Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
War on the Hungry: NCL Denounces Federal Inaction on SNAP
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 -- The National Consumers League issued the following news release:
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A War on the Hungry: NCL Denounces Federal Inaction on SNAP
The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply alarmed by the federal government's refusal to use billions in emergency funds to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This reckless decision constitutes a direct assault on the nation's most vulnerable--our children, the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled--and risks plunging tens of millions back into hunger and hardship.
"Forcing millions of Americans to go
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 -- The National Consumers League issued the following news release:
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A War on the Hungry: NCL Denounces Federal Inaction on SNAP
The National Consumers League (NCL) is deeply alarmed by the federal government's refusal to use billions in emergency funds to sustain the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). This reckless decision constitutes a direct assault on the nation's most vulnerable--our children, the sick, the poor, the elderly, and the disabled--and risks plunging tens of millions back into hunger and hardship.
"Forcing millions of Americans to gohungry while sitting on billions in available funds is unconscionable," said NCL CEO Sally Greenberg. "This is a war on the most defenseless members of our society, and history will not look kindly on those who turned their backs. Feeding the hungry is not a partisan issue--it is a moral imperative."
NCL calls on the administration to immediately deploy the contingency funds intended to prevent hunger and protect the health and dignity of all Americans.
To learn more about the roots of America's hunger crisis and what's at stake, read NCL's latest blog post, A Call Not to Make Americans Hungry Again, by Food and Nutrition Policy Director Nancy Glick.
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About the National Consumers League (NCL)
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America's pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
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Original text here: https://nclnet.org/a-war-on-the-hungry-ncl-denounces-federal-inaction-on-snap/
[Category: Consumer Services]
Tours Underway for Burley Idaho Temple
BURLEY, Idaho, Nov. 4 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release on Nov. 3, 2025:
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Tours Underway for Burley Idaho Temple
Idaho's governor tours new temple
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Public tours begin this week for the Burley Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Free public tours will be held from Thursday, November 6, through Saturday, November 22, 2025, excluding Sundays. The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, January 11, 2026, and the dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations in the Burley Idaho Temple district.
Idaho
... Show Full Article
BURLEY, Idaho, Nov. 4 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release on Nov. 3, 2025:
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Tours Underway for Burley Idaho Temple
Idaho's governor tours new temple
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Public tours begin this week for the Burley Idaho Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Free public tours will be held from Thursday, November 6, through Saturday, November 22, 2025, excluding Sundays. The temple will be dedicated on Sunday, January 11, 2026, and the dedicatory session will be broadcast to all congregations in the Burley Idaho Temple district.
Idahogovernor Brad Little, along with local officials and invited guests toured the temple during media day on Monday, November 3, 2025, led by Elder Steven R. Bangerter, executive director of the Temple Department. Elder K. Brett Nattress and Elder Karl D. Hirst, both General Authority Seventies, also attended the event.
Burley Temple Press Kit (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/burley-idaho-press-kit.pdf)
A painting of the South Hills in the Burley, Idaho, area was gifted to Governor Little following his tour of the house of the Lord.
"We're here looking at the South Hills, and it's an honor to have [Idaho Lieutenant] Governor [Scott] Bedke here because he knows every river, every peak, and every cow that was represented in each picture," Governor Little said. "The tours are so paramount, particularly to those not of the faith, because then they'll have a grasp of the meaning of the temple for multiple generations."
Four generations of Lieutenant Governor Bedke's family have lived in the area surrounding the temple. He invited all to come to the temple open house and experience the beauty of the building.
"I'm blown away by the beauty of it and how it feels like home," he said. "Everyone should come and take a look and experience not only the architecture and the beauty, but the sentiment of the temple," he said. "You don't find this anywhere except maybe at the tops of those mountains looking over God's creations. This is a beautiful building built to honor Him."
Kelly Anthon, Idaho State Senator, shared how this house of the Lord will bless surrounding communities.
"The Burley Idaho Temple stands as a symbol of unity and shared ideals," he said. "Whether we worship in the same faith tradition or not, we can all appreciate what it represents--peace, faith in Jesus Christ, devotion to family, and Christlike service to our neighbors. These are the values that make Idaho communities strong."
Sophia Silvaz, a sophomore at Burley High School, spoke about the impact of having a temple nearby.
