Environment news

• Your Tap Water Probably Contains Plastic Fibers

  08-09-2017 21:26 via feedproxy.google.com
  Plastic pollution remains a major issue around the world, and now a new study suggests that microplastics have invaded our drinking water.An investigation conducted by Orb Media and the University of Minnesota School of Public Health examined over 150 water samples from 14 countries across five continents — all in search of microfibers.
  
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• Applying Insights from the Pharma Innovation Model to Battery Commercialization

  08-09-2017 21:21 via feedproxy.google.com
  If electronics are the underpinning of our modern economy, then batteries are what make the world go round. And since its commercial introduction in 1995, the lithium-ion (li-ion) battery has been king.Over the past 30 years, a three-fold improvement in energy density has driven li-ion batteries far down the cost curve, from more than $3,000/kWh to approximately $150/kWh today, making li-ion the battery chemistry of choice for our toys, consumer electronics, medical devices, power tools, and inc
  
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• NASA's Fleet of Satellites Covering Powerful Hurricane Irma

  08-09-2017 21:17 via feedproxy.google.com
  NASA's fleet of satellites have been continually providing forecasters with data on Hurricane Irma. NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided a look at the wide-eye of Irma and if you think about the area of maximum sustained winds around the eye, it's similar to a wide F2 tornado.
  
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• Children Exposed to Chemicals in 9/11 'Dust' Show Early Signs of Risk of Heart Disease

  08-09-2017 21:13 via feedproxy.google.com
  Sixteen years after the collapse of the World Trade Center towers sent a “cloud” of toxic debris across Lower Manhattan, children living nearby who likely breathed in the ash and fumes are showing early signs of risk for future heart disease.
  
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• Hurricane Irma: Florida braces for epic storm as death toll hits 23 – latest updates

  08-09-2017 20:13 via theguardian.com
  Category five superstorm hits Turks and Caicos IslandsAt least 23 people confirmed dead across CaribbeanIrma’s destruction: island by islandWhere is Irma heading? Mapping the path 7.13pm BST“Gouging will not be tolerated, period,” Bossert says, again echoing Florida governor Rick Scott in response to a question about predatory business practices.He also says that he’s concerned about potential overflow from Lake Okeechobee, the large inland lake in south Florida. Scott sa
  
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• NASA Gets ''Eyed'' by Major Hurricane Jose

  08-09-2017 19:05 via feedproxy.google.com
  NASA's Aqua satellite captured clear view of the eye of Hurricane Jose at it moved toward the Leeward Islands and strengthened into a Category 4 Hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Aqua also analyzed the storm in infrared light showing powerful storms around the center, capable of heavy rainfall.
  
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• Young birds suffer in the city

  08-09-2017 18:58 via feedproxy.google.com
  City life is tough for young birds. But if they survive their first year, they are less susceptible to the effects of stress, according to research from Lund University in Sweden.
  
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• Europe must step up action against spread of fatal plant disease, says Gove

  08-09-2017 18:24 via theguardian.com
  Environment secretary says EU must combat spread of Xylella fastidiosa by stopping high-risk species from crossing borders uncheckedEurope must implement greater protections against a disease that could threaten UK plants and trees, including oaks, the environment secretary Michael Gove has said.The horticulture sector is also being urged to take action to prevent Xylella fastidiosa, which is having a devastating impact on plants such as olive trees in parts of mainland Europe, spreading to the
  
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• A history of hurricanes: how US presidents have responded - video explainer

  08-09-2017 18:18 via theguardian.com
  George W Bush’s presidency never fully recovered from his botched handling of Hurricane Katrina. Barack Obama won re-election just days after Hurricane Sandy struck. So how can presidents respond effectively to natural disasters? And how has Donald Trump managed the response to Harvey and Irma? Continue reading...
  
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• Satellites Show Hurricane Katia Crawling to the Mexico Coast

  08-09-2017 18:05 via feedproxy.google.com
  Two days of satellite imagery from NASA's Terra and NOAA's GOES East satellites showed that Hurricane Katia was starting to crawl to the coast of southeastern Mexico.   
  
