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The World Needs More Sand, But Reclamation Poses Challenges *By Robin Whitlock Sand mining on the slopes of Mount Padakasih, Indonesia. ©Shutterofadam/Shutterstock Sand seems to be one of the Earth’s most ubiquitous and abundance resources, whether it graces endless beaches or lies hidden in towering buildings and miles of pavement.   The truth is more complex. The world’s demand for sand is constantly escalating; however, sand “is being used faster than it can be naturally replenished, so its responsible management is crucial,” says a 2022 UN report .   Enter the challenging world of sand reclamation. The benefits are readily seen: Sand is essential for economic development, homes, roads, hospitals and industry, and also to fortify beaches and coastal areas to preserve biodiversity and fragile ecosystems.   But improper sand reclamation tactics can also have catastrophic impacts on the environment, such as when river banks are damaged in the recovery process.   The Exploding Need for Sand In 2019, a team of scientists from Denmark and the US released a study revealing that the global demand for sand was 9.55 billion tons, or about $99.5 billion, in 2017. A subsequent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) , published in April 2022, estimated that a global total of 40 billion to 50 billion metric tons of sand was being used every year. Fifty billion tons is “enough to build a wall 27 meters wide [about 30 yards] and 27 meters high around planet Earth … making [sand] the second most used resource worldwide after water,” the report noted.   [N]atural sources [of sand] are now heading toward depletion—with an estimate that the world will run out of construction-grade sand by 2050—thus making sand reclamation and alternative sources of utmost importance.   The huge demand for sand is being fueled by the growth of cities and construction industry. This means, in turn, that natural sources are now heading toward depletion—with an estimate that the world will run out of construction-grade sand  by 2050—thus making sand reclamation and alternative sources of utmost importance.   Properties of Sand and its Applications Sand consists of finely divided mineral particles of various compositions. It is defined primarily by its grain size, distinguishing it from gravel, which has larger grains, and silt, which is finer and smoother. For example, the Unified Soil Classification System  used in engineering and in geology defines sand according to US standard sieves, i.e., with a diameter of between 0.074 and 4.75 millimeters. Another definition , applied by geologists, concerns particles ranging in diameter from 0.0625 mm (or 1⁄16 mm) to 2 mm.   On inland surfaces and on non-tropical coasts, the most common element of sand is silica (silicon dioxide, or SiO2). This is because it is usually mostly made of quartz, and its chemical inertness and hardness renders it resistant to weathering.   Silica sand is what is used in a mobile device’s glass screen —as well as computer chips, fiber-optic cables, and other hardware —which makes iPhones and computer displays possible.   Silica is also used to make frac sand , which is used for hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in oil and gas extraction.   Silica sand is what is used in a mobile device’s glass screen—as well as computer chips, fiber-optic cables, and other hardware—which makes iPhones and computer displays possible. A frac sand mine in Oakdale, Wisconsin, with a large, looped track with 3 rail lines. Photo: Wikimedia/Wikideas1 (Public domain) In tropical areas, the bright white sand  found on coastlines is formed from eroded limestone and may also contain fragments of shell and coral alongside other organic material. White sand is often blended with concrete  to create a bright and attractive appearance for use in places such as golf courses, volleyball courts, and inland beaches. White sand from a beach in Cyprus. Photo: dimitrisvetsikas1969/GoodFreePhotos (Public domain) Can Desert Sand Be Reclaimed? What about the sand in the Sahara and other vast deserts? Sadly, there are two major reasons why, despite its abundance, desert sand is not suitable for construction purposes.   The first is that the sand grains are rounded  rather than being course and angular. This tends to make cement less cohesive. Furthermore, desert sand can have high salt  content, which tends to weaken concrete and exacerbate corrosion of steel.   While research  is being done to implement desert sand into cement-based materials, river sand  remains the primary source of sand for the construction industry.   Drawbacks of Sand Mining The UNEP report found that extracting sand from rivers and in coastal or marine ecosystems can lead to significant adverse impacts. These include “erosion, the salination of aquifers, weakened protection against storm surges, and adverse impacts on biodiversity.”   The UNEP report found that extracting sand from rivers and in coastal or marine ecosystems can lead to significant adverse impacts . These include “erosion, the salination of aquifers, weakened protection against storm surges, and adverse impacts on biodiversity.” These, in turn, might negatively affect water supply, food production, fisheries, and the tourism industry. Sand mining along the Red River in Yunnan, China. ©Wikimedia/Vmenkov (CC BY-SA 3.0) Furthermore, dredging [see The Earth & I, June 2024 ] kills marine life in the river or lake and causes environmental impacts that can last for years. This not only adversely affects the fishing industries and coastal communities, but extraction of sand can also erode shorelines, damage infrastructure such as bridges, and threaten forests.   Sand Reclamation and Reuse In their 2022 study, researchers E.S. Rentier and L.H. Cammaraat  point out that there are a number of things that can be done to minimize the impact of river sand mining on the environment and protect ecosystems:   Recover sand from sustainable sources, such as from retreating ice sheets in Greenland, which do not damage rivers. This would require sand auditing to construct an inventory of the available sediment. Establish global guidelines on where extraction of sand resources is not sustainable, as well as an international framework to regulate and control sand mining. Establish a mandatory global program to monitor sediment mining. Sand is used to create molds for metal casting—in this case to produce a steel valve. ©iStock/Funtay The US Environmental Protection Agency has adopted a solid waste management hierarchy that promotes waste reduction, recycling and reuse. It cites as an example the use of spent foundry sands  from iron, steel, and aluminum plants.   These facilities tend to reuse sand many times over, but eventually heat and mechanical abrasion render the sand unusable for casting molds. At present, about 15% of the 6 million to 10 million tons of spent foundry sands generated annually is recycled.   At present, about 15% of the 6 million to 10 million tons of spent foundry sands generated annually is recycled.   Resand’s Process A foundry sand recycling company in Finland has been improving sand reclamation processes for more than 15 years.   “In the reclamation process, all the sharp edges and corners are smoothened or removed from the sand grains and that creates many benefits: better surface quality of the castings, better gas permeability in casting process, [and] better flowability of the sand when filling the sand molds,” explained Jukka Nieminen, executive vice president of Resand Ltd.   It all started in 2008 with a collaboration with Finnish foundries providing metal recycling services for foundries.   “Soon we found out that foundries had difficulties with used sand disposal,” Nieminen said. “Foundries asked our help, and in 2016 we started a project with our customer foundries and Aalto University, and we started to make sand reclamation trials,” she said. “At that same year, we acquired an old glass making factory from Nuutajärvi, Finland, where we are operating today, and there was sand treatment equipment that we modified so that we were able to start making trials with our customers.”   Now aided by a €3 million (about $3.2 million) loan from Nefco , a financer of environmental projects, Resand recently said it will accelerate the expansion of its services through its Sand As A Service (SAAS) solution, which it says will enable foundries to reduce virgin sand consumption by 75%.   Resand’s modular sand reclaimer processing unit consists of two rotating drums: a heating drum and cooling and separation drum [ see video ].   “In the heating drum, the temperature of the sand is between 600–800 degrees [Celsius], and in these temperatures all organic binder burns, and in the second step we cool the sand close to ambient temperature so it can be used again immediately,” Nieminen said. “We also remove all the fine dust particles so the sand is totally dust free and clean for the reuse.”   Resand also claims that their electrically powered recycling process reduces overall carbon dioxide emissions for new sand by up to 70%, with a production capacity of 1,000 kg (or 1.1 tons) per hour.   This is why the Resand technology is contributing to a green transition in the foundry industry, said Här Kalle Härkki, CEO of Resand Ltd. *Robin Whitlock is an England-based freelance journalist specializing in environmental issues, climate change, and renewable energy, with a variety of other professional interests, including green transportation.

