Public News Service

Environmental advocates say the growth of so-called 'fast fashion' is adding to greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Buying just one white cotton shirt produces the same amount of emissions as driving 35 miles in a car, according to the climate action group, WRAP. (Adobe Stock)

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

Serving looks with books: Libraries fight ‘fast fashion’ by lending clothes

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Grist-Public News Service C…

Among U.S. adults surveyed, 20% said they have heard a lot about Project 2025, while 39% have heard a little and 42% have heard nothing at all, according to a recent YouGov poll. (Adobe Stock) <br /><br />

Conservative plan to ‘drill, baby drill’ threatens ocean health

Critics of a conservative plan to expand offshore oil drilling said it endangers coastal communities who rely on a healthy ocean. Project 2025…

Researchers Anna O'Brien, left, and Ciana Lazu examine a sample of duckweed found at Mill Pond in Durham, New Hampshire. (UNH Marketing)

NH duckweed study aims to counter impacts of manure, farm runoff

University of New Hampshire scientists said a common aquatic plant called duckweed could help filter polluting runoff from dairy farms and so-called m…

University of New Hampshire scientists are researching how the addition of plant-based essential oils called Agolin in cow feed can improve overall milk quality and production while decreasing a cow's emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. (UNH)

NH scientists: Plant-based oils in cow feed cut climate-altering methane emissions

New research from the University of New Hampshire could help dairy farmers increase profits while reducing their effect on the climate. Scientists …

The New Hampshire Space Grant and the University of New Hampshire have distributed 33,000 pairs of eclipse glasses to students, teachers, firefighters and police in anticipation of today's total solar eclipse. (Adobe Stock)

Northern NH offers prime viewing of 'life-changing' total solar eclipse

All of New England will experience some form of today's total solar eclipse but northern New Hampshire will offer prime viewing. The sky will darken …

The 460 megawatt Merrimack Station's particulate matter emissions allegedly exceeded EPA limits by 70% in February 2023. A successful smoke stack retest has not been completed since, according to the New Hampshire Department of Environment Services. (Adobe Stock)<br />

NH groups celebrate planned closure of New England’s last coal plant

Environmental activists in New Hampshire are celebrating the planned closure of New England's last coal-fired power plant. Granite Shore Power said …

Landfills in the U.S. receive more than ten million tons of leaves and yard waste each year, producing underground methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which is then released into the air as landfill piles are bulldozed to make room for more waste. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Leave free or die: More NH homes put down the rake

New Hampshire yards will soon be covered in fallen leaves, but a new survey finds a growing number of people are willing to leave them lie to improve …

U.S. medical costs associated with tick-borne diseases are substantial, with Lyme disease alone resulting in anywhere between $712 million and $1.3 billion in annual treatment costs, according to John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (Adobe Stock) <br />

Multi-State Effort Begins to Study Dramatic Tick Increase in New England

Scientists in rural New England are working to better monitor and manage tick populations as climate change helps fuel their dramatic increase…

Roughly 190 species of birds breed in New Hampshire. Of these, roughly 80 are decreasing, especially those migrating the longest distances, or feeding on insects in flight, including sparrows, according to the Audubon Society. (Adobe Stock)<br />

New England Avian Experts Monitor Impact of Wildfire Smoke

Avian experts in New England say billions of birds have been affected by recent wildfires in Canada's boreal forest and the resulting plumes of smoke…

The story, Tell Me How You Breathe, examines the intersection of eco-activism, social justice and public health, according to the Loom Ensemble. (Loom)

New England-Based Dance Ensemble Explores Impact of Climate Change

Smoke from Canadian wildfires this summer has permeated not only New England's air, but the performing arts. The Loom Ensemble - an …

Fall asters (New England asters) and goldenrods are considered two of the most important fall flowers for honey bees and bumble bees, providing some of the last fresh food they will eat before the winter freeze. (Adobe Stock)

