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Deicing Wreaks Havoc on Ecosystems and Infrastructure   By Dhanada K. Mishra* A highway snow plow spreading rock salt on a wintry road. Milan Krasula/iStock Road salt has long been treated as an unavoidable cost of winter safety, but the tax it quietly imposes on ecosystems and infrastructure is far larger than its price per ton suggests. Each winter, millions of tons of sodium chloride are spread across roads, parking lots, and sidewalks in cold-climate regions in places like the US, Canada, and Northern Europe. When broader economic costs, such as environmental and infrastructure damages, are added in, North American estimates alone see that the hidden costs of deicing are in the hundreds of billions of dollars per year. As governments confront aging bridges, growing maintenance backlogs, and rising environmental scrutiny, the question today is no longer whether to use salt, but how to manage it more intelligently.   From Roadways into Rivers When salt is spread on pavement, it does not simply vanish with the melting snow. Water containing dissolved chloride runs off into storm drains, ditches, and culverts, where it flows into streams, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. It also infiltrates  soils to recharge groundwater. Because chloride is highly mobile and does not break down chemically, it tends to accumulate over successive winters—particularly in enclosed or slow-flushing water bodies—while some of it seeps into soil and concrete .   Monitoring in North America and Europe has documented rising chloride concentrations in many urban and suburban lakes, with some sites exceeding thresholds set to protect aquatic life. Research summarized by Uppsala University  shows that when salinity in freshwater increases even moderately, the freshwater chemistry is altered. Organisms adapted to low-salt environments can become stressed, beginning with plankton at the base of food webs. As chloride levels rise, sensitive species decline, community composition shifts, and the resilience of these ecosystems to other stressors—such as atmospheric warming and nutrient pollution—erodes.   “Chronic salinization” can change how lakes stratify, trap dense salty water near the bottom, and reduce oxygen available to fish and bottom‑dwelling organisms. In many northern cities, winter salt has shifted from a seasonal nuisance to a year‑round contaminant. Monitoring  in the Great Lakes Basin and in New England shows that chloride levels in some urban lakes and streams now remain elevated through summer, never fully returning to baseline between winters. This “ chronic salinization ” can change how lakes stratify, trap dense salty water near the bottom, and reduce oxygen available to fish and bottom‑dwelling organisms. The impacts are not confined to water. Along roadsides, sodium can displace calcium and magnesium on soil particles, degrading soil structure , reducing permeability, and increasing compaction. This makes it harder for plants to absorb water and nutrients, contributing to dieback of non‑tolerant species and enabling a narrower suite of salt-tolerant plants to dominate. Urban street trees, already stressed by heat and limited rooting volume, show higher mortality where deicing salt is heavily applied.   Wildlife And Human Behavior Birds and other wildlife are caught in this expanding plume of salinity. Grit used by birds to aid digestion, roadside vegetation, and meltwater puddles can all carry enough salt to cause dehydration and physiological stress when ingested, particularly during harsh winters when other food and water sources are scarce. Reporting from the National Audubon Society  has drawn attention to patterns of increased wildlife mortality linked to heavy road salt use.   Yet, a significant portion of total salt use occurs off the main road network. Data from US state and local studies indicate that roughly 50% of deicing material in some regions is applied to parking lots and private or municipal walkways rather than highways. Property managers and contractors operating under liability concerns and without clear guidance often apply far more salt  than is needed to achieve safe conditions. This overuse creates a powerful leverage point: Better training, standards, and incentives for those managing parking areas and sidewalks could cut salt use substantially without affecting driver safety.   Climate variability is amplifying these trends. Warmer winters in many temperate regions are bringing  more frequent freeze–thaw cycles  and more mixed‑precipitation events: slush, freezing rain, and wet snow that refreeze overnight. Those conditions are particularly prone to heavy salting because roads switch repeatedly between wet and icy. At the same time, extreme cold events still occur, encouraging some operators to “play it safe” by oversalting even when temperatures are too low for sodium chloride to work effectively . The result is a kind of feedback loop: Climate change drives more variable winter conditions, which encourages heavier salt use, which further stresses freshwater ecosystems already coping with warming, nutrient loading, and invasive species. Concrete Corrosion: The Hidden Infrastructure Cost If chloride contamination of lakes and soils is the visible environmental footprint of road salt, corrosion of steel , reinforced concrete , and asphalt is its hidden structural footprint. Deicing salt accelerates multiple deterioration mechanisms in concrete roads, bridges, and parking structures that were designed, in many cases, for service lives of 50 years or more.   Deicing salt accelerates multiple deterioration mechanisms in concrete roads, bridges, and parking structures. The first mechanism is physical. Salt lowers the freezing point of water, which helps melt ice but also increases the number of freeze–thaw cycles that concrete and asphalt experience in a typical winter. Water in the pores freezes, expands, and thaws again, gradually widening microcracks, scaling the surface of concrete and fissuring asphalt. Degraded concrete and rusted, exposed reinforcement bar (rebar) on the Welland River Bridge in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. Achim Hering/Wikipedia The second mechanism is chemical. Chloride ions from dissolved salt migrate into the concrete cover and, over time, reach the embedded steel reinforcement, initiating corrosion . Rust occupies more volume than the original metal, creating internal expansive pressure that cracks and spalls the surrounding concrete.  Visible symptoms follow a rough timeline . Take a snowy, northern-state bridge deck, for instance. Over 15 to 25 years, extensive cracking, delamination, and exposed reinforcement may compromise the deck’s structural capacity  if maintenance has been deferred.   Something similar happens with asphalt. Chloride ions combine with the binding material that “glues” together the asphalt and gravel, causing them to disaggregate over time. In Nordic countries, analyses of “ maintenance debt ” have shown multibillion‑euro backlogs for roads and bridges, with winter maintenance practices, including salt use, recognized as an important contributing factor.   A landmark assessment  of corrosion in US infrastructure estimated total annual costs on the order of hundreds of billions of dollars, with highway bridges alone accounting for more than $8 billion per year in direct corrosion-related expenses. Even so, the economic drain from corrosion is, in many ways, another facet of the same problem that afflicts freshwater ecosystems: Societies are treating salt as though it were degradable, when in reality it lingers in both water and concrete for decades. Why Cheap Salt Is Not Really Cheap Rock salt is inexpensive to purchase and easy to spread, which has helped cement its role as the default winter maintenance tool. But when infrastructure and environmental damage are included, the picture changes. Regional studies , including work from Canadian provinces , suggest that each ton of salt can impose more than $1,000 in downstream costs through accelerated infrastructure deterioration and water treatment needs. In other words, the apparent savings from using more salt today can be wiped out many times over by the repair bills arriving years later.   A video from the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. titled “Is it time to ditch the road salt?” Alternative deicers  complicate the calculus further. Calcium chloride is more effective at lower temperatures and may allow reduced application rates, but it is still a chloride source and carries its own corrosion risks, though sometimes lower than sodium chloride under comparable conditions. Calcium magnesium acetate, by contrast, is essentially noncorrosive and biodegradable, but can cost several times as much per ton as rock salt, limiting its use to sensitive structures and sites. The apparent savings from using more salt today can be wiped out many times over by the repair bills arriving years later. Organic additives, such as beet juice blends, have shown promise in reducing total salt requirements while maintaining performance; yet, this approach remains in comparatively early stages of deployment.  Over a 20‑year life cycle, higher upfront spending on less corrosive agents or on technologies like brine pretreatment can be offset by longer concrete life and lower repair needs. (Pretreating with brine, which is salt already dissolved in water, prevents snow and ice from bonding with the road surface and reduces the need for additional salt.) Policy Levers: Using Price and Practice to Cut Salt Use Recognizing this misalignment, some jurisdictions have begun exploring policy instruments that link deicing choices more closely to their full costs. One such instrument is a “salt tax” or environmental charge on deicing chemicals, designed to build infrastructure and ecological damages into the price signal. Economic analyses suggest that modest price increases can reduce consumption by encouraging more efficient application, investment in brine systems, and selective use of alternatives on the most vulnerable structures.   Nordic countries  provide instructive examples of how pricing tools can complement, but not replace, robust practice standards. Norway and Sweden have focused primarily on regulatory strategies: They distinguish “bare road” priority corridors, where salt is essential, from lower‑traffic routes, where mechanical plowing and abrasives (such as sand) are favored. They are also setting new guidance on application rates, which often permit roughly half or less of historical norms on many roads. Evaluations of these programs indicate that substantial reductions in total salt use—on the order of 30%–40% in some cases—can be achieved without increasing accident rates on main roads. Denmark’s experiments with economic incentives and brine pretreatment  highlight the importance of setting the charge high enough to drive change and of aligning contractor incentives with public goals. Toward Smarter Winter Maintenance The challenge for policymakers is to balance legitimate expectations of winter mobility and safety with the equally real need to protect ecosystems and preserve critical infrastructure. Evidence from both North America and northern Europe suggests that this balance is achievable through a combination of measures, such as targeted use of salt on high‑priority corridors, greater use of brine instead of rock salt, improved mechanical snow removal, better education and contracting practices in parking areas and sidewalks, selective deployment of less corrosive alternatives, and pricing or tax instruments that reflect long‑term costs.   Framed this way, road salt is not simply an infrastructure‑finance and governance issue but a freshwater-conservation issue. As maintenance debts grow and climate variability adds stress to the  natural and built environment, continuing to treat salt as a cheap, degradable commodity is increasingly untenable. By making more deliberate choices now—about where salt is truly needed, how much is applied, and which products are favored—societies can maintain winter safety while slowing the silent degradation of both ecosystems and the built environment people depend on.   *Dhanada K Mishra is a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and is currently working as the managing director of a Hong Kong-based AI startup for building technology for the sustainability of built infrastructure ( www.raspect.ai ). He writes on environmental issues, sustainability, the climate crisis, and built infrastructure.