"I believe the temple will be a gift to our whole community," she said. "It's a place that reminds us to focus on the things that matter most -- Jesus Christ, family, and serving others. I truly believe that the presence of the temple here in Burley will bless our town."
Jolene Graham and her husband have lived down the street from the new temple for over 30 years. In her remarks, Jolene invited the community to the open house.
"I am grateful we have a couple weeks to share the peace and beauty of the inside with community members," she said. "Just a glimpse of this house of God, where there is no division, no contention, where all who enter are recognized as divine children of God, will invoke feelings of peace and hope and will be a respite from the burdens of daily life."
About the Burley Idaho Temple
President Russell M. Nelson announced the Burley Idaho Temple in April 2021.
"Temples are a vital part of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness," he said. "Ordinances of the temple fill our lives with power and strength available in no other way. We thank God for those blessings."
Colors used in the temple's interior decorations reflect the farmland and open skies that surround the area. The temple's stained glass patterns feature the potato plant blossom, tying local agricultural heritage into the temple's design.
The Burley Idaho Temple will be the 11th temple in the state. Dedicated temples are in Boise, Idaho Falls, Meridian, Pocatello, Rexburg and Twin Falls. Other temples that have been announced or are under construction include the Caldwell, Coeur d'Alene, Montpelier and Teton River Idaho temples.
Idaho is home to nearly 500,000 Latter-day Saints in around 1,300 congregations.
Latter-day Saints consider each temple a house of the Lord and the most sacred place of worship on earth. Temples differ from the Church's meetinghouses (chapels). All are welcome to attend Sunday worship services and other weekday activities at local meetinghouses. The primary purpose of temples is for faithful members of the Church of Jesus Christ to participate in sacred ceremonies such as marriages, which unite families forever, and proxy baptisms on behalf of deceased ancestors who did not have the opportunity to be baptized while living.
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Original text here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/open-house-begins-for-the-burley-idaho-temple
[Category: Religion]
Prophet and the Temple Point Us to Jesus Christ
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 4 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release on Nov. 2, 2025:
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The Prophet and the Temple Point Us to Jesus Christ
Elder and Sister Andersen speak at a worldwide devotional for young adults from the Washington D.C. Temple grounds
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From the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple, an Apostle of Jesus Christ taught young adults across the world that the prophet and the temple point us to Jesus Christ.
Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and the Church Commissioner of Education, introduced Elder Neil L.
... Show Full Article
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 4 -- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints issued the following news release on Nov. 2, 2025:
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The Prophet and the Temple Point Us to Jesus Christ
Elder and Sister Andersen speak at a worldwide devotional for young adults from the Washington D.C. Temple grounds
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From the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple, an Apostle of Jesus Christ taught young adults across the world that the prophet and the temple point us to Jesus Christ.
Elder Clark G. Gilbert, a General Authority Seventy and the Church Commissioner of Education, introduced Elder Neil L.Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and his wife, Kathy. A young adult choir, accompanied by a pianist, cellist, and violinist, shared a powerful rendition of the hymn, "Praise to the Lord."
Elder Andersen discussed with young adults how the teachings of President Dallin H. Oaks and worship in the temple can bless their lives.
"In a world of commotion, confusion and so many distractions, as the world slides from its spiritual moorings, the prophet and the temple keep us anchored to our spiritual foundation," Elder Andersen said. "The Lord sends compensatory power to you, His disciples. Two of the greatest compensatory blessings for the righteous are the teachings of the prophets and the gifts of the house of the Lord."
The remarks were recorded October 18 and made available on November 2. Several times throughout the broadcast, young adults from around the world -- Italy, Mozambique, Spain, and elsewhere -- shared greetings and love with President Oaks and his wife, Sister Kristen Oaks.
Elder Andersen invited his wife, Kathy, to share her feelings about Sister Oaks. Sister Andersen was eager to share a video clip of President and Sister Oaks, which was posted on Sister Oaks' birthday.
Sister Andersen then added these reflections: "Sister Kristen Oaks is a devoted disciple of Jesus Christ. Her life is so filled with faith and love. She is so tenderhearted, and I think she is a very sweet angel on earth."
