Free markets work best when information is readily available so we can all make decisions that are best for us. But when it comes to the environment, the damages our activities incur are difficult to see, expensive to clean up, and may not culminate until far into the future. In other words, our current actions toward the environment are often based on incomplete information. For this reason, environmental protection is an essential role of the media and the government.
The oil business is known for its boom and bust cycles. Everyone loves it when times are good. And in the past, everyone pays for it when times are bad. At least, that’s what everyone in Alberta remembers about the last time it went bad. Because when it went, it left cities and towns holding
Read & Share sourced from: CBC
The state of Washington has some of the highest recycling rates in the country, but usage is on the decline and landfills are still filling up. But they aren’t one to ignore the problem. And a new law is proposing a new approach — shift the waste stream burden from consumers to producers. It’s a
Read & Share sourced from: Route Fifty
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the latest action to protect communities and hold facilities accountable for controlling and cleaning up the contamination created by coal ash disposal. The Agency issued six proposed determinations to deny facilities’ requests to continue disposing of coal combustion residuals (CCR or coal ash) into unlined surface
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ESG stands for ‘environment’, ‘social’, and ‘governance’. It’s an acronym to describe the emerging pressure corporations and businesses are under to be transparent regarding practices related to the environment, social, and governance issues. As an example, banks that reduce or stop lending to carbon-based energy projects would be an example of an ESG policy. It’s
Read & Share sourced from: Helena Independent RecordWe don’t typically think of Sweden as a place for vineyards and wine production, but a couple factors are contributing to growth in the industry — a warming climate, and the lots of sunshine. While it’s colder than the usual places we think of wine, the hours of summer sunshine provided by the northern latitudes
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The North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s annual midwinter waterfowl survey in early January indicated about 29,000 Canada geese in the state. Andy Dinges, department migratory game bird biologist, said a low count was expected this year for wintering waterfowl given the substantial snowfall and cold temperatures in November and December leading up to the
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Did you know that as cows digest the grass and other feed they eat they create a lot of methane gas? It’s true. Did you also know that methane is a big contributor to climate change? It’s also true. It’s a situation that puts the cattle industry in the crosshairs of environmental regulation, and in
Read & Share sourced from: Quartz
In spite of widespread efforts to curb them, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow. The Federal government has set a reduction goal to 50% of the 2005 levels by 2030. To achieve that goal, the U.S. will need to average a 5% annual reduction between now and then. Why does it matter in Minot?
Read & Share sourced from: Scientific American
The EPA in conjunction with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers published the final “Revised Definition of the Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) on Wednesday. The definition will be effective March 20, 2023. It’s a significant action that greatly expands the scope of federal jurisdiction to all those areas captured under the new definition,
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The currently named culprit is Scotchgard; it’s the commercial name for a stain-resistant chemical known as perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS for short. It’s part of a larger group of chemicals called PFAS, and the problem is these chemicals persist in the environment for a long time. Scotchgard hasn’t been manufactured in the U.S. for
Read & Share sourced from: MPR
Otter Tail County in Minnesota is taking a chunk out of what goes into its landfill by stopping food waste before it gets there. The County-wide program is focused on schools, healthcare facilities, and restaurants intentionally, as those are the largest producers of landfilled food. For families, the focus is on a backyard solution, home
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Citywide recycling is coming to Minot on July 17, and when it arrives, you’ll have a one-time two-month opportunity to opt out, otherwise, you’ll incur a $2.50 per month extra charge on your sanitation bill. That’s the current story on Minot’s recycling plan that’s expected to reduce the amount of waste landfilled annually by approximately
Read & Share sourced from: Minot Daily News
We’ve seen it before. A few ice shelters can turn into a city literally overnight. Winter anglers travel from every corner of the state – some from a few states away – at the report of a hot walleye, perch, or crappie bite. Anglers wonder if the fishery can withstand the pressure? I remind myself
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It’s a litigious world out there. Even more so in Minnesota lately with regard to water discharged into rivers and streams by cities, small towns, and businesses. In question are the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act, and when water discharged is out of compliance, the penalties can add up fast. And one lawyer
Read & Share sourced from: Star TribuneNorwalk Connecticut is a coastal town, and they’re in the process of completing their long-term planning. They’re looking out as far as 2050. And what is it they’re planning for? The answer is sea level rise, 20 inches of it. Why does it matter in Minot? Well, we’re in the process of building a billion-dollar
Read & Share sourced from: The Hour
Did you know North Dakota’s ranch-sustaining grasslands also serve as carbon sponges? It’s a byproduct benefit of sustainable, regenerative practices many ranchers are already embracing. Patrick Springer has the full story at the Dickinson Press on an idea that may help North Dakota meet Governor Burgum’s 2030 carbon emission goals.
Read & Share sourced from: Dickinson Press