Landmark Book Reached People through Everyone’s Natural Love of Birdsong By Rick Laezman* Rachel Carson was inspired to write Silent Spring after a friend in Massachusetts wrote to her about unusual die-offs of birds following DDT spraying. Ornitolog82/iStock Rachel Carson’s 1962 blockbuster book Silent Spring  broke the logjam of environmental complacency in America and around the world over the freewheeling use of pesticides. The marine biologist, formerly with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), cut through the chemical firms’ carelessness and the public’s obliviousness with a uniquely scientific yet deep-hearted and lyrical style that swayed both the minds and emotions of people. It stirred an emotional and a political earthquake and challenged what had become a cavalier attitude toward nature among the business and political classes. It also led to a paradigm shift in the public mindset and directly helped set the stage for the modern environmental movement. Carson’s pro-nature advocacy and call for human care for the environment is still reverberating six decades later. The author, who died in 1964, sought to promote a philosophy about humankind’s relationship with the natural environment. "Man’s attitude toward nature is today critically important simply because we have now acquired a fateful power to alter and destroy nature," she remarked in an interview  with Eric Sevareid on CBS News in April 1963. "But man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself. … We are challenged as mankind has never been challenged before to prove our maturity and our mastery, not of nature, but of ourselves." The Writing of Silent Spring Carson started publishing short stories in magazines when she was only 11 years old. In so doing, she honed her talent for writing creatively, deftly finessing poetic language. Later, upon training as a marine biologist and working for the FWS, she became conversant with scientific methods and made keen observations about the natural world. By skillfully combining her two skill sets, she incorporated this unique approach into three nonfiction books that she published prior to Silent Spring . Writing poetically about her subject matter, [Carson] spoke to human emotion while making empirical, science-based arguments. In those earlier books, Carson described the intricacies and beauty of the sea and emphasized humanity’s connection to nature. Writing poetically about her subject matter, she spoke to human emotion while making empirical, science-based arguments. Her hybrid writing style contributed to the popularity of her books, and it worked especially well in her fourth and most radical book, Silent Spring . This book gripped the public mind to pay attention to a serious environmental issue: the adverse effects of indiscriminate application of synthetic chemical pesticides, particularly DDT, the most widely used at the time. A Ford tri-motor airplane spraying DDT in 1955 in the Powder River area of Oregon as part of the Western spruce budworm control project. Some 30 million acres  of US forest was sprayed with DDT before 1972. R. B. Pope/US Forest Service/Wikipedia ‘Miracle’ DDT When Carson published her book, DDT had long been embraced as a kind of miracle chemical. The acronym is short for dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, a chemical compound  first synthesized in the late 1800s by an Austrian doctoral candidate, Othmar Zeidler. Initially, the compound garnered little attention. But in 1938, its incredible insecticidal potency was discovered by Swiss chemist Paul Müller and later commercialized. During World War II, DDT was widely used with great effect, especially by the United States, to eradicate insects like mosquitoes and lice, which transmitted such diseases as malaria and typhus in locations where troops were stationed. The demand for DDT increased after the war. Application of the pesticide expanded to farms and households across the country, and little thought was given to the effects it might be having on other animals, plants, and microorganisms besides the targeted pest insects. DDT was considered such a beneficial compound that it earned Müller the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine  in 1948. While its popularity expanded globally, the negative effects of DDT  were observed from the very early years of its application. Testing in 1944 by the National Institutes of Health and at the Food and Drug Administration found that DDT could cause tremors, liver damage, and death in lab animals. Some states banned, restricted, or issued warnings against it. Some journalists began reporting on its deleterious effects almost as soon as it became a popular item with the American public. Nature writer and future Pulitzer Prize winner Edwin Way Teale  sounded the alarm on DDT in 1945. His essay , “DDT: The Insect-Killer that can be Either Boon or Menace,” was published  in the science journal Nature . In it, he reminded readers that insects have a role in the balance of nature, and if that balance were upset, the consequences could be catastrophic. Rachel Carson in her official photo as an employee of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. US Fish and Wildlife Service/Wikipedia Teale  was a colleague and mentor to Rachel Carson. After publishing three successful books, Carson had retired from the FWS and devoted herself to writing full time. Like Teale, Carson had been concerned about the negative effects of DDT from the early years of its use. In 1945, she proposed an article to The Reader’s Digest  about DDT’s deleterious effects on nature. Her proposal, however, was rejected. A decade later, Carson’s niece died. She adopted the niece’s son and moved to Silver Spring, Maryland, to care for her own aging mother. While living there, she received a letter that set her on the path to writing Silent Spring . In 1958, a friend named Olga Huckins, who lived in Massachusetts, wrote to Carson about large die-offs of birds on Cape Cod after DDT spraying. The letter inspired the author to revisit the issue. Initially, Carson wanted another friend, children’s book author and The New Yorker  contributing editor E. B. White, to write an article about it . Instead, he encouraged Carson to tackle the subject herself. The Blockbuster In 1962, The New Yorker  published a series of Carson’s articles on the subject. The articles were published in book form later that year, and Silent Spring became an instant bestseller. It sold more than 100,000 copies  in the first three months, and more than a million copies in two years—and this when the US population was only about half what it is today. DDT was identified as a culprit in the decline of the bald eagle population, as it thinned the raptors’ eggshells. Murray Foubister/Wikipedia Carson opens the book with a pastoral description of a fictitious American town, one that lay "in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields.” However, this bucolic scene quickly succumbs to an ominous force—“Some evil spell had settled on the community: mysterious maladies swept the flocks of chickens; the cattle sickened and died. Everywhere was a shadow of death.” The opening juxtaposition was powerful. Linda Lear, author of Rachel Carson: Witness for Nature ,  notes that  Carson’s evocative writing style helped change prevailing ideas about the use of synthetic pesticides like DDT. “Readers, including housewives who used a lot of these chemicals, were shocked with what they learned.” [The chemical companies] called her a hysterical woman, a communist, a radical, a spinster, and “a fanatic defender of the cult of the balance of nature.” The questioning of DDT and the harm it caused elicited a backlash. Chemical companies fought back . They tried to prevent the book from being published. They questioned Carson’s scientific integrity and attacked her personally. They called her a hysterical woman, a communist, a radical, a spinster, and “a fanatic defender of the cult of the balance of nature.” Robert H. White-Stevens,  a chemist and spokesperson for the chemicals industry, famously remarked , “If man were to follow the teachings of Miss Carson, we would return to the Dark Ages, and the insects and diseases and vermin would once again inherit the earth.” DDT had a detrimental effect on honeybees and butterflies. Pixabay Carson was undaunted. She had prepared meticulously for the book, and her expertise as a scientist ensured its credibility. She had compiled copious notes and references to other experts who had read and approved of her manuscript. She was ready to defend her work, and she would soon have several opportunities. A Nation Responds The impact of  Silent Spring reached the highest levels of government. After reading The New Yorker  excerpts in August 1962, President John F. Kennedy  asked the Life Sciences Panel of the President’s Science Advisory Committee (PSAC) to examine the claims made in the book. The PSAC published its report  in May 1963. The report concurred with the findings of the book and said,  “ Until the publication of Silent Spring  by Rachel Carson, people were generally unaware of the toxicity of pesticides.” It concluded: “The government should present this information to the public in a way that will make it aware of the dangers while recognizing the value of pesticides.” Much of the impact of Silent Spring can be measured by the public response that followed. On April 3, 1963, a CBS News report (noted above) explored both sides of the debate. The networks estimated that between 10 million and 15 million viewers had tuned in to the broadcast. Federal lawmakers soon stepped into the conversation. Carson testified  before the US Senate Committee on Government Operations on June 4, 1963. Two days later, she testified before the US Senate Commerce Committee in a hearing to consider legislation to regulate the spraying of pesticides. More definitive action soon followed. In 1963, the US Congress passed the Clean Air Act , and in 1972, it passed the Clean Water Act . Yet, perhaps the most impactful action came when President Richard Nixon sent to Congress a plan to consolidate responsibilities for environmental issues into a single federal agency. With an emphasis on addressing pollution and maintaining the health of the environment, the agency’s responsibilities included research, monitoring, establishing quantitative baselines for measurement, setting consistent air and water quality standards for industries, and supporting states in their own efforts. The House and Senate approved the president’s proposal, and in December 1970, the Environmental Protection Agency  was created. Environmentalism Launched In the preceding decades, society had celebrated the triumphs of science and technology over nature. DDT, in particular, had been hailed as a miraculous chemical that had the potential to rid the world of noxious pests and the diseases they carried, had saved American troops, and had become a household item used by millions. Carson’s book questioned this mindset. It did not deny the benefits of technology or chemical pesticides, but it encouraged society to reconsider widespread use without more information about their effects. It encouraged people to see themselves as participants within nature and responsible stewards of the environment rather than dwelling apart from it and lording over it. This paradigm shift had profound effects. It helped address one of the most pressing ecological issues of the time, and it reframed the way society viewed itself within the natural world. That philosophical change fueled many of the events within the history of environmentalism that followed, such as the first Earth Day in 1970, and it continues to guide environmental policies through the present day . *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 10 years.

