A microscopic look at why the world is running out of sand; Video
The usefulness of sand depends on the science of each tiny little grain. We went on a sand scavenger hunt to collect some samples, look at them under a microscope, and try to figure out why sand scarcity is such a problem.
As Florida’s toxic red tide stretches on, residents report health problems
Doctors in southwest Florida say they’ve seen an increase in patients complaining of breathing problems.
As waters rise, coastal megacities like Mumbai face catastrophe
Mumbai and other fast-growing coastal megacities in Asia are particularly vulnerable to climate-related flooding. Twenty-one of the world’s 31 megacities hug a coastline, 13 of which are in Asia. These cities of 10 million or more often drive their national economies and are home to both rich and poor.
Is pumping more sand onto NC beaches causing deadly currents?
A growing number of scientists and coastal engineers worry that there’s a serious downside to beach nourishment: Unnaturally altered beaches could pose an elevated risk of injury to the very tourists that sand replenishment was meant to attract.
Dolphin Deaths in Florida’s Red Tide Disaster Prompt Federal Investigation
Federal wildlife officials are investigating dozens of dolphin deaths off Florida’s southwest coast which has been experiencing a severe red tide.
Spiagge Bianche (White Beaches), Rosignano Marittimo, Italy
This deceiving white sand beach gets its brilliant hue from the chemical discharge of a nearby factory.
Scientists in Fiji examine how forest conservation helps coral reefs
Researchers from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa (UH Mānoa), WCS (Wildlife Conservation Society), and other groups are discovering how forest conservation in Fiji can minimize the impact of human activities on coral reefs and their fish populations.
Sea Chair, Video
Sea Chair is made entirely from plastic recovered from our oceans. Together with local fishermen, the plastic is collected and made into a stool at sea.
Three ways making a smartphone can harm the environment
Nearly five billion people worldwide will use a smartphone by 2020. Each device is made up of numerous precious metals and many of the key technological features wouldn’t be possible without them. Mining these metals is a vital activity that underpins the modern global economy. But the environmental cost can be enormous and is probably far greater than you realize.