The public stoush is really about whether the party will drop the charade or maintain it while shuffling some wordsWant to get this in your inbox when it publishes? Sign up for the Clear Air Australia newsletter hereThe best thing that can be said abou…
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Methane 101: Understanding the Second Most Important Greenhouse Gas
By Olivia Rosane and Cristen Hemingway Jaynes Quick Key Facts What Is Methane? What has no color or smell and is found in wetlands, cow burps and your basement furnace? The answer is methane — a powerful greenhouse gas that is the second most important contributor to the climate crisis after carbon dioxide (CO2). It […]
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Read moreMass Die-Off of Western Monarch Butterflies Linked to Pesticides, Study Finds
A new peer-reviewed study has linked pesticides as a likely cause to a mass die-off of Western monarch butterflies that occurred in 2024. In January 2024, researchers found hundreds of dead or dying monarch butterflies near the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary in California, where Western monarch butterflies typically overwinter. As The Guardian reported, researchers found […]
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Read moreMass Die-Off of Western Monarch Butterflies Linked to Pesticides, Study Finds
A new peer-reviewed study has linked pesticides as a likely cause to a mass die-off of Western monarch butterflies that occurred in 2024. In January 2024, researchers found hundreds of dead or dying monarch butterflies near the Pacific Grove Monarch Sanctuary in California, where Western monarch butterflies typically overwinter. As The Guardian reported, researchers found […]
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Read moreUN’s Top Court Rules That ‘Clean, Healthy’ Environment Is a Human Right
In a landmark finding, the United Nations’ top court on Wednesday issued an advisory opinion stating that a “clean, healthy and sustainable environment” is a human right. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling supports the obligation of UN member states to tackle the climate crisis and outlines the consequences they could face if they […]
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Read morePFAS Levels in Tap Water for 73 Million People in U.S. Exceed EPA Thresholds: NRDC Report
According to new map data from Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), more than 73 million people living in the U.S. are exposed to tap water with toxic levels of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. The data revealed that PFAS levels in tap water across the U.S. are higher than the safety thresholds set for […]
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Read moreWhat Mountains Provide and Why They Need Protection
While mountains are formed by geologic forces deep underground, they create space for unique ecosystems to form high above the Earth. Mountains’ harsh conditions and relative isolation have encouraged and sheltered varied biodiversity.
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Read moreExtreme Weather Is Now Normal Weather in the UK: Met Office Report
Extreme heat, excessive rainfall, ongoing droughts — these conditions are now considered the new normal, according to the latest State of the UK Climate report from the UK Met Office. The report highlights several alarming trends, including warming at the rate of 0.25°C per decade in the UK. The past three consecutive years have ranked […]
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Read moreMillions of Tons of Tiny Plastic Particles Are Polluting the Ocean, Study Finds
Nanoplastics — microplastics that are less than a micrometer in size — are found all over the world, from Alpine peaks to the deepest parts of the ocean. At least 27 million tonnes of nanoplastics are estimated to be floating in the North Atlantic Ocean, weighing more than all wild land mammals combined, reported The […]
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Read moreCommon Weedkiller Ingredient Harms Gut Bacteria and Multiple Organs: Study
The toxic chemical diquat, an ingredient used in place of glyphosate in weedkillers in the United States, has been found to cause multiple types of damage to organs and kill gut bacteria, according to new research. Diquat is sprayed extensively on orchards and vineyards, and its use has increased as controversial substances like paraquat and […]
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Read more‘Poisoning the Well’ Authors Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin on PFAS Contamination and Why It ‘Has Not Received the Attention It Deserves’
In the introduction to Sharon Udasin and Rachel Frazin’s new book, Poisoning The Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America, the authors cite an alarming statistic from 2015 that PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are present in the bodies of an estimated 97% of Americans. How did we ever get to this point? Their book is […]
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Read moreRiver Seine in Paris Reopens for Public Swimming for the First Time in 100 Years
After more than a century, a ban on swimming in the River Seine in Paris has been lifted. The river has been deemed clean and safe enough for swimming to once again be legal in this iconic waterway. According to the city’s official tourism office, 11 total swimming areas are reopening across Paris, with three […]