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• Adapted an emergency method for measuring strontium levels in milk so that it can be used in routine studies

  08-09-2017 17:17 via feedproxy.google.com
  Strontium (Sr) is an element which in the event of a nuclear accident is the one that is most released into the atmosphere. The chemical behaviour of strontium is similar to that of calcium and can accumulate in the soil, in plants and in animals (in bones, especially). It is an element with two main radioisotopes (90Sr and 89Sr) which have an effective biological life that is relatively high for human beings, and due to its fixation in the bones, ends up giving a dose of radiation over man
  
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• Mercury convention raises heat on producers

  08-09-2017 17:05 via feedproxy.google.com
  A global commitment to reduce health risks and environmental damage from mercury pollution came into effect last month (16 August), when the so-called Minamata Convention on Mercuryentered into force.
  
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• Q&A: our plastic addiction is out of control. How can we consume less?

  08-09-2017 16:10 via theguardian.com
  Our air, water and salt are contaminated by plastic and the impact on our health is unknown. While we wait for the findings, here are ways to reduce plastic useSea salt around the world is contaminated by plastic, studies showTap water around the world is contaminated with tiny plastic fibres, the Guardian revealed this week, and other pilot studies have revealed microplastics in beer, sugar, salt and honey, as well as in seafood, in the air in cities and in homes. The impact on health of this a
  
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• Our plastic addiction is out of control. We need to cut consumption now

  08-09-2017 16:03 via theguardian.com
  Our air, water, salt and seafood are contaminated by plastic and the impact on our health is unknown. While we wait for the findings, here are ways to reduce plastic useSea salt around the world is contaminated by plastic, studies showTap water around the world is contaminated with tiny plastic fibres, the Guardian revealed this week, and other pilot studies have revealed microplastics in beer, sugar, salt and honey, as well as in seafood, in the air in cities and in homes. The impact on health
  
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• Hurricane Irma: Trump warns of 'epic' storm as full scale of devastation emerges – latest updates

  08-09-2017 16:02 via theguardian.com
  Category five superstorm hits Turks and Caicos IslandsAt least 18 people confirmed dead across CaribbeanIrma’s destruction: island by islandWhere is Irma heading? Mapping the path 3.02pm BSTA reporter asks the governor about Lake Okeechobee, where there’s concern about whether a dike will withstand the hurricane.Scott says that the dike was inspected this morning and “they don’t believe that the dike is at risk.” Expecting 10-12in of rain, “they don’t be
  
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• Sea salt around the world is contaminated by plastic, studies show

  08-09-2017 15:51 via theguardian.com
  Exclusive: New studies find microplastics in salt from the US, Europe and China, adding to evidence that plastic pollution is pervasive in the environmentWe are living on a plastic planet. What does that mean for our health?Sea salt around the world has been contaminated by plastic pollution, adding to experts’ fears that microplastics are becoming “ubiquitous” in the environment and finding their way into the food chain via the salt in our diets.
  Following this week’s re
  
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• What the mud tells us about a changing Arctic

  08-09-2017 15:08 via feedproxy.google.com
  The back deck of the Healy is a tough place to work.  It’s wet, it’s cold, and the scientists slogging away there are always covered in mud.  That’s because getting samples off the bottom of the Chukchi Sea is an important part of our mission this year.
  
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• USGS Installs Storm-Tide Sensors along Florida's Coasts prior to Hurricane Irma's Arrival

  08-09-2017 15:08 via feedproxy.google.com
  Hurricane response crews from the U.S. Geological Survey are installing storm-tide sensors at key locations along Florida’s southeast and southwest coastlines in advance of Hurricane Irma.Under a mission assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the USGS is currently deploying approximately 58 storm tide sensors, 24 barometers and five rapid deployment gauges, and is consulting with federal and state partners about the need for similar equipment for other coastal areas farth
  
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• Unknown species may thrive in Antarctic caves

  08-09-2017 14:14 via bbc.co.uk
  Animals and plants may be living in warm caves under Antarctica's ice, according to a study.
  
