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Tag: ecology

  • Green Junction: Plastic materials manufactured since 1950 is over 9 billion tons: By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    According to the World Economic Forum, the production of plastic is expected to double over the next 20 years. Half of the plastics in our world now have been made over the past two decades. The accumulated amount of plastic materials manufactured since 1950 is over 9 billion tons, which some researchers describe as over […]

  • Green Junction: Invasive Species by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Green Junction According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an invasive species is defined as “an organism that causes ecological or economic harm in a new environment where it is not native.” Some invasive species successfully breed and proliferate; many can out-compete native species, destroying or reducing native plants and animals and even […]

  • Green Junction: Amazon~not the rain forrest. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Amazon, the giant, US-based, e-commerce company recently had its annual shareholders’ meeting. One discussion point was a proposal to report the company’s plastic use and determine the benefits of reducing plastic. With only 48% of shareholders voting in favor of evaluating the company’s plastic usage/waste, the proposal fell short of the majority and was rejected. […]

  • Green Junction: Plastic is expected to double over the next 20 years. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    According to the World Economic Forum, the production of plastic is expected to double over the next 20 years. Half of the plastics in our world now have been made over the past two decades. The accumulated amount of plastic materials manufactured since 1950 is over 9 billion tons, which some researchers describe as over […]

  • Green Junction: Masks are becoming vogue again By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Health protection measures throughout the pandemic have involved an enormous amount of one-use plastics. These have included personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, gowns), take-home food packaging, test kits, syringes, wipes, and more, unfortunately intensifying the global plastic waste problem. Billions of disposable masks, mostly made of a plastic called polypropylene, have been used and thrown […]

  • Green Junction: Existential Threat to Human Health by Julie Peller Ph.D. threat to human health 

    A newly released article describes modern-day pollution levels as “an existential threat to human health and planetary health, and jeopardizes the sustainability of modern societies.” The authors studied 2019 data from Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors and determined that 9 million people, or 1 in 6 people, die each year due to […]

  • Green Junction: The earth is depending on us to be kinder and gentle by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    An article that discusses facing the tough realization of climate change suggests adopting mindsets and taking on ventures that are positive and productive. These include defending the truth and viewing oneself as a citizen and not a consumer. Instead of enhancing one’s identity through stuff, the recommendation is to recognize one’s goodness independent of material […]

  • Green Junction: We take for granted Water by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Many areas worldwide experience shortages of fresh water and/or severe problems with contaminated water supplies. At the same time, populations of people use significant amounts of water to create unnatural green lawns through daily watering and overuse of fertilizers. In contrast, Nature’s rainfall is concentrated along or near the equator; daily rain is rare in […]

  • Green Junction: Think about your freshwater. By Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Spring is the season of more daylight, more sunshine, and the renewal of plant life. Warmer temperatures and plentiful rainfall bring about budding trees and bushes and green grass. Among colorful spring flowers, the beauty of yellow dandelions emerges. Dandelions are known to contain many nutrients and have been used for food, drinks, and medicinal benefits for […]

  • Green Junction: Carbon footprints by Julie Peller Ph.D.

    Leaders from countries with the largest carbon footprints recently met to discuss last November’s climate goals in Glasgow. An overall conclusion was that the necessary actions to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change are not being implemented fast enough.  As an example, the world used 9% more coal in 2021 than in 2020. While we look […]