Both Natural and Man-Made Barriers Can Help Slow Hurricane Surges *By Laurie Burras Figure 1: Tropical Storm Helene September 26-27, 2024. (https://www.weather.gov/ilm/Helene2024 ) Hurricanes are fearsome storms with their high winds, tornadoes—and deadly waters. Storm surge is historically “the leading cause of hurricane-related deaths in the United States,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency says . However, despite the real risks of catastrophic hurricanes coming ashore, tens of millions of people live, work, fish, and play close to US coastlines. What—if anything—can governments and communities do to strengthen the safety of their coasts against these monster storms? The answer is that there is a great deal that can be done to blunt at least some of the power of hurricanes, but it requires learning from past storms, investments in coastal safety, and public-private cooperation to decide which strategy to use. Mighty Gulf Storms Hurricanes Helene and  Milton recently made landfall in the USA after sustaining top wind speeds of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 140 mph (225 km/h), respectively, while still offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. Such winds generated the surface waves and storm surge that devastated coastal communities. [See The Earth & I  article “First Comes the Disaster, Then Comes the Debris.”] Not only did Category 4 Hurricane Helene impact Florida’s coasts—moving north from Tampa, past low-lying Cedar Key, and into Florida’s Big Bend region on September 26, 2024—it also affected communities further inland in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee with wind and precipitation and resultant tornadoes (see Figure 1). “In general, the stronger a storm [is], and the longer it stays over an area, the more rainfall we will get; and so, flooding/storm surge and wind gusts will all contribute to the destructive power,” explains Chanh Kieu, associate professor in earth and atmospheric sciences at Indiana University Bloomington. The storm surge for Hurricane Helene was estimated at an extraordinary 15 feet (~4.5 m). Hurricane Milton, which hit central west Florida as a Category 3 storm on October 10, 2024, had approximately 10 feet (~3 m) in storm surge. Government leaders, coastal communities, and state inhabitants took all the precautions they could to survive the storms. These preparations could be helped with advance analysis of two things: Knowing ahead of time how high the storm surge will be could greatly improve communities' ability to prepare and inform the public to take precautions, prepare, and evacuate if necessary (see Figure 2). Second, accurate predictions about how storms are likely to act on particular coastlines can lead to strategies to minimize and mitigate such threats in the future with appropriate protective infrastructures. Coastal community inundated from hurricane storm surge. ©NOAA Hurricane Isaac storm surge and surface waves in the Gulf of Mexico. ©NOAA Figure 2: FEMA flood zone map definitions: The dashed red line is the 1% inundation level, and the dashed blue line is the base flood elevation (BFE). The VE Zone is defined as a coastal high hazard area; the AE Zone is a special flood hazard area; the X Zone is a minimal risk area. LiMWA stands for Limit of Moderate Wave Action. SFHA means Special Flood Hazard Area (during a 100-year event). (https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/4/292) Three Mitigation Strategies There are three strategies to build and maintain protective infrastructure that can reduce hurricane wave energy, coastal erosion, and flood hazards. Natural infrastructure  is defined as preexisting infrastructure , such as beaches, dunes, oyster and coral reefs, seagrass beds, barrier islands, mangroves, and salt marshes. One of the many ecosystem services that each of these provides is in slowing down the wave energy from storm surges and surface waves. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration  (NOAA), public and private properties erected behind salt marshes see 20% less damage than properties where salt marshes have been removed. Citing The Nature Conservancy, NOAA’s Office for Coastal Management said salt marshes and other coastal wetlands helped prevent $625 million in property damage from Hurricane Sandy, which made landfall in New Jersey on October 29, 2012. Due to its size, ferocity, and 12-foot storm surge, Sandy still caused almost $70 billion in damages. Unfortunately, natural infrastructure is on the decline. NOAA’s coastal office notes that New York’s Long Island Sound has lost 50% of its wetlands in the last 130 years. Therefore, investing in “green” infrastructure—such as enhancing, protecting, and maintaining natural infrastructures—is crucial for minimizing flooding of coastal communities, coastal erosion, and damage to public and private property, researchers  have advised (“Sustainability” Vol. 10, No. 2: 523). Nature-based infrastructure  can be defined as infrastructure that mimics characteristics of natural infrastructure but “is created by human design, engineering, and construction to provide specific services such as coastal risk reduction,” according to the researchers . Beach nourishment is one approach to utilizing nature-based infrastructure. For beach nourishment, forecasting is important in understanding what height is necessary for the beach and dunes to be effective in minimizing a storm's wave energy. The US Army Corps of Engineers  (USACE) visually describes effective beach nourishment before and after the erosional effects of a storm surge in Figure 3. This is an example during Hurricane Sandy how the Coastal Engineers at the USACE helped protect dunes and property from further erosion, decrease flooding, and limit how far ashore the storm surge could reach. Figure 3: USACE beach nourishment application in managing an example storm surge. @US Army Corps of Engineers Grey infrastructure  is a third strategy to mitigate impacts of hurricanes. It can be defined as hard infrastructure put in place to minimize and prevent damage from natural disasters. Examples of grey infrastructure are seawalls, groins, breakwaters, surge barriers, and levees. “Living shorelines” can be designed as a nature-based infrastructure, but they can also be engineered into existing grey infrastructure. A living shoreline  uses natural, often locally sourced materials to create an infrastructure in the surf zones of various water bodies, from bays to inland waterways, according to The Apalachicola Times , which serves Franklin County, Florida.   These augmented shorelines can reduce erosion from storms while creating a habitat for coastal and marine species and plants, such as birds, fish, oysters, and seagrasses. Weighing Choices Carefully Some researchers (The Journal of Applied Ecology , 25 May 2020) warn against removal of natural infrastructures, saying living shorelines are important but not at the cost of already existing natural infrastructure. An advantage of a living shoreline is that it can be implemented in a way to accommodate area usage. Living shorelines minimize everyday erosion, which is also necessary in slowing down the hurricane’s wave energy. In contrast, natural infrastructure often takes up more space but proves very effective in extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes with their storm surges. Coastal Population Growing In the United States and around the world, there is plenty of infrastructure that needs to be improved so that coastal communities can be resilient in times of natural disasters. The need is apparent—coastal populations continue to swell. Already, in 1994, approximately 30% of the human population (2.07 billion) resided within 31 miles (50 km) from coasts, and nearly 44% (2.45 billion) within 93 miles (150 km) from coasts , said a new study in Nature . When these coastal residential estimates were updated for 2018, “the coastal regions had grown to 2.86 billion (38.1% of global population) at 100 km [~62 miles] and 3.34 billion (44.6%) at 150 km,” wrote Mississippi State University sociologist Arthur G. Cosby and other members of the research team. “Climate change has always been changing, and the human impacts on climate change are just one fraction of the net change,” predicts Prof. Kieu. “So, our best efforts to curb climate change do not mean climate change will stop. With the current warming rate, we cannot stop global warming fully, and so the warming trend will continue and introduce a shift in the frequency of extreme events. So, it appears that we will see more frequent extreme events, even with humans’ best efforts.” As hurricanes create new opportunities to assess the ways to protect natural coasts and their infrastructures, the need to learn how to become ever more resilient during natural disasters is of paramount urgency. * Laurie Burras is a former news editor for an international academic magazine. She currently resides in Philadelphia. Christopher Olson, a PhD candidate in civil engineering,   contributed to this article.

