2025-03-29 18:00:58.512

In Uganda's Mbale district, plastic bags, known locally as "buveera," are polluting farmland, impacting coffee production. This problem, long prevalent in Kampala, is now reaching remote areas. Farmers are concerned about the effects on their land. Globally, plastics are increasingly found in farm fields, exacerbated by climate change. Microplastics, often smaller than five millimeters, are altering ecosystems and entering the human food chain, raising concerns about health impacts. A UN report highlights soils as major receptors of agricultural plastics, potentially more polluted than oceans. Experts emphasize the need for major engineering solutions due to the scale of the problem. Microplastics originate from various sources, including agricultural plastics, clothing, medications, and beauty products, sometimes found in fertilizer. While agriculture accounts for only a small percentage of global plastic use, packaging contributes significantly. Studies show microplastics can be absorbed by plants and enter the food chain, raising concerns about long-term health effects. Climate change is worsening the issue by increasing reliance on plastics for crop protection and increasing the breakdown and transport of plastic particles. A recent study showed microplastics can impact plant photosynthesis. Despite a global treaty on plastic pollution being negotiated, solutions are hampered by a lack of political will and the difficulty in tracking plastic waste. Companies are attempting to improve recycling, but challenges remain. Researchers are exploring solutions like biochar filtration to remove microplastics from waterways. However, even farmers who care about soil health often lack resources to address the problem. The situation is particularly challenging for small farmers in developing countries who are most vulnerable to climate change's effects.

2025-03-17 18:03:48.18

A new study reveals that parts of Oahu, Hawaii are sinking into the sea 40 times faster than previously predicted. This alarming rate of land subsidence, coupled with rising sea levels, poses a significant threat to Honolulu, Waikiki, and Pearl Harbor. Low-lying areas could be inundated within the coming decades, resulting in billions of dollars in infrastructure damage. Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa spent nearly 20 years analyzing satellite data and found that while Oahu's average subsidence rate is around 0.6 millimeters annually, certain coastal regions are sinking at 25 millimeters per year. This accelerated sinking is particularly concerning in areas built on sediments and artificial fill, such as the industrial region of Mapunapuna. The study projects that by 2050, flood exposure in Mapunapuna could increase by over 50%, and by 2080, Waikiki, downtown Honolulu, and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport will experience more frequent flooding. The authors warn of major disruptions to Hawaii's tourism, coastal development, and ecosystems, with over $12.9 billion in infrastructure at risk on Oahu alone. The research aims to inform policy-makers and help mitigate the risks through improved flood exposure assessments, infrastructure resilience, and long-term urban planning.