Credit: Healthy Gulf/Flickr
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Contamination from flooded industrial sites during major hurricanes is a growing concern
The destructive force of hurricanes Helene and Milton have brought the risk of toxic industrial releases back to the fore.
James R. Elliott, Dominic Boyer and Phylicia Lee Brown write for The Conversation.
In short:
- Hundreds of industrial facilities in Milton’s path, including the center of Florida's phosphate mining and sites manufacturing rubber, plastics and fiberglass, housed toxic chemicals.
- Previous hurricanes like Helene and Ian caused severe environmental contamination from chemical spills, with significant health risks to nearby communities.
- Communities often remain unaware of these risks due to weak disclosure laws and delayed notifications of toxic releases during hurricanes.
Key quote:
“This limited public information on rising chemical threats from our changing climate should be front-page news every hurricane season.”
— Rice University’s Center for Coastal Futures and Adaptive Resilience
Why this matters:
Just a few weeks ago floodwaters from Hurricane Helene breached factories and released chemicals into nearby neighborhoods. Many of Florida's industrial areas are stocked with chemicals used in making everything from boats to plastic products, all of which can be washed into local water systems. Read more: Flood survivors find common ground in a divided nation.
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theconversation.com
Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda
For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Credit: Javier Miranda/Unsplash
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Earth's worsening climate crisis demands immediate action
Scientists warn that Earth is entering a dangerous phase of the climate crisis, with record temperatures, emissions and population growth increasing the risk of societal collapse.
In short:
- A new report finds that 25 out of 35 "vital signs" of Earth's health, including carbon emissions and surface temperatures, are at record extremes, signaling a critical phase in the climate crisis.
- The assessment highlights accelerating feedback loops, such as emissions from melting permafrost, which could trigger tipping points like the collapse of the Greenland ice sheet.
- Experts recommend rapid measures to reduce fossil fuel use, cut overconsumption, promote plant-based diets and stabilize population growth through education and women's rights.
Key quote:
“We’re already in the midst of abrupt climate upheaval, which jeopardizes life on Earth like nothing humans have ever seen.”
— William Ripple, Oregon State University
Why this matters:
The escalating climate crisis threatens to displace millions, exacerbate inequality and push ecosystems toward irreversible damage. Urgent action is needed to prevent severe human suffering and preserve a livable future.
Read more:
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Read the Full Article on
www.theguardian.com
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Wildlife populations drop sharply as habitat loss continues
Global wildlife populations have declined by 73% over the past 50 years, primarily due to habitat destruction, a WWF report reveals.
In short:
- The Living Planet Report, based on decades of wildlife data, attributes the sharp decline to habitat loss, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution and climate change.
- The report warns that ecosystems like the Amazon rainforest face irreversible damage, affecting biodiversity and climate stability.
- Some species show recovery due to conservation efforts, but isolated successes do not offset widespread habitat destruction.
Key quote:
"Healthy ecosystems underpin our health, prosperity and wellbeing."
— Tanya Steele, WWF UK head
Why this matters:
The loss of wildlife threatens ecosystem stability and human survival, as it disrupts natural processes vital for clean air, water and climate regulation. Reversing this trend requires urgent global action to protect and restore natural habitats.
Learn more:
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www.bbc.com
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Santa Monica's famous beach was built, not born
City officials transformed Santa Monica Beach into a wide, sandy tourist haven in the early 20th century by trucking in millions of cubic meters of sand, turning a rocky coastline into one of LA's iconic beaches.
In short:
- In the early 1900s, Santa Monica's natural beaches were rocky and narrow, prompting officials to artificially expand them with imported sand.
- Decades of beach grooming have reduced biodiversity, but efforts to restore natural sand dunes are showing success in protecting the coastline.
- The Bay Foundation's dune restoration project has seen the return of native plants and threatened wildlife, such as the western snowy plover.
Key quote:
"The plants have really taken off, perhaps better than we could have hoped. The bigger question was how was the wildlife going to respond to that habitat and that beach, while there's still such a dramatic human presence there. Fortunately, the answer came very quickly."
— Tom Ford, president of The Bay Foundation
Why this matters:
Artificial beaches may look pristine, but they disrupt natural ecosystems. Restoring dunes can provide crucial protection against erosion, storm surges and rising sea levels while reviving local biodiversity.
Related: Homeowners face hefty fines for unauthorized erosion control
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www.bbc.com
Credit: wd toro 🇲🇨/Unsplash
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Western states could see significant carbon cuts with new energy transmission projects
A new report suggests 12 proposed electrical grid projects could drastically reduce carbon emissions across 14 Western states by replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy sources.
In short:
- The proposed projects would add 3,000 miles of new transmission lines, potentially cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 73% from 2005 levels once completed.
- The expansion could make wind and solar power more prominent, reducing electricity generation costs by about a third.
- Improved grid resilience would help withstand extreme weather and higher demand, with more sophisticated batteries and expanded transmission lines.
Why this matters:
Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy reduces greenhouse gas emissions and can help combat climate change. Expanding the grid could also lower electricity costs, making energy more affordable for consumers while increasing resilience to extreme weather.
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Read the Full Article on
oregoncapitalchronicle.com
Credit: Dmitrynew83/Big Stock Photo
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Equatic to expand marine carbon capture with large-scale plant in Quebec
Following a pilot project in Singapore, start-up Equatic is set to build a massive marine carbon removal facility in Quebec, aiming to address climate change by sequestering atmospheric CO2.
In short:
- Equatic plans a Quebec plant with 300 electrolyzers to capture 110,000 tonnes of carbon annually, using a process that turns CO2 into stable byproducts.
- The company’s method involves seawater electrolysis, producing bicarbonate released back into the ocean and calcium carbonate used in agriculture.
- Critics express concerns about ecological risks and transparency as large-scale marine carbon removal remains under-researched.
Key quote:
“There’s a mix of real concern about ecological impacts, and also hope that this is something that could be a positive thing for their communities.”
— Sara Nawaz, environmental social scientist and carbon removal policy expert at American University
Why this matters:
Marine carbon capture technologies, still in their infancy, may play a critical role in climate mitigation. Scaling up these efforts can help close the gap between current emission reductions and the goals of the Paris Agreement, but potential environmental risks must be thoroughly examined.
Learn more: Carbon capture technology faces cost and scale challenges
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Read the Full Article on
hakaimagazine.com
Credit: Paul Brennan/Pixabay
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Insurance costs squeeze commercial real estate as climate risks rise
Landlords and developers face mounting insurance premiums due to climate-related disasters, putting extra strain on an already struggling commercial real estate market.
In short:
- Insurance premiums for commercial properties have surged, with rates up 50% in storm-prone areas, doubling in some places this year.
- Landlords, already dealing with higher interest rates and operating expenses, find lenders unwilling to ease strict insurance requirements.
- Delinquencies on commercial real estate loans have risen, but experts see the insurance issue as a significant challenge rather than a looming crisis.
Key quote:
"Insurance pricing has caused deals to come to a halt and has forced deals into foreclosure in some cases."
— Danielle Lombardo, the chair of the real estate, hospitality and leisure division at Willis Towers Watson
Why this matters:
Rising insurance costs reflect broader financial risks driven by climate change, potentially destabilizing real estate markets. Without relief, higher expenses could force more properties into foreclosure, affecting communities and the economy.
Read more: Insurance woes increase as climate change impacts profitability
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Read the Full Article on
www.nytimes.com
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