NewzIntel.com

Category: Climate Change

  • MIL-OSI Security: Milwaukee Man Sentenced to 11 Years in Federal Prison for Armed Carjackings

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Richard G. Frohling, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of announced today that James Poole (age 19) was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for his role in armed carjackings in Milwaukee.

    According to court records, Poole participated in two armed carjackings in late January 2024.  In each of the carjackings, Poole brandished a firearm. On January 29, 2024, at approximately 7:45 pm, Poole committed a carjacking on the 2400 block of N. Farwell Avenue on the East Side of Milwaukee. The following day, at approximately 5:00 pm, Poole engaged in a carjacking in a parking lot in downtown Milwaukee, near 2nd Street and Plankinton Avenue. Shortly after the second carjacking, while driving the stolen vehicle, Poole led members of the Milwaukee Police Department on a high-speed chase through residential neighborhoods and reaching speeds of 90 mph. Poole ultimately crashed the stolen car into a tree near 82nd and Burleigh Streets, causing life-threatening injuries to all passengers inside the stolen vehicle. Following his term of imprisonment, Poole also will spend three years on supervised release.  He also was ordered to pay restitution.

    Poole’s co-defendant, Jabari Griffin (age 21), was sentenced on February 27, 2025, for his role in aiding and abetting Poole in the January 30, 2024, carjacking. Griffin was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison and three years of supervised release.      

    “Individuals who engage in violent crimes – like these armed carjackings – not only endanger the lives and well-being of their victims but also can shatter the confidence of all residents that our cities are safe places in which to live and work,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Frohling. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with all of its federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to hold these individuals accountable for their actions and to pursue justice for all impacted victims.”

    “Armed carjackings and the dangerous actions of those who committed the offenses in this case endangered the public and impacted the victims of this crime. This sentencing reflects the severity of the crimes committed by James Poole,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Michael Hensle. “The FBI remains steadfastly committed to working with our partners to investigate violent crime matters—to include armed carjackings—in our ongoing efforts to positively impact public safety within our community.”

    “The Milwaukee Police Department (MPD) is proud of the dedication and hard work of everyone involved in holding violent individuals accountable for their actions. Armed carjackings are violent acts that cause great harm to our community.  Those that bring harm to our community must be held accountable.” said Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffrey Norman. “MPD values our collaboration with the community, federal, state and local law enforcement partners to build a safer city for everyone to live, work and play.”   

    This matter was investigated by the FBI’s Milwaukee Area Violent Crimes Task Force, including the Milwaukee Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Abbey M. Marzick and Michael C. Schindhelm.

    # # #

    For Additional Information Contact:

    Public Information Officer

    Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

    414-297-1700

     

    Follow us on Twitter

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Heat in Buildings: Warm words and targets not enough without action

    Source: Scottish Greens

    03 Apr 2025

    By watering down this bill the SNP are setting up to fail Scotland’s climate targets.

    The Scottish Government is watering down its Heat in Buildings Strategy and stripping away almost all of its serious policy measures, says Scottish Green Co-Leader Patrick Harvie.

    This follows a Ministerial statement in which the Scottish Government dropped the most significant measures in the Bill and delayed it further.

    The Bill, which was under development by Mr Harvie in his time as a Minister, and was on track for introduction in November last year, was intended to focus on improving the energy efficiency of our homes and changing to clean heating systems.

    The Bill was included in the Scottish Government’s September 2024 Programme for Government, after the Greens were out of government. No explanation has been given today for what has changed since September.

    Mr Harvie said:

    “If climate policy over recent years has taught us anything, it’s that warm words are not enough and that setting targets is utterly meaningless without action and leadership from the Government. Yet that’s what the SNP are now proposing to repeat.

    “The Heat in Buildings programme was one of the very few parts of Scottish climate policy that was being praised by the independent Climate Change Committee. Yet the Scottish Government is now stripping out almost all of the serious policy measures, and is admitting that this means significant progress won’t be made in the near future.

    “This will keep more people stuck on gas, which is bad for our planet and will continue to punish people all across our country by forcing them to fork out while the fossil fuel companies post record profits. 

    “It will also mean even more challenging emission cuts will have to come from other sectors, or the new Climate Change Plan will fail too. And the Government seems to have no idea how to answer this question.

    “The SNP are confirming once again today that on their own, they are only too ready to water down climate policy, and yet another target will be set up to fail.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 3 April 2025 Departmental update WHO unveils bold commitments at Nutrition for Growth Summit

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Paris, France – The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced 13 ambitious commitments across 8 key areas at the Nutrition for Growth (N4G) Summit, hosted by the Government of France. The Summit raised US$ 28 billion in global funding for nutrition – an increase from the previous milestone of US$ 27 billion in 2021. This represents positive and hopeful moment for global solidarity amidst major funding crises faced in the development aid sector. It also showcases growing commitments from countries to improve health and well-being for all through nutrition.

    Malnutrition remains a global crisis, affecting every country. In 2022, approximately 390 million adults 18 years and older worldwide were underweight, while 2.5 billion were overweight, including 890 million living with obesity. Additionally, 148 million children under 5 years suffered from stunting, and 37 million were overweight or obese. Nearly half of all deaths among children under 5 are linked to undernutrition, predominantly in low- and middle-income countries.

    WHO commitments aim to accelerate progress towards ending all forms of malnutrition and achieving the Global Nutrition Targets and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.

    “Malnutrition in all its forms is one of the greatest global health challenges of our time. WHO is answering the N4G call for bold action with concrete, time-bound commitments that will drive measurable impact and accelerate progress,” said Dr Luz María De Regil, Director of the Department of Nutrition and Food Safety at WHO.

    WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus gave closing remarks, expressing gratitude to the Government of France for their leadership in organizing the summit and emphasizing that “nutrition is the foundation of health, and therefore of thriving individuals, families, communities, societies and economies … by contrast, where there is malnutrition of any form, disease follows close behind.” Dr Tedros also underscored WHO’s commitment to ensuring global access to essential nutrition services and safe, healthy and sustainable diets.

    Key WHO commitments:

    Anaemia: WHO will enhance the prevention, diagnosis and management of anaemia, building off the 2023 Accelerating anaemia reduction: a comprehensive framework for action and collaborating with UNICEF and partners of the Anaemia Action Alliance. This will include updated guidance on anaemia management in pregnancy and postpartum patients along with updated estimates on the global prevalence of anaemia in high-risk groups.

    Healthy diets: By 2027, WHO will release comprehensive guidance on optimal animal-source foods tailored to specific age, gender and country contexts. WHO will also address ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with updated definitions and recommendations.

    Monitoring: Annual updates on country scorecards for trans–fatty acids, sodium and sugars will be provided through the Global database on the Implementation of Food and Nutrition Action (GIFNA). These scorecards shows country progress towards recommended policies as outlined in the WHO Best buys for preventing NCDs as well as technical packages including REPLACE and SHAKE. In addition, by 2026 WHO will develop a dashboard illustrating country progress towards SDG2.2 and the 2030 Nutrition Targets, including operational targets. 

    School nutrition: By 2030, WHO will support 10 countries in adapting the WHO Guideline on School food and nutrition policies and work with partners to ensure school food and nutrition policies are in line with existing nutrition standards.

    Sodium reduction: WHO will assist at least 10 countries in adopting global or regional sodium benchmarks and support 20 countries in implementing priority interventions for salt reduction in line with the SHAKE technical package and country scorecard indicators.

    Obesity: By 2026, WHO will publish normative guidelines on the clinical management of obesity in children, adolescents and adults and support 34 frontrunner countries of the WHO acceleration plan to stop obesity in reducing obesity prevalence by 5% by 2030. This will include developing an accountability framework to track progress towards national obesity roadmaps across health systems and food and activity environments.

    Wasting: Based on the Global Action Plan on Child Wasting: A framework for action to accelerate progress in preventing and managing child wasting (GAP) and the  WHO guideline on the prevention and management of wasting and nutritional oedema (‎acute malnutrition)‎ in infants and children under 5 years, WHO will aim to improve the prevention and treatment of wasting and nutritional oedema by developing implementation tools and supporting 25 frontrunner countries to scale up actions in collaboration with UNICEF and GAP partners.

    Climate change: By 2030, WHO will assist 40 countries to integrate nutrition and health into their climate action plans, aligning with global efforts to achieve SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), and SDG 13 (climate action). In addition, WHO will publish new guidance on sustainable procurement standards for nutritious and sustainable food in health settings with dedicated support to 20 countries. This will be accomplished through the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Action and Health (ATACH) in partnership with the Initiative on climate action and nutrition (I-CAN).

    These commitments reflect WHO’s dedication to tackling malnutrition and promoting health and well-being worldwide. A replay of Nutrition for Growth Summit sessions can be found here. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Decarbonising homes and buildings

    Source: Scottish Government

    Revised Heat in Buildings Bill to be brought forward

    A revised Heat in Buildings Bill will set a new target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045 alongside continuing work to reduce fuel poverty.

    Acting Minister for Climate Action Alasdair Allan today confirmed the Scottish Government’s intention to bring forward a revised Bill for consideration by the Scottish Parliament later in 2025, to include:

    • A target for decarbonising heating systems by 2045, sending a strong signal to homeowners, landlords and other building owners on the need to prepare for change while outlining collective actions to help do this.
    • Provisions to boost heat network development by developing requirements for large, non-domestic premises, including powers to require public sector buildings to connect to district heating when available.
    • Powers to set minimum energy efficiency standards for owner/occupier and non-domestic properties, subject to further consideration. Regulations will be progressed under existing powers to introduce a minimum energy efficiency standard in the private rented sector.

    Dr Allan said:

    “It is vital that we find the right balance both to reach net zero by 2045, and reduce fuel poverty.

    “Many households, families and businesses are facing difficult circumstances right now and it is simply unaffordable for many building owners to make great changes in the near future – particularly for those in rural and island locations, whose needs and circumstances we must continue to consider carefully. 

    “Our plan to deliver a revised Bill responds to the legitimate reservations and concerns raised since our consultation completed, including the risk of exacerbating fuel poverty and burdening every individual householder with an overly onerous responsibility as we decarbonise.

