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Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework Guides Development of Safer Chemicals and Materials

Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework Guides Development of Safer Chemicals and Materials

Safe and Sustainable by Design Framework Guides Development of Safer Chemicals and Materials
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California's Proposed 750-MW Mountain Water Battery Enters Federal Review to Bolster Grid Stability

California's Proposed 750-MW Mountain Water Battery Enters Federal Review to Bolster Grid Stability

A proposed 750-megawatt pumped storage hydropower project, known as the Fish Creek Pumped Storage Project, near Nevada City, California, has entered federal review. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has accepted the preliminary permit application for this 'mountain water battery,' which aims to store excess green energy. The project, proposed by RamaFlux Sierra PSH, LLC, will feature dual artificial reservoirs at different elevations: an upper pool at 4,200 feet and a lower pool at 2,600 feet. The system is designed to pump surplus midday solar power uphill to the upper reservoir and then release the stored water through penstocks to drive reversible pump-turbines as energy demand increases after sunset. A new 230-kilovolt transmission line will then transmit the clean electricity to the regional grid. The public has until November 30, 2026, to submit comments, competing applications, or motions to intervene.
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Southeastern U.S. Tree-Planting Programs Fall Short of National Reforestation Goals

Southeastern U.S. Tree-Planting Programs Fall Short of National Reforestation Goals

A new analysis of tree-planting programs in the southeastern United States reveals that current federal and state initiatives are significantly underperforming compared to national and international reforestation targets. Researchers from North Carolina State University, in collaboration with the USDA Forest Service, found that these programs collectively plant approximately 349,239 acres per year across ten southeastern states, with an annual investment of about $42 million in cost-share funds. While this capacity is sufficient for modest pledges like the U.S. chapter's 2.8 million-acre commitment under the 1t.org initiative, it would take centuries to achieve more ambitious goals, such as the 330 million-acre restoration target outlined in the World Resources Institute’s CarbonShot Report by 2040. The study, published in Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, emphasizes that existing institutional frameworks for reforestation lack the necessary financial and operational capacity for large-scale expansio...
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Michigan and Michigan State Universities Collaborate on Urine-to-Fertilizer 'Piss Off' Event

Michigan and Michigan State Universities Collaborate on Urine-to-Fertilizer 'Piss Off' Event

The University of Michigan Wolverines and Michigan State Spartans are engaging in an environmental competition this weekend, hosting a 'Piss Off' event in Ann Arbor. Wastewater research scientists from both universities aim to collect the most urine during their annual rivalry game. Two yurts will be set up at the Ann Arbor Golf Club, near the Big House, where volunteers will direct fans to contribute. The collected urine will be converted into nutrient-rich fertilizer, a process known as 'peecycling.' The initiative serves a dual purpose: to gather raw material for fertilizer production and to educate the public about the potential of human waste as a sustainable resource. This project is partly funded by a University Research Council Grant awarded to Michigan State Associate Professor of Sociology Stephen Gasteyer and Sociology Assistant Professor Saleh Amed.
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University of Michigan and Michigan State Compete in 'Piss Off' Urine Collection Event for Fertilizer Production

University of Michigan and Michigan State Compete in 'Piss Off' Urine Collection Event for Fertilizer Production

The University of Michigan and Michigan State University are hosting a 'Piss Off' event in Ann Arbor this Saturday, coinciding with their annual rivalry football game. Wastewater research scientists from both institutions are competing to see which school can collect the most urine. Two yurts will be set up at the Ann Arbor Golf Club, across from the Big House, where volunteers will direct fans and tailgaters to contribute based on their university loyalties. The initiative, known as 'peecycling,' aims to collect urine for conversion into nutrient-rich fertilizer. According to Michigan State Associate Professor of Sociology Stephen Gasteyer, the event serves a dual purpose: to gather raw material for fertilizer production and to educate the public about the potential of urine as a natural nutrient source. The project is partly funded by a University Research Council Grant awarded to Gasteyer and Sociology Assistant Professor Saleh Amed.
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New Chemical Method for Upcycling Polyethylene into Nylon Raw Material Developed

New Chemical Method for Upcycling Polyethylene into Nylon Raw Material Developed

Chemists at LIKAT in Rostock have developed a new method for chemically upcycling polyethylene, the primary component of plastic waste, into dicarboxylic acids. These dicarboxylic acids can serve as chemical precursors for nylon, a material typically produced from petroleum. The process, developed by Dr. Esteban Mejía and Dr. Satyajit Panda, operates under mild conditions and does not require a catalyst. This innovation aims to provide a large-scale alternative to petroleum-based nylon production, addressing the environmental impact of plastic waste and reducing reliance on fossil raw materials. The team has successfully narrowed the chain length of their product to between four and 10 carbon atoms and is working to further improve selectivity in collaboration with Dr. Udo Kragl from the University of Rostock. An estimated 8 million metric tons of polyamide (nylon) are produced globally each year, predominantly from petroleum.
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International Atomic Energy Agency Launches Global Network to Monitor Lake Isotopes for Conservation

