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  • Environmental protection regulations
  • Global environmental current affairs
  • EU WEEE Directive and Current Affairs
  • EU RoHS Directives and Regulations
  • REACH related regulations and current affairs
  • European Union Standards Organization-EN13427~EN13432
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環境生態相關報導

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>Environmental and ecological related reports

Search results: 128articles

Biden administration releases new climate guidelines: All federal projects must calculate carbon emissions

The White House has released updated climate change guidance, requiring federal agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when reviewing clean energy and other infrastructure proposals. NEPA, the first major U.S. environmental law, was signed into law by former U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to conduct environmental impact assessments before formulating major projects. NEPA applies only to federal projects, including those that are fully or partially funded by the federal government or require federal permit review. The guidance, issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), will replace the emissions guidance proposed in 2016 but later rescinded by Trump. The new guidance clarifies the review standards and clearly lists the tools and practical examples for meeting the standards. CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory said the new guidance will help promote climate-smartness and resilience, thereby achieving U.S. President Joe Biden's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The new guidelines emphasize the "rule of reason," requiring that the depth of analysis in project reviews be proportional to their impact. In addition, the new guidelines encourage projects with lower renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions, which will be easier to pass review than high-emission projects. The new guidelines also require federal agencies to quantify indirect emissions data. CEQ said, "Doing so will help reduce legal disputes."

2023-01-20

From farmers to seed banks: conservation and application of genetic diversity

The loss of genetic diversity is also causing global species to lose environmental resilience. When discussing biodiversity conservation, in addition to preserving the widest possible variety of species on Earth, the diversity of individual species is also crucial. Genetic diversity refers to the countless unique traits hidden within the genomes of every organism, recording the biological information inherited over millions of years of evolution. This information and evolution are imprinted in the DNA code of organisms, allowing them to survive on Earth. The greater the genetic diversity of a species, the greater its resilience and ability to withstand adversity in the face of pests and diseases, climate change, and other stresses. In the event of a disaster or extreme climate event, rich genetic diversity helps ecosystems recover more quickly. Conversely, a lack of genetic diversity can put species at risk of extinction even if their populations are stable. While nature is facing the challenges of climate change and the rapid loss of biodiversity, the loss of genetic diversity is silent. "We can't see genetic diversity with our own eyes. Often, even before a species' population is noticeably affected, its genetic diversity has already declined," said Sean Hoban, a biologist at the Morton Arboretum in the United States. The loss of crop genetic diversity is a warning for food security. The impact of the loss of genetic diversity can be best understood from the supply of daily food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that over the past century, as farmers pursued high yields and planted genetically identical crops, the global

2022-10-15

Venice's new tax to take effect in 2023 as extreme weather forces the city to transform

Venice, with its renowned canals and rich architectural, historical, and cultural heritage, was once a major hub for international trade, earning it the nicknames "Queen of the Adriatic," "Floating City," and "City of Bridges." This fame attracts numerous tourists from around the world, but it also places immense pressure on this exquisite historic city. To curb visitor numbers, the Venetian government has decided to impose a new tax, hoping to help guide the city towards more sustainable tourism. Day trippers arriving and departing on the same day will be most affected. Starting in 2023, visitors will be required to book and pay in advance through a dedicated app. The fee is expected to be €3 in the off-season and up to €10 in the peak season. Guests who already have overnight accommodations in Venice will not be charged this fee. This is because Venice has already levied a city tax of several euros on overnight guests since 2011. Many European countries have similar tourist taxes, but they are often included in hotel or airfare prices, making them less noticeable. Additionally, Venetian residents, students, and commuters are exempt from the new tourist tax. Visitors visiting relatives or attending funerals are also exempt from the fee. Rejecting "fast-food" tourists and shifting toward sustainable tourism: With the rise of sustainability awareness, more and more cities are seeking to prioritize quality over quantity in tourism. Authorities are increasingly realizing that large numbers of tourists who simply drop by, take selfies, and then leave are doing more harm than good to the city. They hope to attract more in-depth travelers who truly care about the city and are willing to spend time learning about local history and culture.

2022-08-16

Heatwave hits Europe, prompting atmospheric monitoring warnings of worsening ozone and PM2.5 air pollution levels.

Reuters reports that recent record-breaking temperatures and wildfires ravaging the UK, France, and southern Europe have also worsened air pollution. In addition to the heatwave's interaction with greenhouse gases, which has increased ozone pollution, wildfires have also increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). New research shows that the combination of extreme heat and PM2.5 is more harmful to humans. Heatwaves accelerate ozone production. Atmospheric monitoring warns: Air pollution from southern Europe is spreading northward. Scientists from the European Union's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) warned on the 19th that rising ozone pollution in southern and western Europe may soon affect northwestern regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) standard for ozone is an eight-hour average of less than 100 micrograms per cubic meter. However, daily concentrations in southeast England, northern France, and the Benelux region are currently exceeding 120 micrograms. Ozone pollution is produced when heat and sunlight interact with greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds released during fossil fuel combustion. "The air quality issues associated with this heatwave cannot be ignored," said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at CAMS. Ozone production accelerates during heatwaves because these chemical reactions occur more quickly. Scientists say ozone pollution is increasing under climate change, and not only are global temperatures about 1.2 million tons higher than pre-industrial levels, but the global average temperature is also rising.

2022-07-22

Can climate change damages be compensated? US study: Five major carbon-emitting countries cause global losses of $6 trillion

In recent years, smaller and poorer countries have been pushing for the concept of "loss and damage" funding at international climate summits. They argue that wealthy nations, which industrialized earlier and have historically emitted more carbon, should shoulder the financial losses suffered by countries on the front lines of climate change. However, wealthy nations are generally reluctant to accept this idea. How much responsibility should countries with a history of significant carbon emissions bear? Scientists at Dartmouth College in the United States published a new study on the 12th analyzing the impact of major carbon emitters on the economies of other countries. The results found that the five largest carbon emitters, the United States, China, and China, have collectively caused nearly $6 trillion in global losses. The authors believe this research can serve as a scientific basis for climate liability compensation. According to the study, published in the journal Climatic Change, rising temperatures can lead to reduced crop, labor, or industrial production, which in turn affects economic activity. The study assessed each country's greenhouse gas emissions since 1850 and its contribution to climate change to calculate the economic losses caused by each country's carbon emissions. According to a study published by the Associated Press, U.S. carbon emissions between 1990 and 2014 caused over $1.9 trillion in damages, with Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia, and India each experiencing over $100 billion in damages. Besides the U.S., the top five emitters included China ($1.8 trillion), Russia ($1 trillion), India ($0.8 trillion), and Brazil ($0.5 trillion), collectively causing $6 trillion in global damages.

