Category Archives: Environment, Safety, Health

Articles about events and new stories focused on environmental issues impacting sustainability, safety, and health. Environmental stewardship refers to responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.

Are Supercharged Hurricanes Helene and Milton a New Norm?

Supercharged Hurricanes Helene's path of U.S. travel.

Climate scientists predict that supercharged hurricanes will become more common. The development of Hurricanes Helene and Milton support this observation. With higher velocity winds and increased volumes of atmospheric moisture, tropical storms are impacting significant areas of the country. The result is widespread destruction and death; sadly, in locations that historically were isolated from such […]

DOE Battery Projects – Securing Domestic Lithium Independence

DOE Battery Projects

DOE battery projects involving development of domestic mining, mineral processing, and battery manufacturing is receiving federal government support. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) plans to distribute over $3 billion to fund more than two dozen battery-related projects across 14 states. Accordingly, this investment supports U.S. strategic independence of lithium battery production and includes battery […]

LUNA Program: Transforming Outdoor Lighting Efficiency and Distribution

The DesignLights Consortium (DLC) has received recognition for its efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce light pollution in the lighting industry through the Luna Program. Initially, the DLC focused on encouraging the use of LED lighting and expanding its market use. Over time, the mission expanded to include developing guidelines for improving light quality, […]

Campfire Management. Containment and Fire Control is of the Utmost Importance.

Campfire management. Group staying warm around a controlled campfire.

Campfire management ensures your hot toasty campfire is an enjoyable experience, especially in the cooler months of spring and fall and for hearty campers, winter. Ensuring your campfire is safely contained and controlled is of utmost importance, especially in locations with dry conditions where a wind driven ember can ignite grass, brush, or forest surroundings. […]

Hurricane Ernesto – Prepare for an Active Storm Season

Hurricane Ernesto leaves down powerlines

As Hurricane Ernesto churned towards Bermuda, it became clear that this year’s hurricane season is off to an unusually early and intense start. Ernesto’s development into a Category 2 storm arrived weeks ahead of schedule, signaling the potential for a particularly dangerous season. A Stormy Start to the Season In an average year, the third […]

Plastic Pollution Treaty. Solutions to Addressing the Plastic Scourge.

plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is a severe and growing problem. Each year, 20 million metric tons of plastic enter the environment. This plastic is found everywhere, from Mount Everest to the Mariana Trench, and even within the human body. With plastic production expected to triple by 2060, the urgency of addressing this issue has never been more […]

Extracting Rare Earth Elements from Old Coal Mining Operations

rare earth elements 1

Researchers from West Virginia University are investigating techniques for extracting rare earth elements from old coal mines. Contaminated ground water and coal mining overburden laced with rare earth minerals holds the potential to enhance the nation’s energy and product manufacturing future. Valuable Elements from Coal Mine Groundwater Instead of mining coal, researchers are repurposing mine […]

Paris Sustainable Olympics: Striving for Gold in Carbon Footprint Reduction

Paris Sustainable Olympics 1

The Paris Sustainable Olympics team aims to cut their overall carbon footprint in half compared to the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Games. This goal extends to events not held in Paris; for that matter not held in Europe. In fact, the Olympic surfing events takes place in Tahiti. This remote location creates the challenge […]

American Climate Corps – Promoting Youth Employment in Green Industries

American Climate Corps Youth planting trees to improve the environment

An updated version of the CCC is coming, the American Climate Corps. In the coming weeks, 9,000 people will start working to restore landscapes, install solar panels, and take other steps to help the country move toward a cleaner, greener future. The first group of these workers joined the American Climate Corps in a virtual […]

The Cascadia Subduction Zone: A Major Earthquake Threat

Cascadia Subduction Zone

Researchers have gained the clearest picture yet of the Cascadia Subduction Zone. A fault off the Pacific NW coast that threatens British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and Northern California with powerful earthquakes and tsunamis. The fault stretches from northern Vancouver Island, Canada to Cape Mendocino, California, approximately seven hundred miles in length. Historical Context Scientists have […]