Higher Global Temperatures Join Known Threats   *By Mal Cole Beekeeper inspecting a beehive frame filled with honey. ©Juice Flair/shutterstock The pleasant drone of honeybees gathering pollen on a summer day, and the rotund form of a bumblebee bobbing towards a welcoming flower are some of the delights of a flourishing garden in full bloom. Pollination is not light labor, and some busy bees can carry 30% of their body weight in golden bounty from flower to flower. In this way, they incidentally do human beings a great service. Some 85% of flowering wild plants  require the services of pollinators, and their reduction would threaten plant diversity. Also, more than a third of cultivated crops require pollination, and threats to bee and pollinator populations could impact the global food supply. There’s even evidence that the world’s insect population in general is declining— a 2016 study  showed an alarming 75% decline in flying insects over a 27-year span. A variety of efforts are underway to protect, preserve and grow bee populations, and there is evidence that bees are replenishing their numbers. But the stressors on pollinators are still in full force and more mitigation is needed, says the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council),  an environmental lobby group. “ No, the Bees Are Not Okay, ” the environmental advocacy group wrote on World Bee Day in May 2024. Current threats  to bees include parasites, destruction of habitat and food sources, and pesticides. Moreover, a study published in 2024 suggests that heatwaves and a warming planet could have devastating impacts as well. Bountiful Honeybees Honeybees are pollinators well-known for the delectable honey and useful wax they produce. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans have been keeping bees since prehistoric times . The honeybee first originated in Asia about 300,000 years ago and spread to Europe and Africa, but honeybees are not native to North America —they arrived with some of the first European colonists in around 1622. Honeybees were needed not only to produce honey, but also to pollinate the European agricultural crops they brought with them. Honeybees collect pollen. ©Mal Cole In 2023, there were more than 2.5 million honeybee hives used for commercial pollination in the US, according to Statista.com . Due to their relative ease in transportation, honeybee hives are brought to commercial orchards and farms during flowering to pollinate crops. For instance, in the early springtime, 60% to 75% of the nation’s commercial hives are sent to California to pollinate its almond trees . From there, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) explains, some hives will go north  to pollinate orchards and berry farms, while other hives head south and east for specialized crops in those areas. This can come at a high cost to the honeybees. The Guardian  reported in 2020 that “ more bees die every year in the US than all other fish and mammals combined .” Pollinating crops honeybees can be exposed to “a soup” of chemical pesticides and herbicides, including glyphosate (Roundup), which is toxic to bees , and neonicotinoids , a category of pesticide that is harmful to both the adult bees and their offspring, the British newspaper said. [A] fatal stressor to the honeybee population is the varroa mite (Varroa destructor), a parasite that reached the United States in the late 1980s. Another fatal stressor to the honeybee population is the varroa mite  ( Varroa destructor) , a parasite that reached the United States in the late 1980s. These mites enter the cells of developing brood and feed on bee larvae . The emerging mites also attach themselves to worker bees. The mites weaken the bees, making them more susceptible to disease and infections. An unchecked varroa infestation can destroy an entire hive. An image shows the Varroa destructor mite harming a honeybee. Source: Krisztina Christmon, University of Maryland. In 2020–2021, some US beekeepers lost over 30% of their bees  per six-month season and about 45% overall after a year, due to pesticide exposure, parasites, and also diseases like colony collapse disorder. Some apiculturists combat these losses by increasing their stock of bees every year. They can shore up hive survival by splitting colonies more frequently and replacing aging queen bees  with younger queens who have been bred to maximize productivity. Thus, although high percentages of honeybees may die each year, the population of honeybees can still increase. In 2024, Axios and The Washington Post  reported that a 2022 census of honeybee colonies found that more than 1 million “have popped up around the US since 2007, making them the fastest-growing type of livestock in the country.” Rebounds in honeybee populations may be good news, but it means increased competition for resources for another population of pollinators that are experiencing declines: native bees. Native Bees There are more than 20,000 species of bees worldwide and 4,000 of those species are found in the United States and Canada. The only continent without native bees is Antarctica, according to The Bees in Your Back Yard: A Guide to North America’s Bees by Joseph S. Wilson and Olivia Messinger Carril. For comparison, there are only around 1,100 different bird species in North America and only 462 known mammals . "Among native bee species with sufficient data to assess, (1,437), more than half (749) are declining.” Native populations of bees are not studied as well as “livestock” honeybees, who benefit from the measurable monetary gains they offer humans through honey production and pollination services. But in 2017, an unprecedented report by the Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity said that native bees were in marked decline : “Among native bee species with sufficient data to assess, (1,437), more than half (749) are declining,” said the report. “Nearly 1 in 4 (347 native bee species) is imperiled and at increasing risk of extinction,” the report added. To address this crisis in the US, a USDA-funded effort to monitor native bee populations was put in place in 2020. The mission of the National Native Bee Monitoring Network , which is based at University of California, Riverside, is to “unite bee researchers” and create a “robust national strategy for bee monitoring” and support. Bees Need Biodiversity Native bees thrive on biodiversity and are harmed by monocultures . Some native bees only collect pollen from specific plants even when other sources are available, which makes native plant conservation essential for these pollinators (Wilson & Carril, p. 22). Native bees vary in size and color. The smallest indigenous bee is from South America ( Trigona minima ) and is tinier than the head of a pin, Wilson and Carril note in their book. The largest bee ( Megachile pluto )  was presumed extinct for more than a century before being rediscovered in 1984, but it remains rare and is about 1.5 inches long, about the size of a kumquat. Native bee coloring goes way beyond black and yellow; some bees even boast iridescent blue-green shades like those in the genus Osmia. Bumblebees are one of nature’s most efficient pollinators. Perhaps the most familiar native bee is the bumblebee. Bumblebee species are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere, and there are over 250 bumblebee species (Wilson & Carril, p. 242). Bumblebees are one of nature’s most efficient pollinators. They collect pollen from many sources and can visit twice as many plants as a honeybee per minute. Bumblebees are able to “buzz pollinate,” in which the bumblebee vibrates its muscles to loosen pollen from the anthers of a flower. The result is more efficient pollination than what can be achieved by honeybees, Wilson and Carril wrote. Bumblebees have been in decline due to lack of habitat, a warming climate, viruses, and pesticides. The UK-based Bumblebee Conservation Trust says at least two species of these jolly, useful creatures have gone extinct locally. An endangered rusty patched bumble bee visiting a butterfly milkweed flower at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Photo: Public Domain A Pollination Crisis The past 50 years saw a reduction in native bee populations as well as honeybee populations in North America and Europe , according to a 2015 study. Today, the number of commercial honeybee colonies is stabilizing and even growing due to aggressive apiary management . Still, habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and disease remain recognized drivers of bee population decline. This year, a Royal Society study of bumblebees suggests that heatwaves pose a threat to pollinators as well . The 2024 study exposed a test group of bumblebees to high temperatures in artificial heatwaves and tracked their responses. Bees use their sense of sight to find flowers, but they also “smell” the volatile compounds of nectar and pollen released by plants. The study found that high temperatures are disruptive to this chemical communication between bees and plants—the increased heat reduced antenna sensitivity by as much as 80%. The implications are alarming: If pollinators’ effectiveness are impaired by heat, the effects of increasing global temperatures could have devastating impacts on the global food supply and biodiversity. A 2015 study estimated that 87.5% of flowering plants (angiosperms) require pollinators . The study noted that reduced pollination could also have “knock-on” effects for other species that depend on the fruit of flowering plants for food. Helping the Pollinators Luckily, gardeners and nature lovers can help by planting a pollinator garden , especially those with native plant species [See The Earth & I :  Homegrown National Park: Building Productive Ecosystems Where We ‘Live, Work, Play, and Pray’]. Adequate nutrition will support bees’ immune systems, so they are better equipped to survive the trials of disease and a changing climate. Organizations such as the Xerces Society  can help homeowners find plants appropriate for the pollinators in their area. But supporting pollinators doesn’t start and stop with planting flowers . Hollow plant stems and decaying wood may look untidy, but they are excellent shelters for solitary native bees  raising their brood. Habitat loss is one of the most serious issues bees face , so even a small garden can create a refuge and act as a crucial way station for hungry pollinators. Plus, discovering and protecting native pollinators—their surprising diversity, beauty, and abundance—creates a whole new way to take pleasure in the natural world. *Mal Cole is a freelance science and nature writer based in Massachusetts. Quoted Sources: Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia M. Carril. 2016. The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees . Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