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Read moreCertain Gut Microbes Found to Absorb Ingested PFAS: Study
Our gut bacteria — collectively known as the “gut microbiome” — perform many important tasks in addition to the basics of breaking down food and vitamins, including supporting our immune system and brain health. Researchers from the University of Cambridge have recently identified a family of gut bacteria that can absorb per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances […]
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Read moreHigher Levels of PFAS Found in Waterways Downstream From Wastewater Treatment Plants: Report
Recent research from Waterkeeper Alliance warns that 98% of tested waterways across 19 states contain PFAS, and the problem is particularly noticeable in areas downstream from water treatment plants and sites where biosolids are applied. According to a new report, the PFAS Report Phase II, 95% of sampling sites that were downstream from wastewater treatment […]
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Read moreEPA Employees Sign ‘Declaration of Dissent’ Over Trump Administration Policies
A group of more than 170 employees of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday published a Declaration of Dissent from policies under the Trump administration. The employees said the administration’s policies “undermine the EPA mission of protecting human health and the environment.” “Since the Agency’s founding in 1970, EPA has accomplished this […]
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Read moreSouth Carolina River ‘Most Contaminated’ With Toxic PFAS in the U.S.: Report
South Carolina’s Pocotaligo River has been found by Waterkeeper Alliance to be the most polluted with hazardous per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the country. The findings have implications for the health of residents who fish from the river, as well as rivers downstream. “The high levels of PFAS in the Pocotaligo River are very […]
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Read moreWater Contaminant Levels Can Remain High for Eight Years After a Wildfire, Study Finds
It’s no secret that smoke and other contaminants from wildfires can pollute the air, soil and water during and after a blaze burns out. But now, scientists are warning that wildfire pollutants can continue to contaminate local waterways for up to eight years after a wildfire event. In a new study, led by scientists at […]
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Read moreEnvironmental Groups Successfully Petition Alabama to Update Water Toxicity Standards
A group of seven conservation organizations has successfully petitioned the Alabama Environmental Management Commission (AEMC) to update the Alabama Department of Environmental Management’s (ADEM) water toxicity standards for 12 pollutants. In April, the group filed a Petition for Rulemaking that argued that the existing water toxicity standards in Alabama did not properly protect public health, […]
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Read moreRecycling Food Waste Could Dramatically Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Study
New research has found that recycling food waste using methods such as composting, anaerobic digestion and “refeed” can lead to a dramatic reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared with disposing of it in landfills. Pressures like population growth, land degradation and urbanization are putting strain on the global agrifood system, which is a major […]
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Read more‘This Is the End of Coal in Ireland’: Country Shuts Down Last Plant Ahead of Schedule
Ireland has become the sixth European country to end its use of coal with its scheduled shut-down of the Moneypoint coal-fired power plant six months earlier than originally planned. The 915 megawatt station will continue to operate in an oil-based backup capacity under emergency instruction until 2029, reported The Irish Examiner. “This is the end […]
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Read moreWhite House moves to keep costly, dirty, unneeded Michigan coal plants open
One plant produces more arsenic pollution than any other in US, and the other has been slated for closure since 2021The Trump administration is moving to keep open two Michigan coal plants that emit about 45% of the state’s greenhouse gas pollution, wh…
Read moreDiscarded Clothing by UK Fast Fashion Brands Found in Protected Wetlands in Ghana: Report
Following an investigation by Unearthed and Greenpeace Africa, a new report has revealed the presence of discarded clothing by UK brands such as Marks & Spencer, George at Asda and Next in a protected wetland, Densu Delta Ramsar Site, of Ghana. The report also found clothing from M&S, Zara, H&M and Primark dumped along riverbanks […]
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Read morePFAS Found in 65% of Private Wells Sampled in Pennsylvania
New research has found that 18 percent of private wells sampled in Pennsylvania exceed the maximum contaminant levels for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Of the wells sampled, 65 percent had detectable levels of PFAS, and almost half contained several of the chemical compounds. […]
