The world is getting warmer, and it's not just affecting us. Tiny organisms living in plants are feeling the heat too. These microscopic friends, known as plant microbiomes, are crucial for plant health. They help plants absorb nutrients and fight off diseases. But rising temperatures are changing their communities. This shift can impact how plants grow and survive. ...
Imagine if you will, the ocean floor as a treasure trove of metals. The seabed, especially in remote areas like the eastern Pacific, is rich with minerals crucial for modern technology. This has sparked interest from mining companies eager to tap into these resources. One such company, based in Vancouver, is ready to start mining, even without clear rules in place. ...
In 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union quickly responded with the REPowerEU plan. This plan aimed to ensure short-term energy security by changing how the EU gets and uses natural gas. The goal was to diversify imports, reduce demand, and speed up the use of renewable energy in the long run. Let's take a look at how this plan affected the environmen...
You know how plastic is everywhere and causing big problems? One idea to solve this is a cap-and-trade system, or CAT for short. This system has been used before to manage water and reduce carbon emissions. It works by setting a limit, or cap, on the amount of something, like plastic, that can be produced or used. Then, companies can buy and sell permits to stay with...
Generative AI is making waves in the gaming industry, creating characters that can interact and even replace voice actors. But not all developers are thrilled. They're concerned about the quality of content, potential theft of ideas, biases, and the environmental impact. Plus, there's worry about job losses. A recent survey showed an increase in developers who think ...
You know how simple metal rust can cause big trouble, like leaks that hurt the environment? But did you know microscopic critters can also cause metal to rust? Yep, tiny organisms can create what’s called microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC). This is different from regular rust (abiotic corrosion), and scientists have created a new test kit to tell the two ap...
Imagine a tiny piece of plastic, so small you can't even see it with your eyes. These are nanoplastics, and they're a big problem in our waterways. A recent study looked at what happens when zebrafish swim in water filled with these tiny plastics for just 96 hours. In males, the tiny plastics messed with the testicles, causing abnormal clumps of sperm and packing pr...
You've probably heard that different countries have different impacts on the environment. But figuring out who's really to blame can be tough. Scientists looked at how people from 168 countries spend their money and found something surprising. Around half to nearly all of the planet's environmental issues can be traced back to the richest 20% of people, both in devel...
As the federal Liberal Party retreats on Vancouver Island, a pressing question hangs in the air: what's the real cost of forcing salmon farms to switch to land-based technology by 2029? The BC Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA) is sounding the alarm, urging the government to rethink its plan and consider the devastating impact on over 4,600 jobs and coastal commun...