Month: February 2022

Recycling isn’t the cure — that’s less plastic production from fossil fuels

https://www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org/blog/2021/11/15/terracycle-eight-consumer-product-companies-settle-lawsuit- November 15, 2021 TerraCycle and 8 Consumer Product Companies Settle Lawsuit Based on “Unlawful and Deceptive Recycling Claims” Companies Agree to Change Product Labels, TerraCycle Will Also Implement a Supply Chain Certification Program A settlement has been reached on the lawsuit that The Last Beach Cleanup filed in March 2021 against TerraCycle and eight … Continue reading Recycling isn’t the cure — that’s less plastic production from fossil fuels →

Can dams in Quebec power NYC?

http://www.wsj.com/articles/can-quebecs-dams-power-new-york-city-blackstone-is-betting-4-5-billion-on-it-11645180226 Can Quebec’s Dams Power New York City? Blackstone Is Betting $4.5 Billion on It. The private equity giant learned how challenging it can be to bring renewable power to the Big Apple—from hundreds of miles away By Ryan Dezember, Updated Feb. 18, 2022 10:22 am ET Construction is expected to begin this spring on one … Continue reading Can dams in Quebec power NYC? →

Why Apple, Amazon and Google are uniting on smart home technology

http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-apple-amazon-and-google-are-uniting-on-smart-home-tech-matter-explained-11645240134? Why Apple, Amazon and Google Are Uniting on Smart-Home Tech: Matter Explained The new standard, arriving this year, provides a common language so all your devices can communicate with each other By Shara Tibken, Updated Feb. 19, 2022 11:03 am ET If you think about smart-home gadgets at all, you probably think about energy-saving thermostats … Continue reading Why Apple, Amazon and Google are uniting on smart home technology →

Fossil fuel industry proven to be greenwashing its efforts to combat climate crisis

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/feb/18/greenwashing-pr-advertising-oil-firms-exxon-chevron-shell-bp The great greenwashing scam: PR firms face reckoning after spinning for big oil A comprehensive study confirms that oil companies are largely all talk and no action when it comes to clean energy initiatives A Chevron drilling site near Midland, Texas. It’s unlikely PR firms will be able to serve the fossil-fuel industry as … Continue reading Fossil fuel industry proven to be greenwashing its efforts to combat climate crisis →

Do song lyrics still rhyme?

https://www.wsj.com/articles/songs-lyrics-rhyme-artists-songwriters-11645129155? From Olivia Rodrigo to Dua Lipa, Artists Swear They’re Still Rhyming. Here’s What We’re Finding. Songs in recent years rely more on imperfect rhymes than ones that land right on the mark, as streaming and rap drive more creativity By James R. Hagerty and Anne Steele, Feb. 18, 2022 10:12 am ET In her recent hit … Continue reading Do song lyrics still rhyme? →

Bitcoin production is demonstrably toxic — no question or doubt

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/feb/18/bitcoin-miners-revive-fossil-fuel-plant-co2-emissions-soared Bitcoin miners revived a dying coal plant – then CO2 emissions soared The Hardin coal plant in southern Montana was on the brink of closing when a bitcoin ‘mining’ company bought it, and it roared back to life. Photograph: Courtesy of Anne Hedges Critics say the enormous electricity consumption needed to sustain cryptocurrency is fueling … Continue reading Bitcoin production is demonstrably toxic — no question or doubt →

Plastics do not make our life safer

Note advice at the end about how long to use N95 and KN95 masks and how to store them. https://packagingeurope.com/comment/on-second-thoughtsdoes-plastic-really-make-us-safer/7731.article On Second Thoughts…does plastic really make us safer?? 17 DECEMBER 2021 In the latest edition of our ongoing series, US-based environmental advisor Holly Kaufman asks whether plastic is a healthy choice. The server at the … Continue reading Plastics do not make our life safer →

Ageism in the self-checkout lane

http://www.nextavenue.org/ageism-in-the-self-checkout-lane/? Ageism in the Self-checkout Lane It's time to raise awareness about how technology frustrations and lack of human interaction can be detrimental to older adults By Robert Laura, February 15, 2022 There's a new form of ageism taking root and it appears to be an unintended consequence of both technology and a shrinking labor market. … Continue reading Ageism in the self-checkout lane →

A green economy means millions of manufacturing jobs here in the U.S.

https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2022/02/biden-climate-factories-industrial-sector/622810/? The White House Is Going After One of Climate Change’s Thorniest Problems It requires building new factories. Lots of them.By Robinson Meyer The Atlantic FEBRUARY 16, 2022, 8:43 AM ETSHARE Every week, our lead climate reporter brings you the big ideas, expert analysis, and vital guidance that will help you flourish on a changing planet. Sign … Continue reading A green economy means millions of manufacturing jobs here in the U.S. →

Excellent concise info about current issues re COVID in NYC

FROM NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL WOMAN GAIL BREWER Friends,It’s Thursday, February 10, 2022. There’s a lot about masks this week…In response to the falling numbers of Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations, the NYS mask mandate for indoor businesses, due to expire today (2/10), will not be renewed by Gov. Hochul. Masks will still be required while using public … Continue reading Excellent concise info about current issues re COVID in NYC →