    “Instead of placing prohibitions on every homeowner, we will establish targets for Government to reach. Rather than looking at action through the lens of decarbonising alone, we will also commit to doing everything within our power to reduce costs for people.”

    The proposed Bill will remain technology-neutral, reflecting that different properties and people will require different solutions – for example, clean heating solutions in some remote and rural areas may vary from urban areas.

    The Bill would accompany related work on a Social Housing Net Zero Standard and reform of Energy Performance Certificates under existing powers.

    Dr Allan also welcomed the second report by the independent Green Heat Finance taskforce, published today. This also takes a collective approach, focusing on options for financing place-based solutions, heat networks and social housing retrofit.

    He added:

    “This report makes a very important contribution to our understanding of the work we need to do to boost clean heat demand amongst consumers and instil market confidence to develop new products, including financing solutions.

    “It also identifies key steps the UK Government needs to take to stimulate the clean heat market and reduce fuel poverty, in particular emphasising the importance of rebalancing relative gas and electricity prices, which we continue to push for.”

    Background

    Responses to consultation on proposals for a Heat in Buildings Bill undertaken in 2023-24 

    Green Heat Finance Taskforce Report: part 2

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Southsea car boot sales return

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    Weekly car boot sales are returning to Southsea on Sunday 20 April, with the first sale taking place on Castle Field. The remaining dates, from Sunday 27 April, are taking place on Duisburg Way (on the common by the Pier Road roundabout, south side of Duisburg Way).

    Weather permitting, the popular car boot sales are open 7am to 1pm every Sunday until 28 September (except 29 June) and entry is free to bargain hunters, hot food and drinks will be available on site.

    Traders can arrive from 6.30am to 7.30am and all profits will go to local charities and good causes.

    Cllr Steve Pitt, leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for culture, said: ‘We’re pleased to have the popular car boot sales back in Southsea this April. They complement the range of regular events that we have in Southsea and raise funds for local charities and good causes.’

    For updates and information search https://www.facebook.com/PSCarBoot

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy to PM Carney: “Go to zero tariffs in Canada on American goods”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here.

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) called on Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney to completely remove Canada’s tariffs on American goods in a speech on the U.S. Senate floor. Kennedy noted that Carney has said he supports free and fair trade and argued that he should drop all tariffs to let American and Canadian companies compete on a level playing field.

    Key excerpts of the speech are below: 

    “I remember after Hurricane Katrina, which hit my state. It destroyed southeast Louisiana—New Orleans, yes, but many other parts of my state as well—and Mississippi. Canada was the very first country and the people of Canada were the very first people to send disaster relief.”

    . . . 

    “Here’s my point: I don’t want to be at war with Canada. I don’t want to have a trade war with Canada. I want us to continue to be friends. I made this suggestion to the new prime minister of Canada the other day, Prime Minister Carney. I am going to make it again, and I hope, this time, he will take it more seriously. Remember, if you want to be taken seriously, you have to act seriously. If you want respect, you have to act respectfully. 

    “Prime Minister Carney, you say that President Trump is not a fair trader. I understand your point of view. I don’t agree with you, but I understand your point of view. You have got to stand up for your people.

    “Prime Minister Carney, if you believe in free trade, then here is what you do. Make this offer today: Offer to go to zero tariffs in Canada on American goods—no tariffs, none, zero, zilch, nada—and challenge America to remove all of our tariffs on Canada so the people of Canada can sell their goods to Americans without a tariff, and the people of America can sell their goods to our friends in Canada without a tariff—zero tariffs. Let Canadian businesses and American businesses compete.”

    Watch Kennedy’s full speech here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over £12m invested to improve city’s urban infrastructure

    Source: City of Derby

    The Council’s investment in building and maintaining urban infrastructure has been highlighted in a new report going to Cabinet on Wednesday 9 April.

    Over £12m has been invested across Derby to deliver wide ranging improvements across the city’s green and grey urban infrastructure. This includes almost 25km of road and over 12km of pavement maintenance as we look to improve the condition of our travel infrastructure.

    The environment has been at the heart of many of these schemes as we look to build a greener, more sustainable city, including large signal replacement schemes to improve efficiency, and the continued work of our Transforming Cities Programme.

    This green push goes beyond delivering physical infrastructure. We worked to decarbonise our highway maintenance operations and employed innovative in-situ recycling techniques to reduce lorry movements and minimise waste.

    Several schemes have also improved safety on roads around the city, including traffic calming measures, School Safe Havens, and ensuring over 200 sets of traffic signals and crossings have been maintained.

    To allow further improvements over the next year, Cabinet will be asked to formally accept over £15m of funding from the East Midlands Combined County Authority and approve a £9.5m capital programme for City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, Bus Service Improvement Plan, and Active Travel Fund.

    The City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement was allocated to Mayoral Combined Authorities following the cancellation of HS2 and would not have been accessible without the creation of EMCCA.

    The report also sets out the proposed capital programmes for a number of key strategic areas including Highways and Transport (£9.4m), Vehicle Plant and Equipment (£5.2m), Flood Defence (£0.25m), and Parks and Open Spaces (£0.3m).

    Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport, and Sustainability, said:

    Our urban infrastructure plays a huge part in the lives of our citizens; from the roads and paths they travel on to the parks where they relax and exercise. Over the past year we’ve worked hard to make sure these assets are in the best condition, and I am confident that this will continue over the next year.

    This isn’t without it’s challenges, and demand for new infrastructure and maintenance continues to escalate, which all costs money. However, I am delighted that funding has been offered from EMCCA to allow such works to continue.

    This influx of funding is good news for Derby. While it’s no secret that we’re navigating a tricky financial situation, I’m glad that we are still able to support these important programmes which are connecting communities, making our streets safer, and our city greener.

    By approving these programmes prior to the start of the financial year means that the schemes, projects and initiatives are delivered in the best possible way and achieve value for money.

    2025/26 will be the first year to be supported through direct investment by EMCCA, which is now the majority funder of Derby City Council’s capital programme. This investment will be subject to appropriate EMCCA strategic plans, governance, assurance and performance processes.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sudan crisis: UN rights chief condemns extrajudicial killings in Khartoum

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    Human Rights

    The fight for Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, likely involved widespread summary executions of civilians following its recent recapture by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), UN human rights chief Volker Türk said on Thursday.

    Citing credible reports of extrajudicial killings in several areas of the capital, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said that the victims were suspected of collaborating with rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters.

    “I urge the commanders of the Sudanese Armed Forces to take immediate measures to put an end to arbitrary deprivation of life,” insisted Mr. Türk, pointing to reports attributing the killings to SAF soldiers, State security personnel and affiliated militias.

    Video horrors

    The High Commissioner’s comments follow the review of “multiple horrific videos” available on social media since 26 March, apparently filmed in southern and eastern Khartoum and showing armed men “some in uniform and others in civilian clothes” executing civilians.

    In some of the video footage, perpetrators state that they are punishing supporters of RSF, the UN rights chief said, adding that he was “utterly appalled” by the development.

    One report from the Janoub Al Hezam area of southern Khartoum apparently showed the alleged killing of at least 20 civilians, including one woman, by SAF and affiliated supporters.

    Accountability call

    “Extrajudicial killings are serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law,” Mr. Türk said. “Individual perpetrators, as well as those with command responsibility, must be held accountable for such unacceptable actions under international criminal law.”

    Sudan’s spiralling crisis stems from the breakdown of a transition to civilian rule after the overthrow of long-time ruler Omar al-Bashir in 2019.

    The country was the first that Mr. Türk visited as High Commissioner in November 2022 and he has invested heavily in trying to protect Sudanese people from heavy fighting and the catastrophic humanitarian crisis that has gripped the country. In May 2024 he spoke to rival generals Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan of the SAF and Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, head of the RSF, in an effort to pursue a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

    Human Rights Council spotlight

    At the current Human Rights Council session in Geneva, however, the High Commissioner warned more than 600,000 people are on the brink of starvation in Sudan after nearly two years of fighting.

    “Famine is reported to have taken hold in five areas, including Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur,” Mr. Türk said, referring to the shelter where the UN World Food Programme (WFP) was forced to suspend its lifesaving operations amid intense fighting.

    An additional five more areas could face famine in coming months and a further 17 are at risk, the High Commissioner told the Council on 27 February. “My own staff have heard harrowing testimonies of death from starvation in Khartoum and Omdurman.”

    El Fasher alert

    In an alert late Wednesday, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, warned that 250,000 people – mostly women, children and older people – had fled violence in the Al Malha area, around 180 kilometres north of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

    “Many are now scattered across 15 villages, lacking even basic necessities, the UN agency said, highlighting that just last week, the UN migration agency, IOM, said that 75,000 people had been displaced because of clashes.

    “The newly reported figure would mark a very significant escalation in displacement and signal a serious deterioration in an already dire humanitarian situation across North Darfur,” OCHA said.

    In eastern Sudan, meanwhile, humanitarian partners continue to respond to a hepatitis outbreak spreading among displaced communities at the Gharb Al Matar displacement site in Kassala state.

    Between 27 and 31 March, more than 60 new suspected cases were reported, bringing the total to 236 cases in less than a month.

    The outbreak is being driven by overcrowded living conditions, poor sanitation and limited healthcare.

    Millions displaced

    To date, an estimated 8.8 million people have been forced from their homes to camps and other locations within Sudan; 3.5 million more have fled across borders.

    More than 30.4 million people need assistance, from healthcare to food and other forms of humanitarian support. Less than 30 per cent of hospitals and clinics are still working, and outbreaks of disease are rampant in displacement camps.

    Online threat

    In a statement, Mr. Türk expressed concern at the rise in online hate speech and incitement to violence in Sudan, “with lists of individuals accused of collaborating with the RSF posted online”. The High Commissioner also warned that ethnic groups from the Darfur and Kordofan regions were being targeted disproportionately, before calling for the Sudanese authorities to launch independent, transparent and effective investigations into the latest incidents.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program funding announced

    Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

    Both Thor’s Hammer and Women’s Shed Canberra are grant recipients.

