migraine can prevent preheadache fatigue and light sensitivity

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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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Field Notes from India: Climate Adaptation from the Ground Up

Legal Planet

Climate educators from SEWA explaining solar power for salt gathering (L) and skylights that cool the interior of a house (R). Photos by Jim Salzman I spent last week in New Delhi, participating in the conference, India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future. Academics, civil society, and government officials were divided into groups focusing on science, health, labor, and the built environment.

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Electric Vehicles Help Combat Climate Change, Here’s Why.

Union of Concerned Scientists

There is tremendous uncertainty about what policies the federal government will change that will affect electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing and sales in the US. But there is no question about the impact that EVs will have on reducing climate-changing emissions. Replacing gasoline with electricity greatly reduces the carbon emissions from driving, even when emissions from mining, manufacturing, and generating electricity are included.

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What Does the New Political Reality Mean for Climate Action in Canada

Enviromental Defense

Prime Minister Trudeaus recent decision to prorogue Parliament and announce his upcoming resignation may have left you wondering about what this could mean for climate change policy. At Environmental Defence, we have two main take-aways: Increased urgency: there are still a few critical climate policies that now have a shortened timeline to cross the finish line.

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Kansas Farmers Dramatically and Profitably Pare Water for Irrigation

Circle of Blue

To save a dying aquifer or at least their piece of it a group of roughly 60 farmers in northwest Kansas decided on a self-imposed diet. The move a dozen years ago to voluntarily restrict the water they pumped from the Ogallala Aquifer , the lifeblood of the High Plains, was seen by some as a risky proposition. In the semi-arid region, farmers might have gone bankrupt without water drawn from deep underground.

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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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The AMOC is slowing, it’s stable, it’s slowing, no, yes, …

Real Climate

There’s been a bit of media whiplash on the issue of AMOC slowing lately – ranging from the AMOC being “on the brink of collapse” to it being “more stable than previously thought” AMOC, of course, refers to the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, one of the worlds major ocean circulation systems which keeps the northern Atlantic region (including Europe) exceptionally warm for its latitude.

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Atlanta’s New Ordinance Raises the Bar on Cool Roofs

Law Columbia

Photo by Steve Matthews on Unsplash Earlier this month, on June 2, 2025, Atlanta’s City Council unanimously passed a state-of-the-art ordinance to require cool roofs throughout the whole city, immediately propelling Atlanta to the forefront of local climate adaptation measures. The new requirements will help make Atlanta cooler, improve its air quality, and lower residents’ energy bills.

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Impacts of climate change on global agriculture accounting for adaptation

Nature

Nature, Published online: 18 June 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-09085-w Analysis of data on six stable crops, capturing two-thirds of global crop calories, allows estimation of agricultural impacts and the potential of global producer adaptations to reduce output losses owing to climate change.

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Viewpoint – Nice Rice: the first sustainable rice brand

A Greener Life

By Jeremy Williams Last year, I wrote about the out-sized carbon footprint of rice , which accounts for almost a quarter of all greenhouse gases from global food production. Half the world eats rice every day, so thats perhaps not surprising. However, theres no question that its much more damaging to the climate than other staple grain crops. Analysis: Climate change drives down yields and nutrition of Indian crops You can look up my previous article to read up on why that is.

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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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Paying the People: Liberia’s Novel Plan to Save Its Forests

Yale E360

Plagued by illegal logging and corruption, Liberia has been losing its forests at an alarming rate. But its new strategy to make direct payments to communities that agree to prohibit cutting and protect their trees is seen as a potential model for other developing nations.

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DEP Launches New Permit Tracking Webpage For Applicants, Public

PA Environment Daily

On January 14, Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley briefed DEPs Citizens Advisory Council on a new Permit Tracking webpage that just became available for applicants and the public to see where permits are in the DEP review process. With this new tool, users can search by county, program area, permit type or by the authorization (permit) ID or by keyword.

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The bold attempt to solve the toughest mystery at the heart of physics

New Scientist

Finding out whether gravity and therefore space-time itself is quantum in nature has long been thought impossible.

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Making Polluters Pay for Climate Consequences

Legal Planet

The dramatic increase in extreme weather events has been wreaking havoc on states across the country, from devastating fires, floods, and droughts to rising sea levels. As a member of the Board for the American Red Cross Pacific Coast Region, I have seen firsthand how the organization is responding to twice as many climate-related disasters as we were just a decade ago.

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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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Ask a Scientist: What Value Do Wetlands Provide?

Union of Concerned Scientists

Wetlands exist in almost every corner of the United States, representing a total area larger than the state of California. While some have federal or state protection, many do not. And despite the proximity of wetlands to many communities in this country, few people truly understand either the value wetlands hold for our way of life or the threat they face from our industrialized system of agriculture.

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Upcoming Greenbelt Plan Review Needs Clear Guardrails

Enviromental Defense

Recent findings from Ontarios Integrity Commissioner are a timely reminder of why we need to place clear guardrails in this years legally mandated review of the Greenbelt Plan. Without strict terms of reference that forbid removal of current Greenbelt land or weakening of its current protections, Ontarians have reason to worry the review process will be little more than a new way to enable the same kinds of land-swaps that were the subject of the scathing Auditor Generals report and which remain

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The Mekong Dam Monitor Tracks a River Under Pressure

Circle of Blue

By Madelyn MacMurray This story was originally published by New Security Beat on July 22, 2025. The Mekong River’s seasonal floods nurture the world’s most productive inland fishery and irrigate rice paddies that feed millions. Approximately 70 million people live in the lower Mekong Basin, and 75% of them depend on fishing and farming for their livelihoods.

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Climate change in Africa

Real Climate

While there have been some recent set-backs within science and climate research and disturbing news about NOAA , there is also continuing efforts on responding to climate change. During my travels to Mozambique and Ghana, I could sense a real appreciation for knowledge, and an eagerness to learn how to calculate risks connected to climate change. Recent events have shown incredibly high rainfall amounts that have devastated cities and countries , as well as droughts that have exacerbated the ris

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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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What Lliuya v. RWE Means for Climate Change Loss and Damage Claims

Law Columbia

A plaintiff from the Global South. A carbon giant from the Global North. And a courtroom in a mid-sized German city. On May 28, 2025, the Higher Regional Court of Hamm issued its ruling in what has become Germany’s most high-profile climate lawsuit — Lliuya v. RWE. While the court dismissed the claim brought by Peruvian farmer Saúl Luciano Lliuya against RWE, the country’s largest greenhouse gas (GHG) emitter, it nonetheless delivered groundbreaking findings on civil liability for major GH

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Do Beach Cleanups Really Work?

Ocean Conservancy

This blog was written by Hannah De Frond. Hannah works with Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto Trash Team to manage the International Trash Trap Network (ITTN), a global network of local groups using trash traps to increase cleanup efforts, engage communities and inform upstream solutions. There is no one-size-fits-all approach to solving the plastic pollution crisis.

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World Environment Day 2025: Beat plastic pollution

A Greener Life

By Shadia Haq The United Nations’ (UN) annual global environmental awareness day, World Environment Day , takes place today, the 5th of June. This year’s theme focuses on beating plastic pollution. This year, the Republic of Korea is the host country, urging global action to end plastic waste and build a sustainable future. They are sending a message around rethinking how we produce, use and dispose of plastics.

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London Inches Closer to Running Transit System Entirely on Renewable Power

Yale E360

Under a new agreement, London will source enough solar power to run its light railway and tram networks entirely on renewable energy.

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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.