After a long slog, climate change lawsuits will finally put Big Oil on trial
| yahoo.com
After years of legal appeals and delays, some oil companies are set to stand trial in lawsuits brought by state and local governments — including in Minnesota — over the damages caused by climate change. This article quotes Hannah Wiseman, professor of law at Penn State Law.
US government commits $2.5M to battery-testing center at Penn State Behrend
| psu.edu
Penn State Behrend has been awarded $2.5 million in federal funding to develop a battery-testing facility in the college’s Knowledge Park, where a planned Center for Manufacturing Competitiveness will support the transition to battery-powered heavy-haul equipment in the rail, marine and mining industries.
Capstone Design Conference to showcase student innovation and creativity
| psu.edu
Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Science, Engineering and Technology will hold its annual Capstone Design Conference from 12:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, on campus.
Bird flu is infecting more mammals. What does that mean for us?
| nytimes.com
H5N1, an avian flu virus, has killed tens of thousands of marine mammals, and infiltrated American livestock for the first time. Scientists are working quickly to assess how it is evolving and how much of a risk it poses to humans. This article quotes Troy Sutton, assistant professor of veterinary and biomedical sciences.
Are carpenter bees pollinators and just how valuable are they to nature?
| a-z-animals.com
Although you might not know it, pollination is one of the most important tasks on planet Earth. This article quotes Penn State Extension expertise.
Earth Day 2024: Pollinators help our food supply
| tnonline.com
If there’s food on your table, you can thank a bee. Or a fly. Or even a moth. They’re types of pollinators, and they help to produce about 75% of the world’s major food crops. This article quotes Christina Grozinger, Publius Vergilius Maro Professor of Entomology.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised.
| cnn.com
How much plastic is in the food you eat? Much more than you realize, experts say. This article quotes Sherri Mason, associate research professor and director of sustainability at Penn State Behrend.
Extension volunteer ‘rain barrel guy’ engages youth to protect watersheds
| psu.edu
For Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward volunteer Rich Troscianecki, one of the most rewarding aspects of his role is getting the next generation involved in and excited about watershed management.
Landscape architecture professor receives Stuckeman Collaborative Research Grant
| psu.edu
Stormwater runoff has become one of the leading causes of water pollution in urban environments, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, due to years of cities implementing “gray” infrastructure. Stuart Echols, associate professor of landscape architecture in the Stuckeman School, is working to rectify this with the support of the recently awarded 2024 Stuckeman Fund for Collaborative Design Research Grant for $50,000 over the course of two years.
Kissing bugs, vector for Chagas disease, successfully gene edited for first time
| psu.edu
New research from an international team, including a Penn State researcher, demonstrates — for the first time — the use of CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing in kissing bugs and opens the door to research on applied strategies for Chagas disease control.
Winners announced for 16th annual Materials Visualization Competition
| psu.edu
The winners of the 16th annual Materials Visualization Competition, a scientific visual and artistic competition sponsored by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Materials Research Institute at Penn State, have been announced.
Estimating emissions potential of decommissioned gas wells from shale samples
| psu.edu
The Marcellus shale natural gas boom provided the U.S. with an abundant, lower-carbon footprint fossil fuel, but also brought concerns over increased methane emissions. A team led by Penn State researchers has developed a new tool that can estimate the emissions potential of these wells after they are no longer active.
The global push to involve youth in climate action is gaining momentum, harnessing their innovative spirit, deep investment in the future, and strong collective voice to combat climate change. Getting young people involved ensures that climate policies are forward-thinking and geared towards sustainable development, while their global solidarity and use of digital platforms amplify the call for urgent action. At the forefront of this movement, Penn State's Global Youth Storytelling and Research Lab aims to become a pivotal transnational research hub, empowering young leaders to shape the future of climate and environmental justice. Listen to the podcast.
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