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Over 140,000 Wildlife Seizures Recorded from 2015 to 2021 In its third edition of the World Wildlife Crime Report, which covers data from 2015 to 2021, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime provided an overview of government seizures of illicitly trafficked plants and animals and associated criminal activities. A key finding is that over 40% of 1,652 animal species seized are classified as “threatened” or “near threatened.” Of the over 4,000 total plant and animal species recorded in the seizures, 1,652 of them were mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Over 40% of the 1,652 species were classified as “threatened” or “near threatened” according to the IUCN Red List, including birds (206 out of 751), mammals (231 out of 444), reptiles (190 out of 405), and amphibians (23 out of 52). Mammals had the highest percentage of being subjected to intentional harvest (73% of 444), followed by amphibians (62% of 52), reptiles (59% of 405), and birds (31% of 751). Some 83 species out of the 1,255 live species (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians) seized were listed as invasives. The top three animal species affected by illegal wildlife trade based on standardized seizure index are rhinoceros (29%), pangolins (28%), and elephants (15%). For plant species, the top three are cedars and other Sapindales (47%), rosewoods (35%), and agarwood and other Myrtales (13%). Corals and “others” had the highest percentage shares of seizure records, both at 16%. This is followed by crocodilians (9%) and elephants (6%). The shipping origin of most seizure records (56%) was unspecified or unknown. This is followed by Sub-Saharan Africa (19%) and South Asia (9%). Top individual commodities by percentage of seizure records were coral pieces (16%), live specimens (15%), and medicines (10%). Global cocaine seizures have been increasing from 901 tons in 2015 to 2,098 tons in 2021. Methamphetamine seizures in East and Southeast Asia have almost tripled from 64 tons in 2015 to 172 tons in 2021, although it decreased by 1 ton from 2020. Sources: https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/wildlife/2024/Wildlife2024_Final.pdf https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/wildlife.html

Prices for Key Energy Transition Metals Dropped in 2023 Amid Increased Demands Following Supply Growth In its second annual Global Critical Minerals Outlook, released in May, the International Energy Agency reviewed rising demands of critical metals, such as copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements. These demands are fueled in part by the deployment of clean energy strategies to limit global warming to 1.5 °C (2.8 °F) under the Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario) and the APS (Announced Pledges Scenario). A key finding is that demands for critical energy transition metals need to increase by 1.5 to 8.7 times to meet NZE Scenario targets. Demand for key energy transition metals continued to rise in 2023 from 2021, with copper at 25,855 kilotons (kt) from 24,928 kt, lithium at 168 kt from 101 kt, nickel at 3,104 kt from 2,759 kt, cobalt at 215 kt from 181 kt, graphite at 4,632 kt from 3,920 kt, and rare earth metals* at 93 kt from 78 kt. Demand growth expanded in 2023 from the previous year, with lithium at the highest with about 30%. Nickel, cobalt, graphite, and rare earth elements expanded by 8% to 15%. However, dramatic price increases for metals seen in 2021-2022 fell sharply in 2023. This led to a 10% contraction in the market size for energy transition minerals and brought the aggregate market value of these minerals to $325 billion. The slowing growth of electric vehicle battery sales, coupled with China’s expansion of battery plants, added to the pressure. The world’s top metal producers remained the same: Chile has the most copper (5,311 out of 22,508 kt, or 23.5%), Australia has the most lithium (84 out of 194 kt, or 43.2%), Indonesia has the most nickel (1,787 out of 3,451 kt, or 51.7%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo has the most cobalt (157 out of 240 kt, or 65.4%), and China has the most natural graphite (1,320 out of 1,617 kt, or 81.6%) and rare earth metals (47 out of 75 kt, or 62.6%). In the NZE Scenario, demand for key energy transition metals needs to grow by 1.5 to 8.7 times from 2023 to 2040, with certain percentages set aside for clean energy. Copper needs to grow by 1.5 times to nearly 40,000 kt (50%), lithium by 8.7 times to about 1,400 kt (91%), nickel by 2.1 times to about 6,500 kt (56%), cobalt by 2.2 times to about 470 kt (59%), graphite by 3.9 times to about 18,000 kt (63%), and rare earth metals by 1.8 times to about 160 kt (41%). Under the APS in the same time frame, copper needs to reach 36,378 kt (with 16,343 kt or 44.9% for clean energy), lithium needs to reach 1,326 kt (with 1,203 kt or 90.7% for clean energy), nickel needs to reach 6,238 kt (with 3,381 kt or 54.2% for clean energy), cobalt needs to reach 454 kt (with 260 kt or 57.2% for clean energy), graphite needs to reach 16,023 kt (with 9,839 kt or 61.4% for clean energy), and rare earth metals need to reach 169 kt (with 64 kt or 37.8% for clean energy). *In this report, rare earth elements also include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. Source: https://origin.iea.org/reports/global-critical-minerals-outlook-2024

*By Yasmin Prabhudas Seagrass is a somewhat mysterious plant, but it is essential for a healthy marine environment. Seagrass can play an important role in capturing carbon, purifying water, and promoting biodiversity. Although estimated to cover up to 267,000 square kilometers (about 65.9 million acres) across the world, the exact extent is not fully understood, because large areas have not been mapped. What is known is that the plant can be found across 163 countries and territories, and there are 70 species, with the greatest diversity found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Project Seagrass, a charity based in the UK, is on a mission to fill in the knowledge gaps. It carries out scientific research to discover more about this valuable ecosystem while promoting seagrass conservation and restoration efforts around the world. What is Seagrass? Unlike seaweed, seagrasses have long blade-like leaves as well as roots, shoots, and flowers, creating dense underwater meadows in shallow, sheltered coastal areas. They grow on soft sediments like sand and rely on roots and rhizomes to keep them in place, notes the University of Western Australia. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the oldest known seagrass species— which could be up to 200,000 years old—is a “clone” of the Mediterranean Posidonia oceanica. The Thalassia testudinum, found in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, attracts amphipods and marine worms, which feed on its pollen. Further afield in Japan, the tallest seagrass species Zostera caulescens can grow up to 35 feet. Biodiversity and Healthy Fish Stocks Project Seagrass reveals that the plant plays an important role in supporting 20% of the world’s largest commercial fisheries, and communities around the globe depend on the fish found in its meadows. A whole host of marine species thrive in these areas—everything from shellfish and seahorses to sea turtles and manatees. A study undertaken by scientists, including Leanne Cullen-Unsworth, Ben Jones, and Richard Unsworth, who lead Project Seagrass, showed seagrass meadows were increasingly being used as fishing habitat across Cambodia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. Ben Jones said: “Seagrass was the most common habitat used for fishing. Nearly half of all households we talked to preferred fishing in seagrass over other habitats, such as coral, mangroves, open ocean, mud, and rock, for example. This was surprising because most people think of reef fisheries as the key tropical small-scale fishery, but we show that it’s actually engagement in seagrass fisheries that are much more characteristic of households.” “Seagrass was the most common habitat used for fishing. … This was surprising because most people think of reef fisheries as the key tropical small-scale fishery.” The research also found that 3 in 20 people across the region relied solely on seagrass meadows to provide them with their fishing ground. Coastal communities’ livelihoods are secured because of the reliability of fish stocks and invertebrates in seagrass meadows. Meanwhile, in the UK, seagrasses are not only home to numerous species of fish, they also help stabilize sandy beaches, and their roots can reduce coastal erosion. And, overall, the plants filter bacteria, pathogens, and pollutants to improve the quality of seawater. Carbon Storage Seagrass has a carbon capture function too. Its leaves, which are covered in a porous cuticle layer, are ideal for sequestering carbon dioxide. An estimated 27.4 teragrams (over 30.2 million tons) of carbon are absorbed every year, globally amounting to as much as 19.9 billion metric tons (21.9 billion tons). Although lower compared with seaweed, which is thought to retain some 153 teragrams (over 168.6 million tons) annually, seagrass nonetheless stores about 35 times more carbon than rainforests and accounts for approximately 20% of the carbon buried in the sea every year. This means the plant can help alleviate local acidification by an estimated 30%. Although lower compared with seaweed … seagrass nonetheless stores about 35 times more carbon than rainforests and accounts for approximately 20% of the carbon buried in the sea every year. Seagrass At Risk About one-fifth of the world’s seagrass meadows have disappeared over the past 100 years or so. In a review into seagrass ecosystems, Unsworth and Jones