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No Drilling Required, Just Heat-Transferring Panels By Dhanada Kanta Mishra* Enerdrape’s thin aluminum heat-exchange panels line the walls of this parking garage in Switzerland. Courtesy of Enerdrape On a chilly morning in Zurich, commuters rush through the humming arteries of the city’s underground train system. Unbeknownst to them, there's a secret in the warm air within the tiled tunnel walls and in the earth and rock through which the tunnel winds: There is a wellspring of human-friendly energy there, lingering quietly in subway shafts, cavernous parking structures, and thermally stable soil and bedrock. It’s an energy reservoir that, until recently, lay mostly untapped—not because it wasn’t large enough, but because few thought to look for it, and even fewer could capture it efficiently. That is, until a Swiss startup led by civil engineer Margaux Peltier,   Professor Lyesse Lalou i, and Dr. Alessandro Rotta Loria  reframed the way cities approach geothermal energy.   The Swiss Solution Decarbonizing buildings—especially in densely built, aging cities—is one of the 21st century’s greatest climate challenges. Globally, heating accounts for nearly half of all building energy use , representing both a massive environmental burden and a multibillion-dollar economic opportunity. Traditional geothermal systems, while clean and powerful, have always seemed out of reach for urban cores. The prospect of drilling deep beneath city streets to tap planetary heat is daunting, disruptive, and, in most cases, practically impossible.   However, in many cities, subway tunnels, underground parking garages, and other subterranean infrastructure contain reservoirs of residual heat: from the Earth itself, from vehicles, or simply from human activity. Until recently, this energy has been largely overlooked. A Swiss spin-off from the Federal Polytechnic School of Lausanne (EPFL) called Enerdrape is working to change that, with a technology that installs panels on existing underground walls and ceilings to capture heat without the need for drilling.   How the Panels Work A closeup of four Enerdrape panels showing the embedded piping that harvests ambient warmth and the tubing that leads the warmed water to a heat pump. Courtesy of Enerdrape Enerdrape’s modular, prefabricated aluminum panels function  as heat exchangers. Peltier, Enerdrape’s CEO, said in an interview with The Earth & I : The panels are “embedded with a closed-loop piping circuit through which water as a heat transfer fluid circulates. These panels are installed on the walls and ceilings of underground spaces such as parking garages and subway tunnels, absorbing geothermal heat and residual thermal energy present in these structures.” The fluid then channels the captured heat to a heat pump. That pump upgrades the heat for use aboveground (or reverses for cooling). In terms of heating and cooling efficiency, “Enerdrape panels produce about 100–150 watts of heat per square meter of panel area,” Peltier told The Earth & I , “with real-world operating data showing around 150 W/m² in pilot projects.” Each square meter of panels, she said, can effectively supply heating or cooling to 5 to 20 square meters of building space. “This yield is competitive compared to conventional geothermal energy systems, especially given the extremely low installation impact and the ability to access constant underground temperatures 24/7.” Speaking of her personal background, Peltier said:   “I am French and currently based in Switzerland. The idea of the Enerdrape panel was not a sudden discovery but a result of long years of research in the Laboratory of Soil Mechanics of the EPFL, where I studied civil engineering as an undergrad and master’s student.” The panel concept, she said, is based on research carried out in particular by Laloui and his group.   “We can transform underground car parks into something greener and more sustainable.”   “Instead of going on to pursue a PhD, I chose the entrepreneurial path of bringing research to commercial application, after working for a few years as a scientific assistant myself.”   Projects, Funding, and Impact Enerdrape has moved from lab concept to real-world deployment in several Swiss and French sites, and is now expanding into the United States. Some highlights:   In 2024, it raised CHF 1.3 million ($1.6 million) in a seed financing  round. Among the investors were Swiss entities such as Après-Demain (via the GeneRActions Planet initiative) and Romande Energie. Peltier commented  that the investment is “a testament to the confidence our investors place in Enerdrape’s mission and potential. It propels the company to scale operations, enhance product offerings, and strengthen the team with new talent.” Enerdrape has won  recognition through innovation and sustainability awards, including the AMAG Sustainability Challenge 2024. The company is installing panels in a number of underground structures: car parks, tunnels, etc. In Chicago, for example, it is working  on a project in the Millennium Parking Garages (one of the largest public underground parking complexes in North America). In New York, Enerdrape is conducting feasibility studies for pilot programs in several large city buildings. In France, partners  such as ENGIE Solutions, a global sustainable technology firm, and Paris Habitat, a government-housing provider, are involved. “Cities like New York” and others, Peltier said, “are pushing electrification and emissions reductions, creating incentives for sustainable heating and cooling technologies. While political and regulatory environments can be complex, the rising focus on urban decarbonization aligns well with Enerdrape’s technology.” A geothermal power station in Negros Oriental, the Philippines. Tapping the Earth’s heat can mean deep drilling and extensive infrastructure, as pictured here. Mike Gonzalez/Wikipedia “We see a future,” Peltier said  in an interview with the AMAG Swiss automotive group, “where mobility infrastructure not only shapes how our cities look but also their energy supply.” She further noted that “together with companies like AMAG, we can transform underground car parks into something greener and more sustainable.”   One of the compelling advantages of Enerdrape’s approach is avoiding the cost, complexity, and disruption of drilling deep boreholes or excavating new wells. Because the panels are applied to existing structures, installations can be faster, regulatory hurdles potentially fewer, and disruption to urban life more limited. “We aim for a world where every underground infrastructure becomes a well of green energy,” Peltier told  ENGIE Research & Innovation News.   A powerful environmental vision: “unleashing the full potential of the subsurface, placing it at the heart of the energy transition.”   Yet there remain technical and regulatory obstacles. Underground spaces present harsh environments: humidity, vibration, chemical exposure, and in many cases older or complex building HVAC systems that must be integrated. Urban regulation around underground retrofits is not yet standard. Peltier acknowledged that “older buildings often have thick walls, protected facades, or space limitations making traditional retrofits difficult.” Yet, she said, Enerdrape’s system is designed to overcome some of these constraints by being noninvasive and modular.   Broader Implications and Outlook If scalable, the model could become an important component of low-carbon heating and cooling for cities. Heating and cooling in buildings account for a large share of energy use in the built environment, especially in older or high-density urban areas. By using already existing underground structures to harvest residual heat, energy systems could become more decentralized, more resilient, and less reliant on fossil fuels.   Peltier has suggested  that the system can “produce renewable heat 24 hours a day,” and that it can be used both in renovations and new construction. She also has emphasized that scaling doesn’t always require huge upfront investment, saying that the panels are compatible with existing infrastructure and that one can start with pilot installations and build up.   When all is said and done, Peltier has a powerful environmental vision: “unleashing the full potential of the subsurface, placing it at the heart of the energy transition,” as she declared to The Earth & I . If Enerdrape and similar technologies continue to perform as in pilot projects, society may be at a turning point: viewing underground infrastructure not as inert voids beneath cities, but as active contributors to urban energy systems. The question now is how swiftly cities can adapt regulation, financing, and building practices to integrate them. *Dhanada Kanta 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.