Demand Is Strong for Rooftop Photovoltaic Panels By David Dodge* About 7% of US homes now have rooftop solar systems. Such systems can be seen in the right foreground and sprinkled elsewhere around this neighborhood. Kindel Media/Pexels In 2025, more than 1 million residential solar systems were installed in the United States, which means the country is now looking at an estimated 5.7 million solar systems. In 2022, these systems were already generating a whopping 61,281 GWh of electricity. Rooftop solar is quietly transforming how people get electricity, and SolarTech, a solar company based in El Cajon, California, was curious to learn why people were switching to solar. To find out, they conducted a survey of 2,000 American homeowners. “The results are actually pretty eye-opening,” says Nick Hofer, SolarTech’s chief strategy officer. “Seventy percent of the homeowners we surveyed either already have solar installed on their homes or are actively looking to install solar.” Moreover, out of that 70%, 18% already have solar—which indicates the likelihood of a strong surge for rooftop solar in coming years. In the early days (not so long ago), there was more of an environmental motive behind the early adopters’ passion for solar, with energy costs and independence from the grid being secondary concerns. “That's flipped,” says Hofer. “Now people are looking for energy independence.” Energy independence has two sides. One is that fully 51% of those surveyed said they are interested in solar power because of increasing utility costs. Another 21% of respondents said they are seeking freedom from possible grid fluctuations. Out of about 81 million US homes, only 5.7 million have solar panels on them, which suggests the market is still quite young. Photo courtesy of SolarTech Defying Utility Dependence If there is one consistent theme over time, it’s North Americans’ and Europeans’ high levels of disdain for utility companies and ever-growing utility bills. This is fueling the very practical desire to cut energy expenses. According to the SolarTech report, “Two-thirds of homeowners (66%) agree that owning solar feels like ‘taking control back’ from utilities, reflecting how energy autonomy has become part of the modern homeowner mindset.” But environmental issues as a motivator have not disappeared; the survey found that 15% say the reason they want to go solar is to help the environment. Fully 78% also expressed concerns about grid reliability. The concerns are not unfounded. Between 2017 and 2019, California experienced more than 50,000 blackouts, impacting “the equivalent of 51 million customers,” according to a report by Bloom Energy Corp. and PowerOutage.us. While California has worked in recent years to eliminate blackouts, the California Energy Commission predicted in 2024 that, when needed, utilities will implement “rolling blackouts.” SolarTech's survey of 2,000 US homeowners’ top reasons for going solar. Courtesy of SolarTech Myths Are Slipping Away Education is making inroads in the adoption of solar, with 49% of the SolarTech survey respondents saying they “are confident or very confident that solar will fully pay for itself over time.” Still, 47% say clearer information about savings would motivate them to go solar. Hofer says that “61% of the people we surveyed are expecting 10% electrical savings on a month.” Fifty-five percent of respondents believe solar increases their property value at least 6%, while 21% estimate an increase of 10% in value. Most of this is not shocking news to solar companies like SolarTech, but it does provide empirical data to back up their intuitions about where consumers are at when it comes to solar. Thus, Hofer doesn’t expect big changes to his company’s marketing strategies as a result of the data. Solar begets solar. Heather MacKenzie (her home is the one in the middle row, sixth from the top) was a first adopter of rooftop solar in her Edmonton, Alberta, neighborhood. Today, many neighbors have followed her lead. Photo courtesy of David Dodge, GreenEnergyFutures.ca Solar Neighbors as Influencers Hofer also confirms that neighbors can be influential in solar decisions. “I'm looking out my window right now [in San Diego, California], and I look over a valley of roofs, and I can see probably two homes that have solar,” he says. “Now, if I were to look at my [own residential] street, I would say there are probably two homes that don't have solar.” This is apparent in Canada, too. In the Edmonton, Alberta, neighborhood of Blatchford, the largest planned carbon-neutral community in North America, Heather MacKenzie said, “We came in here as the first with solar, but that didn't last long.” The next thing she knew, three of the attached homes in her four-home building had solar, and now there is solar on many other surrounding buildings. There's no more credible salesperson than a neighbor with their utility bill in hand, Hofer says. “Word of mouth is incredibly strong.” Favorable Financing Is Key SolarTech’s survey identifies one more very important factor as well: upfront cost. In the survey, 47% of respondents say that better financing is the key to expanding small solar. And many experts agree that while solar makes sense and people like solar, there are still significant upfront costs. Many people need to upgrade their roofs to prepare them to handle the hardware, in addition to underwriting the solar panel installations. Property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing programs, which provide up to 100% of the funding required in long-term loans and which are levied against the property and not the owner, have increased the uptake of solar. Studies have found that good PACE programs can modestly increase rooftop solar adoption, though one study in California found a 108% boost. Since the savings start in Year 1, this overcomes one of the biggest barriers to adopting solar. The beauty of such financing programs costs the public nothing; the finance companies are simply helping people and businesses make investments with their own money that make economic sense. In 2024, 54% of people in the US who installed solar on their homes secured a loan or paid cash, while 46% entered into a lease or Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) arrangement. The federal solar tax credit for homeowners was shut down in 2025, leaving only the Clean Electricity Tax Credit of 30% available to businesses, but just for two more years. This means only so-called third-party–owned systems (leased or PPA systems) qualify. But the leasing companies are also now facing increasing restrictions on foreign-sourced materials, which could erase any benefits of the tax credit. Martyna Kowalczyk of the Solartime YouTube Channel advises caution when entering into lease or PPA agreements in 2026. She has produced a video, “STOP Before You Lease Solar in 2026! Home Solar Lease 2026 Explained,” to examine the issue. Solar can still save a homeowner money, but research is always needed before signing on the dotted line. Where Is Rooftop Solar Growing? In some jurisdictions, solar power, combined with high levels of energy efficiency, is producing net-zero homes that can cost nothing in terms of utilities. Small-scale solar is growing all over the US, but California is the runaway leader, with 21,668 GW of small-scale solar installed. Arizona, New York, Massachusetts, Texas, and Florida are also strongholds of solar usage. Residential solar installations grew at 30% per year from 2020 to 2023, when 1.18 million systems were installed. Installations then sagged to 800,000 in 2024, due to changing policies and high interest rates, and then began rebounding in 2025, topping out at 1 million installations. Projections see 18% growth in 2026. Perhaps surprisingly, residential solar systems may be small at 5–10 or more kilowatts, but together they make up almost 15% of total US solar capacity. At utility scale, solar met an astonishing 61% of electricity demand growth in 2025, making it the number one new source of electricity by far. Residential solar grew 30% each year between 2020 to 2023, slowed down in 2024, and is already rebounding. Graphic courtesy of David Dodge Battery storage is also growing, according to Energy Storage News, which means more homes are able to use their solar-generated energy into the night. Batteries are believed to be the next big step in the energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. Growth in solar power is spreading around the world. China leads rooftop solar, having installed 120 gigawatts in 2024, and Australia leads the world in per capita rooftop solar installation. Germany has more than 5 million rooftop solar systems, while the Netherlands leads in per capita rooftop solar in Europe. Rooftop solar is also growing fast in emerging markets in Pakistan, Brazil, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe. In India, deployment is rapid, and the nation has a goal of 10 million rooftops. All told, while solar has high upfront costs if a homeowner is buying solar panels, there are virtually no fuel costs over the life of the system. This—plus energy security—make solar very attractive for individuals, businesses, and countries now deeply concerned over the changing world order and uncertain energy prices. *David Dodge is an environmental journalist, photojournalist, and the host and producer of GreenEnergyFutures.ca, a series of micro-documentaries on clean energy, transportation, and buildings. He’s worked for newspapers and published magazines and produced more than 400 award-winning EcoFile radio programs on sustainability for CKUA Radio.

