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Earth is exceeding its “safe operating space for humanity” in six of nine key measurements of its health, and two of the remaining three are headed in the wrong direction, a new study said. Earth’s climate, biodiversity, land, freshwater, nutrient pollution and “novel” chemicals (human-made compounds like microplastics and nuclear waste) are all out of whack, a group of international scientists said in Wednesday’s journal Science Advances. “We are in very bad shape,” said study co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany. Water went from barely safe to the out-of-bounds category because of worsening river run-off and better measurements and understanding of the problem, Rockstrom said. Political Cartoons View All 1157 ImagesIf Earth can manage these nine factors, Earth could be relatively safe.

Persons: ”, Johan Rockstrom, “, Rockstrom, it’s, –, ” Rockstrom, Jonathan Overpeck, ” Overpeck, Neil Donahue, Duke’s Stuart Pimm, Granger Morgan, ” “ I’ve, ” Morgan, Seth Borenstein Organizations: Potsdam Institute, Climate, Research, Biodiversity, ” University of Michigan, Carnegie Mellon, Twitter, AP Locations: Germany, Paris

☆ Earth's deep blue oceans are fading and changing color — and scientists aren't sure why
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Marianne Guenot | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Two decades of satellite images have revealed that more than 56% of the world's oceans have seen significant changes in color. Scientists fear these color changes could be harbingers of yet another global crisis in ocean food chains as the planet warms. Greener oceans mean more life — and that's not necessarily goodThe color of the oceans can tell us a lot about their health. The ocean's color depends on what's in the upper layer of the water column. In the latest study, scientists used imagery from NASA's Aqua satellite, which has been monitoring ocean color changes for more than two decades.

Persons: It's, it's, Cael, that's, Stephanie Dutkiewicz, Dutkiewicz, I've, Michael J Behrenfeld Organizations: Service, Nature, National Oceanography Center, Guardian, MIT's Department of, Planetary Sciences, Center for Global Change Science, CNN, Oregon State University Locations: Southampton

☆ Merle Liivand: Meet the eco-friendly ‘mermaid’ cleaning oceans one record-breaking swim at a time
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Charlie Webster | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Courtesy Michael A. SamwayThe Tallinn-born competitor moved to the US in 2011 and, as she tired of only competing in breaststroke, started doing triathlons and then tried open water swimming. After seeing first-hand the scale of water pollution, Liivand was determined to take on a fight tougher than any competitor. The Jamaican sprint icon recognized Liivand for her open-water swimming exploits and mermaid school but confused the two. “It was like, here we are, testing waters, but we still don’t address that open water sport is in real danger because of pollution,” she said. Marco Bello/ReutersIn a grueling 14-hour swim, at times, Liivand will have to swim against the current.

Persons: Merle Liivand, ” Liivand, Liivand, ‘ Merle, “, ”, Michael, “ It’s, ’ ”, Mario Tama, microplastics, Usain Bolt, Marco Bello, ’ Liivand, “ I’m, I’m, Richard Branson, Liivand’s Organizations: CNN, Guinness, CNN Sport, Federal University of Rio, Rio, UNESCO, Environmental International, Records, Reuters Locations: Estonian, Biscayne Bay , Miami, California, Florida, Tallinn, Guanabara Bay, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Leblon, Jamaica, Biscayne, Los Angeles, Miami, Paris ’

☆ Plastic levels in Swiss-French lake as high as world's oceans
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

FOUNEX, Switzerland Aug 25 (Reuters) - Lake Geneva, nestled at the foot of the Alps, has long been considered as a near-pristine body of water, but new research has found that its plastic pollution levels are as high as those in the oceans. Oceaneye, a Geneva-based non-profit that has for more than a decade been scouring the seas to collect plastic fragments, has turned its attention closer to home to landlocked Switzerland. [1/5]A boat of NGO Oceaneye collects plastic fragments in the water of Lake Leman in Founex near Geneva, Switzerland August 21, 2023. Microplastics derive from the breakdown of various consumer and industrial plastic waste over time and their concentrations are accumulating in the world's oceans. "When we began working on this 12 years ago and talked about plastic fragments in water, people took us for wackos and now it is a recognised problem."