2022-07-22

A cross-sector symposium on "Nature-Based" Climate Change Adaptation: Hopes Ecosystems and Engineers Will Join Forces

In recent years, the international community has frequently advocated for "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS), emphasizing that natural ecosystems can help achieve important goals such as climate change adaptation and net-zero carbon emissions. However, relevant policies and regulations are lacking in Taiwan. The currently implemented similar concept, "ecological checklists," has been hindered by cross-sector communication barriers and ineffectiveness, hindering the development of comprehensive planning. On the 16th, ecological groups including the Taiwan River Network invited industry, government, academia, and legislator Hong Shenhan to hold a seminar titled "From Ecological Checklists to Natural Solutions." The group signed a "Declaration of Cross-Sectoral Practical Cooperation in the Ecological Community," which was submitted to the National Development Council and the Public Works Commission. The declaration called for the establishment of communication channels between the engineering and ecological communities, allowing these two seemingly conflicting sectors to work together to solve problems. Using natural solutions to solve human problems, "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS), is gaining popularity. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6 WGII) stated in its latest scientific report that human activities affect both climate and ecosystems, making climate change impacts and risks increasingly complex and difficult to manage. It recommended that the international community strengthen conservation and restoration of ecosystems to enhance overall climate resilience. Research has also found that, rather than relying on man-made engineering to combat the threat of climate change, natural ecosystems can provide a more effective regulatory environment for humanity. Consequently, international public and private sectors and conventions have in recent years identified “Nature-based Solutions” (NbS) as one of the key solutions.

2022-07-19

Earth's metabolism is slowing! Study: Warming combined with wildfires is quadrupling the impact of methane emissions than previously thought

Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming, second only to carbon dioxide. Although the pandemic has reduced human activity, methane emissions have continued to rise in recent years. Recent research has found that global warming not only increases methane emissions but also slows its removal from the atmosphere. Overall, the impact of global warming on accelerating methane emissions is four times greater than previously estimated. This finding helps explain the rapid increase in methane emissions. It also suggests that, if left unchecked, methane-related warming will escalate over the coming decades. Rising temperatures and wildfires are jointly driving up methane concentrations. While atmospheric methane concentrations are not as high as carbon dioxide, its warming potential is significant, with a 20-year global warming potential 86 times that of carbon dioxide. In recent years, the world has begun to prioritize methane removal as a climate change mitigation priority. Approximately 40% of methane emissions come from natural sources such as wetlands, while 60% comes from human activities such as cattle ranching, fossil fuel extraction, and landfills. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), atmospheric methane concentrations exceeded 1,900 ppb last year (2021), almost three times the pre-industrial level. "With the global COVID-19 pandemic raging, human-induced methane emissions should have decreased. However, puzzlingly, methane emissions have actually grown at an even faster rate over the past two years," said Simon R Redfern, an earth scientist at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

2022-07-14

New hope for biodegradation? Australian study: Wheatworms can digest Styrofoam

The Guardian reports that new Australian research has found that the larvae of the mealworm (Zophobas morio), also known as superworms, can shred and consume polystyrene. Their guts contain several enzymes capable of digesting polystyrene, potentially offering an alternative to breaking down and upcycling plastic waste. Superworms fed Styrofoam for three weeks were still able to complete their life cycle. Polystyrene (PS) is a widely used plastic found in solid form in everyday items such as containers, lids, and disposable cutlery. Expanded polystyrene is commonly known as Styrofoam. Researchers at the University of Queensland fed superworms a form of expanded polystyrene, commonly used for building insulation, for three weeks. They found that the larvae fed on plastic were still able to pupate and mature, completing their life cycle, but they were lighter than superworms fed on bran and had less healthy gut microbiota. Australia will phase out styrofoam from July. Microorganisms are expected to help with recycling. One challenge in recycling expanded polystyrene is that it has a low density and is bulky, making recycling economically uneconomical. "Mechanical recycling is not efficient," said Lin Ke. The final products of this recycling method include items such as plastic benches and photo frames. He believes that the microorganisms in the superworm can be the basis of the plastic recycling process, and the products of polystyrene decomposition can be used by other microorganisms.

2022-06-16

Sewage sludge reuse isn't sustainable, but rather pollutes farmland. Study: European farmland has become a reservoir of microplastics.

Farmlands across Europe are becoming the world's largest repository of microplastics due to high concentrations of microplastics in fertilizers made from sewage plant sludge, a new study from Cardiff University in the UK shows. Microplastics, originally released into the environment from car tires, synthetic textiles, paints and personal care products, do not disappear in sewage treatment plants but reappear on farmland, in the depths of the ocean and on the world's highest mountains. 710 trillion microplastic particles are dumped back into European soil every year "Our study wanted to know whether sewage treatment plants are completely removing microplastics, or if they are actually still transferring the pollution into the environment," said lead author James Lofty, a graduate student in Cardiff University's School of Engineering. "Water companies clearly lack a strategy to manage microplastics in sewage plant sludge, which means these pollutants are being transported back into the soil and ultimately into aquatic environments." This practice of returning microplastics to soil and water runs counter to the EU's goals for managing microplastics. On May 12, 2021, the European Commission adopted an action plan for "zero pollution in air, water and soil," a key achievement of the European Green Deal. The plan sets a target of reducing microplastics released into the environment by 30% by 2030. Scientists at Cardiff University, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Manchester, estimate that 31,000 to 42,000 tons of microplastics—or as many as 710 trillion microplastic particles—are dumped back into European soil every year.

2022-06-07

Global warming is causing severe marine ecological disasters, and scientists worry about another "mass extinction"

The Guardian reports that a new study published in the journal Science warns that global warming is dramatically altering ocean ecosystems and could trigger the worst marine extinction event in tens of millions of years. Rising temperatures and oxygen depletion have scientists worried about a resurgence of "mass extinction" mechanisms. The burning of fossil fuels is steadily increasing global sea temperatures, reducing ocean oxygen levels, and acidifying the waters as they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since the 1960s, the amount of ocean water completely depleted of oxygen has tripled, making it inhospitable to life. Furthermore, ocean acidification is making it difficult for aquatic organisms such as clams, mussels, and shrimp to produce their shells properly. Research suggests that these changes signal the possibility of a historic mass extinction event on Earth. Researchers say the pressures of rising temperatures and oxygen depletion are reminiscent of the mass extinction event known as the Great Dying, which occurred at the end of the Permian period approximately 250 million years ago and killed up to 96% of all marine animals on Earth. Justin Penn, a climate scientist at Princeton University and co-author of the study, said: "Even if the current extent of species loss is different from the end-Permian mass extinction, the mechanisms of species loss are the same." Penn said: "The future of marine life depends largely on how we deal with greenhouse gases now. In the foreseeable future, the ocean may face two very different