Elder Andersen focused on the teachings from President Oaks about standing for truth; family, marriage and children; and revelation. After showing video clips from President Oaks on these topics, Elder Andersen discussed the prophet's teachings with young adults on the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple.
Standing for Truth
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Ensign College Speeches (https://speeches.ensign.edu/devotional/president-dallin-h-oaks-elder-clark-g-gilbert-05-2022)
President Dallin H. Oaks, Elder Clark G. Gilbert
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One teaching the Apostle shared from President Oaks on standing for truth came from a 2022 devotional at Ensign College.
"We live in perilous times when evil is being called good and good is being called evil (2 Nephi 15:20, Isaiah 5:20)," President Oaks said. "We must stand fast against the values and practices that draw us away from the Lord's teachings and our covenants, privileges, and obligations. We can do this with love."
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October 2024 General Conference (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/10/18oaks?lang=eng)
Following Christ
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Another teaching on this topic came from the October 2024 general conference.
"Following Christ is not a casual or occasional practice," President Oaks said. "It is a continuous commitment and way of life that should guide us at all times and in all places. His teachings and His example define the path for every disciple of Jesus Christ."
Lindsay, a young adult, said standing for truth can be difficult -- but is possible with Christ's help.
"It can be hard, but you know you're not alone," she said. "You have the Spirit. If you ask for the Spirit to be with you in these delicate situations, then He'll be able to guide you and give you the words that you need to share because you aren't alone. You're part of the greatest cause on earth, which is to be a disciple of Christ and to represent Him."
Marriage, Family and Children
On the topic of family, Elder Andersen shared several of President Oaks' teachings, including from the most recent general conference.
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October 2025 General Conference (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2025/10/58oaks?lang=eng)
The Family-Centered Gospel of Jesus Christ
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"Our relationship to God and the purpose of our mortal life are explained in terms of the family," President Oaks said. "It is vital that Latter-day Saints do not lose their understanding of the purpose of marriage and the value of children. That is the future for which we strive. ... The doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints centers on the family."
Elder Andersen also shared this insight President Oaks made at a worldwide devotional for young adults in 2023.
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May 2023 Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/broadcasts/worldwide-devotional-for-young-adults/2023/05/11oaks?lang=eng)
Stand for Truth
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"Marriage is central to the purpose of mortal life and what follows. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father who created us with the capacity to follow His commandment to multiply and replenish the earth," President Oaks said. "That power of creation is one of the most precious gifts we have in mortal life. But central to that gift is the law of chastity, the commandment that our powers of procreation be expressed only within marriage between a man and a woman."
A young adult married couple, Max and Nicole, told Elder Andersen that choosing to start a family has been a great blessing in their lives.
"I am grateful for President Oaks and other apostles and prophets who have taught the importance of marriage and family, which has helped me to make that a priority in my life and has brought some of the most amazing blessings into my life," Max said.
Nicole spoke of the challenge of how to balance career and family.
"Max and I spent lots of time fasting and praying and going to the temple to try to learn how to balance those two things," Nicole said. "And we felt prompted that if we put family first, that everything would work out. And we didn't know sometimes month to month how things were going to work out, but it did. And I have a strong testimony of the importance of family and making family a priority."
Revelation
Finally, Elder Andersen shared a story (first shared by President Oaks at a general conference in 1992) of a life-threatening experience where guidance from the Holy Ghost saved President Oaks and a young man in Chicago from certain tragedy. After President Oaks helped a sister in his congregation up to her door in a troubled area of Chicago, a young man came out of nowhere with a gun in his hand, putting it into President Oaks' stomach. After several tense exchanges, President Oaks described the inspiration that saved both their lives.
"Just as I was about to make my move, I had a unique experience," President Oaks said. "I did not see anything or hear anything, but I knew something. I knew what would happen if I grabbed that gun. We would struggle, and I would turn the gun into that young man's chest. It would fire, and he would die. I also understood that I must not have the blood of that young man on my conscience for the rest of my life."
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October 1992 General Conference (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1992/10/bible-stories-and-personal-protection?lang=eng)
Bible Stories and Personal Protection
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Instead, President Oaks followed an impulse to put his right hand on the man's shoulder and give him a lecture.
