Earth911 updates guide to eco-friendly Halloween decorations

Earth911 has refreshed its popular article on sustainable Halloween decorations, adding two new DIY ideas to reduce holiday waste. Originally published in 2017, the guide emphasizes using recycled materials for fun, environmentally kind crafts. It highlights seven easy projects suitable for families.

Deep-sea mining poses new threat to sharks and rays

A new study warns that proposed deep-sea mining could endanger 30 species of sharks, rays, and chimaeras whose habitats overlap with mining zones. Nearly two-thirds of these species are already threatened with extinction from human impacts. Researchers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa highlight risks from seafloor disruptions and sediment plumes.

Plumas National Forest pursues ambitious wildfire protection plan

The U.S. Forest Service has launched the Plumas Community Protection project to safeguard 285,000 acres of Northern California's Plumas National Forest from megafires through thinning, logging, and prescribed burns. Funded by $274 million from Congress in 2023, the initiative aims to build forest resilience following the devastating 2021 Dixie Fire. However, progress has been slow amid bureaucratic challenges and limited transparency.

Researchers create strong biodegradable plastic from bamboo

08 ottobre 2025 Riportato dall'IA

Scientists in China have developed a hard plastic from bamboo cellulose that matches the strength of conventional engineering plastics used in cars and appliances. This bioplastic is fully recyclable and biodegrades in soil within 50 days. The innovation addresses limitations in bioplastics' mechanical properties and manufacturing compatibility.

European institutions launch campaign for International Coccolithophore Day

Five European research institutions have announced an initiative to establish October 10 as International Coccolithophore Day, highlighting the crucial role of these microscopic plankton in regulating Earth's climate. Coccolithophores, tiny algae smaller than dust grains, capture carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and form geological records of climate history. The campaign aims to raise awareness of their impact on ocean ecosystems amid climate change threats.

Marine heat waves clog ocean's carbon sequestration mechanism

Two major marine heat waves in the northeastern Pacific have disrupted the ocean's natural process of sinking carbon to the seafloor via zooplankton fecal pellets. A new study reveals shifts in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities that reduced carbon export during these events. This malfunction could impair the ocean's ability to absorb a quarter of human CO2 emissions.

Geoarchaeological study reveals Karnak Temple's 3,000-year evolution

A new geoarchaeological survey has uncovered the transformation of Egypt's Karnak Temple from a flood-prone island to a major ancient religious center. Researchers analyzed sediments and pottery to trace its history over three millennia, linking its location to ancient creation myths. The findings, published in Antiquity, suggest the temple's earliest occupation dates to the Old Kingdom around 2305-1980 BCE.

El Paso residents probe warehouse ethylene oxide emissions

A Grist investigation has revealed that emissions of the carcinogen ethylene oxide from Cardinal Health warehouses in El Paso may exceed safe limits, raising cancer risks for much of the city's population. Former worker Maria, diagnosed with aggressive breast cancer years after her time at the facility, now suspects a link. Nearby residents report headaches, dizziness, and respiratory issues amid limited federal oversight.

Shutdown risks food aid for millions as USDA halts hunger survey

11 ottobre 2025 Riportato dall'IA

The U.S. government shutdown, now in its second week, endangers food benefits for nearly 7 million women and children reliant on the WIC program. Compounding the crisis, the Department of Agriculture recently terminated the nation's key survey on food insecurity. Experts warn this move obscures rising hunger amid economic pressures.