2022-05-04

Can artificial whale droppings rebuild marine ecology Scientists will launch experiments next month

The Guardian reported that an international scientific team is planning to spread artificial whale feces on the surface of the Indian Ocean in an attempt to rebuild the marine ecosystem. As nutrients in the ocean become increasingly scarce, scientists are looking for solutions. The purpose of this fecal experiment is simple: to explore whether it is possible to rebuild nutrient-deficient marine ecosystems, restore dwindling fish populations, and address the climate crisis. "Whales typically feed on tiny crustaceans called krill at about 300 meters below sea level," said Sir David King, former chief scientific adviser to the UK government and one of the leaders of the project. "At this depth, the pressure on their backs is so great that they can't defecate. So, they defecate when they surface for air, creating floating fecal beds (on the surface). When sunlight hits them, phytoplankton grows, providing food for fish." King is also the director of the Centre for Climate Repair at the University of Cambridge. The problem is that the number of whales on Earth is only about 5% of what it was 400 years ago. Whaling has severely decimated the world's largest marine mammals, leaving the oceans deprived of the whale excrement that provides nutrition to fish. "We need a way to reconstruct the past state," King said. The marine biomass regeneration project, based on rice husks, is expected to be launched next month to solve this problem.

2022-03-15

Antarctic sea ice reaches record low, a sign of climate change impacts. Scientists outline possible causes.

Analysis of the latest satellite imagery shows that sea ice around Antarctica has reached a 40-year low. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, as of February 22, the ice cover around the Antarctic coast was approximately 1.94 million square kilometers, breaking the previous record low of 2.11 million square kilometers set in early March 2017. Antarctic sea ice reaches a new low; warming oceans are only one factor. Marilyn N. Raphael, a geography professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who studies Antarctic sea ice, said warming ocean temperatures may be one factor, "but we will be working hard in the coming months to identify other factors." Antarctic sea ice extent varies significantly from year to year, but has averaged very small increases since satellite observations began in the late 1970s. In contrast, the Arctic, which is warming three times faster than other regions, has seen its sea ice extent decrease by more than 10% per decade during the same period. The two regions face starkly different situations. The North Pole and the Polar Circle cover the Arctic Ocean and are surrounded by land. In the Southern Hemisphere, the South Pole and the Arctic Circle are covered by the Antarctic continent and surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Although the rapid warming of the Arctic is the main reason for the shrinking of local sea ice, the impact of climate change on Antarctic sea ice is not so clear. Is global warming causing the reduction of Antarctic sea ice? Scholars: The relationship between the two is not yet clear.

2022-03-04

"Coral Reef Burial" transforms ashes into artificial reefs to help restore marine habitats

The Guardian reported that the Florida-based charity Eternal Reefs offers a way for ocean enthusiasts to "leave a legacy of love to the sea" through a reef burial. Demand for reef burials has tripled during the pandemic. According to Eternal Reefs, reef burials involve mixing pH-neutral concrete with human ashes to create "reef balls" and placing them in a controlled area of ​​the seabed off the US coast. Eternal Reefs provides the deceased's family with the GPS coordinates of the "burial site." Eternal Reefs stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for reef burials has tripled, largely from ocean enthusiasts who hope to contribute to the regeneration of marine life after death. Human desire to return to the ocean after death dates back thousands of years, with evidence of sea burials dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Various forms of sea burial are practiced around the world. In the South Pacific, for example, bodies are placed on canoes and pushed into the sea. In Asia, scattering ashes at sea has been a common and long-standing practice. It is now generally believed that sea burial is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation. Although choosing coral reef burial still requires cremation of the body, the ashes after cremation can help restore marine habitats by imitating certain characteristics of coral reefs. According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), most of the world's coral reefs are threatened by ocean warming and acidification, pollution and overfishing. Coral reefs have the ability to protect coastal areas.

2022-02-24

Over 100 countries pledge to protect oceans by signing agreement to combat illegal fishing and reduce marine plastic waste

The Guardian reported that representatives from over 100 countries pledged to take action to protect the oceans from human harm, including strengthening efforts to combat illegal fishing, reduce plastic pollution, and enhance the protection of international waters. Countries will reach a global agreement by the end of the year to regulate the sustainable use of the high seas. The three-day "One Ocean" summit concluded in Brest, France on the 11th. French President Emmanuel Macron stated at one of the high-level meetings that 2022 is "a decisive year in which we should make clear and firm commitments." U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry stated, "The oceans nurture life on Earth and produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe, but now even they are under threat. The oceans and climate are in fact one system, inextricably linked." The 27 EU member states and 16 other countries agreed at the meeting to reach a global agreement by the end of the year that would not only regulate the sustainable use of the high seas but also protect marine biodiversity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the summit: "We have a consensus, but we must move forward to conclude the treaty." The fourth and final round of negotiations on the global ocean convention will begin in New York in March. Countries participating in the "One Ocean" conference in France hope to successfully reach an agreement at this meeting.

2022-02-16

Extreme climate survivors age faster: Study: Macaques age nearly two years after hurricane

A new study analyzing macaque monkeys that survived Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico has found that extreme weather events may accelerate human aging. The study found that macaques aged two years after the hurricane. According to the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on the 7th, macaques that survived the hurricane appeared to have aged an average of nearly two years, equivalent to seven to eight years of human lifespan, compared to macaques that did not experience the disaster. This suggests that when the frequency of extreme weather events increases due to the climate crisis, it may have adverse biological consequences for the animals that experience them. Hurricane Maria, a Category 4, struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, killing more than 3,000 people, leaving 3.4 million residents without power for weeks, and causing more than $100 billion in damage. In addition to the human toll, the hurricane also affected Puerto Rico's wildlife, such as the free-ranging macaque population on nearby Cayo Santiago Island. Scientists analyzed the health data of macaque monkeys living at the Caribbean Primate Research Center in the four years before and one year after the hurricane, and found that Hurricane Maria may have accelerated the aging of the macaques' immune systems. 4% of the genes involved in the expression of the macaques' immune cells changed. Previous studies have found that people who survive extreme adverse experiences have a higher risk of heart disease and other common diseases in the elderly, but researchers say it is still unclear why.