Persons: Pascal Hagmann, Denis Balibouse, Hagmann, Cecile Mantovani, Emma Farge, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Switzerland, Lake Geneva, Geneva, Lac Leman, Lake Leman, Founex, Leman, Europe, France, Switzerland's, Evian

☆ I'm a Barbie girl who almost got tricked by a plastic-free hoax
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Catherine Boudreau | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A fake campaign by environmental activists said Barbie-maker Mattel would go plastic-free by 2030. Outlets like People, The Washington Times , and Dow Jones Newswires reported that Mattel, the maker of Barbie and other toys like American Girl dolls and Hot Wheels, would go plastic-free by 2030. "With our plastic-free commitment, we denounce the empty promises of plastic recycling and take a bold step towards real ecological sustainability. By the end of the day, Yahoo News had the exclusive on the team behind the stunt : The Barbie Liberation Organization. The stunt did make me envision what seaweed Barbie would look like — but it's unclear if that's possible.

Persons: Barbie, I've, that'd, Dow Jones Newswires, Greta Thunberg, Daryl Hannah, Instagram, Hannah, Hannah didn't, Ynon Kreiz, Mattel, Igor Vamos, Mike Bonnaro, Vamos, Adam McKay Organizations: Mattel, Service, The Washington Times, Yahoo News, Liberation Organization, Barbie Liberation Organization, Dot Studios Locations: Russian

☆ Should you prewash your rice?
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-06 | by ( Evangeline Mantzioris | University Of South Australia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The three types were glutinous rice, medium grain rice and jasmine rice. In this study, glutinous rice was the stickiest, while medium grain rice and jasmine rice were less sticky, and also harder as tested in the laboratory. Washing rice will have no effect on the bacterial content of the cooked rice, as high cooking temperatures will kill all bacteria present. What is more concerning is how long you store cooked rice or washed rice at room temperature. If wet rice or cooked rice is kept at room temperature, this can activate the bacterial spores and they begin to grow.

Persons: Rice, It’s, Evangeline Mantzioris Organizations: CNN, dolmades, World Health Organization, Nutrition, Food Sciences, University of South Locations: Asia, Africa, Greece, risottos, Italy, paella, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, University of South Australia

But Michelin, Continental and Pirelli (PIRC.MI) told Reuters they are pursuing alternatives to 6PPD, with Michelin and Continental adding collective industry action may be necessary to find solutions. Continental said its dandelion tyres were developed to find a sustainable form of natural rubber, and addressing 6PPD was a separate focus. The worst-performing rival tyres Michelin has tested so far emit around 8 kg per year. Michelin and Continental said they are already focused on making their tyres more durable - Michelin cut its tyre emissions 5% between 2015 and 2020, Roget said. "The advent of the EV is the time to make this change," to improve tyres," Enso's Erlendsson said.

☆ Floating sea life thrive in Great Pacific Garbage Patch
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Mindy Weisberger | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Translucent, fragile marine creatures that drift through the sea are riding the motion of the ocean to a destination that’s infamous as a home for trash: the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. A surprising number of delicate, floating invertebrates, called neustons, are making the Great Pacific Garbage Patch home, according to data from a new study. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch and the Sargasso Sea are both oceanic gyres — marine zones where multiple ocean currents converge to form a vortex (though the Sargasso Sea is known for its floating algae rather than drifting garbage). There are five main oceanic gyres, and the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre is where the best-known garbage patch lies. But when long-distance swimmer and environmental activist Benoît Lecomte swam through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2019, he and his crew gathered data on floating life as well as drifting litter.