claimed: “[…] Bold steps are needed through improved legal instruments to halt damaging factors such as bottom trawling, prevent use of damaging boating activities, and to apportion responsibility for poor water quality that is causing the slow death of seagrass globally.” In the UK, for example, seagrass is now in a state of decline as a result of nutrient pollution from sewage and livestock waste, based on a study by Project Seagrass. Unsworth commented: “The world needs to rethink the management of our coastal environment that includes realistic compensation and mitigation schemes that not only prevent damage, but also drive the restoration, enhancement, and creation of seagrass habitat. We also need a major shift in how we perceive the status of our marine environment by examining historical information, not just recent ecological baselines.” Conservation and Restoration Project Seagrass’s scientific research informs the organization’s global program work—10 projects across 14 countries have been carried out involving more than 1,000 volunteers. Among them are an initiative to assess seagrass meadows and biodiversity in the Myeik Archipelago in Myanmar, a pilot nursery in south Wales to establish whether seagrass can be grown at scale to assist in restoration efforts, an examination of how a change in land use affects the coast in Quintana Roo in Mexico, and community action to help conserve seagrass in southeast Asia. Education, Volunteering, and Citizen Scientists Apart from raising awareness through education programs for school children, toolkits for researchers and student internships, Project Seagrass is keen to see people getting involved in practical restoration work. Mike Furness volunteered to help plant seagrass seeds along the Pembrokeshire coast in Wales as part of a group of some 30 to 40 people over four days. He said: “We were going to help to sow a seagrass meadow, not just a small patch but a whole ‘field.’ The logistics are daunting to think about—everything from feeding and accommodating the team to previously organizing hundreds of school children to fill and tie 20,000 small bags on to 20 km [12.4 miles] of ropes. Not to mention the harvesting and preparation of three-fourths of a million seeds. An astounding effort.” He explained: “The seeds had been harvested in late summer and needed to spend several months rotting out of the harvested grass before being sown. By late February, they were ripe for planting and being kept in their own dedicated fridge. If you’ve ever walked through a geothermal area amidst the steam of fumaroles [volcanic vents], you will know the smell that hits you when that fridge door is opened! It’s pungent. It’s sulfurous. It’s clinging. But, you know what, by the end of the day it virtually disappears. And on the morning of day two, when it hits you again, you begin to realize—that’s the smell of success, bring it on.” Since [SeagrassSpotter’s] launch in 2016, more than 3,500 users across 105 countries have recorded over 7,000 sightings and 45 different species of seagrass. A new version allows people to record data on where seagrass may once have been present. The organization’s website and mobile app SeagrassSpotter, used to record seagrass sightings and absences, encourages people to act as “citizen scientists.” Since its launch in 2016, more than 3,500 users across 105 countries have recorded over 7,000 sightings and 45 different species of seagrass. A new version allows people to record data on where seagrass may once have been present. Cullen-Unsworth, chief executive officer at Project Seagrass, said: “Over the last 10 years, we have successfully raised awareness of the importance of seagrass and the role it plays in tackling the biodiversity and climate crises. Now we must accelerate efforts to protect and restore this vital habitat. Everyone can have a part to play in securing a future for seagrass, and SeagrassSpotter is a great tool to engage and connect people in seagrass science and mapping all over the world.” *Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for non-profit organizations, labor unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

Over 30 Million People Displaced in 2022 Due to Natural Disasters In the eleventh edition of its World Migration Report, the UN’s International Organization on Migration provided an overview of global migrations. The report, focusing on data from 2022, includes global migration trends from various causes, including conflict and violence and disasters. A key finding is that 32.6 million new internal displacements of people in 2022 were from disasters. By the end of 2022, there were 60.9 million new internal displacements, of which 32.6 million (53%) were triggered by disasters. In Africa, the largest number of disaster displacements occurred in Nigeria (about 2.4 million), followed by Somalia (1.2 million), Ethiopia (873,000), and South Sudan (596,000). Pakistan had the largest number of disaster displacements in the world, with more than 8 million, in part due to widespread flooding. The Philippines had the second largest number of disaster displacements of nearly 5.5 million, largely in response to typhoons and tropical storms. China was third, with over 3.6 million. Bangladesh also experienced record-breaking floods in 2022, triggering over 1.5 million displacements. In Europe, France (45,000) and Spain (31,000) had the largest number of displacements, mostly triggered by wildfires. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Brazil had the largest number of displacements of 708,000 due to floods from heavy rains. This was followed by Colombia (281,000) from floods and Cuba (90,000) from Hurricane Ian. In North America, the US had 675,000 movements, almost half of which were due to Hurricane Ian. Canada had 15,000 displacements. In Oceania, Australia had the largest disaster displacements with 17,000 due to floods, followed by Papua New Guinea (9,600). Note: A “significant portion of the global total of displacements by disasters is usually associated with short-term evacuations in a relatively safe and orderly manner.” Sources: https://publications.iom.int/books/world-migration-report-2024

Carbon Taxes and Emissions Trading Systems Cover 24% of Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions Beginning in 2005 in the European Union, governments have been developing ETS (emission trading systems) and carbon taxes to offset greenhouse gas emissions. In the eleventh edition of its annual State and Trends of Carbon Pricing Report, the World Bank provided an overview of global carbon pricing activities. A key finding is that around 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions were covered by carbon taxes and ETS in 2024; this translates into an increase of over 400 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 2023. There are now 75 carbon taxes and ETS globally, reflecting both national and subnational activities. While a combination of carbon tax and ETS is now implemented in Europe, Canada, Mexico, and other parts of the world, many of the 195 countries that signed the Paris Agreement in 2016 have yet to act. Carbon pricing instruments cover around 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions, or around 13 gigatons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This is up from 7% coverage seen a decade ago. Carbon pricing revenues in 2023 exceeded $100 billion for the first time. Over half of this revenue was used to fund climate- and nature-related programs. The recommended 2030 carbon price range ($63–$127 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent) has been met in the Netherlands, Norway, Finland, and Sweden, while Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Uruguay have exceeded this amount. ETS and carbon tax are both implemented in parts of Canada (British Columbia and Manitoba); the EU (including Spain, France, UK, and the Netherlands); and parts of Mexico. Carbon taxes are implemented in the Northwest Territories (Canada); parts of Mexico (including Zacatecas and Durango); South America (including Colombia, Chile, and Argentina); Ukraine; South Africa; and Asia (Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore). ETS is implemented in parts of Canada (including Alberta and Ontario); parts of the EU (including Germany, Italy, and Belgium); Kazakhstan; China; and parts of Oceania (including Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia). In the US, ETS is implemented in Washington and California. The 11 Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative have active carbon pricing instruments as well. Most of Africa does not have ETS or carbon tax, but they are under consideration or development in Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Botswana, and Kenya. Sources: https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/b0d66765-299c-4fb8-921f-61f6bb979087 https://icapcarbonaction.com/en/about-emissions-trading-systems

