As the Biden White House rushes to enact environment and energy policy before Inauguration Day, an obscure law leaves room for the incoming administration to claw them back. At risk: strengthened emissions standards for vehicles and power, tougher energy efficiency standards and plans to replace lead pipes. The latest EJ TransitionWatch explains how the reversal works — and why it might not.
"It turns out that the Indri Indri lemurs of Madagascar can carry a tune. Researchers have found that these furry, tree-dwelling creatures use music to communicate with one another, likely for generations. ... The finding that these “singing lemurs” produce rhythmic calls provides an evolutionary pathway that may explain the origin of music."
"Struggling to keep track of fast moving wildfires and the latest evacuation zones, residents of Los Angeles are rushing to download a free app called Watch Duty."
"Sumas First Nation is trying to construct a fish weir on its traditional territory in B.C.’s Fraser Valley, in the face of environmental and bureaucratic obstacles"
"As people have shaped the natural world, so wildlife – from mahoganies to magpies – has had to evolve to survive"
"U.S. coal plant use is dropping, but utilities are delaying their retirement and running them — even when they cost more than renewable sources."
One thing, however, is certain: the rebuilding of Los Angeles will rely heavily on immigrants."
"New research suggests parasitic infections in US south are far more widespread than previously acknowledged"
"President-elect Donald Trump appears “very sympathetic” to requests to issue an executive order reversing many of President Joe Biden’s energy policies in Alaska, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said in an interview Thursday, a move with sweeping implications for oil and gas drilling on millions of acres of federal lands in the state."
"A long-awaited La Nina has finally appeared, but the periodic cooling of Pacific Ocean waters is weak and unlikely to cause as many weather problems as usual, meteorologists said Thursday."
