The Weekly Report is a curated list of the week’s most important news and articles on topics such as the environment, sustainability, green living and social progress.
Environment
Scientist captures the exact moment plastic enters the food chain
“The ocean is filled with microplastic. An United Nations estimate puts the number at a staggering 51 trillion particles – that’s 500 times the number of stars thought to be in the galaxy. One scientist zoomed in on the exact moment plastic enters the marine Food chain to dramatically demonstrate its threat to ocean life.” Read more at Inhabitat
Amazon jungle faces death spiral of drought and deforestation, warn scientists
“Much of the Amazon is facing a death spiral of deforestation and drought over the next century, according to a new study. Projected reductions in rainfall would not lead to “complete Amazon dieback” but “large parts” of the vast region were “certainly at risk”, one of the researchers said.” Read more at Independent.
New Zealand will ban plastic microbeads by 2018
“New Zealand is the latest country to take action against insidious plastic microbeads. Earlier this year, environment minister Nick Smith announced that microbeads would no longer be allowed in any cosmetics or personal care items, starting July 1, 2018, and that any company caught sneaking them into products would be fined.” Read more at TreeHugger.
World’s first river given legal status as a person
“On Wednesday, New Zealand Parliament passed the Te Awa Tupua Bill which states that the Whanganui River is “an indivisible and living whole,” making it the world’s first river to be given this special designation.” The decision marks the end of New Zealand’s longest-running court case.” Read more at EcoWatch.
White House budget director calls climate change funding ‘a waste of your money’
“Mick Mulvaney, director of the White House Office of Management and Budget, confirmed on Thursday that the new administration had no interest in funding to combat climate change. “We’re not spending money on that any more. We consider that to be a waste of your money,” Mulvaney told reporters at the White House.” Read more at The Guardian.
This young man is on a mission to plant 1 trillion trees and he’s inspiring others to help him
“For many of us, a passion for planting trees comes only once a year, on Arbor Day. But for others, like German teenager Felix Finkbeiner, planting trees is a calling. You wouldn’t think that this 19-year-old has been fighting to save the planet for ten years, but his passion for creating a better future emerged early in life.” Read more at One Green Planet.
Sustainability & Green Living
Worldwide solar power growth increased by 50 percent in 2016
“New reports from SolarPower Europe show that solar power had a very good year last year. Worldwide, installed solar power capacity grew by an amazing 50 percent in 2016, with a the largest growth occurring in the U.S. and China.” Read more at TreeHugger.
Food waste is a scandal, but to blame it on millennials is nonsense
“Despite the temptation to blame my generation for every problem going, from political apathy to air pollution, not all millennials waste all food. The real cause of food waste is a postwar, intensive farming and supermarket culture that has divorced us entirely from how food is made, grown, produced and should be eaten.” Read more at The Guardian.
Quebec food waste program to rescue 30.8 million pounds of food
In Canada, Food Banks of Quebec (FBC) has launched their province-wide Supermarket Recovery Program (SRP) to simplify distribution and management, enabling over 600 grocery stores to easily give back.” Read more at Inhabitat.
EILEEN FISHER, Patagonia, Target Join Committee to Advance Sustainable Artisan Supply Chains
“The Nest Artisan Advancement Steering Committee, a coalition committed to addressing sustainability issues impacting the global community of homeworkers and artisans includes members such as Jaipur Living, Maiyet, PVH (parent company of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein), and West Elm.” Read more at Sustainable Brands.
Why you should think twice about your sunscreen brand – for the sake of coral and you
“Although sunscreen is a great protectant from UVA and UVB rays, some sunscreens have ingredients in them that are harmful to ocean health and human health. In fact, scientists believe oxybenzone, a chemical found in more than 3,500 sunscreens and other cosmetic products, is causing serious damage to coral reefs and coral.” Read more at One Green Planet.
Scientific studies reveal how soil can help depression
It’s a commonly known fact that the act of gardening can reduce stress and improve moods, but recent scientific studies have now shown that a particular microorganism that is found in soil can improve wellbeing and even act as an antidepressant. Read more at True Activist.
Animal Activism
New animal shelter is helping save stray dogs and change perceptions in Iran
“The Stray Dogs who are brought into the shelter are treated with warmth and generosity. From the start of their journey in an air-conditioned vehicle to their 15-45 night stay filled with nutritious feasts and affection, these stray dogs who were once considered a nuisance are now respected as lovable living creatures. Read more at One Green Planet.
Images: Inhabitat, Unsplash, Huffington Post, Alex Indigo on Flickr, AP, Collective Evolution, Fortune, Nest.
The post The Weekly Report – 03/18/2017 appeared first on The Green Curator.
