ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE
Solar revolution: Homeowners across the U.S. embrace clean energy solutions in 2025
As 2025 unfolds, solar power is no longer just a trend—it’s a revolution. Homeowners are switching to solar in record numbers across the United States, especially in forward-thinking states. The reason is clear: today’s solar technology is more efficient, affordable, and impactful than ever.
Define Solar, in NJ, is a regional leader at the forefront of this transformation. With over 1,000 successful installations, it is redefining how families approach clean energy.
A New Era of Energy Efficiency
2025 marks a transformative year in residential energy. Advances in solar panel technology—spanning efficiency, durability, and design—have made it easier than ever for homeowners to take control of their energy usage. As utility costs continue to rise, solar energy offers a compelling solution that provides both economic relief and a path toward a more sustainable lifestyle.
What was once considered a niche or luxury upgrade is quickly becoming a mainstream necessity. For families seeking to reduce their carbon footprint while protecting themselves from unpredictable energy bills, solar power stands out as a smart, future-focused investment.
Solar Power Made Simple
One of the most common reasons homeowners hesitate to adopt solar energy is the misconception that it’s a complex or overwhelming process. In reality, modern solar providers have streamlined the experience to be as smooth and accessible as possible. From the initial consultation and system design to permitting, inspection, and activation, the journey to solar has never been more straightforward.
Today’s solar systems are powered by high-efficiency panels backed by reliable warranties designed to perform for decades with minimal maintenance. With professionals guiding homeowners every step of the way, it’s no longer a DIY project or an intimidating leap—it’s a carefully managed upgrade…
CURRENT EDITION
WEATHER
TODAY
RH
WASHINGTON BUREAU
Defense Expert Highlights Urgent Need for Cybersecurity Preparation Amid Rising Threats at Space Systems Command Cyber Expo 2025
The dangers posed by cyber conflict are significant and require preparation by the joint force
Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Takes Control of Penn Station Overhaul, Saves Taxpayers $120 Million
Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Sean P.
Animal Dung Accelerates Ecosystem Development in Melting Andes
Recent research from James Madison University reveals that animal dung is crucial in accelerating ecosystem development on nutrient-poor soils exposed by melting glaciers in the Andes Mountains. Led by biology professor Kelsey Reider, this study highlights the significant impact of wild vicuñas, relatives of alpacas and llamas,…
New Conservation Strategy Launched to Protect Monarch Butterflies as Federal Listing Looms
Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the monarch butterfly be afforded new protections under the Endangered Species Act.
The Defense Department, with nearly 27 million acres of land, air and water resources, already plays a role in providing protections for the monarch butterfly. However, the new “Conservation…
U.S. Department of Defense Deploys 500 Troops and Aircraft to Combat California Wildfires
The Defense Department now has 500 active-duty troops and a variety of equipment on standby to assist with the wildfires in California, said the deputy Pentagon press secretary.
“As announced by the president, 500 active-duty personnel currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, are preparing to support requests from federal and…
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $65 Million Funding Opportunity for Small Businesses in Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization
On Dec. 27, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $65 million funding opportunity to support projects through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. This investment includes $1.1 million in Phase I/Release 2 proof of concept grants for projects funded by…
PFAS are still in our water—even as we try to ban them
Even as states race to restrict per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—the so-called “forever chemicals”—and consumers flock to PFAS-free products, the truth remains: PFAS is already deeply embedded in our environment.
It’s a challenge that startup H2Plus is aiming to solve. While most existing technologies focus on filtering PFAS out of water and containing it, H2Plus is doing something different: destroying PFAS at the molecular level.
Their system uses gas-phase hydrated electrons to break the notoriously strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so persistent. Designed to treat high-contaminant water streams like landfill runoff, fire suppression wastewater, and RO concentrate, the technology has been piloted successfully and is now being looked at as a promising tool in the clean water playbook.