How to Dig Out from A Destructive Storm *By Yasmin Prabhudas Florida National Guard in Keaton Beach, Florida, after Hurricane Helene. ©The National Guard/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) From hurricanes and typhoons to landslides and tsunamis, many types of natural disasters leave unfathomable amounts of debris in their wake. How should debris clean-up be handled—especially when it often contains toxic and hazardous materials—and what can be learned from previous natural disasters? Massive Debris Fields Hurricanes and related natural disasters leave behind solid and liquid waste, such as concrete, wood, and tar from damaged buildings. Debris can include household furnishings, power and telephone grid parts, as well as water and sewage distribution infrastructure, says the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Emergency Preparedness Section’s Disaster waste management guidelines .  Household debris placed next to a road in Staten Island, New York, after Hurricane Sandy (2012). ©John de Guzmán/Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0) Natural waste, like clay, mud, trees, and bushes, can be among the debris, and there are chemicals and other raw materials from industries and workshops. There is also waste from relief operations and camps, including food waste and excreta. Pesticides, too, pose a risk, as do damaged boats, cars, buses, bicycles, solvents, and healthcare waste. Tons of post-disaster waste not only puts public health at risk because of hazardous material like asbestos, but waterways, oceans, and landfills can also become contaminated.   Tons of post-disaster waste not only puts public health at risk because of hazardous material like asbestos, but waterways, oceans, and landfills can also become contaminated. Ocean Garbage Patches Disaster debris has been known to accumulate in the world’s five ocean garbage patches  or gyres (whirlpools circulating in the ocean). The five ocean garbage patches are the Indian Ocean Garbage Patch, the North Pacific Garbage Patch, South Pacific Garbage Patch, and two patches in the Atlantic Ocean. The North Pacific Garbage Patch is the largest and is estimated to contain 1.8 trillion pieces of plastic weighing 79,000 tons and span an area of 1.6 million square kilometers (about 617,000 square miles) based on a 2018 model . This includes part of the estimated 30%  (or about 1.5 million tons) from the tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 and dispersed into the Pacific Ocean. A house turned upside down by the force of the Japan tsunami 2011. ©UK Department for International Development/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Government Response to Disasters The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) was involved with the removal of the debris that traveled across the Pacific to the US from the 2011 tsunami. According to NOAA, the agency received $5 million  from the Japanese government, which went toward removing about 635 metric tons of debris in total from Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and California. In August 2005, when Hurricane Katrina wreaked havoc across New Orleans  and the Gulf Coast, chemical and petrol refining plants and contaminated areas like Superfund sites  (containing hazardous material) were covered with floodwater, as were other areas, such as oil and gas wells. FEMA debris specialist Phillip Jones takes a photograph to record the debris Hurricane Katrina left on this lot in the 9th Ward in New Orleans. ©FEMA/Marvin Nauman The NOAA project team “surveyed more than 1,500 square nautical miles of nearshore waters across Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana, and located and mapped more than 7,100 individual items,” said Jason Rolfe, marine debris response team lead at NOAA. Hurricane Katrina was soon followed by another massive storm—Hurricane Rita—that caused unprecedented damage. “Agencies learned that submerged debris removal was far more costly […] than debris stranded on the shores,” he said. “NOAA developed improved methods to assess and map submerged debris and built a comprehensive reference  used for future responses.” Diverting Debris from Landfills “By reducing the burden on landfills, responsible rubble removal helps conserve natural landscapes and mitigates the release of harmful pollutants.” Landfills solve some debris problems, but they can also be overfilled or misused.  “When post-disaster rubble is disposed of irresponsibly, it often ends up in overflowing landfills, which pose environmental and public health risks,” said Carlo Ruiz, recovery solutions and human mobility policy adviser at the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Crisis Bureau. “Responsible removal prioritizes recycling and reusing items, diverting them away from landfills, and minimizing environmental impact,” he said. “By reducing the burden on landfills, responsible rubble removal helps conserve natural landscapes and mitigates the release of harmful pollutants.” Communities can help with debris removal. “Community-based waste management programs have emerged as a sustainable solution that not only tackles waste effectively but also brings about numerous benefits,” said Ruiz. Residents can separate their waste into different categories, making it easier to recycle and divert waste from landfills, he explained. “Experiences […] have also shown that most of the material that has been collected is recyclable or reusable. Recyclers can crush rubble and convert it into material for roads and other non-structural purposes.”   These kinds of programs can also offer “short-term employment to the crisis-affected population, in particular to the poorest households,” Ruiz added. Examples from the Far East During Typhoon Bopha in the Philippines in 2012, over 6.2 million people were affected  and 230,000 homes destroyed, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Approximately 6 million coconut trees  (or 84,476 hectares of coconut farms) were damaged. However, much of this debris was repurposed as lumber, construction materials, handicrafts, and furniture as part of rehabilitation efforts, undertaken in collaboration with UNDP. Uprooted coconut trees after Typhoon Bopha in Boston, Davao Oriental, the Philippines. ©Sonny Day/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) Years earlier, the UNDP was involved  three months after the 2004 tsunami in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. As part of the Tsunami Recovery Waste Management Project, the city received assistance to clear about 1 million cubic meters of debris, recover recyclable materials used to reconstruct 62 miles of roads, and manufacture 12,000 units of wooden furniture. A staggering 67,000 tons of recycled material, including glass, plastic, and cardboard, was sold in local markets. Aftermath of the tsunami on December 26, 2004, in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Wikimedia/US Navy (Public Domain) Safety First It is advisable not to disturb any materials that could contain asbestos—it is commonly found in boiler and pipe insulation, floor tiles, and roofing. During a clean-up in the aftermath of a disaster, there are a number of safety measures  for people to follow. These include keeping children and pets away from flood water or damaged material, and avoiding contact with water that enters the home as it could be contaminated. It’s also important to get rid of chemicals separately, and refrain from turning on drinking water until the system has been inspected. It is advisable not to disturb any materials that could contain asbestos—it is commonly found in boiler and pipe insulation, floor tiles, and roofing. NOAA has published comprehensive response guidance  for states and territories along the Atlantic Ocean and the US as a whole. This includes a flowchart  that involves contacting the National Response Center for dealing with hazardous waste or the Federal Emergency Management Agency for debris that “threatens public health and safety and removal is in the public interest.” Southeastern US is currently grappling with massive amounts of debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene  in late September and Hurricane Milton in October. When government assistance is delayed or unavailable, working together as a community is key to overcoming a disaster and its aftermath. *Yasmin Prabhudas  is a freelance journalist working mainly for non-profit organizations, labor unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

*By Alina Bradford “Let food be thy medicine.” ©udra/istock Hippocrates, the ancient Greek physician who is often called the father of Western medicine, is credited with saying, “Let food be thy medicine, and let medicine be thy food.” His words are taking on new meaning with the fast-growing “food is medicine” movement. Today, countless low-income individuals and families receive “prescriptions” for fresh produce, which can be picked up at farms or urban programs. “Food deserts,” or communities  where residents do not have access to fresh, nutritious, affordable food items, have been around for decades. Instead of local grocery stores, these low-income communities have convenience stores, fast-food establishments, and take-out restaurants. This leads to an abundance of ultra processed foods, canned goods, packaged goods, and high-calorie snacks and treats. An urban convenience store. ©pexels Even people who do not live in food deserts may have trouble getting fresh fruits and vegetables due to a lack of funds and limited access to transportation. This is a widespread problem. According to the US Department of Agriculture , “an estimated 18.8 million people, or 6.1 percent of the U.S. population, live in low-income and low access tracts.” Low access means urban dwellers live more than a half-mile from the nearest supermarket or, in rural areas, they live more than 10 miles away. Lack of access to nutritious fruits and vegetables can lead to  higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in these areas. And the benefits of consuming more fruits and vegetables are well documented. A diet high in these foods is associated with reduced risks of cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, obesity, and other metabolic conditions. USDA. Public Domain. Wikimedia An Idea That’s Transforming Healthcare One of the more innovative approaches gaining momentum is to address these chronic health issues through diet rather than solely relying on conventional pharmaceuticals. “ Veggie Rx ” is an idea that is transforming healthcare by prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who need them. By targeting underserved populations, including low-income and food-insecure families, these programs using the Veggie Rx model tackle both health disparities and food access issues head-on. “Veggie Rx” is an idea that is transforming healthcare by prescribing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who need them. There are Veggie Rx programs across the United States that work to boost the health of those who need a little extra help. Some of these programs include Fresh Approach  in California, Wholesome Wave  Veggie Rx, Rush University’s Food is Medicine  Program, VeggieRx  in Chicago, and Southside Community Land Trust's  Veggie Rx. Here is how these programs work, and the impact they are making on their communities. How Veggie Rx Programs Work The concept behind Veggie Rx is straightforward: rather than just prescribing medications, Veggie Rx programs aim to improve participants' overall health by increasing their intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Through dietary changes, individuals can better manage chronic illnesses, improve their nutritional status, and potentially reduce healthcare costs in the long run. Typically, participants don’t have to pay for the produce they receive through these vouchers. A typical community-supported agriculture weekly share. © Wikimedia Healthcare providers, such as doctors or dietitians, can offer vouchers instead of traditional medical prescriptions. These vouchers allow participants, who are sometimes called “patients,” to purchase produce at participating farmers' markets, grocery stores, or community-supported agriculture programs.   