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From scallop fishing in New Bedford to deforestation in the tropics, “our goal is to get some empirical traction on the problem,” says PhD student Aaron Berman.

From energy to resources, data centers have grown too greedy.

Puerto Rico’s new natural resources secretary has shelved an investigation into allegations of illegal construction in a protected area on the island’s southwest coast

Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) is seeking the position of top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee, the lawmaker's office confirmed Wednesday in a letter. The California Democrat, who currently serves as ranking member on the Subcommittee on Water, Wildlife and Fisheries, wrote that he will seek to replace Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who has...

Shadow minister for Indigenous Australians says Albanese government ‘turning a blind eye’ to alleged ‘weaponisation’ of identityFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastJacinta Nampijinpa Price has claimed “opportunists” are making “false claims” to membership of Indigenous groups to scuttle resource projects seeking environmental approval.The shadow minister for Indigenous Australians made the claim on Wednesday while defending a Coalition plan to designate which Indigenous groups would need to be consulted by project proponents, as revealed by the shadow resources minister, Susan McDonald, at a Minerals Week event.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading...

Urban mining recovers valuable resources from the vast amounts of waste cities produce.

Black activists in the U.S. are fighting the exploitation of Black resources and workers in the Congo.

Highlights include several concerts inspired by precious natural resources, and an Oregon symphony performance based on Celilo Falls.

Attorney General Ken Paxton said the settlement will reimburse the state and feds for damages to natural resources.

As written, Decision 15/9 won’t allocate conservation funds in a manner that delivers the greatest benefit. There’s a better way. The post The UN Convention on Biological Diversity’s Decision on Genetic Resources Will Violate National Sovereignty appeared first on The Revelator.

"Earth Overshoot Day" reminds us that humans consume more resources than the planet can provide. Correcting that requires reimagining human behavior.

Big tech is playing its part in reaching net zero targets, but its vast new datacentres are run at huge cost to the environmentMariana Mazzucato is professor of economics at UCL, and director of the Institute for Innovation and Public PurposeWhen you picture the tech industry, you probably think of things that don’t exist in physical space, such as the apps and internet browser on your phone. But the infrastructure required to store all this information – the physical datacentres housed in business parks and city outskirts – consume massive amounts of energy. Despite its name, the infrastructure used by the “cloud” accounts for more global greenhouse emissions than commercial flights. In 2018, for instance, the 5bn YouTube hits for the viral song Despacito used the same amount of energy it would take to heat 40,000 US homes annually.This is a hugely environmentally destructive side to the tech industry. While it has played a big role in reaching net zero, giving us smart meters and efficient solar, it’s critical that we turn the spotlight on its environmental footprint. Large language models such as ChatGPT are some of the most energy-guzzling technologies of all. Research suggests, for instance, that about 700,000 litres of water could have been used to cool the machines that trained ChatGPT-3 at Microsoft’s data facilities. It is hardly news that the tech bubble’s self-glorification has obscured the uglier sides of this industry, from its proclivity for tax avoidance to its invasion of privacy and exploitation of our attention span. The industry’s environmental impact is a key issue, yet the companies that produce such models have stayed remarkably quiet about the amount of energy they consume – probably because they don’t want to spark our concern.Mariana Mazzucato is professor of economics at UCL, and director of the Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose Continue reading...

Past Presentation | Biopiracy is a plague that has hit the African continent like a tornado. Biochemical industry is frantic to patent bio resources at such a fast pace, indigenous society and owners of Intellectual property of the bio resources are flailing to keep up with Western laws of patenting genes of bio species.

New resources from the Center for Public Integrity and Grist aim to teach residents and reporters how to conduct their own research.

Pope Francis is visiting Papua New Guinea, which has been exploited for its natural resources and is imperiled by rising sea levels.

A study led by the University of Barcelona warns of the oil resources that should not be exploited to meet the commitments of the Paris...

Now Playing | Water is a precious resource which humanity should use responsibly. Our relationship with Nature should always be guided by reciprocity. Nature protects us all and we in turn should protect natural resources and be sympathetic to the needs of fellow human beings.

Past Presentation | This documentary explores the formation of the Maui Nui Marine Resources Council and their community-based efforts to restore vibrance and abundance to Maui's reefs.

The Washington state Department of Natural Resources and the Squaxin Island Tribe will join forces to try to conserve the Squaxin Island Kelp Bed, the last major kelp bed in South Puget Sound.

Past Presentation | Moving Mountains tackles the destructive effects of large-scale mining on the lives, culture and environment of communities in the Cordilleras. After playing host to these big mining companies, they remain poor, their resources depleted and their communities destroyed. The film also presents the inspiring story of an indigenous tribe in Kalinga province that has kept large mining companies away from the area and has allowed the community to determine how to manage its mineral resources.

