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 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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Six Facts About Water and Wildfire in the West 

Union of Concerned Scientists

While deaths and destruction are mounting and tens of thousands flee a devastating inferno in Los Angeles, the President-Elect has used the catastrophic wildfires to spread misinformation, offer false solutions, and disrespect the suffering of people and the hard work of first responders. Here, we provide the facts and avoid the fiction. Fact 1: reservoirs are full Due to a relatively wet winter in Northern California, almost every reservoir in Southern California is at or above its historical a

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At Phoenix’s Far Edge, a Housing Boom Grasps for Water

Circle of Blue

More than 1 million people could pour into western Maricopa County in the coming decades if housing developers can secure the water. Buckeye, Arizona, has plans to become one of the Southwest’s largest cities in the next decades. Photo Brett Walton/Circle of Blue By Brett Walton, Circle of Blue January 31, 2025 BUCKEYE, Ariz. Beneath the exhausting Sonoran sun, an hours drive west of Phoenix, heavy machines are methodically scraping the desert bare.

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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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Earth’s Land Masses Are Drying Out Fast, Scientists Warn

Inside Climate News

Researchers comparing satellite measurements of the planets water with the wobble in its rotation identified a steady loss of global soil moisture. By Bob Berwyn Earth has lost enough soil moisture in the last 40 years to change the planets spin and shift the location of the North Pole, according to a new study published today in Science that tracks how human activities have disrupted the global water cycle.

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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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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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Remote sensing: A key to monitoring tropical forest restoration

The Applied Ecologist

Laura Vedovato introduces readers to a range of remote sensing tools, explaining how they can be applied to topical forests to monitor the effectiveness of restoration efforts. Read more in the original Review article. Introduction In recent years, global commitments to forest restoration, like the UN Decade on Restoration and the Global Biodiversity Framework, have highlighted the need for scalable, effective ways to track progress.

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Reuse, Rewear, Repair

Academy of Natural Sciences

It is the new year and time for a lifestyle change. While its daunting to contemplate the many issues that we need to tackle to achieve greater social equity and environmental sustainability especially in our everyday lives small, individual actions can add up to make a difference. Here are some tips to get you started on simply reusing, repairing and rewearing, all to inspire care and support for our natural world.

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Circular Agroprocessing: The Pulp, The Peel, The Pip

Cleannovate

It’s a new year everyone. Mine is to thank you for subscribing to this blog/ newsletter. The goal of this publication is to push us towards circularity and sustainability as we engage in our daily lives. As we start the year, I’d like to embark on another sustainablity expedition by exploring agroprocessing. What comes to mind when this catch word is mentioned?

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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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Success! Removing the Klamath Dams

Legal Planet

(Klamath River Dam removal project [credit: Los Angeles Times]) Most of the environmental law and policy matters discussed on Legal Planet–especially over the past few months–have dealt with natural resource crises, environmental rollbacks, hostile political actors and actions in Washington, D.C., etc. So let me take this opportunity to share an upbeat and inspirational environmental story in these otherwise troubled environmental times.

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We need NOAA now more than ever

Real Climate

Guest commentary by Robert Hart, Kerry Emanuel , & Lance Bosart The National Weather Service (NWS) and its parent agency, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), delivers remarkable value to the taxpayers. This efficiency can be demonstrated by its enormous return on investment. For example, the NWS costs only several dollars per citizen to operate each year, yet results in an estimated 10-100 times larger financial return that includes: improved citizen preparedness, imp

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Native American Stereotyping Contributes to Climate Change

Union of Concerned Scientists

There is an abundance of Native American imagery in the US imagination, and much of it is inaccurate: The Western films depicting cowboys winning against local Natives, Wild West TV shows, the classic tear rolling down the cheek of a man in a headdress as he looks at litter, or the picturesque images as Disneys Pocahontas sang about all the colors the wind holds.