    Fourteen social enterprises have been successful in the ACT Government’s new social enterprise grants program.

    The ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program aims to support new social enterprises to start up, and help existing social enterprises to take the next step in their business journey.

    The 14 enterprises will share in $340,000, to help get their ideas off the ground with the support of The Mill House Ventures.

    The Mill House Ventures is delivering the grant program on behalf of the ACT Government, and will work with the recipients to help them achieve their purpose.

    “As the key organisation supporting social enterprises in the ACT, The Mill House Ventures is thrilled that these grants will provide so much practical assistance to our region’s early stage and start up social enterprises,” CEO at The Mill House Ventures Craig Fairweather said.

    “The independent assessment panel had a very difficult, but rewarding, task in determining the final list of successful grant recipients.”

    The recipients are highly motivated and committed to supporting the local Canberra community, providing solutions to challenges and building resilience.

    Grant recipients include:

    • Women’s Shed Canberra, which offers women of all backgrounds, ethnicities, orientations, an ability to meet and to learn skills in building trades within a safe and supportive community.
    • GetAboutAble, a leading Australian accessibility consultancy that supports businesses and other organisations to improve their access and inclusion.
    • The Climate Factory, an organisation facilitating the creation of climate-cooling microforests in suburban locations, promoting biodiversity and fostering community engagement in environmental initiatives.

    The delivery of social enterprise grants was identified as a transformative project in CBR Switched On: ACT’s Economic Development Priorities 2022 – 2025.

    ACT Social Enterprise Grant Program recipients:

    • Her Kitchen Table ($30,000)
    • Women’s Shed Canberra ($30,000)
    • The Climate Factory ($29,915)
    • Fundraise for Australia ($12,500)
    • GetAboutAble ($30,000)
    • RecycleAbilities ($29,000)
    • SeeMe Please ($30,000)
    • Accessilife ($20,000)
    • Endless Australia ($30,000)
    • Catalyst Living Skills ($30,000)
    • ShowGo ($28,585)
    • U Shape Us ($20,000)
    • Warehouse Circus ($10,000)
    • The Easy Read Toolbox ($10,000)

    Get ACT news and events delivered straight to your inbox, sign up to our email newsletter:


    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: EarthOptics Launches Scalable $4/Acre Total Farm Platform, Marking Its First Significant Step Post-Merger with Pattern Ag

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MINNEAPOLIS, April 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — EarthOptics announced its new subscription-based Total Farm program for the 2025 crop year. This is the company’s first collaborative release following last year’s merger of EarthOptics and Pattern Ag, two ag technology firms each founded in 2018. The Total Farm program combines the EarthOptics GroundOwl™ sensor suite, soil biological test results (DNA), a farmer’s yield data, and satellite imagery to produce full-field soil fertility and crop planning recommendations that farmers can use to increase yield profitability and lower input costs.

    Agronomic advisors and farmers who sign up for the Total Farm program receive a comprehensive data service, including a high-resolution nutrient map that shows automated variable-rate soil fertility prescriptions and soil biological risk assessments. The new platform keeps farmers informed about key in-season and long-term agronomic decisions across their entire farm, with the goal of improving their efficiency, productivity, and input optimization. A Total Farm subscription includes soil testing and analysis, crop protection recommendations, fertility prescriptions, and use of a first-of-its-kind crop planning tool, all at a flat rate of $4 per acre.

    “Total Farm makes the highest-resolution agronomic data accessible and actionable to farmers at the whole-farm level,” said Dr. Lars Dyrud, EarthOptics CEO. “We integrate soil biology, soil fertility, and yield-based data into a single workflow that farmers and their trusted advisors can use to make informed decisions and eliminate much of the guesswork that goes into crop planning.”

    Once farmers are enrolled in the Total Farm program, EarthOptics seamlessly handles everything for the customer from start to finish, including soil testing, laboratory analysis, and results reporting. The entire process is managed and carefully documented within the EarthOptics chain of custody, ensuring testing integrity along with fast, reliable results.

    Farmers and their trusted advisors can export Total Farm recommendations in multiple file formats, including shapefiles, for use with farm machinery or prescription software. For example, Total Farm is compatible with and integrates with most popular ag data platforms, including Climate FieldView, MyJohnDeere, CNH, and Raven.

    With more than 4.6 million acres being measured, EarthOptics continues expanding its reach through its vast dealer network of participating agronomists, seed dealers, ag retailers, and professional crop consultants.

    “EarthOptics and PatternAg merged to join complementary technologies and data systems,” said Dyrud. “Our first collaboration is a platform that supports a new level of accurate agronomic decision-making while contributing to improved soil health and more targeted use of fertilizer and crop inputs. Total Farm is the beginning of many great new product offerings on the horizon that we are working to create and launch in coming months and years.”

    Interested farmers can enroll in the Total Farm program and schedule soil sampling either before planting or after the harvest. Enrollment operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, with early signups prioritized for soil sampling, testing, and planning in the upcoming 2026 crop year. For more details, visit earthoptics.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Apr 3, 2025 Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Day 4-8 Severe Weather Outlook Issued on Apr 3, 2025

    Updated: Thu Apr 3 08:24:03 UTC 2025

     .

    D4
    Sun, Apr 06, 2025 – Mon, Apr 07, 2025
    D7
    Wed, Apr 09, 2025 – Thu, Apr 10, 2025

    D5
    Mon, Apr 07, 2025 – Tue, Apr 08, 2025
    D8
    Thu, Apr 10, 2025 – Fri, Apr 11, 2025

    D6
    Tue, Apr 08, 2025 – Wed, Apr 09, 2025
    (All days are valid from 12 UTC – 12 UTC the following day)

    Note: A severe weather area depicted in the Day 4-8 period indicates 15%, 30% or higher probability for severe thunderstorms within 25 miles of any point.

    PREDICTABILITY TOO LOW is used to indicate severe storms may be possible based on some model scenarios. However, the location or occurrence of severe storms are in doubt due to: 1) large differences in the deterministic model solutions, 2) large spread in the ensemble guidance, and/or 3) minimal run-to-run continuity.

    POTENTIAL TOO LOW means the threat for a regional area of organized severe storms appears unlikely (i.e., less than 15%) for the forecast day.

     Forecast Discussion

    ZCZC SPCSWOD48 ALL
    ACUS48 KWNS 030822
    SPC AC 030822

    Day 4-8 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    0322 AM CDT Thu Apr 03 2025

    Valid 061200Z – 111200Z

    …DISCUSSION…
    Models are in relatively good agreement for the Sunday/D4 to
    Monday/D5 period, depicting an elongating upper trough sweeping east
    from the OH/TN Valleys to the East Coast.

    On Sunday/D4, a leading midlevel wave is forecast to move out of AR
    and across TN/KY, with little amplitude and poor lapse rates by this
    time. An extensive area of rain and thunderstorms will be ongoing
    along the length of the cold front throughout the day, from the
    Northeast to the northern Gulf Coast. Some severe wind threat is
    expected, mainly over parts of the Southeast where dewpoints will be
    higher and as deep-layer shear remains favorable.

    The trend of widespread precipitation along this front will continue
    into early Monday/D5, from the Carolinas into FL. The severe risk
    should continue to dwindle as large-scale support weakens, but
    low-end potential cannot be ruled out over these areas.

    For the Tuesday/D6 to Thursday/D8 time frame, the weather pattern
    will be much less conducive to severe storms, with a ridge building
    over the West, and northwest flow across the central states.
    Periodic surges of high pressure are forecast, helping to keep
    conditions mostly stable over the bulk of the CONUS.

    ..Jewell.. 04/03/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS48 PTSD48 PRODUCT

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: €157 million finance package for private Ukraine wind farms

    Source: Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

    Press Release | 03-Apr-2025

    Loans from EBRD, IFC and BSTDB, supported by EU, the UK, and CIF’s CTF, will boost Ukraine’s energy security

    • International finance package of €157 million for private wind project to boost Ukraine’s energy security
    • Project is co-financed by European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, International Finance Corporation and Black Sea Trade and Development Bank
    • The European Union (EU), the United Kingdom and Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF’s) Clean Technology Fund (CFT) supported the mobilisation of the finance package
    • Deal marks a pivotal step in advancing Ukraine’s shift towards renewable energy

    An international finance package will bring €157 million of project finance debt to a private wind power project that aims to boost Ukraine’s energy security. The deal, announced today in Kyiv, is co-financed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) and supported by the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom, and the Climate Investment Funds’ (CIF’s) Clean Technology Fund (CTF).

    One of the first greenfield private projects in Ukraine’s power sector since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, this project forms part of efforts to advance Ukraine’s shift towards renewable energy generation as well as bolster its energy security following attacks from Russia on the country’s energy generation infrastructure.

    The EBRD and IFC will each lend €60 million and BSTDB €37 million. The total cost of the project is estimated at €225 million (excluding VAT), with the rest to be met by equity from the project sponsor, GNG Group or Galnaftogaz, widely known in Ukraine as OKKO Group. The loans are to Wind Power GSI Volyn LLC and Wind Power GSI Volyn 3 LLC, special purpose vehicles incorporated in Ukraine.

    The loans will support OKKO to construct and operate wind power plants in Ukraine with a combined capacity of 147 MW. The plants are expected to generate at least 380 GWh of renewable zero carbon electricity annually, resulting in carbon dioxide emission savings of approximately 245,000 tons per year.

    The EBRD’s funding will be backed by financial guarantees from the European Union provided under its Ukraine facility, the Ukraine Investment Framework. This comes from the Ukraine Investment Framework Hi-Bar guarantee programme, which supports both new and existing climate mitigation technologies, in particular in the energy sector, in line with the EU’s detailed Ukraine Plan.

    IFC and BSTDB’s loans are backed by guarantees from the European Union under the Ukraine Investment Framework as part of IFC’s Better Futures Program: RE-Ukraine. The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provided £3.8 million (€4.5 million) in grant funding as a first loss guarantee to enable the mobilisation of IFC and BSTDB’s loans. IFC’s funding package also includes €10 million in debt financing from the CTF and was enabled by pre-investment work through which IFC helped optimise the project structure in a highly volatile market environment. This was possible thanks to support from Austria’s Federal Ministry of Finance and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO.

