MultiBriefs - Your source for industry specific News Briefs

ANWR drilling threatens Porcupine caribou — and vice-versa?

Michelle R. Matisons Natural Resources

If you follow the U.S. debate about oil drilling, then you have no doubt heard of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). This is because it is probably some of the most hotly contested oil-rich land in the United States, and it now looks as if oil development is inevitable there after a decades-long battle over the Refuge’s oil reserves. Unless the fate of the beloved Porcupine caribou halts the oil development.

Historic California wildfires ignite blame game

Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & Security

You already know there are some serious wildfires burning in California and the west. So what’s new? What’s new is that the Mendocino Complex fire is now the largest in California history. This fire is so large that one astronaut on the International Space Station — 250 miles above Earth — tweeted a photo of the infernos as seen from space. The really bad news is that fires are expected to burn the rest of August as high temperatures further fan the flames.

Lead contamination in schools’ drinking water worse than previously…

Scott E. Rupp Facilities & Grounds

Lead contamination in U.S. schools is more pervasive than previously thought, new water testing results from 20 states say. The data was published in an interactive map by Environment America and U.S. PIRG in June. The map shows several other states where more than half of schools tested found some level of lead. These confirmed cases of contamination are likely only the tip of the iceberg, Environment America said in a statement.

Suicide rates increase with climate change-related heat

Michelle R. Matisons Mental Healthcare

We all complain when it gets too hot, whether it means running extra air conditioning, working outdoors during peak sun, or only having indoor fans for cooling off. Now, a new study links climate change’s impact on temperatures to suicide rates. It appears that something much more significant than discomfort is associated with soaring heat. To summarize, "authors predict that approximately 14,000 people in the U.S. — and as many as 26,000 — could die by suicide by the year 2050 if global temperatures continue rising, even after controlling for every other major variable that could affect suicide rates."

Adidas joins recycled plastics trend

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

While initiatives to eliminate single-use plastics are helpful, it will make a bigger impact if more companies begin replacing them with recycled versions. When larger companies step up to the plastic ban plate, it sends a clear message that the issue is important and more sustainable business practices are possible. Take the case of Adidas, the world’s second largest sportswear company. Currently, 50 percent of all Adidas products are made from plastic. But that’s about to change. By 2024, Adidas plans to only use recycled plastic in its products. By 2019, Adidas clothing lines will feature 41 percent recycled polyester.

Endangered Species Act faces energy-friendly rollbacks

Michelle R. Matisons Waste Management & Environmental

The late 1960s and ‘70s were times of immense change in the U.S. The catalyst was the Vietnam War draft that caused the young people of that generation to question everything about the American lifestyle. This included attention to the large-scale destruction of the natural world, which launched the modern environmental movement. The first Earth Day was in 1970, and three years later, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) was born. Today, the ESA faces dramatic changes under the Trump administration, leaving animal and plant lovers everywhere concerned for our collective future.

Airlines, restaurants and hotels are switching to more sustainable products

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

From airlines to restaurants and hotels, the hospitality and tourism industry is responding to the calls for more sustainable products. A small move, as “simple” as dropping plastic straws, could make a significant impact on the planet. For example, Starbucks announced in July that the company would eliminate single-use plastic straws in over 28,000 stores. This "small" move alone is expected to eliminate more than 1 billion plastic straws per year.

How to save money at your office with smart tech

Sam Radbil Facilities & Grounds

The green-at-home movement has been covered extensively, but what about at the office? While there are lots of articles about tech for your home, what concepts and ideas are being discussed about saving you and your company money at the office? First, let’s understand the Internet of Things (IoT). The idea is to control your office through the internet. Sure, you can tell everyone to turn off the lights when they leave a room, but how many employees simply forget to do so?

The great carbon dioxide crisis in the UK

Andrew Gaved Manufacturing

The majority of my recent dispatches have concerned the problems of supply and demand with certain high-GWP HFCs caused by the onward march of the F-Gas regulations. With everyone continuing to worry about the price of the likes of R404A and R410A, it came us quite a shock for the industry to find itself suddenly in the grip of a full-blown carbon dioxide crisis. In the space of a few days, excitable headlines about a "national CO2 shortage" appeared to have created a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the U.K. quickly found itself in short supply of many forms of the gas.

5 benefits to plastic food service packaging

Tracy Szwec Food & Beverage

Today, it seems that there is a push to move to other products for food service packaging besides plastic. While there is understandably an abundance of plastic being mishandled from the waste standpoint, the reality is that there is no better product to use for packaging of food products, both from a retail and restaurant sales standpoint. Consider these five benefits to choosing plastic.

Industries