Honey Bee Colonies Remain “Relatively Stable” Despite Multiple Threats

Parasites and extreme weather led to the loss of nearly half of America's managed honey bee colonies over the past year, according to a new survey…

Studies show people experiencing outdoor activities reported higher well-being scores and improved mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

'Outdoor Renaissance' Leads to Changes in New England’s National Forests

Researchers with the University of New Hampshire say the dramatic increase in visitors to New England's national forests during the COVID-19 pandemic …

Oyster reefs provide habitat for hundreds of species, including mussels, barnacles and sea anemones, which settle on reefs and provide food for many other species. Crabs and fish also hide from predators within reef crevices. (Adobe Stock)

Oyster Reef Restoration Benefits Farmers, Coastal Communities

By Lynn Fantom for Civil Eats.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

A solar-plus-storage system costs $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the battery size and other factors, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, but just adding a battery to a solar system will cost anywhere from $12,000 to $22,000. (Adobe Stock)

NH Battery-Storage Program Lowers Energy Costs, Emissions

By Sarah Shemkus for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for New Hampshire News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism …

Research shows providing information to consumers about the beneficial impact alternative syrups have in diversifying forests and building climate resiliency motivated consumers to pay as much as a $1.10 more per 12-ounce bottle. (Adobe Stock)

NH Researchers Study Alternative Syrups to Build Forest Climate Resiliency

New England is well known for its maple syrup production but new research shows alternative tree syrups could also benefit both the economy and overal…

Forest fragmentation and the creation of new forest

UNH Researchers Study Impact of Fragmented Forests from Above

Researchers with the University of New Hampshire are taking to the skies to study the state's increasingly fragmented forests. Urban and …

While New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu has previously questioned the scientific consensus on climate change, he has said a transition to renewable energy is a

NH Climate Activists Applaud 'Community Power' Movement

More Granite Staters are expected to get their electricity from renewable energy sources this spring, as so-called "community power" programs …

New England is getting hotter faster than the rest of the country, according to the latest data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and it could affect food webs available to the cold water-thriving Arctic char. (Adobe Stock)

UNH Researchers Track Arctic Charr’s Climate-Change Resilience

Researchers are studying the feeding habits of Arctic charr to help predict how various fish populations could adapt to a warming climate. Arctic …

New Hampshire Fish and Game officials says wild turkeys travel across four to five square miles during the year, although during the winter and nesting season, they often restrict their movements to within their restored habitats of 100-200 acres. (Adobe Stock)

Once Threatened, Wild Turkeys Now Thrive in New Hampshire

Turkey may be the star of Thanksgiving meals throughout the Granite State, but the wild turkey has become a focal point of new conservation efforts …

Spongy moth egg masses are typically found on tree trunks and branches, but also sometimes on stone walls, furniture, houses or cars. (Mark Van Dam/Adobe Stock)

Forest Expert to Landowners: Wait Out Spongy Moth Outbreak

Defoliated trees Granite Staters come across this summer may be a result of the spongy moth caterpillar, formerly known as the gypsy moth. The New …

Brook floater mussels are one of New Hampshire's known endangered invertebrate species. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Report: Document Mussels, Other Invertebrate Species Before They Go Extinct

New research suggests Earth's Sixth Mass Extinction event, on par with the one which ended the age of dinosaurs, is already under way. Noah …

Some consumer groups say stainless-steel cookware is safer than nonstick pans, some of which can contain toxic PFAS chemicals. (auremar/Adobe Stock)

Merrimack Residents: Stop the Source of PFAS "Forever Chemicals"

MERRIMACK, N.H. -- This week, both Congress and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are taking action to combat a class of so-called "forever …

Clean-energy advocates said offshore wind will be a crucial lever for renewable energy in New England. (chungking/Adobe Stock)

Businesses, Environmentalists Say Climate Action Urgent as Infrastructure

CONCORD, N.H. -- Business leaders are urging Congress to take action to curb climate change by supporting the Biden administration's Build Back …

