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A new study finds that air pollution breathed in during childhood is a significant factor in adult lung health.

The study’s origins date back to 1992, when researchers began investigating the effects of air pollution on groups of children in California. Some of these children are now in their 40s. Dr. Erika Garcia and colleagues from the University of Southern California decided to follow up on their health. More than 1,300 individuals responded to detailed questionnaires about their income, lifestyle (including smoking), homes, and health. This data was then matched against their childhood health records and the local air pollution levels during their upbringing.

The study’s first finding revealed that individuals with higher childhood exposure to particle pollution and nitrogen dioxide were more likely to exhibit bronchitic symptoms as adults. This relationship was powerful for those who had developed asthma and lung problems as children, indicating a lasting vulnerability into adulthood.

The second unexpected finding was that a relationship existed between childhood air pollution and adult bronchitic symptoms, even for those who did not have lung problems as children. This suggests that early exposure to polluted air has long-term health implications, regardless of childhood respiratory health. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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New data shared exclusively with the Guardian reveals that a surge in new oil and gas exploration in 2024 threatens to unleash nearly 12 billion tonnes of planet-heating emissions, with the world’s wealthiest countries—such as the US and the UK—leading the charge despite their climate commitments.

The new oil and gas field licenses projected to be awarded globally this year are set to generate the highest level of emissions since 2018, even as heatwaves, wildfires, drought, and floods cause widespread death and destruction. Analysis by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) indicates that the emissions from these upcoming and current oil and gas fields will total 11.9 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases over their lifetimes, equivalent to China’s annual carbon pollution. This figure surpasses the combined emissions from licenses awarded over the past four years.

In addition, fossil fuel companies have been investing more in developing new oil and gas sites than at any time since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, where global governments pledged to reduce emissions and curb global heating. Despite being economically best placed to lead the transition to cleaner energy, wealthy nations with low economic dependence on fossil fuels are spearheading this latest expansion. In 2023 alone, these countries issued 825 new licenses, the highest number on record.

The paradox of wealthy nations driving fossil fuel expansion while committing to climate goals highlights a significant challenge in the global fight against climate change. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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Climate activists have disrupted flights at Frankfurt and Oslo airports on the second day of coordinated “oil kills” protests across Europe and North America.

Demanding an end to fossil fuels by 2030, supporters of Letzte Generation (Last Generation) briefly suspended flights at Frankfurt airport on Thursday morning. The activists cut a wire fence, entered on bicycles and skateboards, and glued themselves to the tarmac.

In Oslo, protesters from Folk Mot Fossilmakta and Scientist Rebellion Norway caused large queues by blocking a check-in lane with a banner that read: “Fast track to phase out.”

“I would rather not be here today, but I can no longer stand and watch as our elected officials do too little, too slowly,” said Ina Nagler, a climate researcher who took part in the Oslo protest. “The science is clear: We must drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels during this decade.”

The protests, which aim to pressure governments to accelerate the transition to a clean economy, have disrupted airports at the start of the busy summer season. On Wednesday morning, activists disrupted travel plans at airports from Helsinki to Barcelona. Further airport protests are expected in the US and Canada on Thursday.

Authorities have criticized the protests. The campaign group Oil Kills reported that police had arrested 37 of the 91 activists involved, with 14 still in custody. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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A wildfire that had threatened the Alberta mountainside townsite of Jasper for days finally reached the town from the south in the evening. Mayor Richard Ireland, speaking with CBC News, described the situation as the community’s worst nightmare, noting the destruction of multiple buildings, including the Maligne Lodge and the grounds of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge.

“This is simply our community’s worst nightmare,” Ireland stated.

Ireland emphasized the significance of the town’s residents’ safety: “People are the heartbeat of every community. The people have been saved, and that is significant. We can find a way to rebuild. We can find each other to hug again because we all got out.” Read More

News Credit: CBC News

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Global temperatures between July 2023 and June 2024 have set alarming new records, with Earth experiencing a sustained period where temperatures were, on average, 1.64°C higher than preindustrial levels. This unprecedented heat, although not a definitive sign of failing climate targets, has heightened the frequency of extreme weather events, escalating concerns over potential tipping points in the climate system.

Carlo Buontempo, director of the Copernicus Climate Change Service, stressed that these findings underscore a substantial and ongoing climate shift. Urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigate further warming impacts and safeguard global ecosystems and communities. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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Labour’s victory in the general election marks the beginning of the UK’s transformation to a green, low-carbon economy, according to campaigners and experts, as the scale of the win became evident. Greenpeace described the Conservative party’s environmental U-turns as “as popular with voters as a root canal,” leading to their worst electoral defeat in modern history. The Green Party also achieved its strongest-ever performance, quadrupling its parliamentary representation.