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• Solar industry says EU tariffs on Chinese imports will raise panel prices

  08-09-2017 13:16 via theguardian.com
  EU duties on Chinese solar modules are set to rise 30% above market levels signalling ‘huge negative effects’ for businessesEurope’s solar industry has condemned an EU vote to impose another round of duties on Chinese imports, just weeks before a US trade panel is due to rule on similar tariffs.
  A Brussels committee yesterday agreed to set minimum import duties for Chinese solar modules and cells that could price them up to 30% above market levels with “huge negative effe
  
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• Hurricane Irma batters Bahamas and Haiti as Florida evacuates – latest updates

  08-09-2017 12:30 via theguardian.com
  Category five superstorm hits Turks and Caicos IslandsAt least 13 people confirmed dead across CaribbeanIrma’s destruction: island by islandWhere is Irma heading? Mapping the path 11.18am BSTTerrorist suspects being held at the US naval base in Guantanamo Bay on Cuba will not be evacuated, a Pentagon official has told Newsweek. “We have no indications that any detainees at Guantanamo Bay will need to be evacuated from the installation due to Hurricane Irma,” Major Ben Sakrisson
  
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• Study: mild floods are declining, but intense floods are on the rise | John Abraham

  08-09-2017 12:00 via theguardian.com
  Milder floods that refill reservoirs are decreasing as severe floods become more common
  It is well known that humans are causing the Earth to warm. We also know that a warmer atmosphere has more water vapor. Just like the air is more humid when it is warm, and less humid when cold. The more humid air leads to more intense precipitation and potentially more flooding. But how much change we will see is an open scientific question.This question is made complex by the fact that flooding isn’t
  
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• Is it time for the arts to start saying no to oil money?

  08-09-2017 12:00 via theguardian.com
  An artist has given away part of his winnings to protest against BP’s role in climate change. The company’s money has helped an unfashionable artform, but what’s at stake is far more importantWe can’t stop looking at human faces. Can’t stop being interested in ourselves, our species. The BP Portrait Award, whose annual exhibition of winners and strong contenders can be seen at the National Portrait Gallery until 24 September, is full of humanity. It is, perhaps, the
  
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• Artist donates part of BP prize money to Greenpeace in oil sponsorship protest

  08-09-2017 12:00 via theguardian.com
  Exclusive: Winner of the BP young artist award at UK’s National Portrait Gallery says donation is a protest against his art being used to promote the oil companyIs it time for the arts to start saying no to oil money?A painter who won a prestigious British portrait award sponsored by BP has donated part of his winnings to Greenpeace in protest at his art being used to promote the image of the multinational oil company.Henry Christian-Slane, an artist from New Zealand, won the BP young arti
  
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• Parasites are nature’s great givers. Protecting them must be on our tick-list | Jules Howard

  08-09-2017 11:00 via theguardian.com
  They may cause misery, pain and zombie cockroaches, but parasites are also responsible for glorious biodiversity. Now climate change threatens their survivalHave you ever seen a headless toad? If the answer is no, now is a good time to go out looking for one. You see, it is almost exactly at this time of year that they are becoming headless thanks to the actions of tiny parasites that are emerging from out of their bodies. It is with these creatures that I would like to begin this piece about th
  
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• How do cities rebuild after hurricanes like Harvey and Irma?

  08-09-2017 11:00 via theguardian.com
  The aftermath of a disaster is often focused on getting back to normal. But do cities need to think harder about how to withstand the next one?
  Donald Trump visited a hurricane-stricken Houston and promised the “best ever” government response, before pumping his fist from the steps of Air Force One as he departed. Greg Abbott, the Texas governor, marveled that the state’s “resilient spirit is alive and well”. The phrase “Houston Strong” has been daubed a
  
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• After the storm: how should cities rebuild post hurricanes like Harvey and Irma?

  08-09-2017 11:00 via theguardian.com
  The aftermath of a disaster is often focused on getting back to normal. But do cities need to think harder about how to withstand the next one?
  Donald Trump visited a hurricane-stricken Houston and promised the “best ever” government response before pumping his fist from the steps of Air Force One as he departed. Greg Abbott, the Texas governor, marveled that the state’s “resilient spirit is alive and well”. The phrase “Houston Strong” has been daubed as
  
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• Kazakhstan to reintroduce wild tigers after 70-year absence

  08-09-2017 09:52 via theguardian.com
  Project supported by WWF is likely to take many years and involves creation of nature reserve and restoration of forestWild tigers are to be reintroduced to Kazakhstan 70 years after they became extinct in the country.The animals will be reintroduced in the Ili-Balkhash region in a project that involves the creation of a nature reserve and the restoration of a forest that is part of the animal’s historical range.Continue reading...
  