Emerging Tools and Policies Grapple with a Toxic Problem By Karl Selle* Cast-off smartphones, an example of e-waste. Leo Arslan/Pexels A pile of discarded smartphones, laptops, and tangled cords might look like just a heap of trash. However, it's emblematic of the world’s fastest-growing waste stream: electronic waste (e-waste). According to the  Global E-waste Monitor , the world generated 62 million tons of e-waste in 2022, and that number is projected to soar further as people’s appetite for devices expands. Much of this waste is improperly handled, leaching toxic metals and plastics into soil and water, especially in regions where devices are dismantled or burned by hand. Companies and researchers are even exploring “urban mining”—digging valuable metals out of old landfills. At the same time, these cast-off gadgets contain vast untapped wealth: gold, silver, copper, cobalt, and rare earth minerals that could power the clean energy transition. Increasingly, companies and researchers are even exploring “ urban mining ”—digging valuable metals out of old landfills and stockpiles instead of pulling them from the earth. The scale of the problem is daunting. But emerging solutions suggest a hopeful path. Policies like the Right to Repair, companies designing more modular products, innovations like using robots to recycle electronics , and new tools such as digital product passports  (DPPs) all point toward a circular economy in which electronics are not disposable but recyclable. These terms may sound new, so here’s what they mean. The  Right to Repair  ensures that consumers and independent shops can get the same parts and manuals that manufacturers give their own repair networks—something that is not the norm today. Most manufacturers keep these tightly controlled, which means if a device breaks, a person often must go through an expensive official channel or replace the device altogether.  Robotic recycling refers to using machines instead of people to safely dismantle gadgets for their precious metals. And digital product passports  are electronic records that track what materials a product contains and where they came from, so they can be reused or recycled more easily. An electronics refurbishing and reselling shop in Bangalore, India. Victor Grigas/Creative Commons A Global Movement Gains Ground At its core, the Right to Repair is about fairness and sustainability. It gives people and independent shops access to the same parts, tools, and manuals that manufacturers reserve for their own networks. Without this access, perfectly fixable devices end up in landfills. [Right to Repair] gives people and independent shops access to the same parts, tools, and manuals that manufacturers reserve for their own networks. Across the United States, momentum is accelerating. The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL)  reports that dozens of states introduced Right to Repair bills in 2023 alone. These cover a wide range of products: agricultural equipment, consumer electronics, medical devices, and even appliances. Colorado, for instance, passed a groundbreaking law for agricultural equipment, ensuring that farmers—not just dealerships—can fix their own tractors. According to NCSL , this wave of bills reflects consumer frustration with high repair costs and short product lifespans. Advocates like Repair.org  frame the issue as one of consumer rights and environmental necessity. Their policy objectives call for universal access to parts, tools, software, and documentation—the basic ingredients of repair. Without these, products are designed for obsolescence instead of longevity. Minnesota’s Bold Step One of the clearest examples is Minnesota. In 2023, the state passed the Digital Fair Repair Act, codified in Statute 325E.72, which took effect on July 1, 2024. According to  Reuse Minnesota , the law requires manufacturers to make documentation, parts, and tools available to consumers and independent repair shops for nearly any device with a microchip, from smartphones to refrigerators. There are caveats: Cars, medical devices, farm equipment, video game consoles, and power tools are exempt. Still, this is one of the most comprehensive state laws to date. As  Reuse Minnesota  explains, it ensures that within 60 days of a product’s first sale, manufacturers must provide manuals, service codes, replacement parts, and repair software—on fair and reasonable terms. Enforcement falls to the state’s attorney general. Consumer advocates stress, as NCSL  reports, that Minnesota’s law is a test case. If enforced vigorously, it could drive down repair costs, extend product lifespans, and reduce e-waste flows. Other states are already watching closely. The repair movement is not only legislative but cultural. Organizations like  iFixit have published tens of thousands of free repair guides, from iPhones to espresso machines. Their advocacy arm notes that Right to Repair bills have now been introduced in all 50 US states.  iFixit  also rates products for repairability, shining a spotlight on manufacturers who design for longevity versus those who build for obsolescence. Repair cafés—community workshops where volunteers help fix devices—reinforce this culture. They not only divert waste but also shift mindsets: Repair is empowerment, not inconvenience.   Repair.org  points out that community repair boosts environmental awareness and builds social cohesion. Internationally, the movement is gaining traction. WIPO Magazine  highlights how repair intersects with intellectual property, software locks, and competition law. Countries in Europe have already passed rules  requiring manufacturers to design appliances for easier repair and to provide spare parts for up to 10 years. Industry Resistance and Policy Pushback Of course, not everyone is on board. Industry groups warn about safety, cybersecurity, and intellectual property. The auto industry in particular has fought to limit repair access, but even here, cracks are forming. The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) runs a campaign titled  “Protect Your Right to Repair,” arguing that vehicle owners should have access to diagnostics and parts. As  MEMA  explains, bipartisan support has made auto repair rights one of the most advanced areas of this movement. Manufacturers of consumer electronics remain more resistant. Watchdogs like  Public Interest Research Group (PIRG)  show that enforcement is already a challenge: Many companies still withhold parts and manuals even after laws are passed. PIRG’s July 2025 Leaders & Laggards II  report found that major tech brands continue to make repairs unnecessarily difficult, highlighting the gap between legislation and implementation. As  PIRG notes, even new laws can fall short without strong oversight. Repair is essential, but it’s only part of the solution. Ultimately, products themselves must be designed to last. Fortunately, a new generation of companies is leading the way. Fairphone has built a reputation for radical modularity. Its newest model, the Fairphone 6, earned a 10/10 repairability score from  iFixit . Consumers can easily replace the battery, screen, or camera module with a screwdriver. According to  Fairphone’s Impact Report , these design choices avoid tons of e-waste and create fair-wage supply chains. Fairphone’s model demonstrates that designing for longevity is not only possible but profitable. Framework Laptop  has done the same for computers. Its latest iteration, the Framework 12, also scored 10/10 on  iFixit . Every part is labeled, repair guides are free, and upgrades (like new motherboards) can be swapped in without buying a new device. Closing the Loop: Recycling and Urban Mining Even with the best repair policies and modular designs, electronics will eventually reach the end of their life. That’s where innovations in recycling come in. Apple’s “Daisy” robot is a striking example. According to  Apple , Daisy can disassemble 200 iPhones per hour, extracting rare earth magnets, cobalt from batteries, and gold from circuit boards. Apple claims these materials can then be fed into new devices, reducing the need for virgin mining. As  Apple  highlights, such recycling innovations are central to their “Apple 2030” carbon goals. Researchers are also advancing automated disassembly. A review in Frontiers in Robotics and AI  titled “The Future of Robotic Disassembly: A systematic review of techniques and applications in the age of AI” shows how using robots to recycle electronics can reduce worker exposure to toxins while boosting recovery rates. Meanwhile, urban mining is gaining momentum. The Chemical & Engineering News  feature “Electronic waste is a gold mine waiting to be tapped” argues that tapping e-waste stockpiles could rival conventional mining in scale. In addition, a 2025 study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showed that “flash Joule heating” can recover precious metals from e-waste with 80 to 500 times less energy than traditional smelting. Policy for a Circular Future Policy is catching up to these innovations. The European Union is rolling out the digital product passport as part of its Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation . The DPP will track materials throughout a product’s life cycle, making it easier to repair, refurbish, and recycle. As the EU Commission  explains, it’s like a digital ID card for products that shows what they’re made of and how they can be serviced. Analyses by think tanks like the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) confirm that these systems can transform not just electronics but also batteries , textiles, and construction materials . CEPS’ work suggests DPPs could become the backbone of Europe’s circular economy. Meanwhile, the United States is behind  on such measures. The e-waste center of Agbogbloshie, a suburb of Accra, the capital of Ghana, where electronic waste is burned and disassembled with no safety or environmental considerations. Marlenenapoli/Wikipedia E-waste is not just an environmental crisis; it is also a justice issue. Informal e-waste dumps in Ghana , India, and elsewhere expose workers and children to toxic smoke and heavy metals. Meanwhile, underserved communities in wealthy nations lack affordable access to technology. Here, repair and refurbishment intersect with equity. Groups like Wisetekmarket and the Digital Poverty Alliance  stress that refurbishing devices and reselling them at lower cost helps bridge the digital divide while cutting waste. Social enterprises already refurbish laptops for schools, creating green jobs in the process. According to 4thbin.com , recycling e-waste generates tens of thousands of skilled jobs for dismantling electronic devices, recovering precious metals, and repurposing parts. The e-waste problem is vast, but the solutions are coming into focus: Policymakers must strengthen and enforce repair laws, following the lead of states like Minnesota and global frameworks like the EU’s Digital Product Passport. Manufacturers must embrace design for repairability, as shown by pioneers like Fairphone and Framework. Consumers can support companies that value longevity, use  iFixit’s  repair guides, and choose refurbished devices. Communities can host repair cafés and demand accountability from local leaders. As the  Global E-waste Monitor  warns, e-waste is growing five times faster than documented recycling. Yet with the momentum of the Right to Repair movement , the innovation of using robots to recycle electronics , and the vision of circular policy , people can begin to bend the curve. *Karl Selle is a freelance writer who lives in Bowie, Maryland, USA.

