As a research engineer, I can't help but obsess over how much waste we create in our lab every single day. Hundreds of disposable items just used once and then tossed. And it's just not my lab. It's every lab in every university in every country.We say ourselves that we are contributing to science serving humanity. But what happens all the space that we leave behind. It's almost a reflex at this point.In our daily lives, we constantly throw away things. But do we ever think, what happens to our trash. Where ...

Environmental Impact of Plastics - The initial creation of plastic was seen as beneficial due to its affordability, ease of production, and versatility [5][6] - Misuse of plastics, especially single-use plastics, leads to environmental pollution, with plastics ending up in water bodies [8] - Plastics in water bodies break down into microplastics (less than 5 mm), which have a disproportionately large negative impact on the environment [9][10] - Microplastics are toxic due to additives, absorb pollutants, and can host pathogens, posing a threat to ecosystems [10][11][12] - Microplastics can be ingested by aquatic organisms like fish, potentially transferring the contamination to humans through consumption [13][14] Mitigation Strategies - Reducing the use of unnecessary plastics, especially single-use items, is crucial to decrease environmental contamination [19] - Proper waste sorting facilitates processing and reduces the potential for plastics to leak into the environment [20] - Washing fish before consumption and removing organs that accumulate microplastics can minimize human exposure [21] - Choosing durable clothing over fast fashion and opting for front-loading washing machines can reduce microplastic release from textiles [22][23] - Educating oneself and others about the impacts of microplastics can promote collective action and reduce plastic misuse [24]

Nitrate from fertilizer and manure pollutes countless waterways and kitchen taps across the US. Big Agriculture has largely avoided responsibility for its dirty footprint. In no state is this arguably clearer than Iowa https://t.co/XZBpc6tnOO https://t.co/bFFdlI4eJV ...

Earth Science Education Status - Earth science is underrepresented in education, with only 2 states offering it as a year-long standalone course based on 2018 data [5] - Only 7% of high school students take an earth science course, leading to a decline in geoscience majors [6] - Earth science concepts often disappear after middle school [6] Importance of Earth Science - Earth science is essential for addressing modern societal problems like global warming, climate change, pollution, and resource management [6][7] - Earth science education equips individuals with the tools to recognize problems, think critically, and contribute to solutions [10] - Earth science's interdisciplinary nature connects various fields, fostering problem-solving skills applicable to material science, astronomy, and resource management [11][12][13] Solutions for Improvement - Increasing Earth and Space Science (ESS) concepts in graduation requirements is crucial [15] - Requiring earth science as a standalone course or elective option can prevent it from being overlooked [16] - Increasing teacher training is necessary, as only 42% and 64% of high school and middle school teachers, respectively, have taken an introductory geoscience course [18] - Building a culture that supports earth science through competitions, clubs, and field trips is essential [19]

Environmental History & Challenges - Chicago's industrialization in the 19th century led to severe pollution of the Chicago River with industrial waste, meat packing byproducts, and raw sewage, threatening the city's drinking water source, Lake Michigan [5][6] - In the 1890s, Chicago reversed the flow of the Chicago River by constructing the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, diverting water westward towards the Mississippi River [7][8] - Chicago constructed a wastewater treatment system, considered one of the seven wonders of American engineering in 1955, but initially, the treated water was still unsuitable for most indigenous fish species [9][10] Ecological Redemption & Urban Development - By the mid-20th century, only 10 fish species survived in the Chicago River [11] - Mayor Richard J Daly aimed to enhance Chicago's reputation and envisioned a wild, sustainable salmon population in the Chicago River, even suggesting businessmen could fish during lunch breaks [12][18] - The Clean Water Act of 1972 led to improved water quality, and by 1982, Chicago stopped using chlorine in wastewater treatment, resulting in the return of fish species [23][24] Biodiversity & Future Outlook - Currently, 58 fish species inhabit the Chicago River, and other animals like river otters, beavers, deer, foxes, coyotes, and even bald eagles have returned to the area [24][25][26] - The industry emphasizes the importance of remembering past environmental mistakes while continuing to make conscious decisions to improve the ecological health of the environment for all species [27][28]

Study Links Oil And Gas Pollution With 90,000 Premature Deaths, 10,000 Preterm Births Annually https://t.co/QCg2kRNQBj https://t.co/aO7sKRx2pj ...

Study Links Oil And Gas Pollution With 90,000 Premature Deaths, 10,000 Preterm Births Annuallyhttps://t.co/RswIxBsxjp https://t.co/PG9RSlSUYK ...

Environmental Regulation - Kazakhstan's environmental-protection ministry issued a 40-day deadline for oil majors to pay a multibillion-dollar fine [1] - The fine is related to sulfur pollution caused by oil majors operating in Kazakhstan [1]

Pollution may have shielded it from the worst of global warming. That will change https://t.co/zy1Ck0DSqI ...

Environmental Impact - A study revealed that the pollution damage from a disaster at a Chinese state-owned copper mine in Zambia was more extensive than officially reported [1] - The Zambian government aimed to alleviate public concerns regarding pollution levels following the study's findings [1]