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Read moreTrump EPA Announces Major Weakening of Power Plant Emissions Rules
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Wednesday announced a plan to repeal a landmark pollution rule that aims to eliminate most greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in the next decade. Not only will power plants be able to release more greenhouse gases, but another regulatory rollback will allow them to pollute the […]
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Read moreHigh Levels of Mercury Found in Alligators in Okefenokee Swamp, Georgia
In a new study, scientists have detected high levels of mercury contamination in alligators from the Okefenokee Swamp in southeastern Georgia. The contamination in the alligators could be an indicator of more widespread heavy metal contamination in the region, which could be harmful to other wildlife, and ultimately humans. “Alligators are very ancient creatures, and […]
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Read moreEarth’s Atmosphere Contains More CO2 Than It Has in Millions of Years
For the first time in millions of years, Earth’s atmosphere contained an average of 430.2 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide, the result of humans burning fossil fuels. The number, recorded in May at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii by scientists from University of California San Diego’s […]
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Read moreStudy Links Air Pollution and Pregnancy Risks at the Molecular Level
In a new study, scientists have found a link between exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in air pollution and increased risk of various negative pregnancy outcomes from the molecular level. While other studies have linked air pollution exposure to certain pregnancy risks, this study is the first to define how these risks can increase […]
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Read moreTrump Officials Open Millions of Acres of Alaska Wildlands to Oil and Gas Drilling
United States Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced on Monday that the federal government had proposed the reversal of a Biden-era order banning oil and gas drilling on the 23-million acre National Petroleum Reserve on Alaska’s North Slope. The remote area is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including threatened polar bears, caribou […]
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Read moreZiploc Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Microplastics Shedding Concerns
A new lawsuit is questioning the “microwave safe” and “freezer safe” claims of Ziploc plastic bags. The lawsuit against S.C. Johnson alleged that these claims for its Ziploc brand products are misleading, and that these uses of the products increase risk of exposure to microplastics. According to the lawsuit documents, “Defendant affirmatively markets its Ziploc […]
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Read more22 Young Americans Sue Trump Administration to Block Executive Orders Pushing Fossil Fuels Over Renewables
A new youth climate lawsuit by 22 Americans aged seven to 25 alleges that the Trump administration is engaging in unlawful executive overreach by issuing executive orders that intentionally boost the production of fossil fuels while frustrating the growth of renewable energy. In Lighthiser v. Trump, filed in the United States District Court for the […]
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Read morePFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ Detected in 95% of Beers Tested in U.S.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) can be found in many places, including food packaging and waterproof clothing, but did you know the ubiquitous chemical compounds can also be found in the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world — beer? Forever chemicals have been detected in most beers in the United States, with beer brewed […]
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Read moreAgricultural Soil Can Contain Microplastics at 23x Higher Concentrations Than What Oceans Hold, Study Says
In a new study, scientists have found that soil used for growing crops can contain up to 23 times more microplastics than the concentration found in oceans. In the comprehensive study, published in the journal Environmental Sciences Europe, the study authors set out to explore 1) sources of microplastics in soil, 2) how the microplastics […]
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Read moreStates Can Take Meaningful Climate Action, Even Without Federal Support: Study
State action to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change can make a big difference, even in the absence of a strong federal climate strategy, according to a new study led by researchers from North Carolina State University (NC State). The researchers found that, while state measures to tackle climate change are just slightly more […]
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Read moreExperts Identify Emerging Threats to Bees, From Wars to Microplastics and Light Pollution
United Nations World Bee Day is May 20, and a new report from Bee:wild — a science-led campaign to save bees and other pollinators worldwide — outlines the 12 biggest emerging threats to bees over the next five to 15 years. Among the emerging threats to pollinators identified by 10 leading experts in the report […]