Evidence Shows Links to Stronger Academics, Health, and Problem-Solving Skills By Karl Selle* When young students experience excitement over objects in the natural world they develop a love for nature that can bring them to be lifelong caretakers of the environment. Rawpixel/iStock Children don’t protect what they don’t love. Environmental education at its best cultivates a felt  connection to living systems—wonder at a bee’s flight, delight in a sprouting seed, awe under a night sky. And those feelings can be further solidified by developing a spiritual connection in which to root them. Ideally, affection matures into an environmental morality: a durable sense that the other-than-human world is worthy of care, that one’s choices carry consequences, and that stewardship is part of being a good neighbor and a good citizen.   As the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE ) frames it, environmental education—which might also be called green learning , ecoliteracy , ecological education , or environmental literacy —develops not only knowledge but dispositions for responsible action. As students keep encountering nature directly, those dispositions become habits. This is more than sentiment. Early, repeated contact with nature builds pro-environment attitudes that persist. Programs that take learning outdoors—gardens, habitat projects, creek monitoring—give kids chances to practice care, not just talk about it. Over time, that practice becomes identity: Children begin to think, “I’m someone who notices, tends, and restores.” Research compilations from Texas Children in Nature  show gains in cognition and goal-making abilities from outdoor learning, and the National Wildlife Federation’s Schoolyard Habitats offers step-by-step ways to turn affection into action through real habitat work (see their Planning Guide ).   Crucially, a love-first approach aligns head and heart. Students learn to test water quality, plant flowers to attract pollinating insects, and read energy dashboards—and they are taught to care  about the outcomes. That blend of competence and care is what endures: a lifelong lifestyle of conservation, kindness toward the natural world, and civic-minded environmental action. It’s why the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF ) highlights benefits that span academics, health, and stewardship.   Indigenous Approach to Learning One underexplored area of environmental teaching is that favored by Native American educators—and it’s one that’s in sync with the mainstream US notion of cultivating in students an emotional and loving connectedness with nature. Indigenous pedagogy can be summarized as follows: Emphasis on relationship, not just knowledge: Instead of treating the environment as a resource “out there,” Native American teachings emphasize reciprocal relationships  between humans and the natural world. Students learn that the Earth is a relative, not a commodity. Lessons stress stewardship and responsibility rather than mere conservation. Place-based learning and local knowledge: Native education is often rooted in specific places and ecosystems— learning from the land itself . Students learn about local plants, animals, watersheds, and seasonal cycles, not just global environmental issues. For example, a class might study how a local river ecosystem functions biologically while also hearing a tribal story that explains its spiritual and historical significance.  Intergenerational and community involvement: Environmental education isn’t confined to textbooks. Tribal elders, farmers, fishers, and community members are coteachers . Storytelling, song, and ceremony are used to pass on ecological knowledge. Projects might involve community gardens, forest restoration, or traditional food harvesting. Indigenous approaches show how ethics and reverence can be embedded in education without endorsing a particular religion.   Integration of spiritual and moral dimensions: Indigenous approaches show how ethics and reverence  can be embedded in education without endorsing a particular religion. Lessons might explore respect for all living beings, the sacredness of water, or the idea of caretaking for future generations. Discussions about the “Seventh Generation” principle —making decisions with the well-being of seven generations ahead in mind—could shape environmental ethics curricula.  Blending traditional ecological knowledge and Western science: Native environmental education doesn’t reject modern science; it complements  it. Students might learn both botanical classification and Indigenous uses of plants. Problem-solving projects balance empirical research with traditional practices.  Education through doing: Hands-on stewardship  is central. Students might participate in water monitoring, replanting native species, or seed gathering.   Ideally, environmental education is more than just teaching science facts. As defined by NAAEE , it is a multidisciplinary approach that equips students with the knowledge and skills to solve environmental challenges. This education can be as simple as students tending a school garden or as complex as high schoolers monitoring air quality with sensors. According to NEEF , these real-world projects improve academic outcomes, nurture resilience, and strengthen community bonds.   Why Now? This is an age of cascading climate impacts and biodiversity loss. Environmental education is not just enrichment; it is survival-level learning. The National Environmental Education Act , passed in 1990, established the US Office of Environmental Education and continues to provide grants and training. At the classroom level, this translates into programs like students in Maryland mapping tree canopy coverage or Texas middle schoolers restoring prairies through Texas Children in Nature . These efforts make environmental challenges tangible—and solvable—for young people. Moroccan students watching birds at Nador lagoon on the Mediterranean coast during activities marking World Wetlands Day. Kokopelado/Wikipedia Globally, NAAEE  emphasizes that education systems must keep pace with ecological realities.  NEEF  reminds people that healthier environments and healthier children are inseparable. Both organizations stress  that environmental education prepares students not only for STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math) but also for civic responsibility in the face of climate change.   Defining Environmental Education Green education is often misunderstood as simply “nature study.” In fact, the Wikipedia entry on environmental education  shows its scope: spanning ethics, civic responsibility, and sustainable development. In practice, it means students doing things:   Testing water quality in nearby streams. Using solar panels at a school like Discovery Elementary in Virginia  to learn how energy systems work (see also the school’s building page  or the architect’s case study ) (this shows how a net-zero school can use solar panels, dashboards, and sustainable design as teaching tools—turning infrastructure into curriculum). Building pollinator gardens and tracking species visits. As NAAEE  explains, these projects foster critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and lifelong stewardship habits.   Evidence for What Works Evidence for ecoliteracy’s impact is strong. A comprehensive Stanford/NAAEE review of 119 studies  found that 98% of green education programs improved student knowledge, while more than 80% inspired pro-environmental behavior. (See the eeWORKS K–12 overview  for a quick synopsis.)   A 2022 Journal of Environmental Psychology meta-analysis synthesized 169 studies across six continents and 176,000 participants. It found that programs linking learning to hands-on projects—like students planting trees, maintaining recycling systems, or designing energy-saving campaigns—had the strongest results.   Students benefit both academically and emotionally. According to NEEF , those in environmental education programs perform better in reading, math, and science. They also develop resilience and creativity and gain “soft skills” like collaboration and problem-solving.   Parents benefit [from eco-education] when kids bring home habits like conserving water or reducing waste.   Teachers benefit from more engaged learners. Parents benefit when kids bring home habits like conserving water or reducing waste. Communities benefit when schools act as models of sustainability—whether that’s composting cafeteria waste, shifting to renewable energy, or installing a rain garden (a shallow depression in the ground planted with native grasses, flowers, and shrubs to mitigate stormwater runoff). Texas Children in Nature  points to improved self-discipline and health among students regularly outdoors.   The Eco-Schools global program  spans more than 50,000 schools across 100-plus countries and engages millions of students. Projects range from building wildlife habitats in the UK to creating recycling systems in Kenya.   A case study on the Czech  Republic by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development shows how students lead local energy audits and biodiversity projects, fostering both literacy and civic engagement. Eco-Schools Malaysia  reports measurable impacts like reduced water use and energy savings. These case studies demonstrate that environmental learning doesn’t stay in the classroom—it can transform whole communities. Students can learn a lot about environmental science just by gardening around their school. Kampus Production/Pexels Green Schools and Cognitive Performance Where students learn also matters. A study in Barcelona, Spain, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences  found that students in greener schools had better working memory and less inattentiveness, partly due to reduced air pollution. In terms of less-developed countries, a 2023 open-access study  found that schools surrounded by more greenery saw higher math and reading scores, especially in public schools. Students exposed to nature scored 20% higher in math and 7% higher in reading.   Direct experience in nature deepens care for the environment. Texas Children in Nature  shows how outdoor learning boosts goal-making abilities and academic performance.   If eco-education is so effective, why isn’t it everywhere? Barriers include political resistance, financial inequities, and cultural undervaluing of outdoor learning. The US Environmental Protection Agency  notes that federal support is vital, but local leadership determines implementation. The agency adds that teachers need more training and resources to deliver green education consistently.   Ultimately, environmental education is character education and even spiritual education in an ecological context. By championing eco-education through real-world projects—and beginning with love for the living world—teachers can empower students, strengthen communities, and sustain the shared human future. *Karl Selle is a freelance writer who lives in Bowie, Maryland, USA.

The UN's Top Court Says Yes, but Does the Universe Itself Confer This Right? By Jana Perez-Angelo* These Polynesian boys hamming it up in the city of South Tarawa (population 63,000), capital of Kiribati, could be the poster children for the threat of global sea-level rise inundating low-lying island nations like Kiribati, Tonga, and the Maldives. Kiribati supported a climate change case brought to the International Court of Justice, which the court used to declare that an unpolluted environment is a human right. Government of Kiribati/Wikipedia As wildfires rage, oceans rise, and extreme weather events strain vulnerable communities worldwide, the question is becoming increasingly urgent: Do people have a universal human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment ? In July 2025, the United Nations’ top judicial body, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ,delivered an advisory opinion asserting that such a right exists.   The ruling was requested by a coalition of small island nations and supported by over 130 countries. Climate activists, human rights advocates, and environmental scholars hailed it as a moral milestone, potentially reshaping global environmental governance. The opinion articulates  a vision of environmental protection as more than policy, and suggests a collective responsibility grounded in legal, moral, and spiritual imperatives.   Yet the opinion also raises complex legal and philosophical questions. Is this right enforceable, or does it remain aspirational? And does it reflect a deeper, perhaps divine or natural, universal moral law, echoing the stewardship principles upheld by many religious and philosophical traditions ?   What the ICJ Said The Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands, the seat of the International Court of Justice. Ben Bender/Wikipedia The ICJ declared that states have a duty to protect the environment and prevent activities that cause transboundary environmental harm. While advisory opinions  are not legally binding, they carry significant moral and persuasive authority in international law.   “ States must cooperate  to achieve concrete emission reduction targets,” ICJ Judge Yuji Iwasawa said, adding that failure by countries to comply with the “stringent obligations” placed on them by climate treaties is a breach of international law. This principle draws upon established doctrines in international environmental law that underscore that environmental protection is a shared responsibility.   