Compound used in refrigeration and air conditioning accumulates at much higher levels that other chemicals
Rain and air samples collected in metro Detroit that researchers checked for toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” showed the highest levels of TFA, an alarming finding because the compound is a potent greenhouse gas and more toxic than previously thought, but not well-studied.
While PFAS are a chemical class known to be ubiquitous in the environment, the new research is part of growing evidence around the globe that points to TFA, commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning and clean energy technology, accumulating at much higher levels than other well-studied compounds.
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Breaking Waves: Ocean News
08/16/2024 - 06:00
08/16/2024 - 05:38
An oarfish, which resembles a serpent, was found floating dead on the ocean surface off the San Diego coast and was brought ashore for study. Scientists say it is only the 20th time since 1901 an oarfish is known to have washed up in California
Stonehenge megalith came from Scotland, not Wales, ‘jaw-dropping’ study finds
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08/16/2024 - 04:17
In issuing the protection order, environment minister Tanya Plibersek said ‘protecting cultural heritage and development are not mutually exclusive’
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The federal government has made a rare protection order under Indigenous heritage legislation to protect a sacred site near Blayney in western New South Wales from becoming the site of a tailings dam for a goldmine.
The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, made a partial declaration under section 10 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection (ATSHIP) Act to protect part of the headwaters of the Belubula River on Kings Plains, which was the proposed site of a tailings dam for the McPhillamys goldmine.
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08/16/2024 - 04:09
Data shows continued surge in wind and solar power amid hopes Chinese greenhouse gas emissions may have peaked
China added as much new clean energy generation in the first half of this year as the UK produced from all sources in the same period last year, data shows, as wind and solar power generation continued to surge in the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases.
Electricity generation from coal and gas dropped by 5% in China in July, year on year, according to an update from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) thinktank, basing its analysis on data released by the Chinese government on Thursday.
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08/16/2024 - 02:00
The best of this week’s wildlife photographs from around the world
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08/16/2024 - 01:00
An architectural zigzag design can limit how much heat is absorbed by buildings – and emitted back to space
Incorporating zigzag patterns into building walls could help cool overheated buildings, research has found.
Buildings are now responsible for approximately 40% of global energy consumption, contributing more than a third of global carbon dioxide emissions.
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08/15/2024 - 23:00
Researchers at Australia’s Flinders University hope the acoustic method will make it easier to find and fix soil degradation
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Ever wondered what the Earth sounds like? New research suggests healthy soil has a distinctive soundtrack of its own – the crackles, pops and clicks of ants and worms bustling around underground.
Scientists from Australia’s Flinders University listened to microphones planted in the ground to see if invertebrate instrumentals are a good indicator of biodiversity and soil health.
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08/15/2024 - 20:49
‘MPower’ would be Australia’s largest scheme of its kind – with neighbouring councils invited to join in
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Melbourne residents and business owners could have their electricity bills slashed by hundreds of dollars each year in a radical plan proposed by the city’s lord mayor.
Nick Reece has pledged to facilitate Australia’s largest community-led bulk purchasing scheme for renewable energy if he is re-elected.
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08/15/2024 - 12:26
This year could beat 2023 for the hottest year on record as 15-month heat streak extends, according to Noaa
The world just had its hottest July ever recorded, elongating a string of monthly temperature highs that now stretch back for 15 consecutive months, US government scientists have announced.
Last month was about 1.2C (2.1F) hotter than average across the globe, making it the hottest July on record, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) said on Thursday. This means that every month for the past 15 months has beaten its previous monthly record.
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08/15/2024 - 12:06
Establishing Key Biodiversity Areas in the Southern Ocean will be vital for safeguarding the ecosystem from the impact of human activities, researchers say.
