Proponents of a process called pyrolysis — including oil and gas companies — contend it will keep post-consumer plastics out of landfills and reduce pollution. But critics say that by converting waste to petroleum feedstock, it will only perpetuate a dependence on fossil fuels.
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Solutions
Are Sea Cucumbers a Cleanup Solution to Fish Farm Pollution?
Seafood farm operators are breeding and deploying sea cucumbers to vacuum up the massive amounts of fish waste that pose a major problem for their industry. It is part of an effort to redesign fish farms with multiple species so that they work more like natural ecosystems.
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INTERVIEW
Beyond Factory Farms: A New Look at the Rights of Animals
Philosopher Peter Singer’s book, Animal Liberation, helped launch the animal rights movement nearly 50 years ago. He talks with Yale Environment 360 about how we now better understand how animals feel pain and how other species are not so different from humans as we thought.
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Climate
The Upper Atmosphere Is Cooling, Prompting New Climate Concerns
A new study reaffirming that global climate change is human-made also found the upper atmosphere is cooling dramatically because of rising CO2 levels. Scientists are worried about the effect this cooling could have on orbiting satellites, the ozone layer, and Earth’s weather.
Oceans
As Ocean Oxygen Levels Dip, Fish Face an Uncertain Future
Global warming not only increases ocean temperatures, it triggers a cascade of effects that are stripping the seas of oxygen. Fish are already moving to new waters in search of oxygen, and scientists are warning of the long-term threat to fish species and marine ecosystems.
E360 Digest
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Scientists Identify Bacteria That Can Break Down 'Forever Chemicals'
Researchers have identified soil bacteria able to break down some PFAS chemicals, known as "forever chemicals" because they take decades to degrade naturally. More about Scientists Identify Bacteria That Can Break Down 'Forever Chemicals' →
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Shanghai Sees Hottest May Weather on Record
Shanghai recorded its highest May temperature ever amid an extended stretch of sweltering spring heat. More about Shanghai Sees Hottest May Weather on Record →
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Antarctic Ocean Circulation Has Slowed Dramatically, Research Shows
Ocean circulation in the deep waters around Antarctica has slowed significantly over the past three decades, posing a threat to the climate system, according to a new study. More about Antarctic Ocean Circulation Has Slowed Dramatically, Research Shows →
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INTERVIEW
This Zambian Took on a U.K. Mining Giant on Pollution and Won
Chilekwa Mumba led a court battle to hold a U.K.-based company responsible for the gross pollution from a copper mine it owns in Zambia. In an interview, he talks about how he and local villagers faced arrest to overcome long odds and finally win a landmark legal victory.
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Pathology
Avian Flu Outbreaks in Marine Mammals Mark New Era for Deadly Virus
A highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza has killed thousands of wild birds and is now infecting seals and other marine mammals. Researchers know the virus can jump from birds to mammals, but they are on alert to see if it can be transmitted from mammal to mammal.
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WILDLIFE
Hippos Are in Trouble. Will an Endangered Listing Save Them?
Animal welfare groups are pushing the U.S. to list the hippopotamus under the Endangered Species Act, which would lead to restrictions on the import of hippo parts. But experts argue reducing habitat loss and conflict with humans would do more to save this vulnerable species.
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Biodiversity
Long Reviled as ‘Ugly,’ Sea Lampreys Finally Get Some Respect
The sucker-mouthed marine lamprey has been dismissed as grotesque and a threat to sport fish. But fisheries managers in New England and the Pacific Northwest are recognizing the ecological importance of lampreys in their native waters and are stepping up efforts to help them recover.