Countries with existing environmental rights enshrined in their constitutions, such as France , Kenya , and Norway, may now find new judicial support for strengthening protections and expanding avenues for litigation. The constitutions of more than three-quarters of the countries on Earth explicitly reference environmental rights or responsibilities. However, this is not the case in the United States. The US Constitution contains no unequivocal right to a clean and healthy environment, and efforts to persuade federal courts to recognize an implied constitutional right have been unsuccessful . Consequently, environmental protection in the US remains largely statutory and regulatory, rather than constitutional.   The ICJ ruling sets up a clash between national sovereignty and international responsibility.   The ICJ ruling sets up a clash between national sovereignty and international responsibility. The ICJ emphasized that environmental protection is a shared global duty, asserting that “no state may act in a vacuum when its activities impact ecosystems beyond its borders.” The Court clarified  that a state’s failure to take adequate measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions may constitute an internationally wrongful act, not because of the emissions themselves, but due to the state’s breach of its duty to safeguard the planetwide climate system.   This principle resonates with the concept of common concern of humankind , which has appeared in climate and biodiversity treaties, affirming the global nature of environmental responsibility.   Moral and Religious Dimensions Video of Pope Leo XIV’s address on human stewardship of the environment. Across the world’s religions and philosophies, the natural world is viewed as sacred, and humans are entrusted with its care. The late Pope Francis’ Laudato Si ’ encyclical emphasizes care for “ our common home ,” reminding policymakers that environmental degradation disproportionately affects the poor and marginalized. In Islam, the Qur’anic principle of khalifah describes humans as trustees of the Earth, bearing responsibility to preserve ecosystems for future generations. Hindu traditions teach ahimsa, nonviolence toward all living beings, while Indigenous and Native American worldviews understand humans as kin within the web of life, with obligations to maintain balance and reciprocity. Jewish teachings on tikkun olam  call for repairing and protecting the world—human and natural—as a divine duty.   The Laudato Si  document recalls the biblical statement that God put human beings in the Garden of Eden “to cultivate and keep it,” meaning to maintain it, with no option to ruin it (Genesis 2:15). “Keeping,” according to the encyclical, in fact means “caring, protecting, overseeing, and preserving.” Psalm 24:1 reminds people that “the Earth is the Lord’s,” implying that humans are merely borrowing from the Earth materials that are divine creations and therefore holy.   In an interview with The Earth & I , Dr. Celia Deane-Drummond , director of the Laudato Si’ Research Institute  at Campion Hall, University of Oxford, emphasized that the right to a clean and healthy environment is deeply connected to the right to life, since human survival depends on the flourishing of other creatures. Philosophical, moral, and religious traditions affirm that all creatures possess intrinsic value—worth in themselves, not simply in their usefulness to humans.   Many faith traditions see this intrinsic worth as grounded in the sacred: All life reflects divine presence, and humans, as moral agents or divine trustees, bear a responsibility toward creation. To deprive communities of a healthy environment, Deane-Drummond notes, is therefore a grave injustice. Stewardship, in this sense, is not mere management of resources but a transcendent calling to care for the Earth as a sacred trust.   Protecting the environment is not only a matter of governance but a moral obligation owed to creation, to humanity, and to future generations, grounded in the will of the Creator.   From this interreligious perspective, the ICJ ruling codifies what diverse traditions have long proclaimed: Protecting the environment is not only a matter of governance but a moral obligation owed to creation, to humanity, and to future generations, grounded in the will of the Creator. Opportunities for Vulnerable Nations Bartholemew, ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople and leader of the Eastern Orthodox Church, has expressed environmental sentiments parallel to those of Popes Francis and Leo XIV. Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών/Wikipedia For small island developing states facing existential climate threats, the ICJ ruling offers potential leverage. The Stockholm Environment Institute suggests that nations like Tuvalu,   Kiribati , and the Maldives could use the advisory opinion to support claims for climate finance, adaptation aid, or reparations under international law. Analysts note that such legal recognition can strengthen negotiations at forums such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change  and the Green Climate Fund,  even if enforcement mechanisms remain limited. Legal experts also suggest that the opinion could bolster strategic litigation efforts. Cases that allege cross-border environmental harm, rising sea levels, or climate-induced displacement may find a stronger footing when international law increasingly frames these issues as fundamental human rights. For instance, the precedent set by the Netherlands’ Supreme Court in Urgenda v. Netherlands shows that domestic courts are willing to hold governments accountable for failing to prevent climate harms—a principle potentially reinforced by the ICJ’s advisory opinion. Critiques and Counterarguments  Not everyone sees the ruling as a step forward. Some conservative scholars and commentators caution against judicial overreach, arguing that climate policy should be determined by democratic processes, not by courts. Bjorn Lomborg , writing in The Washington Post , says the ruling will cause “significant economic harm, with far-reaching consequences for human well-being,” and claims it risks undermining democratic governance by creating obligations without legislative approval. The Heartland Institute  and other climate-skeptic think tanks echo concerns about expanding obligations through appointed judges rather than popularly elected legislatures.   Other critics warn that the advisory opinion may provide a false sense of progress. While symbolic victories matter, they caution that without enforcement mechanisms, states may ignore obligations or prioritize economic growth over environmental protection. US legal scholars, for example, note that advisory opinions  historically carry persuasive weight but require domestic or international follow-up for binding implementation.   Transforming the ICJ’s moral and legal recognition into binding obligations would require treaties, international enforcement mechanisms, or domestic legislation. Precedents suggest that advisory opinions can inspire national legal reforms, but their global impact often depends on political will, civil society pressure, and moral advocacy, including from religious communities. Legal scholars at the European Journal of International Law  note that recognition of environmental rights as customary international law could eventually allow litigation against states or corporations causing cross-border harm, particularly in jurisdictions with preexisting environmental rights. Soft-law instruments, like the 1972 Stockholm Declaration  or the 2022 UN General Assembly resolution on human rights and the environment , have previously catalyzed gradual legal integration. If political momentum continues, advisory opinions may evolve into enforceable norms, especially when aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.   Scientific and Policy Context The ICJ ruling emerges against a backdrop of worsening global environmental crises. Rising temperatures,   ocean acidification , biodiversity loss , and deforestation  all demonstrate that environmental harm has immediate and long-term human rights implications. The World Bank  and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report that climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, creating a feedback loop between environmental degradation and social inequities.   Integrating the ICJ opinion into policy could encourage governments to prioritize environmental protection alongside economic development. By framing environmental protection as a human right or even a supernatural mandate, policymakers may be compelled to adopt stricter regulations, incentivize renewable energy,  and enhance international cooperation. This could also influence financial institutions to incorporate environmental criteria into investment and lending decisions, effectively mainstreaming sustainability as both a legal and moral imperative.   Ultimately, the ICJ opinion forces us to ask: Is there a fundamental human right—perhaps even undergirded by divine authority—to a clean environment ? If it’s more than just ink on a legal document, if it’s truly a transcendent reality, then scholars, policymakers, religious leaders, and civil society are called to urgently grapple with how to operationalize this right in legal, political, and ethical terms. Time will tell whether humanity embraces the responsibility owed not only to people around the world but to the entire web of life  and to generations yet unborn. *Jana Perez-Angelo is a Denver-based writer and multidisciplinary creative and digital strategist passionate about brand storytelling and purpose-driven content. Her work has been featured in Relevant Magazine, Medium, and Faithful Life.

What Especially Africa and California Must Do to Snuff Out Threats A wildfire travels up a mountainside. SONY ILCE/Unsplash Incongruously, new research indicates that while wildfire incidence is down worldwide, the threat of wildfires to people and homes is rising precipitously. Populations are expanding into fire-prone landscapes, according to a new global analysis published in Science  and summarized in ScienceDaily. The study showed that, although the total area burned dropped by about 26%, human exposure to wildfires near their homes rose by some 7.7 million people per year, affecting 440 million people worldwide between 2002 and 2021. Regions with disproportionate risk include sub-Saharan Africa, which accounts for 85% of all human wildfire exposures globally, and California, which despite contributing only about 15% of burned area in the United States, is home to 72% of US wildfire exposure. Half of all global human exposure occurs in the five African nations of Congo, South Sudan, Mozambique, Zambia, and Angola. But the US, Europe, and Australia together account for only about 2.5% of the worldwide total. Deterring Woodland Fires To protect people living in fire-prone regions—especially in Africa and California—experts say the urgency is clear: Move from reaction to prevention. Several mitigation tools are proving effective: Prescribed burns and fuel reduction:   Intentionally managed fires  help remove built-up vegetation (fuels) that otherwise feed large wildfires. A recent Stanford-led study showed prescribed fires cut wildfire severity by about 16% in treated areas of the western U.S. and reduced smoke emissions by roughly 101 kilograms of PM 2.5 per acre in California, when accounting for both prescribed fires and future wildfire smoke. Forest thinning and restoration:  Coupling thinning of dense undergrowth  with prescribed fire improves forest health and reduces the risk of high-severity wildfire. A 20-year experiment in California’s Sierra Nevada found that thinning plus prescribed fire significantly lowered potential wildfire danger without harming forest biodiversity. Resilience and building practices in the wildland-urban interface : Homes need  fire-resistant materials, defensible space (cleared areas around structures), and infrastructure planning that respects natural fire patterns. Policies must support  communities to harden structures and avoid building in the most dangerous zones. Improved monitoring, early warning, and community preparedness:  Satellite-based fire detection, weather forecasting that highlights “fire weather” (hot, dry, windy conditions), and early alert systems can give people time to act . In Africa especially, where 85% of global exposures occur, scaling these systems is vital. A firefighter supervises a prescribed burn in California. Pexels The Science  study also documents a sharp increase in “fire weather”—conditions favoring fires (heat, low humidity, wind)—which have intensified significantly over recent decades. Why Fire Mitigation Matters The consequences of wildfire exposure are more than property loss. Smoke contributes to serious health risks —including respiratory, cardiovascular, and even long-term mortality related to fine particulates. Research in California and beyond shows that long-term exposure to wildfire smoke rises sharply in both rural and urban zones near fires. To reduce the risk of wildfire threat, the following are the consensus courses of action: Scale up prescribed burns  and thinning in Africa, California, and elsewhere, especially in zones where people live close to wildlands. Reform policies and permitting  that delay burns or limit their implementation due to smoke fears—while still ensuring safety. Research shows the trade-offs strongly favor prevention over reacting to full-blown wildfires. Expand early warning and community education so that people know how to prepare, evacuate, and protect their health when smoke or fire threatens. Integrate fire risk into urban planning. Avoid risky land-use practices near wildlands, enforce building codes  suited to fire exposure, and increase investment in fire-resistant infrastructure. By adopting these strategies now, regions like Africa and California can reduce the growing mismatch between wildfire risk and human exposure—and protect lives, health, and communities.

