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Besides the unhealthy intake of sugars and fats that comes with eating out at restaurants, there are other reasons why dining out may be bad for your health. Harmful chemicals called phthalates show evidence of being contained in foods from many restaurants. These chemicals are typically found in perfumes, hair sprays, shampoos, and in plastics for packaging. Over the years, ties between this chemical and birth defects have been made. Endocrine disruptors like phthalates interfere with hormones and fertility, leading to a multitude of other related health problems. A study found that levels of phthalates were 35% higher in people who ate at a restaurant than in those who ate food they prepared themselves. Scientists believe that this may be caused by the increased contact that prepared food has with plastic packaging. This figure is higher among teenagers, who eat out more often that other people. This is a frightening statistic given the consequences of the chemical which have been seen in other consumer goods. However, there are no regulations for phthalates in foods like their are for cosmetics. It is reassuring to know that, despite the dangers of this chemical, it only remains in the body for a short period of time and cannot be immediately detrimental.

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A discovery has shown that up to a quarter of the Earth's nitrogen comes from bedrock. Previously, scientists believed that all nitrogen came from the atmosphere. Currently, scientists are researching how this discovery could improve climate change projections due to a deeper understanding of the carbon cycle. The nitrogen weathering is a source of nutrition to soils and allows forests and grasslands to obtain more CO2 emissions than predicted. Because bedrock nitrogen is primarily released through weathering, there are higher concentrations in mountainous regions or at northern latitudes. This discovery helps explain why scientists accounted for more nitrogen in soils and plants than could be explained by atmospheric nitrogen.

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Human-made chemicals have been the cause of ozone layer degradation since the 1970s. The banning of these harmful chemicals has allowed parts of the ozone layer at the poles to recover. The 1987 Montreal Protocol phased out CFCs, the harmful chemical in aerosol, and there are signs that the Antarctic ozone layer is rebuilding. Scientists have found that the ozone layer is not recovering at lower latitudes, between 60 degrees South and 60 degrees North, supposedly due to a number of possible reasons. One possible explanation is that climate change has altered atmospheric circulation patterns and causes ozone to be carried away from the equator and toward the poles. Another possible explanation is that VSLs (very short lived substances), like solvents or paint strippers, may be degrading ozone in the lower stratosphere. Currently, scientists are working on determining the presence of VSLs in the stratosphere to know if they are the cause of ozone degradation.

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Long term experiments have proven that soil containing added carbon is unable to halt climate change. In 2015, COP21 announced an idea to collect atmospheric carbon and lock it into soil's organic mater. Their hope was that carbon sequestration would be increased and could offset fossil fuel emissions. However, the practicality of this goal is unrealistic. Extreme measures would have to be taken to achieve a sufficient increase in soil carbon. Furthermore, the risks of adding sufficient carbon to soil outweigh the benefits. In order to add carbon, large amounts of animal manure are applies. This application would cause an enormous amount of nitrate pollution and could be damaging to water supply and other ecosystems. Other measures may be taken to mitigate climate change, such as decreasing nitrous oxide emissions. Adding carbon into soil may not be the most economical or safe way to deal with climate change, but it could be beneficial on a small scale to increase sustainable food security and widen ecosystem services.

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This past February, record cold temperatures were recorded in Europe. Conditions is places like Ireland, Britain, and Norway have been described as Arctic-like. In the Arctic, however, temperatures are much warmer than what they should be. Relating these weather patterns is what scientists believe to be the polar vortex. When the polar vortex behaves normally, the low pressure system resting over the North Pole helps to trap cold air in the Arctic. research has suggested that the vortex is becoming weak and allowing more cold air to escape to more temperate climates. Melting sea lice may be the cause of this. As ice in the Arctic melts, patterns of high pressure are formed and it blocks and weakens the low pressure system. The root of these problems is climate change, which a majority of scientists believe to be caused by human actions. If these patterns continue, we can only expect that the climates of the Arctic and Europe will become more similar than ever.