☆ Opinion | There Is Plastic In Our Flesh
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-20 | by ( Mark O Connell | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

(Later in the same article, the environmental scientist who makes this recommendation also counsels against instilling fear in our children.) Joe Rogan, perhaps our culture’s foremost vector of meathead masculinity, has been talking about the topic for several years. Not only were the taints of infants shrinking at an alarming rate; so, too, were penises and testicles themselves. Maybe it’s microplastics that are stopping you and your partner from conceiving, or making you lazy and lethargic, or forgetful beyond your years. Maybe it’s microplastics that caused the cancer in your stomach, or your brain.

☆ Does bottled water go bad? When it's safe to drink expired water and what to do with a contaminated bottle
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Emily Swaim | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Bottled water can have an expiration date, though it's legal in the US to sell expired water. Drinking expired water probably won't harm you, especially if the water was stored properly. So while an expired water bottle from the fridge may be safe to drink, the bottle you forgot in your hot car trunk or on a sunny shelf probably isn't. What to do with an expired water bottleIf you suspect your water is bad, boil it to kill off any potential pathogens. Oliver Rossi / Getty ImagesIf you're a frugal or environmentally-conscious person, you may wonder how to salvage your expired bottled water.

☆ A growing plastic smog is choking the world's oceans — and it shows no signs of slowing down
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

U.N. member states are scheduled to meet this spring with the aim of developing a legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. More than 170 trillion plastic particles weighing roughly 2 million metric tons are afloat in the world's oceans, according to new research, and that number could nearly triple by 2040 if no action is taken. The authors of the peer-reviewed research paper, published Wednesday in the PLOS ONE journal, warn that "cleanup is futile," if plastic continues to be produced at the current rate. They say this may reflect an exponential uptick in plastic production, fragmentation of existing plastic pollution or changes to terrestrial waste generation and management. The rate of plastic entering the world's oceans, without immediate action to reverse the current trend, was expected to increase roughly 2.6-fold from 2016 to 2040.

☆ Plastic entering oceans could nearly triple by 2040 if left unchecked -research
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Antonio BronicSINGAPORE, March 8 (Reuters) - Plastics entering the world's oceans have surged by an "unprecedented" amount since 2005 and could nearly triple by 2040 if no further action is taken, according to research published on Wednesday. Marine plastic pollution could rise 2.6 fold by 2040 if legally binding global policies are not introduced, it predicted. "We need a strong legally binding U.N. global treaty on plastic pollution that stops the problem at the source," he added. Experts said the study showed that the level of marine plastic pollution in the oceans has been underestimated. Environmental group Greenpeace said that without a strong global treaty, plastic production could double within the next 10 to 15 years, and triple by 2050.

☆ Plastics Export: How I Keep My Family, Baby Safe From Toxic Microplastics.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Adrienne Matei | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

Hardman does research on microplastics — tiny pieces of plastic debris that are broken down from larger plastic items. Microplastics are often too small to pick up or even notice, but they are everywhere: in the air, dust, and rain. Laura HardmanPlastic is a relatively new pollutant, so there's still a lot we don't know about it. In the lab, my team of researchers and I focus on the sources, effects, and fate of plastics in the ocean. The simple answer is we don't know what plastics might be doing to us, but I've started to get really concerned.

☆ Check out the 16-slide pitch deck the sustainable-healthtech startup Cabinet Health used to nab $17 million in new funding
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( Samantha Stokes | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The sustainable-healthtech startup Cabinet Health just raised $17 million from Global Impact Fund. Check out the pitch deck Cabinet Health used to land its latest round of funding. Cabinet Health just raised millions of dollars in new capital for its mission to make medication refills more earth-friendly. Cabinet Health was founded in 2018 with the goal of eliminating single-use plastics from the pharmaceutical industry. Check out the 16-slide pitch deck Cabinet Health used to raise its most recent round of funding:

Tiny fragments of plastic have been found in blood samples, stools and placentas of unborn babies, recent studies have shown. Scientists are trying to understand the health risks of this new phenomenon, but concerns range from the impact on organs to how some plastic additives might disrupt hormonal systems. Jodie Roussell, public affairs lead for packaging and sustainability at Swiss consumer goods giant Nestle (NESN.S), told the panel she hoped the treaty would help establish global quality controls for plastic, especially recycled plastic. Roussell said in lieu of such standards, Nestle has established its own quality controls and a black list for certain materials. International standards would help with "levelling the playing field and ensuring a fair distribution of responsibility across the value chain," Roussell said.