2022-02-11

Norwegian e-commerce company launches 'climate receipt' to track carbon footprint of purchases, driving down red meat sales

Norwegian grocer Oda displays carbon emissions information on shopping receipts, and the results show that customers are gradually avoiding products such as red meat that increase their carbon footprint. This climate-friendly measure has also led to a rapid increase in sales of vegetarian products. Oda's Director of Sustainability stated, "Now, for every five burgers sold, one is vegetarian." The climate receipts are a result of customer requests. Oda says these receipts allow customers to understand the carbon footprint of their purchases, resulting in a decrease in orders for red meat and other high-carbon-emission products. Unlike common e-commerce promotions, Oda does not offer buy-more-get-more deals to avoid unnecessary spending, and uses reusable cardboard boxes instead of plastic bags for delivery. Louise Fuchs, sustainability director of Oda, said: "Our customers have told us that it is difficult for consumers to tell whether a product is 'climate-friendly'. We also think that we should find a way to solve this problem, so we started looking for a simple way to convey the carbon emissions of products to consumers." "We don't want to instruct customers on what to buy and what not to buy. The climate receipt actually comes from customer requests." Sales of meat substitutes and vegetables have increased significantly Oda and the Norwegian Climate Research Institute Cicero classify products according to high, medium and low carbon emissions. Since January last year (2021), customers have been informed of the carbon footprint of their shopping. "This approach has received a lot of positive feedback from customers. It has made the sales of vegetarian products grow faster. Now for every five burgers sold, one is a vegetarian burger.

2022-01-25

Scientists are mapping the world's ocean floor, improving tsunami predictions.

The science of ocean bathymetry has evolved significantly since its early days. In the past, simpler soundings were performed manually using ropes and weights. Today, the Seabed 2030 project, supported by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), aims to leverage advanced technology to accurately and completely map the global ocean floor by the end of the century. The project integrates bathymetric data from around the world and makes it freely available online. The large-scale hydrographic survey for Seabed 2030 is being led by the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese philanthropy, and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). The intergovernmental GEBCO organization aims to produce a reliable map of the ocean floor, detailing the depth and shape of the world's seafloor. Scientists are mapping mid-ocean ridges, submarine volcanoes, relict or underwater coastlines, hydrothermal vents, moraines carved by ancient glaciers, and new seafloor crust. All collected data will be compiled into the GEBCO Grid, a free and publicly available dataset. The main goal of the Seabed 2030 project is to create a complete GEBCO Grid data set map that integrates bathymetric data from around the world. To complete the seabed mapping, Global Oceans, a US non-governmental organization that is one of the project participants, will modify an Ocean Exp

2022-01-21

Agricultural product prices will remain high in 2022! Extreme weather causes shortages

Increasing extreme weather conditions caused by climate change are threatening global agricultural production. Mid-last year, heatwaves and droughts in Canada impacted pea production, while frost damage in Brazil severely damaged coffee bean-producing areas. Such price increases and reduced food security, driven by reduced agricultural production, are expected to become even more pronounced in the future. Agricultural product prices, which soared last year due to extreme weather events, are expected to remain high this year as unusual weather conditions damage crops and lead to persistent shortages. The Financial Times reported that prices for Brazilian coffee, Belgian potatoes, and Canadian yellow peas surged last year due to extreme temperatures and flooding. Scientists warn that these abnormal conditions will become more frequent and severe due to accelerating climate change. Logistics challenges and changes in consumer habits caused by the pandemic also led to price increases for sugar and wheat last year. According to a report released by the Stockholm Environment Institute, "agriculture is the most exposed to climate change," with the risk from either a single extreme weather event or long-term shifts in climate patterns being "many times greater" than the chance. A series of extreme weather events occurred globally in mid-2021, causing severe agricultural losses. For example, Brazil's July frost severely damaged coffee bean producing areas, pushing prices to a seven-year high. Brazil's climate remains unstable, raising concerns about further agricultural losses. At the end of last year, the "La Niña" phenomenon occurred for two consecutive years, which is expected to exacerbate global rainfall and drought problems. Mario Zappacosta, a senior economist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said

2022-01-18

A waste removal machine that eats garbage is gaining traction in Sichuan, while environmental advocates urge plastic reduction at the source.

To prevent plastic waste from polluting the ocean, a variety of waterborne plastic waste removal devices are being developed. For example, a Dutch company has developed the "Great Bubble Barrier," a river waste removal system. This system uses a wall of bubbles perpendicular to the river's flow to push plastic waste toward a collector while allowing fish and other wildlife to pass through safely. Intercepting waste in rivers to prevent its spread and ocean pollution. The "Great Bubble Barrier" project, supported by the European Union's Maelstrom (Sustainable Removal and Management of Marine Litter) program, is currently operational in Amsterdam and is being tested in the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. The project team is developing a series of technologies to intercept waste in rivers and prevent it from reaching the ocean. Natural disasters such as tsunamis contribute to the drift of plastic waste into the ocean, but these disasters don't occur every day. Rivers are the more regular source of plastic waste entering the ocean. A 2017 study found that 90% of global marine plastic debris comes from 10 river systems: the Nile and Niger rivers in Africa, and eight rivers in Asia: the Ganges, Indus, Yellow River, Yangtze River, Haihe River, Pearl River, Mekong River, and Heilongjiang River. "Some communities don't have proper garbage collection services and just dump their trash into the river and let it float away," said Mo Morse, a scientist at the Benioff Ocean Initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and director of the university's Global Clean Streams Alliance.

2022-01-13

Study: Melting sea ice promotes inbreeding of polar bears. Genetic diversity in Norwegian islands has decreased in 20 years 10%

According to a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society on the 8th, between 1995 and 2015, the genetic diversity of polar bears on the Svalbard Islands in Norway decreased by 10% due to inbreeding. Scientists at the Norwegian Polar Institute studied 20 years of ecological and engineering data to investigate genetic trends in polar bear populations on the archipelago. The study noted that the loss of genetic diversity is linked to the rapid loss of sea ice in the Arctic Barents Sea. According to the study, the reason for the decrease in gene flow is that shrinking sea ice coverage has led to habitat fragmentation and "increased inbreeding of polar bears in key sampling areas." The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says the Barents Sea is losing ice the fastest in the Arctic, driven by the climate crisis. "When the population shrinks to a certain extent, you will find that the chances of closely related individuals mating and producing offspring increase. The attendant risk is that some recessive characteristics will begin to appear in the population." The author of the study, Norwegian Bioeconomic Research Simo Maduna, a scholar at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, said. Top predators rely on ice to travel, hunt, rest and reproduce. They mostly wander on sea ice and rarely come ashore. Climate crisis is changing polar bears' diets, and human-bear conflicts could increase Another study in April also found that the climate crisis is changing polar bears' diets

2021-11-18
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Article classification

  • Environmental protection regulations
  • Global environmental current affairs
  • EU WEEE Directive and Current Affairs
  • EU RoHS Directives and Regulations
  • REACH related regulations and current affairs
  • European Union Standards Organization-EN13427~EN13432
  • European Chemical Agency (ECHA)
  • German two-way system DSD-green dot mark
  • EU Energy Use Products Directive
  • Environmental and ecological related reports
  • Articles
  • Pallet specifications by country
環境生態相關報導

