The hottest Pollution Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

“Recycling” Makes Plastic Pollution Worse

Stark Realities with Brian McGlinchey • 2047 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Recycling Environmental Policy Sustainability
  1. Most plastic items that go into recycling bins don’t actually get recycled. Only a few types of plastic are from beverage bottles and jugs are commonly recycled.
  2. The recycling system often misleads people into believing they are helping the environment. In reality, many plastics end up in landfills or are even shipped to other countries, causing pollution.
  3. While plastic has many benefits, it’s important to rethink its use. Alternatives may not always be better, so focusing on reducing plastic waste is the best way forward.

The Plastic Beat: A Climate Change Angle

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 08 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Pollution Sustainability Ecosystems Health
  1. Microplastics are found in many parts of the human body, including the brain, blood, and lungs, which raises health concerns.
  2. Humans are ingesting and inhaling more microplastics than ever, often through food and air, making it a growing issue.
  3. The presence of microplastics in marine life is disrupting ecosystems and potentially contributing to climate change, highlighting the need for better solutions.

All things go to eleven

Disaffected Newsletter • 2318 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Issues Pollution Waste Management Sustainability
  1. We often can't talk about problems without turning them into a battle between good and evil. This makes it hard to have simple conversations about real issues.
  2. Many environmental discussions are charged with strong emotions, causing people to avoid or misinterpret the topic. We need to separate our concerns from political identities.
  3. Practical issues like plastic waste and poor urban planning are important but rarely talked about because they get caught up in political arguments. We should discuss these without taking sides.

Taking Off, but Leaving a Lasting Mark: Airport Construction's Environmental Legacy

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy Biodiversity Pollution Sustainable Development Ecology
  1. Airport construction can harm the environment, leading to deforestation and loss of wildlife habitats. Many airports, like Heathrow and Istanbul, have caused significant damage to local ecosystems.
  2. Building or expanding airports increases greenhouse gas emissions. The aviation industry is responsible for a notable share of global carbon pollution, which could increase significantly without changes.
  3. It's important for airport authorities to engage with local communities and consider environmental impacts. Using cleaner fuels and adding green designs can help lessen the negative effects.
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Lump of Coal

Doomberg • 151 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Pollution Natural resources Climate Policy
  1. Coal is a controversial fuel, and many people don't fully understand its value. It's important to look at its role in energy and society.
  2. As we'll explore, coal has had a significant impact on industries and economies. Understanding its importance can change how we see this resource.
  3. The goal is to dive deeper into coal's complexities and recognize its potential benefits alongside its challenges. This perspective can lead to better discussions about energy sources.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Metabolic Repair • 19 implied HN points • 09 Aug 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Air Quality Pollution Health Effects
  1. Indoor air pollution can harm your health and comes from sources like cars and chemicals. To improve air quality, think about using air filters designed for particle and chemical removal.
  2. It's important to monitor the levels of CO2 and humidity in your home. Too much CO2 can make you feel tired and less focused, while high humidity can lead to mold growth.
  3. Homeowners can use Energy Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) to exchange indoor and outdoor air while controlling humidity and temperature, but renters can also improve air quality by using air filters and keeping windows open when outdoor conditions are good.

The Future Is Plastics, Benjamin

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 65 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Health Science Society Economics
  1. Microplastics are everywhere in our bodies. They are found in blood, organs, and even in breast milk, but we still don't know how much damage they can cause.
  2. Big oil companies are pushing to make even more plastics. They see profit in plastic production despite the environmental harm it causes.
  3. Bottled water may contain a lot of small plastic pieces. Some scientists are now drinking less bottled water because of the high levels of micro and nanoplastics found in it.

Knowing the Gods, Knowing the Smalls

Microanimism • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 24
🔬 Science Nature Biology Ecology Climate Pollution
  1. The setting described is unique and surreal, with rose bushes and mysterious elements creating a vivid picture.
  2. The story delves into a narrative involving gods, non-gods, and their impact on a strange world, with themes of environmental change and conflict.
  3. An invitation to explore more by subscribing, offering a 7-day free trial to access additional content on Microanimism.

Canada’s Oil Sands Among the World's Biggest Sources of Air Pollution

Need to Know by Stephen Leahy • 78 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Regulation Activism
  1. Canada's oil sands are one of the world's biggest sources of air pollution.
  2. Oil and gas operations in Canada are the biggest source of air pollution and CO2 emissions in the country.
  3. Canada is facing a crucial battle to reduce oil and gas pollution, with current reduction plans being weakened by industry lobbying.

Why Climate Activists want Cruise Ships Banned? The Cursed Condition called Climate Change

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 23 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Activism Renewable Energy Pollution Climate change
  1. Climate activists are advocating for the banning of cruise ships due to their significant contribution to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
  2. The global cruise ship market is projected to grow substantially, potentially exacerbating the climate change crisis.
  3. Exploring solar energy products like solar panels, inverters, batteries, water heaters, and charge controllers can offer sustainable alternatives to conventional energy sources.

