ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS

Jan 31 2025POLITICS

Doug Burgum: From Governor to Interior Boss

Doug Burgum, a former North Dakota governor, secured a new role as interior secretary. The confirmation came on a Thursday night. He's the guy that President Donald Trump picked to speed up the fossil fuel industry. The Senate agreed with a 79-18 vote. Most Senate Democrats and all Republicans backed him. Doug Burgum is a self-made billionaire from the tech ...

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Jan 19 2025TECHNOLOGY

Why Nintendo Switch 2's Headphone Jack is a Big Deal

Nintendo recently unveiled the Switch 2, and one thing stood out: the console has a headphone jack. This might not seem like a big deal, but it's a refreshing choice in today's tech world. You see, back in 2016, Apple ditched the headphone jack, pushing everyone towards Bluetooth. Since then, I've been worried that other companies would follow suit. But Nintendo isn'...

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Jan 16 2025ENVIRONMENT

Whale Protections on Hold: Last-Minute Rule Change

In a surprising last-minute move, the U. S. government has decided to drop a plan to protect endangered North Atlantic right whales from ship collisions. These whales, of which fewer than 380 are left, were supposed to get better protection off the East Coast. A proposal to slow down ships near their habitats has been in the works for over two years, causing tense de...

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Dec 28 2024ENVIRONMENT

New Orca Calf in Trouble: Scientists Worry

A new orca calf, J61, has joined the endangered southern resident killer whale population in British Columbia. But scientists are concerned about her health. The calf, spotted on December 20 with J pod, is believed to be premature. Her mom, J35 Tahlequah, might not be in the best shape to nurse her. Orca Conservancy says J35 looked thin back in October. The calf's be...

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Dec 14 2024BUSINESS

Steel Deal Sparks Environmental Concerns in Indiana

A potential deal between U. S. Steel and Nippon Steel has got some Indiana residents worried. While Gary Mayor Eddie Melton thinks the sale could be good for the local economy, some environmental groups aren't so sure. They're worried that Nippon Steel might keep using aging blast furnaces, which aren't so great for the environment. These groups, like Just Transition...

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Dec 12 2024ENVIRONMENT

Kingston Nixes Pricey Biogas Plant Plan

You might think turning waste into energy sounds great, but Kingston is giving the idea a hard pass. The city's utility company, Utilities Kingston, said a proposed biogas plant just doesn't make financial sense. They looked at turning sewage sludge and organic waste from green bins into energy, but the cost was too high. The plant would lose millions each year and n...

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Nov 26 2024ENVIRONMENT

Protesters Hanging On: The Fight Against Tesla's Expansion

In the woods near Berlin, protesters are refusing to come down from the trees. German police are trying to clear the camp, climbed up ladders to reach the protesters and cut down the rope structures they've set up. Why all the fuss? Tesla's planning to expand their gigafactory, the only one in Europe, and hire around 12, 000 more people. But the Group Disrupt Tesla i...

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Nov 16 2024ENVIRONMENT

Pakistan Faces Toxic Smog: What You Need to Know

In Pakistan, the provinces of Punjab have declared a health emergency due to severe smog. This has led to the closing of schools, restaurants, and construction sites in major cities like Lahore and Multan. The air is so bad that it's reaching hazardous levels, with air quality index (AQI) readings exceeding 600 in Lahore—far above the dangerous threshold of 300. This...

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Nov 10 2024ENVIRONMENT

California to Boost Emissions Cuts, but Gas Prices Might Rise

California’s air regulators just voted to change a major climate program. This program, called the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), aims to reduce emissions from transportation fuels. The updates aim to boost emission reduction targets and fund charging stations for electric vehicles. But, there's a catch. These changes might increase gas prices across the state. Som...

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Oct 18 2024TECHNOLOGY

Amazon's Green Move: Betting on Nuclear for AI Power

Ever wondered how tech giants like Amazon keep their AI programs running? It's no secret that these programs need a lot of electricity. So, Amazon is trying something new: investing in nuclear power. They're putting over half a billion dollars into three projects in Washington, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. Why nuclear? Well, it generates electricity without much gree...

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