‘In a sauna’: Hong Kong’s laborers swelter as temperatures rise

Dressed in a full-body protective suit, an elderly pest control worker could last no more than 15 minutes spraying pesticide along a Hong Kong pavement before the summer heat…Continue reading‘In a sauna’: Hong Kong’s laborers swelter as temperatures rise

90% of Great Lakes water samples have unsafe microplastic levels

About 90% of water samples taken over the last 10 years from the Great Lakes contain microplastic levels that are unsafe for wildlife, a new peer-reviewed paper from the…Continue reading90% of Great Lakes water samples have unsafe microplastic levels

Drinking water of millions of Americans contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’

The water of as many as 26 million Americans is contaminated, according to an analysis of the new EPA data performed by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a Washington…Continue readingDrinking water of millions of Americans contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’

A year on, the devastating long-term effects of Pakistan’s floods are revealed

The flooding in Pakistan in August and September 2022 – described by UN secretary general António Guterres as a “monsoon on steroids” – led to the deaths of more…Continue readingA year on, the devastating long-term effects of Pakistan’s floods are revealed

Extreme heat hits Iraq, as temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius

Extreme temperatures and a lack of electrical power are a deadly combination, and one that is being felt across Iraq. The country is one of the world’s most vulnerable…Continue readingExtreme heat hits Iraq, as temperatures exceed 50 degrees Celsius

Researchers find evidence of ‘forever chemicals’ in blood of pregnant women

At least 97% of the blood samples contained a type of PFAS known as PFOS, associated with multiple serious health problems.Continue readingResearchers find evidence of ‘forever chemicals’ in blood of pregnant women

Heatwaves set more records across Europe, Asia and US

China Tourists flocked to a giant thermometer in China showing surface temperatures of 80 degrees Celsius (176 degress Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, the latest extreme weather sparking havoc and curiosity…Continue readingHeatwaves set more records across Europe, Asia and US

From Algeria to Syria, heatwaves scorch Middle East, North Africa

Algeria In Algeria, five states were listed as places with the highest temperatures in the world in recent days, according to El Dorado Weather, which keeps a log of…Continue readingFrom Algeria to Syria, heatwaves scorch Middle East, North Africa

Light and noise pollution are neglected hazards

A total of 130,000 healthy years of life are lost to noise pollution in the UK each year alone, according to data from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA),…Continue readingLight and noise pollution are neglected hazards

The ‘kidneys of Kolkata’: Indian wetlands under threat

The wetlands system processes about 60 percent of Kolkata’s sewage free of charge, saving the city over $64 million a year. Farms in the wetlands provide about 150 tons…Continue readingThe ‘kidneys of Kolkata’: Indian wetlands under threat

US West and South bake under extended heat wave

Swaths of the United States home to more than 80 million people were under heat warnings or advisories Sunday, as relentless, record-breaking temperatures continued to bake western and southern…Continue readingUS West and South bake under extended heat wave

Health alerts issued as blistering heat scorches southern Europe

Tourists collapse in Greece and Italy and worker killed near Milan amid heatwave worsened by carbon pollution.Continue readingHealth alerts issued as blistering heat scorches southern Europe

‘Hell on earth’: Phoenix’s extreme heatwave tests the limits of survival

Arizona’s capital city is nicknamed “Valley of the Sun”, and residents are used to scorching heat. But by day 12 of a vicious heatwave that’s sent temperatures soaring into…Continue reading‘Hell on earth’: Phoenix’s extreme heatwave tests the limits of survival

Researchers evaluate levels of indoor microplastics in Australia

Published in Science of The Total Environment, the researchers collected and filtered samples of air from seven indoor environments on the Gold Coast where people spend most of their…Continue readingResearchers evaluate levels of indoor microplastics in Australia

Pesticides from farming leach into world’s waterways at rate of 710 tonnes a year, UN research shows

