Read the full story from the National Center for Science Education.
The New Jersey State Board of Education adopted revisions to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards that incorporate climate change in a systematic and coordinated way throughout, according to a June 3, 2020, press release.
Read the full story at MLive.
More than 30,000 gallons of toxic fluorochemical foam has been collected from municipal fire departments and commercial airports in Michigan in an effort that state officials believe is the nation’s largest collection and disposal program of its type.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) and the state fire marshal’s office announced the milestone for their per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, foam disposal program on Wednesday, June 16.
Read the full story from the Associated Press.
The Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday ended an Obama-era drive to regulate a widespread contaminant in drinking water linked to brain damage in infants. The agency rejected warnings that the move will mean lower IQs for an unknown number of American newborns.
Read the full story at Washington City Paper.
Restaurants throughout D.C. have been trying to make all the necessary adjustments to keep patrons and employees safe as they move through the phased reopening process. The city hasn’t always presented business owners with clear marching orders in a timely fashion, leaving them scrambling to sort out what’s a guideline or recommendation versus a rule that can be enforced. Restaurants were told phase one would be begin with two days notice. A similar situation could unfold later this week if Mayor Muriel Bowser opts to take D.C. into phase two on Friday.
One source of confusion is silverware. Cork Wine Bar & Market server Karim Soumah thought the city mandated that restaurants swap out metal utensils for single-use forks and knives. Then, he says, he observed eateries, including The Smith, giving customers the option between both.
Read the full story from the Sightline Institute.
Over the past decade, we’ve seen a huge proliferation of research, workshops, conferences, strategy sessions, and articles about climate change communications. Why? Because how we communicate about this issue will determine how effective we are at mobilizing people to take actions.
We know about the barriers ranging from how the issue itself is complex and abstract, to the ways in which political ideologies may inform how people perceive the problem from the fields of behavioral and social sciences devoted to climate change communications. To date, we have tended to focus more on changing behaviors than actually engaging people with how they feel, make sense of, and experience the threat of climate change and its profound implications.
After teaching climate change communications and psychology for several years and working with many organizations and initiatives, I have noticed that how we think about climate change engagement tends to fall into four main categories, or what I call “quadrants.” They include a behavior change approach (let’s get people to do x and y), a values or social psychology orientation (focusing on values and attitudes people have towards these issues), a social innovation or solutions approach (let’s design the solutions), and finally a focus on the emotional and experiential dimensions, or what I would also call “affective” (the feelings associated with specific practices, actions or issues).
Read the full story in Foreign Policy.
People already care about climate change – the trick is getting them to realize it.
Read the full story at e360.
The environmental movement has largely failed to connect with people of color and marginalized urban communities. By confronting issues from contaminated water to climate change, hip hop music can help bridge that divide and bring home the realities of environmental injustice.
Read the full story at Food Navigator.
General Mills – maker of Yoplait and Liberté yogurt brands – has launched a regenerative agriculture pilot project at three dairy farms in Michigan, a key sourcing region for the company’s fluid milk supply.
Read the full story at JD Supra.
As part of the EPA’s recent efforts to advance its Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Action Plan (PFAS Action Plan), the EPA announced on February 20 its preliminary determination to regulate perfluoroctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in drinking water. Following review of the comments submitted by the June 10 deadline, EPA will make a final determination whether to regulate PFOA and PFOS under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SWDA). Meanwhile, many states continue to move ahead with issuing their own regulations governing PFAS.
Read the full story at Confectionery News.
Nestlé International Travel Retail (ITR) has chosen Smarties to become the first global children’s confectionery brand to incorporate the company’s no single use plastic packaging.
Environmental News Bits 