Climate change and their impact on our planet

Fish-Inspired Filter Removes 99% of Microplastics From Washing Machines, Study Finds Microplastic Pollution From Laundry Wastewater Wastewater discharged from washing machines is widely regarded as a major contributor to microplastic pollution — those minute plastic fragments believed to pose risks to both human and animal health. Scientists at the University of Bonn have now devised a filter to tackle this issue, drawing inspiration from the gill arches of fish. In early trials the patent-pending device removed more than 99% of plastic fibers from washing machine effluent. The findings have been reported in npj Emerging Contaminants. How Washing Machines Release Microplastics A single washing machine in a household of four can generate up to 500 grams of microplastics each year, largely due to the abrasion of textiles. Domestic appliances are therefore among the leading contributors to these microscopic particles. At present, microplastics flow straight into the sewage sludge produce...

Climate Change Fuels Fourfold Rise in World's Most Destructive Wildfires Edited by: Fasi Uddin Wildfires Growing Deadlier and Costlier The planet is entering an era of megafires , with the most destructive blazes now occurring 4.4 times more often than in the 1980s, according to a groundbreaking study published in Science. Unlike previous research that measured wildfires mainly by land burned , this study focused on economic damages and human costs . The findings highlight a " climate driven escalation of societally disastrous wildfires, " said lead author Calum Cunningham , a pyrogeographer at the University of Tasmania's Fire Center. For more context on global climate impacts, visit Earth Day Harsh Reality . How the Study Was Conducted Beyond Scorched Acres: Measuring Human Tall The research team assessed the 200 most damaging wildfires since 1980 in Australia, the United States and Germany . Losses were calculated as a share of national GDP , adjusted for inflat...