‘Managed Retreat’ Offers Relief for People in Endangered Homes and Communities *By Mark Smith They say home is where the heart is, but for someone’s heart to be at home they need to feel safe and secure. What happens when that safety and security are upended? What happens when natural disasters like flooding or wildfires wreak havoc? Do people and communities stay and rebuild, or do they face this new reality and move away and start again? This leave-or-stay dilemma is gripping ever-increasing numbers of communities that are faced with elements of the current climate crisis. The concept of the “managed retreat” is gaining traction as factors including flooding and rising sea levels have forced policymakers, engineers, and academics to shift their focus away from holding nature back—through technology such as sea walls—to simply getting out of nature’s way. But the idea of resettlement is not accepted by all, with the word “retreat” itself being too much for some to accept, especially when their roots in their current communities run deep. When 'Safe' Isn't Climate-related events that have detrimental impacts on communities around the world are on the rise. According to USA Facts, which relies on government statistics, over the last 40 years, the number of natural disasters in the US that cost over $1 billion has increased. In the 1980s, the US averaged three billion-dollar disasters a year, compared with an average of 13 such disasters a year in the 2010s. “Not only are natural disasters occurring more frequently, but the average cost and death toll from each is up as well,” USA Facts said. It added that the National Centers for Environmental Information, which has kept track of billion-dollar natural disasters since 1980, cites “climate change as a critical reason for the increase." Globally, natural disasters displace millions of people each year, said Our World in Data, another fact-based resource that collects data and research related to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and is published by Global Change Data Lab. Over the last century, deaths from disasters have “fallen significantly,” thanks to early warning systems, coordinated responses, and other relief efforts, noted Our World in Data authors Hannah Ritchie and Dr. Pablo Rosado. But “the economic costs of extreme events can be severe and hard to recover from. This is particularly true in lower-income countries,” wrote University of Oxford Professor Max Roser, founder of Our World in Data. A ‘New Normal’? Whether it is temperatures peaking at a sweltering 116° F in Sardinia or homes literally falling off English cliffs due to coastal erosion, many climate experts fear the world could be heading toward a worrying “new normal.” In fact, some studies predict damage from flooding may increase 160%–240% globally, and flood deaths may soar 70%–83% by 2100, even under a scenario of a mere 1.5°C (2.7°F) increase in average global temperatures. Another study predicted that in the US by 2100, nearly 500 coastal communities and 4.2 million residents may face flood disruption due to rises in sea levels. With this kind of new reality in mind, experts are increasingly pondering what alternative approaches are available if mitigating against the intensifying magnitude of such extreme events is no longer possible. What Is a Managed Retreat? One view gaining ground is the belief that the only solution for impacted communities is to uproot and start again elsewhere. Known as “managed retreat,” the concept involves transferring people, possessions, and, if necessary, entire buildings to a safe location where a new community can be formed. “Managed retreat” involves transferring people, possessions, and entire buildings, if necessary, to a safe location where a new community can be formed. “It is this idea that there are places that will either be too expensive or too dangerous—or perhaps simply impossible—to maintain or to continue to rebuild in the same way after a disaster,” said Dr. Leah Dundon, director and an expert on managed retreats from Vanderbilt Climate Change Initiative at the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering in Nashville, Tennessee. “So, should we as a society consider moving humans or human structures away from that area permanently?” Resettlements, Then and Now The concept is not a new one, with the town of Niobrara, Nebraska, being the earliest US wholesale flood relocation. In March 1881, an ice dam on the Missouri River flooded up to 100 miles upstream, putting Niobrara under more than 6 feet of water. Residents chose to move their entire town, and in the space of just two months, buildings were removed from their foundations and dragged upslope by horses to a site just under 2.5km (about 1.5 miles) away. By January 1882, most homes and all the town’s commercial buildings were in their new places. More recently, the entire Louisiana town of Isle de Jean Charles was forced to pack up and move. Many of the inhabitants are members of or related to Native American tribes, such as the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw. But since 1955, the island has seen 98% of its land lost to coastal erosion; a major factor are the levees in the Mississippi River that disrupt natural sediment replenishment of the island’s marshes. More recently, the entire Louisiana town of Isle de Jean Charles was forced to pack up and move. In 2016, the community teamed up with the State of Louisiana to enter a competition run by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Known as The National Disaster Resilience Competition, it was the first fund of its kind “to help communities respond to climate change, save public resources, revitalize and modernize infrastructure, and improve access to opportunity for vulnerable populations.” Almost $1 billion was awarded to 13 states and communities. Entrants had to explain why they should receive a $48.3 million grant, with Isle de Jean Charles’s bid proving successful. Work then began to find a suitable new home. In December 2018, a 515-acre patch of rural land in Terrebonne Parish was bought for $11.7 million. A plan was put in place to build 120 homes, commercial and retail buildings, a community center and walking trails. Since August 2022, a total of 34 families have moved to the new community, while others have moved elsewhere in the state but retain the option of joining the community later. Challenges There are significant challenges to managed retreats. The financial cost can be huge, not just in terms of moving people and building new homes, but also compensating for loss of land or property. A 2019 article, “Managed Retreat in the US,” published in One Earth, estimated that $1.4 trillion of real estate is located within 700 feet of the US coast. As sea-level rises are projected to impact between 4 million and 13 million people, if 1 in 10 of these communities needed to be moved to a managed retreat, it would cost an estimated $140 billion, almost 30 times what the Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far spent on managed retreats. It is estimated that $1.4 trillion of real estate is located within 700 feet of the US coast. And uprooting from a home is often not just about money. It is about severing familiar connections, something known as “place attachment,” and it poses a significant challenge. “People become very attached to where they live and don't want to leave,” said Dundon, whose research has previously focused on the concept of managed retreats. She said psychology, rather than just logistics and finance, plays a huge part in making managed retreats viable. “Imagine if you lived in the same house your great-great grandparents lived in that has been passed down through the generations and suddenly you are told to leave, but you will get paid for the house.” The debate previously came to a head in California, where some of its coastline is vulnerable to rising sea levels. The California Coastal Commission told cities to look at retreat as a potential option, but many local governments rejected the idea. The situation in California has also led to legal challenges and political disagreement about the best way forward. Are Attitudes Changing? But according to Dundon, there may come a time where pragmatism—and cost—force more people to accept the idea. “I think many people will become more concerned, or at least familiar, with issues of retreat when they see extremely expensive prices for flood insurance.” Dundon said: “I think many people will become more concerned, or at least familiar, with issues of retreat when they see extremely expensive prices for flood insurance or cannot get a bank to write a mortgage on a house that is in an area of increasing climate risk.” She added that this level of acceptance differs around the world. Her research found that European countries seem to have a more developed process and case studies about successful retreats. “In the US,” she continued, “there are often obligations for local or other governments to maintain certain infrastructure once it is there and once people become dependent on it, so it may not be as easy for a local government to, for example, say they will not repair a road [the] next time it floods.” According to Dundon, the very word “retreat” also had connotations that left many people feeling uneasy when faced with the prospect of having to uproot. "The very phrase ‘managed retreat’ can be problematic. It sounds too defeatist to many, and people want their public officials to ‘do something’, not ‘retreat’,” she added.  But as attitudes and realities change, so too does the need to evolve and adapt at policy level, with new designs and disaster planning evolving to embrace the concept of managed retreats. Dundon said: “There is a lot of interest in sustainability design, resiliency planning and more, right across the globe, and I see a lot in the US. Climate change is something that is not going away. The question is how much worse will we let it get … adaptation to a world with a different climate has become the reality.” *Mark Smith is a journalist and author from the UK. He has written on subjects ranging from business and technology to world affairs, history, and popular culture for the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph, and magazines in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