    “We are grateful to our partners for their long-term, sustainable cooperation, which is especially valuable during wartime — for both business and the country as a whole. This project addresses several key challenges at once. Firstly, it strengthens the country’s energy security and independence. Secondly, it advances the transition to zero-emission electricity production,” said OKKO Chief Executive Officer Vasyl Danyliak.

    “With significant power generation capacity in Ukraine destroyed as a result of the war, this investment is crucial to address the severe current energy shortfall, support Ukraine’s decarbonisation goals and boost the private sector’s role in further development of the renewable energy sector in the country,” said Matteo Patrone, the EBRD’s Vice President, Banking.

    Ines Rocha, IFC’s Regional Director for Europe, said: “This project will ensure that people can keep the lights on, stay warm and connected – therefore marking a significant milestone in Ukraine’s recovery. While paving the way for a more resilient Ukraine, this transaction also sends a clear signal about the country’s readiness for private investment and ability to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

    “Ukraine’s energy sector has faced unprecedented challenges due to the ongoing crisis, making the diversification and resilience of its power infrastructure more critical than ever. Supporting projects that strengthen the country’s energy independence and accelerate its transition to renewable energy is a priority for BSTDB. This wind power project is a tangible step toward building a sustainable energy future for Ukraine. We are proud to stand alongside our development partners in mobilizing essential resources, enabling investments that will help restore and stabilize Ukraine’s energy supply while fostering long-term economic recovery and environmental sustainability,” said Dr Serhat Köksal, BSTDB President.

    “This is a smart investment at a critical time. It boosts Ukraine’s energy security and supports its shift to renewables. The EU is glad to help make it happen,” said Stefan Schleuning, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine.

    The EBRD and IFC have been supporting OKKO Group, their client since 2005, to move forward with the decarbonisation strategy it is pursuing against the backdrop of Russia’s war on Ukraine, as it prepares for Ukraine’s integration into the European Union and a future net-zero economy. The EBRD, which initially supported the group to grow its petroleum retail business, branded OKKO, into the one of the largest national fuel retail chains in the country, also financed GNG’s first biofuel project last year.

    The BSTDB’s partnership with OKKO Group has been ongoing for over 20 years, with the first transaction closed back in 2004, unlocking subsequently the Company’s potential to a wider investment community. Since then, BSTDB and OKKO Group have entered into several financings, contributing to the Company’s expansion and operational success. Supporting projects that strengthen the country’s energy independence and accelerate its transition to renewable energy is a priority for BSTDB.

    As part of the wind project, tailored technical cooperation from the EBRD, provided by the TaiwanBusiness-EBRD Technical Cooperation Fund, will strengthen the client’s ability to detect cybersecurity threats.

    The EBRD, a leading climate financier, has offered Ukraine strong support in wartime, making almost €6.5 billion available to support the country’s real economy since 2022. It has secured shareholders’ agreement for a €4 billion capital increase to continue its Ukraine investments. Energy security is one of its five priority investment areas, along with support for vital infrastructure, food security, trade and the private sector.

     

    Wind Power GSI Volyn LLC and/or Wind Power GSI Volyn 3 LLC are Ukraine-incorporated legal entities established as a special purpose vehicle (SPV) in charge of the development, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of project. The special purpose vehicle is owned and controlled by Galnaftogaz.

    JSC “Concern Galnaftogaz (GNG), is an independent petroleum products distribution company in Ukraine. It operates one of the largest and most efficient gas filling stations networks in the county under the OKKO brand. Besides distribution of light petroleum products, the Company also actively participates in the petroleum wholesale market and provides logistics services to other distribution companies

    The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB)is an international financial institution headquartered in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSTDB supports economic development and regional cooperation in the countries of the greater Black Sea region by providing loans, credit lines, equity and guarantees for projects and trade financing in the public and private sectors in its member countries. The authorized capital of the Bank is EUR 3.45 billion. Through its active role in the partnership with other MDBs and donors, BSTDB continues to demonstrate its commitment to fostering a resilient energy infrastructure in Ukraine and throughout the wider Black Sea region, with a focus on sustainable development, climate resilience, and energy security.

    For information on BSTDB, visit www.bstdb.org

     

    Contact: Haroula Christodoulou

    : @BSTDB

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Global: COVID modelling reveals new insights into ancient social distancing – podcast

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gemma Ware, Host, The Conversation Weekly Podcast, The Conversation

    lindasky76/Shutterstock

    Five years since COVID emerged, not only has the pandemic affected the way we live and work, it’s also influencing the way researchers are thinking about the past.

    In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, archaeologist Alex Bentley explains how the pandemic has sparked new research into how disease may have affected ancient civilisations, and the clues this offers about a change in the way humans designed their villages and cities 8,000 years ago.

    As an anthropologist and archaeologist at the University of Tennessee, Alex Bentley usually spend his time studying neolithic farming villages. But in the early days of the pandemic, he decided to team up with an epidemiologist on a research project to model the feedback loops between social behaviour, such as wearing a mask or not and the spread of disease. He says:

     In doing that project, we learned so much about the spread of disease and its interaction with different behaviours. It was a perfect setup for looking at the same kind of question in the distant past when diseases were evolving for the first time in dense settlements.

    Bentley was particularly interested in whether it could shed light on a conundrum: a curious pattern from the archaeological record that showed that early European farmers lived in large dense villages, then dispersed for centuries, then later formed cities again, which they also abandoned.

    All this was happening in the neolithic period, between around 9000BC and 3000BC, a time when humans shifted from a nomadic hunterer-gatherer lifestyle to settling in small tribes in one place, cultivating the land and domesticating animals.

    Bentley decided to apply the same model of how disease and patterns of behaviour spread during COVID, to map out how a contagious disease could have spread in an mega settlement called Nebelivka in modern-day Ukraine. This settlement was designed in an oval layout and divided into neighbourhoods, or clusters. Bentley and his colleagues suggest this layout, whether the inhabitants knew it or not, could have helped prevent the spread of disease.

    Listen to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly to hear the interview with Alex Bentley.

    This episode of The Conversation Weekly was written and produced by Katie Flood and hosted by Gemma Ware. Sound design was by Eloise Stevens and theme music by Neeta Sarl.

    Newsclips in this episode from ABC News.

    Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

    R. Alexander Bentley does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. COVID modelling reveals new insights into ancient social distancing – podcast – https://theconversation.com/covid-modelling-reveals-new-insights-into-ancient-social-distancing-podcast-253649

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Coventry pupil helps E.ON Next drive to net zero

    Source: City of Coventry

    An Aldermoor Farm Primary School pupil has had their design brought to life as the wrap for E.ON Next’s newest electric vans.

    The vans will transport E.ON Next engineers to homes around Coventry and the surrounding area, installing smart meters and other sustainable energy solutions.

    The initiative is part of E.ON’s pioneering 15-year partnership with Coventry City Council, helping to make the city more sustainable.

    Y6 pupil at Aldermoor Farm Primary School, Fredrica, had her design chosen as part of a series of workshops previously run by E.ON across Coventry, aimed at educating and inspiring pupils about sustainability, renewable energy and the initiatives happening in their city to promote new types of energy, cleaner air and green jobs and skills.

    The eye-catching design, which features a bold message to ‘save energy’ will adorn two E.ON Next vans tasked with transporting E.ON Next engineers as they work to deliver net zero by installing a variety of sustainable energy solutions.

    Fredrica said: “I was really excited to hear that my design had been chosen. I thought of a quick and easy way to get the message across. Lots of adverts have too many words so I wanted to choose something that would have an immediate impact. Saving energy should be everyone’ s life goal. We can all contribute by doing simple things like turning off the lights and not wasting electricity.”

    The vans were proudly presented to Fredrica and her fellow classmates by Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next and Councillor Jim O’Boyle Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change at Coventry City Council at an unveiling ceremony at Aldermoor Farm Primary School.

    Councillor Jim O’Boyle, Cabinet Member for Jobs, Regeneration and Climate Change, said: “It’s brilliant that Fredrica’s amazing design will be seen all over the city. It’s bold and clear and that’s exactly the right approach for such an important issue – the drive to net zero. Young people understand this as well as anyone and this competition really caught the imagination of local school pupils making it hard to select a winner. Our Strategic Energy Partnership is all about transforming the city’s approach to carbon reduction and through initiatives like this, the next generation of homeowners, drivers and energy users are learning about it early which is great.”

    Phil Gilbert, Director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next, said: “The only way we’ll deliver our new energy world is if everyone feels energised and enthusiastic about a more sustainable future. And this initiative, as part of our Strategic Energy Partnership with Coventry Council, does exactly that. We’re so proud of the fantastic effort the pupils at Aldermoor Farm have put into this initiative, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the winning design. These electric vans will now join our fleet and support our engineers installing smart meters and other sustainable energy solutions like solar panels, heat pumps and EV chargers across the region.”

    Lucy Wright, Headteacher at Aldermoor Farm Primary School, said: “When I was told that a child at this school won the competition, I felt immense pride. Fredrica has truly embodied our value of ‘aspirational’ and I’m certain her example can inspire all children to have the highest of expectations for themselves. The vans look incredible with Fredrica’s design and seeing her name on the vans was the best of all. To have a student’s name on something so publicly positive is an almost indescribable feeling. Well done, Fredrica!”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Floodwaters Surge Through the Australian Outback

    Source: NASA

    Heavy rainfall in Queensland sent floodwaters sweeping across vast stretches of the Australian outback in late March 2025. More than a year’s worth of rain fell in one week in some places. The deluge caused major flooding along multiple rivers in Channel Country, submerging small towns and grazing lands in southwestern Queensland.
    While some portions of the flooded area remained obscured by clouds in late March, the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8 captured this mostly clear view of Cooper Creek near the town of Windorah on March 29 (right). For comparison, the left image, acquired by the OLI-2 on Landsat 9, shows the same area on March 5, before the intense rains. Both images are false color to emphasize the presence of water.
    As waters rose, helicopter evacuations were organized for residents of Windorah and Jundah, a town about 75 kilometers (47 miles) upriver, according to news reports. Aerial photos showed settlements and pasturelands submerged, and government officials estimated that more than 100,000 livestock across Queensland may be missing or deceased.
    In the week ending on March 29, parts of the state received more than 400 millimeters (16 inches) of rain. Floodwaters near Windorah, Jundah, and other towns rose to higher levels than those seen in 1974, a historic year for outback flooding and the wettest year on record in Australia. Inundated roadways may leave towns isolated for weeks, according to news reports.

