Environment

A highly diverse mix of grassland plant species promotes healthy ecosystems and can maximize profits for commercial land owners.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Environment

The total bird population in the U.S. and Canada has decreased by 2.9 billion since the 1970s. Threats to birds include habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.

Environment

It is predicted that 99% of seabird species will ingest plastic waste by 2050, but more effective waste management can reduce this threat.

Environment

Climate change-denying organizations are more likely to have written and distributed texts that downplay the impact of climate change if they have corporate funding, such as from ExxonMobil or Koch family foundations.

Climate change may be causing more Tufted puffins to die by starvation in Alaska.

Environment

As of 2015, about one third of all plastic ever made is in use. Of the total plastic waste generated between 1950 and 2015, 79% has accumulated in landfills or the natural environment, 9% has been recycled, and only 10% of that has been recycled again.

Environment

Between 2000 and 2012, crop and rangelands converted to oil and gas development led to a loss of 10 billion kilograms of dry biomass (weight of vegetation without water) in North America, and this loss may be permanent.

Environment

Paperback books are a better gift choice than hardcover books and DVDs from the perspectives of environmental impact and the amount of entertainment provided to the recipient.

Sustainable Production and Consumption

Climate change is predicted to decrease the amount of selenium (a trace mineral necessary for good health) in the soil, which could worsen the already frequent occurrence of selenium deficiency worldwide.

Greater exposure to PM2.5 air pollutants (particles 2.5 micrometers in diameter or smaller found in smoke and haze) is associated with an increased risk of diabetes. In 2016, over 3 million cases of diabetes were associated with this type of air pollution.