Filtration Isn’t Enough
Traditional approaches to PFAS contamination—such as granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and reverse osmosis—have helped reduce exposure in some communities. But they come with a catch: they don’t eliminate the chemicals. Instead, they concentrate PFAS into a new form: sludge, brine, or spent filter media that must be incinerated or landfilled.
These methods create logistical challenges, regulatory uncertainty, and long-term liabilities for municipalities and utilities. As regulations evolve and PFAS levels are tracked more aggressively, the cost and complexity of relying…
ESF trains next generation of fire ecologists
Students from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) chose to spend spring break in Georgia, engaging in prescribed burns — a forestry management practice that involves intentionally setting fires to promote forest health, support wildlife biodiversity, and increase resilience to future wildfires.
Led by graduate students Maria Loughran and Anna Welch, members of the Applied Forest and Fire Ecology Lab under Dr. Andrew Vander-Yacht, the six undergraduate students gained hands-on experience in fire operations and the fire ecology of the southeastern United States.
With more than 10 years of combined experience in prescribed and wildland fire, Loughran and Welch taught the students about fire operations and the expectations of working as part of a fire crew earlier in the spring semester. The students previously obtained certification as basic wildland firefighters through Vander-Yacht’s Fire Ecology and Management class on ESF’s main campus or at the College’s Ranger School in Wanakena, N.Y. As part of this certification, they completed a challenging pack test — walking three miles with 45 pounds in 45 minutes — to ensure their physical capacity to operate safely as wildland firefighters.
The ESF fire crew was hosted by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and coordinated with the Georgia Forestry…
Flying Green: Transforming Aviation With Sustainable Goals
The aviation industry is at a transformative moment globally, driven by sustainability goals that aim to minimize the environmental impact of flying. Airlines, manufacturers, and regulators are under pressure to adopt greener technologies, such as Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs), electric aircraft, and hydrogen propulsion. These innovations promise to revolutionize…
Study Reveals Lingering Indoor Air Pollutants in Homes After Colorado’s Marshall Fire
2021’s Marshall Fire became the most destructive fire in Colorado history, burning nearly 1,000 homes and forcing more than 37,000 residents of Boulder County to evacuate.
New research by scientists at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder found compromised indoor air quality…
U.S. House and Senate Pass Bipartisan Legislation: The Groundbreaking U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act and the WILD Act
The following statement was released today by the Wildlife Conservation Society upon the passage of the bipartisan U.S. Foundation for International Conservation Act and the WILD Act. Both were part of the National Defense Authorization Act headed to the president for his signature.
Wildlife Conservation Society’s Executive Vice President for…
Overfishing Leads to a 50% Decline in Shark and Ray Populations Since 1970, New Study Reveals
A new analysis published last Thursday in the journal Science reveals that overfishing has caused populations of chondrichthyan fishes – sharks, rays, and chimaeras – to decline by more than 50% since 1970. To determine the consequences, a team of researchers developed an aquatic Red List Index (RLI)…
Avian cranial kinesis is the result of increased encephalization during the origin of birds
By Yves Ducrot / Environmental ReporterModern birds are the living relatives of dinosaurs. Take a look at the features of flightless birds like chickens and ostriches that walk upright on two hind legs, or predators like eagles and hawks with their sharp talons and keen eyesight, and the similarities to small theropod dinosaurs like the velociraptors of Jurassic Park fame are striking.
Yet birds differ from their reptile ancestors in many important ways. A turning point in their evolution was the development of larger brains, which in turn led to changes in the size and shape of their skulls.
New research from the University of Chicago and University of Missouri shows how these physical changes affected the mechanics of the way birds move and use their beaks to eat and explore their habitats — adaptations that helped them evolve into the extraordinarily diverse winged creatures we see today.
The benefits of ‘wiggly’ skulls
Modern birds, as well as other animals like snakes and fishes, have skulls with jaws and palates that aren’t rigid and fixed in place like those in mammals, turtles, or non-avian dinosaurs. Alec Wilken, a graduate student in integrative biology at UChicago and lead author of the new study, calls this kind of flexible skull “wiggly.” He says this characteristic makes it that much harder to figure out how the pieces work together.