Now Playing | When we talk about Sustainability, we tend to focus on the sustainable solutions based on physical resources. However, very frequently we overlook a key part for creating a successful sustainable society: Cultural Sustainability.

Around the world, lands with water and food resources are being snatched up by powerful interests. The Grab director Gabriela Cowperthwaite discusses her documentary that is both a geopolitical thriller and a call to action. The post In Deep Water appeared first on .

Now Playing | "Again, Together" is a film created in partnership with Ronald L. Jones, bringing stories from communities across Houston that have been impacted by environmental racism — namely redlining, segregation, underinvestment, exposure to pollution, gentrification, inequitable disaster recovery resources and freeway development.

Past Presentation | The people of Florida and Sarasota have repeatedly voted to support acquiring and sustaining environmentally sensitive lands. These precious natural resources have not gone unnoticed by those who could profit from them. A battle is ongoing waging private profit against public parks.

Past Presentation | Using stunning high resolution images from a DSLR camera, this team of high school students show the change in our relationship to Hawaiʻi's natural resources over time. Part of the story is told from the perspective of an endemic Koa tree in Waikamoi Forest Preserve.

Women play a critical role in sustainable development, combatting climate change, and taking care of our natural resources. But industry needs to do more to support them. The post From Glass Ceilings to Green Houses: More Women Are Needed in Green Industry appeared first on The Revelator.

Past Presentation | From Farm To Table is an Eco-documentary film showcasing a school's commitment to integrating stewardship of our earth's resources into its curriculum. The film follows students working in their school garden and sustainable organic farm from planting to harvesting and demonstrates the link between fresh locally grown sustainable products and healthier eating while simultaneously building community and promoting the stewardship of our earth's resources. The important issues of conservation, preservation, biodiversity and animal welfare are addressed. In conclusion, as a call to action we are encouraged to learn more, ask questions and take action by growing our own food and buying local food.

This is the final installment of a three-part series examining the controversies and conflicts surrounding the future of the California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Read Part 1 and Part 2 . For years, environmental groups, community activists and climate scientists have warned the California Air…

PJM, the largest electric grid operator in the U.S., has a major problem — old, dirty power plants are closing down faster than new clean energy resources can replace them. This mounting grid crisis is already driving up electricity costs for the 65 million people living in PJM’s territory, which stretches from the…

California on Wednesday signed an agreement with the country's leading passenger and cargo airlines to accelerate the use of sustainable aviation fuels across the state. The California Air Resources Board (CARB) and Airlines for America (A4A) — an industry trade group representing almost a dozen airlines — pledged to increase the availability of sustainable aviation fuels statewide....

This is Part 2 of a three-part series examining the controversies and conflicts surrounding the future of the California Air Resources Board's Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Read Part 1 . Michael Wara is worried that a key California climate regulator is about to lock the state into the mistakes of the past. And it’s…

A key House Republican negotiator has released a draft bill aimed at speeding up approvals for the nation’s energy projects as bipartisan and bicameral talks continue. House Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (Ark.) released legislation aimed at speeding up environmental reviews and limiting legal challenges under the nation’s bedrock environmental law. The draft comes as...

Lunar Trailblazer, a compact satellite developed by NASA and managed by Lockheed Martin and Caltech, has completed rigorous environmental tests and is undergoing final software trials. This preparation aims to ensure the satellite can withstand the extreme conditions of space and successfully execute its mission to map water resources on the Moon. The spacecraft is [...]

State regulators could have asked oil companies California Resources Corp. and Aera Energy for an estimated $2.4 billion to guarantee wells are plugged but decided they didn’t have the authority to do so. The post California Isn’t Enforcing Its Strongest-in-the-Nation Oil Well Cleanup Law on Its Largest Oil Company appeared first on .

The Biden administration warned governors on Tuesday that “disabling” cyberattacks are targeting drinking water and wastewater systems throughout the country and urged them to help identify and address any vulnerabilities. Water and wastewater systems can represent an “attractive target” for cyberattacks because of their essential nature and frequent lack of “resources and technical capacity to...

State water regulators voted unanimously Tuesday to place an agricultural hub in central California under "probation" due to excessive groundwater pumping that has dried up the region. Citing multiple deficiencies in the Tulare Lake basin's groundwater sustainability plans, the State Water Resources Control Board made the decision to toughen usage restrictions and reporting requirements in...

Farmers and green groups sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday for an “unlawful purge” of climate data from its website.  “This lawsuit challenges the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s unlawful purge of climate-related policies, guides, datasets, and resources from its websites, without any advance notice as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act, without engaging...

