All posts tagged: pollution

Scientists find alarming “storm in your brain” caused by air pollution

Scientists find alarming “storm in your brain” caused by air pollution

Published by José

Breathing polluted air, whether from city smog or wildfire smoke, is known to harm the lungs and heart. Now, new research sheds light on how these airborne toxins negatively impact the brain, potentially contributing to conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and autism. Scientists have discovered a process by which harmful substances can disrupt the normal function of brain cells, hindering their ability to connect and communicate, ultimately leading to cell damage. Their findings have been published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Previous research had already established a link between air pollution and conditions like asthma and heart disease. Epidemiological studies, which look at patterns of disease in populations, had also suggested that exposure to air pollution could increase the risk of developing brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and autism. However, the precise biological mechanisms behind this connection remained unclear. Scientists wanted to understand exactly how breathing in polluted air could translate into harm within the brain. They aimed to uncover the specific chemical reactions that might be involved in this process, hoping …

Progress and challenges towards 2030 targets

Progress and challenges towards 2030 targets

Published by skeptic

Pollution in Europe remains a pressing environmental and public health concern despite ongoing efforts to curb its impact. The latest reports from the European Commission and the European Environment Agency (EEA) – the Zero Pollution Monitoring and Outlook report and the fourth Clean Air Outlook report – shed light on the progress made in reducing European pollution. While certain improvements have been achieved, such as declines in marine litter and pesticide use, other forms of pollution, including noise, microplastics, and waste generation, persist at alarming levels. These findings underscore the urgent need for stronger policies and enforcement to achieve the EU’s ambitious 2030 zero pollution targets. Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, explained: “European citizens want clean air, water and soil and safe chemicals so that their health and their environment are protected. “But also businesses and farmers need a clean environment to thrive. Today, we take stock of our journey towards 2030 zero pollution targets. We are heading in the right direction, but challenges remain. “So we …

Airborne lead pollution may have cost ancient Romans 3 IQ points

Airborne lead pollution may have cost ancient Romans 3 IQ points

Published by skeptic

Sign up for the Smarter Faster newsletter A weekly newsletter featuring the biggest ideas from the smartest people Notice: JavaScript is required for this content. Why didn’t the Romans invent the steam engine, electricity, or the airplane? Perhaps because they were 3 IQ points less clever than they could have been. The culprit: lead pollution — but not of the kind we already knew about. Odd and violent behavior The Romans drank tap water from lead pipes, prepared and ate their food on lead-containing kitchenware, used lead in their cosmetics, and even sweetened and preserved their wine with lead acetate. Ingesting lead is harmful to the body and brain, and it has been blamed for the odd and violent behavior of some emperors, and even the fall of the Roman Empire itself. However, these dangers would have only affected a small urban elite. A recent study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) quantifies a much more widespread form of lead pollution: via the air. This affected everyone, including the Empire’s rural …

O2’s 3G switch-off may generate £13m in electronic waste

O2’s 3G switch-off may generate £13m in electronic waste

Published by skeptic

In a move set to modernise the UK’s telecommunications landscape, O2 will begin shutting down its 3G network in April 2025. While the 3G switch-off promises to improve 4G and 5G connectivity, it is also poised to leave a significant environmental footprint. New research from BusinessWaste.co.uk highlights that the transition could generate over £13m in discarded electronic waste, raising concerns about sustainability and resource recovery. Why is 3G being phased out? The primary reason for the 3G switch-off is to repurpose its bandwidth for more efficient 4G and 5G services. This will improve connectivity and reduce signal dead spots, benefiting millions of users. The UK government has set a 2033 deadline to phase out both 2G and 3G networks, with providers like Vodafone and EE already making the shift. O2’s decision, however, is particularly significant due to its large customer base and the fact that several major networks, including Tesco Mobile, GiffGaff, and Virgin Media, rely on O2’s infrastructure. The phased shutdown will begin in Durham before rolling out nationwide. The link between 3G switch-off …

Cornell method converts electronics waste into valuable materials

Cornell method converts electronics waste into valuable materials

Published by skeptic

The ever-growing pile of electronics waste poses a significant environmental challenge, with around 50 million tons discarded annually and only 20% effectively recycled. Addressing this e-waste crisis requires innovative solutions to extract valuable resources and mitigate environmental harm. A groundbreaking method developed by researchers at Cornell University promises not only to recover gold from discarded electronics but also to repurpose it to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Why tackling e-waste is crucial The rapid advancement of technology has resulted in shorter product lifecycles and a culture of disposability, leading to the accumulation of e-waste. Improper disposal of electronics not only squanders valuable resources like gold, silver, and rare earth elements but also releases toxic substances, including lead and mercury, into the environment. Recycling electronics waste is more than just an environmental imperative – it’s an economic opportunity. Recovering precious metals reduces dependence on mining, conserves energy, and creates jobs in the recycling industry. Furthermore, addressing e-waste aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where resources are reused, and waste is minimised. The hidden wealth in …