However, these programs go beyond food products. Many Veggie Rx initiatives offer educational resources like cooking classes, nutrition counseling, and support groups, helping participants incorporate healthy food into their daily lives. What's Included in a Package Through the VeggieRx program in Chicago, participants redeem prescriptions for fresh produce at the Farm on Ogden , a 20,000-square-foot urban agriculture facility on Chicago's West Side (see video ). Operated by Windy City Harvest  (see video ), the farm includes a greenhouse, aquaponics system [see video ], indoor farmer's market, kitchens, and job training programs. Participants receive a weekly box of seasonal produce, along with recipes, nutrition education, cooking lessons, and dietary counseling. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish, available in-person or online, and led by staff from the Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion.     A participant survey at the Farm on Ogden  found that more than 90% of participants ate more than half the fresh produce they received. An example of their VeggieRx box or bag would have: 1 bundle of kale 1 bundle of collards 1 bundle of beets 2 cucumbers 2 tomatoes 2 bell peppers 2 squash 2 onions   Meanwhile, in Minnesota, education is stressed in the Veggie Rx program. “Patients don’t just pick up produce and head on their way,” said Minnesota Landscape Arboretum Farm  Education Manager and Veggie Rx collaborator Tim Wilson in a news report  from the University of Minnesota Extension. “They have the opportunity to interact with the health care team and food growers, plus Extension educators who are experts in financial planning, parenting, nutrition, exercise, and more.” “Patients don’t just pick up produce. …They have the opportunity to interact with the health care team and food growers, plus [University of Minnesota] Extension educators who are experts in financial planning, parenting, nutrition, exercise, and more.” Another example is the Food Is Medicine  (FIM) program run by Rush University Medical Center’s Office of Community Health Equity and Engagement . The Chicago-area program offers prescriptions to people identified as having food insecurity, with Forty Acres Fresh Market  serving as produce partner for Rush’s FIM program. The participant exchanges the prescription for food packets at the medical center’s Veggie Rx pantry. Families can also get healthy foods delivered to their homes through the program.  Collaborative Efforts Behind these Programs Veggie Rx programs thrive on strong partnerships between healthcare providers, local governments, non-profits, and food producers. These collaborations are crucial, ensuring that fresh produce is readily available and that participants have the support they need to maintain these healthier habits. For instance, Wholesome Wave’s Veggie Rx program partners with healthcare providers across the US to distribute produce vouchers to low-income participants, while Farm Fresh Rhode Island  offers a similar service through local farmers' markets. Chicago’s VeggieRx is a collaboration between the Lawndale Christian Health Center , the Farm on Ogden, the Chicago Botanic Garden , and the University of Illinois’s Chicago Partnership for Health Promotion.   Chicago Botanic Garden is one of Chicago Veggie Rx’s partners. ©Shutterstock Impact on Communities Research  has shown that Veggie Rx programs lead to better dietary habits and improved chronic disease management. These programs not only improve public health  but also bolster local economies  by creating sustainable connections between health and agriculture. Thanks to the VeggieRx program in Chicago, 18,895 produce boxes were distributed in 2023, and 31% of participants reported a decrease in food insecurity. As of June 30, 2024, Waterfall’s Veggie Rx program  in Oregon (see video ) has distributed more than 22,500 "individual distributions of produce" to more than 5,500 members of the community. Thanks to the VeggieRx program in Chicago, 18,895 produce boxes were distributed in 2023, and 31% of participants reported a decrease in food insecurity. A meta-analysis study published in 2021, examining the impact of food prescription programs on dietary behaviors in review of 13 studies, found a 21.9% increase in fruit and vegetable consumption. It also found a decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood sugar levels among program participants. A 2020 study  of the Navajo Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program from 2015 to 2018 found that fruit and vegetable consumption significantly increased during the programs, and the number of participant households reporting food insecurity decreased from 82% to 65%. Furthermore, 38% of the overweight children (up to 6 years old) achieved a healthy BMI by the end of the program. How to Get Involved in Veggie Rx Veggie Rx programs are funded by various sources, including federal grants, local governments, and non-profit organizations. Those interested in supporting these initiatives can also get involved by volunteering with local organizations or donating to non-profits that fund these valuable programs. To take advantage of Veggie Rx services, individuals should inquire at their local healthcare provider or community health center about available programs; helpful information regarding local Veggie Rx programs may also be found on the internet. There are programs across the entire US. The success of Veggie RX programs depends on continued support from policymakers, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Sustainable funding is necessary to expand these programs and ensure they reach the populations that need them the most. Moreover, public policy can further promote the adoption of these programs by integrating food prescriptions into broader healthcare and social service frameworks. In the US, for instance, Veggie RX programs have been included in some Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as community health initiatives. These policy efforts reflect the growing recognition of the role that nutrition plays in public health. As awareness of the connection between food and health grows, Veggie Rx programs continue to offer a practical, community-driven solution to improve public health and support local agriculture. By providing fresh produce as a prescription, Veggie Rx programs empower people to take control of their health through better nutrition, while also addressing food insecurity and health disparities. ©pexels *Alina Bradford   is a safety and security expert who has contributed to CBS, MTV, USA Today, Reader’s Digest, and more. She is currently the editorial lead at SafeWise.com .

NASA Images Show Massive Habitat Loss, Including in Vital Pantanal Region   South American wildfire smoke as seen from space on September 3, 2024. ©NASA Satellite surveillance shows that parts of South America have suffered a record number of wildfires this year.   Brazil’s space research agency Inpe has recorded 346,112 South American wildfires for 2024. This breaks the former record (using the same cutoff date) of 345,332, set in 2007, Reuters News Agency said in a September 12 report . Data has been collected from all 13 South American nations since 1998.   The devastation has impacted the Pantanal, recognized by scientists as the world's largest continuous wetland , and other areas considered to be “ biodiversity hot spots .”   Brazil and Bolivia have sent thousands of firefighters to the area. However, Reuters reported  that “hundreds” protested in La Paz, Bolivia, to demand more action against the fires, most of which were started by humans. "Please realize what is really happening in the country; we have lost millions of hectares," said animal-rights activist Fernanda Negron, who added that there are fears that "millions of animals have been burned to death."   Earlier in 2024, NASA reported  that “unusually early and intense blazes” had spread over Brazil’s Pantanal region in late May and early June 2024 “well before” the area’s typical fire season begins (July through September). The unusually dry conditions were due to a shortage of typical wet-season rainfall.     Ana Paul Cunha, a drought researcher with Cemaden, told Reuters that the 2023-2024 drought was “the most intense, long-lasting in some regions and extensive in recent history, at least in the data since 1950."                                                                                            NASA scientists blamed the dry weather on this year’s El Niño, as well as a “warmer-than-usual sea surface in the northern Atlantic Ocean,” which together have drawn rainfall away from the Amazon and surrounding biomes.   “From October through April, that region [Mato Grosso do Sul and neighboring Mato Grosso] received a meter less rain than expected,” said NASA Earth system scientist Douglas Morton of the Biospheric Sciences Laboratory at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Bolivia’s Pantanal region from space on September 3, 2024 (light blue=smoke; orange=fire; dark area=burned area. False-color image acquired by the OLI (Operational Land Imager) on Landsat 8. ©NASA Brazil’s Pantanal region from space on June 11, 2024, (orange=fire; dark area=burned area.)  ©NASA The natural-color image below was captured by MODIS aboard NASA’s  Aqua  satellite on June 9, 2024. Smoke can be seen blowing south toward Corumbá, in Mato Grosso do Sul.  Cloudless, smoke-filled skies above the dry Pantanal region on June 9, 2024. ©NASA NASA compares the Pantanal in size to the US state of West Virginia. The area is considered vital to important hydrological ecosystem services such as water cycle regulation, flood control, and water-quality maintenance.   The Pantanal is known for its naturally rich ecosystems that are home to thousands of species, including jaguars, tapirs, capybaras, giant otters, maned wolves, hyacinth macaws, Toco toucans, and giant armadillos. Pantanal jaguar. ©Wikimedia Sources: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/153295/smoke-fills-south-american-skies?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=Newsletter&utm_campaign=Sustainable-Switch&utm_term=091324&user_email=2f646de55ae8dce1fadd5e678aac80545fa6c3a7214ec8869dd6d4a6b7027ceb&lctg=640b9b9a9bd201caba0078c6 https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/a-continent-ablaze-south-america-surpasses-record-for-fires/ar-AA1qvpUV https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/152925/early-fires-in-brazils-pantanal https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S003442571530119X?via%3Dihub