But What are the Environmental Impacts of Moving ‘Muck’? *By Kate Pugnoli Dredging rivers, channels, and ports is a common, global practice today that serves many purposes. Its importance to commerce, navigation, waterways maintenance, and preserving and protecting marine life is leading to a booming industry. The international market size for dredging is estimated to reach $18 billion by the end of 2024 and reach $25 billion in 2034, according to Fact.MR, a global market research group. But especially for those who reside near dredging sites, it can be an eye-opener to dig more deeply into why dredging is done, how it is regulated, and to find ways to mitigate its environmental impacts. Dredging is the process of removing accumulated material (sediments, debris, etc.) from water bodies, often to accommodate the passing of boats and ships. It is needed to maintain or increase the depth of navigation channels and harbors to guarantee that ships will not damage themselves or the water bottom. Thus, dredging depth tends to increase with ship size (such as with cruise and cargo ships). Dredging Process The dredging process generally involves three steps: excavation, transport, and utilization or disposal. Excavation involves dislodging material through the use of a dredger (such as mechanical or hydraulic, each with their own advantages and limitations) from the bottom of a water body. Solid particles (sand, silt, clay, and shells) mostly comprise the excavated material, but potential contaminants including heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic, etc.), toxic substances (benzene, pesticides, etc.), and organic matter can be found, depending on the site. Solid particles (sand, silt, clay, and shells) mostly comprise the excavated material, but potential contaminants including heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic, etc.), toxic substances (benzene, pesticides, etc.), and organic matter can be found, depending on the site. The excavated material is then transported, depending on the dredging method, to a utilization, disposal, or intermediate treatment site. Disposal sites include confined aquatic disposal (CAD), open water disposal, nearshore or upland confined disposal facility (CDF), and solid waste landfills. Dredged materials can be dumped into landfills even if contaminated as long as they are not hazardous waste. The dredged material transported to confined disposal facilities has various potential uses (“beneficial uses”), such as for Superfund site remediation, construction material for roads, and habitat restoration. Otherwise, dredged material is commonly dumped in the ocean but with certain criteria such those recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency, including site location, interference with marine operations, and monitoring. In the US, dredging is typically managed through the Dredging Quality Management Program by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Ports and Land Restoration Cargo ships and passenger liners depend on dredging—ports are made accessible for the sake of both local and international economies and the safe passage of large ships. Throughout the US, over 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels are dredged and maintained. Dredging keeps smaller harbors clear for recreational use and is also useful for flood prevention by reducing sea levels. Occasionally dredging is necessary to lay pipes or construct pilings. Throughout the US, over 400 ports and 25,000 miles of navigation channels are dredged and maintained. In situations such as the recent Francis Key Scott Bridge collapse in Baltimore, Maryland, dredging becomes critical. The port in Baltimore is the gateway for a vast amount of imported goods, and commerce was impacted. Dredging needed to commence almost immediately to free the cargo ship; two other channels were dredged to allow marine transport to continue. Already 2,900 tons of debris have been dredged from the channel. In 2015, the Army Corps of Engineers restored Mordecai Island in New Jersey. Erosive wave action had undermined this wildlife habitat to the point that approximately 50% of its area was essentially eroded, separating the island into two parts. Using dredged materials from the New Jersey Coastal Waterway, the separation between the two parts was filled in, and intertidal vegetation was planted on the deposited sediment to help secure the two lobes of the island and provide habitat for shorebirds. However, maintenance is crucial—the island may ultimately split into two lobes again if there is no additional sediment and stabilization by planting. Environmental Dredging Environmental dredging is conducted to protect fish, people, and wildlife by containing the spread of contaminants to a widespread body of water. Contaminated sediments typically comprise undisturbed residuals (due to incomplete removal from initial dredging) and generated residuals (from dredging operations). Particularly in areas near cities or industrial activities, there is likely to be run off discharging a variety of pollutants. For any environmental dredging project, the four “Rs”—resuspension (of sediments), release (of contaminants), residuals, and risk (assessment)—should be carefully considered, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. Dredging can manage cyanobacterial blooms and resultant eutrophication by removing the topmost organic and nutrient-rich sediment. Eutrophication can increase the amount of plant and algae growth in estuaries and coastal waters through elevated levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration estimates that approximately 65% of estuaries and coastal areas of the United States are already affected. Hydro-Raking and Bio-Dredging In areas where the water depth is not too deep (such as ponds, lakes, or shallow rivers), a mechanical hydro-rake can be used to remove organic matter and sediment. A hydro-rake is either a floating pontoon or barge fitted with a backhoe and rake attachments. It uses high pressure water jets to remove aquatic vegetation and can be used in water up to a depth of about 10 feet. Hydro-rakes can remove vegetation (emergent species, floating leaf species, and submersed species) while creating less sedimentation and environmental impact. However, it must be done with care otherwise it can damage underwater structures or habitats. Biological dredging, or bio-dredging, can be done to reduce algae blooms and pollutants through the use of beneficial bacteria and organisms. The beneficial organisms can reduce excess nutrients and potentially reduce heavy metals accumulated in the sediment. However, this method is costly, time-consuming, can disrupt existing aquatic ecosystems, and introduces additional contamination. Potential Drawbacks Even with careful management and consideration, dredging faces various environmental challenges, such as sediment disruption, habitat destruction (such as seagrass), water quality degradation, noise pollution (disrupting marine life), invasive species spread, chemical contamination, erosion and shoreline impact, and destruction of underwater cultural and heritage sites. [D]redging faces various environmental challenges, such as sediment disruption, habitat destruction, water quality degradation, noise pollution, invasive species spread, chemical contamination, erosion and shoreline impact, and destruction of underwater cultural and heritage sites. In rivers, excessive dredging and desilting can increase flood risk to downstream communities. It can also undermine fish habitats, cause sediment resuspension, and can sometimes churn up old industrial pollutants like heavy metals that have settled to the water bottom, adding to contamination levels. Dredging is also used for sand mining. The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that 50 billion tons of sand is used globally per year with 4 billion and 8 billion tons of marine sand extracted every year. Sand is essential for making the concrete that goes into construction and roads. Ocean floor dredging can destroy sensitive marine ecosystems. Often this dredging is unregulated and occurs in areas intended to be marine sanctuaries. In September 2023, the Marine Sand Watch was created by UNEP to monitor ocean floor dredging by employing short-range radio signals to chart the movement of larger boats, accounting for 60% of all dredging vessels worldwide. Algorithms and AI are used to analyze the motions of these boats and determine if dredging activity has occurred. Concerns from Dredging Projects Several environmental groups filed a lawsuit in August 2022 (ultimately rejected by a federal judge in 2023) to prevent a dredging project in Puerto Rico’s biggest port on the grounds that it would be damaging to marine life—including corals, manatees, and sea turtles—if the $62 million dollar project to dredge the Port of San Juan went forward. The removal of nearly 3 million cubic yards of the marine floor will deepen the channel of San Juan Bay for large tankers to serve a natural gas terminal on Puerto Rico’s northern coast. While many see the expansion of the harbor as an investment in Puerto Rico’s future, others—including environmentalists—are asking, “At what cost?” The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, which operated from 2015 to 2020, included an environmental assessment, including impacts on fish, plankton, and migratory bird species. As a result, the harbor project included a fish passage for the adversely impacted shortnose sturgeon, an endangered species. Meanwhile, there can be controversy over how dredging and dredging materials are handled, as in the case of a CAD project in the Patapsco River in Maryland. Becoming involved with local dredging projects can go a long way in ensuring that thorough assessments of dredging sites are conducted to determine possible negative environmental impacts. *Kate Pugnoli is an Arizona-based freelance journalist and former educator who works with nonprofit organizations. Her area of interest is in addressing environmental issues impacting marine biodiversity and conservation.