Agricultural pesticides leach far from their original sources into the world’s waterways, according to new research which finds pesticides exceed safe levels in 13,000km of rivers globally. Analysing 92…Continue readingPesticides from farming leach into world’s waterways at rate of 710 tonnes a year, UN research shows

Study says drinking water from nearly half of US faucets contains potentially harmful chemicals

Drinking water from nearly half of U.S. faucets likely contains “forever chemicals” that may cause cancer and other health problems, according to a government study released Wednesday. The synthetic…Continue readingStudy says drinking water from nearly half of US faucets contains potentially harmful chemicals

Wildfires ‘off the charts’ in Canada as temperatures climb

With nine million hectares (22.2 million acres) already gone up in smoke—11 times the average for the last decade—the absolute annual record set in 1989 has been surpassed. Authorities…Continue readingWildfires ‘off the charts’ in Canada as temperatures climb

New report finds most US kale samples contain ‘disturbing’ levels of ‘forever chemicals’

Seven out of eight US kale samples recently tested for toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” contained high levels of the compounds. The testing looked at conventional and organic kale bought…Continue readingNew report finds most US kale samples contain ‘disturbing’ levels of ‘forever chemicals’

In rural India, summer’s heat can be deadly. Ambulance crews see the toll up close.

Extreme heat is fast becoming a public health crisis in India, with more than 150 people dying during the latest brutal heat wave in June. Prolonged heat waves, sometimes…Continue readingIn rural India, summer’s heat can be deadly. Ambulance crews see the toll up close.

Canada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

As of Wednesday, more than eight million hectares (20 million acres) of forests and grasslands had burned across Canada, breaking an annual record of 7.3 million hectares set in…Continue readingCanada wildfire smoke chokes millions in North America

At least 13 die in extreme heat wave in US

At least 13 people have died from the extreme heat wave that has been tormenting the southern United States for two weeks. In recent days, temperatures in some southern…Continue readingAt least 13 die in extreme heat wave in US

Thousands suffer heat stress on hajj pilgrimage as temperatures reach 48˚C

More than 2,000 people suffered heat stress during the hajj pilgrimage, Saudi officials said on Thursday, after temperatures soared to 48˚C (118˚F). Over 1.8 million Muslim worshippers performed the…Continue readingThousands suffer heat stress on hajj pilgrimage as temperatures reach 48˚C

France badly hit by climate change and ill-prepared

France is being badly hit by climate change, is not prepared for its effects and is failing to sufficiently reduce its emissions, an independent climate body warned. The record…Continue readingFrance badly hit by climate change and ill-prepared

Dozens die as northern India swelters under heatwave

Twenty-three deaths were reported on Thursday and another 11 died on Friday, Ballia’s Chief Medical Officer Jayant Kumar said. “All the individuals were suffering from some ailments and their…Continue readingDozens die as northern India swelters under heatwave

EPA sued over pesticide-coated seeds’ ‘devastating impacts’ on US wildlife

Environmental groups are suing the US Environmental Protection Agency over pesticide-coated seeds they say have “devastating environmental impacts” and are spread largely without regulatory oversight. The suit alleges the…Continue readingEPA sued over pesticide-coated seeds’ ‘devastating impacts’ on US wildlife

Chemical industry used big tobacco’s tactics to conceal evidence of PFAS risks

DuPont scientists found PFAS enlarged lab rats’ livers and likely caused birth defects in workers. Still, the company told its employees the cancer-linked compounds are “about as toxic as…Continue readingChemical industry used big tobacco’s tactics to conceal evidence of PFAS risks

Global plastic treaty talks limp on despite blockade by oil-rich countries

Countries didn’t get around to talking about plastic until the third day out of five, stuck in a prolonged debate over voting rules and points of procedure — led…Continue readingGlobal plastic treaty talks limp on despite blockade by oil-rich countries

