Regulating 'forever chemicals': 3 essential reads on PFAS

The Biden administration is finalizing the first federal limits on two compounds, PFOA and PFOS, in drinking water. These so-called ‘forever chemicals’ have been linked to numerous health effects.

Jennifer Weeks, Senior Environment + Energy Editor, The Conversation • conversation
March 7, 2023 ~8 min

Why gas stoves matter to the climate – and the gas industry: Keeping them means homes will use gas for heating too

Energy companies have marketed natural gas as cooks’ favorite for years because homes with gas hookups will also use it for space and water heating.

Daniel Cohan, Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Rice University • conversation
Jan. 18, 2023 ~9 min


Lobsters versus right whales: The latest chapter in a long quest to make fishing more sustainable

To fish the oceans sustainably, nations must reduce bycatch, or accidental catches. But fishermen often resist changing gear or techniques that kill nontargeted species.

Blake Earle, Assistant Professor of History, Texas A&M University • conversation
Jan. 12, 2023 ~10 min

Deforestation: proposed EU import ban may fail to protect tropical rainforests and farmers – here's how it should work

The EU have introduced a new regulation on the import of products linked to deforestation – but will this reduce deforestation globally?

Joss Lyons-White, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Cambridge • conversation
Jan. 6, 2023 ~9 min

What social media regulation could look like: Think of pipelines, not utilities

The US government regulates many industries, but social media companies don’t neatly fit existing regulatory templates. Systems that deliver energy may be the closest analog.

Theodore J. Kury, Director of Energy Studies, University of Florida • conversation
Dec. 15, 2022 ~9 min

Beyond passenger cars and pickups: 5 questions answered about electrifying trucks

As California goes on regulating air pollution, other states often follow – including the Golden State’s ambitious goals for cleaning up emissions from trucking.

Miguel Jaller, Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California, Davis • conversation
Nov. 1, 2022 ~11 min

The UK's water industry is broken – here's how to fix it

Unless action is taken, the UK will be unable to supply its own water needs in the future – we should look to water-scarce regions such as California for inspiration.

Kevin Grecksch, Departmental Lecturer and Course Director MSc in Water Science, Policy and Management, University of Oxford • conversation
Sept. 26, 2022 ~7 min

Which wetlands should receive federal protection? The Supreme Court revisits a question it has struggled in the past to answer

The Supreme Court opens its 2022-2023 session with a high-profile case that has major implications for both wildlife and landowners.

Albert C. Lin, Professor of Law, University of California, Davis • conversation
Sept. 26, 2022 ~10 min


Surging sales of large gasoline pickups and SUVs are undermining carbon reductions from electric cars

Electric cars are getting a lot of PR buzz, but automakers are still promoting – and many consumers are buying – vehicles that are major gas guzzlers.

John DeCicco, Research Professor Emeritus, University of Michigan • conversation
Sept. 23, 2022 ~9 min

Cooling conundrum: HFCs were the 'safer' replacement for another damaging chemical in refrigerators and air conditioners – with a treaty now phasing them out, what's next?

The U.S. Senate voted to ratify the Kigali Amendment, agreeing to phase down climate-warming HFCs. Some alternatives exist.

Scott Denning, Professor of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 ~8 min

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