Solar and wind power has quintupled in the last decade
Here’s some good news about renewable electricity: the amount of renewable electricity generated in the United States has doubled in the last 10 years and 90 percent of that growth came from wind and solar, which has increased more than fivefold in the past decade. Impressively, more than 17 percent of the country’s electricity now comes from renewables. Nineteen percent of the electricity in the states comes from nuclear power plants and the remaining 63 percent comes from fossil fuels. If renewables remain on this trajectory, the United States would be on track to get all of its electricity from carbon-free sources by 2050.
James River State Park named an International Dark Sky Park
The James River State Park in Buckingham County, Va is the second state park in Virginia to become an International Dark Sky Park as designated by the International Dark-Sky Association. The association recognizes excellent stewardship of the night sky and designations are based on strict outdoor lighting standards. The project began as a Girl Scout Gold Award by Lora Callahan, now a senior in high school. Working with the park staff, Callahan changed light bulbs and made special light fixtures and educational materials that were distributed throughout the community. She’ll be on hand for the official designation ceremony on April 5 at 7 p.m. There will also be special presentations, snacks, and stargazing through telescopes provided by the Richmond Astronomical Society and the Crewe Astronomy Club.
Jury finds man’s cancer caused by Roundup weed killers
A jury in California has found that the Roundup weed killer a man used in his yard caused his cancer. Last summer, a different jury found Bayer, the company that owns Monsanto, the manufacturer of Roundup, guilty of failing to warn customers of the cancer risks associated with the product and another brand, Ranger Pro. Several more trials are set for later this year and the company could face thousands of lawsuits from farmers and landscapers whose work brought them in close and frequent contact with the herbicide. Jurors are now responsible for determining liability and damages in the California case. Bayer says they are disappointed with the jury’s decision and maintains that Roundup is safe.