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Read moreMore Than 1 in 4 Cars Sold Globally in 2025 Expected to Be EVs: IEA Report
According to the Global EV Outlook 2025 report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), 2025 is set to be big for EV sales. The report predicts that about one in four cars sold worldwide this year will be electric, despite overall market uncertainties. In total, the agency has anticipated that more than 20 million EVs […]
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Read morePBS Documentary Shows Triumph and Tragedy in Fight for Water Rights
Water For Life began its journey when filmmaker Will Parrinello and his team followed environmental activist Francisco Pineda more than 14 years ago. Pineda was a winner of the Goldman Environmental Prize who was working to stop the development of a gold mine in his home country of El Salvador. “He doesn’t say this in […]
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Read moreRiver Testing by Anglers in England and Wales Reveals Phosphate ‘Crisis’
Testing of English and Welsh rivers by volunteers from angling groups has revealed that 34 percent of freshwater sites tested breach the upper limit of phosphate levels. The anglers are using the data they collected to push for change in the treatment of rivers, but, according to environmental consultancy the Angling Trust, in collaboration with […]
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Read moreWorld’s Biggest Polluters Least Impacted by Conflict and Environmental Damage: Study
The world’s biggest polluters are also the most protected from the environmental harm they helped create, according to a study by researchers from University of Notre Dame and University of Wyoming. Meanwhile, the least culpable countries face the most significant threats, including increased potential for violent conflict. The findings challenge conventional understandings of how conflict […]
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Read moreChina’s CO2 Emissions Fall for the First Time Despite Rising Power Demand, Signaling Possible Peak
For the first time, a surge in China’s renewable energy output has led to a drop in the country’s carbon emissions, despite rapidly increasing power demand. The emissions decline marks a major milestone in China’s energy transition, according to an analysis by Lauri Myllivirta, lead analyst and co-founder of the Center for Research on Energy […]
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Read moreNearly a Third of Antibiotics Used by Humans End Up in River Systems Globally Each Year: Study
A new study has found that roughly 8,500 tons of antibiotics — almost a third of what is consumed by humans each year — ends up in the world’s rivers, even after much have passed through wastewater systems. The researchers warned that river systems globally have been contaminated with levels of antibiotic pollution high enough […]
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Read moreEating More Fiber Could Lower Levels of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’: Study
A new study has found that eating higher amounts of dietary fiber can reduce the levels of two of the most common per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals.” The researchers discovered that fiber was most effective at reducing perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), each of which can remain in the human body […]
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Read moreLiving Near Golf Courses Linked to Higher Parkinson’s Disease Risk, Possibly From Pesticide Exposure
In a new study, scientists are raising concerns over exposure to pesticides used on golf courses. According to the research, there could be a link between living within three miles of a golf course and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from more than 5,500 people […]
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Read moreWorld’s Richest 10% Responsible for Two-Thirds of Global Heating Since 1990: Study
The carbon footprint of the world’s wealthiest 10 percent has been responsible for two-thirds of global heating over the past 35 years, new research has found. The planet’s rapid temperature rise has driven heat waves and drought in the poorest areas of the world. “Our study shows that extreme climate impacts are not just the […]
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Read more‘A future on our terms’: how community energy is lighting up Latin America
Small-scale schemes are replacing dirty diesel with clean electricity in remote areas – and ensuring a just transitionWhen the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, Roxana Borda Mamani had to leave Mexico, where she was studying for her degree in rural dev…
Read more10th Our Ocean Conference, and First Without U.S. Government, Leads to $9.1B for Ocean Conservation
The 10th annual Our Ocean Conference (OOC) took place from April 28 through April 30 in Busan, South Korea. As a result of the conference, which was the first that the U.S. government did not join, countries committed to investing a total of $9.1 billion toward ocean conservation and restoration efforts. The 2025 conference, titled […]
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Read moreScientists Map Where Orphan Wells Threaten Aquifers in the U.S.