Tiny Diatoms Undergird the Food Chain Crucial for Indigenous Cultures Assorted diatoms as seen through an optical microscope. These specimens were living between crystals of annual sea ice in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Prof. Gordon T. Taylor, Stony Brook University /Wikipedia New research reveals that Arctic diatoms—microscopic algae—can actively move and survive in sea ice at temperatures as low as −15° C (5° F). This groundbreaking discovery means that these tiny organisms play a far more dynamic role in the Arctic food chain than previously thought and serve as a vital and active food source for marine life during the long, dark Arctic winter. This discovery not only reshapes scientists’ understanding of life in extreme environments but also underscores the delicate and interconnected balance that sustains both wildlife and human life in the Arctic. The Arctic food chain is uniquely dependent on sea ice algae. In the past, scientists believed these algae were mostly dormant and trapped within the ice, providing a limited food source. However, research from Stanford University, published on September 9, 2025, in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , shows diatoms are not only surviving but also actively gliding through icy channels using actin filaments. This gliding movement persists at −15 °C (5 °F), the lowest temperature ever recorded for motility in a eukaryotic cell. This movement allows them to continue providing a crucial energy source  during a time of year when other food sources are scarce. Diatoms are consumed by zooplankton like copepods and krill, which are then eaten by Arctic cod and other small fish. These fish, in turn, are the primary food for marine mammals such as seals, walruses, and whales. At the top of this chain are polar bears, which rely on seals for survival. Essentially, the ability of these microscopic algae to remain active and available as a food source during the coldest months is a matter of life and death  for the Arctic’s largest predators. Mechanism and Observations The researchers, led by Manu Prakash, an associate professor of bioengineering at Stanford, collected ice cores from 12 stations throughout the Chukchi Sea during a 45-day Arctic expedition in summer 2023, aboard the research vessel Sikuliaq . Using custom microscopes onboard, they imaged inside the ice and observed the diatoms moving. They then created a winter environment by lowering the temperature of a “special sub-zero microscope” below freezing and by putting thin layers of frozen freshwater over very cold saltwater, mimicking natural micro-channels that form when sea ice expels salt. Even under these subzero conditions, the diatoms glided using a combination of mucus secretion (polymeric material) and molecular motor machinery (including actin filaments). Temperate diatoms , by contrast, do not show the same ability to glide within ice substrates at such low temperatures. Regarding the prevalence of algae in the Arctic food chain, Prakash noted that the team’s underwater drone revealed that, while “the Arctic is white on top … underneath it’s green—absolute pitch green because of the presence of algae.” Inuit fishermen in Uummannaq, Greenland, prepare longlines on dinghies to catch Greenland halibut and other Arctic fish, which are ultimately dependent on diatoms and other phytoplankton. Creative Commons Impact on Human Beings The health of the Arctic food chain directly affects Indigenous communities that depend on subsistence hunting. For example, the Inuit and other Arctic peoples hunt marine mammals like seals and whales, whose populations are sustained by the productivity of the lower food chain. The resilience of diatoms  in extreme cold ensures the continued health of the ecosystem that has supported these cultures for millennia.

Student-led Free Exchanges Changing Values, Consumer Habits By Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe * Students are embracing swapping initiatives . istock Across international and US campuses, a new sustainability trend is taking root: “swap shops” and free stores, designed to reduce dorm-room waste while easing students’ financial burdens.   According to   the non-profit , PlanetAid , the average US student produces 640 pounds of trash every year. With approximately 60,781 enrolled students at New York University (NYU) , one of the US's largest private universities, that could amount to almost 40 million pounds of discarded waste annually. University College London (UCL), the UK’s largest in-person university, had   51,793 students during the 2024/2025 academic year , generating a potential 33 million pounds of unwanted items.   Meanwhile, Boston-based Tufts University has found that its students leave behind a collective average of 230 tons of garbage in May and June.   Swap Shops Address the Challenge Swap shop initiatives are helping to address this critical challenge. Students at New York City's NYU and The New School are turning discarded dorm essentials into stylish second-hand specialties. The New Yorker  recently described NYU’s swap shop initiative as a "dumpster-to-dorm boutiqu e" t hat challenges consumer culture while fostering community exchange. NBC News  noted that college swap programs “help undergrads and the environment” by  diverting massive amounts of waste from landfills while saving students money .   Outside the US, institutions like UCL have launched reuse and recycling initiatives that have been honored for their waste reduction initiatives . Ranking 100 global universities by their commitments to recycling and sustainability, the Times Higher Education   Impact Rankings  puts Korea University at the top of the list in part for its Zero Waste recycling station initiative, followed by Swansea University and the University of Exeter, which take joint second place.   Together, these global initiatives reflect a cultural shift on campus—where sustainability is no longer just about recycling but about rethinking consumption habits altogether.   Students Spearhead Change According to The New York Post ,  The New School student Shannon Hughes—inspired by a class on “Waste Injustice”—gathered friends in the spring of 2024 to go dorm to dorm and collect unwanted items. The idea for the university’s first swap shop was born, and ahead of the fall semester, in August 2025, the school held its second annual “Free Sale,” offering students the opportunity to take items left behind by other students.   NYU opened its temporary pop-up , NYU Swap Shop ,  to students from August 23-30, 2025. After showing their IDs, students could pick from over 5,000 discarded items retrieved from dorms at the end of the school year.   About 300 students reportedly attended the shop’s soft opening . Within the first few days,   around 1,800 items had been snapped up, including clothes, mirrors, lamps, and 155 microwaves .   A NYU video promoting its pop-up swap shop received  almost a million views on TikTok  and  over 43,000 likes on Instagram , leading to a long line of eager swappers.   A NYU video promoting its pop-up swap shop received almost a million views on TikTok and over 43,000 likes on Instagram, leading to a long line of eager swappers.   As the swapping movement grows globally, temporary shops are staying open for longer. The University of North Carolina has launched its first campus free store, Seahawk Swap Shop, which is open between August 25-November 25, 2025, from 11 am-4 pm.   One of the University of Exeter’s newest sustainability initiatives is its Gift it, Reuse it (GiRi) swap shop program. “Staff and students have long been aware of the amount of waste generated during move-out periods, much of it made up of perfectly good items, and our scheme aimed to tackle this directly,” Meg Haslam, who runs the University of Exeter’s Gift it Reuse scheme, told The Earth & I .   In its first year, the GiRi scheme successfully prevented 8,554 items, weighing a total of 1,623 kg (3578 lbs), from entering waste streams. It prevented an estimated 18,016 kgs (20 tons) of CO₂ emissions— the amount that would have been released if these items had entered waste streams and been incinerated for energy. In its second year, the program received approximately 15,500 donations, weighing a total of 3,510 kg (7738 lbs)— nearly doubling the year one totals. Donation point for campus reuse items. ©Moye/University of Exeter Broadening Existing Sustainability Initiatives Swap shop initiatives build on broader “free store” and reuse programs already present on some campuses. NYU taps into its Green Apple Move Out (GAMO) program , which collects and donates would-be dorm throw-away items each year. Designed to cut down on waste, the initiative reports  20,000 pounds  of clothes, cleaning equipment, and household goods collected annually.   Kent State University’s textile reuse program has diverted   more than 221 tons of materials from landfills in just five years . At the University of Georgia, the campus “swap shop” offers a  peer-to-peer reuse model  for clothing and supplies. Over 100 members turned out for the University of Michigan’s lab-based swap shop  that opened in 2024, which diverted 563.4 pounds of material from landfills. The university found that in-person swap shop labs are almost 23.5 times more effective than online shopping when comparing average daily diversion rates.   Meanwhile, coming soon to the UK’s University of Exeter Repair Café is a new circular initiative aimed at extending the life of everyday items through repair rather than replacement.   “By encouraging repair over disposal, the café supports a more sustainable and circular approach to consumption,” Nicola Corrigan, Head of Sustainability Programmes within the Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services department at the University of Exeter, told The Earth & I.   “In many cases, repair offers greater environmental benefits than recycling, especially for electronics, which often require energy-intensive processes to break down,” Corrigan added. The first Repair Café session is planned for November 25, 2025.    Universities worldwide are putting collaboration, commitment, and action across the school network at the center of their initiatives. Alongside developing its new sustainability dashboard , for example, The New School is a member of  New York City’s long-standing Carbon Challenge  and the higher education-focused Second Nature Commitment .   The  Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (AASHE STARS)  enables universities to self-report their sustainability efforts via a comprehensive framework. There are currently 382 institutions with a STAR rating . Gold members NYU and silver members The New School and Kent State University are on the list.   Swap Shops Support Campus Environmental Efforts In September 2025, UCL said it was  reviewing its waste management services  after “falling short of our ambitious recycling targets set out in our Sustainability Strategy.” The British university aims to lower its overall waste by 10% by 2027 and reach an 85% recycling rate by 2034. UCL and the University of Exeter have deployed Warp It , a dedicated reuse platform, to facilitate the giving, getting, and loaning of surplus assets within the institution. In 2024, the UCL used Warp It to reuse over 7,000 items. The initiative  enabled the university to divert 26 tons from going to waste and save 17 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Today, the UCL’s swap shops are a firm part of the university’s reuse program, with free clothes exchange events held throughout the academic year.   The  initiative  enabled the university to divert 26 tons from going to waste and save 17 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2).   The University of Exeter diverted 50.5 tons of waste from standard waste streams in 2023/24, increasing the amount to 138.42 tons in 2024/25. The university has recently implemented a new recycling scheme and has published its  Circular Economy Strategy 2024 – 2030 . As of October 2024, the university had saved over $671,366 through the redistribution of surplus items. Streatham Campus, University of Exeter. ©University of Exeter. Shaping Student Culture “Beyond the immediate benefits of waste reduction, we believe GiRi plays a transformative role in shaping campus culture by embedding values of inclusivity and community into everyday university life,” said Haslam.   In a 2022 study  on textile swapping, US researchers found  that swapping partners' and participants’ love for clothes are critical factors that determine overall swap satisfaction and success. Temporary swapping offers a transition to “sustainable consumption practices,” said the researchers, “because it provides a middle ground between product ownership and non-ownership and thus facilitates gradual dematerialization of consumer lifestyle.”   Researchers in 2024 found  that “formal clothing swapping has evolved into collaborative sharing practices, sometimes leading to circular social and economic developments.” Their results indicate that the cultural identity and motivations of the NextGen demographic (consumers aged 18-35) are spurring the growth of up-swapping systems, pushing leaders, in turn, to increase “sustainable efforts.” Environmental motives for swapping are stronger among those from “collectivist cultures,” they added.   Swap shop schemes also support incoming students in need and/or facing transport challenges. “With cost-of-living pressures growing for students, swap shops also offer a timely way to support those who may struggle to afford basic kitchenware or appliances when arriving at university,” said Corrigan.   “With cost-of-living pressures growing for students, swap shops also offer a timely way to support those who may struggle to afford basic kitchenware or appliances when arriving at university.”   Swap shops also assist international students, as they often arrive with few belongings and buy household items they can’t transport back home. Swap shops enable students to collect what they need at no cost, with programs like the University of Exeter’s GiRi collecting the same items at the end of the year for future students—at an estimated savings for students of around $20,000 - $27,000 during the initial Free Shops in September 2024.   Scaling Swap Shop Schemes In the future, swap shop programs could become standardized across major universities, similar to dining hall composting or recycling systems. Programs like GiRi already offer replicable approaches, including localized collection, asset tracking, and redistribution. “Its originality lies in its simplicity and practicality—by localizing donation points within student residences, the scheme removes common barriers to participation and makes it easy for students to donate items safely and conveniently,” said Haslam.   The swap shop model can also decrease the need for large-scale storage facilities, making the programs work for institutions with limited space or resources. Multiple localized donation sites within student residences are more manageable, safe, and space-efficient. They can also be designed to fit the academic calendar, with donation periods timed to match contract end dates. “That means staffing, sorting, PAT [electrical safety] testing, and cleaning can all be planned in a way that works for each institution,” said Corrigan.   “What we’re seeing is a generational shift in how students view ownership, waste, and value,” said Haslam. “As today’s students move into their careers and households, they will carry these habits forward, choosing reuse over single-use, community benefit over individual waste, and transparency from the organizations they support,” Haslam added. *Natasha Spencer-Jolliffe  is a freelance journalist and editor. Over the past 10 years, Natasha has reported for a host of publications, exploring the wider world and industries from environmental, scientific, business, legal, and sociological perspectives. Natasha has also been interviewed as an insight provider for research institutes and conferences. Editorial notes Sources: Interview with Meg Haslam, who runs the University of Exeter’s Gift it Reuse it Scheme Interview with Nicola Corrigan, Head of Sustainability Programmes within the Finance, Infrastructure and Commercial Services department at the University of Exeter.

