Mylar balloons, those shiny and colorful party favorites, come with a dark side. They might seem harmless, but they can cause big problems for both wildlife and power systems. These balloons can trigger fires and lead to massive power outages. Imagine a citywide blackout affecting hundreds of thous
Edmonds' big plan to turn sewage into energy has turned into a smelly mess. The city spent a lot of money on a new system called gasification. This was supposed to replace an old incinerator. But it hasn't worked out as planned. The system was supposed to destroy harmful chemicals and make energy. I
Hydrogen blending is a hot topic, but is it a smart solution or just a distraction? Critics argue that instead of pushing for hydrogen, we should focus on speeding up electrification and helping workers in fossil fuel industries transition to cleaner jobs. Mixing hydrogen with natural gas sounds si
In Tibet, a dazzling fireworks display turned into a hot topic online. The show, backed by outdoor brand Arc'teryx, caught the attention of netizens who questioned its environmental impact. The local government in Shigatse took notice and sent a team to look into the matter. Arc'teryx, owned by Ant
Deep in the heart of Mexico's Sierra Gorda, a dangerous game is playing out. Miners like Hugo Flores are digging for mercury, a toxic metal that's becoming more valuable by the day. This isn't just any mining rush; it's a "mercury boom, " driven by soaring gold prices and a global demand for this ha
The fashion industry is a big part of our daily lives. But it's also a major source of pollution. Every year, the U. S. alone throws away a huge amount of textiles. This is not just a problem of waste. It's also about the resources used to make these clothes. The industry emits a lot of greenhouse g
The waters around Philadelphia are facing a new challenge: the invasive Northern snakehead fish. These fish, originally from China, Russia, and Korea, were first spotted in Pennsylvania in 2004. They have since spread rapidly, causing concern among environmentalists and scientists. The snakeheads a
The Trump administration is making big changes to how science and energy are handled in the U. S. These changes could have lasting effects on the environment and public health. First, let's talk about science. The administration has been cutting back on research and data collection. This includes r
A dangerous bacteria, Vibrio vulnificus, is making a comeback. It's a germ that loves warm, low-salt water and can cause a serious illness called vibriosis. This bacteria is not new, but it's becoming more common, and experts are worried. Vibrio vulnificus is often found in brackish waters, where f
AI is everywhere, but its environmental impact is often overlooked. Every AI interaction consumes energy, mostly from fossil fuels, leading to significant greenhouse gas emissions. Data centers, the backbone of AI, are energy-intensive and require vast amounts of water for cooling. Larger centers ca