Normanton Farms is joining one of the Agrarian Trust's 13 Commons across 12 different states. (Normanton Farms)

NH Agrarian Commons Adds More Land Along Merrimack

LITCHFIELD, N.H. -- A 63-acre parcel of land along the Merrimack River is becoming part of the New Hampshire Agrarian Commons. The property, known as …

Bumblebees can die or be rendered sterile by systemic pesticides present in flower pollen. (PANNA)

Gardeners, Nurseries Urged to Protect Bees

CONCORD, N.H. - This spring, pollinator gardens are gaining popularity - but some well-meaning gardeners may not realize they could be harming the …

The Merrimack River watershed runs from the White Mountains down to the ocean in Newburyport, Mass. (jonbilous/Adobe Stock)

NH Conservationists Work to Protect Merrimack River Watershed

MANCHESTER, N.H. -- The U.S. Forest Service is partnering with a group of agencies and nonprofits to conserve water quality and forest health in the …

There are more than 70,000 nesting pairs of bald eagles in the United States, up from an all-time low of 417 in 1963. (Rex Wholster/Adobe Stock)

Bald Eagle Populations Quadruple After Brink of Extinction

CONCORD, N.H. -- Bald eagle populations have quadrupled in the last decade, after nearing the brink of extinction. A new report from the U.S…

Efforts to protect air and water quality in New Hampshire often depend on the use of public-health studies. (Ken Gallager/Wikimedia Commons)

EPA Officially Minimizes Role of Science in Rulemaking

CONCORD, N.H. - The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized a new rule that says certain types of public-health studies can no longer be …

A new lawsuit filed in New Hampshire blames PCB pollution for a drop in the loon population on Squam Lake. (Krista269/Pixabay)

NH Sues Manufacturers Over PCB Pollution

CONCORD, N.H. -- Conservation groups are praising a New Hampshire lawsuit filed Tuesday that goes after the manufacturers of the toxic chemicals …

The nation's first study of PFAS contamination is centered at the site of the former Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire. (Master Sgt. Dave Casey/Wikimedia Commons)

Sununu Signs PFAS Contamination Bill

CONCORD, N.H. - Gov. Chris Sununu signed a bill yesterday to fight PFAS contamination on several fronts. The measure would compel insurance …

Some types of fishing gear ensnare critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which number fewer than 400. (Fla. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, NOAA Research Permit #594-1759)

Offshore Closures Requested to Save Endangered Right Whales

ROCHESTER, N.H. - Emergency action is being requested to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales. The Pew Charitable Trusts …

Researchers say unprecedented numbers of moose are dying from anemia caused by excessive tick bites (W. Kriss Ebersold/EPA).

Trump's Endangered Species Act Rules Called Threat to New England Forests

CONCORD, N.H. – A new analysis by Defenders of Wildlife shows that New England could be hard hit if the Trump administration’s new …

Much of the trash in New Hampshire's landfills comes from out-of-state sources. (New Hampshire State Parks)

Dalton Residents Seek New Zoning Laws to Keep Landfill Out

DALTON, N.H. – Residents of a small North Country town are organizing against a proposed landfill near their beloved Forest Lake. Vermont-…

In 2018, an estimated 800 million gallons of combined sewage overflow was discharged into the Merrimack River. (Wikimedia Commons)

Has Manchester Sent Spring Sewage into Merrimack River?

