The Daily Populous

Tuesday July 9th, 2019 day edition

image for Portland State study shows ways to reduce extreme heat in city neighborhoods

Portland State study demonstrates how plants, trees and reflective materials can reduce extreme heat in city neighborhoods.

Planting more vegetation, using reflective materials on hard surfaces and installing green roofs on buildings can help cool potentially deadly urban heat islands -- a phenomenon that exists in nearly all large cities -- a new study from Portland State University shows.

Those solutions, however, present a growing challenge to developers and planners as neighborhoods become increasingly dense and single-family homes give way to apartment buildings.

The modeling showed that the biggest differences came from using reflective materials and planting trees.

He noted, however, that green roofs provide other environmental benefits such as retaining storm water, controlling pollution and providing a habitat for wildlife.

The phenomenon of higher temperatures in areas with a lot of buildings and pavement is known as the urban heat island effect.

While testing solutions that reduce urban heat, the study also showed the effects of doing the opposite. »

Amazon staff will strike during Prime Day over working conditions

Authored by engadget.com

Although Amazon isn't likely to face a major disruption due to the sheer number of fulfillment centers in the US, the strike could draw attention to ongoing worries that Amazon is demanding too much from its staff and putting them on a tight leash.

Amazon said it hadn't seen the complaints, but they suggest that the strikers are risking punishment if they dare step away.

Update 7/8 5:57PM ET: An Amazon spokesperson claims the company "already" offers what workers are asking for, including "excellent pay" and "great employment opportunities." »

Recreational marijuana legalization tied to decline in teens using pot, study says

Authored by edition.cnn.com

The data showed that marijuana use among high schoolers was not statistically associated with medical marijuana laws, but there was a link with recreational marijuana laws.

"Because many recreational marijuana laws have been passed so recently, we do observe limited post-treatment data for some of these states," Anderson said.

"Given the legalization, we need more education around marijuana or cannabis use for youth and we don't really have a lot of education. »

Dems to pursue criminal contempt for William Barr, Wilbur Ross over census

Authored by politico.com

| Samantha Maldonado/AP Photo congress Dems to pursue criminal contempt for William Barr, Wilbur Ross over census.

House Democratic leaders plan to move forward with criminal contempt proceedings against Attorney General William Barr and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross for defying congressional subpoenas for documents related to the 2020 census, senior Democratic aides said Monday.

Being held in contempt by Congress will be an embarrassment for the Trump administration officials but it won’t lead to many tangible consequences. »