Articles tagged with Environmentalism
Research from the University of Bath's Centre for Climate Change and Social Transformations reveals that hairdressers can prompt climate conversations and inspire change. Salon owners reported successful conversations with clients about sustainability, leading to changes in habits such as water and energy usage, and even dietary choices.
A new study explores how religious faith can complement climate science, providing hope, meaning, and motivation for continued action. Faith-based activists in Sweden and South Africa reveal that spirituality gives them strength and direction to commit to climate issues.
Researchers have developed a new method for cleaning oil spills using massive fire whirls, which can burn through crude oil nearly twice as fast as in-situ fire pools. The results show that fire whirls produce 40% less soot and consume up to 95% of the fuel, leaving fewer harmful particles behind.
The University of Tennessee and UCOR have strengthened their partnership to provide training and educational opportunities for students and workforce development in nuclear and criticality safety. The MOU renewal will include projects, research, and curriculum focused on these areas.
A Stanford University study found that showcasing past collective efforts on climate change can motivate individuals to take action. The most effective interventions combined evidence of impact with social and emotional benefits, increasing willingness to take public awareness actions by 30% and political actions by nearly 14%.
A study published in BMJ Global Health found that higher salinity in drinking water is associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of hypertension. Researchers analyzed data from 27 population-based studies involving over 74,000 participants across several countries.
A new study reveals that socio-environmental mobilizations play a critical role in global biodiversity conservation by resisting environmental degradation. These local struggles often overlap with global conservation priorities, highlighting the need for policy shifts to recognize and support these movements.
A new study reveals that young Finnish environmental activists construct complex and contradictory identities tied to intergenerational responsibility and global climate justice. The research identified five key activist identities: the tough activist, troublemaker, planetary citizen, compulsory activist, and non-activist.
Researchers develop a controlled method to capture CO2 from power plants using limestone and dolomite rocks, mimicking nature's slow geological process. The system captures part of the CO2, leaving room for engineering improvements towards a practical carbon capture technology.
A survey by Göttingen University found that consumers overestimate the environmental benefits of locally sourced food, while underestimating the advantages of imported goods. This misjudgment can lead to environmentally unfriendly choices.
A new UCSB study provides a framework for policymakers and advocates to identify key factors driving coal plant retirement. By categorizing facilities into eight distinct groups based on technical, economic, environmental, and socio-political factors, the researchers offer evidence-based strategies to accelerate closures, particularly ...
A University of Bath study found that starting university leads to increased recycling and green travel habits. Values and supportive infrastructure play key roles in driving these changes.
A University of Bath study shows many parents are deeply worried about the climate crisis and their children's future, but struggle to live low-carbon lives. Despite feeling a strong responsibility to safeguard their children's future, most parents find it difficult to consistently model low-carbon behaviors at home.
The authors argue that energy availability has driven architectural design throughout history, with fossil fuels transforming buildings in the 17th century. They challenge conventional wisdom on sustainability, highlighting the high energy costs of modern minimalist designs like the Seagram Building.
Researchers found little evidence of disproportionate siting in Black counties, but a growing share of the Black population over time. Long-term demographic shifts after power plant openings led to higher Black population shares, with an average rise of 4% in 50-70 years.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a method to create strong and eco-friendly materials from bacterial cellulose, which could replace plastic in various industries. The new material has high tensile strength flexibility, foldability, optical transparency, and long-term mechanical stability.
Climate anxiety is growing, especially amongst young people, due to the polarized debate around climate change. Professor Beattie's book offers psychological tips on how to handle climate anxiety, including writing personal narratives about difficult emotional experiences. Strategies focus on improving mental well-being and empowering ...
A new study led by RMIT University found that restoring southern Australian reefs from urchin barrens is feasible and beneficial for improved water quality, fisheries, and carbon sequestration. Economic modelling showed an AU$50 million investment would return up to AU$92 million in economic benefits.
Researchers examine how modern environmental movement prioritizes property and community norms over societal concerns. A University of Illinois professor analyzed the Santa Barbara oil spill to understand this phenomenon, finding that 'ownership environmentalism' restricts environmental justice and equity.
A recent study reveals that just 100 corporations are behind a fifth of global extractive conflicts, exacerbating environmental and social harms in the Global South. The companies, mainly from the Global North, engage in high-value resource extraction and transport, concentrating wealth while transferring harms to local populations.
A new study found climate scientists are overall less trusted than other scientists, with an average trust rating of 3.5 worldwide. However, six countries and China showed significantly higher trust in climate scientists, bucking the global trend.
The University of Texas at Arlington's (UTA) Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center (TMAC) has developed a real-time sensor data system to track environmental impact. The program helps Texas manufacturers reduce pollution, lower emissions, and save costs by identifying energy waste, water consumption, and air leaks.
New study models spatial patterns of grazing halos around coral reefs and finds that halo patterns can signal reef resilience. The research suggests that stable halos exist where herbivores are limited by predators, while oscillating halos may indicate a shift in system health.
Heriot-Watt University has developed a world-first visual grading system to measure fibre shedding from clothing, aiming to reduce microplastic pollution in the fashion industry. The five-point scale assesses fibre fragments shed during washing, allowing manufacturers to select low-shedding materials and communicate with consumers.
A stable childhood home environment has been shown to have a protective association against adult depression. Policies supporting settled childhoods should be promoted to reduce adulthood depression risk.
Researchers analyzed six US cities and found that tree species in parks were more drought-tolerant and reflected greater native biodiversity than those in residential yards. The study highlights the importance of planting drought-tolerant trees in urban areas to adapt to future climate change.
