Researchers used community input to design Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) air-quality model experiments. Community asked for ACT policy simulations that convert 48% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles into zero tailpipe emission versions. Researchers simulated how this policy would change pollution levels in Illinois. They found the policy would prevent 500 premature deaths and 600 new pediatric asthma cases annually within the greater Chicago area.

The Geological Society of America (GSA) is delighted to welcome Emily Orzechowski as its new Director of Geoscience Policy & External Relations. With extensive experience in legislative relations, science policy, and geoscience research, Orzechowski will lead GSA’s advocacy efforts to support the geoscience community and its contributions to society.

Governments are guided by ethical principles when it comes to climate protection, while cost-benefit considerations take priority for their citizens, according to a new study from the University of Oldenburg, Germany. The research paper reveals a discrepancy between the relatively ambitious climate targets of rich and carbon-intensive countries in colder regions and the lower levels of willingness among their populations to contribute to combating climate change. This poses a dilemma for ambitious climate politics: The study also shows that there is a correlation between this discrepancy and lower levels of satisfaction with democracy.

Researchers from the University of Kansas school of journalism conducted interviews with farmers in Missouri and Kansas about their thoughts on climate change. Even though they are on the front lines of the topic, the farmers reported they avoid discussing it, even with family, regardless of their opinions to avoid arguments, violence and damage to their livelihood. The findings show it is difficult to address the issue for policy or mitigation if those most affected do not want to dicuss, researchers argue.

The Politecnico di Milano, coordinator of the WORLD – Waste Oils RecycLe and Development project, proposes an innovative, circular and sustainable process to turn used vegetable oil into a valuable resource.  The study was published by the British Royal Society of Chemistry in the prestigious international journal RSC Sustainability and was rewarded for its originality by being featured on the cover.