News

>Environmental and ecological related reports

Biden administration releases new climate guidelines: All federal projects must calculate carbon emissions

2023-01-20

The White House has released updated climate change guidance, requiring federal agencies to consider greenhouse gas emissions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) when reviewing clean energy and other infrastructure proposals. NEPA, the first major U.S. environmental law, was signed into law by former U.S. President Richard Nixon in 1970. NEPA requires federal agencies to conduct environmental impact assessments before formulating major projects. NEPA applies only to federal projects, including those that are fully or partially funded by the federal government or require federal permit review. The guidance, issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ), will replace the emissions guidance proposed in 2016 but later rescinded by Trump. The new guidance clarifies the review standards and clearly lists the tools and practical examples for meeting the standards. CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory said the new guidance will help promote climate-smartness and resilience, thereby achieving U.S. President Joe Biden's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050. The new guidelines emphasize the "rule of reason," requiring that the depth of analysis in project reviews be proportional to their impact. In addition, the new guidelines encourage projects with lower renewable energy and greenhouse gas emissions, which will be easier to pass review than high-emission projects. The new guidelines also require federal agencies to quantify indirect emissions data. CEQ said, "Doing so will help reduce legal disputes."

From farmers to seed banks: conservation and application of genetic diversity

2022-10-15

The loss of genetic diversity is also causing global species to lose environmental resilience. When discussing biodiversity conservation, in addition to preserving the widest possible variety of species on Earth, the diversity of individual species is also crucial. Genetic diversity refers to the countless unique traits hidden within the genomes of every organism, recording the biological information inherited over millions of years of evolution. This information and evolution are imprinted in the DNA code of organisms, allowing them to survive on Earth. The greater the genetic diversity of a species, the greater its resilience and ability to withstand adversity in the face of pests and diseases, climate change, and other stresses. In the event of a disaster or extreme climate event, rich genetic diversity helps ecosystems recover more quickly. Conversely, a lack of genetic diversity can put species at risk of extinction even if their populations are stable. While nature is facing the challenges of climate change and the rapid loss of biodiversity, the loss of genetic diversity is silent. "We can't see genetic diversity with our own eyes. Often, even before a species' population is noticeably affected, its genetic diversity has already declined," said Sean Hoban, a biologist at the Morton Arboretum in the United States. The loss of crop genetic diversity is a warning for food security. The impact of the loss of genetic diversity can be best understood from the supply of daily food. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that over the past century, as farmers pursued high yields and planted genetically identical crops, the global

Venice's new tax to take effect in 2023 as extreme weather forces the city to transform

2022-08-16

Venice, with its renowned canals and rich architectural, historical, and cultural heritage, was once a major hub for international trade, earning it the nicknames "Queen of the Adriatic," "Floating City," and "City of Bridges." This fame attracts numerous tourists from around the world, but it also places immense pressure on this exquisite historic city. To curb visitor numbers, the Venetian government has decided to impose a new tax, hoping to help guide the city towards more sustainable tourism. Day trippers arriving and departing on the same day will be most affected. Starting in 2023, visitors will be required to book and pay in advance through a dedicated app. The fee is expected to be €3 in the off-season and up to €10 in the peak season. Guests who already have overnight accommodations in Venice will not be charged this fee. This is because Venice has already levied a city tax of several euros on overnight guests since 2011. Many European countries have similar tourist taxes, but they are often included in hotel or airfare prices, making them less noticeable. Additionally, Venetian residents, students, and commuters are exempt from the new tourist tax. Visitors visiting relatives or attending funerals are also exempt from the fee. Rejecting "fast-food" tourists and shifting toward sustainable tourism: With the rise of sustainability awareness, more and more cities are seeking to prioritize quality over quantity in tourism. Authorities are increasingly realizing that large numbers of tourists who simply drop by, take selfies, and then leave are doing more harm than good to the city. They hope to attract more in-depth travelers who truly care about the city and are willing to spend time learning about local history and culture.

Heatwave hits Europe, prompting atmospheric monitoring warnings of worsening ozone and PM2.5 air pollution levels.

2022-07-22

Reuters reports that recent record-breaking temperatures and wildfires ravaging the UK, France, and southern Europe have also worsened air pollution. In addition to the heatwave's interaction with greenhouse gases, which has increased ozone pollution, wildfires have also increased concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5). New research shows that the combination of extreme heat and PM2.5 is more harmful to humans. Heatwaves accelerate ozone production. Atmospheric monitoring warns: Air pollution from southern Europe is spreading northward. Scientists from the European Union's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) warned on the 19th that rising ozone pollution in southern and western Europe may soon affect northwestern regions. The World Health Organization (WHO) standard for ozone is an eight-hour average of less than 100 micrograms per cubic meter. However, daily concentrations in southeast England, northern France, and the Benelux region are currently exceeding 120 micrograms. Ozone pollution is produced when heat and sunlight interact with greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds released during fossil fuel combustion. "The air quality issues associated with this heatwave cannot be ignored," said Mark Parrington, a senior scientist at CAMS. Ozone production accelerates during heatwaves because these chemical reactions occur more quickly. Scientists say ozone pollution is increasing under climate change, and not only are global temperatures about 1.2 million tons higher than pre-industrial levels, but the global average temperature is also rising.

Can climate change damages be compensated? US study: Five major carbon-emitting countries cause global losses of $6 trillion

2022-07-22

In recent years, smaller and poorer countries have been pushing for the concept of "loss and damage" funding at international climate summits. They argue that wealthy nations, which industrialized earlier and have historically emitted more carbon, should shoulder the financial losses suffered by countries on the front lines of climate change. However, wealthy nations are generally reluctant to accept this idea. How much responsibility should countries with a history of significant carbon emissions bear? Scientists at Dartmouth College in the United States published a new study on the 12th analyzing the impact of major carbon emitters on the economies of other countries. The results found that the five largest carbon emitters, the United States, China, and China, have collectively caused nearly $6 trillion in global losses. The authors believe this research can serve as a scientific basis for climate liability compensation. According to the study, published in the journal Climatic Change, rising temperatures can lead to reduced crop, labor, or industrial production, which in turn affects economic activity. The study assessed each country's greenhouse gas emissions since 1850 and its contribution to climate change to calculate the economic losses caused by each country's carbon emissions. According to a study published by the Associated Press, U.S. carbon emissions between 1990 and 2014 caused over $1.9 trillion in damages, with Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia, and India each experiencing over $100 billion in damages. Besides the U.S., the top five emitters included China ($1.8 trillion), Russia ($1 trillion), India ($0.8 trillion), and Brazil ($0.5 trillion), collectively causing $6 trillion in global damages.