A recent study found that Republican men's environmental support varies greatly depending on the party affiliation of the proposal's sponsors. While Democratic support for environmental legislation remains consistent across parties, Republican men's support drops significantly when a bill is sponsored by Senate Democrats.
A University of Copenhagen study explores how people justify their reluctance to cut down on meat consumption. Participants deployed various excuses, including shaming vegans and avocados as being 'climate-unfriendly', to maintain a morally responsible self-image.
International agreements like Sustainable Development Goals represent wide support for a sustainable future. However, disagreements on how to achieve this lead to marginalization and inaction. Researchers found that competing approaches prioritize different values of nature, making compromise difficult.
Decarbonizing China's Southern Power Grid could lead to ecological and sociological trade-offs, including reducing cropland in favor of solar and wind power, impacting river basins like the Salween and Mekong. Building dams for hydropower production would also negatively affect ecosystems and fisheries.
Operation Mercury successfully halted most illegal gold mining activity in La Pampa, Peru, reducing deforestation and water quality issues. However, spillover effects led to increased mining in legal areas, highlighting the need for stronger regulations to mitigate environmental harm.
A study by researchers at Cell Press found that nearly 50% of environmentally-oriented users abandoned Twitter after Elon Musk took over the platform. This mass exodus has serious implications for public communication surrounding topics like climate change, biodiversity, and natural disaster recovery.
A global study reveals that extractive and industrial development projects harm Indigenous Peoples' lifeways, lands, and rights. The research finds that mining and agriculture sectors most frequently impact Indigenous communities.
A recent study found that conservatives are not easily persuaded by traditional pro-environmental messages, even when framed in terms of their own moral values. Instead, messages emphasizing loyalty, authority, or purity were equally effective in promoting pro-environmental behavior among conservatives.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University find that existing coal-fired plants can produce electricity at a cost comparable to renewables with energy storage. The study suggests modifications to current tax incentives to increase deployment of carbon-constrained fossil-fuel and negative emissions technologies.
A study exploring restaurant menu design found that adding carbon labels and setting default options to low-emission dishes encourages diners to choose more environmentally friendly options. The findings suggest a promising strategy for reducing the carbon footprint of dining, but further research is needed to inform such strategies.
A study by Tulane University found that swapping just one serving of beef per day for a more planet-friendly alternative can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 48% and water-use impacts by 30%. This simple change could collectively make a substantial difference in reducing the carbon footprint of US diets.
A team of scientists from GIST developed an AI-based approach to analyze and extract user behavior data, estimating the optimal demand response management for each household. The study showcases how AI can improve electricity consumption, leading to lower prices and a smaller carbon footprint.
The Covestro Circular Economy Program aims to create opportunities for research, education, and innovation in circular economy principles. The program will prepare students with circular economy training to address the challenge of global waste and material use.
A study published in BioScience found that genetic factors contribute to concern for nature and pro-environmental behavior, with moderate heritability (30-40%) reported. The researchers also observed high genetic correlations between these traits, suggesting a partially shared genetic basis.
A new study from the University of Kansas explores how older environmentally-minded individuals consider death care and their chances of choosing eco-friendly burials. Despite growing awareness of green burials, many participants expressed uncertainty about the practice due to societal and cultural pressures.
The fossil fuel divestment movement has failed to reverse the trend of capital flowing into carbon-intensive industries due to its binary distinction between fossil and non-fossil companies. A more nuanced campaign focusing on low-carbon (re-)investment, modeled after credit ratings for climate change, is proposed as a solution.
A Michigan State University study found that fundamentalist Christians are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors such as conserving water and energy. However, their willingness to sacrifice for the environment does not extend to addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.
A representative survey of over 1,200 US adults found that racial minorities and low-income Americans report higher levels of environmental concern than other groups. Stereotypes may hinder efforts to address environmental inequities and increase public involvement in environmental action.
A study by University of Kansas researcher Lukas Szrot found that younger religious Americans are more likely to harbor environmental concerns due to the emphasis on stewardship in religious groups. This shift is attributed to the growing discussion on creation care, which has led to a greater focus on environmental issues within churc...
Scientists at the University of Bradford have developed TRAPT, a measurement for assessing urban environments' relaxation levels. The tool helps planners and architects understand the impact of 'greening' measures on public spaces, aiming to create more tranquil environments.
A University of Georgia study suggests that ecotourism and natural resource conservation can work together to protect sensitive ecosystems. The study proposes a symbiotic relationship where increased conservation leads to higher economic value for natural landscapes, ultimately benefiting both ecotourists and local communities.
A Michigan State University study found that environmental activism can mitigate the negative impacts of population growth and economic affluence on greenhouse gas emissions. The research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, showed that states with strong green voices tend to have lower emissions.
A new study suggests that emotional appeals can be more effective than celebrity endorsements when promoting products related to a consumer's identity. By matching emotions with identities, companies can create more personalized and persuasive marketing campaigns.
Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger have won the 2008 Green Book Award from Stevens Institute of Technology’s Center for Science Writings for their book Break Through, which critiques environmentalism. The authors argue that green activists should recognize the potential of economic development and technological innovation to help o...
Ted Nordhaus and Michael Shellenberger's book Break Through: From the Death of Environmentalism to the Politics of Possibility challenges traditional environmentalist views. The authors argue that green activists should recognize the potential of economic development and technological innovation to help overcome ecological crises.
A large-scale industrial expansion into space offers a sustainable solution to environmental concerns, providing unlimited resources and energy sinks for pollutants. This approach reconciles technological optimism with economic scarcity, enabling a unified political vision for the 21st century.