From paradise to landfill: beloved California beach covered in trash
After a trio of winter storms dropped inches of rain on the area, the beach looked more like a landfill than a pristine paradise. That’s because Seal Beach lies at the mouth of the San Gabriel river, which drains runoff from more than 50 cities in the Los Angeles river basin.
Mussels lose grip when exposed to microplastics – study
Researchers say effects will be felt beyond molluscs as reefs shelter other marine life
Marine Litter: Solutions for a Major Environmental Problem; By Williams, A.T. and Rangel-Buitrago
A current major environmental problem is that marine litter is being deposited in increasing amounts on the world’s beaches and oceans. This is especially true for plastics, which form the bulk of the litter and which can last for an unknown number of years in the oceans.
Bali Proposes a Tourist Tax to Clean Up Plastic Pollution
Bali is considering taxing foreign tourists to tackle the Indonesian island’s mounting plastic pollution problem. Bali receives about 6 million visitors annually, mostly from China and Australia.
Massive Santa Barbara oil spill still impacts U.S. 50 years later
Friday marks the 50th anniversary of the Union Oil spill in Santa Barbara, which began with a blowout on an offshore drilling platform on Jan. 28, 1969.
The women fighting a pipeline that could destroy precious wildlife
Activists fight to stop construction of the Bayou Bridge pipeline, which endangers an ecosystem that is one of the most important bird habitats in the western hemisphere.
Trump administration expands oil drilling despite shutdown
Interior department continues processing permits and moves forward with controversial plan to increase drilling in the Arctic.
Microplastics and plastic additives discovered in ascidians all along Israel’s coastline
A new study finds that microplastics — tiny pieces of plastic ingested by aquatic life — are present in solitary ascidians, sac-like marine invertebrate filter feeders, all along the Israeli coastline. The research also confirmed the presence of plastic additives, i.e. ‘plasticizers,’ in ascidians.
Life without plastic: pioneer families show how it’s done
As public anger grows over the environmental impact of single-use plastic, trying to live plastic-free and more sustainably has become a mainstream concept.