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Has the city of Manchester been pumping raw sewage into the Merrimack River because of heavy rains this spring? That …

Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden knows more than 4 in 10 New Hampshire voters aren't affiliated with a political party, and is counting on appealing to independents. (Kevin Bowe)

Optimism, Pizza: Biden Makes First 2020 NH Campaign Stop

HAMPTON, N.H. — Former Vice President Joe Biden arrived in New Hampshire Monday to kick off his campaign in the first-in-the-nation primary…

Weir Tree Farms in New Hampshire was one of many Christmas tree farms affected by extreme weather this year. (Weir Tree Farms)

Extreme Weather Affects New England Christmas Tree Supply

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Shopping for a Christmas tree this year, you might have noticed they cost a little more in New England, and tree growers say …

More than 80 U.S. cities have committed to move toward 100 percent renewable energy. (skeeze/Pixabay)

Concord Featured in Clean Energy Report

CONCORD, N.H. – New Hampshire's capital city is front and center in a new report on cities moving to 100 percent renewable energy. Concord is …

Many of the EPA regulations that Scott Pruitt scrapped or delayed as EPA administrator had not yet taken effect before his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Government Watchdog Groups: Pruitt's EPA Exit "Long Overdue"

WASHINGTON – After allegedly overspending on everything from pens to lavish trips and accepting questionable deals from lobbyists, government …

From fishing to recreation, New Hampshire's coastal waters play a major role in the state's economy. (ckaras/Pixabay)

NH Meeting to Draw Opponents of Offshore Drilling

CONCORD, N. H. –Environmental advocates say a plan to allow oil drilling in New Hampshire's coastal waters is a threat to the environment and …

The proposed Northern Pass transmission line would include towers up to 155 feet tall. (Seregei/Pixabay)

Application for Transmission Lines Denied

CONCORD, N.H. — The application to construct Northern Pass, a major electric transmission line project, has been rejected. New Hampshire's …

A carbon tax could be used to help reduce pollution from carbon-based fuels such as gasoline. (paulbr75/Pixabay)

State Legislators Collaborate to Reduce Carbon Pollution

CONCORD, N.H. – State lawmakers have launched a multistate coalition to collaborate on legislation to combat carbon pollution. The Carbon …

Nuclear waste from the Seabrook Nuclear Power Plant and other sources could roll through the Granite State under a measure coming up for a vote in the U.S. House. (J Richmond/wiki)

More Radioactive Waste Rolling through New Hampshire?

EXETER, N.H. – Environmental groups have a warning for the nation's leaders: Haste will make more waste. A House vote could come soon on …

Granite Staters living with asthma are among those likely to have a tough time on hot summer days according to a new report. (NIAID)

NH "Double Whammy" State for Health Concerns on Hot Summer Days

CONCORD, N.H. – The dog days of summer are not likely to be kind to asthma and allergy sufferers in the Granite State, according to a new …

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative states have reduced carbon emissions by 40 percent since 2015, and supporters say the initiative helped both New Hampshire's environment and economy. (NH Sierra Club)

NH and Neighbors Bring Economic Clout to Fighting Climate Change

CONCORD, N.H. — President Trump may try to withdraw the country from the Paris climate agreement, but the states that are already cutting …

One of the next stops on President Trump's first foreign trip will be the G-7 Summit in Italy, and ahead of his arrival faith groups have been stepping up the call for action on climate change. (Breaking News Wiki).

Outdoor NH Church Calls for Attention to Climate Change and Fossil Fuel Divestment Before G-7

CANTERBURY, N.H. - As world leaders prepare to meet Thursday at this week's G-7 summit in Italy, nine Catholic dioceses and religious orders in the …

Money in Politics: What Counts in Trump White House and Granite State?

CONCORD, N.H. - From questions about Dow Chemical's attempts to convince the Trump administration to drop pesticide studies about its products to a …

Protesters joined hands in Concord Sunday to protest the Northern Pass power line project (B. Tilton).

More Protests on Northern Pass Project

CONCORD, N.H. – With the New Hampshire Site Evaluation Committee planning its next hearing for the end of this week, opponents continue to …

On the same day thousands marched in the Native Nations Rise march in Washington, about 50 locals held a vigil in solidarity with the march. (Joshua Lang).

Granite State Native Americans Stand in Solidarity Against Pipeline

CONCORD, N.H. – The Native Nations Rise March received major news coverage over the weekend. New Hampshire Native Americans and their …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - September 18, 2024

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NH: Environment