Our changing planet is linked to human behaviors and natural phenomena. ECN posts summarize human impact on climate, recycling, energy production, conservation, and pollution and activities and solutions that affect the outcomes of those conditions.
Virginia is set to make history by hosting the world’s first nuclear fusion power plant. Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, plans to build the facility on a 100-acre site located in Chesterfield County’s James River Industrial Park. The power plant will generate 400 megawatts of electricity, which is enough to power 150,000 […]
For the past 50 years, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s (BOEM) Environmental Studies Program (ESP) has been essential in advancing ocean stewardship. Established in 1973, BOEM has been a critical source of data for predicting, evaluating, and mitigating environmental impacts from offshore energy and marine mineral operations on human, marine, and coastal ecosystems. A Environmental […]
In the state of Washington, forest managers are trying a new method called “assisted migration” to help forests adapt to climate change. Through this approach, forest management involves planting trees from warmer and drier areas in order to make forests stronger and more resilient. Forest management and climate change are intricately linked. The Old Tree […]
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 […]
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 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. […]
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 […]
Thin-film solar panels are revolutionizing the way we harness solar energy. Unlike traditional bulky solar panels, these panels are incredibly thin and flexible, making them suitable for various applications beyond rooftops. Traditional solar panels use silicon as their main material, while solar film technology utilizes lightweight layers of photovoltaic materials. These layers can be over […]
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 […]
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 […]