"With the gun back in my stomach, the young robber replied to my lecture by going through his demands for the third time," President Oaks said. "But this time his voice was subdued. When he offered the final threat to kill me, he didn't sound persuasive. When I refused again, he hesitated for a moment and then stuck the gun in his pocket and ran away. June unlocked the door, and we drove off, uttering a prayer of thanks. We had experienced the kind of miraculous protection illustrated in the Bible stories I had read as a boy."
Kelson, a young adult, said, "One thing I've loved about this story that President Oaks shared, and that he often shares in other talks I've read by him, is how much personal revelation has been involved in his work and his daily activities. He talks about how he would receive revelation as a law student or in a variety of other examples he gives. And I really love that we can receive revelation in many different areas of our lives."
Olivia, another young adult in the D.C. area, told Elder Andersen that some of the most personal revelations she has received came in the house of the Lord.
"I know we are guests in the temple," Olivia said, "but I've really come to understand what it feels like to be a child at home as I sit in the temple and commune with God."
Toward the end of their remarks from the grounds of the Washington D.C. Temple, Elder and Sister Andersen shared their feelings about President Oaks. Sister Andersen read a scripture about Joseph Smith's brother, Hyrum, that she said reminds her and her husband of President Oaks.
"I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me," it says.
"And that, we have said many, many times in our lives, is the heart of President Dallin H. Oaks," Sister Andersen said.
Elder Andersen said he has been taught and tutored by President Oaks for more than 50 years -- beginning when Elder Andersen was a student at Brigham Young University when President Oaks led that institution in the 1970s.
"While at BYU, through a series of events, I was able at times to interact personally with him," Elder Andersen said. "I experienced his faith and his sense of fairness, thoughtfulness, and interest in individuals."
That influence continued when Elder Andersen became a General Authority Seventy in 1993.
"In my 32 years as a General Authority, I, like my brethren, have been blessed by his willingness to teach me, to listen to me and share his remarkable wisdom with me," Elder Andersen said. "He has been prepared and refined in the fire of adversity, renewed in his body and his mind to lead us at this time to speak in the name of the Lord."
Elder Andersen closed by praising young adults' devotion to Jesus Christ and encouraging them to stay close to the prophet and the temple.
"We thank God that you are with us as we prepare for the Lord's Second Coming," the Apostle said. "The prophet and the temple point us to Jesus Christ. ... Along with the power of His Spirit, the prophet and the temple are two powerful compensatory blessings the Lord has given us in our troubled world to separate good from evil, to understand our true purpose in mortality, and to truly become His disciples."
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Original text here: https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/elder-andersen-worldwide-devotional-young-adults-washington-dc
[Category: Religion]
Patrick County Woman Charged After PETA, Authorities Find 50 Dogs Caged, Neglected
ARARAT, Virginia, Nov. 4 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release on Nov. 3, 2025:
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Patrick County Woman Charged After PETA, Authorities Find 50 Dogs Caged, Neglected
Patrick County resident Betty Haynes has been charged with two counts of failure to provide adequate care to animals after PETA, Patrick County Sheriff's Office, and several other animal protection groups removed nearly 50 dogs and puppies from her property in June. The dogs were caged outside without adequate shelter, shade, food, or water, and some were suffering from untreated health
... Show Full Article
ARARAT, Virginia, Nov. 4 -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals issued the following news release on Nov. 3, 2025:
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Patrick County Woman Charged After PETA, Authorities Find 50 Dogs Caged, Neglected
Patrick County resident Betty Haynes has been charged with two counts of failure to provide adequate care to animals after PETA, Patrick County Sheriff's Office, and several other animal protection groups removed nearly 50 dogs and puppies from her property in June. The dogs were caged outside without adequate shelter, shade, food, or water, and some were suffering from untreated healthconditions. The seizure followed a tip from a local woman who contacted PETA's emergency after-hours line. Haynes--an animal hoarder promoting herself as "Save A Mutt Rescue," (which is not a registered charity)--has a court date on February 10. Photos from the day of the rescue are here (https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5020fb201f5f4008b36ab99f30af029e/0/015d004f5ceee8538d6944622c80ef512784c4175211e815a7d84a9d00a6343a?cache_buster=1762181879).