Scientists from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) have for the first time compiled a map of groundwater variables to understand which aquifers in the United States are most vulnerable to being contaminated by “orphan wells” — gas and oil wells that have no active owner and are no longer producing, but have not yet […]
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Read moreClimbing Shoes Can Release Potentially Harmful Chemicals Into the Air of Bouldering Gyms, Study Says
In a new study, scientists are raising concerns over chemicals shed from climbing shoes in bouldering gyms. According to the study, abrasion from the shoes as they strike the holds can release chemicals into the indoor air breathed by climbers. The researchers behind the study noted that climbing shoes are made with highly durable rubber […]
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Read moreIn ‘Highly Unusual’ Move, Trump DOJ Sues to Block States From Holding Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable for Climate Crisis
The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday filed lawsuits against Michigan and Hawaii over their planned legal actions against fossil fuel companies for the harm their greenhouse gas emissions caused by contributing to the climate crisis. The lawsuits — which are unprecedented, according to legal experts — claim there is a conflict between […]
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Read moreTrump EPA Plans to Cancel 781 Environmental Justice Grants
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plans to cancel 781 environmental justice grants that were issued under former President Joe Biden, according to a court filing last week that went relatively unnoticed, reported The Washington Post. The grants had already been awarded to recipients and were twice the number previously believed. “EPA is in […]
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Read moreRevive Our Ocean Initiative Aims to Increase Marine Protected Areas to Cover 30% of World’s Oceans by 2030
“If we save the sea, we save our world” — Sir David Attenborough, Ocean with David Attenborough Almost every country in the world has signed on to safeguard a minimum of 30 percent of the world’s ocean by 2030, yet just eight percent is currently being protected. The rate of new marine protected area (MPA) […]
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Read moreU.S. Air Pollution Standards Rollback Sparks Environmental Concerns
The post U.S. Air Pollution Standards Rollback Sparks Environmental Concerns appeared first on Shale Magazine.
Read more$28 Trillion in Climate Warming Damage Caused by 111 of the World’s Biggest Companies: Study
Researchers from Dartmouth College have estimated that the biggest corporations in the world have caused a total of $28 trillion in climate damage. The results of the study are meant to help with efforts to hold the companies financially accountable, reported The Associated Press. “Here we detail the scientific and legal implications of an ‘end-to-end’ […]
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Read moreNearly Half of U.S. Population Breathes Unhealthy Air, American Lung Association Warns
In its latest State of the Air report for 2025, the American Lung Association (ALA) is warning that nearly half of all Americans are breathing in unhealthy levels of air pollution. One of the biggest takeaways of this year’s report is that 156.1 million people, or about 46% of the U.S. population, live in areas […]
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Read moreNew York State Adds $30 Million to Drive Clean Rebate Program for EVs
The state of New York is adding $30 million into its Drive Clean Rebate Program, an initiative that provides rebates for the purchase of 60 different electric vehicles. As part of the announcement, the state will also be expanding the existing Charge Ready NY 2.0 program, which provides incentives for installing EV chargers to making […]
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Read moreResearchers ‘Shocked’ to Find Toxic Chemicals in Common Children’s Mattresses
Researchers have found evidence that suggests alarming levels of toxic phthalates, UV filters and flame retardants in the air of children’s bedrooms are likely coming from mattresses releasing the chemical compounds. Over time, the semi-volatile chemicals can come off of objects and diffuse into the air, reported The Guardian. They are then able to be […]
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Read moreScientists Find Microplastics in Ovarian Follicular Fluid for the First Time
Microplastics have been found in human brains, placentas, testicular tissues, lungs and blood. Now, in a new study, scientists have identified microplastic particles in human ovarian follicular fluid for the first time, prompting concerns over how these pollutants could impact reproductive health. The study, published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, found microplastics in […]
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Read moreRoughly One-Sixth of Croplands Globally Polluted With Toxic Heavy Metals, Researchers Say