    It is typical for the Channel Country to undergo cycles of drought and flood, and wet periods can prompt growth in pasturelands, supply water to wetlands, and support endemic species. Experts have remarked, however, that the rain and floods in March 2025 have been extreme. They cite several factors for the rain, including streams of humid air from the north and east that converged over interior Queensland. A low-pressure trough drove the moisture-laden air to higher and cooler levels of the atmosphere to trigger the heavy rain.
    Flooding was widespread across western Queensland, with waters submerging thousands of kilometers of road, the AFP reported. The MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured an image (above) of some of the affected area on March 29, 2025. In this false-color image, water appears dark and light blue; bare ground is brown; and vegetation is bright green.
    Over the coming weeks and months, the water will drain toward Lake Eyre (also called Kati Thanda-Lake Eyre), about 600 kilometers southwest of Windorah. The lake sits at the lowest natural point in Australia and is dry most of the year. Every few years, some water flows all the way to the lake, but it is rare for it to fill completely. Following unusually abundant rain in 2019, the Australian Bureau of Meteorology estimated that 80 percent of the lake’s area ultimately became covered by water.
    NASA Earth Observatory images by Michala Garrison, using Landsat data from the U.S. Geological Survey and MODIS data from NASA EOSDIS LANCE and GIBS/Worldview. Story by Lindsey Doermann.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kentucky Survivors: Tornado and Flood Safety Information

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Kentucky Survivors: Tornado and Flood Safety Information

    Kentucky Survivors: Tornado and Flood Safety Information

    FRANKFORT, Ky

    –When a tornado warning is issued, immediately seek the best available refuge area

    Your chance of surviving improves if you follow these guidelines

    Where to go during a tornado Best OptionsAbove or below ground tornado storm shelterSpecifically designed FEMA safe roomGood OptionsInterior room of a well-constructed home or buildingBasementBad OptionsLarge open rooms like gymnasiumsManufactured housingWorst OptionsMobile homesVehiclesUnderneath a highway overpass What to do during a floodStay Informed: Listen to radio and television, including NOAA weather radio, if possible, check the Internet and social media for information and updates

    Get to Higher Ground: If you live in a flood prone area or are camping in a low-lying area, get to higher ground immediately

    Obey Evacuation Orders: If told to evacuate, do so immediately

    Lock your home when you leave

    If you have time, disconnect utilities and appliances

    Practice Electrical Safety: Don’t go into a basement, or any room, if water covers the electrical outlets or if cords are submerged

    If you see sparks or hear buzzing, crackling, snapping or popping noises–get out! Stay out of water that may have electricity in it!Avoid Flood Waters: Don’t walk through flood waters

    It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock you off your feet

    If you are trapped by moving water, move to the highest possible point and call 911 if possible

    Do NOT drive into flooded roadways or around a barricade; Turn Around, Don’t Drown! Water may be deeper than it appears and can hide hazards such as sharp objects, washed out road surfaces, electrical wires, chemicals, etc

    A vehicle caught in swiftly moving water can be swept away in seconds 12 inches of water can float a car or small SUV, 18 inches of water can carry away large vehicles

    Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water

    Get on the roof if water is rising inside the car

    Get to the highest level if trapped in a building

    Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help

    Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater

    martyce

    allenjr
    Wed, 04/02/2025 – 20:18

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Assistance is Still Available for Wildfire Survivors After the Registration Deadline

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Assistance is Still Available for Wildfire Survivors After the Registration Deadline

    Assistance is Still Available for Wildfire Survivors After the Registration Deadline

    LOS ANGELES – FEMA is still working in Los Angeles County to help residents recover from the LA wildfires

    The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance has passed, but Disaster Recovery Centers remain open and the deadline to submit a Right of Entry (ROE) to participate in the federally funded debris removal program has been extended to April 15

     Survivors who registered prior to the deadline are encouraged to keep in touch with FEMA to continue to update their application as their situation changes and to work through the approval process

    For those displaced by the fires, rental assistance is still available

    If you do not qualify for FEMA assistance, state and local resources may also be available

    For more information visit: 2025 Los Angeles Fires | CA

    govIf you were impacted by the fire but were unable to apply for FEMA assistance prior to the deadline due to extenuating circumstances, you may be able to file a late application

    If you have additional needs or wish to submit a late application, call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362

    If you use a relay service, give FEMA your number for that service

    Assistance is available in multiple languages

    Lines are open Sunday–Saturday, from 4 a

    m

    – 10 p

    m

    Pacific Time

     To be eligible for the federally funded debris removal program, an ROE form must be submitted to the County by the property owner

    The deadline to submit an ROE has been extended to April 15:Complete and submit the opt-in form online at: Los Angeles County Right of Entry Permit for Debris Removal on Private Property

    Download and complete a form: Debris Removal Right of Entry Permit (00011201

    DOCX;1)

    Submit at a Disaster Recovery Center

    Disaster Recovery Centers are still open if you need more information: To find a DRC near you, visit the DRC Locator

    Addresses are also listed below:UCLA Research Park West 10850 West Pico Blvd

     Los Angeles, CA 90064 Open Mon

    – Sat

    : 9 a

    m

    to 7 p

    m

    Altadena Disaster Recovery Center540 West Woodbury Rd

     Altadena, CA 91001 Open Mon

    – Sat

    : 9 a

    m

    to 7 p

    m

    Follow FEMA online, on X @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol, on FEMA’s Facebook page or Espanol page and at FEMA’s YouTube account

    For preparedness information follow the Ready Campaign on X at @Ready

    gov, on Instagram @Ready

    gov or on the Ready Facebook page

    California is committed to supporting residents impacted by the Los Angeles Hurricane-Force Firestorm as they navigate the recovery process

    Visit CA

    gov/LAFires for up-to-date information on disaster recovery programs, important deadlines, and how to apply for assistance

    alberto

    pillot
    Wed, 04/02/2025 – 19:22

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: World’s largest wildlife crossing reaches new milestone as habitat project begins

    Source: US State of California 2

    Apr 2, 2025

    What you need to know: Soil is starting to be placed over the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing in Southern California – an important milestone as the world’s largest wildlife crossing comes to fruition.

    LOS ANGELES – The world’s largest wildlife crossing is beginning to take shape.

    Caltrans and the National Wildlife Federation celebrated the beginning of a project that will cover nearly an acre of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing with soil – making it easier for wildlife to move through its habitat. 

    Crews placed the first layers of soil over the bridge, which will span ten lanes of the U.S. Highway 101 freeway in the city of Agoura Hills. The total soil placement for the project will require approximately 6,000 cubic yards and will take several weeks to complete.

    California is a state of dreamers and doers – and with the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, we’ve turned our dreaming into doing. As soil gets placed over the bridge, we’re one step closer to reconnecting wildlife with habitat that’s been divided for generations. We’re not only making habitats whole again, we’re making our roads safer.

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    This milestone represents a significant step toward the restoration of an ecological corridor that will support a variety of local wildlife, including mountain lions, deer, bats, bobcats, desert cottontails, monarch butterflies and more. Weather permitting, planting of approximately 5,000 native plants will begin in May.

    “Wildlife crossings are unique because they allow people and nature to thrive together,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. “By building the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Caltrans is supporting transportation infrastructure that will not only reconnect and restore habitats but also reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife and enhance highway safety.”

    The bridge will feature coastal sage scrub plant species native to the Santa Monica Mountains, contributing to the overall environmental restoration strategy that includes 12 acres of open space and 50,000 native plants.

    How we got here

    On Earth Day 2022, Governor Newsom participated in the groundbreaking for the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a public-private partnership of monumental scope that has leveraged the expertise and leadership of dozens of organizations and institutions to protect and restore wildlife habitats in Southern California.

    Wildlife crossings of all kinds are essential to building a network of interconnected conserved lands and waters that protect and restore biodiversity while also supporting transportation infrastructure.

    Habitat connectivity provided by wildlife crossings is critical to the success of California’s 30×30 targets and allows people and nature to thrive together.

    To learn more about California infrastructure projects, visit build.ca.gov. 

    Press Releases, Recent News

    Recent news

    Apr 2, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom announced the release of the Master Plan for Career Education, a bold statewide strategy to connect Californians — especially those in rural parts of the state — to high-paying, fulfilling careers, with or without a college…

    Apr 2, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 2025, as Autism Acceptance Month.  The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATION This month, California joins communities around the world in…

    Mar 31, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring March 31, 2025, as César Chávez Day.The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONThroughout his life of work and service, César Chávez empowered…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: West Country creates sources of water in unlikeliest places 

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    West Country creates sources of water in unlikeliest places 

    Devon and Cornwall is leading the way in innovative water sources as the West Country’s industrial legacy is turned into gigantic water holes.

    A disused China clay pit that now holds water for use elsewhere

    Devon and Cornwall’s biggest water users are creating amazing sources of water which benefit the environment and business.  

    The 2022 drought in Cornwall and parts of Devon reminded everyone that new, smarter ways to use water and reduce demand must be found to adapt to our changing climate. 

    Arguably the biggest reduction of water use has been made in the counties’ china clay sector, with Environment Agency advice leading to an incredible 99.5% reduction in the amount of water taken from the River Fal.

    River Fal water used to pipe wet clay cut by 99.5%

    Five years ago, Imerys Minerals abstracted 2 billion litres of water a year from this freshwater river abstraction point, requiring significant pumping costs, to transport wet clay through its pipe network. 

    Thanks to Environment Agency advice and Imerys’ actions, the firm has saved significant carbon and electricity costs and reduced this abstraction to about 10 million litres per year– less than 1% of its original drain upon freshwater sources. 