Mexico’s Plantations Suck Up Groundwater, Invite Deforestation and Pest Invasions    By Becky Hoag* Large avocado plantations in Peru . iStock  Avocados have become a staple in many US and global households over the past 30 years. It’s on toast, in sushi, and warming up in a pan as oil. The Mexican fruit has seen a rapid increase in demand, mainly from North American countries, because it’s considered a delicious and nutrient-dense food source.  But avocados have also become the center of a debate over how they are grown. As a commercially successful product, there are struggles over who will control the land and produce. Also, there are criticisms about the impact avocados have on local ecosystems. “Avocados are a really good illustration of really rapid expansion of an agricultural system based on a global market that had a boom—still arguably in the boom period—where demand skyrocketed really quickly, so supply skyrocketed really quickly,” Dr. Audrey Denvir explained to The Earth & I .  “It’s very evident what that has done to the landscapes where it is produced,” said Denvir, an environmental researcher who did her PhD work on the environmental impacts of the growing avocado industry in Mexico.  The ‘Green Gold’ Boom The “green gold”   avocado boom mainly started in the US in 1997 after President Clinton removed a ban   on imported avocados from Mexico that had been long been protecting US avocado growers from international competition. This change in US policy, paired with a huge advertising push   from Mexico, has resulted in Mexican avocados accounting for around 90% of the US market, which has increased threefold in the last two decades. In fact, the industry grew by 4% just this year compared with last year and is on track to exceed 3 billion pounds in volume   for the US market alone. Avocado served on tacos . Pexels  Avocado enthusiasm is now spreading around the globe, and plantations are popping up all over South America and in parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa to increase regional supply. But what does this dramatic industry expansion mean for the local ecosystems? Concerns include excessive water use, loss of acres of local trees, and the use of  “monocropping,” a system that invites pests and soil degradation. The Downside of Monoculture The global industrialized agriculture industry—including the avocado industry—relies heavily on monoculture, which means just one plant type is grown on a plot of land. Monocropping is widely used for many crops because of its efficiencies , high crop yield and ease of management .  However, recent research   has shown how monocropping can be detrimental to local biodiversity, soil health, and water usage. It is also known to increase dependency   on fossil fuel-based pesticides and fertilizers. That’s because soil organisms and the diversity of plants that would normally replenish soil nutrients or counteract pests and disease have been all but destroyed. The chemicals then seep into natural ecosystems nearby, harming local biodiversity. For these reasons, crop rotation, intercropping and rebuilding healthy soil are now recommended to maintain water and nutrient balance; avoid disease, insect, pest, and weed control; and boost crop production, says a 2023 study in the Journal of Plant Sciences . However, domestic and international government policies can complicate agriculture issues, including monocropping vs. polyculture.  Recent research  has shown monocropping to be detrimental to local biodiversity, soil health, and water usage. Applying pesticides on an avocado plantation .  iStock  Avocado-Based Deforestation The growing demand for avocados has caused an increase in illegal deforestation   in producing states, particularly in the avocado hub, Mexico .   “I think what’s surprising and compelling about the avocado story is that, while it’s not at the magnitude of beef, it happened so fast,” said Denvir, who now investigates US land use impacts of biofuels and sustainable aviation fuels at the World Resources Institute. Her PhD research found that the spike in avocado demand has led to many environmental issues , primarily deforestation, increased water consumption, and loss of biodiversity. “It’s kind of a microcosm of the larger issue of the expansion of agriculture globally and it shows how, in this one place, it can really take over the landscape. It’s so visible and, for the people who live in [Mexican states] Michoacán and Jalisco, it’s totally taken over what they see every day and the region,” she said. Forests are vital ecosystems for local biodiversity, natural carbon capture, and water quantity. Michoacán, Mexico’s main avocado-producing state, is also known for its Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, but even that is at risk   of illegal deforestation to make way for avocado farms. “Land use is an underlying driver of all these other [negative environmental] impacts,” Denvir explained. For years, Mexico has worked to try to crack down on illegal deforestation associated with the avocado industry. It “passed a law in 2003 that   prohibited clearing forests for commercial agriculture ,”   Viridiana Hernández Fernández , assistant professor of Latin American Environmental History at University of Iowa, said in a 2024 article in The Conversation .   “Over time,” she writes, “every serving of avocado toast takes a toll on Michoacán’s land, forests and water supply. Rural growers, who lack the resources of large-scale farmers, feel those impacts most keenly,” added Fernandez, who is writing on the development of a global avocado industry centered in Michoacán, the world’s largest avocado-growing region. More recently, in 2021, Mexican environmental officials sent a letter to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) trying to get the US to update their import policies to ensure avocados allowed in are not associated with deforestation.  While the Biden administration did not respond immediately to this request, Mexico and the private sector stepped up. Mexico vowed to make their avocados “deforestation-free” by 2026, with President Claudia Sheinbaum announcing a plan to produce a federal certification system to reduce agriculture-based deforestation and forced labor.  Michoacán developed a “Pro-Forest Avocado” program. The program requires avocado packinghouses to use an online platform called the Forest Guardian Monitoring System —compiled by Guardian Forestal, a Mexican NGO—to vet all potential suppliers and exclude any orchards that include land cleared since 2018. Ensuring US markets utilize this resource could send strong signals to the markets to reduce deforestation. As You Sow ,  a blog that has been tracking this issue, applauded the move to create an online portal for the Mexican avocado industry to use “to verify avocado sourcing.”  “The system is elegantly simple: orchards established before 2018 are considered legal—accounting for the six-year growth cycle of avocado trees—while newer orchards without federal permits are flagged as illegal,” As You Sow staff member Elizabeth Leby wrote in February 2025. Thirsty Fruit Avocados notoriously require a lot of water to grow. It takes, on average, 70 liters (18.4 gallons) of water   to grow an avocado, but this can vary wildly depending on where it’s grown. It takes, on average, 70 liters (18.4 gallons) of water to grow an avocado, but this can vary wildly depending on where it’s grown. For example, research   looking at avocados grown in Chile found that it takes 320 liters (84.5 gallons) to produce a single avocado. That’s more water than is needed daily to sustain three humans.  In contrast, a   recent analysis on California avocado crop water   use found that the average daily crop water requirements were “estimated at 29.2 and 33.7 gallons per tree in spring and summer, and 17.7 gallons per tree in fall and winter.” Moreover, “in a winter with normal or wet rainfall conditions, precipitation most likely provides sufficient water to compensate for avocado tree water needs,” the analysis said, adding that its data “verifies this for 2023 and 2024 at all avocado sites.” Due to their demands for water, avocado plantations in different areas have been linked to exacerbating climate change–induced water crises. A quick search can find numerous articles and reports showing how avocado plantations are contributing to water overuse in places like Colombia ,  Portugal ,  and even the avocado’s origin country, Mexico . Increased water use is caused by both legitimate and illegal farms. A large avocado plantation using drip irrigation. William Luque/iStock  Transportation Costs Mexican avocados don’t have to travel very far to reach their largest consumers: Mexico and the US.  Still, truck freighting emissions to transport avocados from Mexico to the US generates around 2 kg CO 2 e   (carbon dioxide equivalent) per kilogram of avocados. “While   truck transport   [of avocados] from Mexico to the United States is less energy-intensive compared to air freight, it still contributes to greenhouse gas emissions,” Thomas Lassen wrote in 2023 on his Sustainable Wave   blog.  But as the industry demand continues to globalize, transportation costs have gone up. Countries like Portugal that are getting into the planting of avocados argue that upping their plantation acreage helps reduce transportation emissions costs. But unless closer locations become a larger share of the regional market (which might not be the best idea for their local water supply), customers far away from avocado-rich Mexico might consider alternatives   with lower carbon footprints like coconut milk, edamame beans, fava beans, and pesto. Video   about the water impacts of avocado monocropping in Portugal. Room for Growth In Mexico, some avocado farmers, mainly small- and medium-scale ones, have begun employing more sustainable farming methods to reduce water and chemical usage and improve soil health and biodiversity. Some avocado farmers, mainly small- and medium-scale ones, have begun employing more sustainable farming methods. “When I was in the field in Michoacán, we talked to a lot of [small- to medium-sized avocado] producers who live there and manage the land themselves, and because of that they’re really interested and invested in the landscape,” Denvir recalled. “They understand that if you get rid of all the forests, then that’s not good for avocado production itself. You’re going to run out of water. So, for their own business, they want to protect the forest.” Some methods she saw farmers use included maintaining a matrix of forest on their property to maintain healthy local water sources and limiting chemical usage to maintain good water quality. One of the best ways to sustainably farm, though, is to grow other plants in conjunction with avocados.  However, that’s something farmers can’t really do if they want to export to the US. The US Department of Agriculture’s import regulations currently require only one crop type to grow on a particular field, Denvir said. The USDA explains  that this is to reduce the risk that avocados could carry insect pests, their eggs, or plant diseases into the US. Supporters of crop rotations, cover cropping and companion planting are urging a change in USDA policy for avocados. “These regulations need to be rethought and updated to allow for ecologically, biologically minded systems, because now we understand all of the impacts of monoculture,” Denvir said. “Some of these farmers use polyculture systems, but they can only do it part of the year, and then the USDA comes in and surveys and says, ‘Well, we have to get rid of all this squash and stuff that’s growing alongside the avocado.’” Other places that are just entering the global avocado market, like Kenya ,  are working to start off on the right foot earlier into the industry’s inception. For example, the Center for International Forestry Research’s World Agroforestry Centre is working to train avocado farmers   on sustainable farming practices through the Fruit Trees for Climate Adaptation and Mitigation in East Africa project. “I think there’s a lot of opportunity for avocado production to get better and for a way to sustain a global market for it that isn’t so [ecologically] destructive,” Denvir said. *Becky Hoag   is a freelance environmental reporter. You can find her work on her site beckyhoag.com   and through her YouTube channel https://youtube.com/beckisphere