A cross-sector symposium on "Nature-Based" Climate Change Adaptation: Hopes Ecosystems and Engineers Will Join Forces

2022-07-19

In recent years, the international community has frequently advocated for "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS), emphasizing that natural ecosystems can help achieve important goals such as climate change adaptation and net-zero carbon emissions. However, relevant policies and regulations are lacking in Taiwan. The currently implemented similar concept, "ecological checklists," has been hindered by cross-sector communication barriers and ineffectiveness, hindering the development of comprehensive planning. On the 16th, ecological groups including the Taiwan River Network invited industry, government, academia, and legislator Hong Shenhan to hold a seminar titled "From Ecological Checklists to Natural Solutions." The group signed a "Declaration of Cross-Sectoral Practical Cooperation in the Ecological Community," which was submitted to the National Development Council and the Public Works Commission. The declaration called for the establishment of communication channels between the engineering and ecological communities, allowing these two seemingly conflicting sectors to work together to solve problems. Using natural solutions to solve human problems, "Nature-based Solutions" (NbS), is gaining popularity. The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC AR6 WGII) stated in its latest scientific report that human activities affect both climate and ecosystems, making climate change impacts and risks increasingly complex and difficult to manage. It recommended that the international community strengthen conservation and restoration of ecosystems to enhance overall climate resilience. Research has also found that, rather than relying on man-made engineering to combat the threat of climate change, natural ecosystems can provide a more effective regulatory environment for humanity. Consequently, international public and private sectors and conventions have in recent years identified “Nature-based Solutions” (NbS) as one of the key solutions.

Earth's metabolism is slowing! Study: Warming combined with wildfires is quadrupling the impact of methane emissions than previously thought

2022-07-14

Methane is the second-largest contributor to global warming, second only to carbon dioxide. Although the pandemic has reduced human activity, methane emissions have continued to rise in recent years. Recent research has found that global warming not only increases methane emissions but also slows its removal from the atmosphere. Overall, the impact of global warming on accelerating methane emissions is four times greater than previously estimated. This finding helps explain the rapid increase in methane emissions. It also suggests that, if left unchecked, methane-related warming will escalate over the coming decades. Rising temperatures and wildfires are jointly driving up methane concentrations. While atmospheric methane concentrations are not as high as carbon dioxide, its warming potential is significant, with a 20-year global warming potential 86 times that of carbon dioxide. In recent years, the world has begun to prioritize methane removal as a climate change mitigation priority. Approximately 40% of methane emissions come from natural sources such as wetlands, while 60% comes from human activities such as cattle ranching, fossil fuel extraction, and landfills. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), atmospheric methane concentrations exceeded 1,900 ppb last year (2021), almost three times the pre-industrial level. "With the global COVID-19 pandemic raging, human-induced methane emissions should have decreased. However, puzzlingly, methane emissions have actually grown at an even faster rate over the past two years," said Simon R Redfern, an earth scientist at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

New hope for biodegradation? Australian study: Wheatworms can digest Styrofoam

2022-06-16

The Guardian reports that new Australian research has found that the larvae of the mealworm (Zophobas morio), also known as superworms, can shred and consume polystyrene. Their guts contain several enzymes capable of digesting polystyrene, potentially offering an alternative to breaking down and upcycling plastic waste. Superworms fed Styrofoam for three weeks were still able to complete their life cycle. Polystyrene (PS) is a widely used plastic found in solid form in everyday items such as containers, lids, and disposable cutlery. Expanded polystyrene is commonly known as Styrofoam. Researchers at the University of Queensland fed superworms a form of expanded polystyrene, commonly used for building insulation, for three weeks. They found that the larvae fed on plastic were still able to pupate and mature, completing their life cycle, but they were lighter than superworms fed on bran and had less healthy gut microbiota. Australia will phase out styrofoam from July. Microorganisms are expected to help with recycling. One challenge in recycling expanded polystyrene is that it has a low density and is bulky, making recycling economically uneconomical. "Mechanical recycling is not efficient," said Lin Ke. The final products of this recycling method include items such as plastic benches and photo frames. He believes that the microorganisms in the superworm can be the basis of the plastic recycling process, and the products of polystyrene decomposition can be used by other microorganisms.

Sewage sludge reuse isn't sustainable, but rather pollutes farmland. Study: European farmland has become a reservoir of microplastics.

2022-06-07

Farmlands across Europe are becoming the world's largest repository of microplastics due to high concentrations of microplastics in fertilizers made from sewage plant sludge, a new study from Cardiff University in the UK shows. Microplastics, originally released into the environment from car tires, synthetic textiles, paints and personal care products, do not disappear in sewage treatment plants but reappear on farmland, in the depths of the ocean and on the world's highest mountains. 710 trillion microplastic particles are dumped back into European soil every year "Our study wanted to know whether sewage treatment plants are completely removing microplastics, or if they are actually still transferring the pollution into the environment," said lead author James Lofty, a graduate student in Cardiff University's School of Engineering. "Water companies clearly lack a strategy to manage microplastics in sewage plant sludge, which means these pollutants are being transported back into the soil and ultimately into aquatic environments." This practice of returning microplastics to soil and water runs counter to the EU's goals for managing microplastics. On May 12, 2021, the European Commission adopted an action plan for "zero pollution in air, water and soil," a key achievement of the European Green Deal. The plan sets a target of reducing microplastics released into the environment by 30% by 2030. Scientists at Cardiff University, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Manchester, estimate that 31,000 to 42,000 tons of microplastics—or as many as 710 trillion microplastic particles—are dumped back into European soil every year.

Global warming is causing severe marine ecological disasters, and scientists worry about another "mass extinction"

2022-05-04

The Guardian reports that a new study published in the journal Science warns that global warming is dramatically altering ocean ecosystems and could trigger the worst marine extinction event in tens of millions of years. Rising temperatures and oxygen depletion have scientists worried about a resurgence of "mass extinction" mechanisms. The burning of fossil fuels is steadily increasing global sea temperatures, reducing ocean oxygen levels, and acidifying the waters as they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since the 1960s, the amount of ocean water completely depleted of oxygen has tripled, making it inhospitable to life. Furthermore, ocean acidification is making it difficult for aquatic organisms such as clams, mussels, and shrimp to produce their shells properly. Research suggests that these changes signal the possibility of a historic mass extinction event on Earth. Researchers say the pressures of rising temperatures and oxygen depletion are reminiscent of the mass extinction event known as the Great Dying, which occurred at the end of the Permian period approximately 250 million years ago and killed up to 96% of all marine animals on Earth. Justin Penn, a climate scientist at Princeton University and co-author of the study, said: "Even if the current extent of species loss is different from the end-Permian mass extinction, the mechanisms of species loss are the same." Penn said: "The future of marine life depends largely on how we deal with greenhouse gases now. In the foreseeable future, the ocean may face two very different

