Could we run out of sand? Scientists adjust how grains are measured
We are astounded to discover there are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on our beaches.
More than 1000 tons of plastic rains into Western US protected lands annually
Watershed researchers estimate more than 1000 tons of microplastics (equal to more than 123 million plastic water bottles) are deposited in national parks and wilderness areas each year.
Global Climate Report – May 2020: Earth ties record high heat May reading
The global land and ocean surface temperature for May 2020 tied with 2016 as the highest in the 141-year record at 0.95°C (1.71°F) above the 20th century average of 14.8°C (58.6°F). The 10 warmest Mays have all occurred since 1998
North Korea might be making millions — and breaking sanctions — selling sand. Yes, sand.
North Korea is barred from exporting earth and stone under United Nations sanctions passed in December 2017. Trading North Korean sand is a violation of international law. Despite those measures, North Korea raked in at least $22 million last year using “a substantial sand-export operation,” UN investigators said in a report released in April.
Fuel from Russian Arctic spill reaches large lake, says governor
Diesel fuel from a major spill in Russia’s Arctic has reached a pristine lake which is the basin for a river flowing into the Arctic Ocean, a regional official said on Tuesday, but the mining giant embroiled in the scandal rejected his allegation.
Report: European bathing water quality remains high
The quality of bathing waters in Europe remains high according to a study by the EU environment agency that found that minimum water quality standards were met at 95 percent of the sites monitored across the continent last year.
We looked for South Africa’s ‘missing’ plastic litter. This is what we found
A recent study suggests that 96%-98% of litter from land-based sources washes up within one year of entering the sea. They conclude that most of the missing plastic has been under our noses all the time, on our beaches.
World Oceans Day 2020: New IAEA Research Records Dramatic Increase in Microplastic Pollution in Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
We celebrate World Oceans Day at a time when about 8 million tons of plastic waste are ending up in the oceans each year, damaging ecosystems and wildlife. The major challenge scientists and policy makers face today is a lack of knowledge on the biological impacts of microplastics in marine organisms…
A message for World Oceans Day, June 8, 2020
There can be no environmental justice without social justice. A very short sentence, with millions of lives and stories behind it.