PETA Senior Vice President of Cruelty Investigations Daphna Nachminovitch joined law-enforcement authorities and the other animal welfare groups in removing the dogs, many of whom were extremely fearful due to being deprived of human interaction; some of them are still with foster caregivers due to the trauma of long-term isolation.
One of Haynes' charges relates to a dog, named Sunny Girl by rescuers, who--according to veterinary records--was found "scared, lethargic... emaciated" and suffering from severe hair loss and "ulcerated wounds" as well as a secondary skin infection, ear infection, and "severe inflammation everywhere." Rescuers found Sunny Girl confined to a filthy, feces-filled pen with a bucket of black, contaminated water. The other charge relates to an unweaned puppy, named Wellington by his rescuers, who was found listless and near death, dehydrated and with a bloated abdomen; he refused to eat or drink on-scene, and his mother was malnourished and likely unable to nurse him.
In addition to staff from the Patrick County Animal Shelter, animal protection groups from all over Virginia, including Dogs Deserve Better Blue Ridge, The Squishy Face Crew Virginia, Old Dominion Humane Society, and Sanctuary Rescue assisted in the rescue and removal of Haynes' dogs. The dogs were distributed among the groups.
"For years, Haynes' property has been a hoarder hell for terrified, unsocialized dogs and puppies who were deprived of potable water, adequate shelter, veterinary care, and even a kind touch" says Nachminovitch. "PETA urges everyone to report cruelty to animals whenever they see it and to always thoroughly vet anyone who calls themselves a 'rescue' before donating or turning animals over to them."
PETA notes that in 2011, Haynes was charged with 68 counts of cruelty to animals when dozens of dogs were found on her property in similar conditions. At the time, despite testimony from an expert veterinarian and animal control officials, the judge only took the case under advisement, and Haynes faced no real consequences.
PETA--whose motto reads, in part, that "animals are not ours to abuse in any way"--points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
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Original text here: https://www.peta.org/media/news-releases/patrick-county-woman-charged-after-peta-authorities-find-50-dogs-caged-neglected-dogs/
[Category: Animals]
Just Transition for Jharkhand--investing in the State's Low-carbon Future
LAKEWOOD, Ohio, Nov. 4 (TNSbrep) -- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis issued the following news release:
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A Just Transition for Jharkhand--investing in the state's low-carbon future
Upfront costs of transitioning from coal to low-carbon industries will be more than offset by long-term economic and social benefits.
Key Takeaways:
Coal and petroleum contribute 32% to the state's own revenue, exposing Jharkhand to major fiscal risks as fossil fuel use declines.
The report estimates that Jharkhand will need an estimated US$256 billion (Rs21.52 lakh crore) between
... Show Full Article
LAKEWOOD, Ohio, Nov. 4 (TNSbrep) -- The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis issued the following news release:
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A Just Transition for Jharkhand--investing in the state's low-carbon future
Upfront costs of transitioning from coal to low-carbon industries will be more than offset by long-term economic and social benefits.
Key Takeaways:
Coal and petroleum contribute 32% to the state's own revenue, exposing Jharkhand to major fiscal risks as fossil fuel use declines.
The report estimates that Jharkhand will need an estimated US$256 billion (Rs21.52 lakh crore) between2026 and 2070 to transition from fossil fuels, covering coal mining, thermal power, and steel production, alongside social support and economic diversification to maintain social and economic stability.
More than US$12.5 billion (Rs1.05 lakh crore) will be needed to reskill, compensate and support workers and livelihoods dependent on the fossil fuel economy. Public funds alone are not sufficient to finance the transition, with private investment and non-government concessional sources of capital being essential.
Economic diversification will more than offset the loss of coal-based revenue in the state's budget, adding an estimated Rs6.7 lakh crore (US$79.3 billion) to the state economy cumulatively by 2070, with the resultant increase in central government taxes and duties further supporting Jharkhand's transition.
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(IEEFA South Asia): The long-term economic benefits of decarbonising and low carbon diversification of Jharkhand's economy, more than compensate for the significant upfront costs, a new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) finds.
The report--Jharkhand's Just Transition: A roadmap for economic growth and diversification--was prepared by IEEFA South Asia as part of the state government's Task Force on Sustainable Just Transition.