Microplastics found in every sample of water taken during Ocean Race

Concentrations of plastics in round-the-world race through remote ocean environments found to be up to 18 times higher than during previous event in 2017-18.Continue readingMicroplastics found in every sample of water taken during Ocean Race

Iraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south

To help extract oil, companies pump large quantities of water into the ground. For each barrel of oil, many of which are later exported to Europe, up to three…Continue readingIraq’s oil boom blamed for worsening water crisis in drought-hit south

Heatwave prompts Hanoi to reduce street lights as power cuts loom

Parks in the city of eight million people are now plunged into total darkness after 11 pm, while two-thirds of street lights are also switched off at the same…Continue readingHeatwave prompts Hanoi to reduce street lights as power cuts loom

Shanghai records hottest day in May in 100 years

The temperature at the bustling station climbed to 36.7˚C later in the afternoon, Shanghai’s meteorological service said. Parts of India saw temperatures reach 44˚C (111˚F) in mid-April with at…Continue readingShanghai records hottest day in May in 100 years

Busy roads and airports expected over late-May UK bank holiday weekend

About 19 million leisure journeys by car are expected on Britain’s roads over the next four days, and more than 3,000 planes are scheduled to take off on Friday.Continue readingBusy roads and airports expected over late-May UK bank holiday weekend

Endangered chimpanzees contaminated with pesticides and flame retardants

A new study found that the feces of four primate species living in Uganda’s Kibale National Park, including chimpanzees and red colobus monkeys, contained significant levels of pesticides and…Continue readingEndangered chimpanzees contaminated with pesticides and flame retardants

Recycled plastic can be more toxic and is no fix for pollution, Greenpeace warns

Since the 1950s about 8bn tonnes of plastic has been produced. The Greenpeace report catalogues peer-reviewed research and international studies showing not only that just a tiny proportion (9%)…Continue readingRecycled plastic can be more toxic and is no fix for pollution, Greenpeace warns

Saving humanity: Here’s a radical approach to building a sustainable and just society

The dangerous and destructive myths of conventional economics include the claims that: Since planetary boundaries have already been exceeded and low-income countries must develop, social justice demands that the…Continue readingSaving humanity: Here’s a radical approach to building a sustainable and just society

How solar farms took over the California desert: ‘An oasis has become a dead sea’

Residents have watched ruefully for years as solar plants crept over the horizon, bringing noise and pollution that’s eroding a way of life in their desert refuge. Kevin Emmerich…Continue readingHow solar farms took over the California desert: ‘An oasis has become a dead sea’

Plastic pervasive in food supply, says new study

Micro and nanoplastics are pervasive in our food supply and may be affecting food safety and security on a global scale, a new study led by CSIRO, Australia’s national…Continue readingPlastic pervasive in food supply, says new study

Intensive farming is biggest cause of bird decline in Europe, study says

50 researchers, 40 years, 28 countries, 550 million fewer birds.Continue readingIntensive farming is biggest cause of bird decline in Europe, study says

Rising seas are causing septic systems to fail, finds researcher

Continue readingRising seas are causing septic systems to fail, finds researcher

US food pesticides contaminated with toxic ‘forever chemicals’ testing finds

Continue readingUS food pesticides contaminated with toxic ‘forever chemicals’ testing finds

Global warming made Horn of Africa drought possible: WWA study

The drought that has left some 4.35 million people in the Horn of Africa in dire need of humanitarian aid – with 43,000 in Somalia estimated to have died…Continue readingGlobal warming made Horn of Africa drought possible: WWA study

Asia’s prolonged April heatwave concerns scientists

The ferocious temperatures, which have persisted across parts of Asia for more than a week, amounted to the “worst April heatwave in Asian history ongoing in more than a…Continue readingAsia’s prolonged April heatwave concerns scientists

Thailand air pollution leads millions to seek medical help

About 2.4 million people in Thailand have sought hospital treatment for medical problems linked to air pollution since the start of the year, health officials said, as toxic smog…Continue readingThailand air pollution leads millions to seek medical help