An Emerging Science is Confirming the Healing Power of Nature By Julie Peterson* Mesmerized by a flower. istock In an era dominated by digital screens and fast-paced living, the therapeutic and healing powers of time spent in nature are becoming more recognized by medical professionals, parents, educators, and spiritual leaders.   Call it ecopsychology, green therapy, forest bathing, or just plain fresh air, the benefits of being in nature are astounding.   What is new is the growing body of research that links the experience of awe with enhanced well-being.   Awe can be triggered by music, art, nature, or witnessing acts of kindness or courage. But in nature, whether awe is sparked by a majestic waterfall or the intricate patterns of a small sunflower, researchers are finding it is a stimulus that fosters a deep sense of connection to the natural world.   They are further seeing evidence that nature-induced awe can transform mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. From reducing stress and anxiety to boosting immune function and promoting positive emotional states, the wonderment of nature is proving to be far more than just picturesque moments.   Nature’s Ability to Heal Time spent in nature boosts emotional and psychological well-being for people of all ages—even those who are too young to understand. Hundreds of studies  indicate that toddlers and children benefit significantly from being outside, showing improved physical health, motor skills, social-emotional well-being, sleep patterns, and cognitive development.   A 2021 study of almost 70,000 children in Longhua District, Shenzhen, China, found that “outdoor environments have a significant protective effect on children’s mental health, potentially alleviating anxiety symptoms through mechanisms such as promoting a sense of well-being, reducing stress, and encouraging social interaction.”   Results such as these have long been believed by many but studied by few.   “Outdoor environments have a significant protective effect on children’s mental health.”   Some 20 years ago, Richard Louv, author of Last Child in the Woods , warned about “nature deficits” causing physical and mental health problems in children. A decade later, in 2015, paleontologist Scott Sampson encouraged adults to help kids fall in love with nature in How to Raise a Wild Child .   Fortunately, scientific research has increasingly supported these insights, providing evidence of nature’s wonderful benefits for children. Today, there are guides, such as 1000 Hours Outside   and I Love Dirt , that give people ample ideas for nature-based play and how to find the awe in all of it. Rejoicing in the rain after a long, hot drought. istock Researchers have reported  on the connection between living in greener urban areas and associated lower risks of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental distress among adults.   Intentional time in nature is also emerging as an important area of research to show that people have more control over their health outcomes than was previously thought—and it isn’t a time-consuming or rigorous task.   In a study involving 20,000 people , a team led by Mathew White at the University of Exeter in the UK measured direct nature exposure-response relationships. His article, “Spending at Least 120 Minutes a Week in Nature Is Associated with Good Health and Well-being,” states that participants who spent at least two hours per week in natural environments had an increase in self-reported good health and psychological well-being. There were even stronger positive associations for those who spent up to five hours in nature per week.   The physical benefits are extensive and go well beyond just feeling better.   There are important long-term health benefits that can decrease mortality. An article from UC Davis Health  points out that being in nature can reduce cortisol levels, muscle tension, heart rate, and blood pressure, and can increase vitamin D levels that boost blood cells, bones, and the immune system. These results are so astounding that some doctors prescribe time in nature  for their patients.   Awe in Nature While all nature exposure has healing capacity, awe-inspiring nature  can uniquely  reduce self-focus, increase feelings of connection, and boost life satisfaction, and it is linked to even more profound healing benefits, according to Dacher Keltner , professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life .   Awe-inspiring nature can uniquely  reduce self-focus, increase feelings of connection, and boost life satisfaction, and it is linked to even more profound healing benefits. The universal expression of awe.  Istock In 2015, research by Keltner found that people who experience awe in response to nature’s beauty have significantly lower levels of inflammation, reduced risk of depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other illnesses. In fact, the research found that the more often people experience awe, the lower their inflammation levels. In 2022, Keltner and colleague Maria Monroy published  “Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health,” noting that awe has been studied across cultures. Amazingly, awe is universally expressed in a pattern of facial muscle movements, including raised eyebrows, widened eyes, and an open drop-jawed mouth that are accompanied by vocalizations such as “Wow.” These facial, bodily, and vocal expressions of awe occur in similar contexts and are recognized across cultures. This means that awe isn’t a term that Western psychologists coined; it’s not something people made up. It’s part of human biology that is driven by specific brain structures and chemical messengers.   To that end, Monroy and Keltner reviewed studies on awe done by others and concluded that positive awe is marked by a distinct neurophysiological profile that includes reduced inflammation, elevated vagal tone, reduced sympathetic arousal, and increased oxytocin release. All these body processes benefit  mental and physical health.   The study of the physiological effects of awe in nature has only been researched for about 20 years. There may not yet be definitive proof supported by repeated studies, but recognizing awe is not new. In 1836, Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote :   In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There I feel that nothing can befall me in life—no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground—my head bathed by the blithe air and uplifted into infinite space—all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eyeball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Being circulate through me; I am part or parcel of God. The name of the nearest friend sounds then foreign and accidental; to be brothers, to be acquaintances, master or servant, is then a trifle and a disturbance. I am the lover of uncontained and immortal beauty.   Perhaps the most astounding theory that has yet to be further researched came from Dr. Jane Goodall. More than 40 years ago, she wrote of chimpanzees in Gombe National Park in Tanzania experiencing a waterfall and seeming to express awe. Such behavior was later documented in a video . As with other human emotions and behaviors that have been observed in animals, such as affection, fear, loyalty, playfulness, etc., the sensation of awe may also exist in some form in animals.   Research one day may explain this phenomenon.      Boosting Pro-Environmental Behavior Awe-some time in nature not only heals the body and mind, but it also nurtures the heart-centered relationships between people and nature that have been shown to promote environmental stewardship.   Paul Piff, associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Irvine, and colleagues reviewed studies on awe  and concluded that it causes people to become more invested in the greater good, which can lead to giving more to charity, volunteering, or lessening their impact on the environment.    According to a recent study  in Current Opinion in Psychology , when people feel connected to other natural things, good things happen—for individuals, groups, and the planet. Feeling connected to a resplendent sunset, the crash of ocean waves on the shore, the fragrance of pine needles, or the furrowed bark of an ancient tree could be a “reliable predictor of a broad range of pro-environmental behaviors,” wrote the researchers. “‘How can the closeness of our relationship with nature be improved?” they asked. Separation dissolves in the midst of a sunset. istock Connectedness reveals itself in the presence of camouflage.  Istock Perception shifts at the sight of awe-inspiring beauty. istock Nature-based spiritual practitioners may have diverse views on the divine, but they are often associated with organizations that follow the idea that the divine is connected to or part of the natural world. This oneness in spiritual practices in and with nature , as explored in a June 2025 article in The Earth & I , fosters empathy and environmental activism that helps to make societal changes and inspires people to live sustainably.   Awaken the Awe Individuals and communities can create opportunities for awe-inspiring experiences in nature  to enhance collective well-being , mental health, and environmental stewardship. Schools, community centers, senior organizations, and local recreation departments may provide trips to natural features such as ponds, rivers, lakes, forests, hiking trails, bird sanctuaries, and other places. But it isn’t necessary to travel far or climb a mountain to experience awe. Anyone anywhere can look closely at the structure of a flower, listen to birds singing, watch clouds forming and dissipating, touch flowing water, walk in the rain … there is awe to be found in everyday things.   While immersing oneself in nature may be the most effective option for health, there is also great benefit associated with meditating. If going out isn’t an option, one can try an eight-minute meditation break  led by Keltner to feel the serenity and wonder of nature, no matter one’s location.   People can find a sense of awe in everything that exists around them. By honing their ability to perceive beauty, they can more regularly rec ognize the splendor in their midst. Then they can focus on the things that speak to them and calm them; they can create their own healing and awesome meditations, be healthier and happier, and change the world—one awesome moment at a time.  *Julie Peterson   writes science-based articles about holistic health, environmental issues, and sustainable living from her small farm in Wisconsin.

