Manila confronts its plastic problem through a community-guided protocol
Governments and international organizations have touted the circular economy, in which materials and products stay in circulation for as long as possible, as an antidote to our global plastic problem. (The equivalent of 2,000 garbage trucks of plasti.....»»
Can plastic-eating insects help with our microplastic problem?
Plastic pollution occurs in every ecosystem on the planet and lingers for decades. Could insects be part of the solution?.....»»
Study finds American and Canadian universities vary widely in preparing future urban planners for climate change
Urban and community planners have a vital role in preparing their cities for climate change. But are the university programs training them for those careers adequately preparing them for climate change in terms of mitigating, adapting to and being re.....»»
Sustainable land management practice successfully "uproots" invasive Prosopis juliflora in East Africa
The adoption of a sustainable land management practice (SLM) to manage invasive Prosopis juliflora—considered one of the worlds most threatening non-native tree species—appears to have "uprooted" the problem in East Africa......»»
960 million dirty diapers are a big waste problem—what can be done with them
The use of disposable diapers (nappies) is growing in African countries. The disposable diaper undoubtedly makes it easier for many parents to work or spend time on other things, including their own and their child's well-being......»»
Plastic pollution talks: the key sticking points
Divisions between countries have stalled negotiations on the world's first treaty to tackle plastic pollution, after a terse week of talks in South Korea's Busan......»»
Lagos street hawkers are blamed for crimes in traffic—but gangs are the real problem
Traffic in Lagos, Nigeria's biggest city, is congested and chaotic. About 1.8 million vehicles used Lagos roads in 2022. The city has 226 vehicles per kilometer. The global average is 11 cars per km and the Nigerian national average is 16......»»
Calls for extension as plastic treaty negotiations falter
Delegates seeking the world's first deal to curb plastic pollution began openly advocating for an extension of talks on Sunday, accusing a handful of nations of obstructing an ambitious agreement......»»
Why is a global treaty on plastic pollution dividing the world?
What on earth to do about all the plastic polluting the oceans, the food supply, even our bodies?.....»»
Windows 11 Recall finally arrives, but with one new problem
The Windows 11 Recall is a little buggy but Microsoft has a quick fix for users previewing the feature......»»
A tax on new plastic would slash waste—if built into the global treaty on plastics
Earlier this week, the mining magnate Andrew Forrest made headlines calling for a global "polymer premium"—or plastic tax—to be placed on every ton of newly manufactured plastics. A tax like this could form part of the Global Plastic Treaty being.....»»
Showdown looms on plastic treaty days before deadline
Diplomats warned Friday of a looming showdown in negotiations to reach the world's first deal to curb plastic pollution, after a new draft text emerged littered with competing visions and ongoing disagreements......»»
From community to cash flow: Research explores why affordable housing"s social goals often take a back seat
Affordable housing promises more than just a roof over one's head. But new research reveals a troubling pattern: While many providers of affordable housing pledge to uplift communities, financial pressures often sideline social priorities......»»
Plastic in the ocean and on our plates: What are the risks to human health?
It's no secret: when we savor a delicious piece of fish or a platter of seafood, we're not just consuming valuable omega-3s and vitamin D. Alongside these benefits come less appetizing elements—countless micro- and nano-plastics......»»
Car tires shed a quarter of all microplastics in the environment. Urgent action is needed
Every year, billions of vehicles worldwide shed an estimated 6 million tons of tire fragments. These tiny flakes of plastic, generated by the wear and tear of normal driving, eventually accumulate in the soil, in rivers and lakes, and even in our foo.....»»
Researchers find a possible solution to the cosmic ray muon puzzle
Scientists have a problem with cosmic rays—they produce too many muons at the Earth's surface. Cascades of muons are byproducts of high-energy cosmic rays as they collide with nuclei in the upper atmosphere, and scientists see more muons at Earth's.....»»
Flour, water, salt, GitHub: The Bread Code is a sourdough baking framework
My year of baking lessons, guided by a full-stack engineer who teaches patience. One year ago, I didn’t know how to bake bread. I just knew how to follow a recipe. If everythin.....»»
At plastic treaty talks, no united front for industry
Is virgin plastic production vital or completely unsustainable? For the industry lobbyists at UN talks on plastic pollution, the answer is far from unanimous......»»
"A dose of nature": Each time you visit a national park, you save the health budget almost $100
Visiting a national park is good for our health and well-being. But the benefits are not shared equally across the community. Often the people who need it most are least able to access a high-quality dose of nature......»»
Five fairness flaws the UN"s new plastics treaty must change
The UN's new plastics treaty is about to be finalized—marking a crucial opportunity to form an international agreement to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. Plastic waste is ubiquitous—damaging human health and livelihoods, as well as ecosystem.....»»
Chinese island plastic pollution turned into artistic omens
As storm clouds gathered on a forgotten beach in China's Miaodao islands, artist Fu Junsheng picked his way through piles of plastic waste washed up along the shoreline, looking for inspiration......»»