Environment / Public News Service

According to 2022 data, there were roughly 2,800 wolves distributed across at least 286 packs in seven western states, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Conservationists reframe the 'big, bad wolf' narrative

From Little Red Riding Hood to the Halloween thriller "Wolf Man," stories often paint wolves as scary creatures but conservationists argued it is the …

The transition from diesel school buses to electric ones has been several years in the making. (California Energy Commission)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Thousands of clean air school buses in CA hit the road this semester

By Hannah Wallace for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Ne…

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

How greener schoolyards benefit Colorado kids, communities

By Claire Elise Thompson for Grist.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publi…

More than 55% of agricultural lands in South Dakota, or 24 million acres, are dedicated to animal production, according to the Governor's Office of Economic Development. (Adobe Stock)

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

Sustainable meat industries could use boost from billionaires

Since 1964, per capita meat consumption has doubled and environmental advocates cautioned it is unsustainable. And there are more billionaires…

Because of their remote nature and limited capacity to access financial help, many of New Mexico's colonias rely on water wells not built to code. (GAO)

Monday, October 21, 2024

NM's colonias need oversight to improve water, wastewater systems

Federal funding for infrastructure improvements in colonias, predominately rural, Hispanic communities near the U.S.-Mexico border, including 150 in …

Monday, October 21, 2024

As heat persists in AZ, Tempe city leaders celebrate environmental investments

As the end of October approaches, parts of Arizona are still grappling with relentless heat, which is why environmental advocates are congratulating …

Moloka'i residents have some of the lowest power consumption rates in the Hawaiian Archipelago and the state's highest energy costs, including the nation's most expensive fee per watt. Many of the 7,300 residents often forgo reliable power, opting to live off the grid as self-sufficient homesteaders.(Adobe Stock)

Monday, October 21, 2024

A solar transformation for Moloka'i

By Naoki Nitta for Grist.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Hawaii News Service reporting for the Grist-Solutions Journalism Network-Public News S…

Around 9% of children in Syracuse have high lead levels in their blood. Even low-level lead exposure can harm a child's ability to learn and is linked to attention deficit disorder. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, October 21, 2024

Experts: Syracuse water contains dangerously high lead levels

New data show lead levels in Syracuse's drinking water are higher than those in Flint, Michigan, and Newark, New Jersey. The city's tests show lead …

The Hazleton Area School District received a grant for more than $99,000 to implement a sustainable agriculture program in its career center, providing local, nutritious food to students and addressing health disparities in its community. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, October 21, 2024

Program builds bridge between PA's local farms, school cafeterias

Schools in Pennsylvania are recognizing October's National Farm to School Month by serving local produce in their meals. The U.S. Department of …

Rising sea levels are causing erosion and flooding in coastal areas in Florida and are threatening to inundate low-lying areas. (Ma_Frank/Pixabay)

Monday, October 21, 2024

Survey: Majority of Floridians support candidates who back climate action

According to a Florida Atlantic University survey, most Floridians prefer political candidates who support action on climate change. The poll…

A new rooftop solar array at Nuestra Se�ora del Carmen Parish in Cata�o, a town on the shores of San Juan Bay in Puerto Rico, is poised to strengthen the community's resilience against future climate disasters. (Courtesy of Lissette A. Avil�s-R�os)

Puerto Rican parish leverages solar power to build climate resilience hub

By Rebecca Randall for Earthbeat.Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Florida News Connection for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Servi…

Countries like Chile are major exporters of farmed salmon. (Ludmila/Adobe Stock)

National Seafood Month: Fish farming crowds out wild salmon

October is National Seafood Month and the fish on your plate might not be coming from where you think. The U.S. imports 90% of the seafood it …

According to Climate Central, the U.S. experienced about two times more weather-related power outages during the last 10 years than the previous decade. (Adobe Stock)

Great Lakes businesses keep close eye on legal fight over carbon rule

For now, the Environmental Protection Agency can move forward with plans to establish new, federal carbon pollution standards for power plants…

Metropolitan Congregations United aims to engage the entire state of Missouri on air quality issues and unite scientists and church leaders for change. (Carlos Santa Maria/Adobe Stock)

Researchers turn to MO churches to study air quality

By Rebecca Randall for Sojourners.Broadcast version by Chrystal Blair for Missouri News Service for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Servi…