Citizen Divers Monitor UK Marine Life for Conservation Science   By Gordon Cairns* Loch Carron in 2025. iStock On its surface, Loch Carron is a beautiful, tranquil highland sea loch on the northwest coast of Scotland. The highlands there are home to a diverse range of wildlife, including pine martens, red deer, and oystercatchers. Hidden deep below the loch’s surface is an equally beautiful haven for starfish, flame shells, and beds of maerl, a species of coral-like red algae. That this underwater world exists today in such abundant health can be credited to the work of Seasearch, a volunteer organization of citizen scientists who enjoy giving back to the marine world they love. Members of Seasearch Orkney Expedition after enjoying a meal together. Courtesy of Karen Boswarva In 2016, it was the quick actions of one of Seasearch’s volunteer scuba divers that stopped fishing boats from destroying the loch’s seabed. When a local diver observed a fishing boat trawling the seabed for shellfish in an area already known to be of high biodiversity, he immediately got a group of divers together to collect the necessary evidence to have the loch designated an emergency nature conservation area. Their documentation was passed on to authorities who called an immediate halt to fishing in the area. Now completely recovered, Loch Carron has full nature-conservation-area protected status, known in Scotland as a Marine Protected Area . In an interview with The Earth & I, Karen Boswarva, Seasearch coordinator for the Scottish islands of Orkney and Shetland, explained how quickly damage to the seabed can be missed. Weather and predators can cover over evidence of destruction, she explained. “If those Seasearch divers hadn’t gone in when they did, the time it would have taken to get a dive team in and record that information would have meant the damage wouldn’t have been exposed.” “If those Seasearch divers hadn’t gone in when they did … the [seabed] damage wouldn’t have been exposed.” She added: “Seasearch has had a really positive impact on that area. [Loch Carron] has since been identified as the largest flame shell bed in the known world. Other priority marine features—maerl beds and kelp forests—are also in the same designated area.” Flame shells. Courtesy of Karen Boswarva Fireworks anemone ( Pachycerianthus multiplicatus ) in Loch Fyne.  Courtesy of Karen Boswarva. A rocky reef off Cape Wrath dominated by dead man's fingers ( Alcyonium digitatum ), a species of soft coral, and tiny purple jewel anemones ( Corynactis viridis ). Courtesy of Karen Boswarva It seems only fitting to the marine scientist that these mollusks are so prevalent in this part of the world—a quarter of a billion flame shells live in Loch Carron alone—as they look like the Scottish novelty hats with ginger hair that anyone can buy from tourist shops. “The flame shell,” Boswarva said, “is the most Scottish of species. It’s got a mass of flame orange tentacles coming out of the shell.” She describes the unique experience of encountering them underwater: “They’re really cool to see because you just see these little holes with bright orange tentacles sticking out. They just need the little pom-pom on a highlander hat to complete the picture.” Monitoring Marine Life Apart from carrying out such dramatic interventions, Seasearch also effectively monitors marine life and supports conservation efforts  to reduce overfishing, habitat damage, pollution, and the spread of invasive species. In the UK, most marine citizen science initiatives are driven by nongovernmental organizations like Seasearch that have already reported more than 800,000 habitat and species observations to the UK National Biodiversity Network. Volunteer groups are crucial in filling the gaps that government bodies can’t plug, mapping the health of coastal ecosystems in ways that would be cost-prohibitive for professional research teams, Boswarva said. “You just couldn’t fund the amount of data that is collected by volunteers. As soon as you dive for work, health and safety regulations and work permits mean that it can cost thousands of pounds just to spend one hour in the water.” “You just couldn’t fund the amount of data that is collected by volunteers.” The group, which has been collecting data since 1988, covers the British coastline and is trained by the Marine Conservation Society. Seasearch’s citizen science initiative empowers recreational divers to contribute directly to conservation science, producing reliable datasets that support habitat protection, policymaking, and environmental awareness. Video  on the work of Seasearch. Diligent Documentation Seasearch volunteers are trained in species identification and survey methods, and document everything from rare invertebrates to invasive species on specially designed forms. Boswarva stressed how important it is to make sure these underwater surveys are exact: “The data we collect is vital. The key thing is to make sure it is accurate, as it goes onto the UK Marine database. The only reason it is allowed onto the database is because of our quality-control process. Multiple coordinators verify the data and input it.” She added: “The data is used for conservation, policy, [and] management. It is used by the statutory bodies and the policymakers, so it is absolutely vital we maintain that data to the highest quality.” Seasearch divers conducting surveys on maerl, Scapa Flow, Orkney. Courtesy of Karen Boswarva All the data is included in Marine Recorder Online , a modern data management system for the UK that mainly focuses on species records and seafloor sampling data, such as sediment type and biotope information. It also produces maps , policy documents, and predictive models of habitats. In addition, Seasearch’s data is added to the National Biodiversity Network, which is publicly accessible to everyone—academics, family history researchers, even children doing school projects. And the work of Seasearch is deeply appreciated by the groups who use their data, including NatureScot, “Scotland’s nature agency.” NatureScot has “supported Seasearch in Scotland for many years now,” said Rie Pors, a NatureScot marine habitat ecologist and surveyor. “The skills and enthusiasm of their volunteers for marine life have in turn supported our own monitoring. The information collected by Seasearch divers, snorkelers, and shore walkers is helping us to map out the variety of life found on our seabed at a critical time for the protection of Scotland's biodiversity," she said. A study carried out by Natural England  that looked at data collected by citizen scientists, specifically Seasearch, concluded: “Maps created in this study are unrivaled in their currency, extent, and detail. As such, they can act as a ‘current status’ against which to assess future change.” Heading out to Scapa Flow on an Orkney Seasearch expedition. Courtesy of Karen Boswarva Fieldwork Fun Boswarva signed up in 2010 after finding out about Seasearch through her university diving club. She was an undergraduate studying environmental science and conservation at the time. She really enjoyed working with the group, becoming a social media manager and then a coordinator. She sums up the work of the organization: “The purpose of Seasearch is to go out as volunteers and collect data as you are going about your fun recreational activity, making it more worthwhile to yourself by collecting data and information on the habitat and sea creatures that you see. To do that, you complete a survey form, which we teach them how to do.” Global Connections Seasearch volunteers are also playing their part in global marine conservation. “It is really useful,” Boswarva said, “to have such a well-established citizen science project to be used as a model for other areas.” They also get advice from similar organizations in other countries, she added. “Rather than reinventing the wheel for projects that fall under the same umbrella, we can adapt our own projects, giving us a backbone to strengthen them.” Seasearch serves as a global inspiration for teams of citizen scientists to investigate parts of their world that are inaccessible to the vast majority of people—hopefully spreading the fun of environmental care and conservation to the far corners of the Earth. *Gordon Cairns is a freelance journalist and teacher of English and Forest Schools, based in Scotland.