William Wordsworth's Love of Nature Sparked the Soul of Environmentalism By Mal Cole* A group of hikers descend from Scafell Pike, England’s tallest mountain, in Lake District National Park. Thomas Roth/iStock “I wandered lonely as a cloud,” wrote William Wordsworth in 1804. This line has become one of nature writing’s most famous similes and synonymous with the emotional sensibility of the Romantic poets. It’s hard to realize today, but such similes—and such poetry—were not common at the time. Wordsworth (1770–1850) wanted to break away from the stuffy, heroic couplets of the day and move into a new realm of poetry rooted in love of nature—soulful and bursting with passion but still with verses carefully ordered, rhymed, and metered. Wordsworth wanted to test his ideas about nature as a source of spiritual solace and as a moral force. So, when he and his good friend and fellow poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge published their first collection of poetry, Lyrical Ballads , in 1798, it indeed set a sharp new precedent in style. It was so potent that it has carried into modern thinking  and even propelled today’s conservation and environmental movements. Wordsworth wanted to test his ideas about nature as a source of spiritual solace and as a moral force. Lyrical Ballads is the work that most scholars agree was the jumping-off point for Romantic poetry. Romanticism, an intellectual period that lasted into the mid-19th century, encompassed many areas of thought, including science, the visual arts, and music. Reaction against Materialist Intellectualism When Lyrical Ballads was published, Wordsworth and Coleridge were bringing their ideas to an interesting debate that went beyond the language of poetry. Erasmus Darwin , an acquaintance of theirs (and grandfather of Charles Darwin), had published a book in verse, The Botanic Garden,  about some of the minutiae of the sexual reproduction of plants, and Lyrical Ballads was partly a response to Darwin’s treatise. What was important to Wordsworth was not the mechanical specifics of how nature worked but what moral principles and metaphorical parallels human beings could draw from it to guide their lives. This idea is reflected in Wordsworth’s poem “ The Tables Turned ”: Sweet is the lore that nature brings; Our meddling intellect Misshapes the beauteous form of things— We murder to dissect. In the book Natural Magic: Emily Dickinson, Charles Darwin, and the Dawn of Modern Science ,   Renée Bergland writes that Wordsworth’s poem “offered sharp critique of Erasmus Darwin’s materialist approach to studying the natural world, arguing that unmediated experience was more spiritually and psychologically meaningful than methodical study that focused on specific plants and animals” (Bergland, p. 33). To Wordsworth, if the scientific value of dissection was obvious, its spiritual value was not as evident. It would be a mistake to say that Wordsworth found no poetry in science, but Wordsworth found more meaning in nature as a system. The word ecology  did not exist in Wordsworth’s time (it wasn’t coined until 1866), but he was an ecological thinker. In Romantic Ecology: Wordsworth and the Environmental Tradition , author Jonathan Bate notes that Wordsworth had a sense of himself as an element of the natural world and was curious about himself as part of that world. This was an idea that later inspired American Transcendentalists like Henry David Thoreau. Bate writes that writers/thinkers like Wordsworth and Thoreau were unique in their “emphasis on a symbiosis between the economies of nature and the activities of humankind” (Bate, p. 39). William Wordsworth, in an 1842 portrait. He was poet laureate of the United Kingdom from 1843 to 1850. Benjamin Robert Haydon/Wikipedia Wordsworth the Environmentalist This concern for nature in the context of “the activities of humankind” is evident in Wordsworth’s writing about his beloved Lake District in England. Wordsworth was fond of rambling in the countryside with his sister Dorothy, and he became concerned about the effects, even in the early 19th century, of increased human activity in the area. The poet wanted to preserve the Lake District and its natural beauty and writes about it in his traveler’s handbook for the region, Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England. As Bate notes, part of Wordsworth’s aim in writing the guide was to care for the area’s ecosystem (Bate, p. 47). Wordsworth even suggested  in his 1810 Guide  that the Lake District become a “national property” that could be accessible to anyone with an “eye to perceive and a heart to enjoy.” This idea of a “national property” eventually contributed to the modern idea of a national park. The world’s first national park, Yellowstone , was established in 1872 in the United States, with many others being designated thereafter. The English Lake District became  a national park in 1951 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017. Even without a modern understanding of environmental science, preserving the Lake District became a compulsion for Wordsworth. He believed that spiritual and physical wholesomeness could be found in one’s specific environment. Part of what Bate calls Romantic ecology  is that nature is essential to human survival. As Bate notes, “The ‘Romantic Ecology’ reverences the green earth because it recognizes that neither physically nor psychologically can we live without green things; it proclaims that there is ‘one life’ within us and abroad, that the earth is a single vast ecosystem which we destabilize at our peril” (Bate, p. 40). Beyond the physical and mental health benefits of green spaces, Wordsworth saw profound spiritual benefits to connection with the natural world. But beyond the physical and mental health benefits of green spaces, Wordsworth saw profound spiritual benefits to connection with the natural world and, though he lived in a profoundly Christian society, he sought to separate that spirituality from expressly Christian beliefs. Richard Holmes writes in The Age of Wonder that Wordsworth and Coleridge tried to avoid alluding to God while still exploring ideas of the spiritual and sublime. “[Wordsworth and Coleridge], at this most radical point in their lives, were trying to avoid an explicit reference to God, while retaining their intuitions of a ‘spiritual’ power—whatever that might be—both within man and within the natural universe” (Holmes, p. 316). Wordsworth the Contemplative Wordsworth explores this idea of spirituality beyond Christianity further in his poem “ Expostulation and Reply .” There, the poet speaks about his preference for contemplating nature over reading books or scripture. He talks about cultivating “wise passiveness,” and says: Think you, ’mid this mighty sum Of things forever speaking, That nothing of itself will come But we must still be seeking. Wise passiveness, to the poet, constituted cultivating a state of receptivity to the natural world. The poem is a foundational text of Romanticism, contrasting the Romantic emphasis on intuition, emotion, and direct experience of nature with the Neoclassical focus on reason, formal education, and the authority of books. Lying on the shore of Wastwater, England’s deepest lake, the hamlet of Wasdale Head is nestled among mountains in Lake District National Park. Miguel Arcanjo Saddi/Pexels Professor and eco-critic Kate Rigby notes in her book, Reclaiming Romanticism , that in Wordsworth’s “Expostulation” poem, he is “arguing that the cultivation of wise passiveness provides a different kind of mental nourishment: namely, one that is afforded by a heightened receptivity to those other-than-human utterances that arrive unbidden from ‘the mighty sum / of things forever speaking’” (Rigby, p. 25). In other words, if one is receptive, the “things” of nature convey a knowledge and wisdom every bit as valuable as what one can derive from books. Wordsworth’s ideas about contemplation have more in common with Eastern meditational traditions, such as Taoism and Buddhism, than Christianity. Rigby also notes that Wordsworth’s ideas about contemplation have more in common with Eastern meditational traditions, such as Taoism and Buddhism, than Christianity. The poet’s connection to place is also reminiscent of Indigenous spirituality. Potawatomi environmental scientist and author Robin Wall Kimmerer describes a process of connecting with land and place in her book Braiding Sweetgrass. In the chapter “In the Footsteps of Nanabozho Becoming Indigenous to Place,” Kimmerer imagines the journey of Nanabozho, the Anishinaabe cultural hero and First Man. She describes, through Nanabozho’s journey, the process of becoming indigenous to a place, a process she sees as essential if human beings want to learn to protect the Earth. But, as Kimmerer emphasizes, not everyone can be an indigenous person. In this case, Kimmerer describes how a person might become “naturalized”: “Being naturalized to place means to live as if this is the land that feeds you, as if these are the streams from which you drink, that build your body and feed your spirit” (Kimmerer, p. 208). Wordsworth was born in the Lake District, and his poetry suggests that he was connected to that place in the way Kimmerer describes. He looked to the land to replenish not just his body but his spirit. Dorothy’s Inspiration for William Drawing of Dorothy Wordsworth. Wikipedia Wordsworth considers nature his guide in a spiritual life. He studied it closely, and he shared this fascination for nature with his sister Dorothy. She was his close friend and confidante, joining with him on his jaunts through the countryside. Her journals often served as inspiration for William’s poetry. So, Wordsworth’s famous cloud was not quite as lonely as the poet suggests. His sister was with him for his encounter with “ A host , of golden daffodils; / Beside the lake, Beneath the trees / Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.”   Both brother and sister were keen observers of nature, and in the modern era this sort of environmental “noticing” has become a kind of activism. Author Jenny Odell writes in How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy that noticing nature is a way to wrestle one’s inner world away from the social media and advertising that vie to consume one’s attention. Odell’s own experiments in attention led to a “complete re-rendering” of her reality. “As I disengaged the map of my attention from the destructive news cycle and the rhetoric of productivity, I began to build another one based on that of the more-than-human community, simply through patterns of noticing,” she writes (Odell, p. 122). Odell sees the reorienting of her attention to nature as a radical act and a kind of protest--much as Wordsworth defends his practice of wise passiveness toward “the mighty sum / of things forever speaking.”                                                                               In “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” Wordsworth is so moved by his encounter with wild daffodils that their beauty stays with him. As he sits quietly at home remembering the beauteous scene, “… then my heart with pleasure fills, / And dances with the daffodils.” This moment with nature became a symbol of true joy and peace for Wordsworth that he could call upon in a quiet moment like a prayer or meditation. He looked to his environment to inspire his spirituality, and that impulse can be seen yet today in efforts to reconnect with the natural world. *Mal Cole   is a freelance science and nature writer based in Massachusetts. Bibliography Bate, Jonathan. Romantic Ecology: Wordsworth and the Environmental Tradition . Routledge, 1991. Bergland, Renée. Natural Magic . Princeton University Press, 2024. Holmes, Richard. The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science . Pantheon Books, 2008. Odell, Jenny. How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy. Melville House, 2019. Rigby, Kate. Reclaiming Romanticism: Towards an Ecopoetics of Decolonisation . Bloomsbury Academic, 2020.

