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EU is scrubbing away harmful chemicals linked to cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries; NOAA and CDC set up a new heat forecast tool; invasive weed in Australia converted to biomass fuel.
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EU is scrubbing away harmful chemicals linked to cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries; NOAA and CDC set up a new heat forecast tool; invasive weed in Australia converted to biomass fuel.
About EarthxNews:
A weekly program dedicated to covering the stories that shape the planet. Featuring the latest updates in energy, environment, tech, climate, and more.
EarthX & EarthXtra
Love Our Planet.
The Official Network of Earth Day.
About Us:
At EarthX, we believe our planet is a pretty special place. The people, landscapes, and critters are likely unique to the entire universe, so we consider ourselves lucky to be here. We are committed to protecting the environment by inspiring conservation and sustainability, and our programming along with our range of expert hosts support this mission. We’re glad you’re with us.
EarthX is a media company dedicated to inspiring people to care about the planet. We take an omni channel approach to reach audiences of every age through its robust 24/7 linear channel distributed across cable and FAST outlets, along with dynamic, solution oriented short form content on social and digital platforms. EarthX is home to original series, documentaries and snackable content that offer sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. EarthX is the only network that delivers entertaining and inspiring topics that impact and inspire our lives on climate and sustainability.
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TVTranscript
00:00makeup remover for the planet, how the European Union is scrubbing away the harmful chemicals linked to cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries and tracking deadly heat, a new tool at your disposal to keep you and your family safe during the summer months to come. Plus an old coal power station in Australia might be coming online again. This time the owners say with zero emissions. What they're invented
00:29new power source could do for the grid.
00:39Hello and welcome to EarthX News, where we focus on sustainability, conservation and the environment. I'm Christina Thompson. Let's get into some of the biggest headlines facing our planet. The Bureau of Land Management announced an end to coal leasing on federal lands in the Powder River Basin, affecting over 13 million public acres across Montana and Wyoming.
00:59The basin accounts for about 44% of all U.S. coal production, producing around 260 million tons of coal in the year 2022. Assessments from the Bureau of Land Management will permit current federal leases to be preserved, which will allow for continued mining through 2040 in Wyoming and through 2060 in Montana.
01:21Republican lawmakers across both states have spoken out against these new rules with Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon promising to look at legal options to challenge this rule. A coalition of Republican lawmakers led by Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers is challenging a California draft law which seeks to drastically reduce emissions on certain vehicles. The proposed law would mandate that half of all medium and heavy duty vehicles acquired by state and local governments would be
01:51emissions free between 2024 and 2026. As part of the statement, Attorney General Hilgers said, quote, this effort coming at a time of heightened inflation and with an already strained electrical grid will devastate the trucking and logistics industry, raise prices for consumers and impact an untold number of jobs across Nebraska and the country. In 2022, the Biden administration restored California's ability to set its own emissions standards after their right was revoked by the previous administration.
01:56Just over a month ago, a federal court ruled that California can continue to impose the
02:26authority granted the authority granted to them by President Biden. In addition, California is now seeking a federal government waiver to ban the sale of all newly manufactured gas powered vehicles by 2035. There's a new government system in place to help keep you and your family safe from dangerously high temperatures. It's called heat risk and it's an online tool that provides a seven day forecast for heat waves across the country. The map will have real time and forecasted heat and air quality information as part of
02:56a broader effort to keep people safe from heat and the medical risks it can cause. Extreme heat is now the deadliest type of weather event in the US, killing more people each year than floods, extreme cold and tornadoes. Officials with NOAA say they hope these new resources will help communities plan for the upcoming summer months with temperatures through May and June expected to be above average nationwide. And while the tool has been publicly released, the project is still under active development.
03:25Members of the public can submit feedback to the National Weather Service through the end of September. A group of governors headed to Vatican City for a three day climate summit posted by Pope Francis as the church and state came together recently to inspire care for the earth. Alex Salvi has more.
03:41Two of the most high profile Democrats in the United States are bringing their calls for climate action to the Holy See, the climate crisis. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his counterpart from New York, Kathy Hochul speaking at a climate summit in Vatican City earlier this month. Newsom personally invited by Pope Francis using the opportunity to praise the steps that California has taken to lead the charge in promoting climate friendly policies, not only in the United States, but around the world.
03:43Two of the most high profile Democrats in the United States. Two of the most high profile Democrats in the United States are bringing their calls for climate action to the Holy See, the climate crisis. California Governor Gavin Newsom and his counterpart from New York, Kathy Hochul speaking at a climate summit in Vatican City earlier this month. Newsom personally invited by Pope Francis using the opportunity to praise the steps that California has taken to lead the charge in promoting climate friendly policies, not only in the United States, but around the world.
