Last week we shared information about air pollution nationwide and for the State of Indiana, including that Indiana is one of the worst states for air pollution. We have also shared several times information about plastic pollution. Now, we have learned that plastic is contributing to the warming of the Earth.
Two of our planet’s most serious environmental issues are microplastics and global warming. A new study has found microplastics floating in our atmosphere are actually helping to boost global warming. The plastic particles absorb about five times as much sunlight as they reflect. These tiny plastic fragments can travel long distances through the atmosphere, said Gilberto Binda of the University of Insubria in a companion article in Nature Climate Change.
He also said that the plastic’s color is an important factor determining the plastic’s contribution to global warming. Drew Shindell of Duke University said microplastics have a small contribution to global warming. “A fairly small percentage, around 2%, but regionally can be large. And, to reduce warming, we are going to need all the options we have available so knowing about this one is useful to add to our efforts to cut warming, even if it’s a relatively minor player.”
According to the study, colored micro-plastics and nanoplastics suspended in the atmosphere may contribute to global warming at a level equivalent to 16.2% of that caused by soot, with higher values seen over oceanic garbage patches.
The color of the plastic really matters: Researchers found that black and colored particles strongly absorb sunlight compared to white particles. Therefore, that means the darker the plastic particle, the more it contributes to global warming.
“Further research is needed to fully determine how micro- and nanoplastics contribute to Earth’s warming and to improve their representation in climate models,” according to a news release about the study. Carbon dioxide is still the biggest contributor.
Now that we know that plastic is not only in our food and bodies, but also in the air, we need to become more earnest in our use and recycling of plastic. There is In-Store Recycling where you can collect clean and dry plastic films from packaging at home and bring back to bins at the front of stores. This would include grocery and shopping bags, dry cleaning bags, newspaper sleeves, shipping materials, such as shipping envelopes, bubble wraps and air pillows.
You can also recycle outer package wrapping, such as toilet paper, paper towels, and diapers, resealable zipper bags, bread bags and plastic cereal box liners. Another way is to use Mail-In Recycling where you collect empty Kroger branded packaging at home and send the plastic to TerraCycle at no cost to you.
Flexible Plastic Food Packaging includes chip and snack bags, shredded cheese bags, frozen food bags, pouches, deli meat and cheese bags, grain and bean bags, and plastic pet food packages. The Brands that are participating in Mail-In Recyling include Kroger, Private Selection, Simple Truth, Simple Truth Organic, HemisFares, Comforts, Luvsome and Other Kroger Company brands.
Since President Trump’s return to office, his administration has purged more than 8,000 government web pages and 3,000 datasets – wiping out scientists’ and the public’s access to climate, health and environmental justice information from the EPA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other agencies.
These aren’t just files. Climate scientists rely on NASA satellite data and NOAA weather records to monitor changes in Earth’s systems. Public agencies and local governments use the same data – along with census information – to identify communities most at risk. US Department of Agriculture climate risk models and crop-resilience tools help farmers plan for and manage droughts, floods and changing seasons. “If we lose environmental data, we limit our capacity to respond to climate threats,” says Ellen Robo, a transportation and clean air expert at EDF. “You can’t protect what you can’t measure.
EDF is part of Public Environmental Data Partners, a coalition that archives federal climate datasets and uploads them to public repositories. Volunteers work from university libraries and kitchen tables, using tools like the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine and Harvard’s Perma.cc to capture disappearing content, preserving critical datasets as the administration deletes information that conflicts with its pro-fossil-fuel agenda.
Since we just celebrated Arbor Day, we thought you would like to learn 5 simple tips for tree selection success. Planting a tree is one of the most lasting ways to shape your space. The right choice delivers decades of shade, beauty, and wildlife benefits – but success starts with smart selection.
First, start with your site. Look beyond hardiness zones. Consider sun exposure, soil type, drainage, and weather extremes. The better you understand your conditions, the better your tree will thrive.
Second, plan for mature size. That sapling will grow. Check height and spread at maturity, and allow space away from roofs, utilities, sidewalks, and driveways.
Next, choose with purpose. Decide what you want your tree to do – provide shade, create privacy, support wildlife, or conserve water – and let function guide your choice.
Then, think roots and maintenance. Tree roots need space to grow, and some trees have higher care needs. Pick a species that fits both your space and your schedule.
And last, do your homework and don’t just settle for what’s available. Research native and climate – resilient trees suited to your area. They are more likely to thrive and support local ecosystems long term.
A United Nations report from the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health, warns that the world has entered a state of “water bankruptcy.” Overextraction of fresh water has reached such severe levels that past hydrological and ecological baselines cannot realistically be restored.
This irreversible damage to water sources, including rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils, and glaciers, differentiates water bankruptcy from a water “crises,” which suggests a temporary emergency followed by a return to normal through mitigation efforts.
The state of water bankruptcy is a result of governments failing to act on water overuse for too long. Three-quarters of the world’s population lives in countries classified as water-insecure or critically water-insecure, while almost half the population is now experiencing severe water scarcity for at least one month a year. Water bankruptcy management requires preventing further irreversible damage while adapting systems to a smaller hydrological budget.
The report notes, “Population growth, urbanization, and economic expansion have increased water demand for agriculture, industry, energy, and cities.” Agricultural use alone accounts for 70% of all fresh water withdrawals.
Dr. Jonathan Paul, a geoscientist at Royal Holloway, University of London, told The Guardian, “The elephant in the room, which is mentioned explicitly only once, is the role of massive and unequal population growth in driving so many of the manifestations of water bankruptcy. Addressing this growth would be more useful than tinkering with outdated, non-inclusive, and top-down water resource management frameworks.”
Last month Artemis II completed a 10-day voyage around the Moon, setting a record for the greatest distance humans have traveled in space. Indiana played a part, with Hoosiers filling more than a thousand NASA jobs with $200 million in economic impact. Eighteen Indiana suppliers contributed to the Artemis program. Indianapolis company Major Tool & Machine did the friction welding on the rocket engines. Here in Bloomington, Dr. Lisa Pratt is a former Planetary Protection Officer for NASA. Space travel fascinates the imagination, but Pratt says it also impacts life on Earth in practical ways that you may not think of. Technologies built for orbit find their way into our everyday lives. Water filters, cordless power tools, and even some lifesaving medical devices started in the space program. Correspondent Ben Sharpe delivers this week’s feature report produced in partnership with The Media School at Indiana University.
Credits:On Air
Julianna Dailey
Preston Rogers
Headlines
Doyle Rice with USA Today
Environmental Defense Fund
Arbor Day Foundation
Population Connection
Julianna Dailey
Feature Report
Ben Sharpe
Script
Julianna Dailey
Events Calendar
Julianna Dailey
Engineer
Branden Blewett
Are you looking for a way to make a difference on environmental issues? Eco Report is looking for reporters, engineers, and segment producer to report facts on how we’re all affected by global climate disruption and the ongoing assaults on our air, land and water. We also celebrate ecologists, tree huggers, soil builders and other champions who actively protect and restore our natural world, particularly those who are active in south central Indiana. All levels of experience and all ages are welcome, and we provide the training you’ll need. WFHB also offers internships.
To volunteer for Eco Report, call at (812) 323-1200, or e-mail earth@wfhb.org.