☆ Exclusive: UN treaty must tackle production of problematic plastics, Japan says
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( John Geddie | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Nov 30 (Reuters) - A proposed United Nations plastic waste treaty must consider putting restrictions on the most problematic plastics, Japan's lead negotiator told Reuters, marking the first time the country has suggested it would support curbs on plastic production. However, on the same panel, Stewart Harris, a lobbyist for the American Chemistry Council, a trade association for some of the world's biggest plastic producers, warned that any move to restrict plastic production could backfire. "There will be tremendous unintended consequences if we were to restrict production." Plastic output is projected to double within 20 years, while the amount of plastic waste flowing into the world's oceans is forecast to triple in that period. The Swiss food and drink giant is among several big brands that have called for a reduction in virgin plastic production to bolster markets for recycled material and catalyse a shift towards reusable packaging.

☆ Prime Day 2022 ends tonight: 80+ best deals to shop ahead of Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Zoe Malin | Zoe Malin Is The Associate Updates Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +17 min

Prime Early Access Sale: The best dealsBelow, we’re sharing the best deals from the Prime Early Access Sale based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 2,378 reviews on AmazonThis indoor gardening system allows you to grow herbs indoors year round. 4.6-star average rating from 72,050 reviews on AmazonThe Keurig K-Mini is one of our favorite single-serve coffee makers. Prime Early Access Sale: The best sales on AmazonHere are the best Prime Day sales on Amazon right now that we think you’ll want to know about. Prime Early Access Sale: The best sales at other retailersIn addition to Amazon, the following retailers are offering Prime Day sales we recommend.

☆ Amazon October Prime Day: 50+ best deals to shop ahead of Black Friday
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Zoe Malin | Zoe Malin Is The Associate Updates Editor For Select On Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +15 min

For the first time in Prime Day’s history, Amazon is hosting two Prime Day-like events in the same year. Prime Early Access Sale: The best dealsBelow, we’re sharing the best deals from the Prime Early Access Sale based on our previous coverage and reporting. 4.7-star average rating from 2,378 reviews on AmazonThis indoor gardening system allows you to grow herbs indoors year round. Prime Early Access Sale: The best sales on AmazonHere are the best Prime Day sales on Amazon right now that we think you’ll want to know about. Prime Early Access Sale: The best sales at other retailersIn addition to Amazon, the following retailers are offering Prime Day sales we recommend.

☆ Plastic pollution may have met its match: The saliva of wax worms
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-05 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Two substances in the saliva of wax worms — moth larvae that eat wax made by bees to build honeycombs — readily break down a common type of plastic, researchers said on Tuesday, in a potential advance in the global fight against plastic pollution. For plastic to degrade, oxygen must penetrate the polymer — or plastic molecule — in an important initial step called oxidation. Wax worms are the larvae of wax moths, a species called Galleria mellonella. The idea would be to produce the worms’ saliva enzymes synthetically, which the researchers succeeded in doing, to break down plastic waste. Bertocchini said the use of billions of wax worms to do the job has drawbacks including generating carbon dioxide as they metabolize the polyethylene.