Roughly one-sixth of croplands globally — 14 to 17 percent, or approximately 598 million acres — are contaminated by one or more toxic heavy metals like arsenic, cobalt, cadmium, copper, lead and nickel at levels exceeding human health and agricultural safety thresholds, a new study has found. Heavy metals are elements that come from both […]
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Read moreNRDC Map Shows Populations With Lead Contamination in Tap Water
A new map from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) highlights U.S. populations with higher levels of lead in drinking water. The map builds on recently released data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that revealed millions of people in the U.S. had lead in their water systems for at least some of the […]
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Read moreClimate Change Will Increase Arsenic Levels in Rice, Study Finds
Rice is the most consumed grain in the world, but new research has found that it will become more toxic as carbon emissions rise and the planet continues to heat up, potentially putting millions at risk of diseases. Climate change could have a major impact on the arsenic levels found in paddy rice, according to […]
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Read moreTrump Administration Ordered to Unfreeze Billions in Biden-Era Climate and Infrastructure Funds
A federal judge has ordered the release of billions of dollars in funds for climate and infrastructure projects that had been paused by five federal government agencies. The temporary, nationwide injunction instructs the Trump administration to release the funding from two Biden-era initiatives while a lawsuit brought by environmental nonprofits proceeds. “Today’s ruling marks a […]
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Read moreWater Hyacinths Show Promise for Microplastics Removal, Despite Being an Invasive Species
In a recent study, scientists have found that the species Eichhornia crassipes, also known as the common water hyacinth, has strong potential as a remediator for microplastics in the environment. In the study, published in the journal Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, researchers collected water hyacinths from a river in Shanghai, China and relocated the plants […]
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Read moreEnvironmental and Science Groups Sue Trump Admin for Deleting Environmental Justice and Climate Information From Federal Agency Websites
Environmental and science groups are suing the Trump administration for removing public information concerning climate and the environment from federal agency websites. The Sierra Club, the Environmental Integrity Project, California Communities Against Toxics and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) filed a complaint on Monday in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. […]
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Read moreMercury Pollution Detected in Antarctic Penguins
In a new study, scientists have confirmed mercury contamination in Antarctic penguins and are raising alarms that this pollutant and its impact on birds mimics the spread of DDT uncovered in the 1960s. Despite the lack of humans near the penguins on the Antarctic Peninsula, researchers have confirmed mercury contamination in these birds. According to […]
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Read more‘Landmark’ Global Shipping Agreement Reached After Nearly 10 Years of Talks
After nearly a decade of negotiations, nations have come to a “landmark” global shipping agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The new International Maritime Organization (IMO) Framework introduced a carbon pricing mechanism that will require ships with high emissions to pay for the excess pollution they release, reported UN News. It also sets mandatory fuel […]
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Read moreGlobal Plastic Recycling Rate ‘Stagnant’ at 9%: Study
New research has found that the amount of plastic waste being recycled globally has remained “stagnant” at nine percent, with most new plastic continuing to be made from fossil fuels. The plastic recycling rate in the United States is even lower at just five percent. “Plastics are one of the most ubiquitous materials [on] our […]
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Read morePollution From Anxiety Medications Influences Salmon Behaviors, Study Finds
In a new study, researchers have confirmed that pharmaceutical pollutants are influencing how Atlantic salmon behave. The study, published in the journal Science, revealed that migrating salmon exposed to a type of psychoactive medicine under the benzodiazepine class caused the fish to be more bold and take more risks during migration. Although this led to […]
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Read moreNYC Begins Mandatory Composting Enforcement
New York City’s mandatory composting went into effect at the start of this month, and the city has already issued hundreds of tickets. According to the New York City Department of Sanitation, curbside composting is now available city-wide, and all residents are expected to separate organic waste from trash destined for landfills. All compost waste […]
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