By Yasmin Prabhudas* Peatlands are unique ecosystems formed of plant material that has partially decomposed, forming peat when soil becomes saturated with water. Also known as bogs, mire, moors and marshlands, and even featuring in some tropical forests and swamps, peatlands store up to a third of the world’s soil carbon. This is double the amount captured in the whole of the earth’s forest biomass, as they absorb the carbon dioxide that plants use during photosynthesis. The Global Peatlands Initiative, led by the UN Environment Programme, aims to save peatlands to prevent carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere. Its Global Peatlands Assessment outlines how some 50% to 60% of peatlands consist of carbon, more per hectare on average than all other ecosystems. They are the largest carbon stock in the biosphere, globally storing between 450,000 million and 650,000 million tons. A Global Feature Peatlands are estimated to cover about 500 million hectares (1.2 billion acres) in at least 177 out of 193 countries, where conditions, such as the climate, substrate (surface on which organisms grow) and hydrology (how water moves in relation to the land) keep the soil permanently wet. Some 33% of peatlands are in Asia, with 32% in North America, 13% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 12% in Europe, 8% in Africa, and 2% spread between Oceania and Sub-Antarctic Islands. The Katingan Project in Indonesia, for example, protects 149,800 hectares (about 370,000 acres) of peatland in central Kalimantan, home to one of the largest remaining peat swamp forests in the country. Human activity destroys 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) annually, and global estimates show that a total volume of about 2 billion tons of CO2 are emitted every year through degraded peatlands, excluding fires. Human activity destroys 500,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) annually, and global estimates show that a total volume of about 2 billion tons of CO2 are emitted every year through degraded peatlands, excluding fires. Biodiversity Given their varied wetland systems, peatlands are home to species such as orangutans in Southeast Asia, bonobos and gorillas in Central Africa, and the aquatic warbler in Europe. They also support other species during migrations. Among the members of the Global Peatland Initiative is the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Emma Hinchliffe, director of the IUCN UK Peatland Programme, offers a UK perspective: “Peatlands are the UK’s largest semi-natural habitat.[…] We have three broad different types of peatland—we’ve got blanket bog, we’ve got lowland raised bog, and we have fens as well.” Species that are attracted to peatlands are those that depend on their waterlogged nature. “We’ve got this really beautiful diversity of algae that lives within the peatlands, within the film of water that exists around plants,” explains Hinchliffe. “And then you’ve got this whole host of microscopic animals that feed on the algae, [..] all the different species of sphagnum moss. […]. It’s that kind of microscopic landscape that they form and all the roughness and complexity and texture that they create over the surface that gives us, for example, some of our water quality. Roughness helps us slow the flow of water over the surface to help delay flood peaks.” UK peatlands are also teeming with insects, wading birds, reptiles, and mammals. Agriculture The biggest risk to peatlands is drainage. Hinchliffe claims that in post-war UK, “there was this agricultural incentive to improve the land. And part of that improvement was really through large-scale drainage incentives.” The biggest risk to peatlands is drainage. “Once those tunnels are open within the peat, water moves through them, and they keep eroding and that, in itself, leads to habitat loss because a lot of the species are dependent on a wetland environment.” “The drainage doesn’t really tend to repair itself. Once those tunnels are open within the peat, water moves through them, and they keep eroding and that, in itself, leads to habitat loss because a lot of the species are dependent on a wetland environment.” Drainage also puts at risk peatland’s carbon stores. Overgrazing and burning are two other cross-boundary problems related to the use of peatland for agriculture. And peat is widely extracted and added to compost for horticulture. Atmospheric pollution Temperate and boreal peatlands (found in northern regions) and blanket bogs are particularly sensitive to the atmospheric deposition of nutrients from agriculture, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, often deposited through rainfall, which can change the vegetation. Afforestation In the UK, conifer plantations have been planted on expanses of blanket bog. Not only is the land drained, which risks the release of the stored carbon, but there are also implications for biodiversity. Hinchliffe claims: “A lot of the scientific evidence is starting to point towards the benefits of removing forestry and restoring peatlands in terms of carbon balance. “Trees and peatlands are two of our biggest natural climate heroes […] and you shouldn’t really be compromising one for the other by putting trees on peat.” Restoration But it’s not all bad news—peatland restoration is gaining momentum. The IUCN UK Peatland Programme, a networking and partnership-building organization comprised of practitioners and land managers, is among those leading efforts. It carried out an assessment of peatlands through the Commission of Inquiry on Peatlands back in 2011. And the development of a UK strategy has for the first time set a target of restoring 2 million hectares (4.9 million acres) by 2040. The main restoration technique involves rewetting the land. “Once you rework the area and that water level stops coming back up in the drainage ditches, everything else starts to respond and repair.” Techniques The main restoration technique involves rewetting the land. Hinchliffe states: “Once you rework the area and that water level stops coming back up in the drainage ditches, everything else starts to respond and repair.” Others involve changing the vegetation, by, for example, planting sphagnum moss. Restoration Projects Black Hill, central England Over the last 150 years, Black Hill has faced atmospheric pollution from nearby industrial towns and cities. Wildfires created expanses of bare black peat. But through a partnership program involving a range of stakeholders, such as the Environment Agency, Natural England and the National Trust, 50 million sphagnum fragments were spread to promote peat building. Langlands Moss Local Nature Reserve, Scotland Work at Langlands Moss Local Nature Reserve had initially focused on protecting and conserving 20 hectares (49 acres) of raised bog, but, in 2018, a feasibility survey found an estimated 298,199.6 cubic meters (about 10.5 million cubic feet) of peat underneath an adjacent forest. As a result, the boundary of the nature reserve was extended, doubling its size. Over 21 hectares (51 acres) of conifer trees were felled, and 21 dams and five “bunds” (low level banks of peat, which slow the loss of water and promote the growth of sphagnum) installed. The project will restore all the peatland to improve the hydrology and expand the natural lagg zone (fen vegetation). Cors Fochno, Wales Cors Fochno is the largest actively growing raised bog in the lowlands of the UK. It has peat up to 26 feet deep but has in the past been drained and subject to peat cutting. The restoration, carried out in partnership with the local community, landowners and contractors, has been ongoing since September 2020 as part of the New LIFE for Welsh Raised Bogs project. It involves removing invasive species and scrub and introducing light grazing, as well as restoring water levels through peat bunds, so wildlife and rare plants can thrive, carbon can be stored, and water purified. More than 8 miles of peat bunds have been created. How People Can Help There are several ways of helping—from raising awareness of this little-known ecosystem to avoiding products containing peat such as certain composts for the garden, or produce grown unsustainably on peat soils, such as dairy goods from the Netherlands. Volunteering is also an option: “There are a lot of communities out there […] where there’s the opportunity to go and volunteer and physically help,” says Hinchliffe. *Yasmin Prabhudas is a freelance journalist working mainly for non-profit organizations, labor unions, the education sector, and government agencies.

