pollution

Oil Spills 101: Everything You Need to Know

Oil Spills 101: Everything You Need to Know

Quick Key Facts What Is Oil? Crude oil or petroleum is a liquid fossil fuel. We use it to generate electricity, heat our homes, and fuel our cars. Petroleum products supply about 35% of energy in the U.S., with transportation accounting for the largest portion. Burning fossil fuels like oil releases greenhouse gases into the […]

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    High Levels of Drugs, Chemicals Found in Waters Off Southern England

    High Levels of Drugs, Chemicals Found in Waters Off Southern England

    In a new study, scientists have identified high levels of chemicals in the sea off the southern coasts of England. The chemicals include drugs that could be harming marine life. The Clean Harbours Partnership, along with Portsmouth University, Brunel University and local interest groups, collected hundreds of samples along the coasts of Hampshire and West […]

    South Korea and Pacific Islands to Collaborate on Conservation and Development

    South Korea and Pacific Islands to Collaborate on Conservation and Development

    Following the two-day Korea–Pacific Islands Summit, which ended Tuesday, Seoul agreed to double its development assistance to the island nations by 2027. In addition to development, leaders of the nations came to an agreement to bolster cooperation on security. “Korea and the Pacific Islands Forum, recognising shared universal values including freedom, democracy, the rule of […]

    How a Trainload of Toxic Chemicals Derailed Everyday Life in Ohio

    How a Trainload of Toxic Chemicals Derailed Everyday Life in Ohio

    Every thirty minutes, a Norfolk Southern train passes through East Palestine.  Three months ago, no one in this northeastern Ohio village of just under 5,000 people would have batted an eye at the sight of the long trains passing through. No one would have turned a head at the sound of the train’s whistle as […]

    ‘Polluters Can No Longer Hide From Their Crimes’: Fossil Fuel Companies Owe $5.4 Trillion in Reparations, Study Says

    ‘Polluters Can No Longer Hide From Their Crimes’: Fossil Fuel Companies Owe $5.4 Trillion in Reparations, Study Says

    The biggest fossil fuel companies in the world owe at least $209 billion in yearly climate reparations to communities that suffered the brunt of the calamities caused by the climate crisis, a new study has concluded. While substantial, the researchers consider theirs to be a conservative cost estimate, as it did not put a price […]

    Heading to a Beach This Summer? Here’s How to Keep Harmful Algae Blooms From Spoiling Your Trip

    Heading to a Beach This Summer? Here’s How to Keep Harmful Algae Blooms From Spoiling Your Trip

    Plunging into the ocean or a lake is one of the great joys of summer. But arriving at the beach to find water that’s green, red or brown, and possibly foul-smelling, can instantly spoil the party.

    As a toxicologist, I study health risks from both synthetic and natural substances. I’ve conducted research into early detection of harmful algal blooms, or HABs, which are an increasing threat to humans, animals and the environment.