The Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo were some of the worst plastic offenders. Credit: PixabayA recent study revealed that nearly 25% of identifiable plastic pollution originates from just five large corporations. Analyzing 1.87 million instances of environmental plastic waste from 2018 to 2022, researchers found that over half of these instances couldn't be attributed to...
Credit: PixabayA recent study published in the journal Science indicates that nearly half of China's large cities are experiencing sinking land, posing flood risks to millions of residents.The research revealed that 45% of China's urban areas are sinking at a rate exceeding 3 mm per year, with 16% sinking more than 10 mm annually.Satellite...
Credit: DepositphotosFollowing North America's recent solar eclipse, another significant natural phenomenon is approaching. Between late April and June 2024, the largest group of 13-year cicadas, known as Brood XIX, will emerge alongside a midwestern group of 17-year cicadas, Brood XIII.This phenomenon will impact 17 states, stretching from Maryland to Iowa and extending southward into...
Replanting is done in phases, with old vines notably Chenin keeping up production while the new ones grow.On a South African wine estate, piles of dry, uprooted grapevines lie at the base of a barren, hilly terrain.Vineyards are replanting to adapt to climate change, anticipating infrequent but intense rainfall in the wine region.From Australia...
Credit: DepositphotosGlobal carbon cycle models usually consider plants, microbes, soil, and the atmosphere but often overlook animals. From earthworms to elephants, these creatures can play a crucial, yet understudied, role in carbon capture and storage within ecosystems.In a new theoretical framework published in the Journal of Geophysical Research:Biogeosciences by Matteo Rizzuto and colleagues, a...
Credit: PixabayThe Southern Ocean is celebrated for its pristine air quality, long an enigma until recent findings shed light on the mystery.The cleanliness isn't solely due to limited human activity. While the region sees minimal industrial chemical use and fossil fuel burning, natural sources like sea salt from spray or wind-driven dust also contribute.Aerosols,...
Credit: PixabayNew research published in the journal Ecology on April 9 reveals that certain ant species have been compelled to vacate their original habitats in Gregory Canyon near Boulder, Colorado, over the last six decades due to their inability to withstand rising temperatures driven by climate change.According to Anna Paraskevopoulos, a Ph.D. student at...
Credit: PixabayAs climate indicators worsen, demands for radical technological solutions intensify. Yet, numerous studies consistently reveal that embracing forced geoengineering involves significant perilous consequences.Fresh research cautions against the potential consequences of injecting sulfate particles into the atmosphere as a means to replicate the cooling effects of volcanic eruptions by reflecting sunlight. If these particles...
Credit: DepositphotosOn Tuesday, scientists revealed that planting trees in unsuitable locations can exacerbate global warming. However, a newly developed map pinpoints optimal areas for reforestation, which can help in cooling the planet.Trees play a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide, and efforts to restore degraded woodlands or expand forested areas are important strategies in...
Credit: PixabayOur fondness for coffee results in millions of tons of discarded coffee grounds annually. Scientists have been exploring methods to utilize them, and we now have another addition to the list: research demonstrates that old coffee grounds can absorb bentazone, an agricultural herbicide.If the technology can be advanced, it would address two environmental...