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There are over 2,500 toxic chemical sited in the United States that are located in flood prone areas. There is an increasing risk for these sites due to climate change, which may bring more intense and frequent rainfall and rising sea levels. Facilities are often built on a waterfront without extra precautions for flooding. Under Obama's presidency, federally funded buildings were required to account for the impact  of possible flooding. Unfortunately, Trump rescinded these rules. Incidents involving the flooding of chemical sites have been occurring all over the US. In Texas, highly toxic sodium hydroxide and benzene escaped through a damaged valve during Hurricane Harvey and flooded the streets with chemicals. In Florida, Tropical Storm Debby triggered the release of phosphoric acid from a chemical plant in White Springs. Phosphates used in making fertilizer spilled into a retention pond and then overflowed into a creek. As a result, there was a huge increase in algae growth. In Alabama, record breaking caused a plastics plant on the Alabama River to lose 4,500 pounds of sodium hydroxide to a tributary. These are just a few of the incidents that could have been prevented with smarter design and construction. Although companies are no longer required to have a preventative construction, it is clearly in their best interest to do so.

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NASA scientists recorded 2017 as the warmest overall year to date. This was unexpected due to the fact that 2017 was not an El Nino year. This is a shift in tropical Pacific weather patterns and contributes to record setting heat.Because last year was a La Nina year, lower temperatures were expected. This trend is expected to continue. Scientists predict that we could face consequences if temperatures increase more that 2 degrees Celsius. Significant climate change may be closer than we expect due to the fact that President Trump has decreased several regulations related to climate. Currently, the increase in temperature since 1900 is about 1.2 degrees Celsius. In just a few decades, our climate could be clearly different from our current climate and we could experience increased severe weather.

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Typically, plant roots have two stages of root growth. In the primary stage, roots increase their length. In the secondary stage, roots increase in thickness. In soil that is depleted of phosphates or contains acids, plants have a difficult time absorbing nutrients. The crops in many developing countries are not sufficient due to the lack of ideal soil. However, scientists have been experimenting with bean plants, which are important in developing nations because they are high in protein. Scientists found that they can breed the bean plants to have roots that spend most of their growth in the primary stage. This allows for the roots to grow long and reach the phosphates which are deeper in the ground. By using this technique, farmers facing shortages in crops due to phosphate deficient soil would be able to produce more.

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California's energy demand is significantly increasing. Solar panel technology is able to meet this demand. These, however, take up wide areas of land. One of the major industries in California is agriculture. Solar fields are hindering the productivity of farming by taking up significant areas of land. Researchers have compiled a list of several alternative spaces for solar panels to be placed. This list includes buildings, rooftops, parking lots, land that is too salty for farming, contaminated land, and reservoirs. By utilizing these otherwise  useless areas of California,  an impressive energy demand will be achieved efficiently.

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The Beaufort gyre, located in the Arctic ocean, is responsible for climate regulation and sea ice formation. But, this region is quickly changing due to rising air temperatures and the increased melting of sea ice. Scientists researching the region have discovered that the gyre is no longer functioning as it normally does. Although global warming shows evidence of increasing temperatures, scientists believe that the gyre would actually cause a temporary cooling of the North Atlantic region. For over a decade, the gyre has been caught in a clockwise swirl, which is preventing the icy fresh water from going into the North Atlantic ocean. This circulation is wind driven and the overdue reversal of direction would cause a massive surge of icy fresh water. Scientists are expecting this event to cool the climate of Iceland and northern Europe. Fishermen in these regions would likely suffer from the freshening and cooling of the surface water.

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The investigation of waters all around the world has led to a significant yet devastating scientific discovery. Scientists have found bits of micro-plastics in mussels from bodies of waters all around the globe. In one study, over 76% of the mussels along a Norwegian coast  were found to contain bits of plastic. These mussels are commonly collected and sold in supermarkets. Although this plastic would not be particularly harmful unless consumed in great quantities, it shed light on a more complicated issue. Because mussels live on the seabed and do not move around, they can indicate areas of pollution. In some of the most pristine shores there is plastic causing harm to fish and shellfish. This should be taken as a warning for the damage that pollution could cause in the near future.

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Japan is a nation heavily dependent on energy. In past years, Japan has been forced to import over 90% of its energy due to the fact that is has very little oil, coal, or gas to fire its power plants. Some scientists this they have found a solution to Japan's energy crisis. They have researched Japan's abundant resources and found one that could be able to provide energy efficiently. Japan has flammable ice which can be extracted from the sea bed and contains methane gas, allowing it to burn and not melt. The biggest difficulty that scientists have faced in this process is the extraction of flammable gas. It is able to be extracted, but the process is long, requires a lot of energy, and is very expensive. There are several environmental risks that come along with the extraction of flammable ice. Extraction on the ocean floor could cause a tsunami or methane gas could be released into the atmosphere. Although there are a few risks, it is important that scientists continue to research flammable ice and other alternative and sustainable energy sources for Japan. Japan has a serious crisis that is affecting its economy and health; a solution could potentially decrease air pollution in the heavily populated country.