This substantial victory gives Keir Starmer, the incoming prime minister, a strong mandate to implement bold actions on net zero and nature conservation. Ed Matthew, campaigns director at the E3G think tank, emphasized that reliance on oil and gas has fueled the cost of living crisis. He criticized Rishi Sunak’s delay and damage to clean energy policies, which could have reduced energy bills, calling it a “catastrophic political blunder.”

Matthew urged Starmer to fulfil his manifesto pledge to transform the UK into a “clean energy superpower,” noting that the landslide victory provides a historic public mandate to accelerate climate action, invest in future industries, and restore UK climate leadership.

Mike Childs, head of policy at Friends of the Earth, highlighted the urgency for the new Labour government to address environmental issues, citing recent extreme weather events and the rapid global deterioration of the planet. He called for immediate action on climate change and nature conservation.

Edward Davey, the UK head of the World Resources Institute, pointed out the new government’s opportunity and responsibility to lead in reforming the UK’s energy system and industrial base and to demonstrate global leadership on climate, development, and nature.

The message is clear: Labour’s election victory is seen as a mandate to act decisively on environmental issues and position the UK as a leader in the fight against climate change. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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A new analysis has revealed that at least 97% of corals on a reef in the northern Great Barrier Reef perished during one of the most severe coral bleaching events ever recorded for the world’s most extensive reef system. Using high-resolution drone imagery, scientists from various institutions meticulously tracked the bleaching and subsequent death of corals at Lizard Island’s North Point reef.

This alarming discovery follows UNESCO’s call for the Australian government to swiftly release data on the extent of coral mortality from last summer’s mass bleaching. This event, marking the fifth in just eight years, saw unprecedented heat stress levels across parts of the World Heritage-listed reef.

Marine biologist Prof. Jane Williamson from Macquarie University, who was involved in the analysis, expressed her shock at the findings. Meanwhile, Australia’s environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, hailed UNESCO’s decision not to list the reef as “in danger” as a significant victory for the nation. However, Unesco emphasized the need for Australia to enhance its climate targets and curb land clearing, stressing the urgency of making the full extent of the coral damage public. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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Recent research shows that the climate crisis is driving an exponential rise in the most extreme wildfires across critical regions worldwide. These devastating wildfires result in catastrophic loss of human life, property, and wildlife, causing billions of dollars in damage. Scientists describe this as climate change “playing out in front of our eyes.”

Satellite data analysis revealed that the number of extreme fires had increased more than tenfold in temperate conifer forests, such as those in the western US and Mediterranean, over the past 20 years. In the vast boreal forests of northern Europe and Canada, the incidence of extreme fires has risen sevenfold. Australia has also become a hotspot for these devastating blazes.

The intensity of the worst wildfires has doubled since 2003, with the six years featuring the highest numbers of extreme fires all occurring since 2017. On average, extreme wildfires globally have more than doubled in frequency and intensity over the past two decades.

Researchers warn that the rise in these massive fires threatens to create a “scary” feedback loop, where the vast carbon emissions released by the fires lead to more global heating, which in turn causes more fires. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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Enormous islands of plastic float in our oceans, and microscopic particles of it are in our bodies. The durability, malleability, and low cost of plastics have made them ubiquitous, from packaging to clothing to aircraft parts. However, plastics have significant downsides, including environmental contamination, recycling challenges, and production emissions that surpass all air traffic combined.

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences have now invented a groundbreaking material made from modified starch that can completely decompose in nature within just two months. This new material, derived from natural plant materials such as crops, offers a sustainable alternative for food packaging and many other applications. Read More

News Credit: Environmental News Network

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For generations, the people of Erakor village in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu enjoyed swimming in their local lagoon. Ken Andrew, a local chief, fondly recalls diving into its depths as a child, chasing the fish that thrived in its turquoise waters.

But now, at 52, Andrew has witnessed a troubling transformation: plastic pollution invading the lagoon. “The plastic would form a small island inside the lagoon; it was so thick,” Andrew recalls. “We used fishing nets to pull some of the trash out, but we didn’t know how to get rid of it all. We couldn’t conquer it; there was just too much.”

As residents struggled to clear Vanuatu’s waters of plastic, the country’s politicians began to explore a more proactive approach: tackling the waste directly at its source.

Small island nations like Vanuatu face unique challenges regarding plastic pollution. Many rely heavily on imported goods, leading to a constant influx of plastic packaging. Additionally, ocean currents bring plastic waste from across the globe into Pacific waters, where it ultimately washes up on the shores of these islands.

Recognizing the severity of the issue, the community’s outcry led the government to implement a ban on certain single-use plastic products. This decisive action has been instrumental in drastically cutting down the plastic pollution that once choked Vanuatu’s beautiful lagoons. Read More

News Credit: The Guardian

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