Grist – Toys that move, make noise, and light up are winding up in landfills — but they could be recycled, with better policies. “…According to a recent report by the WEEE Forum, a multinational nonprofit organization focused on the management of “waste electrical and electronic equipment,” the world threw out more than 7 billion… Continue Reading
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Category Archives: Environmental Law
ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder
“Find rebates and special offers near you on ENERGY STAR certified products. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR label meet strict energy-efficiency specifications set by the U.S. EPA helping you save energy and money while protecting the environment.” Continue Reading
DOT interactive map shows various transportation noise levels for any area in US
‘The DOT has an interactive map that shows various transportation noise levels for any area in the U.S. It’s imperfect: anyone who lives in LA can tell you that the dark gray areas are NOT actually < 50db, but if you’re planning on moving to an area, it can help you figure out road, airport… Continue Reading
Bright satellites are disrupting astronomy
Via Prof. Sam Lawler @[email protected] – Nature article non paywalled. “The summary: astronomers spent a lot of time asking SpaceX and other large satellite operators to pretty please make their satellites fainter and/or use fewer satellites. And then BlueWalker 3 was launched by some tiny company and is one of the brightest things in the… Continue Reading
A free, public database of virtual power plants in the United States
Jim Moran – VPP Data: “The public database of U.S. VPPs is available here. Background – The goal of this database is to track all Virtual Power Plant (VPP) activity in the United States – all planned, active and ended pilots and programs and their VPP software platforms, trade allies, and incentives offered. The key… Continue Reading
Recycling won’t solve the plastic problem. Here’s what will.
Sarah J. Morath is a professor of law and associate dean for international programs at Wake Forest University – The Hill: “There is no shortage of news about plastic’s ubiquity or its harms. Microplastics are in clouds, drinking water, playgrounds and our blood. Marine mammals are entangled in and ingest plastic at alarming rates. Plastic… Continue Reading
Education Department lists schools under investigation for ‘possible discrimination’ based on shared ancestry
The Hill: “The Department of Education released a list of higher education and K-12 institutions that are under investigation for alleged shared ancestry violations Thursday as part of the Biden administration’s effort to address reports of rising discrimination in schools. “Hate has no place in our schools, period. When students are targeted because they are–or… Continue Reading
Trustworthy AI in Government + Public Services
“We are pleased to share the Oxford Insights Trustworthy AI Assessment tool. This self assessment tool is designed to help policymakers in government understand how prepared their government is to use AI in a trustworthy way in the public sector. Why did we create this tool? Governments are increasingly using AI in their public services.… Continue Reading
Climate Equality: A planet for the 99%
Climate Equality: A planet for the 99%, 20 November 2023, Oxfam – The world faces twin crises of climate breakdown and runaway inequality. The richest people, corporations and countries are destroying the world with their huge carbon emissions. Meanwhile, people living in poverty, those experiencing marginalization, and countries in the Global South are those impacted… Continue Reading
AI is outperforming our best weather forecasting tech, thanks to DeepMind
ZDNET: “Climatologists have spent decades amassing data on how the weather has changed at points around the globe. Efforts such as ERA5, a record of climate back to 1950, developed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), are a kind of simulation of the earth over time, a record of the wind speed,… Continue Reading
2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
“The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which perennial plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature, displayed as 10-degree F zones and 5-degree F half zones. A broadband internet connection is recommended… Continue Reading
Oil and Gas Companies Spill Millions of Gallons of Wastewater in Texas
“An exclusive Inside Climate News analysis found companies have spilled nearly 150 million gallons of toxic, highly saline wastewater in Texas over the last decade… Inside Climate News has conducted the first-ever public analysis of produced water spills in Texas, working from data provided in response to open records requests to the Railroad Commission. Over… Continue Reading
