In pursuit of a perfect world with no crop damage, itchy bites, headlight dirt, and more humans have worked hard to eradicate virtually all insect life. Turns out perfection is not only an elusive goal but a goal with huge costs. One of those may well be that killing all insects means wiping out all … Continue reading We need insects to survive — and we’re killing them all
Tag: environment
Nigeria working with big beverage companies to develop plastic recycling program
This is a terrific article that is basically impossible to bring into the blog. Read it anyway. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-11-13/nigeria-enlists-big-beverage-companies-to-fight-plastic-waste?
Air pollution clearly linked to fossil fuels and to brain cancer
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/13/air-pollution-particles-linked-to-brain-cancer-in-new-research Air pollution nanoparticles linked to brain cancer for first time Exclusive: tiny particles produced by motor traffic can invade the brain and carry carcinogens Damian Carrington Environment editor @dpcarrington Wed 13 Nov 2019 05.57 EST New research has linked air pollution nanoparticles to brain cancer for the first time. The ultra-fine particles (UFPs) are produced … Continue reading Air pollution clearly linked to fossil fuels and to brain cancer
Remember wildfires are a global problem
California wildfires pale in comparison to those in Australia in terms of surface area and duration. (I think California has more damage to residences and buildings.) But this article describes a truly frightening problem Down Under. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/nov/12/australia-fires-rage-out-of-control-catastrophic-day? (click thru for additional videos and maps) Australia fires could be out of control for months, says fire … Continue reading Remember wildfires are a global problem
Drones can create a forest in a day
From my friend Kevin Land at Aqua Design Innovations (the maker of the rather neat Ecoqube C, a small but well set-up aquarium): If you've paid attention to news recently, you'll know that our forests are being decimated...Increasing demand for tree-based products and climate change has led to a massive increase of carbon emissions, making … Continue reading Drones can create a forest in a day
Creative use of Fukushima
With all of the damage, some of it global by air and water, caused by Fukushima's nuclear disaster, some creative soul has come up with the perfect use of the uninhabitable area -- use it to provide renewable energy. What a great idea! https://e360.yale.edu/digest/fukushima-to-be-transformed-into-renewable-energy-hub E360 Digest November 11, 2019 Fukushima to be Transformed into Renewable … Continue reading Creative use of Fukushima
Global producers are behind the huge fires in Indonesia — speak up!
As so often turns out to be the case, the unsustainable and unethical sourcing of palm oil continues to be a problem even for global brands that are trying to be environmentally sound. Consumers need to speak up with their mouths and their feet by refusing to buy products listing palm oil as an ingredient … Continue reading Global producers are behind the huge fires in Indonesia — speak up!
NYC’s new street plans illustrate the complex changes needed to address congestion and pollution
This plan appears to be a comprehensive and considered approach to decreasing congestion and pollution in NYC by improving traffic flow, promoting bicycle use, and more. But reading the investment and time needed to improving just this one element of public transportation shows what daunting problems lie ahead to improve our environment. https://ny.curbed.com/2019/10/28/20936587/city-council-streets-master-plan-corey-johnson City Council … Continue reading NYC’s new street plans illustrate the complex changes needed to address congestion and pollution
Scotland preserves a carbon sink
Always nice to see a country take affirmative action on the climate crisis. Peatlands (bogs) are carbon sinks that work twice as well as forests. Unfortunately, nature creates them -- not humans. But it is possible to take action to protect the peatlands that now cover 3% of the world's land in 175 countries. https://www.ecowatch.com/scotland-peatlands-climate-change-2641173982.html … Continue reading Scotland preserves a carbon sink
Neonicotinoids deadly for all life, not just harmful insects
With all of the evidence making clear the massive harm produced by neonicotinoid pesticides, it's amazing that anyone could still begin using them without expecting adverse effects. Fishery collapse ‘confirms Silent Spring pesticide prophecy' Common pesticides found to starve fish ‘astoundingly fast’ by killing aquatic insects Damian Carrington Environment editor @dpcarrington Thu 31 Oct 2019 14.00 EDT Last modified … Continue reading Neonicotinoids deadly for all life, not just harmful insects
Bypass of environmental rules by ships fouls water instead of air
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/shipping-uk-ports-environmental-cheat-devices-scrubbers-dredging-pollution-a9171476.html Environmental ‘cheat devices’ fitted to thousands of ships could render UK ports unusable ‘Scrubbers’ pollute sea instead of air despite complying with new legislation Wil Crisp October 27, 2019 Some ports, such as Ramsgate, already spend tens of millions of pounds on dredging every year ( AFP ) Environmental “cheat” devices fitted to thousands … Continue reading Bypass of environmental rules by ships fouls water instead of air
Latest wildfire report from CA by Washington Post
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/10/30/california-fires-map-getty-fire-kincade-fire/ Winds are gusting above hurricane force in California, driving a new wildfire in the Los Angeles area By Katie Mettler and Andrew Freedman October 30 at 11:16 AM ET Massive wildfires are blazing in Northern and Southern California, ravaging both ends of the state. Take a look at where the fires are. (Amber Ferguson/The … Continue reading Latest wildfire report from CA by Washington Post
Abycats' Thoughts 