Day: June 23, 2022

Science’s Women Ghostwriters

Read the full story at Inside Higher Ed.

James Watson and Francis Crick (not Rosalind Franklin) getting all the initial glory for unlocking the structure of DNA may be the most famous example of how women’s contributions to science get overlooked. It certainly isn’t the only instance, however: many women scientists report having their work go un- or undercredited, and some say they’ve left science altogether as a result.

While these anecdotes are powerful on their own, a new study pushes the conversation far beyond individual accounts: the paper, published in Nature, finds that women are significantly—and systematically—less likely to be recognized than their male peers.

H&M, Lululemon back $250 million fund to decarbonize fashion supply chain

Read the full story in ESG Today.

Fashion sustainability-focused nonprofit Apparel Impact Institute (Aii) announced today the launch of a new $250 million Fashion Climate Fund, with lead funders including Lululemon, H&M Group, H&M Foundation, and the Schmidt Family Foundation.

The new fund aims to drive actions and solutions supporting the industry’s goal to halve emissions by 2030, with a particular focus on the supply chain, which accounts for the vast majority of the fashion industry’s emissions, according to Aii.

How New Jersey’s environmental justice law is beginning to affect operators around the country

Read the full story at Waste Dive.

Environmental lawyer Matthew Karmel offers insight on the law’s newly-released draft regulations, plus M&A considerations and tips for navigating EJ risk assessments in any state.

Alternative Cleaner Trial: Island Dog Brewery in South Portland, Maine

Download the document.

The New England Environmental Finance Center (New England EFC), based at the University of Maine’s Southern campus at the University of Southern Maine USM), partnered with Island Dog Brewery located in South Portland, Maine, to trial an alternative cleaner highlighted in the Assessment of Alternatives to Cleaners and Sanitizers for the Brewing Industry by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI). Island Dog Brewery expressed interest in an alternative vat cleaner to limit exposure to harmful chemicals and to reduce operational environmental impact.

EPA scientists and partners team up to tackle Cape Cod’s nutrient pollution and protect water quality

Read the full story from U.S. EPA.

Like many places in the country, Cape Cod’s coastal waters are under stress from excess nutrients, which mainly consist of nitrogen. While nitrogen and other nutrients occur naturally in the environment, too many nutrients can cause water to become polluted. Nutrient pollution from human activity can throw natural water systems out of balance, leading to algal blooms and contributing to low oxygen conditions that harm aquatic ecosystems and can cause fish kills.

To help Cape Cod solve its nutrient pollution problem, EPA researchers are collaborating with federal, state, and community partners. This diverse group of partners came together with the common goal of restoring the water quality and natural ecosystems on which the region depends. Their work includes research to better understand nutrient pollution in the region, field testing nitrogen-removal technologies, and developing communication methods to engage community members throughout the research process.

EPA creates database to find thermal treatment processes for remediating PFAS

Read the full story from U.S. EPA.

Because there are so many forms of PFAS and treatment options, EPA researchers have developed a centralized database to record reliable references. EPA’s PFAS Thermal Treatment Database (PFASTT) is an easy-to-use online tool that provides referenced information on the use of different thermal treatment processes for the remediation of PFAS. It was designed for use by utilities; federal, state and local agencies; scientific researchers; and others interested in the thermal treatment of PFAS. These groups could use PFASTT when making decisions for effective PFAS treatment processes, plan for future treatment plant upgrades, recognizing research needs, and more.

The sting of sizeism in the scientific workplace

Read the full story in Nature.

Researchers of size say weight bias is harming their careers and well-being. Workplace changes can reduce the stigma.

Pressure growing to remove PFAS from fast food wrappers

Read the full story at Great Lakes Now.

Environmental and health groups are pushing dozens of fast food companies, supermarkets chains and other retail outlets to remove PFAS chemicals from their packaging. Known as “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, they have been used for decades to prevent grease, water and other liquids from soaking through wrappers, boxes and bags.

Opponents of the practice argue the packaging poses a danger to consumers as well as the environment, since the waste ends up in landfills. in compost or is incinerated where the chemicals can leach into groundwater or soil. They contend there are safer alternatives.

Several groups have maintained that many major brands use packaging with PFAS and that testing at times showed extremely high levels.

A 2017 study by the Massachusetts-based nonprofit research organization Silent Spring Institute found PFAS in almost half of paper wrappers and 20% of boxes from 27 fast food outlets. Tests by Toxic-Free Future in 2018 produced similar results. And, this year, Consumer Reports found eight restaurants, including McDonald’s, Burger King and Cava, had packaging that had more than 100 parts per million of fluorine, which indicates likely presence of PFAS.

How a sponge could help clean up microplastics in Chicago and the Great Lakes

Read the full story from WBEZ.

A team of Northwestern University engineers created a coating that, when applied to sponges, traps pollutants found in water.

Climate change is forcing care workers to act as first responders

Read the full story at The 19th.

A new pilot program in California aims to provide the training and resources they need to take care of their clients and themselves. But advocates say increased responsibility should equal more pay.