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Environment

What are the potential effects of changing or keeping air pollution rules on our environment and health?

EPA's reversal of the formal 2009 scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten humans looks slated to land this week, per the WSJ, other reports, and people tracking the move. Why it matters: Rescinding the "endangerment finding" is the Trump administration's most direct effort yet to rip out climate regulations root and branch — and make it harder for a successor to impose new ones. The big picture: EPA did not confirm the timing, but pointed to Administrator Lee Zeldin's comments in the WSJ piece. "This amounts to the largest act of deregulation in the history of the United States," Zeldin tells the paper. "The final rule will be published once it has completed interagency review and been signed by the Administrator," EPA told Axios on Tuesday. The rule is certain to draw litigation that will play out over years. State of play: The agency is planning to remove the finding with respect to motor vehicle emissions specifically. But that could bring challenges to regulation of emissions from power plants, oil and gas sites, and beyond. What we're watching: The White House Office of Management and Budget website still lists the rule as under review. Meetings with outside parties looking to influence the plan are scheduled through Thursday, but that's not proof of anything

United States
Society

Some simple spatial analytics of Cape Town

Rio de Janeiro let its hillsides be filled in with lower-cost dwellings. The result was a significant increase in the crime rate. On the more positive side of the ledger, upward mobility increased too. If you live in a decent favela, you can get to a downtown job with not too much difficulty, albeit with […] The post Some simple spatial analytics of Cape Town appeared first on Marginal REVOLUTION. Related StoriesStudying with Ludwig LachmannWhy is the USDA Involved in Housing.The 21st Century...

South Africa
Technology

Why physical AI is becoming manufacturing’s next advantage

For decades, manufacturers have pursued automation to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and stabilize operations. That approach delivered meaningful gains, but it is no longer enough. Today’s manufacturing leaders face a different challenge: how to grow amid labor constraints, rising complexity, and increasing pressure to innovate faster without sacrificing safety, quality, or trust. The next phase…

United States