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☆ Beethoven’s hair reveals lead poisoning
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” is one of the first songs I learned to play on the violin. While his doctor’s notes were lost to time, scientists sequenced Beethoven’s genome from locks of his hair last year. Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesA new analysis of Beethoven’s hair has shown the composer experienced lead poisoning toward the end of his life. Tests revealed incredibly elevated levels of lead, as well as arsenic and mercury, in two of his locks, likely from drinking wine that was sweetened with lead. Researchers don’t believe lead poisoning would have been enough to kill him, but it could have contributed to the composer’s well-known gastrointestinal issues and deafness.

Persons: CNN — Ludwig van Beethoven’s, Joy ”, I’ll, Beethoven, Ludwig van Beethoven, don’t, ”, William Meredith, Umm Jirsan, Lady Elliot, Rebecca Wright, Kate Quigley, “ We’re, Ashley Strickland, Katie Hunt Organizations: CNN, Symphony, Hulton, “, Arabia, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Minderoo, Energy, CNN Space, Science Locations: Alabama, Saudi Arabia, Umm Jirsan, Lady, Australia

Great Barrier Reef, Australia CNN —As the early-morning sun rises over the Great Barrier Reef, its light pierces the turquoise waters of a shallow lagoon, bringing more than a dozen turtles to life. CNN witnessed bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef in mid-February, on five different reefs spanning the northern and southern parts of the 2,300-kilometer (1,400-mile) ecosystem. “It’s a die-off,” said Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, a climate scientist at the University of Queensland in Australia and chief scientist at The Great Barrier Reef Foundation. Our destination is Lady Elliot Island, a remote coral cay perched on top of the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef. — Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort Guano miners once stripped Lady Elliot Island of its topsoil.

Persons: Elliot Island, ”, Kate Quigley, “ We’re, Ove Hoegh, I’m, Guldberg, ‘, Elliot, Peter Gash, “, ” Gash, Lady Elliot, ” Peter Gash, CNN Gash, Derek Manzello, Peter Harrison, “ We’ve, ” Harrison, ” David Ritter, ” Ritter, David Wachenfeld Organizations: Australia CNN —, Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, CNN, Minderoo, University of Queensland, Eco, Reef Watch, Southern Cross University, Australian Institute of Marine Science, Greenpeace, Australia CNN Scientists, AIMS Locations: Australia, El, Brisbane, Queensland, Red Sea, Indonesia, Seychelles, Caribbean, Florida, “, New South Wales, Greenpeace Australia, Briggs, Elliot Island

☆ 16,000 plastic chemicals exist, many of them hazardous and unregulated, report says
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

And with new plastic chemicals entering the market all the time, it’s been difficult for regulators and policy makers to determine the scope of the problem. Now, for the first time, researchers have pulled together scientific and regulatory data to develop a database of all known chemicals used in plastic production. It’s a staggering number: 16,000 plastic chemicals, with at least 4,200 of those considered to be “highly hazardous” to human health and the environment, according to the authors. Although grouping would capture about 1,000 of the most toxic chemicals in plastics, Wagner said, that still leaves about 2,600 chemicals that still need to be regulated. Missing hazard dataIn addition to the massive number of toxic chemicals, the report found that detailed hazard information is missing for more than 10,000 of the 16,000 chemicals.

Persons: it’s, It’s, “, ”, Martin Wagner, Wagner, Philip Landrigan, Landrigan, Matt Seaholm, ” Kimberly Wise White, ” Wagner, ” Landrigan, Tasha Stoiber, Stoiber, Jane Houlihan Organizations: CNN, Norwegian University of Science, Technology, Program, Global Public Health, Global, Planetary Health, Boston College, – Monaco, Plastics, Human, Plastics Industry Association, American Chemistry Council, International, United Nations Environment, Global Plastics, Environmental, Healthy Locations: Trondheim, United States

☆ Global tax would spoil investors’ plastic party
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-01 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

This may change if supporters of taxes and other restrictive measures prevail at ongoing talks for a global treaty to end plastic pollution by 2040. And the world lacks sufficient infrastructure to sort discarded resins: only 9% of global plastic is recycled each year, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development reckons. Some 90% of people support measures to combat plastic pollution, a global Ipsos survey from 2021 shows. Countries including Britain have already started applying levies on virgin plastic packaging. CONTEXT NEWSRepresentatives of 175 countries in March endorsed a landmark resolution to develop international, legally binding rules to end plastic pollution by 2040.

