WFU in the news: Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2023

FEATURED NEWS

Former coal towns get money for clean-energy factories
By Hiroko Tabuchi | The New York Times
Less than a quarter of a percent of workers who left a fossil fuel job in West Virginia moved onto a job in renewable energy, said economics professor Mark Curtis. Fossil fuel workers without a college degree were significantly less likely to find clean energy jobs. “In places like Texas or in the middle of the country where there’s a lot of solar and wind, fossil fuel communities are relatively well positioned to take advantage of renewables. Coal communities generally don’t have that, especially when you think about Appalachia,” Curtis said.  – 12/05/2023

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL

Electric vehicle push returns North Carolina to its lithium mining roots
By Alan Rappeport | The New York Times
Local officials may ultimately be loath to turn away thousands of new and well-paying jobs. “My sense is that the potential benefits from this are going to be large enough that any of these political considerations will take a back seat,” said economic professor Mark Curtis. – 11/30/2023

Poorer areas have seen the bulk of clean energy funds in the Inflation Reduction Act’s wake, Treasury finds
By Brian Cheung, J.J. McCorvey | NBC News
Economists and clean energy experts said the new findings largely show the White House’s overall policy ambition — to accelerate the green transition while improving economic equity — is off to a strong start. “If you’re trying to minimize the transitional costs of moving to renewable energy, then you probably want to target communities that are going to be hardest hit,” said economics professor Mark Curtis. “It makes sense that those production credits will be going towards areas of the country with lower income.”– 11/29/2023

As plastic production grows, treaty negotiations to reduce plastic waste are stuck in low gear
By Sarah J. Morath | The Conversation
“Plastic pollution has spread to Earth’s farthest reaches, with widespread effects on wildlife, the environment and human health. To curb this problem, U.N. member countries are negotiating a global treaty to reduce plastic pollution, which they aim to complete by the end of 2024. Although the negotiations are behind schedule, many nations agree that a binding treaty on plastic pollution is critical to solving the plastic pollution problem,” writes law professor Sarah Morath. – 11/30/2023

This article was picked up nationwide.

Artifact
By Jarrett A. Lobell | Archaeology Magazine
When you were a child each toy and how you played with it communicated something about you, your family, and the society you grew up in. This is not a new phenomenon. Anthropological archaeologist Jessica MacLellan said such objects “influenced the relationships between children and adults and shaped ideals that children looked up to as they grew. The Classic Maya made ceramic figurine whistles, and the figurine whistles made the Classic Maya.” – 12/01/2023

Various reasons, little regret for online affairs, new study finds
By Christian Miller | Forbes
Why do people cheat in monogamous relationships? Conventional wisdom suggests reasons like falling out of love, harboring anger towards your significant other, or feeling neglected. But these may not be important reasons after all. And surely people feel guilt after an affair, right? Wouldn’t feelings of guilt or regret be commonplace? Actually, new data points to high rates of satisfaction instead. – 11/30/2023

Time to drawdown from Syria
By C. William Walldorf | RealClear Defense
“As part of the fallout from the war in Gaza, U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq have come under attack more than 50 times from Iranian-backed militias since early October. At least 56 military personnel have been injured. In response, the U.S. launched retaliatory air strikes and has sent about 900 more troops to the region. This bolstering of forces is the wrong move. Why drawdown completely? The answer is simple,” writes politics and international affairs professor Will Walldorf. – 11/24/2023

Honesty: The Philosophy and Psychology of a Neglected Virtue
By Morteza Hajizadeh | New Books Network
“Honesty: The Philosophy and Psychology of a Neglected Virtue” provides both a richer understanding of what our character looks like, as well as what the goal of being an honest person actually involves. Miller then leaves it up to us to decide if we want to take steps to shrink the character gap between the two. – 11/30/2023

How many times do people lie in a day?
Let’s Go Michigan!
Philosophy professor Christian Miller talks about his research that looks at in what circumstances people are liable to let loose a lie. – 12/05/2023

LOCAL

UNCSA gains national media rankings
By Richard Craver | Winston-Salem Journal
The School of Filmmaking and the School of Drama at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts have gained national rankings from two media outlets. The ranking also highlighted partnerships with other universities including Wake Forest University. – 11/29/2023