The roadmap details the costs of coalmine and thermal power plant closure and remediation, and of steel sector decarbonisation, these sectors being prioritised for their size, economic importance, and just transition implications. It then models decadal transition expenditures, identifies high-potential diversification sectors, and proposes an integrated sustainable finance framework designed to mobilise private capital while ensuring an equitable transition for all stakeholders.
It estimates Jharkhand will require US$256 billion (Rs21.52 lakh crore) from 2026 to 2070 to transition from these fossil fuel dominant sectors without disrupting the social infrastructure.
"This shift entails phasing out carbon-intensive assets, building new low-carbon capacity, and mobilising unprecedented levels of capital," says co-author Shantanu Srivastava, IEEFA's research lead, sustainable finance and climate risk.
While these upfront costs are significant, the report underscores that the long-term benefits in terms of new revenues, jobs, and industrial ecosystems will far outweigh them.
The concentration of heavy industries makes Jharkhand an ideal proving ground for a Just Transition to a diversified, low-carbon economy that could become a model for other states and key to India's achieving its ambitious climate targets.
Jharkhand's vast renewable energy potential, combined with its industrial base and critical mineral reserves, positions the state to emerge as a hub for low-carbon manufacturing, ranging from EVs, solar panels and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to green hydrogen production. At the same time, natural farming and other, nature-based solutions can strengthen rural livelihoods, open opportunities in carbon markets, and enhance climate resilience.
Crucially, the study underscores that while public funds will play a catalytic role, most of the required financing will need to come from beyond state government budgets, through private investment, multilateral concessional capital and innovative blended finance structures. With clear and consistent policies, Jharkhand can attract billions in private and concessional capital, unlocking new infrastructure, industrial clusters, and clean energy innovation.
This massive upfront investment required will also deliver a healthy financial dividend, with a net gain of Rs6.7 lakh crore (US$79.3 billion) to the state government budget by 2070, IEEFA estimates. This does not include any resultant increases in central government taxes and duties.
"Diversifying the state's economy into new, low-carbon sectors will add to its GDP, contributing materially towards Jharkhand's economic growth," Srivastava says. "Thus, the transition will more than compensate for the state's lost coal-based revenues."
Beyond the fiscal dimension, the transition promises wide-ranging just transition benefits. More than US$12.5 billion (Rs1.05 lakh crore) will be required to reskill, compensate, and support workers and communities dependent on coal, but this social investment will ensure that vulnerable communities are not left behind, but thrive in a low-carbon economy.
The report emphasises, however, that these outcomes will not materialise automatically. Achieving them will require strong political commitment, early investments in human capital, and an enabling financial and regulatory ecosystem. Governance and institutional capacity must also be strengthened to ensure transparent implementation and to secure the confidence of different stakeholders.
"This transition is both a high-risk challenge and a high-return opportunity. If Jharkhand acts now, it can not only safeguard its economy and workforce from the decline of coal but also position itself at the forefront of India's low-carbon growth story," says co-author Soni Tiwari, energy finance analyst, South Asia, at IEEFA.
Read the report: Jharkhand's Just Transition: A Roadmap for Economic Growth and Diversification (https://ieefa.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/Jharkhand%27s%20Just%20Transition%20Report%20final%20digital.pdf)
Read the briefing note: Transforming Jharkhand's economy in line with India's net-zero ambitions (https://ieefa.org/sites/default/files/2025-10/brief_0.pdf)
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About IEEFA: The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) examines issues related to energy markets, trends, and policies. The Institute's mission is to accelerate the transition to a diverse, sustainable and profitable energy economy. (ieefa.org)
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Original text here: https://ieefa.org/articles/just-transition-jharkhand-investing-states-low-carbon-future
[Category: Energy]
Antarctic Glacier Retreated Faster Than Any Other in Modern History
BOULDER, Colorado, Nov. 4 (TNSjou) -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news:
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Antarctic glacier retreated faster than any other in modern history
Unprecedented speed of retreat is similar to dramatic glacier retreats that occurred at the end of the last ice age
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A glacier on Antarctica's Eastern Peninsula experienced the fastest retreat recorded in modern history--in just two months, nearly 50 percent of the glacier disintegrated.