According to the World Resources Institute, it takes 2,700 liters of water to make one cotton shirt. (Adobe Stock)

UGA's swap shop aims to cut waste, promote sustainability

By Isabelle Atkins for Grady Newsource.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

Three sinks show wastewater after it goes through each purification step at a water treatment plant in Orange County, Calif. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)

Colorado water districts explore methods to recycle sewage water

Colorado is one of a handful of states to allow water utilities to purify sewage for use as tap water and cities like Castle Rock are preparing to mak…

A solar canopy project at SUNY New Paltz required $43,613 in startup money, with profitability in five years, according to student projections. In 50 years, though, it would save the school $787,130 in energy costs. (Adobe Stock)

SUNY New Paltz business course helps green the campus

By Caroline Preston for The Hechinger Report.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for The Hechinger Report-…

A 2024 North Dakota State article about China's tendency to respond to trade tariffs with

NE Farmers Union head on administrations' ag policy, impact

Agriculture is the single largest industry in Nebraska and one that different administrations can impact differently. When Nebraska Farmers Union …

Collectively, poultry farmers owe $5.2 billion, according to Mercy for Animals. (Adobe Stock)

The Transfarmation Project offers factory farmers new path

By Michaela Haas for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Shanteya Hudson for North Carolina News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalis…

The Gavin Coal Plant in Gallia County is responsible for emitting nearly 10 million tons of carbon dioxide annually, a level comparable to emissions from 3.1 million cars driving for an entire year. (Rosemarie Mosteller/Adobe Stock)

Gavin coal plant sale leaves Ohio communities in limbo

The sale of Ohio's Gavin coal-fired power plant is sparking uncertainty among residents and energy experts alike. The plant, which has been one of …

Popular recreation sites like those found in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are included in the Northwest Forest Plan area. (jpldesigns/Adobe Stock)

Recreation groups follow update to Northwest Forest Plan

An update to the Northwest Forest Plan is expected soon, and Washingtonians who enjoy the outdoors are being urged to follow the process closely…

According to the U.S. Energy Administration, Illinois is the nation's sixth-largest energy-consuming and eleventh-largest energy producing state. (Adobe Stock)

Passive House standards: a solution for highly efficient affordable housing

By Audrey Henderson for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network…

The Well Done Foundation said it is working to plug some 126,000 abandoned oil and gas wells in the United States. (Adobe Stock)

Montana rancher works to cap abandoned oil and gas wells

By Michaela Haas for Reasons to be Cheerful.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Big Sky Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Publ…

Lead pipes were banned in Kentucky in 1998, according to the Northern Kentucky Water District. (Adobe Stock)<br />

EPA: Kentucky lead pipes on the way out

Utilities in Kentucky will soon begin replacing lead pipes that supply drinking water to homes, after the Environmental Protection agency announced …

Gas stoves emit toxic pollutants in the home, including nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon dioxide, and have been attributed to 15% of childhood asthma cases in Massachusetts, according to a study from the Rocky Mountain Institute. (Adobe Stock)

More MA communities strive for building decarbonization

By Sarah Shemkus for Energy News Network.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Pub…

After Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in February 2023, officials set aflame 116,000 gallons of vinyl chloride into the region, citing explosion risk. (Adobe Stock)<br />

EPA to consider vinyl chloride ban; public comments through Oct. 23

The Environmental Protection Agency began an in-depth review of the health risks of vinyl chloride last year, part of a process required to limit or …

The practice of agroforestry combines traditional agricultural practices of raising livestock with growing trees and shrubs acting as carbon sinks on the same land. (Mongabay/Natural Resources Conservation Service)

Paying Iowa farmers to expand 'climate smart' acres

By Sarah Derouin for Mongabay.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Service…

According to the Illinois Department of Agriculture, the average Illinois farm is 375 acres in size and grows mostly grain, corn and soybeans. In terms of livestock, 22% have beef cattle, 3% raise swine and 1% have dairy cows. (Adobe Stock)

IL farmers face another hold for federal funding

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Terri Dee for Illinois News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

The Iroquois Pipeline expansion proposal could multiply the pressure on a three-decades-old pipeline if approved. (Adobe Stock)

Study: CT residents to face effects of compressor station expansion

A recent study from the Sierra Club found people in Brookfield, Connecticut, could face severe effects from a proposed compressor station expansion…