04:11But at our best, we believe the world in many respects looks to us to see that it's possible to live together and advance together across many imaginable differences. That absolutely is the case when it comes to the issue of addressing the crisis of our time and climate change.
04:28He explains throughout the state's history from Republican Governor Ronald Reagan up to his Democratic leadership. The environment has been at the center of California's decision making.
04:38There's an entire state. New York Governor Kathy Hochul referenced a lesson from her parents that people have a responsibility to one another, a virtue she says guides her perspective when dictating climate policy. These are the lessons that I take with me when I approach the issue of climate change and ask, is there justice for all? And sadly, the answer is not yet. We're on a quest. And that is what our Holy Father put us on a quest to do this morning.
05:05The two governors have an ally in Pope Francis, who routinely speaks on the level of care that worshipers should show to nature, calling on politicians to make radical decisions to protect the planet for future generations. And with partners in California and New York, the potential for transformative new policies is very much so alive. For Earth X, I'm Alex Salvi. Alex Salvi, thank you. Turning now to wildlife news. Grizzly bears will soon be reintroduced at a number of
05:35national park in Washington. The National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have announced a decision to actively restore grizzly bears to the North Cascades. The agencies will seek to release three to seven bears a year over the next five to 10 years in an effort to establish an initial population of 25 bears. Now, once the initial goal is reached, a population of 200 bears would be likely in about 60 to 100 years, according to the agencies. Federal wildlife officials say the North
06:05Cascades Cascades is an area where the bears once roamed and they were a pillar of the local ecosystem. Grizzly bears are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The reintroduction plan is part of the government's efforts to help the species recover.
06:19A federally threatened species recently slithered off into the wild to do some good in Florida's panhandle. In a joint collaboration between state wildlife officials and several conservation groups, dozens of eastern indigo snakes were released at a preserve along the Apalachicola River as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the species population and restore the state's longleaf pine ecosystem.
06:43According to wildlife officials, the non-venomous snakes play a key role in balancing the environment by consuming a variety of small animals. Biologists also say the conservation project is helping the species thrive.
06:56The Nature Conservancy Group, one of the organizations involved, said during the past year, several snakes from previous releases have been spotted, including two wild-born hatchlings.
07:06And scientists say finding the offspring is a step closer to achieving a self-sustaining wild indigo population. The species used to be found throughout the southeast in the 1980s, but their range was limited due to habitat loss from various causes, including fragmentation and development.
07:24However, researchers are hopeful recent conservation efforts will help the eastern indigo snake make a comeback.
07:29A tiny and critically endangered fish appears to be making a recovery. Biologists were left stunned after they recently counted a record amount of devil's hole pupfish at a Nevada section of Death Valley National Park.
07:45Researchers say they discovered a population of 191 pupfish, which is the highest in 25 years, during the spring season fish count.
07:53The resurgence comes after the species had a very close brush with extinction just a few years ago, reaching an all-time low of 35 in 2013.
08:03Scientists say at one time, roughly 200 to 250 specimens were counted in the annual springtime census.
08:09Biologists say the tiny neon blue fish are vulnerable to extinction because their habitats can't support large populations,
08:16and their small numbers make them more susceptible to threats like pollution, the introduction of non-native species,
08:23and groundwater depletion that could limit their ability to spawn.
08:26An environmental makeup remover.
08:28Cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies within the EU will now have to clean up their messes
08:34by covering at least 80% of the costs needed to eliminate pollutants from sources of urban wastewater.
08:40According to the European Commission, over 90% of harmful pollutants originate from these cosmetic and pharmaceutical companies.
08:49Urban wastewater, if not collected and treated properly, is one of the main sources of water pollution.
08:55Also, these companies will be responsible for removing micropollutants,
08:59while local governments will be tasked with monitoring their sewage for other harmful contaminants, such as microplastics.
09:05These new rules were mandated by the new draft rules in the EU.
09:09The minister of the government of the Brussels capital region released a statement, which reads in part,
09:15quote,
09:16Today's agreement with the parliament puts us on the right track to reach our zero pollution objective for Europe.
09:22When it comes to inventive ways to store CO2, a herd of bison might just take the cake.
09:28A study published in Nature Climate Change shows how a single herd of bison has the potential to store 54,000 tons of carbon annually.
09:37That's the equivalent of taking 40,000 cars off the road.
09:42And they do this just by being bison.
09:45Grazing evenly, recycling nutrients, dispersing seeds, and compacting soil are all ways that bison contribute to their ecosystem
09:52and help to prevent stored carbon from being released.
09:56But it's not just bison.
09:57The study expands their findings to other large mammals as well, suggesting reintroducing these species could be a revolutionary, nature-based solution for climate change.
10:07Rewilding animals such as whales, sea otters, and elephants could significantly increase the carbon storage potential of their respective ecosystems.
10:17Scientists are now looking to study other high-potential species, including primates, fruit bats, and turtles.
