Environment

High-profile events impacting water supply and distribution networks in the U.S. have dramatically raised the awareness of operational challenges. At the same time, these events demonstrate an opportunity to change decades-long funding trends that have left many water systems struggling to adequately finance upgrades and repairs.

Bechtel has congratulated the workforce at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant on achieving a significant milestone—the initial processing of chemical weapons, bringing the U.S. a step closer to meeting treaty obligations to destroy its remaining chemical weapons stockpile. The milestone marks the first time that the Bechtel-led plant has handled mustard agent.

With the rhino poaching crisis showing no signs of abating, Vietnam must crack down on its rampant illegal rhino horn trade or face sanctions, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) said ahead of a critically important wildlife trade conference next week in South Africa.

The Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) approved the installation of one megawatt of solar generation in the right-of-way along Interstate 85 in Troup County, Ga., during a hearing on the Georgia Power Company’s 2016 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The motion was proposed by Commissioner Tim Echols of the GPSC and passed at two separate administrative sessions on July 28th and September 8th. Votes were 4-1 and 3-2 respectively.

We frequently discuss the differences between oil-free and oil-injected air compressors and their uses in various industries. While oil-free compressors are essential for pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and semiconductor production, oil-injected compressors are great for operation in harsh environmental conditions like those found in oil and gas, railway and marine applications. However, one issue that is often not considered is what happens to lubricant after it’s used in an oil-injected compressor.

Can simply changing how and what we grow really make a difference to a changing climate? This week's guest on Sea Change Radio, author and agricultural expert, Eric Toensmeier, is quite certain it can. We discuss smarter agricultural methods like using trees and grazing animals. And we talk about what might turn an enormous, slow-moving industry like agriculture onto a more sustainable path.

Mars Symbioscience (MSS), the global health and life sciences segment of Mars, Incorporated, has joined IMPACT 2030 as a Founding Partner. MSS is an incubator for evidence-based innovations that positively impact the health and well-being of people and the planet.

Conflict mineral rules and reporting are heating up on three continents, causing an increase in compliance activity for any and all companies involved in global trade and a look toward unified, simplified reporting and tracking techniques.

Sodexo, world leader in quality of life services, recognized its dining sustainability team at Gonzaga University for celebrating the one-year anniversary of the John J. Hemmingson Center Gonzaga Greenhouse. The team worked to successfully increase crop yields using a greenhouse design that recycles and consumes one-tenth the water of traditional farming.