A large majority (80%) of Pennsylvania voters said they'd support solar power, 73% support wind energy, and 84% approve of allocating public funds to expand clean energy alternatives. (FreezeFrames/Adobe Stock)

Poll: 9 in 10 PA voters support stricter regulations on fracking

Southwestern Pennsylvania is a major U.S. hotspot for gas extraction through fracking, but new polling reveals overwhelming public support for …

Groups sounding the alarm over the need to feed larger global populations in the near future say billionaires have the resources to significantly improve food systems by investing in alternatives to traditional products. (Adobe Stock)

How the world's ultra-rich are trying – or not – to make meat sustainable

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mike Moen for Prairie News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration O…

According to a report from the Climate Accountability Research Project, 137 separate climate disinformation organizations received charitable donations from 2020 to 2022. (Red Lemon/Adobe Stock)

Report exposes donors funding climate change disinformation in NC

As North Carolina deals with record-breaking heat, hurricanes and prolonged drought linked to a changing climate, a new report showed how American …

Their distinctive fins make oceanic whitetip Sharks especially desirable in the international shark fin trade. Fishermen often cut off the fins and sell them. (ThomasEhrensperger/WikiCommons)

Debunking the horror: To oceans, sharks are vital, not villains

As Halloween approaches, a spooky campaign aims to clear up the common misunderstandings about some of nature's most feared creatures. In …

The financially beleaguered U.S. Postal Service expects to save billions of dollars by using electric rather than gas-powered mail delivery trucks. (USPSoig.gov)

NM streets will be quieter, cleaner when USPS electric mail trucks arrive

Neighborhoods across New Mexico and other states will soon be cleaner and quieter as the U.S. Postal Service rolls out its new electric mail-delivery …

The Inflation Reduction Act allocates more than $369 billion in funding through tax breaks, incentives and grants to combat the climate crisis, addressing the increasing toll of extreme weather and worsening air quality on communities. (Adobe Stock)

Savannah climate resilience efforts get boost from federal investments

Savannah's leaders are pointing out the ways federal dollars are being used to boost the area's resilience against climate change. In the aftermath …

Data suggest that, contrary to popular belief, rural and urban voters in America share many bedrock values. (Matt/Adobe Stock)

Ohio voters have more in common than you might think

As Ohio heads into a pivotal election season, the divide between rural and urban voters might seem deep - but one expert says the gap isn't as wide …

Federal regulations are an area in which the president has significant latitude to affect food policy. (Credit: Gage Skidmore/Flickr)<br />

Where does Harris stand on meat, factory farming?

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for West Virginia News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Colla…

Concentrated animal feeding operations make up about 6% of farming operations in Missouri, but are the source of a great deal of air and water pollution due to the concentration of farm animals.(Adobe Stock)

Bill would help MO farmers transition to climate-friendly production

A bill pending in Congress would use federal funds to help farmers in Missouri and elsewhere transition from concentrated animal feeding operations…

Federal officials said by embracing energy-efficient upgrades, such as a smart thermostat, a single eligible household can enjoy savings of up to $14,000. (Adobe Stock)

With the help of navigators, MN Latinos take the clean energy plunge

Summerlike temperatures are still around but winter is lurking and Minnesotans will soon have to crank up their thermostats. Now, there is outreach …

Indiana law requires electricity utilities to issue long-term plans for power plants every three years. (Adobe stock)

IN environmentalists push back on Duke’s coal extension

By Dan Gearino for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public N…

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ME ‘living shorelines’ counter rising sea levels, stronger storms

By Erik Hoffner for Mongabay.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-Public News Ser…

Water purification in Orange County's Groundwater Replenishment System involves three steps: microfiltration, reverse osmosis and advanced oxidation. (Adobe Stock)

CA facilities could turn sewage into tap water, but public acceptance lags

By Matt Vasilogambros and Kevin Hardy for Stateline.Broadcast version by Kathleen Shannon for California News Service reporting for the Solutions Jour…

The BLM's Blue and Gold timber sale is on the Oregon coast north of Roseburg. (Cascadia Wildlands)

Groups challenge project to stop logging old growth OR forests

Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the logging of centuries-old trees on the Oregon coast. The Bureau of Land Management is moving …