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• Hurricane Irma: storm batters Bahamas and Haiti while Florida evacuates – latest updates

  08-09-2017 08:50 via theguardian.com
  Category five superstorm hits Turks and Caicos IslandsAt least 13 people confirmed dead across CaribbeanIrma’s destruction: island by islandWhere is Irma heading? Mapping the path 7.50am BSTOne of the humanitarian experts sent by the British government to the Caribbean has admitted that the UK has not done as much for its territories in the the region as the Dutch and French government have for theirs.Fergus Thomas is a member of two small humanitarian teams deployed to the Caribbean in th
  
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• Which threatened species will pee on a politician in the fight for justice? | First Dog the Moon

  08-09-2017 08:35 via theguardian.com
  You’re here to represent Australia’s 1700 threatened species so be nice. Also, the Tassie devils need to stay away from Eric AbetzSign up here to get an email whenever First Dog cartoons are publishedGet all your needs met at the First Dog shop if what you need is First Dog merchandise and printsContinue reading...
  
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• Urban roots: the trees bringing life to our streets

  08-09-2017 08:00 via theguardian.com
  As more urban trees face the prospect of being felled – now at a rate of almost 60 a day – we asked Guardian readers to share their pictures of trees in their neighbourhoods. These are a few of our favourites Continue reading...
  
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• The urban forests bringing life to our streets – in pictures

  08-09-2017 08:00 via theguardian.com
  As more urban trees face the prospect of being felled – now at a rate of almost 60 a day – we asked Guardian readers to share their pictures of trees in their neighbourhoods. These are a few of our favourites Continue reading...
  
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• Inside Siberia's remote nuclear science hub – in pictures

  08-09-2017 08:00 via theguardian.com
  Akademgorodok is a science centre situated in a remote Siberian forest. Photographer Pablo Ortíz Monasterio gained access to marvel at its brightly coloured chemistry labs and nuclear particle accelerators Continue reading...
  
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• Slovenly humans bring out the worst in the resident wildlife

  08-09-2017 06:30 via theguardian.com
  Petersfield, Hampshire Bags of picnic rubbish littered the lakeside, and rats were helping themselves to bread left for the ducks
  After enduring weeks of overcast skies and squally showers, hordes of visitors had evidently spent the day at the heath, making the most of the long-awaited sunshine. A confetti of carelessly discarded sweet and ice lolly wrappers littered the path to the 22-acre Heath Pond. The bins were overflowing with bottles, cans and fast food packaging, but rather than taking t
  
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• Hurricane Irma live updates: storm pummels Haiti and heads for Bahamas and Florida

  08-09-2017 04:07 via theguardian.com
  Category five superstorm hits Turks and Caicos IslandsAt least 13 people confirmed dead across CaribbeanIrma’s destruction: island by islandWhere is Irma heading? Mapping the path 3.07am BSTHaiti has felt the edges of Hurricane Irma as it careered away from the Dominican Republic towards the Turks and Caicos Islands, and reports so far suggest it has been spared the worst effects of the category 5.
  But the north of Haiti, including the port city of Cap-Haïtien, have experienced heavy
  
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• Bats 'tricked' into flying into buildings

  08-09-2017 02:25 via bbc.co.uk
  Scientists warn of potential hazards from modern structures with large expanses of glass or mirrors.
  
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• Somaliand's women show kindness and leadership in the face of a humanitarian crisis | Holly Miller

  08-09-2017 00:49 via theguardian.com
  As in any emergency, women are most affected by the drought in Somaliland. There is much that Australia could learn from how they respond to the disasterFor three years now, Somaliland, like much of East Africa, has experienced extreme drought. Drought that has become more and more severe, until earlier this year, with thousands on the brink of starvation, the government of Somaliland declared a national emergency.
  The crisis should serve as a warning to the rest of the world to prepare—an
  
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• Insect eyes inspire new solar cell design by Stanford researchers

  08-09-2017 00:23 via feedproxy.google.com
  Packing tiny solar cells together, like micro-lenses in the compound eye of an insect, could pave the way to a new generation of advanced photovoltaics, say Stanford University scientists.In a new study, the Stanford team used the insect-inspired design to protect a fragile photovoltaic material called perovskite from deteriorating when exposed to heat, moisture or mechanical stress. The results are published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science (E&ES).
  
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