California air quality regulators on Friday announced the launch of a first-in-nation satellite data project, with the aim of monitoring and minimizing methane emissions. The technology involves the use of satellite-mounted methane sensors that transmit data regarding the location of methane leaks that could otherwise go undetected, according to California Air Resources Board (CARB). The...

Researchers at ICTA-UAB found that human urine can be reused as a sustainable fertilizer for urban agriculture, helping reduce CO₂ emissions, water use, and reliance on non-renewable resources. Reusing human urine to produce sustainable fertilizers could offer major environmental advantages for urban agriculture, according to a study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology [...]

The Biden administration on Wednesday approved California's trailblazing rules that would set stricter-than-federal emissions standards, in a bid to ban gas car sales by 2035. In doing so, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) granted two requests from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for waivers that would allow for the implementation of two rules: the...

Past Presentation | Exploring the beauty, rigor, and impact of socially engaged art, these short vignettes were made possible by A Blade of Glass (ABOG), which provides resources for artists reaching beyond boundaries and into communities to contribute creatively to social change. ABOG supports this work through a national fellowship program and related programs such as short documentary films.

The Earth Commission says hope lies in sustainable lifestyles, a radical transformation of global politics and fair distribution of resourcesAll of humanity could share a prosperous, equitable future but the space for development is rapidly shrinking under pressure from a wealthy minority of ultra-consumers, a groundbreaking study has shown.Growing environmental degradation and climate instability have pushed the Earth beyond a series of safe planetary boundaries, say the authors from the Earth Commission, but it still remains possible to carve out a “safe and just space” that would enable everyone to thrive. Continue reading...

California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D) on Wednesday introduced legislation that would establish state-mandated drinking water standards for toxic "forever chemicals," amid fears that existing federal limits could be scrapped by the Trump administration. The AB 794 bill would direct the State Water Resources Control Board to adopt emergency regulations that would set limits at least as protective as the...

Past Presentation | If we observe and listen closely, our world communicates to us. The director with producer Tessa Skiles, travelling the Springs Heartland for a year, explored the hidden gems of Florida and consulted with leading experts on the current state of Florida's water resources. From springs hunting to mystical mermaids to interviews with National Geographic explorers, this film educates us on the threats facing the water Floridians consume every day and how Florida springs are a looking glass into the health of our most vital natural resource.

The mushroom industry explores the potential of spent substrate, a byproduct of mushroom cultivation, for various environmental and agricultural applications.Doug Bierend reports for Civil Eats.In short:Spent substrate, the leftover material from mushroom farming, holds potential for compost, soil decontamination, biofuel, and further mushroom cultivation.Small and large mushroom farms alike face the challenge of managing the increasing amounts of spent substrate, seeking innovative solutions for its disposal and reuse.The Central Texas Mycological Society has created a community network for free spent substrate pickup, supporting local farms and environmental projects.Key quote:"If you're gonna do it, awesome, but account for this waste stream you're producing and how you're gonna get it off of your property."— Amanda Janney, founder of KM MushroomsWhy this matters:Incorporating spent substrate into farming practices supports the principles of circular economy by recycling waste products into valuable resources. This not only reduces waste but also minimizes the environmental impact of farming by decreasing the reliance on synthetic inputs.The way we eat and grow food has to dramatically change if we're going to feed the world's increasing population by 2050 and protect the planet, according to a major report released in 2019 from the EAT-Lancet Commission.

Green Acre Park is an important stop along the creek’s journey and another example of how a community exists side by side with the natural resources that sustain it. For the residents that live near the park, and for the city of Gainesville as a whole, the protection and preservation of Hogtown Creek is vital to ensuring that future generations will have clean drinking water for years to come.

Five out of seven Colorado River basin states are failing to maximize a critical resource that could help alleviate the region’s longstanding water crisis, a new report found. Across all the states, just 26 percent of treated municipal wastewater is being reused, according to the research, released by the University of California Los Angeles, along...

Costa Rica is home to 93 species of sharks and rays, representing 8% of the global diversity of these marine animals. However, over half of these species (56%) are endangered. Locally, they face challenges such as high fishing pressure, lack of information, illegal fishing, and limited resources for monitoring and control. On Tuesday, December 3, […] The post Costa Rica Sharks Face Extinction as Scientists Race Against Time appeared first on The Tico Times | Costa Rica News | Travel | Real Estate.

