Among the more unusual news stories recently…a humpback whale swims up a river in Australia, away from the ocean, orcas off the coast of Spain are ramming boats, and 10,000 ducks race to clean rice paddies in Thailand.
Published in “Environment”
States in the western United States are having one of the worst wildfire seasons in history. The blazes have burned massive amounts of forest, forced tens of thousands from their homes, and killed dozens.
Every year, about 3 billion flip-flops are produced. Now scientists have come up with a way to make sure new flip-flops don't add to the massive plastic waste problem in our oceans - by making flip-flops out of algae.
An unusual experiment in Botswana suggests that painting eyes on the rear ends of cows may help protect them from large predators like lions. Protecting cows could also wind up protecting the lions - from angry farmers.
Researchers report that there is 10 times more plastic in the Atlantic Ocean than previously thought. The scientists got their results by collecting samples of "invisible" microplastics below the ocean's surface.
California is battling hundreds of wildfires caused by lightning strikes, and is asking nearby states for help. Already the state has lost more area to wildfires this year than it did in all of 2019.
Ecuador is carefully watching a huge group of 260 Chinese fishing boats located just outside a special protected ocean area near the Galapagos Islands. The government is worried that the ships could threaten many endangered fish and sharks.
Scientists predict that most polar bears will die out by the year 2100 because of global warming. Even if global warming is slowed, the loss of polar ice means most polar bears will still be seriously affected.
Among the more unusual news stories recently…scientists have accidentally created a brand new kind of fish, called a sturddlefish, and KFC is working on using a 3D "bioprinter" to make its chicken nuggets.
Several large companies have begun creating paper bottles to replace glass and plastic ones. Paper bottles aren’t quite ready to go yet, but you may see them appearing on shelves over the next few years.
Greta Thunberg, who started a worldwide movement to encourage action on the climate crisis, has been given the Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity, valued at €1 million ($1.14 million). Ms. Thunberg says she plans to donate the money.