Categories
Chemistry

Why synthetic chemicals seem more toxic than natural ones

Many people believe that chemicals, particularly the man-made ones, are highly dangerous. After all, more than 80,000 chemicals have been synthesised for commercial use in the United States, and many have been released into the environment without proper safety testing. Should we be afraid of the synthetic chemicals that permeate our world? 

Categories
Geology

Amazing footage shows a boat speeding away as the Stromboli volcano erupts

On August 28, Stromboli volcano in Italy woke up a second time this summer. Tourists decided to ride a boat near the erupting volcano – but the journey turned out to be “fun”: they had to escape from the wave of pyroclastic flow. The eruption did not lead to casualties and destruction, but the tourists got really scared.

In fact, it was a really dangerous act. The pyroclastic flow is what makes composite volcanoes like Stromboli so deadly.

Categories
Energy Climate Environment Global Warming

Could Renewable Energy Save Our Planet?

Climate change and the future of our planet are increasingly concerning topics, but tackling the issue of preserving the environment can seem overwhelming to any one person. However, we all have the capability to help prevent the effects of climate change through the types of energy that we choose to use.

Traditional energy sources like oil, natural gas, and coal contribute to pollution, but renewable energy offers a practical alternative that could reduce the impact we have on the environment every day.

Categories
Environment Climate Global Warming Travel

Is Traveling Abroad Bad for the Environment?

The benefits of travel are well-documented; researchers have determined that traveling abroad positively impacts our health and well-being. Travel is a stress reliever, enhances your creativity, and boosts happiness. Further, traveling abroad gives you the opportunity to experience different cultures and exposes you to other languages.

Categories
Environment Climate Global Warming Life on Earth Plants

If we lose the Amazon rainforest, the consequences would be disastrous

There are big wildfires in the Amazon, the world’s largest tropical rainforest. Rainforests are the oldest living ecosystems and without a shadow of a doubt, the most vital habitats on Earth (the Amazon rainforest has been in existence for at least 55 million years). The Amazon represents over half of the planet’s remaining rainforests, and comprises the largest and most biodiverse tract of tropical rainforest in the world, with an estimated 390 billion individual trees divided into 16,000 species.

Categories
Insects Climate Global Warming Life on Earth

What would happen if bees went extinct? [Explained]

Bees – including honey bees, bumblebees, and solitary bees – are very important because they pollinate food crops. Pollination is where insects move pollen from one plant to another, fertilizing the plants so that they can produce fruit, vegetables, seeds, and so on. If all the bees went extinct, it would destroy the delicate balance of the Earth’s ecosystem and affect global food supplies.

Categories
Planet Earth Climate Global Warming

Is Anthropocene a joke? A good read

According to some scientists, the world entered a completely new geological era called “Anthropocene“. And the reason is humans because we changed the world so much.

Now, a very good and detailed article written by the American science writer Peter Brannen and published on The Atlantic argues that the so-called Anthropocene is not a new era, it’s just an “event” in the Earth’s history. It’s a long but good read.

Categories
Environment Climate Global Warming People

Are Weddings Causing Environmental Damage?

Weddings are meant to be beautiful and memorable. Whether you have a barn wedding or an elaborate event at a country club, or you keep it simple in a church, it should be a reflection of who you are as a couple.

Unfortunately, certain wedding styles, decorations, and even some long-standing traditions may be doing more harm than good when it comes to the environment. Most people are so wrapped up in the splendor of the event itself that they don’t often think about how their choices might be impacting the health of the planet.

Categories
Animals Life on Earth

20 Amazing Elephant Facts

Elephants! Even though these largest existing land animals are loved, revered, and respected by people and cultures worldwide, they are actually close to the edge of extinction. The escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and mistreatment in captivity are just some of the threats to both African and Asian elephants. So, we urgently need to take action to protect these amazing (and cute!) animals. Here are 20 amazing elephant facts.

Categories
Life on Earth Animals Technology

This “Salmon Cannon” helps native fish pass over dams

Hydroelectric dams act as obstacles for wildlife, especially migrating salmon. The Whooshh Fish Transport System, also known as the “salmon cannon,” gives fish a much-needed boost over dams so they can swim upstream to spawn.