Spanning long distances across variable terrains, electric power systems can spark wildfires in the event of dry weather and high winds. This may occur when conductor cables oscillate in such a way to become close to the surrounding vegetation. Data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection shows that between 2016 and 2020, […]
Lehigh University
Abortion Politics: How abortion in the US has been ‘constructed as a controversial issue’
June 3, 2019 – “Abortion is not naturally controversial; it has been constructed that way,” writes sociologist Ziad Munson in his book Abortion Politics. In it, he traces the history of abortion in the U.S., as well as how the controversy surrounding the issue has been constructed and by what forces. The meaning of abortion […]
Flood risk denial in US coastal communities
April 2, 2018 – Rising sea levels have worsened the destruction that routine tidal flooding causes in the nation’s coastal communities. On the U.S. mainland, communities in Louisiana, Florida and Maryland are most at risk. Stemming the loss of life and property is a complex problem. Elected officials can enact policies to try to lessen […]
Living downwind of coal-fired power plant could increase risk of low birth weight
April 4, 2017 – Study found that babies born during 1990-2006 to mothers living as far as 20 to 30 miles away from proven emitter of sulfur dioxide emissions had 6.5 percent greater risk of low birth weight and 17.12 percent greater risk of very low birth weight. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has […]