How Birds Colonized Life Forms on Barren Icelandic Lava   By Gordon Cairns* Sea mayweed ( Tripleurospermum maritimum ) colonizing lava on Surtsey island. Image courtesy of Pawel Wasowicz In 1963, an unexpected volcanic eruption off the coast of Iceland changed the shape of the world forever: It created the world’s youngest island , Surtsey, named after a giant in Norse mythology. Scientists immediately grasped the significance of this fledgling island. While lava was still erupting on Surtsey, a group of far-sighted local biologists made landfall. There, the scientists, whose boots were scrubbed clean of possible contaminants, were presented with a unique natural experiment: a virgin land mass, entirely free from human habitation or intentional species introduction, where the assembly of life could be observed and recorded from its creation. Surtsey viewed from the northernmost part of the island. Image courtesy of Pawel Wasowicz For the next six decades, studies of Surtsey have followed the slow arrival of vascular plants, mosses, and microbes, and then insects and birds. Tracking these activities has offered scientists fundamental insights into how ecosystems appear on bare rock and ash. As Pawel Wasowicz, department director of botany at the Natural Science Institute of Iceland, told The Earth & I : “We have recorded every single colonization event from Year 1. There is no other place on Earth where we have 60 years of uninterrupted human precolonization data.” “There is no other place on Earth where we have 60 years of uninterrupted human precolonization data.” Reexamining the Role of Birds Studies at Surtsey have changed researchers’ understanding of how seeds are dispersed . As Wasowicz explains: “Our study suggests that animals, and especially birds, play a much bigger role in ecosystem development than we previously assumed. “The standard view biologists have had since the time of Charles Darwin is that plant arrival could be explained by different seed traits: fluffy seeds carried by the wind, floating seeds carried by water currents, and fleshy fruits dispersed by animals, especially birds, where the seed is expelled after being swallowed.” “Most textbooks assumed the wind and sea currents were the main long-distance dispersal mechanisms to oceanic islands. Therefore, because Surtsey is 32 kilometers (20 miles) offshore, has strong winds, and is, of course, surrounded by the ocean, the expectation was the wind species would arrive first and dominate, and sea-dispersed species would follow. But our data shows this is the wrong idea,” he says. Actual evidence points to birds spreading the seeds. Of the 78 plant species that have colonized Surtsey since 1963, documentary evidence reveals 62 have been dispersed by gulls, either by being passed through the animal’s gut or through regurgitation. This was another surprising discovery for the biologists, as previous assumptions said that a gull’s diet consisted of fish. Instead, when Wasowicz and his team examined bird feces, they found small, dry grass seeds. Close-up of seeds in gull feces. Image courtesy of Pawel Wasowicz “The most astonishing thing was finding the huge amount of seed inside the gull. You don’t often see gulls eating grass; perhaps we haven’t been paying enough attention!” he says. Of course, seed alone isn’t enough; plants will struggle to flourish on hard, inhospitable volcanic landscape. But the birds, or “ecosystem engineers,” as Wasowicz calls them, brought the solution to this problem, too, providing fertile soil. Turning Lava into Fertile Soil “Another major role of the bird,” he says, “is that they brought fertilizer." Although the general public might associate nutrient-rich volcanic soil with fertility, soil in the northern latitudes is lacking in one very crucial component. “There is only a tiny amount of nitrogen, which is the main building block for life. Without nitrogen, you don’t get protein,” Wasowicz notes. “The droppings of the bird are rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and all types of nutrients crucial to plant life. When the birds came, they enriched the whole ecosystem, and this process allowed the vegetation to flourish.” “When the birds came, they enriched the whole ecosystem, and this process allowed the vegetation to flourish.” Via a Zoom call from Iceland, Wasowicz showed two photographs taken 40 years apart. One shows a barren, gray volcanic landscape while the other is a lush, green scene, solely engineered by generations of birds. Before-and-after photographs from the southern part of Surtsey. The 1975 (top) image shows a lava field before the bird colony became established. The 2021 (bottom) image shows approximately the same location with continuous vegetation cover. Images courtesy of Pawel Wasowicz “They are changing how the ecosystem works by transporting different things. In this case, the birds transformed Surtsey’s soil chemistry and this enabled more complex plant communities to develop,” the botanist says. New Species Are Arriving And in this constantly evolving landscape, the Atlantic puffin is set to move into the sites the gulls are currently colonizing. Wasowicz has spotted the initial signs that the landscape created by other birds will soon become an ideal and welcoming habitat to puffins, the most photogenic of birds. While 60% of the world’s population of puffins breed in Iceland, numbers have declined there by 70% since 1975, putting the iconic bird on  the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List  of Threatened Species. Wasowicz explains the process where the activities of one bird species will be creating a new landscape for an endangered one: “The gulls came first and started to breed on the island, which enriched the vegetation; we now have this rich, green grassland on the south of the island. And here we slowly saw the first evidence [that] another bird species is coming that relies on the deeper soil—[which is the] puffins. They live in burrows where they dig deep; you cannot dig into lava.” He adds that although gulls currently breed in the deep grass of Surtsey, this isn’t something they usually do. At some point, they will stop breeding here, and the probability is this will become a breeding and nesting place for puffins, an ideal location where the bird will not encounter ground-based predators. “The probability is this will become a breeding and nesting place for puffins, an ideal location where the bird will not encounter ground-based predators.” Another photogenic northern sea creature, the seal, has already arrived, attracted by the seashore habitat created by the gulls. The mammals return in the autumn and winter, bringing with them a lot of nutrients, which also helps pollination. “They were attracted,” Wasowicz says, “by the coastal environment, where they could give birth, and the pups could live in peace for their first few months.” “Selur,” a seal pup on Surtsey’s volcanic rock. Image courtesy of Pawel Wasowicz Global Implications The great news is that the findings from Surtsey’s outdoor laboratory can be applied elsewhere in the world to support ecological restoration and artificial habitat creation, with birds employed as “ecosystem engineers.” Wasowicz lists the possibilities: land restoration, wetlands development, mine-degraded land, volcanic sites, and even coastal sites where there is a lack of nutrients transformed into fertile landscapes by the activity of the birds. “Supporting bird activity,” he adds, “may dramatically speed up these restorations and expand them. You can get seeds and fertilizer into areas that are lacking these components, such as restoring a mining site that has very poor soil. Then you can think about trying to support the bird life of these areas, as this will probably help them.” This support could come through creating landscapes that are designed to specifically attract birds, such as shallow ponds or small wetlands and heterogeneous habitats that can encourage feeding, cresting, and nesting. “We need to encourage connectivity where we have corridors and stepping-stones for the animals between the habitats. We can use wildlife and bird life to kick-start transformation. It happened on Surtsey,” Wasowicz concludes.“ Surtsey seen from the beach in the northern part of the island. Image courtesy of Pawel Wasowicz *Gordon Cairns is a freelance journalist and teacher of English at the Forest Schools, based in Scotland.

New AI-Guided Approach Leaves Vegetables Pesticide-Free Farmers from the Salinas, California, US, area gather for a laser weeder demonstration on a lettuce crop. ©Carbon Robotics Imagine a tractor-sized machine that sees the difference between crop and weed, then kills the unwanted plant with a focused beam of light—no herbicide required. That device is already being tested  in New Jersey by Rutgers University scientist Thierry Besançon, an associate professor with the Department of Plant Biology in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. According to a Cornell Chronicle   study  and summary , recent multisite field trials across New Jersey and New York found that deep-learning–guided laser weeders matched or outperformed several common herbicides in vegetable plots (peas, beets, and spinach), cutting final weed biomass by about 97% and increasing crop growth in treated plots. The machines combine  high-resolution cameras, artificial intelligence classification, and steerable lasers to target a weed plant’s growing point (meristem) while leaving crops unharmed. Commercial systems such as Carbon Robotics’ LaserWeeder are already in use on US farms. Adoption considerations include  capital cost and speed. Trials show  the technology excels on many annual broadleaf weeds when treated at early growth stages (cotyledon to two-leaf)—for example, species such as common lambsquarters ( Chenopodium album ) and common ragweed ( Ambrosia artemisiifolia ). By contrast, the systems are less effective on weeds whose growing point (meristem) is protected below ground (as in many grasses) or on species with a prostrate habit such as common purslane ( Portulaca oleracea )—because the laser cannot reliably target the hidden germinating tissue. Additionally, a study  on the perennial grass Elymus repens  (couch grass) shows that while laser treatment can kill above-ground shoots, root/rhizome regrowth may persist, meaning repeat treatments or combined strategies may be required. These findings indicate the best fit for the technology is early-emerging broadleaf weeds in row-cropped vegetables and similar settings. For organic and conventional growers facing rising herbicide resistance and labor constraints, AI-driven laser weeding offers a promising, chemical-free tool—one that Rutgers researchers like Besançon are actively evaluating  in real farm conditions to understand performance, limits, and practical costs. This video  is from a camera fixed to the underside of a laser weeder machine and shows weeds being zapped as the machine rolls along the rows. ©Carbon Robotics

Video of life on a sustainable production set. Hollywood’s carbon footprint is hard to pin down because “Hollywood” —shorthand for the U.S. film and TV industry—is spread across states, studios, and worldwide productions. Moreover, many variables are involved, such as production size (multimillion-dollar blockbusters vs. indie shorts) and location. Below are highlights of what researchers and industry groups have found about the industry’s emissions:   According to a Sustainable Production Alliance  (SPA) report in 2021, a tentpole (very large budget) film averages about 3,370 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent over its production phase, which is, according to TIME ,  the  “equivalent  of powering 656 homes for a year.” Smaller films (with lower budgets) average closer to 391 metric tons CO₂e, according to the Green Production Guide . On big productions, fuel (for lighting rigs, vehicles, generators on location) can account for roughly 48%  of the emissions. Emellie O’Brien, founder and CEO of sustainable production watchdog, Earth Angel, told TIME : “Most sets have a bunch of idling trucks and generators because we are basically a traveling circus. Around 30% of fuel goes just to power massive generators, and a big chunk of the rest to transportation.”  Hollywood has been making efforts to clean up its act. The 2004 action drama  The Day After Tomorrow  made history by focusing on the climate and becoming the first production to offset its 10,000 metric tons of emitted carbon. Earth Angel  estimates that a “single production’s average [environmental] impact” includes 638,291 pounds of waste generated, 74,000 single-use bottles used, 531,577 miles flown, 101,618 gallons of fuel consumed, and 1,049.9 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent emitted. For television, SPA’s data show that a one-hour scripted drama episode emits, on average, 77 metric tons CO₂e.   The Green Production Guide  offers a production toolkit called A Note to Filmmakers that sets out green production principles that include “conserving fuel and energy, avoiding toxins and pollution, saving water, reducing plastics, and preventing landfill waste.”