*By Rick Laezman Reducing carbon emissions from transportation has become one of the primary fronts in the battle against greenhouse gas emissions. The effort involves much more than just transitioning to electric vehicles. Transportation is a vast sector of commerce that includes many industries, such as air travel, railroads, and vehicle fleets. All of them are undergoing changes to incorporate cleaner fuels and reduce carbon emissions. The decarbonization effort has even reached the high seas, with many factors driving changes in cargo shipping. Adoption of new fuels is accelerating to reduce emissions and steer the industry onto a “greener” course. Currents of Change According to the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, the transportation sector is one of the world's biggest contributors of greenhouse emissions, at 15% of the total. That is second only to electricity and heat, which account for 31%. Within the transportation sector, international shipping accounts for 2% to 3% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, and it is facing pressure on numerous fronts to reduce its output of greenhouse gases. In addition to popular pressure and regulations from individual countries, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN agency that is responsible for the shipping industry, has adopted new strategies and standards that are regulating the industry. Using 2008 emissions as a baseline, the [International Maritime Organization’s] new regulations call for a reduction of at least 20%, but striving for 30%, by the year 2030. Using 2008 emissions as a baseline, the new regulations call for a reduction of at least 20%, but striving for 30%, by the year 2030. Similarly, the regulations call for a reduction of at least 70%, but striving for 80%, by the year 2040. Green Fuels and the Shipping Industry Each industry within the travel sector, including cars, trains, and airplanes, must navigate a different path to become green. Each of these paths is defined by the unique characteristics and limitations of the industries themselves. In the shipping industry, several factors including the size of the vessels, the power needed to propel them, and the paths they travel, make a transition to electric-powered ships impractical. According to a white paper from the market research firm, DNV, the primary challenge facing the maritime industry is its inability to easily electrify propulsion. In deep-sea shipping, “batteries alone are not an adequate substitute for combustible energy sources.” In other words, there aren’t going to be fleets of electrified shipping vessels any time soon. To cut carbon emissions, a more practical option for the industry will be transitioning to alternative fuels. DNV projects the shipping industry to meet the IMO’s target through a combination of measures. It will require a shift to low- and zero-carbon fuels. These include liquified natural gas (LNG), liquified petroleum gas (LPG), methanol, hydrogen, ammonia, and biofuel. LNG, liquified natural gas, consisting mainly of methane and some ethane, is considered a less polluting alternative to fossil fuels, and is gaining acceptance. At the top of the list, LNG, consisting mainly of methane and some ethane, is considered a less polluting alternative to fossil fuels, and is gaining acceptance. Trailing behind but gaining traction, methane and ammonia are even less polluting alternatives, but they face their own challenges related to availability and safety. New Builds Going Green Transitioning to cleaner burning fuels will require a major change in the industry because most ships are not equipped to run on alternative fuels. The World Resources Institute (WRI) notes that most commercial shipping vessels currently run on heavy fuel oil. It is well-suited to the industry because the fuel is inexpensive and its high energy density sustains ships for long distances across the ocean, but it raises concern of sulfur oxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. 50% of new ships ordered in 2023 included alternative fuel capacity, compared with only 7% of ships currently operating in the industry. To decarbonize, the industry appears to be embracing the challenge of transitioning away from this polluting fuel. The number of orders for new ships to be built with alternative fuel burning technology is rising. DNV notes in its white paper that 50% of new ships ordered in 2023 included alternative fuel capacity, compared with only 7% of ships currently operating in the industry. The types of vessels that are being built reveal which fuels are emerging as the most promising to help the industry’s transition to zero emissions. For example, in January of this year, the global shipping giant, Maersk, announced it had built “the world's first large methanol-enabled container vessel.” The “Ane Maersk,” named after Ane Mærsk Mc-Kinney Uggla, a prominent member of the Maersk family, is the first in a series of 18 large methanol-enabled vessels that the company will deliver between 2024 and 2025. Methanol is not the only option. Last year, Finnish maritime technology developer Wartsila announced  commercial production of its Wartsila 25 Ammonia, that the company describes as the world's “first 4-stroke ammonia powered engine.” While methanol and ammonia are still in the early stages of adoption, LNG remains the leading alternative to fossil fuels in the shipping industry. According to the maritime services company, Lloyd’s  Register, new orders in 2023 are projected to increase the fleet of LNG-fueled ships by 90% to 1,938 vessels. The Undertow of Alternative Fuels If shipping companies appear to be embracing a future with alternative fuels, it remains to be seen which of these fuels will emerge as the best choice. Each has its own benefits and limitations. At this stage, LNG appears to have the strongest competitive advantage. According to DNV, about 90% of ships in the current global fleet powered by alternative fuels are powered by LNG. Its share of new ships on order is slightly less, meaning that other fuels are gaining ground, but it still represents an overwhelmingly dominant share of the total, at about 78%. The disadvantages for LNG are methane leakages during production, transportation, and storage, because the gas has an even greater warming effect than carbon dioxide (CO2). The disadvantages for LNG are methane leakages during production, transportation, and storage, because the gas has an even greater warming effect than carbon dioxide (CO2). The WRI notes that when accounting for leakages from LNG burning engines, this can cancel out, and in some cases even exceed, the carbon reductions achieved by LNG that make it an attractive alternative in the first place. Methanol faces a different set of challenges. According to Lloyd's Register, the biggest challenge facing the widespread adoption of this fuel in the shipping industry is the lack of sufficient storage space. Because it has a lower energy density than other fuels, it requires more fuel to generate the same amount of power. This necessitates larger space to store enough fuel to supply shipping vessels on their long journeys. Additionally, some methods of generating methanol, such as those using natural gas, are not considered green because they also can leak methane, a harmful heat-trapping gas. Other green methods do exist. For example, methanol can be generated through a process that combines electricity from renewable power, electrolysis of water to create hydrogen, and a catalytic reaction with captured carbon dioxide. However, these greener methods are expensive and have not been developed to a scale that can fully power the shipping industry. Ammonia may emerge as the leading fuel source for the shipping industry. It produces no carbon emissions from combustion. Finally, ammonia may emerge as the leading fuel source for the shipping industry. It produces no carbon emissions from combustion. When renewable energy is used to create the necessary elements for ammonia, hydrogen and nitrogen, the entire cycle is completely green, or carbon-free. As is the case with all other fuels, there is a drawback. Ammonia's main disadvantage is its high toxicity. The chemical is dangerous to humans and to marine life, and spills, leaks, and exposure can be hazardous. For it to become a practical alternative fuel for shipping, the industry will need to develop the proper technology and protocols to address these safety concerns. NOx emissions from combustion are also a concern. Sailing into Headwinds Another challenge facing the use of clean fuel alternatives is the adaptability of the world's existing fleet of ships. According to DNV, “only a small part of the existing fleet is currently able to run on alternative fuels.” Most ships are not equipped to burn alternative fuels, so they will have to be retrofitted or replaced by newly built ships with the proper technology. This will require major investments. The good news, DNV reports, is that “a rapidly increasing proportion of new ships are being ordered with alternative fuels.” As noted above, most of these are for LNG, but DNV says many shipowners are “keeping their options open” by ordering vessels ready to be retrofitted to alternative fuels, such as "methanol ready" or "ammonia ready." Many considerations go into the design of new ships or the retrofit of existing ships to burn on alternative fuels. These considerations span the entire supply chain, beginning with the sourcing and production of the fuel; its transport; ground-based fuel storage in bunkers; storage in tanks on board the vessels; the type of engine that can run on a particular fuel; plus, emissions, leaks, spills, and other safety factors. The shipping industry does have even more options. For example, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an evolving technology that captures the CO2 emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels and stores it for other uses. CCS is being developed for various land-based applications and can be used on board maritime vessels. CCS will enable shipping to continue using fossil fuels while reducing its carbon emissions. It is being applied as a temporary “transitional technology” to help shipping reduce its carbon footprint while the industry makes the transition to long-term solutions involving alternative fuels. However, like alternative fuels, CCS is a developing technology that involves a significant expense, it also competes for usable space on maritime vessels; an area dedicated to a CCS installation is an area that can’t be used for the cargo that generates revenue for the ship's operator. The Slow Turning Gears of Decarbonization International shipping is doing its part to reduce carbon emissions. The process is long, slow, and expensive. Ship owners are responding to expectations that they decarbonize by retrofitting existing ships and ordering new builds that can run on alternative fuels. Many promising alternatives could help power the industry into a zero-carbon future. However, none of these is ready to transform the industry by itself or in the near term. For now, change will come incrementally and through a mixed bag of solutions working together to help shipping transition away from carbon-emitting fossil fuels. *Rick Laezman is a freelance writer in Los Angeles, California, US. He has a passion for energy efficiency and innovation. He has covered renewable power and other related subjects for over ten years.