10:23The owners of a former coal-fired power plant came up with a creative way to turn an invasive weed in Australia into power.
10:33Essentially, the power plant would burn millions of tons of the weed to power the station and help farmers get rid of it in the process.
10:40The company behind the inventive idea, Verdant Earth Technologies, says restarting the power plant in this way would support wind and solar and batteries
10:49and would give Australia the energy security it needs, utilizing its massive natural resources.
10:55Plus, the plant's owners say the power plant would generate zero emissions.
11:00Still, some environmentalists are skeptical.
11:02The concern is largely to do with tree clearing and the impacts that will have on the local environment.
11:08According to the Australian Energy Market Operator, Australia's last coal generators will be closed within the next 15 years,
11:16which means there could be an energy shortfall that could happen as early as next year.
11:20Some experts believe biomass won't take up a large role on the grid.
11:24In the long term, the company says it aims to grow fuel on its own land, but for now, these native weeds troubling local farmers will do just fine.
11:33Coming up, researchers are working to perfect floating offshore wind turbines.
11:38Stay tuned.
11:38We have more on their efforts just ahead on EarthX News.
11:54The United States is getting their own version of a groundbreaking effort to harness clean, renewable energy overseas.
12:14A Scotland-based company named Orbital Marine Power, which created the first floating tidal turbine in 2021,
12:21is bringing that same technology to the coast off Washington state.
12:25Last year, the U.S. government announced a $35 million investment in tidal energy initiatives.
12:31A portion of that investment, about $6 million, went to Orbital Marine Power and another company named Ocean Renewable Power Company,
12:39pitting the two companies in direct competition with one another to receive future federal funding.
12:44Tidal turbines use a special generator to convert energy from flowing water into clean, usable electricity.
12:51Similar to how wind turbines harness air fluidity.
12:54Currently, only a handful of floating turbines are in operation across the globe,
12:58with the largest of those residing off the coast of South Korea.
13:02Meanwhile, scientists at the University of Maine are exploring a new type of wind turbine technology
13:08meant to harness the wind power over deeper ocean waters.
13:13The concept being tested, a floating offshore wind farm.
13:16Joining us now to discuss is one of the researchers involved with developing the floating offshore wind turbines,
13:23Dr. Habib Dogger, Executive Director at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center.
13:29Dr. Habib, thank you so much for coming on.
13:31So what exactly is a floating offshore wind farm?
13:36How does it work?
13:38Good to be with you.
13:39A floating turbine is needed when the water depth is typically bigger than 150 feet, deeper than that,
13:46and you can't fix the turbine to the seabed.
13:48In this case, you'd have to float it.
13:51And as you see here in the video, you have a turbine floating over the water,
13:55and it's moored to the seabed using warning lines, just like you would moor a ship in the seabed.
14:03So what are some of the benefits to doing a wind turbine farm this way?
14:07Yeah, there's a number of benefits, but first let's start with the resource.
14:11Within 50 miles of the U.S. coast, there's enough offshore wind capacity to power the country four times over.
14:17But about two-thirds of that energy is in deeper energy.
14:21The other advantage of that is you can put these turbines far enough from shore
14:25to where the wind's typically much better in most places, but also you can't see it from shore.
14:31So if you're 30 or 35 miles away from shore, those turbines essentially will disappear behind the horizon.
14:38Are there any potential dangers with having a wind farm in this way, and what maintenance challenges do they face?
14:44Certainly there are a number of engineering challenges, as you might imagine,
14:48developing a turbine that floats and that will sustain hurricane-type winds.
14:53So the key to the engineering here is designing for these 150-mile-per-hour winds and 70-foot-tall waves, in essence,
15:03so they don't tip over.
15:05And then we've already put some of these units out there, like the one you see behind me,
15:09has seen 500-year storms.
15:12And in a 500-year storm, it moved off vertical only six degrees.
15:16The other important challenge is where to put them, where to put these turbines to protect the environments
15:22and the ecology and the fisheries and other users of the ocean.
15:26Can you expand a little bit on that, what the potential impact on the marine life could be?
15:32Certainly.
15:34Offshore wind turbines have been used in Europe now since 1991.
15:37So there's over 5,000 turbines installed right now, but 99% of them are fixed bottom,
15:44so they're fixed to the sea bed.
15:46The important piece is to place these turbines in areas that minimize impact on marine mammals,
15:52for example, from any noise that might be generated,
15:56but also get them away from locations where there may be significant birds and activities
16:03and bad activities and so forth.
16:05So placing these further out or farther out offshore will take care of a lot of these problems.
16:10People always ask, what's the cost?
16:12How does it compare to offshore wind farms, to onshore wind farms?
16:17How would you bring this to scale?
16:20Certainly.
16:20There's been a lot of studies to help answer that question.