Persons: Inger Andersen, Barr, Aimee Donnellan, Pranav Kiran Organizations: MILAN, Reuters, Big Oil, ExxonMobil, Dow, Indorama Ventures, Saudi Aramco, Minderoo, Organisation for Economic Co, ” United Nations, Reuters Breakingviews, Barclays, Twitter, Thomson Locations: Sinopec, Britain, Paris

☆ Deepest-ever fish caught and filmed off Japan by scientists
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, April 3 (Reuters) - Fish have been caught more than 5 miles (8 kilometres) under the surface of the ocean for the first time ever - and filmed even deeper - by a joint Japanese-Australian scientific expedition. The snailfish, of the Pseudoliparis belyaevi species, are the first to be caught below 8,000 metres, the expedition said. It wasn't immediately clear how big the fish were, but the species has been recorded as reaching a length of close to 11 centimetres (4.3 inches). "The Japanese trenches were incredible places to explore; they are so rich in life, even all the way at the bottom," said Jamieson, founder of the Minderoo-UWA Deep Sea Research Centre. "We tell people from the very early ages, as young as two or three, that the deep sea is a horrible scary place that you shouldn't go and that grows with you with time," said Jamieson.

☆ The world is creating more single-use plastic waste than ever, report finds
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-05 | by ( Hilary Whiteman | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Brisbane, Australia CNN —The world is producing a record amount of single-use plastic waste, mostly made from polymers created from fossil fuels, despite global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and carbon emissions, according to a new report released Monday. The second Plastic Waste Makers Index, compiled by the philanthropic Minderoo Foundation, found the world generated 139 million metric tons of single-use plastic waste in 2021, which was 6 million metric tons more than in 2019, when the first index was released. In recent years, governments around the world have announced policies to reduce the volume of single-use plastic, banning products like single-use straws, disposable cutlery, food containers, cotton swabs, bags and balloons. Many countries have banned single-use plastic plates and cutlery. In the developing world, it’ll lead to people who would not otherwise have any work, having work making sure there’s no plastic waste going into the ocean, there’s no plastic waste on streets, there’s no plastic waste poisoning wildlife,” he said.

☆ Climate report shows Australia will see more extreme weather events, putting strain on economy
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-23 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong CNN Business —Australia will continue to see a spike in extreme rainfall and heat, as well as more dangerous fire events, its government agencies warned Wednesday. In a biennial climate report, Australia’s national science agency, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), and the Bureau of Meteorology said it had already found “an increase in extreme heat events, intense heavy rainfall, longer fire seasons and sea level rise” recently. The changes are happening more rapidly and will put further pressure on Australia to transition its economy away from fossil fuels, the agencies warned. Australia has seen the devastating effects of the climate crisis up close recently, from marine heat waves that have caused mass coral bleaching on the Great Barrier Reef to extreme weather events including flooding. Over the past 50 years, “climate-induced extreme weather events including drought, fires, and floods have cost Australian communities an estimated 120 billion [Australian dollars] ($79.8 billion),” according to the Minderoo Foundation.

☆ (foto) Studiile au constatat că jumătate din deşeurile de plastic din lume sunt produse de doar 20 de companii
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-20 | by ( Onixmedia Srl | ) diez.md time to read: +2 min

(foto) Studiile au constatat că jumătate din deşeurile de plastic din lume sunt produse de doar 20 de companiiProducţia de materiale plastice de unică folosinţă va creşte cu 30 % în următorii cinci ani, alimentând contribuţia sectorului la încălzirea globală şi la poluarea oceanelor, atrag atenția cercetătorii care au publicat o listă a companiilor care produc şi finanţează plasticul aruncat. Primul „Index al producătorilor de deşeuri din plastic”, publicat de Fundaţia filantropică Minderoo din Australia, a constatat că 20 de companii – în principal giganţi energetici şi chimici – sunt sursa a jumătate din deşeurile de plastic de unică folosinţă din lume. În 2019, 130 de milioane de tone de materiale plastice de unică folosinţă au fost aruncate în întreaga lume, 35 % fiind arse, 31 % îngropate în depozite de deşeuri gestionate, iar 19 % aruncate direct pe uscat sau în ocean, potrivit studiului. Estimările academice ale amprentei de carbon a materialelor plastice au indicat că întregul ciclu de viaţă al materialelor plastice de unică folosinţă a reprezentat aproximativ 1,5 % din emisiile globale de gaze cu efect de seră în 2019, polimerii fiind principalul contribuabil, au spus autorii raportului. Companiile petrochimice ar trebui să se angajeze să producă materiale plastice din deşeuri de plastic reciclate, mai degrabă decât din combustibili fosili, a transmis Fundaţia Minderoo.

