Plastic planet: Tracking pervasive microplastics across the globe
Really big systems, like ocean currents and weather, work on really big scales. And so too does your plastic waste, according to new research from Janice Brahney from the Department of Watershed Sciences. The plastic straw you discarded in 1980 hasn'.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
"Very, very slow": plastic treaty talks grind forward
Negotiations on a first global treaty to curb plastic pollution are moving "very, very slowly", diplomats and observers told AFP on Wednesday, threatening the chances of reaching an agreement......»»
Submarine canyon plastic accumulation is driven by turbidity currents, simulation study shows
Plastic pollution is an ever-pressing concern for the health of our ocean ecosystems and their inhabitants, with estimates of over 10 million metric tons of plastic litter entering the marine realm each year. While evocative images often highlight su.....»»
Unexplained heat-wave "hotspots" are popping up across the globe
Earth's hottest recorded year was 2023, at 2.12°F above the 20th-century average. This surpassed the previous record set in 2016. So far, the 10 hottest yearly average temperatures have occurred in the past decade. And, with the hottest summer and h.....»»
Astronomers discover a "hot Neptune" in a tight orbit
A Neptune-sized planet, TOI-3261 b, makes a scorchingly close orbit around its host star. Only the fourth object of its kind ever found, the planet could reveal clues as to how planets such as these form......»»
Viture’s new Pro Neckband grants AR glasses extra superpowers
Viture's new Pro Neckband makes Viture smart glasses into a spatial computing device with hand-tracking, an AI assistant, and more......»»
Magnetically driven vortices may be generating Earth-size concentrations of hydrocarbon haze at Jupiter"s poles
While Jupiter's Great Red Spot has been a constant feature of the planet for centuries, University of California, Berkeley, astronomers have discovered equally large spots at the planet's north and south poles that appear and disappear seemingly at r.....»»
Deep divisions on display at plastic pollution treaty talks
A final round of talks on a treaty to curb plastic pollution opened on Monday, with deep differences between nations emerging almost immediately......»»
Plastic pollution talks must not fail: UN environment chief
Talks to agree the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution cannot fail and must tackle both production and consumption, the UN's environment chief told AFP on Monday......»»
A 4.45 billion-year-old crystal from Mars reveals the planet had water from the beginning
Water is ubiquitous on Earth—about 70% of Earth's surface is covered by the stuff. Water is in the air, on the surface and inside rocks. Geologic evidence suggests water has been stable on Earth since about 4.3 billion years ago......»»
Concern as climate talks stalls on fossil fuels pledge
The failure of UN climate negotiations to double down on a global pledge to move away from planet-heating fossil fuels on Sunday was decried by experts as a "worrying" setback to global progress on curbing warming......»»
"Existential challenge": plastic pollution treaty talks begin
A final round of talks on a treaty to curb plastic pollution opened on Monday, with deep differences between nations emerging almost immediately......»»
Earth bids farewell to its temporary "mini moon" that is possibly a chunk of our actual moon
Planet Earth is parting company with an asteroid that's been tagging along as a "mini moon" for the past two months......»»
"Easy, convenient, cheap": How single-use plastic rules the world
Each year the world produces around 400 million tonnes of plastic waste, much of it discarded after just a few minutes of use......»»
Chimps are upping their tool game, says study
"Planet of the Apes" may have been onto something......»»
Time is running out for a treaty to end plastic pollution—here"s why it matters
On March 2, 2022, delegates to the UN environment assembly adopted an ambitious resolution to develop the text of a new treaty by the end of 2024 to end plastic pollution. With 24 days of formal negotiation between almost 200 countries completed, spr.....»»
Oldest direct evidence of hot water activity on Mars found
New Curtin University-led research has uncovered what may be the oldest direct evidence of ancient hot water activity on Mars, revealing the planet may have been habitable at some point in its past......»»
"Moment of truth" for world-first plastic pollution treaty
Plastic pollution litters our seas, our air and even our bodies, but negotiators face an uphill battle next week to agree on the world's first treaty aimed at ending the problem......»»