Russia’s remote Bystrinsky metals mine in the Trans-Baikal Territory took over three years to build. Wikimedia In its Arctic Economic Report 2024 , released in September, the Arctic Economic Council (AEC) highlighted the potential for northern nations to dominate future global extraction of critical raw materials (CRM). Citing a report  by the International Energy Agency that sees demand for critical minerals nearly tripling by 2030, the AEC sees this trend as a “massive” opportunity to outfit remote Arctic communities with new extraction infrastructure that will benefit local and regional economies and thwart climate change. Notes: Rare earths include the four magnet elements: neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. Demand for clean energy applications includes consumption for low-emissions power generation, EV and battery storage, grid networks and hydrogen technologies. ©IEA CC BY 4.0 The US Department of Energy defines  a critical material as “any non-fuel mineral, element, substance, or material” with a “high risk” of supply chain disruption. Materials essential to energy technologies, including “technologies that produce, transmit, store, and conserve energy,” are of greatest concern. (see DOE video ) The AEC report says that “an overwhelming majority” of the materials typically needed for renewable energy production and storage are found in the Arctic. The region is sizable, has a stable mining sector, and a long history of Indigenous participation. It also upholds “some of the highest [mining] standards globally [with] fewer greenhouse gas emissions.” As a result, the AEC thinks “the Arctic could be at the forefront of new ways of mining.” The AEC report cites Northern Sweden’s steel industry’s conversion to “fossil-free production and mining” and the first rare earth elements (REE) deposit in Europe in Kiruna, Sweden, as examples of the region’s “ambition to mine new types of minerals.” Additional Arctic mining opportunities include Europe’s largest gold deposit in Finnish Lapland, large deposits of nickel and cobalt in Greenland, one of the world’s largest zinc mines in Alaska, “one of the world’s richest reserves of high-grade iron” in Nunavut, “some of the largest [REE] deposits in the world” in Norway and Sweden, and the world’s largest producer of palladium in North Siberia. The AEC report offered advice to policymakers on ways the region can realize its potential as a CRM production juggernaut: The sparsely populated Arctic region has “worrying demographic trends.” To counter this, policymakers can increase training for local workers and make stronger efforts to recruit workers from outside the region. Local education can focus on vocational training and skills development. Governments need to invest in building critical infrastructure, such as “roads, ports, rail, power lines and communications,” to attract private investments and benefit local communities. There continues to be a need to “strengthen and ensure meaningful Indigenous and community consultation and participation” in mining expansion decisions. Increased CRM mining must be seen as crucial to the national security of participating Arctic nations. Development is needed to meet accelerating CRM demand and mitigate climate change. Thus, “faster responses on decisions from the public sector” are key to advancing mining in the Arctic.   Sources: https://www.arctictoday.com/new-report-arctic-could-be-vital-supplier-of-critical-minerals-for-global-green-transition/ https://arcticeconomiccouncil.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/aec-arctic-mining-report-2024-sample.pdf https://origin.iea.org/reports/global-critical-minerals-outlook-2024 https://www.energy.gov/cmm/what-are-critical-materials-and-critical-minerals

*By Julie Peterson ©Olga Miltsuva/Shutterstock Intermittent fasting is a topic that’s not starving for attention. In both conventional and alternative medical circles, the best methods of fasting and their associated health benefits are generating plenty of discussion. Even a famous yogi  has addressed this trend, saying it is simply the world catching on to what yogis have practiced for centuries. Fasting requires a break from food, but the duration and types of fasting can differ. Intermittent fasting (IF) isn’t strictly defined, but it typically involves going without food for a period of 16 to 24 hours and then returning to normal eating. Because the body uses a significant amount of energy to digest food, abstaining from food conserves that energy and allows the body time to regulate and cleanse itself. IF seems to fit modern lifestyles of work or study because it is easier to do than fasts that last more than one day.   Dr. Dean Ornish , clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, and Dr. Valter Longo , director of the University of Southern California’s Longevity Institute, say that intermittent fasting can reduce occurrence and even reverse some of the chronic diseases that plague modern society, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.   Johns Hopkins University neuroscientist  Dr. Mark Mattson  agrees. After studying IF for 25 years, he has concluded that the human body evolved to survive without food for many hours or days due to necessity. In prehistoric times, humans were hunters and gatherers, and it took a lot of time to procure a meal.   After studying intermittent fasting for 25 years, [Dr. Mark Mattson] has concluded that the human body evolved to survive without food for many hours or days due to necessity. Intermittent fasting is part of life for hunter gatherers like those who live in Tanzania. ©Calvin pro7/Wikimedia. Even as recently as 50 years ago, chronic illnesses were not as prevalent as today. Increased consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, along with decreased physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle have contributed to a rise in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. People generally ate smaller portions and went to bed when it got dark. More time was spent working and playing outdoors, leading to a more active lifestyle overall. The advent of modern conveniences, particularly television and computers, dramatically lowered the amount of time people spend outside. There is a common thread throughout health and fitness texts that people should sit less and eat less. Yet, most people can’t deny that they sit and snack more than is healthy and have occasionally had bouts of late-night noshing in front of the television. Late-night noshing. pexels While IF methods promote healthful foods and drinks, they aren’t focused as much about what people eat but when. The excitement from experts over the evidence thus far suggests that it may be worth going to bed hungry now and then, because in addition to indications of potentially reducing levels of chronic disease, IF results imply improved overall health and increased longevity.   Common Intermittent Fasting Methods 16/8 Method (Leangains Protocol): The fasting window is 16 hours of fasting, followed by an 8-hour eating window. Many people skip breakfast and eat their first meal at noon, then finish their last meal by 8 p.m. Variations on this can use any 8-hour eating window. Developed by Martin Berkhan, Swedish nutritional consultant and personal trainer, this IF method is one of the first to go mainstream.    5:2 Diet : In a week, two non-consecutive days of reduced caloric intake (500 to 600 calories), are intermixed with the remaining five days of normal eating. This is a flexible plan that can be adjusted weekly. A lime’berry-seed smoothie is a meal candidate for a 5:2 Diet (on a 500-600 calorie day). ©pexels Eat Stop Eat : Designed by weight-loss guru and IF advocate Brad Pilon, the Eat-Stop-Eat plan is designed to have a complete break from food for 24 hours once or twice per week. For example, eat normally until 6 p.m. on Friday, fast until 6 p.m. on Saturday, and then go back to a regular eating pattern. Pilon points out that even one fast per week can be beneficial, but he does not recommend more than two. He also says it’s crucial to ensure adequate hydration during the fast. A typical alternate day IF schedule. Alternate-Day Fasting : An intense method of IF, alternate-day fasting is just that: Eat a normal diet one day and either completely fast or have one small meal (less than 500 calories) the next day. Spontaneous Meal Skipping : This IF method is flexible and allows one to skip meals when convenient or when not feeling hungry. It can be applied occasionally, without following a schedule. Potential Health Benefits of Intermittent Fasting IF has been shown to have health benefits such as delayed onset of age-related diseases and increased lifespan. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), researchers  have found that fasting boosts the regenerative abilities of intestinal stem cells in mice, which can help the intestine to recover from inflammation or injury. IF [intermittent fasting] has been shown to have health benefits such as delayed onset of age-related diseases and increased lifespan.   It’s important to note that “health benefits seen in mice” are sometimes touted simply as “health benefits” and the reader might believe these benefits apply to humans. While studies on mice can show promise for future results in humans, it may not be the case with all health benefits. Other health benefits attributed to fasting are sometimes first-person reports and testimonials to programs. This is not to say they aren’t true, but they are not from scientific studies conducted on a large number of people over a length of time and compared to a control group.   The following health benefits are believed by many to be reasonable outcomes of IF. Weight Loss and Fat Loss : IF reduces calorie intake by limiting the eating window, which can lead to weight loss. It also promotes fat burning by lowering insulin levels during fasting periods.   Improved Metabolic Health :  Fasting can lead to improved insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels, and reduced inflammation, all of which are beneficial for metabolic health.   Autophagy : Fasting for 24 to 48 hours can trigger autophagy, a process in which the body cleans out damaged cells and regenerates new ones. This process is thought to protect against diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. In studies done on mice, Longo saw that healthy cells survive better than cancer cells in fasting conditions. He hypothesizes that in evolving to divide so rapidly, cancer cells gave up other evolutionary adaptations, such as surviving in the absence of nutrition.   Heart Health : IF may help improve various risk factors for heart disease, including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers. Brain Health :  Fasting may enhance brain function by increasing the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases.   Longevity :  Animal studies suggest that intermittent fasting may extend lifespan, potentially due to its effects on cellular repair processes, inflammation, and metabolic health.   Chemotherapy :  Researchers found that people who fasted for 72 hours before chemotherapy treatments underwent lower toxicity and a lighter effect on bone marrow due to the treatment. This could be a helpful adjunct to chemotherapy treatments if only to lessen the dire side effects for patients.   