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What We’re Reading – February 2025

Circle of Blue

February 12, 2025 In parts of the United States, theres no relief from climate change. A fortnight after calamitous wildfire swept across the Los Angeles region , forecasters are warning of four days of terrible flooding in southern and northern California caused by an approaching atmospheric river. The same counties wrecked by flooding in North Carolina from Hurricane Helene last September are confronting more.

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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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New Research Led by James Hansen Documents Global Warming Acceleration

Inside Climate News

The rapid meltdown of polar ice could shut down a key ocean current by 2050, triggering catastrophic surges of sea level rise along the U.S. East Coast and dangerous climate shifts in northwestern Europe. By Bob Berwyn New research by an international team of climate scientists documents a surge of global warming during the past 15 years that risks shutting down a key ocean current by 2050.

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Five Reasons Renewable Energy Developers are Losing Confidence in Ontario

Enviromental Defense

In 2024, renewable energy developers had all the right reasons to be optimistic about the prospect of building solar and wind installations in Ontario: Energy and Electrification Minister Stephen Lecce touted the upcoming power purchase as being technology agnostic with a focus on the lowest cost resources” The last procurement under the former Minister of Energy revealed that gas is expensive: battery storage beat out gas on price by a wide margin.

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How Climate Change Puts the Safety of Drinking Water at Risk

Yale E360

Wildfires, floods, intense heat, droughts, and other extreme events fueled by climate change are threatening water systems in the U.S. and around the globe. Experts warn of the increasing threat of contamination and the need to improve infrastructure to keep drinking water safe.

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Steelton-Highspire School District, Tröegs Independent Brewing Show Benefits Of Going Solar, Driving Electric Busses In Dauphin County

PA Environment Daily

On March 14, a tour of Steelton-Highspire School District facilities and Tregs Independent Brewing in Dauphin County shows the benefits of going solar and electric school buses. Local officials and residents, including Sen. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), Rep. Dave Madsen (D-Dauphin), Steelton Manager Kathy McCool, and Highspire Mayor Von Hess, joined leaders from Steelton-Highspire School District, the nonprofit environmental group PennEnvironment , McClure Company , and First Student for an informative

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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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Kylie Soanes: Do wildlife crossing structures mitigate the barrier effect of roads on animal movement?

The Applied Ecologist

Shortlisted for the 2024 Southwood Prize Kylie Soanes details how, alongside colleagues, they analysed 313 studies to determine whether wildlife crossing structures mitigate the barrier effect of roads on wildlife movement. About the research Overview Wildlife crossing structures are a common tool to help animals cross roads safely.

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Farmers Speak Out on the Devastating Impact of USDA Funding Freeze

National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC)

Farmer Patrick Brown speaking at a recent NSAC virtual briefing On March 6, the National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition (NSAC) hosted a virtual briefing: Impact in the Field How the USDA Funding Freeze and Employee Layoffs are Impacting Farmers and Ranchers. Five farmers from around the country joined NSACs policy director, Mike Lavender, for a panel discussion to voice their concerns about the ongoing funding freeze severely impacting agricultural programs and farmers across the country.

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Circular Agro-Processing: “We’re NUTS about CocoNUT”

Cleannovate

When we think of circular agro-processing, we imagine producing value-added products from agricultural produce devoid of waste. And there’s something magical about converting waste into value… It generates new incomes and creates new possibilities. And to this end, the coconut is exceptional. Let’s take a deepdive into the world of coconuts.

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The Fires in Los Angeles

Legal Planet

National attention is (rightly) focused on the terrible fire situation in Los Angeles. At the moment, the top priority is supporting first responders who are trying to control the fires, prevent more damage, and help the people who have lost homes and loved ones. There is (of course) a bunch of chatter on social media about what might have prevented the fires or fix the wildfire crisis in the US more broadly.

