Category: Environmental News

Seven studies using experimental and naturalistic methods reveal that upper-class individuals behave more unethically than lower-class individuals. In studies 1 and 2, upper-class individuals were more likely to break the law while driving, relative to lower-class individuals. In follow-up laboratory studies, upper-class individuals were more likely to exhibit unethical decision-making tendencies (study 3), take valued goods from others (study 4), lie in a negotiation (study 5), cheat to increase their chances of winning a prize (study 6), and endorse unethical behavior at work (study 7) than were lower-class individuals. Mediator and moderator data demonstrated that upper-class individuals’ unethical tendencies are accounted for, in part, by their more favorable attitudes toward greed.

First of all, be careful about broad generalizations – stories with morals! – based on a relatively small number of studies.

Second, given that imbalances in wealth and power are core issues in many of our big “Approaches” we are reviewing this semester (population, markets, institutions… so far) what does this imply for ethical decisionmaking when it comes to the environment? In other words, fewer, richer, more powerful people are in control of environmental decisionmaking…

Third, it’s fun to pick on rich people.

Source: Higher social class predicts increased unethical behavior (PNAS)

The state of Minnesota will help homeowners turn their lawns into bee-friendly habitat under a spending plan approved by the Legislature and sent this week to Gov. Tim Walz.

The state will set aside $900,000 over one year to assist homeowners by covering much of the cost of converting traditional lawns by planting wildflowers, clover and native grasses in an effort to slow the collapse of the state’s bee population. The plan was trimmed down from the original House and Senate proposals, which would have provided funding for three years.

The plan could help replenish food sources for pollinators of all kinds, but will specifically aim at saving the rusty patched bumblebee, a fat and fuzzy species on the brink of extinction that seems to be making its final stand in the cities of the Upper Midwest.

Source: Program to pay Minnesota homeowners to let their lawn go to the bees

Bills already in play seek to address issues like infrastructure, education and supply chain challenges, with more expected to be introduced in the months to come. Some have significant backing from industry, while some are strongly opposed by certain trade groups. Other bills have brought together unlikely allies, including plastics proponents and environmental organizations.

Source: Wastedive: Tracking the future of US recycling policy in Congress

A group of researchers from South China Agricultural University found that samples from coronavirus patients were 99% identical to samples of the virus taken from wild pangolins, according to China’s official Xinhua news agency. Their research hasn’t been published or confirmed by other experts, but scientists say the results make sense, given what we know about the animals.

Pangolins are often poached for their keratin scales, which used as ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine. Their meat is also considered a delicacy in China and Vietnam.

If bats drop feces or saliva onto food that’s consumed by a pangolin, the animal can become a carrier of the coronavirus. Humans can then be exposed by consuming pangolins before the virus is transmitted from person to person.

Source: Everything we know about the pangolin — the scaly mammal that may have spread the coronavirus to humans

Video: Pangolins: The Most Trafficked Mammal You’ve Never Heard Of | National Geographic

The university’s decision came after a sustained pressure campaign from Georgetown University Fossil Free (GUFF), a student group which submitted multiple proposals to the Georgetown Committee on Investments and Social Responsibility before the panel recommended the divestment this week. The school community also voted on a referendum regarding divestment on Thursday, withn more than 90% voting in favor.

Source: ‘Something Big Is Shifting’: As Georgetown Announces Fossil Fuel Divestment, Students Across US Demand Their Schools Follow Suit

Energy Northwest is considering whether there is a need and regional interest for adding a small modular nuclear reactor system near the Tri-Cities.

Energy Northwest already operates the only commercial nuclear power reactor in the Northwest, Columbia Generating Station near Richland, in addition to small solar and hydroelectric projects and a wind farm.

The public agency currently generates the electricity for more than 1.5 million customers in Washington state.

Now it plans to spend up to $2 million to look at the feasibility of small modular reactors that might be added near its existing reactor.

The study will look at the electricity that will be needed in the Northwest in coming decades and where it will come from.

“We want to make sure that the utilities agree there is a need for this [and] that the politicians and the public believe this is something they want, because they care enough about the climate and carbon that they want this as a solution,” said Greg Cullen, Energy Northwest’s general manager of energy services and development.

Source: Small, modular nuclear reactors in Eastern Washington could balance more renewable electricity, power agency says

Stranded assets are “assets that have suffered from unanticipated or premature write-downs, devaluations or conversion to liabilities”. … In this context, stranded assets are also defined as an asset that has become obsolete or non-performing, but must be recorded on the balance sheet as a loss of profit.” (Wikipedia)

The lack of urgency in setting new regulations to drive climate action is likely to result in a “forceful, abrupt, and disorderly” policy response from 2025 that will seriously hit the fossil-fuel industry, a new report has warned.

The report urges governments to implement policies that limit new investment in fossil fuel projects to ensure a smooth transition towards sustainability, stable prices and predictable valuations.

However, Carbon Tracker’s latest analysis warns companies that their future investments on oil and gas projects based on ‘business as usual’ government policies are likely to be in danger as tougher policies enter into force.

The study indicates that a swift in climate change policies from 2025 onwards could cause sharp changes in oil pricing, wiping out the value that was assumed beforehand.

Source: Risk of ‘stranded assets’ from 2025, new oil report warns (EU Report)

Four turbines off the north coast of Scotland generated enough energy to power nearly 4,000 homes in 2019.

Sitting in a natural channel, they harness the energy of the changing currents and are helping build the case for tidal as the energy source of the future.

To date, very little research has been done into the impact tidal projects have on the surrounding marine environment.

Source: A new tidal energy project just hit a major milestone in Scotland

A world awash in plastic will soon get slammed by more, as major oil companies ramp up their production.

As public concern about plastic pollution rises, consumers are reaching for canvas bags, metal straws, and reusable water bottles. But while individuals fret over images of oceanic garbage gyres, the fossil fuel and petrochemical industries are pouring billions of dollars into new plants intended to make millions more tons of plastic than they now pump out.

Companies like ExxonMobil, Shell, and Saudi Aramco are ramping up output of plastic—which is made from oil and gas, and their byproducts—to hedge against the possibility that a serious global response to climate change might reduce demand for their fuels, analysts say. Petrochemicals, the category that includes plastic, now account for 14 percent of oil use and are expected to drive half of oil demand growth between now and 2050, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says. The World Economic Forum predicts plastic production will double in the next 20 years.

“In the context of a world trying to shift off of fossil fuels as an energy source, this is where [oil and gas companies] see the growth,” said Steven Feit, a staff attorney at the Center for International Environmental Law, an advocacy group.

Source: A Surge of New Plastic Is About to Hit the Planet (WIRED)

Until recently, there was no place within the MLS to list energy-saving equipment, energy ratings, or ENERGY STAR certifications.

To address this concern the National Association of Realtors formed a group entitled, The Green REsource Council. This group has helped to “green” the MLS and define the energy efficiency fields and information that should be added to listing service software across the country.  As these additional fields are implemented, buyers will look to these areas to be further informed about the home before purchasing.

Source: The Green MLS: Energy Efficiency and the Multiple Listings Service