Alki’s Oak and Clay Lines Bolster Basque Region Ecosystem and Economy By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe* Alki, a prospering furniture company in France’s hilly Basque Country, has found a way to bolster the region’s economy, communities, and ecosystems—by using local renewable stock to design and build furniture that can last for generations. A cooperative of local artisans who believe that sustainable development is the only way forward, Alki crafts its lines from certified renewable local hardwoods known for durability, and stability. Their furniture has a distinctive, contemporary look, showcasing a unity of purpose and design—and of functional and natural beauty. Concerned about increased atmospheric carbon, Alki’s primary resource is both natural and renewable. “Oak, Alki’s main material of choice, embodies our commitment to integrated sustainable development,” Eki Solorzano, Alki’s communications and press official, told The Earth & I. “We are able to trace the tree from the moment it is selected from reserved forests, with the focus being on sources certified for their sustainable management.” Most of the company’s oak comes from French forests. Alki ensures that the wood is Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified (Europe) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified (US). “We are able to trace the tree from the moment it is selected from reserved forests, with the focus being on sources certified for their sustainable management,” Solorzano said. Alki works with European species of oak, a relatively plentiful, versatile wood that is hard, though fairly easy to work with. Oak also finishes beautifully for natural looks and is quite resistant to humidity and shrinkage, making it an ideal choice for luxury furniture or lasting goods. These include Alki’s Patrick Jouin-designed chairs at the National Library of France (Bibliothèque Nationale de France). The longer a piece of furniture lasts, the fewer trees are cut down to replace it. Rejecting Planned Obsolescence With both environment and user in mind, the furniture creator readily discards the age-old business strategy of “planned obsolescence,” whereby a manufacturer builds a product with its end in mind. In other words, products are sometimes made to become obsolete, unfashionable, or unusable in a relatively short period of time. The furniture creator readily discards the age-old business strategy of “planned obsolescence.” Alki’s mission, from its inception, was the opposite. Drawing on Talented Designers Typically collaborating with some of the most talented regional designers, Alki partners with those aligned with its values of renewable local sourcing and enduring products. “Each designer is carefully selected for each project because each one is different, just as each designer has their ideas, experiences, and background,” Solorzano said. Alki’s artistic director is French industrial designer Jean Louis Iratzoki. The brand also collaborates with designers and studios such as Ander Lizaso, Form Us With Love, Patrick Jouin, Samuel Accoceberry, and Patrick Norguet. Sticking to its values for sourcing and design has paid off. In 2023, Alki took its designs to the prestigious Milan Furniture Fair. Consistent Values from the Beginning Inspired by working with metal in the Mondragon, the largest group of cooperatives in Basque Country, Alki’s five founders were friends committed to living, working, and building a viable business in the region’s western Pyrenees mountains. Launched in 1981, Alki’s initial aim was to stem the flight of local youth and support the Pays Basque, a cross border region of France and Spain that was mired at the time in economic, social, and political crises. The group began by asking themselves which professions required the most human labor. “Working with metal required too much investment in machinery per workstation,” Eki Solorzano, Alki’s communications and press official, told The Earth & I. The founders settled on furniture, as manufacturing wooden furniture required less investment per workstation. Alki opened its first workshop more than 30 years ago in Itxassou, a small village in the heart of French Basque Country. Alki’s cooperative roots have since attracted ideological and financial support, ensuring that its impact continues beyond economics. Pursuing Sustainable Development To start, Alki managers prioritized the local region. All of Alki’s products are manufactured in its workshop in the heart of the French Basque Country, while 80% of its suppliers are based within a radius of less than 100 km (62 miles). “For many years, we have fostered alliances and joint efforts with local partners, whether they work with metal, clay, or upholstery,” Solorzano told The Earth & I. “The spirit of collaboration enables Alki to promote and preserve local expertise and techniques while strengthening our roots within our region,” she added. “Our ambition was, and still is, to craft a cultural and commercial project that would be a veritable catalyst for our environment, enabling it to flourish by encouraging cooperation between people and enterprises in order to offer our customers the very best,” said Solorzano. “With this [aim] in mind, Alki works alongside individuals, supporting initiatives and projects that bring added value and strive for the future of our region.” Quest for Innovation Although oak is ubiquitous in Alki’s products, the furniture makers use a variety of raw materials in their collections. “Our constant quest for innovation spurs us to explore new avenues and possibilities,” said Solorzano. This commitment led Alki to debut a chair line in 2015 called Kuskoa Bi, with seating crafted from a state-of-the-art, 80% plant-based material alternative to fossil-based plastics. The furniture maker’s Lur Collection features natural clay planters and a matching bistro table with a terracotta base, a collaboration with Basque pottery maker, Poterie Goicoechea. In one of its latest creations, Alki has integrated recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a recycled and recyclable plastic. “All these materials invariably come from local or European sources,” Solorzano said. Expanding Operations In September 2024, Alki will open its new zero-energy workshop in the heart of the Basque region. “The space has been designed so that it does not need heating or air conditioning, as it takes maximum advantage of natural light and fully operates with 100% renewable energy,” shared Solorzano. Planning for the workshop’s design and construction enabled Alki to review and optimize its manufacturing processes, a step that will result in an 80% reduction in volatile organic compounds emissions. In addition, all wood waste generated in production will be used to manufacture by-products. Looking ahead, Alki will continue to ensure that its extensive experience working with solid wood goes hand-in-hand with complementary trades, such as upholstery and wrought ironwork, to create timeless pieces, one heirloom at a time. *Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe is a freelance journalist and editor. Over the past decade, Natasha has reported for a host of publications, exploring the wider world and industries from environmental, scientific, business, legal, and sociological perspectives. Natasha has also been interviewed as an insight provider for research institutes and conferences. Sources: Interview with Eki Solorzano, Communication and Press at Alki https://Alki.fr/en/pages/notre-histoire https://Alki.fr/en/pages/perennite https://Alki.fr/en/pages/rse https://Alki.fr/en/pages/savoir-faire

By Gordon Cairns* Survival specialists talk about the rule of threes: People can survive three minutes without oxygen, three days without water, and three weeks without food. Oxygen is generally plentiful and most missing people will hopefully be rescued before 21 days, which allows them to focus on finding water—something human beings are remarkably resourceful at doing. Just ask Angela Hernandez and Harry Burleigh. In July 2018, the 23-year-old woman’s Jeep swerved off California’s Highway 1 and plummeted 200 feet to land on the Big Sur shore. Incredibly, she survived seven long days, using only a small hose to catch water dripping from moss on the rocks, before being rescued. As she lay sheltered below the cliff face looking out at the Pacific Ocean, she had time to consider the irony of the Earth being known as “The Blue Planet” for the amount of water it holds—water that she was unable to drink. While it’s true this aquamarine world has seven-tenths of its surface covered by water, only 3% of that is fresh, and only a tiny amount of that fresh water, 0.06%, is easy to access. New research is showing that it’s not only the waters of the oceans and seas that are not safe to drink. The purity of fresh water is also being degraded. Man-Made Impurities in Water A leading expert in water quality improvement, Dr. Satinder Ahuja, president of Ahuja Consulting, warns that human activity has reduced the amount of non-polluted water, making it more difficult to simply drink the water in its natural state. “Our civilization has managed to pollute our surface water, and even groundwater; this necessitates purification of water for drinking,” he writes in his Handbook of Water Purity and Quality (Second Edition), 2021. Even rainwater isn’t pure. “Rain is usually contaminated with various pollutants that we now put into the atmosphere,” Dr. Ahuja writes. According to Dr. Ahuja, over 700 different chemicals have been found in United States tap drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency classifies 129 of these chemicals as being particularly dangerous and has set standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water, including inorganic arsenic. Moreover, sanitized tap water is still not pristine. It may be “reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants” although not enough to pose a health risk, Dr. Ahuja writes. However, according to Dr. Ahuja, over 700 different chemicals have been found in United States tap drinking water. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies 129 of these chemicals as being particularly dangerous and has set standards for approximately 90 contaminants in drinking water. This includes inorganic arsenic, a known human carcinogen causally associated with cancers of the skin, bladder, and lungs. Nature Also Contributes Impurities In addition to man-made water pollution, nature also plays a large part in the quality of water. The vegetation it flows through, the rocks it runs over, the dust and salt that blows into it, the storms which add to it, and the droughts that evaporate it all impact water quality and give it a certain chemical signature. Water reacts to the organic materials it flows through, such as leaves and roots, soil bacteria, and algae, and, when the balance in this material shifts, the ecosystem and water quality changes. Aquatic plants produce oxygen and consume carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and phosphorous through photosynthesis, while decaying plant materials almost do the opposite, consuming oxygen and producing carbon dioxide, changing the physical and chemical composition of the water. Natural water can contain dissolved salts and minerals, which are necessary components of good quality water and help maintain healthy organisms that rely on this ecosystem. There is a great variation in the number of dissolved materials that water carries—from 200,000 parts per million (ppm) in saline aquifers to as little as 50 ppm of total dissolved solids in spring water. Under EPA recommendations, drinking water should contain up to 500 ppm of total dissolved solids. Natural water can also contain a variety of contaminants arising from erosion, soil leaching, and weathering processes. There is a great variation in the number of dissolved materials that water carries—from 200,000 parts per million (ppm) in saline aquifers to as little as 50 ppm of total dissolved solids