German company Wasser 3.0, however, thinks it may have found the answer to cleaning up microplastic pollution before it reaches the ocean — using a whirlpool and a specially developed hybrid silica gel. Courtesy Wasser 3.0 gGmbH | Philipp BrüderleThe hybrid silica gel consists of silicone-based chemicals called organosilanes, and is non-toxic, says Schuhen. During a 12-month trial at the Landau site, around 600 pounds of microplastics were removed, says Schuhen. Some scientists have suggested using magnetic fluids to separate microplastics from water or sticky film made of bacteria, but these processes are in their early stages. Schuhen says that Wasser 3.0 is an affordable, scalable and simple solution to the global problem of microplastic pollution.

☆ Over 275 of the most promising startups of 2022 in edtech, fintech, crypto, proptech and more, according to VCs
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-28 | by ( Julie Bort | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

We asked hundreds of top venture capitalists to name the most promising startups of 2022. And they were also asked to name startups across all stages, particularly earlier-stage companies that are not widely known. VCs have grown tighter with investments and startups that were not well-prepared to weather the cold have struggled. Below, we list hundreds of the most promising startups of 2022, sorted by industry. Advertising tech:The 19 most promising advertising and marketing tech startups of 2022, according to VCsClimate tech:The 37 most promising climate-tech startups of 2022, from microplastics to toilets, according to top VCsConsumer tech:The 27 most promising consumer startups of 2022, according to VCsCrypto:The 53 most promising crypto startups of 2022, according to VCsEducation tech:23 of the most promising edtech startups of 2022, according to top edtech VCsFintech:The 61 most promising fintechs changing the world of banking, trading, and investing, according to top investorsHealth tech:The 21 most promising healthtech startups of 2022, according to top VCsReal estate/property tech:The 21 most promising proptech startups of 2022, according to VCsRetail tech:24 of the most promising retail startups of 2022, according to top VCs

☆ Over 260 of the most promising startups of 2022 in edtech, fintech, crypto, proptech and more, according to VCs
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Julie Bort | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

We asked hundreds of top venture capitalists to name the most promising startups of 2022. And they were also asked to name startups across all stages, particularly earlier-stage companies that are not widely known. VCs have grown tighter with investments and startups that were not well-prepared to weather the cold have struggled. Below, we list hundreds of the most promising startups of 2022, sorted by industry. Climate tech:The 37 most promising climate-tech startups of 2022, from microplastics to toilets, according to top VCsConsumer tech:The 27 most promising consumer startups of 2022, according to VCsCrypto:The 53 most promising crypto startups of 2022, according to VCsEducation tech:23 of the most promising edtech startups of 2022, according to top edtech VCsFintech:The 61 most promising fintechs changing the world of banking, trading, and investing, according to top investorsHealth tech:The 21 most promising healthtech startups of 2022, according to top VCsReal estate/property tech:The 21 most promising proptech startups of 2022, according to VCsRetail tech:24 of the most promising retail startups of 2022, according to top VCs

☆ Patagonia's CEO gets candid: How sustainability, diversity, and social justice guide the beloved brand
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-15 | by ( Rebecca Knight | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

As CEO of Patagonia, Ryan Gellert wrestles with a paradox: The outdoor-gear maker's good works, philanthropy, and intentions are still not enough to justify its existence. To Gellert, who took over from the widely respected Rose Marcario, the company could always be doing more. And we need business to step up. Patagonia really struggled in Europe, and that never made sense to me. One of the things that I love more than anything about Patagonia is that we are an unapologetically for-profit business.

☆ Rainwater is no longer safe to drink anywhere on Earth due to 'forever chemicals' linked to cancer, study suggests
▼ + stars: | 2022-08-13 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Rainwater around the world contains levels of "forever chemicals" unsafe to drink, a study suggests. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are linked to cancer and pervade homes and environments. That's because rainwater across the planet now contains hazardous chemicals called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS. Both substances' levels in rainwater "often greatly exceed" EPA limits, the study authors concluded. "Although in the industrial world we don't often drink rainwater [directly], many people around the world expect it to be safe to drink, and it supplies many of our drinking water sources," Cousins added.

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