    Instead of a river, the water now comes from the company’s disused china clay pits, so large they are visible on aerial maps – with some nearly rivalling the size of Cornwall’s largest reservoirs. These pits have filled with a mixture of rain and ground water which is now used by the company instead of river water.  

    Using these water sources also benefits the public’s drinking water supply. Taking and treating groundwater from three former china clay pits helps to supply the water in customers’ taps in Cornwall. 

    Enough water for 290,000 bathtubs at brassica farm

    Farmers are also moving away from river and groundwater abstraction and finding ways to collect their own rainwater. One farm in Cornwall produces 15% of England’s seedlings used to grow brassica vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.

    A farm where a surface water reservoir is being built

    It relied on multiple abstraction licences for this water-intensive activity. Thanks to Environment Agency advice it has now invested in ways of storing rainwater to grow these brassica seedlings. This includes collecting water from its own polytunnels roofs and creating a clay-lined reservoir which will store 24 million litres of rain water – enough water to fill 290,000 bathtubs. 

    ‘Water is precious’

    Clarissa Newell of the Environment Agency said:

    Water is a precious resource, so it is great to see by-products of Devon and Cornwall’s industrial past being turned into new water sources.

    Farmers are also investing in new ways of getting water which will pay them back. This is the way forward.  

    The two biggest challenges for water are climate change and population growth. Only by finding smart ways to reduce our water demand can we protect the environment and in turn ourselves.

    By 2050, the amount of water available could be down by 10-15%, with some rivers seeing 50-80% less water during the summer months. We all need to protect the environment by reducing the amount of water we use and ensuring greater efficiency in its use and re-use. 

    Climate change will alter the water in our rivers, lakes and groundwater. To protect and enhance the environment, we will need to change how we abstract water. Water companies will need to change their abstractions and will need to find new sources of water. 

    These alterations, on top of the demands faced by a growing population, and the additional pressures of agricultural pollution, wastewater discharges and urban pollution are all combining to exacerbate water stress.

    Updates to this page

    Published 3 April 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Bureau of Indian Standards Conducts Annual Convention on Sustainability and Environmental Standards

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 03 APR 2025 1:45PM by PIB Delhi

    The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) convened its Annual Convention for Deans and Heads of Departments (HoDs) from partner institutions focused on Environment and Ecology in Goa. During the two days’ convention; 45 delegates from 32 partner institutions, alongside senior BIS officials, delved into the theme “Sustainability through Standards.”

    In his welcome address, Shri Praveen Khanna, Deputy Director General (Southern Region), underscored the pivotal role of academic institutions in developing national and international standards.

    Shri Sanjay Pant, Deputy Director General (Standardization-II), highlighted the significance of standardization in addressing sustainability challenges. “Standardization is the foundation of sustainability. By collaborating with academia, we can develop research-driven standards that address environmental challenges and create a lasting impact for future generations,” said Shri Sanjay Pant.

    He introduced the newly established Environment and Ecology Department (EED), consolidating various BIS standardization activities into a dedicated division. Since its inception, the EED has released nearly 100 standards through its nine specialized committees.

    The convention included comprehensive technical sessions on ongoing initiatives within the Environment and Ecology Division Council (EEDC) where 8 expert panels are engaged in standardization across crucial areas, including Air Quality Management, Water Quality Management, Waste Management, Environmental Monitoring, Sustainable Habitat, Sustainable Agriculture, Circular Economy, and Biodiversity & Ecosystem

    Featured speakers included Dr. Alok Sinha (IIT Dhanbad), Dr. Anju Singh (IIM Mumbai), and Ms. Shabnam Bassi (GRIHA Council), who emphasized the necessity of addressing gaps in existing standards to bolster national climate initiatives such as the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC).

    Utilizing the ‘Know Your Standards’ feature on the BIS Care App, participants evaluated existing standards and pinpointed new areas for development. Key discussions included: Waste Management & Recycling; Water Quality & Management; Sustainable Construction & Materials; Environmental Monitoring & Pollution Control; Green Energy & Climate Change Mitigation; Health & Safety Standards and Campus & Industrial Sustainability

    On the second day, delegates observed a live demonstration of BIS’s digital solutions, which included the Academic Dashboard, a platform enabling partner institutions to access standards, submit research projects, and contribute to technical committees. BIS also presented tools for downloading and commenting on draft standards, facilitating involvement in international standardization efforts.

    A special session led by Shri Ritesh Baranwal (Director, Finance, BIS) concentrated on the role of standards in sustainability and sustainable finance. His presentation illustrated how financial frameworks can underpin sustainability initiatives through standardization.

    The BIS Annual Convention reinforced the organization’s dedication to collaborating with academia to formulate standards that address vital environmental and ecological issues. BIS aims to establish robust, research-driven standards that contribute to a more sustainable future by fostering partnerships among experts, researchers, and policymakers.

    ***

    Abhishek Dayal/Nihi Sharma

    (Release ID: 2118173) Visitor Counter : 58

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Sweden: EIB supports plant protein factory, reducing the need for imports entering Europe

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB provides a €50 million loan to Lantmännen to build a new factory producing pea protein in Sweden
    • Financing to strengthen EU food security and reduce dependence on imported proteins
    • Project will promote sustainable agriculture and help create jobs

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has granted a €50 million loan to Lantmännen to co-finance the construction of a new pea protein isolate factory in Lidköping. The loan will cover approximately half of the project investment cost.

    The first of its kind in Sweden, the factory will have an annual processing capacity of over 40 000 tonnes of peas grown by Lantmännen cooperative members. It is expected to be completed in the first half of 2027 and to create around 30 jobs in the region.

    The plant will manufacture high-quality plant proteins that can be used across a range of products from protein bars and drinks to bread, plant-based milks and meat substitutes – a recipe for replacing animal protein sustainably.

    The project is in line with EU targets for increasing plant protein self-sufficiency, promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing climate impact.

    “By supporting Lantmännen’s investments in pea protein production, we will strengthen both food security and climate action in Sweden and across the European Union,” said EIB Vice-President Thomas Östros. “This project is also a great example of how EU cooperation can deliver benefits on the ground.”

    Peas and beans are versatile and climate-friendly crops that need a relatively low amount of water and nutrients and are good for biodiversity. The use of legumes grown in Sweden will mean that the share of imported soybeans in food production can be reduced, further backing Swedish and EU sustainability goals.

    “We are delighted that the EIB recognises the long-term value of investment in the food of the future – plant protein – and that it has chosen to support our Lidköping facility,” said Lantmännen Chief Financial Officer Michael Sigsfors. “Promoting exports and expanding food production not only leads to better profitability for farmers, but also ensures improved food security. This is a grand and important project, and I am happy that the EIB is supporting our work to this end.”

    Background information  

    EIB 

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, high-impact investments outside the European Union, and the capital markets union.  

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.  

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement, as pledged in our Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.  

    Fostering market integration and mobilising investment, the Group supported a record of over €100 billion in new investment for Europe’s energy security in 2024 and mobilised €110 billion in growth capital for startups, scale-ups and European pioneers. Approximately half of the EIB’s financing within the European Union is directed towards cohesion regions, where per capita income is lower than the EU average.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of our headquarters for media use are available here.

    Lantmännen

    Lantmännen is an agricultural cooperative and northern Europe’s leader in agriculture, machinery, bioenergy and food products. Owned by 17 000 Swedish farmers, Lantmännen has 12 000 employees, operations in over 20 countries and an annual turnover of SEK 70 billion. With grain at the heart of the operations, Lantmännen refines arable land resources to make farming thrive. Some of Lantmännen’s best-known food brands are AXA, Kungsörnen, Scan, Korvbrödsbagarn, GoGreen, FINN CRISP and Bonjour. The company is founded on the knowledge and values acquired through generations of farmers. By engaging in research, development and operations throughout the value chain, Lantmännen takes responsibility from farm to fork. 

    Lantmannen Pea Protein Investments
    Sweden: EIB supports plant protein factory, reducing the need for imports entering Europe
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    Lantmannen Pea Protein Investments
    Sweden: EIB supports plant protein factory, reducing the need for imports entering Europe
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    Lantmannen Pea Protein Investments
    Sweden: EIB supports plant protein factory, reducing the need for imports entering Europe
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Walls in Bloom reaches Red Tower and Queen Street

    Source: City of York

    This summer, residents and visitors will be able to experience areas of the city walls from a fresh perspective, as this unique and historic space blooms into life.

    Volunteers and businesses from across the city came together last year to help transform the City Walls embankments, for the first phase of the York Walls in Bloom project.

    This first phase of this project at Station Rise will evolve into a beautiful  landscape this Summer, where residents and visitors will be able to see bees and other pollinators thriving amidst a sea of colourful wildflowers.

    The second phase of the project will be extended to the Red Tower, off Foss Islands Road and at Queen Street, near York Station.

    After wildflowers are sown and planted in April for the second phase, there will be some flowering this year, but next year (2026) will see each area looking its best.

    Like Station Rise, the area around Red Tower will be very carefully managed to balance the ecology of the site. The space will continue to change and develop in the first few years as the different plant species become more established.

    The works on Queen Street, around ‘Toft’s Tower’, provides a unique opportunity to enhance another section of walls by introducing new native flowers, so they create the perfect backdrop for both the city walls and new streetscape near the railway station.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said:

    York is proud to have some of the best preserved and longest intact medieval walls in the country. This partnership project to cover the site at Station Rise in colourful wildflowers for York Walls in Bloom will not only look beautiful, but it will also help support York’s bees, moths and butterflies and crucially, help preserve the ramparts underneath.

    “We are lucky to have expert advice from many partners who are contributing to a process of reviewing our maintenance of the walls overall. We’ll adopt the very best practices to prevent soil erosion and ensure we keep the Walls standing and looking great for generations to come.”

    Jonathan Dent, Green Corridors Manager at St Nicks, said:

    Works will begin at the Red Tower from this month, with low nutrient soil imported and spread over the site to create a blank canvas for the sowing and planting of native wildflowers. This is the method successfully used at the Tower of London’s Moat in Bloom project. With the help of York Cares, volunteers from across the city will come together to support the project and help sow the seeds.