Can artificial whale droppings rebuild marine ecology Scientists will launch experiments next month

2022-03-15

The Guardian reported that an international scientific team is planning to spread artificial whale feces on the surface of the Indian Ocean in an attempt to rebuild the marine ecosystem. As nutrients in the ocean become increasingly scarce, scientists are looking for solutions. The purpose of this fecal experiment is simple: to explore whether it is possible to rebuild nutrient-deficient marine ecosystems, restore dwindling fish populations, and address the climate crisis. "Whales typically feed on tiny crustaceans called krill at about 300 meters below sea level," said Sir David King, former chief scientific adviser to the UK government and one of the leaders of the project. "At this depth, the pressure on their backs is so great that they can't defecate. So, they defecate when they surface for air, creating floating fecal beds (on the surface). When sunlight hits them, phytoplankton grows, providing food for fish." King is also the director of the Centre for Climate Repair at the University of Cambridge. The problem is that the number of whales on Earth is only about 5% of what it was 400 years ago. Whaling has severely decimated the world's largest marine mammals, leaving the oceans deprived of the whale excrement that provides nutrition to fish. "We need a way to reconstruct the past state," King said. The marine biomass regeneration project, based on rice husks, is expected to be launched next month to solve this problem.

Antarctic sea ice reaches record low, a sign of climate change impacts. Scientists outline possible causes.

2022-03-04

Analysis of the latest satellite imagery shows that sea ice around Antarctica has reached a 40-year low. According to the National Snow and Ice Data Center at the University of Colorado Boulder, as of February 22, the ice cover around the Antarctic coast was approximately 1.94 million square kilometers, breaking the previous record low of 2.11 million square kilometers set in early March 2017. Antarctic sea ice reaches a new low; warming oceans are only one factor. Marilyn N. Raphael, a geography professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, who studies Antarctic sea ice, said warming ocean temperatures may be one factor, "but we will be working hard in the coming months to identify other factors." Antarctic sea ice extent varies significantly from year to year, but has averaged very small increases since satellite observations began in the late 1970s. In contrast, the Arctic, which is warming three times faster than other regions, has seen its sea ice extent decrease by more than 10% per decade during the same period. The two regions face starkly different situations. The North Pole and the Polar Circle cover the Arctic Ocean and are surrounded by land. In the Southern Hemisphere, the South Pole and the Arctic Circle are covered by the Antarctic continent and surrounded by the Southern Ocean. Although the rapid warming of the Arctic is the main reason for the shrinking of local sea ice, the impact of climate change on Antarctic sea ice is not so clear. Is global warming causing the reduction of Antarctic sea ice? Scholars: The relationship between the two is not yet clear.

"Coral Reef Burial" transforms ashes into artificial reefs to help restore marine habitats

2022-02-24

The Guardian reported that the Florida-based charity Eternal Reefs offers a way for ocean enthusiasts to "leave a legacy of love to the sea" through a reef burial. Demand for reef burials has tripled during the pandemic. According to Eternal Reefs, reef burials involve mixing pH-neutral concrete with human ashes to create "reef balls" and placing them in a controlled area of ​​the seabed off the US coast. Eternal Reefs provides the deceased's family with the GPS coordinates of the "burial site." Eternal Reefs stated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for reef burials has tripled, largely from ocean enthusiasts who hope to contribute to the regeneration of marine life after death. Human desire to return to the ocean after death dates back thousands of years, with evidence of sea burials dating back to ancient Egypt and Rome. Various forms of sea burial are practiced around the world. In the South Pacific, for example, bodies are placed on canoes and pushed into the sea. In Asia, scattering ashes at sea has been a common and long-standing practice. It is now generally believed that sea burial is a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional burial and cremation. Although choosing coral reef burial still requires cremation of the body, the ashes after cremation can help restore marine habitats by imitating certain characteristics of coral reefs. According to the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), most of the world's coral reefs are threatened by ocean warming and acidification, pollution and overfishing. Coral reefs have the ability to protect coastal areas.

Over 100 countries pledge to protect oceans by signing agreement to combat illegal fishing and reduce marine plastic waste

2022-02-16

The Guardian reported that representatives from over 100 countries pledged to take action to protect the oceans from human harm, including strengthening efforts to combat illegal fishing, reduce plastic pollution, and enhance the protection of international waters. Countries will reach a global agreement by the end of the year to regulate the sustainable use of the high seas. The three-day "One Ocean" summit concluded in Brest, France on the 11th. French President Emmanuel Macron stated at one of the high-level meetings that 2022 is "a decisive year in which we should make clear and firm commitments." U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change John Kerry stated, "The oceans nurture life on Earth and produce more than half of the oxygen we breathe, but now even they are under threat. The oceans and climate are in fact one system, inextricably linked." The 27 EU member states and 16 other countries agreed at the meeting to reach a global agreement by the end of the year that would not only regulate the sustainable use of the high seas but also protect marine biodiversity. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said at the summit: "We have a consensus, but we must move forward to conclude the treaty." The fourth and final round of negotiations on the global ocean convention will begin in New York in March. Countries participating in the "One Ocean" conference in France hope to successfully reach an agreement at this meeting.

Extreme climate survivors age faster: Study: Macaques age nearly two years after hurricane

2022-02-11

A new study analyzing macaque monkeys that survived Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico has found that extreme weather events may accelerate human aging. The study found that macaques aged two years after the hurricane. According to the study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on the 7th, macaques that survived the hurricane appeared to have aged an average of nearly two years, equivalent to seven to eight years of human lifespan, compared to macaques that did not experience the disaster. This suggests that when the frequency of extreme weather events increases due to the climate crisis, it may have adverse biological consequences for the animals that experience them. Hurricane Maria, a Category 4, struck Puerto Rico in September 2017, killing more than 3,000 people, leaving 3.4 million residents without power for weeks, and causing more than $100 billion in damage. In addition to the human toll, the hurricane also affected Puerto Rico's wildlife, such as the free-ranging macaque population on nearby Cayo Santiago Island. Scientists analyzed the health data of macaque monkeys living at the Caribbean Primate Research Center in the four years before and one year after the hurricane, and found that Hurricane Maria may have accelerated the aging of the macaques' immune systems. 4% of the genes involved in the expression of the macaques' immune cells changed. Previous studies have found that people who survive extreme adverse experiences have a higher risk of heart disease and other common diseases in the elderly, but researchers say it is still unclear why.