Organizations: CNN Locations: Australia, polimerii, Paris

☆ Jumătate din deşeurile de plastic din lume, produse de 20 de companii
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-19 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +2 min

Primul „Index al producătorilor de deşeuri din plastic”, publicat de Fundaţia filantropică Minderoo din Australia, a calculat că 20 de companii, în principal giganţi energetici şi chimici - sunt sursa a jumătate din deşeurile de plastic de unică folosinţă din lume. Materialele plastice de unică folosinţă - cum ar fi măştile de faţă, echipamentele medicale, pungile de cumpărături, căni de cafea şi folie alimentară - sunt fabricate din polimeri, care utilizează combustibili fosili ca material de bază, relatează CNN. În 2019, 130 de milioane de tone metrice de materiale plastice de unică folosinţă au fost aruncate în întreaga lume, cu 35% arse, 31% îngropate în depozite de deşeuri gestionate şi 19% aruncate direct pe uscat sau în ocean, se arată în studiu. Estimările academice ale amprentei de carbon ale materialelor plastice au indicat că întregul ciclu de viaţă al materialelor plastice de unică folosinţă a reprezentat aproximativ 1,5% din emisiile globale de gaze cu efect de seră în 2019, polimerii fiind principalul contribuabil, au spus autorii raportului. Fundaţia Minderoo a precizat că companiilor petrochimice ar trebui să li se solicite să dezvăluie „amprenta deşeurilor din plastic” şi să se angajeze să producă materiale plastice din deşeuri de plastic reciclate, mai degrabă decât din combustibili fosili.

Persons: CNN ., Fundaţia Minderoo Organizations: CNN Locations: Australia, polimerii, Paris

☆ Всего 20 компаний производят 55% мировых пластиковых отходов
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-19 | by ( Mld Media Srl | ) noi.md time to read: +2 min

Более половины мировых пластиковых отходов производят всего 20 компаний. В рейтинг Plastic Waste Makers, составленный Minderoo Foundation, вошли 100 компаний, которые производят 90% всего объема пластиковых отходов. В рейтинг Plastic Waste Makers, составленный Minderoo Foundation, вошли 100 компаний, которые производят 90% всего объема пластиковых отходов. В мире, по оценкам авторов доклада, ежегодно сжигается, закапывается или оказывается в океанах, лесах более 130 млн тонн пластиковых отходов. В топ-10 компаний-загрязнителей наряду с ExxonMobil вошли также Dow (5,6 млн тонн отходов из одноразового пластика), Sinopec (5,3 млн тонн), Indorama Ventures (4,6 млн тонн), Saudi Aramco (4,3 млн тонн), PetroChina (4 млн тонн), LyondellBasell (3,9 млн тонн), Reliance Industries (3,1 млн тонн), Braskem (3 млн тонн) и Alpek SA de CV (2,3 млн тонн).

Persons: JPMorgan Chase Organizations: Minderoo Foundation, ExxonMobil —, ExxonMobil Dow, Indorama Ventures, Reliance Industries, Alpek, kommersant, Barclays, HSBC, Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Locations: Saudi Aramco, Азия

☆ Studiu: 20 de firme produc 55% din totalul deșeurilor plastice din lume
▼ + stars: | 2021-05-18 | by ( ) www.jurnal.md time to read: +4 min

Amplul studiu relevă care sunt companiile care produc materiale plastice realizate dintr-un poliester numit acid polilactic (PLA) care nu se degradează. Printre companiile globale responsabile pentru 55% din deșeurile plastice din lume se află atât corporații de stat, cât și corporații multinaționale, inclusiv giganți de petrol și gaze și companii chimice, notează The Guardian. Cercetătorii arată că în topul țărilor care produc cele mai multe deșeuri plastice pe cap de locuitori, Australia este pe primul loc. Întrucât majoritatea materialelor plastice sunt fabricate din petrol și gaze, producția și consumul de plastic devin un factor major al crizei climatice. În fiecare an, doar 10% -15% din plasticul de unică folosință este reciclat la nivel global, iar criza deșeurilor din plastic crește.

Persons: Guardian ., Britanie, Wood, Chase, Gore, Andrew Forrest AO Organizations: Guardian, Wood Mackenzie, London School, Dow Locations: Australia, Statele Unite, Coreea de Sud, SUA, Irving, Texas, Stockholm, Institute, Asia, Europa, America de Nord, America Latină, Orientul Mijlociu, Barclays, Bank, America, Citigroup

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