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Blue button jellies, known by their scientific name Porpita, are one of the organisms found living in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. : Denis Riek, The Global Ocean Surface Ecosystem Alliance (GO-SEA) Field Guide https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_button_Porpita_sp.png CC BY-SA 4.0

Beyond any country’s jurisdiction, relatively little is known about the high seas and the life it contains. As high sea activities ramp up that needs to change.

We don’t know enough about the high seas to protect them

Beyond any country’s jurisdiction, relatively little is known about the high seas and the life it contains. As high sea activities ramp up that needs to change.

TEPCO and the Japanese Government plan to release 1.25 million tonnes of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear reactor into the Pacific Ocean. : Leslie Mabon, Open University via 360info CCBY4.0

Releasing treated wastewater directly into the ocean from the Fukushima nuclear plant sounds dangerous, but going below the surface reveals the full story.

Fukushima water

It’s time to stop worrying about Fukushima’s wastewater

Releasing treated wastewater directly into the ocean from the Fukushima nuclear plant sounds dangerous, but going below the surface reveals the full story.

Fishing is a key marker of identity and pride for fishers and for coastal communities in Fukushima. : Leslie Mabon, Open University via 360info CCBY4.0

Fukushima’s fishers have constantly been the last to know about decisions which directly impact their livelihoods and way of life. That needs to change.

Fukushima water

Fishermen never had a say in Fukushima water release

Fukushima’s fishers have constantly been the last to know about decisions which directly impact their livelihoods and way of life. That needs to change.

We’re not just swallowing water from plastic bottles but microplastics which do not degrade easily and remain in our bodies. : Girl drinks water from a plastic bottle
by Wuestenigel is available at https://bit.ly/3H0F7PH CC BY 2.0

Whether microplastic particles cause long-term damage is uncertain but reducing our exposure to them will be wise.

World Environment Day 2023

Why we should not reuse plastic water bottles

Microplastics may be able to enter our bodies through skin contact but we breathe in confirmed amounts daily. : Microplastic by 5Gyres is available at https://bit.ly/3WVwL1O CC BY-SA 2.0

There is no escape from them as they are in the air we breathe and in the everyday products we use.

World Environment Day 2023

We ingest plastics every minute of the day

Microplastics enter our bodies in various ways with the top contributor being bottled drinking water. : Microbeads plastic particles by MN Pollution Control Agency is available at https://bit.ly/40lIjhC CC BY-NC 2.0

Measuring microplastics in humans is challenging but researchers already have preliminary figures.

World Environment Day 2023

How much plastic are we ingesting?

While there is no direct evidence yet, researchers are increasingly worried about the link between microplastics and serious diseases. : ‘Eating a plastic syringe’ by Quinn Dombrowski is available at https://bit.ly/4054rNk CC BY-SA 2.0

To reduce the threat of microplastics in our bodies, we need to reduce the use of plastics in the environment.

World Environment Day 2023

Plastics in bowels a sign we need to change

We are eating, drinking and breathing in increasingly higher amounts of plastic particles which can poison us. : Michael Joiner, 360info CC BY 4.0

Scientists are warning against grave long-term consequences.

6 perspectives8 perspectives

World Environment Day 2023

The microplastics time-bomb in our bodies

Researchers are working to solve the problem of wasted food : Kathleen Franklin/Flickr CC 2.0

Worried about food waste? Here’s how researchers are working to solve the problem

How science is solving food waste