Energy-hungry AI is already harming health – and it’s getting worse

Energy-hungry AI is already harming health – and it’s getting worse

Published by skeptic

Servers fill a data centre in Texas Paul Moseley/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/Tribune News Service via Getty Images As data centres consume even more energy to serve the intensive computing needs of artificial intelligence, they could contribute to an estimated 600,000 asthma cases and 1300 premature deaths per year by 2030 – accounting for more than one third of asthma deaths annually in the US. “Public health impacts are direct and tangible impacts on people, and these impacts are substantial and not limited to a small radius of where data centres operate,” says Shaolei Ren at the University of California, Riverside. “They affect people across the country.” Ren and his colleagues, including Adam Wierman at the California Institute of Technology, developed those estimates based on data centres’ projected electricity demand, which produces additional emissions and contributes to air pollution. For instance, the electricity usage required for training large AI models could produce air pollutants equivalent to driving a passenger car for more than 10,000 roundtrips between Los Angeles and New York City, according to the researchers. To …

Trent’s freshwater research driven by expertise and collaboration

Trent’s freshwater research driven by expertise and collaboration

Published by skeptic

Trent University in Ontario is engaged in a range of studies focused on addressing local and global freshwater issues, including microplastics, carbon cycling, and pollution. Freshwater resources are essential for sustaining life, supporting ecosystems, and providing human needs. Yet, these vital systems all across the globe are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, habitat loss, invasive species, and the list goes on. It might feel like the physical scale of these resources makes these challenges unmanageable, but you just need to look to Canada – one of the world’s largest countries and regarded as a leader in freshwater resource management – to be inspired and optimistic. Specifically, Trent University in Peterborough and Durham GTA, Ontario, is showcasing leadership in the field of freshwater research with its depth and breadth of knowledge, unique resources, and collaborative approach to understanding and informing solutions. Trent’s top researchers are leaders in water research Trent University boasts a diverse group of over 30 experts involved in and dedicated to freshwater and environmental research. This distinguished collection of experts consists of …

Trump’s power plays overshadow global climate summit – POLITICO

Trump’s power plays overshadow global climate summit – POLITICO

Published by Sam

“I think there’s a common understanding and agreement that he’s going to start with Paris and then look at other ideas,” said the official, who was granted anonymity to discuss evolving policy considerations. Mandy Gunasekara, who was chief of staff at the EPA during the last Trump administration, has advocated that Trump follow through this time on leaving the climate framework. “I think people have a clear picture of how the U.N. process is misused to tie the hands of domestic policy,” she said, inaccurately characterizing the non-binding commitments that countries make under the Paris climate agreement. “And that … creates the type of policy motivation necessary to consider withdrawing from the UNFCCC versus just a derivative issue like the Paris Agreement.” The U.S. under Trump may still find ways to participate in global climate conversations, particularly with regard to deploying new technology such as advanced nuclear power or carbon capture, said U.S. Energy Association CEO Mark Menezes, who was No. 2 in Trump’s previous Energy Department. But contributing new sums of money to developing …

Exposure to light pollution at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk, especially in younger people

Exposure to light pollution at night may increase Alzheimer’s risk, especially in younger people

Published by José

A new study published in Frontiers in Neuroscience suggests that exposure to artificial light at night may contribute to an increased prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly among younger individuals. The researchers found a significant correlation between higher levels of outdoor light pollution and higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease across various regions in the United States. This connection was observed even after accounting for known risk factors, raising concerns about the role of artificial light in neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that affects memory and cognitive function, is a growing concern worldwide. With rates of Alzheimer’s disease rising and light pollution now affecting 80% of the global population, the researchers sought to investigate whether there could be a link between these two modern phenomena. Artificial light at night has become a hallmark of urban life, providing convenience and safety. Yet, growing evidence shows that light exposure during nighttime disrupts the body’s natural circadian rhythms—the internal processes that regulate sleep and wake cycles. Circadian disruptions have been linked to health problems such as insomnia, obesity, …

The plan to save European farming – POLITICO

The plan to save European farming – POLITICO

Published by Sam

On the other hand, this income-based program should not depend on whether farmers comply with additional environmental rules — meaning those that go beyond existing EU law, such as nitrate pollution or habitat protection rules. Instead, a separate set of payments should be distributed among farmers that use sustainable practices, and would be handled by both agricultural and environmental authorities. The participants also asked for an “annual substantial increase” in environmental support. Business as usual is no longer an option for European farmers. | Chrisophe Archambault/Getty Images 2. Sustainable food systems The next two elephants in the room were sustainable diets and meat consumption. The experts agreed that it was crucial to support ongoing reductions in the consumption of animal-based proteins — e.g. meat and dairy — in favor of plant-based alternatives.  They also called for a review of EU food labeling legislation and urged that food marketing to children be addressed, while advocating tax reductions and other social and fiscal incentives. “The sustainable choice needs to become the choice by default,” the report said. …