Severe heatwave engulfs Asia causing deaths and forcing schools to close

Extreme temperatures described as ‘worst April heatwave in Asian history’ as records threatened in India, China, Thailand and Laos.Continue readingSevere heatwave engulfs Asia causing deaths and forcing schools to close

New types of chemicals found in Danish drinking water

As far as is known, five of the compounds detected have never before been reported in groundwater anywhere in the world.Continue readingNew types of chemicals found in Danish drinking water

“Buckle up. More extreme events are expected,” says head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The United States is Earth’s punching bag for nasty weather. Blame geography for the U.S. getting hit by stronger, costlier, more varied and frequent extreme weather than anywhere on…Continue reading“Buckle up. More extreme events are expected,” says head of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

For Your Phone and EV, a Cobalt Supply Chain to a Hell on Earth

The race for high-tech metals has sparked a cobalt boom in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that has come at a steep human cost. In an e360 interview,…Continue readingFor Your Phone and EV, a Cobalt Supply Chain to a Hell on Earth

Plastics cause wide-ranging health issues from cancer to birth defects, landmark study finds

First analysis of plastics’ hazards over life cycle – from extraction to disposal – also shows ‘deep societal injustices’ of impact.Continue readingPlastics cause wide-ranging health issues from cancer to birth defects, landmark study finds

Drought caused 43,000 ‘excess deaths’ in Somalia last year, half of them young children

A new report released by the Somalian government suggests that far more children died in the country last year due to the ongoing drought than previously realised. Half of…Continue readingDrought caused 43,000 ‘excess deaths’ in Somalia last year, half of them young children

Iconic Nile River Delta faces existential threats, according to new study

Continue readingIconic Nile River Delta faces existential threats, according to new study

Counting the cost of Uganda’s east Africa oil pipeline – in pictures

Oil companies plan to pump crude oil from Lake Albert, Uganda to the coast of neighbouring Tanzania, with the goal of producing 1.4bn barrels over the next two decades.…Continue readingCounting the cost of Uganda’s east Africa oil pipeline – in pictures

All fish tested from Michigan rivers contain ‘forever chemicals’, study finds

Continue readingAll fish tested from Michigan rivers contain ‘forever chemicals’, study finds

Car pollution kills more Australians than crashes, new research finds

The University of Melbourne study estimated that 11,105 people die prematurely from transport emissions, many more than past figures.Continue readingCar pollution kills more Australians than crashes, new research finds

Health impact of tyre particles causing ‘increasing concern’, say scientists

Far more tiny particles now come from tyres than are emitted from exhausts.Continue readingHealth impact of tyre particles causing ‘increasing concern’, say scientists

Alarming toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in animals’ blood – study

Analysis says hundreds of animals are contaminated with dangerous compounds linked to cancer and other health problems.Continue readingAlarming toxic ‘forever chemicals’ found in animals’ blood – study

Revealed: scale of ‘forever chemical’ pollution across UK and Europe

Continue readingRevealed: scale of ‘forever chemical’ pollution across UK and Europe

Air pollution linked with blood pressure in London teens

Continue readingAir pollution linked with blood pressure in London teens

Freshwater fish more contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ than in oceans

Study also says eating one serving of fish with PFAS could be equivalent to drinking contaminated water every day for a month.Continue readingFreshwater fish more contaminated with ‘forever chemicals’ than in oceans

‘Last nail in the coffin’: Utah’s Great Salt Lake on verge of collapse

It’s lost 73% of its water and is unable to sustain some wildlife – and could soon negatively affect human health.Continue reading‘Last nail in the coffin’: Utah’s Great Salt Lake on verge of collapse

DR Congo’s faltering fight against illegal cobalt mines

At the bottom of a crater in southeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20,000 people work at a cobalt mine, in shifts of 5,000 at a time.Continue readingDR Congo’s faltering fight against illegal cobalt mines