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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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Andean glaciers have shrunk more than ever before in the entire Holocene

Real Climate

Glaciers are important indicators of climate change. A recent study published in the leading journal Science shows that glaciers in the tropical Andes have now retreated further than at any other time in the entire Holocene – which covers the whole history of human civilisation since the invention of agriculture. These findings are likely to resonate beyond the scientific community, as they strongly support the lawsuit filed by a Peruvian farmer against the energy company RWE, which has re

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How Transmission—Not Gas—Will Bolster Winter Grid Reliability: A Look at MISO South

Union of Concerned Scientists

As the year kicks off with a very cold January weather forecast, US power grid operators and the regulators who oversee them are paying close attention to ensure that the grid failures of several past extreme winter storms dont happen again. These dangerous grid failures over roughly the last decade have left millions in the dark and cold, sometimes with tragic and deadly consequences.

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Opinion: Halt the Oil Flow Across Straits of Mackinac

Circle of Blue

Civic opposition and litigation aims to end Line 5 operation. Photo J.Carl Ganter/ Circle of Blue Keith Schneider, senior editor and chief correspondent at Circle of Blue, launches a new column offering insights and commentary on water-related trends and news. This marks the debut of his bimonthly publication. By Keith Schneider, Circle of Blue – January 22, 2025 From the perspective of Americans who live in Michigan and Wisconsin, the Line 5 oil pipeline across the Straits of Mackinac ma

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New Study Reinforces Worries About Pulses of Rapid Sea Level Rise

Inside Climate News

An analysis of peat layers at the bottom of the North Sea shows how fast sea level rose during the end of the last ice age, when Earth was warming at a similar rate as today. By Bob Berwyn A new analysis of ancient layers of peat at the bottom of the North Sea will help scientists more accurately project how much sea level will rise in the coming decades and centuries.

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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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With NOAA Cuts, a Proud Legacy and Vital Science Are at Risk

Yale E360

For more than 50 years, NOAA has pioneered climate research and been instrumental in advancing modern weather forecasting. Now labeled by Project 2025 as part of the climate alarm industry and facing DOGE-driven cuts, the future of this valuable public asset is in jeopardy.

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PennEnvironment Releases New Report On The Success Of Wildlife Corridors In Reconnecting Habitat To Protect Native Species, Prevent Vehicle Collisions

PA Environment Daily

On March 19, the PennEnvironment Research & Policy Center released its newest report, Wildlife Corridors: How Reconnecting Habitat Is Protecting Pennsylvanias Native Species , on the successes so far with wildlife corridors. The report details how state agencies and conservation groups are preserving and reconnecting wildlife habitats in Pennsylvania using a wide variety of innovative strategies including engineered crossings, travel corridors and habitat stepping stones.

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A Duty on Public Bodies to Prioritize Climate Action? Coolglass Windfarm Limited v. An Bord Pleanala

Law Columbia

Planning law has proven to be a useful tool for climate activists seeking to block or challenge new fossil fuel developments. However, it has also been used to frustrate efforts to accelerate the renewable energy transition by delaying the construction of new renewable energy infrastructure (see here ). Ireland has been a particular victim of this latter problem, with developers citing concerns over current planning laws as a reason for delays in constructing onshore wind farms, among other faci

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Ukraine’s largest wind farm expands amid ongoing war

A Greener Life

Wind turbines are being installed at the Tyligulska wind farm. Photo credit: DTEK. By Anders Lorenzen Amid increasing concern and anxiety in Ukraine about the war efforts, the largest wind farm in Ukraine , the Tyligulska wind farm, has received a welcome boost, allowing for the second phase to commence of the historic wind farm , which was constructed and the first phase opened in 2023, during the war between Russian and Ukraine.

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Saving the World’s Rarest Lemurs | In Her Nature

PBS Nature

The Greater Bamboo lemur is on the brink of extinction. While their population has risen from just 100 to 1,000, bamboo farming and habitat loss continue to threaten their future. But Maholy Ravaloharimanitra is changing the game. Growing up in Madagascar without books or access to education, shes now on a powerful mission to protect these incredible lemurs.