16:23And like you said, the key item is how do you bring it to scale?
16:26If you can get this technology to scale, a lot of data shows it will have parity of costs.
16:32But in general, floating offshore wind is expected, when it's scaled up,
16:37to be competitive with fixed bottom offshore wind in the U.S. and across the globe.
16:42When do you think that would be?
16:44When do you think it could become competitive?
16:47Is there a timeline that you are hoping to reach?
16:49Yeah, so there's some national targets, if you wish,
16:53that's been developed by the Department of Energy and by the U.S. government.
16:57I would say in the mid-2030s is when we believe it would be scaled up enough to drive the cost down.
17:03What's your hope for the future when it comes to harvesting wind energy?
17:07Certainly, this technology, the floating wind technology,
17:10would be part of the solution to the future
17:12to help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and protect the environment.
17:15So depending on where you are in the world, you will see a combination of renewable resources.
17:21And this would be another tool that we have in our toolbox
17:25to create clean energy in different parts of the world.
17:28Sounds like there's a lot of really amazing advances to come in the future.
17:32Thank you so much for coming on.
17:34And thank you for all the work that you're doing towards sustainable energy.
17:36Thank you. It's great to be with you.
17:38Coming up, scientists studying sperm whales believe they've made a breakthrough
17:43when it comes to learning about how whales communicate.
17:46That story is just ahead on EarthX News.
18:07Welcome back.
18:08A group of scientists say they might have discovered the basic building blocks
18:12of how sperm whales communicate with each other.
18:15And researchers say learning more about how the animals talk
18:18may help marine biologists better protect them in the future.
18:22Caleb Park reports.
18:25Sperm whales are one of the largest whales in the ocean,
18:29and researchers now know their alphabet, similar to ours,
18:32is much more complex than previously thought.
18:35When you look at the complex behavior of whales,
18:39whales live together in social pods.
18:42They dive together.
18:44They search for food together.
18:46They birth babies together.
18:48And they do so in a way that is so helpful of each other.
18:54All of this seems to happen through this complex communication.
18:58Scientists say whales use a series of snaps and pops
19:02they call codas to communicate with each other.
19:06Computer scientists, biologists, and others used artificial intelligence
19:10to decode part of their language.
19:13And after analysis of 8,000 of these codas,
19:16scientists say they believe they form an alphabet
19:18used to create words and phrases.
19:21But cracking the codas is going to be more difficult
19:24than deciphering Morse code.
19:27Millions more will have to be analyzed
19:28before AI can figure out what they're telling each other.
19:32It seems like we have a phonetic alphabet for sperm whales,
19:36but we have no idea what they say.
19:38So the research into sperm whale communication continues.
19:42Scientists hope the new information helps contribute
19:45to ongoing whale conservation efforts
19:47so we can know what underwater secrets
19:50the whales have been keeping all these years.
19:52For EarthX, I'm Caleb Park.
19:55Caleb Park, thank you.
19:56Some recent research finds orangutans can self-medicate.
20:00The discovery comes after researchers started documenting
20:03the habits of an injured orangutan named Rackus.
20:08Scientists say the ape was spotted using a medicinal plant
20:11to treat a cut on his face.
20:14Researchers say Rackus mashed up the herb,
20:17made it into a paste, and applied it to the wound,
20:20and even used a leaf as a makeshift Band-Aid.
20:23Scientists say it's the first time they've seen an orangutan
20:26treating itself in this way.
20:28Experts say it's unclear how Rackus learned this behavior,
20:31but they have a theory.
20:33Listen.
20:34He continued chewing but stopped swallowing
20:37and put the plant sap from his mouth precisely onto the wound.
20:42And he repeated this behavior for seven minutes.
20:45So over and over, he put plant sap onto the wound.
20:48And then later, he also took the more solid plant matter from his mouth
20:52and put it on top of his wound, fully covering the wound.
20:55So it's possible that the behavior is actually shown in his birth population,
21:00and he might have learned it from his mother or another orangutan.
21:04Researchers believe the orangutan got hurt in a fight with another animal.
21:08And photographs show the animal's laceration closed within two months
21:12without any problems.
21:14And before we leave you, the world's oldest zoo welcomes an adorable new member.
21:18Staffers at the Schoenbrunn Zoo in Vienna recently celebrated the birth
21:22of an endangered northern rockhopper penguin.
21:26Video from the penguin's enclosure shows the chick enjoying a cuddle session
21:29with its parents before zookeepers brought it inside for a snack and a brief checkup.
21:35Zoo officials say the youngster is healthy and happy.
21:38And talk about timing.
21:39The little one hatched just ahead of World Penguin Day,
21:42which is celebrated annually on April 25th.
21:45That's it for this edition of EarthX News.
21:47Please join us again next week.
21:49I'm Christina Thompson.
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