The Hudson River Estuary Program announced a new Hudson River Curriculum Guide, featuring original lesson plans from the Estuary Program and its partners. The inquiry-based, multi-component science guide is designed for teachers and students to enhance STEM learning, as well as deepen their engagement and understanding of the Hudson River and its watershed. [Read more…] about Hudson River Lesson Plans For K-12 Teachers
Climate Change
NYS Climate Action Council Announces Public Hearing Schedule
New York State’s 22-member Climate Action Council, established under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), will hold 10 public hearings across the State to receive public input on the Draft Scoping Plan and advance work on a Final Scoping Plan to guide the implementation of the State’s nation-leading climate goals under the CLCPA. [Read more…] about NYS Climate Action Council Announces Public Hearing Schedule
Adks Conservation News: 5 Things You Need to Know
Large-Scale Lakes Survey Tops Scientists’ Wish List
The Adirondack Council and other environmental groups are pushing the state legislature to include $6 million in funding over three years to conduct a large-scale study of Adirondack water-bodies. The study of 400 or so lakes and ponds would create baseline data on the impact of climate change, algal blooms, and changes to water oxygen levels. The study is needed to assess the impacts to native fish and plant populations of changing carbon cycles, and the remote locations of many of the water-bodies allow researchers to differentiate the effects of climate change from those of agriculture or land development. [Read more…] about Adks Conservation News: 5 Things You Need to Know
New Methane Emissions Rules for NYS’s Oil, Natural Gas Infrastructure
The NYS 
Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has finalized regulations that the Department expects will require significant reductions in methane and other harmful emissions from any oil and natural gas infrastructure in the State. The new rules will be effective March 3, 2022
The regulations are part of the State’s clean energy and climate agenda and are expected to reduce methane emissions by more than 14,000 metric tons per year and volatile organic compound emissions by over 2,000 tons per year by regulating and controlling methane leakage and venting. Methane is second to carbon dioxide in its contribution to climate change because of its high volume in the atmosphere and strong radiative effects. [Read more…] about New Methane Emissions Rules for NYS’s Oil, Natural Gas Infrastructure
Climate Science: Does Rising CO2 Benefit Plants?
Scientist-like persons hired by the fossil fuel industry have long maintained we should celebrate an ever-increasing level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. This gas, a key building block in the photosynthetic process, can enable plants to grow faster and get larger. It’s been called the “CO2 fertilization effect.”
Many crop yields are projected to increase. And bigger woody plants, the reasoning goes, can amass more carbon, thus helping to slow the rate of CO2 increase in a handy negative-feedback loop. [Read more…] about Climate Science: Does Rising CO2 Benefit Plants?
Climate Action Council Releases Draft Scoping Plan for Public Comment
New Yorkers are encouraged to review and comment on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Draft Scoping Plan which will advance and implement nation-leading climate law. [Read more…] about Climate Action Council Releases Draft Scoping Plan for Public Comment
Blueprint for Adirondacks Issued by Common Ground Alliance
The Common Ground Alliance of the Adirondacks (CGA) recently released its 2022 Blueprint for the Blue Line, a summary of state policy recommendations largely informed by dialogue and ideas generated during the group’s annual summer forum. [Read more…] about Blueprint for Adirondacks Issued by Common Ground Alliance
Deep Time: Lake Ontario’s Lucky Stones & Fossils
When did homo sapiens arise? Maybe 2 million years ago?
Nobody really knows exactly when we became “human,” but most of the rocks on our Lake Ontario beaches are at least a hundred times older than our species.
This is what the geologists mean by “deep time.” [Read more…] about Deep Time: Lake Ontario’s Lucky Stones & Fossils
Black Carbon: Some History & Science of Soot
Burning fuel, like wood and gasoline, happens around the world every day. Most of the time, we burn fuels to make heat or power engines. Sometimes the burning happens by accident, as in the case of wildfires.
Most of the time, the process of burning fuels creates emissions in the form of visible smoke. Black carbon is a significant component of fine particulate matter pollution and a key ingredient in “soot.” [Read more…] about Black Carbon: Some History & Science of Soot
Wild Center Sending Delegation to U.N. Climate Talks
When world leaders convene in Scotland for critical climate change negotiations later this month, The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program will be there.
The Tupper Lake, NY organization is sending a nine-person delegation to Glasgow for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties. The Wild Center’s delegates will have a front-row seat as representatives from 197 countries seek solutions to mitigate ongoing effects of climate change. [Read more…] about Wild Center Sending Delegation to U.N. Climate Talks