Norwegian e-commerce company launches 'climate receipt' to track carbon footprint of purchases, driving down red meat sales

2022-01-25

Norwegian grocer Oda displays carbon emissions information on shopping receipts, and the results show that customers are gradually avoiding products such as red meat that increase their carbon footprint. This climate-friendly measure has also led to a rapid increase in sales of vegetarian products. Oda's Director of Sustainability stated, "Now, for every five burgers sold, one is vegetarian." The climate receipts are a result of customer requests. Oda says these receipts allow customers to understand the carbon footprint of their purchases, resulting in a decrease in orders for red meat and other high-carbon-emission products. Unlike common e-commerce promotions, Oda does not offer buy-more-get-more deals to avoid unnecessary spending, and uses reusable cardboard boxes instead of plastic bags for delivery. Louise Fuchs, sustainability director of Oda, said: "Our customers have told us that it is difficult for consumers to tell whether a product is 'climate-friendly'. We also think that we should find a way to solve this problem, so we started looking for a simple way to convey the carbon emissions of products to consumers." "We don't want to instruct customers on what to buy and what not to buy. The climate receipt actually comes from customer requests." Sales of meat substitutes and vegetables have increased significantly Oda and the Norwegian Climate Research Institute Cicero classify products according to high, medium and low carbon emissions. Since January last year (2021), customers have been informed of the carbon footprint of their shopping. "This approach has received a lot of positive feedback from customers. It has made the sales of vegetarian products grow faster. Now for every five burgers sold, one is a vegetarian burger.

Scientists are mapping the world's ocean floor, improving tsunami predictions.

2022-01-21

The science of ocean bathymetry has evolved significantly since its early days. In the past, simpler soundings were performed manually using ropes and weights. Today, the Seabed 2030 project, supported by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), aims to leverage advanced technology to accurately and completely map the global ocean floor by the end of the century. The project integrates bathymetric data from around the world and makes it freely available online. The large-scale hydrographic survey for Seabed 2030 is being led by the Nippon Foundation, a Japanese philanthropy, and the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO). The intergovernmental GEBCO organization aims to produce a reliable map of the ocean floor, detailing the depth and shape of the world's seafloor. Scientists are mapping mid-ocean ridges, submarine volcanoes, relict or underwater coastlines, hydrothermal vents, moraines carved by ancient glaciers, and new seafloor crust. All collected data will be compiled into the GEBCO Grid, a free and publicly available dataset. The main goal of the Seabed 2030 project is to create a complete GEBCO Grid data set map that integrates bathymetric data from around the world. To complete the seabed mapping, Global Oceans, a US non-governmental organization that is one of the project participants, will modify an Ocean Exp

Agricultural product prices will remain high in 2022! Extreme weather causes shortages

2022-01-18

Increasing extreme weather conditions caused by climate change are threatening global agricultural production. Mid-last year, heatwaves and droughts in Canada impacted pea production, while frost damage in Brazil severely damaged coffee bean-producing areas. Such price increases and reduced food security, driven by reduced agricultural production, are expected to become even more pronounced in the future. Agricultural product prices, which soared last year due to extreme weather events, are expected to remain high this year as unusual weather conditions damage crops and lead to persistent shortages. The Financial Times reported that prices for Brazilian coffee, Belgian potatoes, and Canadian yellow peas surged last year due to extreme temperatures and flooding. Scientists warn that these abnormal conditions will become more frequent and severe due to accelerating climate change. Logistics challenges and changes in consumer habits caused by the pandemic also led to price increases for sugar and wheat last year. According to a report released by the Stockholm Environment Institute, "agriculture is the most exposed to climate change," with the risk from either a single extreme weather event or long-term shifts in climate patterns being "many times greater" than the chance. A series of extreme weather events occurred globally in mid-2021, causing severe agricultural losses. For example, Brazil's July frost severely damaged coffee bean producing areas, pushing prices to a seven-year high. Brazil's climate remains unstable, raising concerns about further agricultural losses. At the end of last year, the "La Niña" phenomenon occurred for two consecutive years, which is expected to exacerbate global rainfall and drought problems. Mario Zappacosta, a senior economist at the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, said

A waste removal machine that eats garbage is gaining traction in Sichuan, while environmental advocates urge plastic reduction at the source.

2022-01-13

To prevent plastic waste from polluting the ocean, a variety of waterborne plastic waste removal devices are being developed. For example, a Dutch company has developed the "Great Bubble Barrier," a river waste removal system. This system uses a wall of bubbles perpendicular to the river's flow to push plastic waste toward a collector while allowing fish and other wildlife to pass through safely. Intercepting waste in rivers to prevent its spread and ocean pollution. The "Great Bubble Barrier" project, supported by the European Union's Maelstrom (Sustainable Removal and Management of Marine Litter) program, is currently operational in Amsterdam and is being tested in the Douro River in Porto, Portugal. The project team is developing a series of technologies to intercept waste in rivers and prevent it from reaching the ocean. Natural disasters such as tsunamis contribute to the drift of plastic waste into the ocean, but these disasters don't occur every day. Rivers are the more regular source of plastic waste entering the ocean. A 2017 study found that 90% of global marine plastic debris comes from 10 river systems: the Nile and Niger rivers in Africa, and eight rivers in Asia: the Ganges, Indus, Yellow River, Yangtze River, Haihe River, Pearl River, Mekong River, and Heilongjiang River. "Some communities don't have proper garbage collection services and just dump their trash into the river and let it float away," said Mo Morse, a scientist at the Benioff Ocean Initiative at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and director of the university's Global Clean Streams Alliance.

Study: Melting sea ice promotes inbreeding of polar bears. Genetic diversity in Norwegian islands has decreased in 20 years 10%

2021-11-18

According to a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society on the 8th, between 1995 and 2015, the genetic diversity of polar bears on the Svalbard Islands in Norway decreased by 10% due to inbreeding. Scientists at the Norwegian Polar Institute studied 20 years of ecological and engineering data to investigate genetic trends in polar bear populations on the archipelago. The study noted that the loss of genetic diversity is linked to the rapid loss of sea ice in the Arctic Barents Sea. According to the study, the reason for the decrease in gene flow is that shrinking sea ice coverage has led to habitat fragmentation and "increased inbreeding of polar bears in key sampling areas." The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) says the Barents Sea is losing ice the fastest in the Arctic, driven by the climate crisis. "When the population shrinks to a certain extent, you will find that the chances of closely related individuals mating and producing offspring increase. The attendant risk is that some recessive characteristics will begin to appear in the population." The author of the study, Norwegian Bioeconomic Research Simo Maduna, a scholar at the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, said. Top predators rely on ice to travel, hunt, rest and reproduce. They mostly wander on sea ice and rarely come ashore. Climate crisis is changing polar bears' diets, and human-bear conflicts could increase Another study in April also found that the climate crisis is changing polar bears' diets

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