How Liquid Nanoclay Can Help Turn Sandy Lands into Fertile Farmland By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe* Video highlighting the recent Liquid Nanoclay collaboration between Desert Control, the University of Arizona, and Oasis Date. The Earth’s massive deserts, and their persistent efforts to keep swallowing up nearby lands, have long been the bane of farmers and agriculture. Desert sands blow away, are impossible to shape, and retain no moisture. But the barrenness of the deserts may finally be coming to an end. Nanotechnologies are emerging to turn desert sand into a rich, nutritional soil that can be compacted, hold water, and become suitable to grow crops. These technologies offer hope that the world’s deserts—the second largest land biome after forests—can eventually be made fertile and filled with life. Desertification Still Spreading The twin problems of soil loss and soil degradation are continuing to impede human and environmental flourishing. According to the United Nations, 12 million hectares of fertile land are lost to desertification each year, representing an annual $490 billion loss to the global economy. Researchers further estimate that 52% of agricultural land today is degraded. Taken together, desertification and soil degradation are linked to increased water consumption—especially in areas where water is already scarce. Extreme water scarcity is a reality for 4 billion people worldwide for at least one month of the year, while 30 million acres of US cropland have been abandoned since the 1980s, mostly due to groundwater depletion from pumping and droughts. Yet, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization says feeding Earth’s growing population will demand a 70% increase in food production by 2050, putting even more pressure on vital water resources. Agriculture and food production already consume more than 70% of all available freshwater. “That is not sustainable,” Jason White, director of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station and an expert on degraded soils, told The Earth & I. Rejuvenating Desert Sand Addressing these challenges led the founders of Norwegian AgTech startup and nanotechnology innovator, Desert Control, to explore sustainable ways to “make earth green again” through reenvisioning and exploiting the sponge-like capabilities of desert sand. Their patented technology, Liquid Nanoclay (LNC), turns natural minerals and clays into a sprayable liquid that, when applied, introduces these materials to sandy soil. A treatment of Desert Control’s nanotechnology blend of finely dispersed clay particles and irrigation water can rejuvenate desert soils in just a few hours, with lasting effects of up to five years per treatment. Approximately 4 liters of LNC mixed with irrigation water is enough to treat a single hectare of land. The liquid in LNC contains tiny negatively charged clay particles that coat sand grains with an electrical charge that allows substances of an opposing charge—as happens with polar water molecules—to stick to a sand grain’s surface and increase the likelihood that water will reach plant roots. This harmonious reaction forms a delicate “snowflake-like” lattice that significantly improves water and nutrient retention while reducing erosion. LNC is almost as thin as water and is applied directly to the surface of desert sand via irrigation systems that allow it to percolate into the ground to a depth of around 30–60 cm (12–24 inches). The small particle size allows for easy application of LNC and much greater interaction with sand grains, causing a sandy field’s particles to stick together and hold moisture and nutrients similar to how rich, dark agricultural soil does. Desert Control video explaining its LNC technology “The innovative aspect of nanotechnology here is that the small particle size enables a stable dispersion, so no settling [occurs],” said White. Sandy soils have a composition and aggregate structure that are inherently poor at retaining water. “This [LNC] will create a physical environment more conducive to water retention and healthy root growth,” said White. “The technology is sound,” he added. “Fundamentally, LNC is attempting to address the lack of sustainability of conventional agriculture.” LNC also promotes the growth of mycorrhizal fungi, which form a symbiotic relationship with crops and other plants, resulting in improved soil nutrient content. Application of LNC can increase crop yields while preserving water resources by up to 50%. “Fundamentally, LNC is attempting to address the lack of sustainability of conventional agriculture,” said White. Enhancing Water Retention and Crop Growth Water loss is often a problem in modern agricultural ecosystems—too much of the water supplied by conventional irrigation is not absorbed by the plants. Water losses vary by region, soil type, crop, and irrigation method but can range from about 5% to 70%. Irrigation of areas with sandy soils, dry climates, and less-developed infrastructure—such as a lack of drip irrigation and soaker hoses—results in greater losses. LNC is typically applied in these areas. “Essentially, it is trying to increase water retention in sandy soils to promote crop growth, in some cases allowing crop growth in areas where it’s been too dry before,” said White. LNC thus can serve as a baseline product that significantly increases water use efficiency—and can be used in tandem with “many other nanoscale strategies… to complement overall crop production efficacy,” said White. For example, nanoscale strategies to increase phosphorus availability or micronutrient use efficiency, along with investigations into more efficient pesticide use, could benefit from partnering with LNC. Born in the Nile Delta Conceptually, LNC is not a new idea. Instead, it imitates the role that clay played in ancient Egypt’s Nile Delta—before the construction of the Aswan Dam—in restoring resilience to arid lands. In the 1980s, local farmers began to see declines in productivity in previously flourishing parts of the Nile Delta. Given the area’s legendary reputation for farming, despite its proximity to arid desert, scientists hunted for reasons for the land’s decreased fertility. They found that the Aswan Dam, built in the 1960s, stopped the downstream flow of key materials for delta soil fertility, thus marking the beginnings of what could be called the nanoclay approach. Fast-forward 60 years: Following significant research and development, manufacturers, environmentalists, and agriculturists now recognize LNC’s place in the nanotech toolkit. It has been known for quite some time that adding clay to sandy soil has an effect similar to LNC, but conventional non-nanoscale clays must be added to sandy soil either dry or in water, where they have tended to settle out, making soil improvements a relatively slow process—taking years in some cases. From the Middle East to the US In partnership with Arizona University and the Yuma County Cooperative Extension, Desert Control began its first multiyear validation study of LNC for American soil in 2022. The study focused on LNC’s ability to increase water-holding capacity in sandy soils and examined the transferability of results previously obtained by the firm in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Through this project, Desert Control hopes to advance climate-smart agriculture through collaborative action between the US and the Middle East. Video of the first LNC application in the US. In the following video, Ole Kristian Silvertsen, CEO of Desert Control, compares LNC-treated land at its Abu Dhabi–based project (in collaboration with Mawarid and Barari Natural Resources) to adjacent untreated land, serving as its control reference point. Irrigation across the two areas is the same; yet, the one without LNC treatment resembles typical desert sand—it sifts away, does not retain a shape, and holds no moisture. The video also highlights the growth of Panicum (in LNC-treated UAE soil), a type of forage and cereal grass (commonly called panicgrass) that produces tiny flowers, and alfalfa, a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the legume family. Video introducing Desert Control’s LNC project in the United Arab Emirates. There have been various documented outcomes of LNC in action, demonstrating its real-world impact. Case studies involving field trials in the UAE, Egypt, Norway, and Saudi Arabia appear to be independent, third-party field trials. “That being said, the peer-reviewed literature on this appears quite thin—this will be an important bar to get over,” White noted. Securing the Future of Agriculture and Food, Sustainably With the rise of nano-enabled farming, LNC is part of a wave of new sustainable developments designed to protect and preserve land. While a bright and prominent one, LNC is but one star in a broader constellation of nanotechnologies in agriculture. With the rise of nano-enabled farming, LNC is part of a wave of new sustainable developments designed to protect and preserve land. Today, universities and research laboratories worldwide are pursuing knowledge about nanotechnologies and how they can spur sustainable solutions. In June 2024, researchers, including North Carolina State University’s Khara Grieger, assistant professor and extension specialist, published a paper examining how nanotechnology and nanocarriers can increase production efficiency, crop resilience, and yields. The Ristroph Lab at Purdue University in the US is investigating scalable nanomaterials for agrochemical delivery and agricultural applications. “There is the whole developing field of nanoscale seed treatment and priming technologies,” said White. This should provide ample opportunities to advance mechanisms that can bolster food production as well as increase crops’ overall climate resilience. White would like to see more research regarding food safety. “In terms of human food safety, we should find out if there are nanoclay particles in the plants or in the edible tissues,” he said. Yet, in general, the problems and challenges faced by agriculture in a changing climate, along with the need to increase food production are enormous, and the solutions offered by nanotechnology, including LNC, appear promising and impactful. “They should be pursued with enthusiasm and intensity,” said White. *Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe is a freelance journalist and editor. Over the past 10 years, she 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. Editorial notes Source: Interview with Jason White, Director of The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. https://portal.ct.gov/caes/about-caes/staff-biographies/jason-c-white

Bamboo, Palms, Bananas Grow Fast, Boost Biodiversity A bamboo forest. Cucaihn/Pixabay Scientists have recently proposed that towering plants such as bamboo, palms, and bananas deserve a distinct place in climate-resilience thinking. Although they look and act like trees, these species do not grow wider over time—their stems remain essentially the same diameter, and they instead add height, or branch differently. Because of that structural difference, researchers at New York University (NYU) now classify them as “grassy trees.” In a new analysis published in the journal Trends in Ecology & Evolution , lead author Aiyu Zheng and senior author Mingzhen Lu outline how these grassy-tree systems combine the structural form of a tree canopy with the resilience and rapid growth of grasses. Their hybrid nature gives them an important advantage: They can recover quickly after disturbances—fires, storms, harvesting—more so than typical trees. At the same time, they contribute meaningfully to carbon capture, biodiversity, landscape restoration, and local economies. “Their benefits stretch from food and jobs to renewable materials and green energy,” Zheng explains . Good for Land Restoration, Carbon Capture In their study, the NYU team compared 12 major ecosystem types (including, grasslands, savannas, grassy-tree systems, and tree-dominated forests) and found that the grassy-tree ecosystems generally showed higher productivity than grassland systems and carbon-storage capacity intermediate between forests and grasslands. Because these plants are already integrated in many tropical and subtropical communities (for food, housing, and materials), they constitute a practical rather than a purely theoretical nature-based climate solution. In countries like India , for example, promotion of bamboo groves, palm stands, and banana agroforestry could speed land restoration, bolster carbon capture, and strengthen resilient livelihoods. The classification of grassy trees opens a new vista in ecological planning and climate policy. By recognizing these species as a distinct category—rather than treating them simply as “trees” or “grasses”—researchers can now build models and strategies that properly include them. As the authors write , “Our study provides the first global overview of how much carbon grassy trees capture and store … they are abundant, practical, and deeply embedded in tropical cultures.” Given rapid climate change, more frequent extreme weather, and the urgent need for scalable nature-based solutions, grassy trees may emerge as one of the unsung but powerful tools in the toolbox of sustainability. Encouraging their deployment, improving their management, and recognizing their dual identity (trees/grasses) could enhance restoration efforts, support rural economies, and contribute to a more resilient carbon future.