The Community of Air

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 98 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Activism Nature Pollution Sustainability
  1. The documentary 'All That Breathes' highlights the powerful connection between empathy and ethics in caring for wounded birds.
  2. Noticing the suffering of the natural world is a crucial step in understanding our place in the Anthropocene era.
  3. The High Seas Treaty signals a transformative shift by regulating human activity to protect ecosystems in the deep oceans.

Art in Response to Pollution

Green Graphic Design • 39 implied HN points • 20 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Pollution Exhibit Artists
  1. Impressionist artists might have unintentionally depicted air pollution in their paintings.
  2. Plastic pollution can be creatively visualized through art, like popsicles made from polluted water samples.
  3. Art can be a powerful medium to raise awareness about the impact of pollution on the environment, as seen in exhibits mixing animal bones with plastics.

Holy Crap! What goes around comes around

WeBeGreen • 39 implied HN points • 01 Dec 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Waste Management Sustainable Practices Environmental Impact
  1. There is a disconnect between our actions and their consequences, such as the impact of our waste on the environment like water scarcity.
  2. The process of treating wastewater to turn it into drinking water includes multiple steps like screening out contaminants and filtering out microplastics.
  3. Issues like sewage dumping scandals highlight the consequences of pollution on water quality and food sources, emphasizing the need for better regulations and accountability.

Why Recycled Plastic Should Give You the Ick.

Green Graphic Design • 19 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Microplastics Pollution Greenwashing Circular Economy
  1. Recycled plastic may not be safe as it can leach BPA and other harmful chemicals.
  2. Plastics absorb toxins from the ocean, making them very difficult to decontaminate.
  3. Most recycled plastics eventually need to be reinforced with virgin plastics due to degradation, reducing the long-term impact on reducing virgin plastic use.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #67

Creative Destruction • 15 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Internet Pollution Nature Technology Activism
  1. A call for a more human-run internet with a return to a diverse and personal-scale online experience, away from the dominance of giant corporations.
  2. Noise pollution, particularly from cars, is a serious issue affecting humans and animals, emphasizing the need for grounding in space to combat its negative impacts.
  3. Highlighting the shift from viewing the human body as a commodity to embracing it as an integral part of nature, encouraging a sense of belonging and a move away from control and domination.

Pollution Is Making You Dumb

FutureIQ • 1 implied HN point • 16 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Pollution Cognitive Performance Government Response Research Studies
  1. Pollution can reduce cognitive abilities, affecting performance in various activities like chess or investing.
  2. Research shows that exposure to pollution can lead to long-term health issues like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
  3. Taking measures like moving away from pollution, using air purifiers, and indoor plants can help reduce the negative impacts of pollution on health and cognitive abilities.

Wastewater Worldwide, Fossil Fuel, fluoride: is it goodbye to Safe and Just Climate Limit?

Adetokunbo Sees • 1 HN point • 10 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Pollution Sustainability Global Warming Emissions
  1. Scientists set safety limits for climate, arsenic, and freshwater, which are being breached globally.
  2. Burning fossil fuels leads to excessive carbon emissions and pollution from leaking fuel tanks.
  3. Increasing wastewater production and continued fossil fuel support pose major threats to safe and just climate limits.

#22 - Wes Carter | How to Solve Packaging Pollution

Win-Win • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Recycling Sustainability Circular Economy
  1. Wes Carter believes that turning the packaging industry into a closed-loop economy can help solve ocean pollution. He suggests using new biodegradable materials instead of traditional plastics.
  2. It's important to understand which recycling methods are effective and which aren't. This knowledge can help in making better decisions about waste management.
  3. Companies and consumers need to be motivated to consider the true environmental costs of their choices. This could involve changing how business incentives are structured.

Never underestimate the power of a woman

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmentalism Sustainability Pollution Science Public Health Activism
  1. Rachel Carson's book 'Silent Spring' made people really think about how human actions hurt the environment. It taught us that our health is connected to the planet's health.
  2. Carson faced strong pushback from chemical companies when she raised concerns about pesticides like DDT harming wildlife and humans. They tried to discredit her, but her message was important.
  3. Her work played a big role in starting the environmental movement, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the ban on DDT.

Gas Stories

The False Consensus Effect • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Activism Renewable Energy Fossil fuels Climate Crisis Pollution
  1. Furnace trouble can be fixed temporarily, but it's important to address the underlying issue to avoid repetitive problems.
  2. The urgency to reduce carbon emissions is emphasized, pushing for significant lifestyle changes to combat global warming.
  3. Political decisions can have detrimental consequences, and it's crucial for individuals to advocate for environmental protection to prevent harmful practices like hydrofracking.