    The York in Bloom project is funded by the Green Corridors project, the National Lottery Community Fund and is sponsored by local businesses including The Grand York.

    Find out more about York Walls in Bloom.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: York Walls in Bloom extends to Red Tower and Queen Street

    Source: City of York

    Jonathan Dent stood alongside Cllr Jenny Kent, in front of the Red Tower

    Published Thursday, 3 April 2025

    This summer, residents and visitors will be able to experience areas of the city walls from a fresh perspective, as this unique and historic space blooms into life.

    Volunteers and businesses from across the city came together last year to help transform the City Walls embankments, for the first phase of the York Walls in Bloom project.

    This first phase of this project at Station Rise will evolve into a beautiful  landscape this Summer, where residents and visitors will be able to see bees and other pollinators thriving amidst a sea of colourful wildflowers.

    The second phase of the project will be extended to the Red Tower, off Foss Islands Road and at Queen Street, near York Station.

    After wildflowers are sown and planted in April for the second phase, there will be some flowering this year, but next year (2026) will see each area looking its best.

    Like Station Rise, the area around Red Tower will be very carefully managed to balance the ecology of the site. The space will continue to change and develop in the first few years as the different plant species become more established. 

    The works on Queen Street, around ‘Toft’s Tower’, provides a unique opportunity to enhance another section of walls by introducing new native flowers, so they create the perfect backdrop for both the city walls and new streetscape near the railway station.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “York is proud to have some of the best preserved and longest intact medieval walls in the country. This partnership project to cover the site at Station Rise in colourful wildflowers for York Walls in Bloom will not only look beautiful, but it will also help support York’s bees, moths and butterflies and crucially, help preserve the ramparts underneath.

    We are lucky to have expert advice from many partners who are contributing to a process of reviewing our maintenance of the walls overall. We’ll adopt the very best practices to prevent soil erosion and ensure we keep the Walls standing and looking great for generations to come.”

    Jonathan Dent, Green Corridors Manager at St Nicks, said: “Works will begin at the Red Tower from this month, with low nutrient soil imported and spread over the site to create a blank canvas for the sowing and planting of native wildflowers. This is the method successfully used at the Tower of London’s Moat in Bloom project. With the help of York Cares, volunteers from across the city will come together to support the project and help sow the seeds.”

    The York in Bloom project is funded by the Green Corridors project , the National Lottery Community Fund and is sponsored by local businesses including The Grand York.

    Find out more about York Walls in Bloom  

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Good news, beach lovers: our research found 39% less plastic waste around Australian coastal cities than a decade ago

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephanie Brodie, Research Scientist in Marine Ecology, CSIRO

    jittawit21, Shutterstock

    Picture this: you’re lounging on a beautiful beach, soaking up the sun and listening to the soothing sound of the waves. You run your hands through the warm sand, only to find a cigarette butt. Gross, right?

    This disturbing scene is typical of coastal pollution in Australia. But fortunately our new research shows the problem is getting better, not worse. Over the past ten years, the amount of waste across Australian coastal cities has reduced by almost 40%. We’re also finding more places with no rubbish at all.

    We surveyed for debris in and around six Australian urban areas between 2022 and 2024. Then we compared our results to previous surveys carried out a decade ago. We found less coastal pollution overall and reset a new baseline for further research.

    Our study shows efforts to clean up Australia’s beaches have been working. These policies, practices and outreach campaigns have reduced the extent of pollution in coastal habitats near urban centres. But we can’t become complacent. There’s plenty of work still to be done.

    One of the many beaches surveyed by CSIRO.
    TJ Lawson

    What we did

    In Australia, three-quarters of the rubbish on our coasts is plastic. Even cigarette butts are mainly made of plastic.

    To tackle the pollution effectively, we need to understand where the waste is coming from and how it gets into the environment.

    Research has shown much of the coastal debris comes from local inland areas. Poor waste management practices can result in debris eventually making its way through rivers to the coast and out to sea.

    We focused on urban areas because high population density and industrial activity contributes to waste in the environment. We examined six areas across Australia:

    • Perth in Western Australia
    • Port Augusta in South Australia
    • Hobart in Tasmania
    • Newcastle in New South Wales
    • Sunshine Coast in Queensland
    • Alice Springs in the Northern Territory.

    These places represent a starting point for the national baseline. At each location we studied sites on the coast, along rivers and inland, within a 100 kilometre radius.

    We inspected strips of land 2m wide. This involved two trained scientists standing in an upright position looking downward, slowly walking along a line surveying for debris items. Together they captured information about every piece of debris they came across, including the type of material and what it was originally used for (where possible).

    What we found

    On average, we found 0.15 items of debris per square metre of land surveyed. That’s roughly one piece of rubbish every five steps.

    Plastic was the most common type of waste. But in many cases it was unclear what the item was originally used for. For example, fragments of hard plastic of unknown origin were found in a quarter of all surveyed areas.

    Polystyrene fragments were the most common item overall (24% of all debris fragments). Other frequently encountered items included food wrappers or labels, cigarette butts, and hard plastic bottle caps or lids.

    We found more waste near farms, industry and disadvantaged areas.

    The types of waste varied among cities. For example, cigarette butts were the most prevalent items in Newcastle, Perth and the Sunshine Coast. But food wrappers and beverage cans were more prevalent in Port Augusta and Alice Springs, respectively.

    Hobart had the highest occurrence of beverage bottles and bottle fragments.

    The most common type of waste varied among cities.
    CSIRO

    Targeting problem items

    Identifying the different types of litter in the environment can help policymakers and waste managers target specific items and improve waste recovery.

    Research has shown container deposit legislation, which enables people to take eligible beverage containers to a collection point for a refund, has reduced the number of beverage containers in the coastal environment by 40%. Hobart did not have a container deposit scheme in place at the time of our survey.

    Plastic bag bans can reduce bag litter. Now polystyrene food service items are becoming increasingly targeted by policymakers.

    Hobart had the highest occurrence of beverage bottles and bottle fragments.
    Caroline Bray

    Making progress

    When we compared our results to the previous survey from 2011-14 we found a 39% decrease in coastal debris. We also found 16% more areas where no debris was present.

    Our results support previous research that found an ongoing trend towards less waste on Australian beaches.

    We think our research demonstrates the effectiveness of improved waste management policies, campaigns such as the “Five R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, then Recycle” – as well as clean-up efforts.

    It’s likely that increased awareness is making a big dent in the problem. But reducing the production of plastic, and invoking changes further up the supply chain, would likely further help reduce mismanaged waste in the environment.

    Implications for the future

    Measuring and monitoring litter can inform policymaking and waste management. Our research serves as a benchmark for evaluating and informing future efforts to reduce plastic waste.

    We are heartened by the findings. But continued effort is needed from people across government, industry and Australian communities. Everyone needs to address how we produce, use and dispose of plastic for a cleaner and healthier planet.

    Australians are increasingly aware of the need to keep the coastal environment free of litter.
    Qamar Schuyler

    As part of her role at CSIRO, Stephanie Brodie receives funding the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.

    Britta Denise Hardesty received funding for this work from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water. Shell Australia previously provided funding for this research via Earthwatch Australia for surveys and citizen science projects carried out between 2011 and 2014.

    – ref. Good news, beach lovers: our research found 39% less plastic waste around Australian coastal cities than a decade ago – https://theconversation.com/good-news-beach-lovers-our-research-found-39-less-plastic-waste-around-australian-coastal-cities-than-a-decade-ago-253221

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Greens warn SNP against diluting or dropping crucial Heat in Buildings Bill

    Source: Scottish Greens

    03 Apr 2025 Climate

    Warmer, greener homes are crucial to cutting bills.

    More in Climate

    Any moves by the Scottish Government to further dilute, delay or drop the upcoming Heat in Buildings Bill would be an act of climate vandalism and a blow for household budgets, green jobs, and our environment, say the Scottish Greens.

    The comments from the party’s Co-Leader, Patrick Harvie, come ahead of a Ministerial statement today that is widely expected to see plans weakened and pushed back further.

    The Bill, which was under development by Mr Harvie in his time as a Minister, and was on track for introduction in November last year, was intended to focus on improving the energy efficiency of our homes and changing to clean heating systems.

    Mr Harvie said:

    “It is crucial that we move away from fossil fuels and invest in clean, green energy so that we can have warmer homes and start to cut the bills that are plunging even more families into poverty.

    “Keeping people stuck on gas is not only bad for our planet, it is also punishing people all across our country and forcing them to fork out, while the fossil fuel companies post record profits. We are already way behind where we need to be in terms of tackling fuel poverty and our transition away from fossil fuels.

    “Scotland is also losing out on good quality green jobs. Heat pump manufacturing is seeing global growth, but Scotland has seen investment go elsewhere.

    “The measures in this Bill could play a crucial role in supporting households to make the shift, and giving the industry the clarity it needs to invest. I am very concerned by the increasing speculation that it will be diluted, delayed or dropped. To do so would be an act of environmental vandalism and a blow for household budgets, our economy and our environment.

    “The failure to hit previous climate targets should have been a wake-up call, but the Scottish Government is not showing anywhere near the political will that is required.

    “Cutting home energy bills, boosting high quality green jobs, and cutting our emissions are all possible, but they can only happen if the Government is prepared to take the action and make the investment that it needs to.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Pingree, Merkley: EPA’s Elimination of Scientific Research Arm Threatens Clean Air and Water for All

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

     Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the top Democrats on the subcommittees that oversee funding for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), are sounding the alarm over the EPA’s illegal plans to dismantle the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and fire hundreds of scientists nationwide. In a letter to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin today, the Ranking Members of the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittees stressed the dangers of the EPA’s so-called reduction in force (RIF) plan, which would gut the agency’s main scientific arm that protects human health and our environment.

    “Reports detail EPA’s intent to dismantle ORD and terminate more than 1,000 critical positions including chemists, toxicologists, and biologists. This ‘reduction in force’ follows a pattern of politically motivated purges, where public servants reinstated by court order remain sidelined while allegiance to the president and his fossil fuel benefactors, not expertise, determines who stays and who goes,” wrote Ranking Members Merkley and Pingree. “To state the obvious, EPA is required to conduct research and develop the best available knowledge to support implementation of its regulatory authority.”