Thriving in a Threatened Natural World By Julie Peterson* Resilience can be cultivated through self-balancing activities like caring for a beloved pet. iStock Stress and anxiety are common conditions in the world population , international mental health data show. While the exact sources of stress differ around the world, real and perceived dangers—including from weather-related events—can make people feel uneasy and fearful over what the future might hold.   One of the best ways to combat fear and dis-ease is to cultivate resilience in oneself. To many scholars, this means shifting emphasis from “fight or flight” responses to efforts to “balance the system.”   Happily, our relationship with nature can play an integral role in the process.   Defining Resilience Scholars say people use psychological  resistance to survive immediate threats. But when stressors keep coming, the body’s defenses can be pushed into overdrive, eventually depleting its resources and negatively affecting mental and physical health.   For the longer term, recovery from threats and their impacts depends on psychological   resilience .   A 2019 meta-study of resilience defined it as “the ability to maintain one’s orientation toward existential purposes despite enduring adversities and stressful events.”   The American Psychological Association poses another definition: “Resilience is the process and outcome of successfully adapting to difficult or challenging life experiences, especially through mental, emotional, and behavioral flexibility and adjustment to external and internal demands.”   Psychological resistance and resilience can be balanced to cope with environmental stressors through a variety of psychological and social processes and resources.   Effects of Chronic Stress   Chronic stress can lead to poor health. iStock When our body perceives threats, it releases cortisol and adrenaline to prepare for “fight or flight”—which is helpful when needed. But relentless threats are emotionally draining, and without time to recover, chronic stress can lead to poor health:   The brain may exhibit problems with concentration, memory, anxiety, depression, or sleep. The cardiovascular system  may suffer increased heart rate, high blood pressure, heart attack, or stroke. The digestive system,  closely linked to the brain, can react with digestive issues and changes in appetite. The immune system  may be weakened, creating openings for bacterial and viral illnesses to take hold and be tough to conquer. The muscles tighten, leading to stiffness, pain, and headaches. Emotions may become irregular, causing irritability, anger, or depression.   Nature and Health The World Health Organization has defined health as a “complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”   Environmental issues consistently linked to impaired health include crowding, noise pollution, and temperature.   It is not just direct physical contact with adverse environmental factors that harms people. Indirect means, such as stress responses to environmental circumstances, can lead to adverse  physical and emotional outcomes. For example, exposure to noise pollution may not harm hearing, but the annoyance it generates may cause long-term stress.   Urbanization has been linked with higher levels of anxiety and depression. On the other side, studies have shown that exposure to nature can benefit human health in myriad ways.   Urbanization has been linked  with higher levels of anxiety and depression. On the other side, studies have shown that exposure to nature can benefit human health in myriad ways.    The mental health benefits  of time in nature include superior attention, memory, and impulse inhibition, along with increased feelings of subjective well-being. An article from UC Davis Health points out that being in nature benefits  our physical bodies with reduced cortisol levels, muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure, and increased vitamin D levels that boost blood cells, bones, and the immune system.   A new scientific approach  called nature-based biopsychosocial resilience theory  (NBRT)—proposed in a study published in Environment International in 2023—states that “nature offers an abundance of resilience-building opportunities which can also reduce risk and help people cope with the inevitable challenges life brings.” The authors recommend an “improved understanding of the many ways in which our own health and well-being is intricately bound up with the health of the planet as a whole.”   Building Better Resilience  Psychological resistance  is a complex defense system that our minds use to protect us from perceived threats, whether real or imagined. But people can take steps to shift from excessive psychological resistance  toward healthy tolerance and resilience . Resilience is also complex. It is a dynamic process that evolves at the intersections of different realms in a person’s life—biological, social, and psychological. The Reality Pathing blog, in a post  titled, “Building Resilience through the Power of Acceptance,” cites the importance of building resilience through acceptance . Acceptance is seeing and embracing reality as it is rather than how it is wished to be. It does not involve giving up or relinquishing power to make changes. It simply leads one to acknowledge whatever circumstances arise without judgment. It is a mindful way to reach a sense of peace amid chaos.   [Acceptance] simply leads one to acknowledge whatever circumstances arise without judgment. It is a mindful way to reach a sense of peace amid chaos.   Numerous actions can boost resilience against environmental stressors.   For Individuals Indoor plants can promote calm. Pexels   When news of hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and extreme temperatures feel beyond control, people can focus on small, manageable actions to counteract feelings of helplessness and build a sense of control and purpose. Conserve energy at home, use environmentally friendly transportation, reduce waste, and join local environmental groups. Practice emotional coping by concentrating on what can be done personally rather than becoming overwhelmed by the vastness of a problem. In terms of the invisible environmental toxins and other daily stressors, negative impacts can be immediately reduced by improving air quality at home with air purifiers, ventilation, and plants; avoiding contaminants (pesticides, paint, artificial fragrances); and creating a quiet indoor sanctuary that is free of clutter and incorporates nature elements to promote calm. One’s mental and physical ability to cope with stress—resilience—can only improve with time in nature, ample sleep, regular exercise, mindfulness meditation, and a healthy diet. For Communities Social collaboration can be fostered in communities by involving citizens in efforts to make their area more resilient to environmental threats. By investing in natural infrastructure, such as urban greening and preservation of local ecosystems, individuals’ experience enhances well-being while dangerous environmental events are mitigated. Features such as cool roofs, parking lot shading, and tree planting all make life easier and help to reduce stress from environmental events simply by reducing the likelihood and severity of any potential catastrophes.   Nature-based solutions are especially effective when they are developed in collaboration with community members to enhance community-level social-ecological resilience. Once established at the group level, nature contact also helps individuals cope with chronic stress.   Nature-based solutions are especially effective when they are developed in collaboration with community members to enhance community-level social-ecological resilience.   It has been suggested that resilience is a collection of adaptive resources. These resources can be deployed to help mitigate stress, but they must be restored and maintained through things such as nature contact.   Policies There has been growing interest recently in the potential health and well-being benefits of natural environments, with policies requiring integration of green spaces in developments and protection of natural areas.   In addition, largely due to climate change, there has been recognition that wild settings, such as woodlands or wetlands, can partially mitigate  stressors related to climate change. For example, urban heat is reduced when tree canopies and green spaces are present, and flood risk is diminished when there are ample plant cover and wetlands to absorb rainfall. Banjakiti Forest Park in Bangkok, Thailand. Urban wetlands can help reduce heat and mitigate flooding. Supanut Arunoprayote / Wikimedia Policy can be shaped with climate adaptation in mind by offering resources to implement green measures such as clean energy.   A New Paradigm There is no one factor that differentiates a resilient person from a vulnerable one. Instead, resilience exists thanks to a network of positive experiences and a healthy lifestyle that contribute to a balanced mind–body connection.   According to Souhad Chbeir and  Victor Carrión , writing in the World Journal of Psychiatry , no matter where someone falls on the resilience scale, they can try to move away from attempts to eradicate environmental threats and toward modulating resistance and bolstering repair. This would be a paradigm shift toward increased resilience. The writers say that, instead of an aggressive and reactive mindset of eradication, which promotes grappling with the impossible removal of all environmental threats, people can approach the world with proactive and adaptive methods.   Individuals and communities can increase resilience by focusing on increasing the capacity of ecosystems and societies to withstand and absorb pollution and climate change effects without collapse. For example, instead of thinking about reducing the heat of the entire planet, citizens could plant urban forests to lower temperatures in their city and improve infrastructure design. They could assist local ecosystems to regenerate by working toward ecological engineering and adaptive management. Instead of only fighting against the way nature is right now, collaborating with nature in the local area can help it, and us, become stronger and more adaptable. *Julie Peterson   writes science-based articles about holistic health, environmental issues, and sustainable living from her small farm in Wisconsin.

And So Are Environmental Health Considerations from Waste Tire Recycling   Used tires (foreground) and shredded tires (background). istock     Tire-derived fuel (TDF) is an emerging segment within the broader waste tire management and alternative energy sphere, converting end-of-life tires into high-energy fuel for industrial applications. According to Cognitive Market Research (CMR), the global TDF market is expected to reach US$451.5 million in 2025 and continue expanding through 2033, driven by demand for sustainable fuel sources in sectors like cement manufacturing and utility boilers.  However, the environmental and health impacts of waste tire recycling—including processes that produce TDF—are complex and not fully resolved. A systematic review published in Heliyon underscores significant knowledge gaps in how tire recycling affects ecosystems and human health, especially regarding hazardous chemicals released during recycling and reuse.    Here are key data points about the TDF trend—sourced from the CMR report and the Heliyon review:   Global Market Size (2025): The tire-derived fuel market is projected to reach US$451.5 million in 2025.   Growth Forecast (2025–2033): TDF is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 3.2% from 2025 to 2033 as industries adopt alternative fuels.   Regional Market Shares (2025): North America : about 40% of global revenue (about US$130.94 million). Europe : about 30% of revenue (about US$108.36 million). Asia Pacific (APAC): about 23% of revenue (about US$167.06 million). South America : about 5% (about US$17.16 million).  Middle East & Africa : Small but growing segments (about 2% and about 1%, respectively). Environmental Challenges – Waste Tires Volume: Approximately 1.5 billion tires are manufactured annually, creating significant disposal challenges globally.    Health and Environment – Research Scope: From a pool of 1,275 screened studies, 80 met inclusion criteria in the Heliyon systematic review , highlighting research focus on recycled tire applications and associated impacts.    Chemical Exposure Concerns: Recycled tire products can contain substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), heavy metals (e.g., zinc), and other additives that may be released into soil, water, or air depending on recycling or reuse contexts.    Application Focus: Nearly half of the reviewed studies (nearly 49%) addressed the use of recycled tires in construction sectors like artificial turf fields, with tire materials repurposed beyond fuel.   Evidence Gaps: The Heliyon review notes limited comprehensive assessments of longterm environmental and human health effects from tire recycling methods, signaling a need for more research to inform policy and best practices.  Sources: https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/tire-derived-fuel-market-report https://www.cell.com/heliyon/fulltext/S2405-8440(25)00289-0