Researchers found that people who fasted for 72 hours before chemotherapy treatments underwent lower toxicity and a lighter effect on bone marrow due to the treatment. Potential Risks Many experts are cautioning that people shouldn’t move too fast toward fasting because research studies involving IF with humans have been short and small. These studies have experienced a high percentage of dropouts, which could be a sign of the difficulty of IF. A 2020 systematic review  of studies done on forms of IF indicates promise for the treatment of obesity; however, the review also adds that more long-term research into intermittent fasting is necessary to positively confirm other health benefits in humans. Still, even the small body of research has many practitioners excited about a diet that holds promise for incredible health benefits.   In a study of mice published in Nature  in August 2024, MIT researchers  have now identified the pathway that enables the enhanced regeneration of intestinal stem cells, which is activated once the mice begin “refeeding” after the fast. They also found a downside: When cancerous mutations appeared during the regenerative period, the mice were more likely to develop early-stage intestinal tumors. “Having more stem cell activity is good for regeneration, but too much of a good thing over time can have less favorable consequences,” says Omer Yilmaz, an MIT associate professor of biology, a member of MIT’s Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and the senior author of the new study. While this initially seems dismal news for IF, it is the results seen in mice and could lead to greater refinement of fasting windows. Perhaps the ideal regeneration window is such that the results will not cause increased likelihood of cancer, or the introduction of mutations will be able to be avoided. The results may or may not transfer to human studies.   Other Considerations For those who want to try IF, it is recommended to check with a medical provider first. Dr. Frank Hu , chair of the department of nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, points out that those with a history of eating disorders, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals being treated for high blood pressure, have heart or kidney disease, or those with unstable blood sugar levels (such as with diabetes) should not  fast. In these people, fasting could cause dangerously low blood sugar or electrolyte imbalances. It’s important that during eating windows, one consumes nutrient-dense foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthful fats. If the focus is solely on caloric intake without regard to nutrition, it could lead to deficiencies. And while the intermittent faster may be ready to eat a huge meal when breaking a fast, go slow. “It’s better to spread those calories over your next two meals,” advises hepatologist Nizar Zein, MD , of the Cleveland Clinic. “This will help you avoid rapid changes in blood sugar and the fatigue associated with consuming a large amount of food.” Go slow when breaking a fast. Spread all those calories out over time. ©Shutterstock It’s important that during eating windows, one consumes nutrient-dense foods that are rich in protein, fiber, and healthful fats.   During the fasting window, it’s crucial to maintain hydration. Drink water (plain or flavored with lemon, lime, or cucumber), black coffee, herbal and green teas, sparkling water, or any other drink that is close to zero calories.   Some people may experience hunger, irritability, headaches, or difficulty concentrating during fasting periods. These effects often diminish as the body adapts to the eating pattern. Still, it is helpful to avoid thinking about food or being at functions where food is the focus. It’s also advised to avoid strenuous activities while fasting.   Fasting schedules can sometimes interfere with social and family activities, making it challenging to maintain long-term. To help with success, make the calories count by selecting nutrient-dense foods that are rich in fiber, healthful fats, and protein (avocado, beans, eggs, fish, lentils, nuts). Filling foods that are low calorie are also helpful (fruits with high water content, raw vegetables, popcorn). Any time fewer calories are to be eaten, it’s a great idea to season meals generously with herbs and spices. Full flavors can reduce feelings of hunger. Seasoning can make food more satisfying when fewer calories are eaten. ©AlexRaths/istock Conclusion The evidence is still coming in, but many experts on nutrition and longevity believe that intermittent fasting can be an effective and flexible dietary approach for improving health, managing weight, and increasing lifespan. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider, especially if there are any preexisting health conditions. If the green light is given, choose an IF method that fits your lifestyle and approach it with a focus on balanced nutrition and overall well-being. Eat fresh, local foods and stay hydrated. It’s also a good idea to enlist the support of friends or family, as society’s focus-on-food can make it difficult to endure very low-calorie days over the long term. * Julie Peterson writes science-based articles about holistic health, environmental issues, and sustainable living from her organic farm in Wisconsin.

Carefully Constructed Gardens Replace Cement, Prevent Flooding and Attract Pollinators *By Gordon Cairns A rain garden in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. ©Maureen Flynn-Burhoe/Wikimedia/Flickr (CC BY 2.0) A movement is afoot to beautify cities and populated areas by removing substantial amounts of excess cement and planting greenery that is aimed at reducing stormwater runoff and flooding. Water-absorbing “rain gardens” are popping up around the world and are part of the “Soak Up the Rain” effort by the US Environmental Protection Agency . Individuals can make rain gardens on their own properties while communities can create this green infrastructure in their cities and public areas. Historical Fights Against Flooding In the Middle Ages, the Dutch  dealt with the encroaching waters of the North Sea by building dikes , dams, and a canal system to stop, then harness the sea. Since then, countries across the world have been using innovative methods to combat the catastrophic risk of flooding. In Jakarta , Indonesia, for instance, the government plans to build a 20-mile artificial island in Jakarta Bay—in the shape of its national emblem, the eagle-like Garuda bird—to protect its capital city from storm surges. Meanwhile, in the borough of Enfield, London, 80 hectares (about 197 acres) of empty land has been transformed into a natural defense system  against flooding in nearby towns. New woodlands have been planted that contain 50 ponds to absorb rainwater. Excess stormwater and flooding can be a common problem in modern population centers. For instance, in the United States’ Great Plains states, its great swaths of prairie grasses and woodlands would have once absorbed the rush of water from heavy rainstorms. But today, when the clouds open up over a typical Midwestern city, the gushing water has less soft soil to slow down its flow, and it instead races over roofs, parking lots, sidewalks, and roads. Runoff is then funneled towards storm drainage systems into rivers, lakes, and streams, even though this can increase the risk of flooding. The Natural Solution A rain garden retaining rainwater. ©Monolito Nimbus (CC BY-SA 4.0) Rain gardens are a beautiful solution  to mitigate impervious, man-made, urban landscapes. Rain gardens return the land to something approximating its naturally porous state; it can again capture and filter stormwater before it runs off into storm drains, thus reducing the risk of flooding. Moreover, not only are rain gardens beautiful to look at but maintaining them is good for the gardener’s health. Rain gardens are not just a garden. They are designed to collect water in shallow hollows in the yard that have been filled with appropriate vegetation. This practice, also known as bioretention , is designed to mimic the mechanisms of natural systems that reduce water volume and pollution removal. The rain water is encouraged to slowly seep into the ground. By reducing the velocity of the flow, this process reduces the potential for erosion as well as cutting the amount of pollutants pouring from a yard into a storm drain and waterways. Bioretention next to roads in Greendale, Wisconsin. ©Aaron Volkening/Flickr Another benefit of rain gardens is their help in refilling groundwater in aquifers; they capture runoff in the shallow hollows of up to 2 feet deep to avoid soil compaction and then let it soak deeply into the ground. Furthermore, their design helps them act as a pollution and sediment filter by catching almost the first inch of runoff, which contains the highest concentration of pollutants. Thus, rain gardens transform stormwater from a destructive carrier of pollution into a source of sustenance for plant and wildlife habitats—the plants thrive on nitrogen and phosphorus that is picked up by their roots. Thus, rain gardens transform stormwater from a destructive carrier of pollution into a source of sustenance for plant and wildlife habitats—the plants thrive on nitrogen and phosphorus that is picked up by their roots. Although conventional gardens on one’s property are a valuable asset, they are not a rain garden  unless stormwater runoff is directed into the garden. Rain gardens can be difficult to maintain  because it is necessary to have a proper grasp of all planted species throughout all seasons to ensure none are accidentally weeded. There are also additional upfront costs, such as the size of a rain garden being 5 to 10% of area where stormwater comes from. Rain gardens also incur additional costs  if drainage is needed instead of soil as the filtration medium. Sample diagram of a rain garden. ©Melbourne Water (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0) Six Components of a Rain Garden A rain garden typically has six basic components  (see image above)—growing medium, vegetation, rock trench, perforated drain, above-ground storage zone, and overflow—according to Kerr Wood Leidal, a Canadian engineering consulting firm. The growing medium supports plant growth and holds water. Vegetation promotes the regeneration of the infiltration surface and supports evaporation and transpiration. A rock trench holds water and releases it after a rainstorm, while a perforated drain protects plant roots from flooding and maintains adequate oxygen in the space. The storage zone above ground holds rainwater after a heavy downpour until the growing medium is able to accept the water. Finally, the overflow protects any nearby buildings when heavy rainfall or freezing of the ground overwhelms the rain garden by safely steering the water to a nearby location. Growing One’s Own Rain Garden If the deep-rooted plants in the rain garden are native to the region, they will not need special attention once they are established. Rain garden plants  may be trees, shrubs, and perennials depending on their tolerance