International Atomic Energy Agency Launches Global Network to Monitor Lake Isotopes for Conservation

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has initiated the Global Network of Isotopes in Lakes (GNIL), a new program designed to establish an international database for stable isotopes, water chemistry measurements, and environmental observations in lakes. This initiative aims to provide countries with scientific data to inform conservation and restoration efforts for freshwater ecosystems. According to Najat Mokhtar, IAEA deputy director general and head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, freshwater ecosystems are among the most threatened globally due to degradation, unsustainable water use, and changing environmental conditions. The GNIL will utilize stable hydrogen and oxygen isotopes as natural fingerprints in water to trace its origins, age, and movement. By measuring the balance between heavy and light isotopes, scientists can determine precipitation patterns and water sources for lakes and rivers. Initially, GNIL will focus on establishing common protocols, governance, and...
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International Science Council to Host Webinar on Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

International Science Council to Host Webinar on Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Negotiations

The International Science Council (ISC) is organizing a webinar to facilitate discussions on the global plastic pollution treaty. This event aims to inform the intersessional discussions of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) on Plastic Pollution, specifically advancing towards INC-5.4. The webinar, scheduled for November 24, 2026, from 14:30-15:45 UTC, will provide updates on the ongoing negotiations. It seeks to foster dialogue between national delegations and the scientific community, exploring avenues for the ISC membership and the broader scientific community to contribute to the treaty's final stages and its subsequent implementation. Key participants will include Margaret Spring, Chair of the ISC Expert Group on Plastic Pollution; Salvatore Aricò, ISC CEO; Julio Cordano, Chair of the INC; Elena Tomesani, ISC Focal Point on Plastic Pollution; and Patrick Schröder, a member of the ISC Expert Group on Plastic Pollution.
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Washington D.C. Faces Increased Traffic Congestion and Vehicle Emissions Post-Pandemic

Washington D.C. Faces Increased Traffic Congestion and Vehicle Emissions Post-Pandemic

Washington, D.C. is experiencing a rise in traffic congestion and vehicle-related carbon dioxide emissions, largely due to a post-pandemic decrease in public transit ridership. The city possesses a comprehensive public transit system, but data indicates a growing preference for personal vehicles. This shift has led to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions and overall pollution. The city’s Department of Energy & Environment reports that approximately one-fourth of D.C.'s greenhouse gas emissions originate from vehicles. This trend highlights a move away from public transportation options like the Metro, which saw reduced regular ridership following the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to environmental concerns within the capital.
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Reusable Plastic Items Require Consistent Use to Outperform Single-Use Alternatives

Reusable Plastic Items Require Consistent Use to Outperform Single-Use Alternatives

Reusable Plastic Items Require Consistent Use to Outperform Single-Use Alternatives
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White Rot Fungi Show Promise in Degrading Wastewater Plastics and Organic Waste

White Rot Fungi Show Promise in Degrading Wastewater Plastics and Organic Waste

Researchers have discovered that white rot fungi can effectively biodegrade sewage screenings from wastewater treatment plants, converting complex organic waste, including plastics, into fermentable sugars. The study, published in Fungal Biology and Biotechnology, investigated four fungal species: Irpex lacteus, Bjerkandera adusta, Pleurotus dryinus, and Trametes versicolor. These fungi secrete lignocellulolytic enzymes capable of breaking down lignin and cellulose, which are abundant in sewage screenings. The screenings, a heterogeneous mixture of sanitation textiles, toilet paper, organic leftovers, plastics, and grit, are typically sent to landfills. The study found that cultivating these fungi on wastewater screenings led to significant enzymatic activity and carbohydrate degradation. For instance, Pleurotus dryinus achieved a laccase activity of 1691.75 U/mg and degraded 44.46 percent of the carbohydrates, while Bjerkandera adusta reduced carbohydrate content by 43.49 percent. This research highlights...
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Niagara Falls Flow Cut in Half: Here's Where the Water Goes

Niagara Falls Flow Cut in Half: Here's Where the Water Goes

Niagara Falls is experiencing a major seasonal change, with its minimum water flow cut in half from 100,000 to 50,000 cubic feet per second through March 31, 2027. The change allows more water to be diverted toward hydroelectric power plants in the U.S. and Canada, where it generates electricity before returning to the Niagara River downstream. The flow rules balance energy production with tourism, requiring higher water levels during peak visitor months. Reduced flow also helps slow the falls' natural erosion.