“Just because you have a joint there, that doesn’t mean that you know how it moves,” Wilken said. “So, you also have to think about how muscles are going to be pulling on the joint, what kind of torque they…
MORE ARTICLES
The Role of Climate Data in Predicting Natural Disasters With Insights From Dr. Philippe Smith
U.S. Army Chemical Corps and Joint Partners Tackle Hazardous Waste in Southern California Wildfire Response
Guardsmen Deliver Food to Alaska Community Hit by Typhoon
Alaska National Guardsmen delivered nearly 14,000 pounds of frozen beef, chicken and pork this month to Toksook Bay, Alaska, helping residents still recovering from losses sustained when Typhoon Merbok flooded thousands of communities in September 2022.
The storm’s impact and ensuing power outages caused vital meat stores to spoil. After…
New Study Identifies Key Traits Linked to Bird Extinctions, Highlighting Urgent Need for Conservation Efforts
Looking to inform the conservation of critically endangered bird species, University of Utah biologists completed an analysis identifying traits that correlate with all 216 bird extinctions since 1500.
Species most likely to go extinct sooner were endemic to islands, lacked the ability to fly, had larger bodies and sharply angled wings,…
Central Park Conservancy Gala Shines With ‘Fortune’s Fête,’ Raising Over $1.2 Million for the Iconic Park
On November 20, the Central Park Conservancy Gala welcomed over 400 guests for a magical evening nestled in the heart of Manhattan. Thanks to unusually warm weather and the stunning backdrop of vibrant autumn leaves, attendees enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the park before making their way to the…
Natural disasters are occurring more frequently, disrupting lives and economies worldwide. With these events becoming harder to predict, reliable climate data has never been more essential. Advanced analysis of weather patterns, historical trends, and environmental changes provides valuable insights that can save lives. Dr. Philippe Smith discusses how data shapes predictions, so communities and leaders can better prepare for what’s ahead.
Understanding Climate Data
Accurate natural disaster prediction relies on analyzing climate data, which records Earth’s atmospheric and environmental conditions over time. This data helps experts identify potential disaster warning signs by revealing key environmental trends.
Climate data is grouped into categories reflecting significant environmental factors. Temperature records track daily highs and lows, seasonal averages, and long-term shifts, providing insight into trends like heat waves or ice melting, which can lead to flooding. Precipitation data, including rainfall and snow measurements, assess the risks of storms and droughts. Analyzing changes in these patterns helps predict floods, landslides, or water scarcity. Atmospheric pressure data highlights shifts in weather systems; low-pressure areas often indicate storms, while high-pressure areas may signal dry conditions, aiding in hurricane forecasts.
Reliable predictions draw from a variety of data sources.
“Advances in technology and research have enhanced data collection methods,…
EDITOR'S
CHOICE
U.S. Army Chemical Corps and Joint Partners Tackle Hazardous Waste in Southern California Wildfire Response
HyVelocity Hub Secures $1.2 Billion Federal Funding to Launch Largest Clean Hydrogen Initiative in the Gulf Coast
The HyVelocity Hub has executed a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED) to receive up to $1.2 billion in federal funding to build and expand low-carbon hydrogen and hydrogen infrastructure across Texas and the Gulf Coast.
Kicking off with about $22…
Elephant Seal Population Struggles After Devastating H5N1 Outbreak in Argentina: Only a Third of Expected Returns
The sounds of barking elephant seals are again in the air along the breeding grounds of Península Valdés, Argentina—but it’s quieter. Almost exactly a year after a massive outbreak of H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza killed more than 17,000 elephant seals, including about 97% of their pups, scientists estimate…
Holcim and Detroit Wayne County Port Authority Secures EPA Grant to Propel Zero-Emission Initiatives at Detroit Port
Holcim, in close partnership with the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority (DWCPA), was awarded a grant through the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Ports program. The joint grant supports the Detroit Port Authority’s broader Zero-Emission Technology Deployment program to accelerate the decarbonization of the port and improve…