Read the full story in Progressive Grocer.
The retailer will fund an initiative that leverages robots, drones and other tech to clean up beaches and waterways.
Day: April 21, 2022
Microplastics and pollution combine to become much more toxic: Study
Read the full story in Environmental Health News.
Microplastics can pick up pollution in their travels and pose an even greater threat to human health, according to a new study.
In the ocean, for example, toxic compounds can hitch a ride on plastic and make the material 10 times more toxic than it would normally be, according to the research published earlier this year in Chemosphere.
Although the dangers of both microplastics and harmful compounds have been studied individually, few researchers have look at their combined effect. This study is also unique in that the researchers tested these polluted plastic particles on human cells—most previous research has focused on the impacts on marine life.
New piping plover spotted on Rainbow Beach
Read the full story in the Chicago Sun-Times.
The new plover was sighted late afternoon Tuesday, and was identified as a 5-year-old female who usually nests at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan.
4 questions to ask yourself before engaging in any climate work
Read the full story at GreenBiz.
To adequately respond to climate challenges, we need to ask ourselves how we can ensure the response is just for all people and in the best interest of the planet. To do so, we have to ask ourselves a few questions.
Making green energy greener: Researchers propose method for wind turbine blades’ recycling
Read the full story from the Kaunas University of Technology.
Wind turbine blades made from glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminate composites can serve for up to 25 years. After that, they end up in landfills which has become a real challenge for the renewable energy industry. Researchers have proposed a method for wind turbine blades’ recycling. Using pyrolysis, they broke the composite materials into their constituent parts. According to scientists, the extracted materials can be reused, and the process is virtually waste-free.
Precision fermentation food colours prepare to challenge synthetics
Read the full story at Food Navigator.
Natural colour maker Phytolon is collaborating with Ginkgo Bioworks to take its biological production to the ‘next level’. FoodNavigator asks Phytolon co-founder and CEO Halim Jubran how its novel production technology works.
PepsiCo LatAm transitions to GHG-busting plastic alternative made from household waste
Read the full story at Bakery and Snacks.
The Lay’s, Cheetos and Quaker Oats maker is rolling out the use of UBQ material developed by Israeli startup UBQ Materials from household waste, which has significant impact in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
The role of felt responsibility in climate change political participation
Sammi Munson, John Kotcher, Edward Maibach, Seth A Rosenthal, Anthony Leiserowitz (2021). “The role of felt responsibility in climate change political participation.” Oxford Open Climate Change, 1(1), kgab012. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfclm/kgab012 [open access]]
Abstract: This research letter investigates the role of feelings of responsibility to reduce climate change (i.e. ‘felt responsibility’) as an antecedent to climate change-related political behaviors and intentions, including willingness to join a campaign, likelihood of supporting pro-climate presidential candidates and past contact with elected officials. Using nationally representative survey data (n = 1029), we find that felt responsibility has a significant positive relationship with future behavioral intent, but not past behavior. Implications and future research are discussed.
How Illinois’ ‘fragmented system’ of monitoring pesticide exposure ‘allows individuals to get poisoned over and over without any brakes’
Read the full story from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting.
A crew of farmworkers claimed they were sprayed with pesticides. What should have been a “rapid response” was a “big mess.”
Green infrastructure helps cities with climate change. So why isn’t there more of it?
Read the full story from NPR.
Federal agencies are beginning to hand out billions of dollars in infrastructure spending, the largest investment ever made in the country’s water system. Much of it will go to improving pipes, drains and stormwater systems. But some scientists and urban planners are pushing to fund projects that are better adapted to the changing climate.
Instead of just gray infrastructure, supporters say the answer is green.
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