in spring water. Another contamination problem is caused by fluoride. Many rocks and minerals in the Earth's crust contain this substance; it can be leached out by natural weathering and rainwater. In some regions, natural geology or soils contain concentrations of phosphorus and low concentrations of arsenic that endanger human and ecosystem health. Pathogens in the water, including bacteria, viruses, and parasites, remain a life-threatening problem. Should any of these be ingested, there is a risk of succumbing to a fatal disease, such as cholera, typhoid, or schistosomiasis, not to mention dysentery and other diarrheal diseases. “Each year there are about 250 million cases of water-related diseases,” with roughly 5 million to 10 million deaths, Dr. Ahuja writes. The specific number of people affected by waterborne diseases varies from year to year due to such factors as prevalence of environmental pathogens, public health infrastructure, and sanitation facilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) regularly provides estimates and updates on the global impact of various waterborne diseases, such as in their 2019 report. Cleaning Public Water With so many possible causes for making water undrinkable, public water treatment plants need to process water thoroughly through many stages to make it safe for the public. Most of the globe has sanitation services; however, in 2022, 2 billion people still lacked access to “safely managed” domestic drinking water, or water that is “clean, uncontaminated, and accessible at home,” according to the World Health Organization and UNICEF. [See Earth & I data brief of October 2022.] The five-stage water treatment process begins with coagulation, where chemicals with a positive charge are added to the water to neutralize the negative charge of dirt and other dissolved particles. This is followed by flocculation, where the water is mixed to form larger particles, and sedimentation, which separates the larger particles out of the water. The next step is filtration, where the clear water passes through different sized filters, and then the final step, disinfection. The treatment differs depending on the quality of the source water. Survival Techniques in the Wild If one has traveled off-grid—either accidentally or deliberately—without water, the best solution is to find a natural source of drinking water, according to The Survival University, based in Cripple Creek, Colorado [see map]. Look for lusher green vegetation, insects, or animal tracks, or listen for the sound of water to help locate this crucial resource. It is best to search on lower ground like Harry Burleigh. The veteran outdoorsman, minus his usual supplies, went on an impromptu fishing trip in the Southern Oregon wilderness in 2021. Lost and injured, and stricken with malnutrition, hypothermia, and dehydration, he survived 17 days by drinking creek water. If clear water can’t be found but there’s mud, this means groundwater should be available. Dig a hole about a foot deep and in diameter, and wait for it to fill with water. This might not look the most appetizing, but the water will be drinkable in an emergency, especially if it can be strained through some cloth. The Survival University cautions: “It's crucial to remember that any time you drink found water without purifying it, you're taking a risk.” “It's crucial to remember that any time you drink found water without purifying it, you're taking a risk.” Additional bushcraft skills have been adapted from people in Australia to be used in all sorts of environments. Rainwater is a lifesaving source and can be collected ideally in some sort of container and also a waterproof sheeting or jacket—even a cloth can collect enough moisture to slake a dehydrated person’s thirst. If the morning has heavy dew, this form of water can also be collected and may provide enough for a drink. Many types of vegetation can give water too. Depending on the location; fruits, coconuts, cacti, vines, palm trees, and bamboo can all be utilized for hydration. If lost near a visible source of water, then it is possible to make drinking water safer by boiling it with some sort of container and a way of making a fire—one should first try to filter out the larger particles in the water by passing it through a cloth. Given sufficient time, the UV radiation and heat from sunlight can kill bacteria, protozoa, and viruses in water stored in the right type of container (such as clear or blue PET bottles or clear glass bottles). Therefore, keeping the water in the sun can reduce the number of pathogens in the water if it is impossible to start a fire. Using one or two purification tablets, such as sodium hypochlorite, in the water can also help make the water drinkable, as will using a portable water purifier or filter. *Gordon Cairns is a freelance journalist and teacher of English and Forest Schools based in Scotland.

Breakthrough Research Suggests Diet Can Improve Mental Health Outcomes By Alina Bradford* For anyone grappling with mental health challenges, particularly depression, there is a beacon of hope, and it just might be on the dinner plate. Dr. Christopher Palmer’s latest read, Brain Energy, connects how food choices influence brain health and, consequently, mental states. He is not alone in this thought; a harmonious choir of scientific voices is singing a similar tune about the bond between diet and mental well-being. So, what are Dr. Palmer and others saying about this connection? Essentially, nutrients consumed—or lack thereof—can directly affect brain metabolism and, in turn, mood, energy levels, and overall mental health. The Link Between Brain Energy and Mental Health Palmer’s book, Brain Energy, can be boiled down into one overall concept. The body’s mitochondria and how well they function can affect a person’s health in almost every possible way. Throw off the function of these human cell powerhouses, and health can be negatively affected. When brain cells are affected, this can cause mental health issues. What was the most surprising thing Palmer found when researching? “That all of the risk factors for mental illness relate directly to metabolism and mitochondria. As a scientist and clinician, that was shocking,” Palmer told The Earth & I. Many different factors can throw off mitochondria, but the easiest to control—and one of the most researched—is what humans put in their bodies. The Research Behind Diet and Mental Health The turning point in Palmer’s research came when he decided to treat a patient with schizoaffective disorder using a ketogenic diet. Within months, the patient’s chronic auditory hallucinations and delusions began to subside, and eventually, by Palmer’s estimates, the patient went into 90% to 95% remission. This led Palmer to a theory that mental disorders are metabolic disorders. The success of the ketogenic diet may not be surprising to anyone who has lived with epilepsy. The diet has been a treatment for the disease for over 100 years, and many studies over the past decades have found that the diet is a useful treatment. Scientists are looking into how gut health, vitamin deficiencies, fasting, and more can positively or negatively affect a person’s mental health. Since epilepsy is a disease linked to the mind, it is not a large jump to suspect that diet may be able to treat mental illness, as well. Palmer is not the only one with this suspicion. Many other scientists are looking into how gut health, vitamin deficiencies, fasting, and more can positively or negatively affect a person’s mental health. For example, a study in 2023 found that there may be a link between low riboflavin levels and poor mental health. Many studies have also found there may be a link between poor diet and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), though more research is needed to determine what diet may improve SAD symptoms. Dozens of studies have also found a link between the Mediterranean Diet and good mental health. Additional Factors That Can Influence Mental Health While diet can play a large role in mental health, it is not the only factor. Palmer points out in his book that many things can positively or negatively affect mental health, such as genetics, medications, drugs, alcohol, hormones, pollution, inflammation, sleep, physical activity, and stress. All of these can affect mitochondria function, which directly affects brain function. Diets That Can Help Boost Mental Health All of this research is great, but what can someone do to improve their mental health today? “The first thing I tell people is that there isn't a one-size-fits-all solution for all people,” says Palmer, who is the founder and director of the Metabolic and Mental Health Program and director of the Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education, both at McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts. “Different people do well with different diets and different lifestyle choices, so it's important to understand the science, as I outline in Brain Energy, all of the treatment options, and then figure out what works best for you,” says Palmer. “If I tell everyone to eat more broccoli, I can guarantee you that that advice won't be all that helpful for most people. It's a little more nuanced than that.” “If I tell everyone to eat more broccoli, I can guarantee you that that advice won't be all that helpful for most people. It's a little more nuanced than that.” For anyone looking to fix their diet to aid their mental health, here are a few things that studies have found to be potentially helpful: Give the keto diet a shot. This diet focuses on foods high in fat and low in carbohydrates (sugars). This diet breaks down fats and produces ketones that energize cells. Try the Mediterranean Diet. This diet is centered on eating fruit and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, fish, white meats, and olive oil. “These foods bring a repertoire of nutrients with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties, and several of these work together to support brain integrity and chemistry,” said Lina Begdache, a dietitian, nutritionist, and assistant professor of Health and Wellness Studies at Binghamton University in New York. “Research has also shown that the Mediterranean Diet supports resiliency, which protects from mental health decline,” she told The Earth & I. Try to avoid processed foods, meat from animals injected with growth hormones, and other toxins that can be found in foods. “These factors affect brain health at different levels,” said Begdache. “Some of them work by inhibiting the production of certain brain chemicals, such as serotonin, which regulates mood. Others promote inflammation by reducing the ability of the blood-brain barrier to control the entry of toxins into the brain. Another concern is that pesticides or their metabolites may later affect the functions of gene (expression) which eventually lead to several neurological diseases.” Increase fiber intake, as this has been found to help with depression and anxiety. Consume more polyphenols if struggling with depression. Some foods that contain polyphenols include legumes, citrus, grapes, tea, coffee, nuts, soy, and spices. It turns out that diet can play a pivotal role in managing and possibly alleviating symptoms of depression. This idea is not just food for thought; it is becoming a substantial theory backed by growing evidence that suggests healthier eating patterns could lead to healthier mental states. Imagine if tweaking what is on the plate could brighten a person’s mood and offer a new avenue for managing depression. This concept opens a new realm of possibilities for those seeking solace from the grips of this disorder. It is a reminder that sometimes, hope can come from the simplest changes, like switching up the menu. Exploring and understanding this link goes well beyond the topic of food; it is a potential lifeline for millions. So, here's to nourishing both body and mind, one meal at a time. *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.