A new CU Boulder-led study, published today in Nature Geoscience (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01802-4),
... Show Full Article
BOULDER, Colorado, Nov. 4 (TNSjou) -- The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences issued the following news:
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Antarctic glacier retreated faster than any other in modern history
Unprecedented speed of retreat is similar to dramatic glacier retreats that occurred at the end of the last ice age
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A glacier on Antarctica's Eastern Peninsula experienced the fastest retreat recorded in modern history--in just two months, nearly 50 percent of the glacier disintegrated.
A new CU Boulder-led study, published today in Nature Geoscience (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-025-01802-4),details how and why Antarctica's Hektoria Glacier retreated at an unprecedented rate in 2023, losing a total of eight kilometers of ice in two months. The main driver was the glacier's underlying flat bedrock that enabled the glacier to go afloat after it substantially thinned, causing a rare calving process.
The new findings may help researchers identify other glaciers to monitor for rapid retreat in the future. Hektoria Glacier is small by Antarctic standards--only about 115 square miles, or roughly the size of Philadelphia--but a similar rapid retreat on larger Antarctic glaciers could have catastrophic implications for global sea level rise.
"When we flew over Hektoria in early 2024, I couldn't believe the vastness of the area that had collapsed," said Naomi Ochwat, lead author and CIRES postdoctoral researcher. "I had seen the fjord and notable mountain features in the satellite images, but being there in person filled me with astonishment at what had happened."
The research team, which included CIRES Senior Research Scientist Ted Scambos, surveyed the area surrounding Hektoria Glacier using satellites and remote sensing for a separate research study. They wanted to understand why sea ice broke away from a glacier a decade after an ice shelf collapse in 2002. While analyzing results for the first study, Ochwat noticed data that indicated Hektoria had all but disappeared over a two-month period.
So, she set out to understand: why did this glacier retreat so fast?
Many glaciers in Antarctica are tidewater glaciers--glaciers that rest on the seabed and end with their ice front in the ocean and calve icebergs. The topography beneath these glaciers is often varied; they may sit upon deep canyons, underground mountains, or big flat plains. In Hektoria's case, the glacier rested on top of an ice plain, a flat area of bedrock below sea level. Researchers previously found that 15,000-19,000 years ago, Antarctic glaciers with ice plains retreated hundreds of meters per day, and this helped the team better understand Hektoria's rapid retreat.
When tidewater glaciers meet the ocean, they can go afloat, where they float on the ocean's surface rather than resting on solid ground. The point at which a glacier goes afloat is called the grounding line. Using several types of satellite data, the researchers discovered Hektoria had multiple grounding lines, which can indicate a glacier with ice plain topography underneath.
Hektoria's ice plain caused a large part of the glacier to go afloat suddenly, causing it to calve quickly. Going afloat exposed it to ocean forces that opened up crevasses from the bottom of the glacier, eventually meeting crevasses exposed from the top, causing the entire glacier to calve and break away.
The team used satellite data to study the glacier at different time intervals and created a robust picture of the glacier, its topography, and its retreat.
"If we only had one image every three months, we might not be able to tell you that the glacier lost two and a half kilometers in two days," Ochwat said. "Combining these different satellites, we can fill in time gaps and confirm how quickly the glacier lost ice."
The researchers also used seismic instruments to identify a series of glacier earthquakes at Hektoria that occurred simultaneously with the rapid retreat period. The earthquakes confirmed the glacier was grounded on bedrock rather than floating, proving both the presence of an ice plain topography and that the ice loss contributed directly to global sea level rise.
Ice plain topographies have been detected across numerous glaciers in Antarctica, and the research on Hektoria will help scientists anticipate and forecast potential rapid retreat across the continent.
"Hektoria's retreat is a bit of a shock--this kind of lighting-fast retreat really changes what's possible for other, larger glaciers on the continent," Scambos said. "If the same conditions set up in some of the other areas, it could greatly speed up sea level rise from the continent."
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Original text here: https://cires.colorado.edu/news/antarctic-glacier-retreated-faster-any-other-modern-history
[Category: Environment]
AGU and Partner Societies Invite Research Supporting United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 -- The American Geophysical Union issued the following news release:
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AGU and partner societies invite research supporting UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), and The Oceanography Society (TOS) invite research for a joint special collection highlighting ocean science solutions in support of the United Nations Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.
UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission is coordinating the global initiative
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Nov. 4 -- The American Geophysical Union issued the following news release:
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AGU and partner societies invite research supporting UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The American Geophysical Union (AGU), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO), and The Oceanography Society (TOS) invite research for a joint special collection highlighting ocean science solutions in support of the United Nations Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development 2021-2030.
UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission is coordinating the global initiativeto reverse the decline of the ocean's health by stimulating science-based solutions and partnerships for sustainable management of marine ecosystems. The papers featured in the eponymous collection will form a shared foundation for understanding and guiding UN policy decisions, providing the science and perspectives that meet the Ocean Decade's vision of "the science we need for the ocean we want."
"The ocean is our largest ecosystem, a global economic driver, and our most powerful climate regulator, and it is under threat," said AGU President Brandon Jones. "This special collection will deliver the knowledge and insights needed to propel global solutions that protect the health of our ocean and all who depend on it."
"This special collection will be a wonderful way to capture in one place the diverse array of inspiring ocean research and education programs being conducted globally," said Ellen S. Kappel, editor of the journal Oceanography.
An official Ocean Decade Action Activity, the collection will showcase research that responds directly to the initiative's urgent priorities, as outlined in its Ten Challenges, which include topics such as marine pollution and climate change solutions.
"This joint initiative between ASLO, AGU, and TOS will focus our collective excellence in aquatic sciences towards the Ten Challenges of the Ocean Decade, aimed at fostering a sustainable relationship between humanity and the ocean," said ASLO President Susanne Menden-Deuer. "Collaboratively, we have a tremendous opportunity for solutions-oriented contributions in addressing pollution and biodiversity loss and accelerating food security, equitable resource use and economic and technological progress. The three societies have a long history of advancing ocean sciences and promoting the next generation of scientists, and this special collection will continue that tradition."
Participating journals include: JGR: Oceans, Earth's Future, and Water Resources Research (AGU); Limnology and Oceanography, L&O Methods, L&O Letters, and L&O Bulletin (ASLO); and Oceanography (TOS).
All accepted papers will appear on each journal's website as well as on a joint landing page in collaboration with publishing partner Wiley. Authors can visit each journal's website for details on publication charges and available funding options.
Submissions to the special collection will be accepted through December 2030.
Visit the United Nations Ocean Decade for Sustainable Development special collection for more information: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/toc/10.1002/(ISSN)2169-9291.un-ocean-decade
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AGU (www.agu.org) is a global community supporting more than half a million professionals and advocates in Earth and space sciences. Through broad and inclusive partnerships, AGU aims to advance discovery and solution science that accelerate knowledge and create solutions that are ethical, unbiased and respectful of communities and their values. Our programs include serving as a scholarly publisher, convening virtual and in-person events and providing career support. We live our values in everything we do, such as our net zero energy renovated building in Washington, D.C., and our Ethics and Equity Center, which fosters a diverse and inclusive geoscience community to ensure responsible conduct.
ASLO (www.aslo.org) is an international aquatic science society that was founded in 1948. For more than 70 years, it has been the leading professional organization for researchers and educators in the field of aquatic science. The purpose of ASLO is to foster a diverse, international scientific community that creates, integrates and communicates knowledge across the full spectrum of aquatic sciences, advances public awareness and education about aquatic resources and research, and promotes scientific stewardship of aquatic resources for the public interest. Its products and activities are directed toward these ends. With 3,000 members worldwide, the society has earned an outstanding reputation and is best known for its journals and interdisciplinary meetings. For more information about ASLO, please visit our website at www.ASLO.org.
The Oceanography Society's (www.tos.org) mission is to build the capacity of its diverse global membership; catalyze interdisciplinary ocean research, technology, policy, and education; and promote equitable access to opportunities for all. First published in July 1988, Oceanography is the official magazine of The Oceanography Society. It contains peer-reviewed articles that chronicle all aspects of ocean science and its applications. In addition, Oceanography solicits and publishes news and information, meeting reports, hands-on laboratory exercises, career profiles, book reviews, and shorter, editor-reviewed articles that address public policy and education and how they are affected by science and technology.
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Original text here: https://news.agu.org/press-release/agu-and-partner-societies-invite-research-supporting-un-decade-of-ocean-science-for-sustainable-development/
[Category: Science]