to wet or dry soils . Plants may include hornbeam, birch, red and black chokeberry, and big bluestem, depending on the growing zone or region. Of course, non-native plants can be used, provided they are also pest-free and not invasive. The best soil type is sandy soil that drains well, but rain gardens can even be built within gardens with less permeable soils, such as clay, as long as they can absorb the stormwater runoff from the house or garage. The best soil type is sandy soil that drains well, but rain gardens can even be built within gardens with less permeable soils, such as clay, as long as they can absorb the stormwater runoff from the house or garage. A rain garden installation in progress in front of a home. ©Tricia J/Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0) Potential rain gardeners can test the infiltration abilities of their soil by digging a hole 8 inches wide by 8 inches deep  and filling it with water. If the water level recedes at 1 inch per hour, then the area is perfect for a rain garden without any extra soil preparation. The size of the garden will be determined by the amount of storm runoff that needs to be absorbed and the permeability of the soil, with a sandy soil rain garden needing less space than a clay soil garden. During a rainstorm , watch the flow of the water to find the best place for the garden, bearing in mind it should be at least 10 feet from building foundations and 25 feet away from septic system drain fields. Call the local services provider beforehand to avoid digging into buried cables and pipes. Although a rain garden might look unkempt compared to an immaculate lawn, they do need a degree of maintenance, including regular weeding . A newly planted rain garden should have a mulch, such as wood chips or compost between the plants, to help prevent weeds and erosion, and reduce watering needs. The mulch needs to replenished as necessary and spread by hand to avoid damaging the plants. The Front Yard Initiative A rain garden as part of the Front Yard Initiative. ©Urban Conservancy The City of New Orleans is working to cope with runoff. After a heavy rainfall, the water in this growing metropolis  on the Mississippi River delta has few places to go, due to the extent of development. To resolve its runoff problem, New Orleans is helping residents get rid of excess garden paving and encouraging the creation of rain gardens. The city has “had a problematic, unhealthy relationship with water,” according to Dana Eness, executive director of Urban Conservancy (UC), a nonprofit organization that fosters environmental and economic resilience in a warm weather climate. Eness said that after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the city started a conversation with water experts from the Netherlands, a country with water management expertise developed after the devastating North Sea Flood of 1953 . The Dutch experts encouraged the city to look for natural solutions to support their infrastructure problem. “They told us what they have learned, which is you can’t engineer your way out of this situation. You have to look at biodiversity, you have to take your lead from Mother Nature by identifying a nature-based solution,” she said. As the city looked for ways to support the green infrastructure, UC started hearing complaints from residents about too much paving in neighbors’ yards, causing water to flood their properties, and so the Front Yard Initiative (FYI) was born. The program encourages people to remove excessive paving and replace it with their own rain gardens. FYI pays residents $2.50 per square foot of paving they lift from their front yard  in an initiative designed to let water seep into the ground and reduce the risk the city faces from further flooding. FYI pays residents $2.50 per square foot of paving they lift from their front yard in an initiative designed to let water seep into the ground and reduce the risk the city faces from further flooding. Pavement in front of a house is replaced by a rain garden. ©Al Duvernay In the last 10 years, UC has provided financial and technical assistance to over 150 homes and lifted more than 93,000 square feet of paving from front yards. This allows, at a conservative estimate, 125,000 gallons of water to be diverted from the city’s pumping system and streets and instead absorbed into the ground after a heavy rainfall. This adds up to 4 million gallons annually. Eness explained: “For the individual on their lot and their neighbors, it can be a major quality of life changer. They can now use their backyard that might have held water for three days and can walk from their car to their house without getting their ankles wet due to rainstorm water. “That is a dramatic and immediate improvement,” she said. Eness added that rain gardens also expand the biodiversity of the area: When heat-reflecting pavement is replaced by lush greenery that cools the environment, it attracts butterflies and bees. The runoff in neighborhoods is improved by even one rain garden in the area; this encourages others to build their own bioretention spaces, creating a virtuous circle. Pavement by a road is replaced with a rain garden with various plants. ©Urban Conservancy While the level of water absorption in rain gardens is small compared to a citywide scale—the city’s pumping system has to deal with 450 million gallons in the first hour of a rainstorm—rain gardens keep significant amounts of water out of the system at an important moment. “What this is doing in a volume scale is dwarfed but in that first critical hour, every drop counts,” Eness explained. *Gordon Cairns is a freelance journalist and teacher of English and Forest Schools based in Scotland.

In recent years, researchers have periodically identified human organs breached by a microplastic (MP) incursion that has spread to every corner of the planet. Microplastics have been found in Antarctica , in babies , and even in human blood  and lungs , so perhaps it was inevitable that researchers would find them in the human brain. ©Wikimedia/Patrick J. Lynch In a study  published by JAMA Network Open in September 2024, a team of scientists, led by Dr. Thais Mauad, an associate professor  of pathology at the University of São Paulo Medical School in Brazil, found microplastics in an anterior area of the brain called the olfactory bulb. This was the first known published study on microplastics in the brain. The olfactory bulb is a part of the brain  that processes information associated with smell. There are two bulbs per person, each located above a nasal cavity. Some researchers “worry the olfactory pathway may also be an entry point  into the brain beyond the olfactory bulb,” NBC News reported . The team analyzed the olfactory bulbs of 15 deceased individuals and found microplastics in eight of them. The most common polymer discovered was polypropylene (43.8%), and the most common identifiable shapes were particles (75%) and fibers (25%). The sizes of the MP particles ranged from 5.5 to 26.4 μm, while the mean fiber length was 21.4 μm.  The study authors said their discovery raises “important questions about … the mechanisms by which MPs might reach brain tissues” as “the presence of microplastics in the human olfactory bulb suggests the olfactory pathway as a potential entry route for microplastics into the brain.” They highlighted a need for further research on the “neurotoxic effects and implications for human health.” Sources : https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2823787?utm_source=For_The_Media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=091624 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10826726/#:~:text=Recently,%20in%20a%20clinical%20study,,%20and%2015%20%25%20were%20resin . https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61739159 https://www.aol.com/microplastics-found-human-brain-151000303.html https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/microplastics-brain-new-research-finds-plastics-olfactory-bulb-rcna171200

Global Temperatures and Greenhouse Gas Concentrations Reached “Record Levels” in 2023   The Copernicus Climate Change Service, the EU’s Earth Observation Programme, recently released its seventh annual European State of the Climate report . It highlighted key climate-related events in Europe, as well as updates on the Arctic and global temperatures in 2023.   Europe is estimated to have suffered €13.4 billion (about $14.9 billion) in 2023 due to climate-related events, such as heatwaves, wildfires, floods, drought, and storms.  Globally, around 220,000 glaciers cover an area of approximately 700,000 square kilometers (about 172.9 million acres), but since 1976 about 8,200 cubic kilometers (about 1,967 cubic miles) of glacier ice has been lost.  In 2023, sea ice coverage in the Arctic reached its lowest in September, at 18% below average and sixth lowest based on a reference period of 1991 to 2020.  Globally, 2023 was the “warmest year on record” with the largest monthly temperature anomaly (deviation from normal) on record in September at 0.93°C (about 1.67°F) above average based on a reference period of 1991 to 2020.   Since 1993, annual average sea level rise has been 3.4 mm (0.13 in) globally and 2 to 4 mm (0.07 to 0.15 in) in Europe.  In 2023, the annual average concentration of carbon dioxide was 419 parts per million and for methane was 1,902 parts per billion, reaching record levels.    Source:   European State of the Climate Report 2023

Russia Ranked as a Top Exporter of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium Fertilizers in 2022   The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations released a new report  highlighting global export and agricultural use of inorganic fertilizers from 2002 to 2022. Fertilizer nutrients include nitrogen, phosphorus (as phosphorus pentoxide, or P2O5), and potassium (as K2O). Although P2O5 and K2O do not exist as compounds  in their respective fertilizers, calculations can be done to determine the actual percentages of phosphorus and potassium.    Russia was a top exporter of all three nutrients in 2022. It ranked first for nitrogen (18% of total), third in phosphorus (16% of total), and second in potassium (23% of total).  Meanwhile, India ranked first for phosphorus exports (24% of total), second for nitrogen (14% of total), and fifth for potassium (6% of total).  In 2022, Canada had the highest export of potassium fertilizers, accounting for 37% of the total. Meanwhile, Morocco had the highest for phosphorus fertilizers, accounting for 21% of the total.  Brazil was a prime importer of all three fertilizers, including about 2.06 million tons of nitrogen fertilizers, 1.13 million tons of phosphorus fertilizers, and 3.34 million tons of potassium fertilizers in 2022.  The US had the highest imports of potassium fertilizers at around 5.64 million tons from Canada in 2022, which was around 43% of Canada’s potassium fertilizer exports.  Overall, Asia had the highest total fertilizer use at close to 180 kg/ha in 2022, followed by the Americas (about 130 kg/ha), Europe (about 80 kg/ha), Oceania (about 60 kg/ha), and finally Africa (about 20 kg/ha).    Sources:   FAO. 2024. Inorganic fertilizers – 2002–2022 . FAOSTAT Analytical Briefs, No. 90. Rome.