    Their letter follows the EPA’s reported plans to slash the ORD by potentially eliminating 50 to 75 percent of the office’s 1,540 positions and severely impacting scientific research into dangers such as PFAS, support for natural disaster responses, and environmental monitoring at the agency and at academic and non-profit research institutions, hospitals, state and local governments, and Tribal organizations.

    The senior Appropriators stressed, “Your actions will have devastating consequences. They will weaken scientific oversight, eliminate critical regulatory safeguards, and give polluting industries unchecked influence over environmental policy and ultimately human health. Stripping EPA of its independent research capacity would transform the agency into a rubber stamp for corporate interests rather than a protector of public health and the environment.  Eliminating ORD does not create jobs, does not promote economic growth, and does not serve the American people—it endangers public health and the environment.”

    They also denounced the illegality of the EPA’s actions to direct funds without Congressional approval. Merkley and Pingree concluded, “We strongly urge you to immediately reverse course and abandon this dangerous plan. The integrity of the EPA’s scientific research must be preserved to ensure sound policymaking and the continued protection of public health and the environment. The American people will not stand by while their air, water, and communities are sacrificed for the profits of a few.”

    Full text of the letter is available online here and copied below.

    +++

    Dear Administrator Zeldin:

    We write to express alarm regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) plan to eliminate its Office of Research and Development (ORD)—a blatant assault on science, public health, and the agency’s core mission. This reckless decision would erode the agency’s scientific foundation to the benefit of polluting industries at the expense of working-class communities and exacerbate climate change. It is a betrayal of EPA’s obligation to the American people to understand and use the best available science and a violation of the law.

    For decades, ORD has been the backbone of independent, science-based policymaking at EPA. Its groundbreaking research has helped curb air and water pollution, regulate toxic chemicals, and protect communities from industrial waste. By dismantling ORD, you would gut the agency’s ability to conduct independent research and hand over environmental policy to industry insiders. This proposal is not about efficiency or improvement—it is a deliberate effort to strip away regulatory safeguards that protect ordinary Americans while boosting profits for the wealthiest polluters.

    Reports detail EPA’s intent to dismantle ORD and terminate more than 1,000 critical positions including chemists, toxicologists, and biologists. This “reduction in force” follows a pattern of politically motivated purges, where public servants reinstated by court order remain sidelined while allegiance to the president and his fossil fuel benefactors, not expertise, determines who stays and who goes. To state the obvious, EPA is required to conduct research and develop the best available knowledge to support implementation of its regulatory authority.

    Your actions will have devastating consequences. They will weaken scientific oversight, eliminate critical regulatory safeguards, and give polluting industries unchecked influence over environmental policy and ultimately human health. Stripping EPA of its independent research capacity would transform the agency into a rubber stamp for corporate interests rather than a protector of public health and the environment.  Eliminating ORD does not create jobs, does not promote economic growth, and does not serve the American people—it endangers public health and the environment.

    Over just the past decade alone, EPA researchers have produced ground-breaking research on cancer-causing chemicals (such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and Glyphosate), diesel engine exhaust that exacerbates asthma and is linked to lung-disease, Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) forever chemicals in our drinking water, and in-utero exposure to phthalates. ORD also provides critical support in response to disasters. For example, ORD developed tools for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 levels in wastewater to assess community infection rates, assessed damage to human and marine health after the April 2010 explosion and collapse of the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and studied the conditions of coastal waters and drinking water infrastructure following Hurricane Katrina.

    Moreover, if implemented, this proposal would violate federal law. ORD is recognized as EPA’s research organization in law throughout the United States Code (see 7 U.S.C. 4921, 15 U.S.C. 8962, 42 U.S.C. 4361c, among other examples). Further, the fiscal year 2025 Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act appropriates $758.1 million for the EPA’s research initiatives through the Science and Technology Account. Unilaterally dismantling ORD and impounding funds appropriated for science and technology contravenes the statute and appropriations and undermines Congress’s constitutional authority over federal expenditures.

    We strongly urge you to immediately reverse course and abandon this dangerous plan. The integrity of the EPA’s scientific research must be preserved to ensure sound policymaking and the continued protection of public health and the environment. The American people will not stand by while their air, water, and communities are sacrificed for the profits of a few.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy announces $32.4 million in Hurricanes Laura, Ida aid for Louisiana

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)
    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $32,386,791 in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants for Louisiana disaster aid. 
    “Louisiana is working hard to rebuild from the catastrophic damage that Hurricanes Laura and Ida left behind. This $32.4 million will help our communities recover from the costs they sustained during these disasters,” said Kennedy. 
    The FEMA aid will fund the following:
    $13,358,873 to St. John the Baptist Parish for debris removal operations resulting from Hurricane Ida.
    $6,209,552 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for management costs resulting from Hurricane Ida. 
    $5,286,570 to the Terrebonne Parish School Board for permanent repairs resulting from Hurricane Ida. 
    $1,725,740 to the West Calcasieu Cameron Hospital for permanent work resulting from Hurricane Laura.
    $1,562,360 to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development for debris removal operations resulting from Hurricane Laura.
    $1,515,422 to the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District to replace equipment due to Hurricane Laura damage.
    $1,415,716 to the Jefferson Parish School Board for permanent repairs to the Ralph J. Bunche Elementary School campus resulting from Hurricane Ida.
    $1,312,558 to the Orleans Levee District Non-Flood Protection Asset Management Authority for permanent repairs resulting from Hurricane Ida damage.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Foxx Supports Legislation to Help Western North Carolina Businesses

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Virginia Foxx (5th District of North Carolina)

    Foxx Supports Legislation to Help Western North Carolina Businesses

    Washington, March 28, 2025

     WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement after signing on as an official cosponsor to the Helene Small Business Recovery Act, legislation authored by Representative Chuck Edwards that provides a technical fix to loan duplications of benefits issued for survivors of Hurricane Helene:

    “Following a disaster, the federal government should be a support system for states and not run interference. The Helene Small Business Recovery Act addresses a crucial need for businessowners to get the support they need from the federal government without facing bureaucratic delays or roadblocks. I’m proud to serve as an Original Cosponsor of Representative Edwards’ legislation and to continue our efforts in helping western North Carolina get back on its feet.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Hudson, NC Colleagues Champion Legislation to Support NC Firefighters, EMS Personnel

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) joined Representative Greg Murphy, M.D. (NC-03), along with Representatives Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Chuck Edwards (NC-11), David Rouzer (NC-07), Pat Harrigan (NC-10), Addison McDowell (NC-06), and Tim Moore (NC-14) in introducing legislation to allow North Carolina volunteer firefighters and emergency medical service (EMS) personnel to join a state or local retirement plan. 

    “North Carolina’s firefighters and EMS personnel, like those involved in the Hurricane Helene relief efforts, risk their lives every day to keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Hudson. “These brave heroes deserve access to the same retirement benefits as their state-employed counterparts. I’m proud to support this legislation to ensure they are taken care of.”

    “North Carolinians depend on the selfless service of first responders every single day,” said Rep. Murphy. “It is only fitting that these dedicated individuals should be able to depend on the government to provide them with a reliable retirement plan. The First Responders Retirement Parity Act ensures just compensation for their contributions to community safety and support for when their service comes to an end.”

    Rep. Hudson with Puppy Creek Fire Department Volunteer Fire Chief John Joseph, as well as local first responders and officials. 

    Background

    The current tax code prevents full-time nonprofit firefighters and EMS personnel from joining the state retirement system. In North Carolina, 74% of fire departments are non-profit and employ 5,527 paid personnel who could be affected. 

    This legislation would amend the code to include these volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel in governmental retirement plans.

    Read the full bill text here.

    -###-

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Adams Statement on the Passage of the Continuing Resolution

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

    Washington, DC—Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, PhD (NC-12), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development and senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, released a statement following the passage of the continuing resolution.

    “The continuing resolution fight was about more than just keeping the government open,” said Congresswoman Adams. “It was about refusing to turn over even more power to President Trump, Elon Musk, and standing against these devastating cuts.”

    The continuing resolution includes deep cuts to critical programs and funding for Charlotteans:

    • $700 million in cuts to rent subsidies for low-income households and working Americans. Meanwhile, lack of affordable housing and eviction rates continue to rise in Mecklenburg County. 
    • $116 million in cuts to the Small Business Administration which will eliminate programs for Charlotte’s more than 40,000 small businesses.
    • $2 billion in cuts to airport, roadway, and port safety projects. This comes after the tragic DC plane crash in January that departed from Charlotte.
    • Underfunds homeless services by $168 million. Mecklenburg County’s homeless rate grew by 3% over the last year.
    • Fails to fully fund The Emergency Food Assistance Program by $20 million. Nearly 12% of Mecklenburg County households are food insecure.
    • Fails to renew $293 million in bipartisan emergency preparedness and disaster mitigation projects as Western North Carolina still works to recover from Hurricane Helene.
    • Fails to provide valuable community project funding to local organizations and municipalities that offer services like healthcare, housing assistance, food security, and other critical community needs.

    “I have never celebrated a government shutdown, but I cannot understate the harm that will come from this bill,” Adams continued. “As this administration continues to wage their wars on education, healthcare, social security and federal employees, Congress has given them a blank check. It’s a disservice to all our constituencies.”

    Rather than giving line-item budget allocations, the continuing resolution allocates agency funds in large pots of money without directing where they specifically go. This gives President Trump a “blank check” as he is able to reallocate or cut these funds as he sees fit, with few limitations.

    “As we navigate the impacts of this disastrous bill, my priority remains taking care of my constituents,” said Congresswoman Adams. “If anyone in my district is suffering from the fallout of the continuing resolution, I encourage them to reach out to my offices and we will assist you however we can.”

    To contact Congresswoman Adams’s Charlotte office, call (704) 344-9950. To contact her Washington, DC office, call (202) 225-1510. For information and resources, you can also visit our website at adams.house.gov.

    MIL OSI USA News –