From plastic waste to intensive fossil-fuel practices polluting natural environments, we humans have created a lot of mess on our planet. Innovative scientific research has been experimenting with fungi as a potential method of cleaning up our waste. Specifically, mycelium has the potential to help us eat-away at some of the waste we’re leaving behind. What is mycelium? Mycelium is essentially the…
What’s going on here? A plastic treaty is being drawn up to be implemented in 2024, which would regulate the production, design, use and disposal of plastic on a global scale. The treaty has been described as the most significant multilateral environmental deal since The Paris Agreement. What does this mean? At the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) last week in Nairobi, Kenya,…
What’s Going On Here? A recent study revealed high levels of PFASs (Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) in the livers of otters. PFASs are known as ‘forever chemicals’ as they don’t break down easily. Instead they accumulate in humans and animals and persist in ecosystems. PFASs are powerful chemicals responsible for the grease and water-resistant properties of a variety of products, from non-stick…
Having a smartphone in the 21st century is a necessity and keeps us connected with friends, family and work. Smartphones aren’t inherently bad, but our culturally ingrained attitude towards switching up our handsets is problematic. We’ve probably all experienced the joy of unboxing a brand new phone. That satisfying moment of peeling off the protective screen cover and unveiling our new device…
What’s Going On Here? The English Environment Agency has revealed that water companies discharged raw sewage into rivers and coastal waters more than 400,000 times last year. Untreated human effluent poured into rivers and seas for a total of 3.1 million hours via storm overflow pipes that are only supposed to be used in extreme weather when the pressure is too high…
What’s Going On Here? Global Action Plan, the Philips Foundation and the University of Manchester (UoM) reveal results from new modelling which suggests that maintaining lower air pollution levels by 20% could improve the development of a child’s working memory by 6%, the equivalent of four weeks extra learning time per year. The announcement has been made today, 8th October on National Clean Air…
What’s Going On Here? New research, commissioned by the Clean Air Fund, has found that improving air quality in the UK could boost the economy by £1.6 billion each year. What Does This Mean? This new study, conducted by CBI Economics, has found that by reducing premature deaths, sickness absence and lower productivity at work, there’s the potential to save the UK…
What’s Going On Here? As lockdown eases and the weather gets warmer, thousands of Brits have been enjoying the great outdoors (hilarious tan-lines ahoy!) – but at what cost to nature? What Does This Mean? Crowds of people have been gathering in public spaces since lockdown measures were eased across the UK. But the loosening of restrictions has meant that large parts…
More than 100 scientists released a statement reassuring the public that reusable containers are safe to use…