In El Salvador, environmental activists face increased threats as the government contemplates lifting a historic ban on metal mining, raising fears of sacrificing natural resources for economic gains. Danielle Mackey reports for The Guardian. In short: Vidalina Morales, a prominent environmentalist, fears for her family's safety amid the government's signs of reversing a metal mining ban. Recent arrests of environmental activists, including Morales's son, under dubious charges, suggest an effort to intimidate opposition. President Nayib Bukele's popularity contrasts with concerns over authoritarian tendencies and the potential environmental and social costs of reviving mining. Key quote: “Gold mining competes with the human being for an essential resource." — Andrés McKinley, a specialist in water and mining at the University of Central America in San Salvador Why this matters: Environmental activism in places like El Salvador represents a courageous stand against ecological degradation and the forces driving it, yet it comes with profound risks. This small Central American nation, rich in natural beauty but plagued by issues of poverty and violence, has become a battleground for those fighting to preserve its resources against industrial and developmental pressures. Be sure to read EHN’s 2016 piece about mining in the Midwest: Michigan proposes approval for controversial Upper Peninsula mine near sacred tribal sites.

Questions about environmental safety and community health loom over the greenwashed industry and proposed export scheme.

Past Presentation | Filmed in a fly-on-the-wall style, this raw and inspiring documentary follows 26-year-old Manoj Gautam, a modern day, third world hero on a passionate quest to protect animals and wildlife from cruelty and extinction. Inspired by the work of his mentor, Dr. Jane Goodall, and with minimal resources and no formal training, Gautam is creating a network of allies across the country, busting animal smugglers, protecting fragile ecosystems, rescuing abused animals, and galvanizing an environmental movement.

Past Presentation | In Peru, the headwaters of the Amazon River cut through the Andes Mountains and help sustain resident communities as well as the most diverse ecosystem on Earth. As the energy demands of Peru increase, the currently free flowing Marañón River faces over 20 proposed dam projects, two of which have already been approved. Our international team of scientists and river experts spent 28 days rafting the Marañón while documenting the natural and cultural resources that would be eminently impacted by proposed dam projects.

Last week, Georgia Power won regulatory approval to fast-track construction of 1.4 gigawatts of fossil-fueled power plants and to contract for nearly a gigawatt more power from coal- and fossil-gas-fired power plants owned by other utilities. The reason? Fear that skyrocketing power demand from power-hungry data…

Past Presentation | Co-executive producer, Jill Heinerth, who hails from Alachua County, has dived deeper into caves than any woman in history. Her accolades include being named a "Living Legend" by Sport Diver Magazine and being in the inaugural class of the Women Divers Hall of Fame. Imaginative, entertaining, and enlightening, We Are Water illustrates the fragile relationship between our planet's endangered freshwater resources and the ever increasing needs of more and more people: For the first time in history, fresh water has become a finite resource. Without big changes in water policy and use, wars of the future may be fought, not over oil, but water. This movie will show us how we can help Jill Heinerth to keep that from happening.

Past Presentation | The story of a community’s successful fight to protect their water from the oil and natural gas industry. In 2013, Texas-based SWN Resources arrived in New Brunswick, Canada, a region known for forestry, farming, and fishing, both commercial and small-scale subsistence operations that the rural community depend on. A multicultural group of unlikely warriors united and set up road blockades to prevent oil exploration. After months of resistance, their efforts not only halted drilling, they elected a new government and won an indefinite moratorium on fracking.

At the 2024 Earth Day Colloquium, World Resource Institute President and CEO Ani Dasgupta says systemic changes in a handful of countries will be critical to meeting global emissions goals.

Past Presentation | A short documentary discussing the drought in California, particularly how water shortages are affecting Southern California farmers, local relationships with policy-makers, and the environment. Through interviews and verite scenes with a local Ventura County farmer, with The California Secretary of Natural Resources, and with an environmental activist from The Surfrider Foundation, this film delves into a deeper understanding of how the drought is affecting Californians on a personal level, and how they plan to address the drought as it comes closer to a point of no return.

Oklahoma’s oil industry pays into a voluntary fund to clean up oil wells, but many drillers opt out. The money that has been refunded to these companies in recent years could have restored an estimated 1,500 orphan well sites. The post Oklahoma’s Oil Industry Touts a Voluntary Fund to Clean Up Oil Wells. Major Drillers Want Their Contributions Refunded. appeared first on .

Past Presentation | It's well-known that water is a collective good and a free inexhaustible resource...False! La goutte de trop follows the journey of a drop of water through the whole Montreal water system. Overconsumption, waste, inadequate filtration process. Their still some hope as citizens take on the challenge of reducing their consumption.

After suppression of Indigenous cultural burning, the state agrees Northern California's Karuk Tribe may practice the burns more freely than it has in over 175 years.