California Firm Competes to Recover Rare-Earth Minerals—without Disturbing Habitats  By Mark Smith* Impossible Metals cofounders Jason Gillham and Oliver Gunasekara, with the Eureka II deep-sea mining vehicle.   Photo   courtesy of Impossible Metals It was Captain Nemo in Jules Verne’s classic novel, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea,  who called the ocean “the vast reservoir of nature.” While people may be used to the notions of fishing for food and drilling for oil and gas, another marine resource has increasingly caught the attention of governments and companies: metals and rare-earth minerals. Since oceans cover three-quarters of the Earth, there are not yet estimates of how many millions—or more—tons of rare-earth minerals may be harvestable from seabeds. However, in January 2026, the Japanese Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology is sending a scientific vessel to collect such materials. “The crew will lower a pipe 5,500 meters [3.4 miles] to the seabed to retrieve 35 metric tons of mud, which is estimated to contain 2 kilograms [4.4 pounds] of rare earth elements per ton,” said an article by RawMaterials.net , citing a July news report in Nikkei Asia . More than a decade ago, researchers with this same Japanese agency reported that a sampling of 78 Pacific Ocean seabed sites revealed that a third held a bounty of metals and rare-earth minerals. “We estimate that an area of just 1 square kilometer surrounding one of the sampling sites could provide one-fifth of the current annual world consumption of these elements,” researcher Yasuhiro Kato wrote in a July 2011 article in Nature GeoScience  . While the world scrambles to grasp the opportunities for seabed mining for rare-earth minerals and metals, what is not in doubt is the immense and growing demand for these materials. The rare-earth metals market was pegged at $15.3 billion in 2023 and projected to virtually double to $30.1 billion by 2032, according to Global Market Insights.   According to Adamas Inside, the electric vehicle industry alone required 2.2 million tons of nickel, manganese, lithium, iron, graphite, and cobalt to launch “newly sold” EV batteries onto global roadways in 2024, with the International Energy Agency (IEA) projecting  the demand from that sector could grow by a factor of 30 by 2040. It should be noted that the IEA does project a slowdown and gradual decline in cobalt demand and mining requirements starting from around 2030 to 2040. The Quest for Minerals These vital resources have mostly been found on land until now, with trees, soil, and whole communities sometimes upended to make way for exploration and mining. Mine locations have also led to geopolitical concerns, with the US government especially worried about how much of these operations are controlled by China. And so, it is to the ocean depths that stakeholders are turning. A bountiful hunting ground it is, with potato-sized polymetallic rocks or ”nodules” littering the ocean floor in places. They contain precious resources such as nickel, cobalt, copper, and manganese. Investigating the impact that potential manganese nodule mining in the deep sea would have on ecosystems there. The image shows "nodule frames" for a “recolonization” experiment. ROV-Team/GEOMAR/ Wikimedia CC A 4.0 International The race is on to harvest them, so much so that a bill  was recently introduced in the US Senate—the Revitalizing America's Offshore Critical Minerals Dominance Act of 2025—that seeks to speed up mining by expediting licenses and partnership agreements and increasing mapping operations of the seabed to source new mineral deposits. This desire to delve into the depths is leading to a new “gold rush.” But if it is not managed correctly, many experts fear untold and perhaps irreversible damage could be done to underwater habitats, with unfathomable consequences for all. Dangers of Deep-Sea Mining To extract nodules, undersea vehicles usually dredge the seabed to harvest them, disturbing the seafloor and its delicate ecosystem. One recent study  by the University of Hawaii raised fears that deep-sea mining could also harm the abyssal benthic boundary layer—a habitat that lives just a few meters above the ocean floor. One recent study  by the University of Hawaii raised fears that deep-sea mining could also harm the abyssal benthic boundary layer—a habitat that lives just a few meters above the ocean floor. Professor Lisa Levin. Photo courtesy of Lisa Levin Concerns have also been raised by experts such as Lisa Levin, a Distinguished Professor Emerita of biological oceanography and marine ecology at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at University of California San Diego. In an exclusive interview, she told The Earth & I  that the survival of much of the biodiversity at those depths depends on the nodules. “Around 50% of the biodiversity in nodule zones depends on the nodules,” she said, “and nodules take millions of years to form.” And she warned that even if ecosystem recovery occurred after a disturbance, it would take many years to do so. “Many deep-sea animals grow slowly and live a long time, so recovery will be slow,” she added. There are also many unknowns about life at those depths. “Most of the biodiversity in the targeted system remains undescribed, with unknown functions,” she said. “Those species known show some limited spatial distributions, so loss of connectivity or even functional extinction is possible.” Pollution from disturbing the ocean floor is also a concern, with plumes of waste and sediment traveling distances of up to hundreds of kilometers. “Plumes can smother animals on the seafloor and harm plankton,” Levin added. “It may clog filtering apparatus, contain harmful metals or radioactivity released from the seafloor.” She said the spread of plumes to coastal states could also harm shallow-water ecosystems and fisheries. Conscientious Seabed Mining  With concerns increasingly being raised over the dangers of this type of mining, efforts are increasing to try and find safer but still effective ways to do it. One company trying to innovate in the field is Impossible Metals , headquartered in San Jose, California. Impossible Metals’ robotics team with Eureka I. Photo courtesy of Impossible Metals Describing its mission as “seabed collecting without destroying the habitat,” Impossible Metals is developing autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) that “hover” over the seabed rather than dredging it. The vehicles also use AI-enabled vision to spot larger life forms and avoid them, while removing the nodules with robotic arms and hauling them up to a surface vessel. The vehicles also use AI-enabled vision to spot larger life forms and avoid them, while removing the nodules with robotic arms and hauling them up to a surface vessel. Having developed its proof of concept   Eureka vehicle, the company tested Eureka II in November last year and will test Eureka III next year. This scaled-up version of Eureka II will have an increased payload, rising from 100 kg (220 lbs) to 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs), and has an improved battery. Eventually, the company hopes to deploy multiple Eureka vehicles at the same time. Testing Eureka II at sea. Photo courtesy of Impossible Metals Co-founder Oliver Gunasekara told The Earth and I : “Because it has a very powerful Nvidia GPU on board, it will detect life and effectively quarantine that area and not disturb it.” A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is an electronic circuit that allows visualization of digital images. But while its cameras can detect larger creatures, they cannot spot microbial or tiny life—which has been a criticism from some quarters. He said the company’s approach is to ensure disturbance of the seabed is kept to a minimum.  Oliver Gunasekara. Photo courtesy of Impossible Metals  Gunasekara—who said he was inspired to get into the decarbonization struggle after seeing the impact of the 2020 California wildfires—added: “The vehicle is hovering. It doesn’t land. We decide to take, say, 40% of the nodules, leaving 60% behind. “That's a threshold we can program in software but that preserves all of the biodiversity and life of the microscopic type that lives both on the nodules and on the seabed.” Governments and regulatory bodies have shown interest in Impossible Metals’ approach. The company announced in a press briefing  this September that Impossible Metals Bahrain, sponsored by the Kingdom of Bahrain, has submitted an application with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for an exploration license for polymetallic nodules in international waters.  ISA Secretary General Leticia Carvalho stated in the briefing that “this partnership champions a forward-looking vision that is leveraging the technological leaps and bounds that can help overcome environmental challenges and power deep-sea pursuits that are anchored in the principles of sustainability.” A Delicate Balancing Act One of the major ironies of the deep-sea mining conundrum is that a lot of the metals and minerals involved are needed to power green technologies such as wind and solar power, but the miners run the risk of helping the world above the waves at the expense of the one below. The damage done could have repercussions that even the best experts are not yet aware of. Time will tell if unique solutions via technology can mitigate as much of the disruption as possible.  *Mark Smith  is a journalist and author from the UK. He has written on subjects ranging from business and technology to world affairs, history, and popular culture for the Guardian, BBC, Telegraph, and magazines in the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

Novel Model Uses UK Data to Give Forecasting a Try Doctors keep meticulous details on their patients’ health. iStock Artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to help doctors understand disease risk, progression, and treatments. In a September study in Nature , researchers report using an AI model called Delphi-2M to identify patterns of progression in over 1,000 diseases, based on hundreds of thousands of medical records. The AI model was found to reliably track and predict outcomes both in the short term and 20 years out. Study highlights include: Delphi-2M was trained on data from about 402,800 individuals in the UK Biobank, validated internally on nearly 100,600 UK individuals, and tested externally on around 1.93 million Danish individuals.   The model predicted rates for more than 1,000 diseases and included death as an outcome. In the UK internal validation, AI predictions were above average, at about  0.76  in a statistical measure known as “area under curve,” or AUC. AUC dropped to roughly 0.70 when examining prediction horizons of 10 years. External validation on Danish data showed somewhat lower but correlated performance (average AUC ≈ 0.67). Delphi-2M can sample entire future health trajectories based on past health up to a given age (e.g., age 60), and these synthetic trajectories show disease incidence patterns that come close to observed real-world data for ages 70–75.  Using SHAP (Shapley Additive Explanations)—a method that aids in understanding how different health factors influenced the final prediction—the study showed how disease diagnoses cluster. For example, cancers raise long-term mortality risk. Modeling was limited for older age groups (especially over 80 years) because of lack of data. Researchers suggested that advancements in this field could support precision medicine by tailoring screening or diagnostic interventions based on an individual's predicted trajectory.  Caution: Predictions are probabilistic, not deterministic; multiple future health trajectories are possible for any given individual. Clusters or associations in predictions do not imply causation.    Source : Learning the natural history of human disease with generative transformers. Nature .  17 September 2025.

‘Spogomi’ World Cup 2025 Spurs Action, Awareness “Road to 2025” promotional Spogomi video   Dubbing itself “the most Earth-friendly sport,” Spogomi is an environmental competition originating in Japan in which teams collect and sort the most litter within a designated area and timeframe. The Nippon Foundation’s Spogomi World Cup 2025 , to be held October 27–31, 2025, in Japan, promotes litter-cleanup as a sport for all people. Here are some numbers surrounding this global initiative: Spogomi—a word combining “spo” and “gomi,” meaning sport and trash in Japanese—was invented in 2008 by Mamitsuka Kenichi of the Nippon Foundation’s Social Sports Initiative.   Teams of three have one hour to collect trash and 20 more minutes for sorting. Points are awarded based on the amount and types of trash collected. A British team won the inaugural Spogomi World Cup in 2023 after collecting and sorting around 60 kg (132 lbs) of Tokyo trash. Between 2008 and November 2024, 193,120 kg (425,750 lbs) of litter have been collected via all Spogomi events. Some 165,321 people have participated. Some of the countries that have already held or are scheduled to hold qualifier Spogomi events include: Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Palau, Pakistan, the Philippines, Senegal, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Tunisia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the UK. National-level winners receive free flights to Japan plus accommodations. The winning team in 2023 won a cash prize of 1 million yen (roughly $6,800). Source: en.nf-spogomiwc.com