The American Clean Power Second Quarter 2024 Market Report ranked Ohio fourth nationally and first in the Midwest for clean power installations and first in the Midwest for utility-scale solar capacity this year. (AnnaStills/Adobe Stock)

Ohio’s clean-energy surge drives jobs, growth

As Ohio continues to embrace clean energy solutions, the debate over its economic and environmental impact remains a focal point for residents…

Construction of the Prattsburgh Wind Farm will create $4.3 million of local economic benefits through housing, fuel and living expenses for five towns across Steuben County, New York. (Adobe Stock)

It's full speed ahead for some NY wind farms

Though New York is slated to miss its climate goals, several county projects are bolstering renewable energy development. Several large wind farm …

Air pollution from livestock farms and feed production is estimated to cause 16,000 deaths per year. (Adobe Stock)

Advocates: Global veganism offers sustainable, nutritious alternative

As worldwide demand for meat and dairy continues to grow, so does evidence showing animal agriculture, as currently practiced, is harming the …

New federal legislation would allow land managers to prioritize the needs of wildlife during critical times, including calving season. (Adobe Stock)

GORP Act would conserve 730,000+ acres of public lands in Colorado

New legislation making its way through the U.S. Senate would conserve more than 730,000 acres of federal public lands in and around Colorado's …

According to projections from the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, the state's economy is expected to have 39,500 more jobs in 2032 than it did in 2022, an increase of 7.7%. (Adobe Stock)<br />

SD data show wind sector to lead job growth in coming decade

Projections of South Dakota's job growth could lead to more degrees from technical colleges, which are seeing increased enrollment. Occupational …

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PNS Daily Newscast: Afternoon Update - October 22, 2024

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Environment

Conservationists reframe the 'big, bad wolf' narrative

Thousands of clean air school buses in CA hit the road this semester

How greener schoolyards benefit Colorado kids, communities

Sustainable meat industries could use boost from billionaires

NM's colonias need oversight to improve water, wastewater systems

As heat persists in AZ, Tempe city leaders celebrate environmental investments

A solar transformation for Moloka'i

Experts: Syracuse water contains dangerously high lead levels

Program builds bridge between PA's local farms, school cafeterias

Survey: Majority of Floridians support candidates who back climate action

Puerto Rican parish leverages solar power to build climate resilience hub

National Seafood Month: Fish farming crowds out wild salmon

Great Lakes businesses keep close eye on legal fight over carbon rule

Researchers turn to MO churches to study air quality

UGA's swap shop aims to cut waste, promote sustainability

Colorado water districts explore methods to recycle sewage water

SUNY New Paltz business course helps green the campus

NE Farmers Union head on administrations' ag policy, impact

The Transfarmation Project offers factory farmers new path

Gavin coal plant sale leaves Ohio communities in limbo

Recreation groups follow update to Northwest Forest Plan

Passive House standards: a solution for highly efficient affordable housing

Montana rancher works to cap abandoned oil and gas wells

EPA: Kentucky lead pipes on the way out

More MA communities strive for building decarbonization

EPA to consider vinyl chloride ban; public comments through Oct. 23

Paying Iowa farmers to expand 'climate smart' acres

IL farmers face another hold for federal funding

Study: CT residents to face effects of compressor station expansion

Poll: 9 in 10 PA voters support stricter regulations on fracking

How the world's ultra-rich are trying – or not – to make meat sustainable

Report exposes donors funding climate change disinformation in NC

Debunking the horror: To oceans, sharks are vital, not villains

NM streets will be quieter, cleaner when USPS electric mail trucks arrive

Savannah climate resilience efforts get boost from federal investments

Ohio voters have more in common than you might think

Where does Harris stand on meat, factory farming?

Bill would help MO farmers transition to climate-friendly production

With the help of navigators, MN Latinos take the clean energy plunge

IN environmentalists push back on Duke’s coal extension

ME ‘living shorelines’ counter rising sea levels, stronger storms

CA facilities could turn sewage into tap water, but public acceptance lags

Groups challenge project to stop logging old growth OR forests

Ohio’s clean-energy surge drives jobs, growth

It's full speed ahead for some NY wind farms

Advocates: Global veganism offers sustainable, nutritious alternative

GORP Act would conserve 730,000+ acres of public lands in Colorado

SD data show wind sector to lead job growth in coming decade