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Climate change is causing the icecaps in Greenland to melt. Previously, scientists had thought that this melt-water drained back into the ocean. However, this is not always true. Melt-water is often retained in the porous ice. This discovery may debunk previous estimates for sea level projections. Nevertheless, this melting ice is significant because it is causing increased sea levels. By the end of the century, water levels are predicted to rise about two inches. This prediction could be altered depending on the amount of melt-water being retained in the icecaps.

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Scientists have found a massive mineral deposit in southwestern Alaska that could be worth upwards of $300 billion dollars. This deposit is called the Pebble Mine and was first discovered in the 1980s. A Canadian mining company, Northern Dynasty, has purchased the area of land and now must decide what to do with it. They know that this could be the richest mine on the planet. The process to extract all of this gold and copper would be devastating to the pristine wetland and its other industries. This process would require explosives, new roads, and power lines. Fishing communities worry about the water quality becoming toxic. Alaska is the prime market for salmon and polluted waters would destroy the industry. Under Obama, the Clean water Act protected the Bristol Bay from mining. The president of the Alaskan Senate also agreed with Obama. Under the Trump administration, the plan to protect the Bay was withdrawn and Northern Dynasty can proceed to mine. Although the company says the plan would respect the environment and create jobs, there are still many repercussions. Alaska is full of resources but also of beauty. Excavating the Pebble Mine would destroy the aesthetic gifts that nature has to offer and also the ecosystem for the life that it sustains.

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Rising sea levels and extreme weather events, all results of climate change, are most threatening to small island nations. The International Council for Local Environmental Issues (ICLEI) has made a commitment to sustainable development. Currently, its primary focus is on educating and training small islands on resilience practices. This has helped places like the Solomon Islands build homes that are able to withstand future disasters. They also plan to relocate the central hospital to a safer location and to build more bridges, creating alternative escape routes. The organization also wants to bring attention to the small islands which many people do not even know exist. They are often overlooked and not supported in times of disaster. Climate change is inevitable, and for small islands, reform is essential. Organization like the ICLEI have been vital in preserving islands, yet more can be done needs to be done.

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Many ocean animals have been documented eating plastic because of its bright and edible appearance. Plastic consumption is very dangerous for these animals and often leads to death. Small corals are also guilty of consuming the plastic that flows through their ecosystems. A new study reveals that this plastic actually tastes like food to the corals. Researchers composed an experiment using two different types of plastic. They found that the corals preferred bacteria free plastic. The additive chemicals keep corals from eating the plastic as quickly.  Other substances in the plastic may also be appealing to marine life. Understanding the motive for plastic consumption can help solve many instances of dangerous plastic consumption.

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Wisconsin republicans are urging a bill that will make it easier to obtain a sulfide mining permit. The current law requires that a company have proof of a similar mine that has not caused pollution. Although this law makes it difficult for companies to obtain a mining permit, it greatly helps the pollution situation in Wisconsin. Sulfide mines pollute water resources and cause poisoned rivers, ecological dead zones, and toxic water. Because of the previous law, practically all sulfide mining in the area has been eliminated. A Wisconsin senator believe that he has found a mining facility that abides by the stipulations of the law. This senator believe that the new bill should be passed, making minerals more available to the military and manufactures. He also argues that a  new mining industry would create many new jobs in northern Wisconsin. Until further research is done, the new bill should be held off. The consequences of sulfide mining are too severe to experiment with. Yet, if a safe approach is developed, it has the potential to help Wisconsin's economy.

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ISIS is leaving behind a huge toxic legacy as it loses control of its once occupied areas. The pollution could have severe consequences for Iraq. Many Iraqi civilians are being exposed to the toxic remnants of war and facing the health impacts. Iraq had been planning on monitoring pollution and addressing environmental issues before they faced war with ISIS. When ISIS took over parts of Iraq, oil wells burned, communities were clouded under dark smoke, sulfur fires erupted, and water sources became toxic. This conflict had undone all of their efforts to become erase the previous environmental damage. Protests have even begun in these areas most effected by the pollution caused by war.  The UN is taking charge and plans to ensure that further damage to the environment will not occur after a warlike conflict. For now, the people of Iraq are trying their best to rebuilt their homes and stay healthy.