ORNL to lead new center to create sustainable chemical industry processes

The Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been selected to lead an Energy Earthshot Research Center, or EERC, focused on developing chemical processes that use sustainable methods instead of burning fossil fuels to radically reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions to stem climate change and limit the crisis of a rapidly warming planet.

Novel bacterial proteins from seafloor shine light on climate and astrobiology

In a groundbreaking study, a team of Georgia Tech researchers has unveiled a remarkable discovery: the identification of novel bacterial proteins that play a vital role in the formation and stability of methane clathrates, which trap gigatons of greenhouse gas beneath the seafloor. These newfound proteins not only suppress methane clathrate growth as effectively as toxic chemicals used in drilling but also prove to be eco-friendly and scalable. This innovative breakthrough not only promises to enhance environmental safety in natural gas transportation but also sheds light on the potential for similar biomolecules to support life beyond Earth.

Naming and Shaming Can be Effective to Get Countries to Act on Climate

Enforcement is one of the biggest challenges to international cooperation on mitigating climate change in the Paris Agreement. The agreement has no formal enforcement mechanism; instead, it is designed to be transparent so countries that fail to meet their obligations will be named and thus shamed into changing behavior.

$3M grant funds training to harness power of AI for social, environmental challenges

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is investing $3 million over the next five years in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Advancements and Convergence in Computational, Environmental and Social Sciences (AI-ACCESS) program at Washington University in St. Louis.

Poor infrastructure and rising sea levels exacerbated flooding in Libya, says expert

Thousands of people are dead and at least 10,000 missing after devastating flooding in Libya. The Mediterranean storm brought heavy rains to the northeastern part of the country, already crumbling from more than a decade of conflict.   “Although Storm Daniel caused the devastating flood, a combination of factors exacerbated the nation’s vulnerability to natural hazards, resulting in enormous casualties,” says Virginia Tech geophysicist Manoochehr Shirzaei.

To Cut Global Emissions, Replace Meat and Milk with Plant-Based Alternatives

Replacing 50% of meat and milk products with plant-based alternatives by 2050 can reduce agriculture and land use related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31% and halt the degradation of forest and natural land, according to new research in Nature Communications journal.

UTEP Researchers Make Inroads in Study of Melting Glacier

Researchers with The University of Texas at El Paso are working to understand how the Thwaites Glacier’s ice is changing and what it means for the future. By measuring physical properties of the ice and rock below it and understanding which parts of the glacier are moving quickly and why, they hope to map Thwaites’ future movement and resulting sea level rise.

Protecting the protectors: Virginia Tech researchers work to secure power grid communication on military bases.

For months, U.S. officials have been sniffing out malicious computer code that they suspect to be planted inside the power grid and communication control systems on U.S. military bases. Virginia Tech researchers already are working on a plan to secure future military base power grid operations and their critical missions from such threats.

Case Western Reserve University faculty available to discuss Hurricane Idalia, its impact and what to expect in its wake

https://thedaily.case.edu/what-can-we-expect-in-the-wake-of-hurricane-idalia-cwru-faculty-share-their-expertise/?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=thedaily_expertinsights Tali Babila, assistant professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences Peter Shulman, the Elizabeth and Raymond Armington Professor and associate professor in the Department of History  Thomas King, professor and chair of the Department of Accountancy …

Extreme Weather as the New Norm: American University Experts Available for Comment

WHAT: As scientists, policymakers and communities continue to grapple with extreme weather events and a changing climate, American University experts are available to comment on a wide range of topics and ramifications. WHEN/WHERE: August 30, 2023 – ongoing; availability in-studio, through email, phone or Zoom WHO: Paul Bledsoe is an adjunct professorial lecturer at the Center for Environmental Policy in AU’s School of Public Affairs.