Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels
| apnews.com
The dramatic drop in carbon dioxide emissions from the pandemic lockdown has pretty much disappeared in a puff of coal-fired smoke, much of it from China, a new scientific study found.
2022 Online Data Summit slated for Feb. 2 and 3
| psu.edu
The Penn State community is invited to attend the online event, “Traversing a Universe of Data,” the University’s Data Summit, on Feb. 2 and 3. Tracks include Uses of Data and Data Literacy; Data Ethics, Security, and Privacy; Systems Technology (Tools and Approaches); Assessment, Evaluation, and Planning; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Penn State recognized for green power leadership
| psu.edu
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently recognized Penn State in its latest Top 30 College & University List of the largest green power users from the Green Power Partnership. Penn State ranks No. 14 nationally and No. 2 in the Big Ten in terms of total kilowatt-hours (kWh) used of green energy.
Rock Ethics Institute accepting nominations for 2022 Stand Up Awards
| psu.edu
The Rock Ethics Institute is now accepting nominations for its 2022 Stand Up Awards. The annual Stand Up Awards recognize Penn State undergraduate students for their demonstrating ethical leadership by "standing up" for a cause, idea or belief. Nominations must be submitted online no later than Feb. 4, 2022.
Marie Hardin shares perspective on running and growth in a new video series
| psu.edu
In a new video series titled “Perspective: Leaders at Penn State,” Marie Hardin, dean of the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications at Penn State, reflects on her love for running as an opportunity to find clarity and envision greater possibilities — particularly in the face of challenge and in times of being tested.
Energy, economics, investment expert earns GEMS alumni award
| psu.edu
Peter Rigby, a 1979 Penn State graduate in petroleum and natural gas engineering, was awarded the 2021 Graduates of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) Alumni Achievement Award and accepted the award in September at the college’s Obelisk Society dinner.
People prefer climate change policies that give incentives, energy alternatives
| psu.edu
Taking action against climate change requires coordinated efforts and the support and cooperation of the public, and three new studies offer clues about the types of policies Americans are more likely to support and why.
Drastically improved electric vehicle batteries possible with $2.9M grant
| psu.edu
In pursuit of commercially-adoptable electric vehicle batteries with twice the energy density and cycle life of current technology, Penn State researchers have been awarded $2.9 million from the United States Department of Energy.
New faculty fellowship to help advance diversity, equity, inclusion
| psu.edu
Laura Leites, associate research professor of quantitative forest ecology, has been named Penn State's inaugural Equity Leadership Fellow. The new fellowship in Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity aims to help faculty members develop as leaders in diversity, equity and inclusion while creating opportunities to make a positive impact at Penn State.
Key to resilient energy-efficient AI/machine learning may reside in human brain
| psu.edu
A clearer understanding of how a type of brain cell known as astrocytes function and can be emulated in the physics of hardware devices, may result in artificial intelligence and machine learning that autonomously self-repairs and consumes much less energy than the technologies currently do, according to a team of Penn State researchers.
‘It is a game changer’: Waging war on climate change from space
| politico.com
The explosion of Earth observation satellites may be the key to getting control of the crisis — if the data is shared and the capacity is built to utilize it.
Penn State research expenditures total $993 million
| psu.edu
Penn State's research expenditures reached a total of $993.1 million in fiscal year 2020-21, an overall 1.5% decrease from the previous year. “Despite this slight decrease, we were able to maintain a solid research portfolio during the pandemic," said Senior Vice President for Research Lora Weiss. “Our federal expenditures remained healthy and our industry partners continued investing in our research.”