"Nathaniel "Nat" Reed, 84, a Hobe Sound resident whose childhood ardor for Florida’s natural wonders led to him becoming a tireless crusader for the environment, died in a Quebec hospital Wednesday, according to his family."
"Scientists have sequenced the entire genome of the tiny fern species Azolla filiculoides, a wunder-plant that played a pivotal role in cooling our planet 50 million years ago. Among its many properties, the Azolla can capture CO2 and nitrogen from the air and has genes that provide insect resistance."
"Former Kentucky miners described being pressured to cover up coal dust monitors meant to protect them. New research shows a resurgence in black lung disease."
"Six years ago, the Obama administration tagged 1,500 acres of private Louisiana land as “critical habitat” for the dusky gopher frog, one of the world’s most-endangered animals. ... In July 2017, Weyerhaeuser, a timber company, petitioned the Supreme Court to overturn this decision."
"Ohio’s Davis-Besse nuclear plant is scheduled to close within three years, but decommissioning could take up to 60 years, and after that a regulated radioactive fuel storage facility will remain on the site indefinitely."
"The spotted lanternfly, a brightly colored red and black moth-like insect and one of the latest invaders, landed in Pennsylvania’s Berks County around 2012 and has munched its way across 13 counties, threatening grapes, orchards and hardwood trees. State and federal officials want to stop it, and they’ve spent about $20 million this year on research and eradication efforts."
"The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) internal watchdog will continue work on at least five of its ongoing probes involving former Administrator Scott Pruitt."
"Exxon Mobil Corp. said it has left the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) following a clash over climate change policy."
"Ireland on Thursday moved to pull its public funds out of fossil fuels, a development that marks the most significant advance to date for a divestment campaign pushed by environmentalists worldwide."
"A former Arizona state official brought to EPA by Scott Pruitt to streamline agency operations got a promotion yesterday in the wake of the embattled administrator's departure."
