‘We Belong To One Ocean’: Indigenous Leaders Push For Seat At The Table Of High Seas Biodiversity Treaty
by Sonam Lama Hyolmo, Mongabay
In Native Hawaiians’ genealogical stories, says Solomon Kahoʻohalahala, the coral polyp is considered the oldest ancestor, and they hold spiritual relationships with migratory animals, including the Koholā, or humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae). “Koholā is the manifestation of our god of the sea and is revered for its ability to dive into the depths of the deep sea and the realm of the sacred place of our creation, far beyond our imaginations,” he said. “Their care and protection are vital for the existence of species and Native Hawaiians.” For generations, the traditional ecological knowledge, values, and spiritual beliefs of Indigenous peoples have helped conserve nature and its resources.
More Than 90% of Schools In England Ban Smartphone Use, 13 US States Have Already Taken Action
by Andy Corbley, Good News Network
Without a government body to legislate the result, UK education authorities have discovered that over 90% of national schools have instituted smartphone bans, a measure still being debated by industry members and scientists. Representing a triumph of distributed sovereignty, a survey of more than 15,000 schools found that 99.8% of elementary schools and 90% of middle schools had instituted some form of ban, the Guardian reports. The paper further claimed that education leaders in the UK have largely supported school autonomy and guidance rather than government regulation on the question of smartphones, and the schools seem to have used that autonomy quite decisively.
Pittsburgh Airport Is Turning A Landfill Into A Solar Powerhouse
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Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), already the first airport in the US to be fully powered by a microgrid, is expanding its solar field with utility Duquesne Light Company (DLC) and solar owner and operator IMG Energy Solutions. The new solar project will add more than 11,216 panels to the airport’s existing solar array, generating an additional 4.7 megawatts MW) of renewable energy. That’s enough to cut around 5 million pounds of carbon emissions annually. It’s DLC’s first-ever power purchase agreement, and clean energy will go to the regional grid to help power homes and businesses in Pittsburgh.
Revolutionary Antidote Neutralizes Venom Of 19 of World’s Deadliest Snakes–Thanks To Man Who Immunized Himself
by Good News Network
A revolutionary new antidote neutralizes the venom of 19 of the world’s deadliest snakes, including the black mamba, king cobra, and tiger snakes. Researchers used antibodies from a human donor with a “hyper-immunity” to snake venom to develop the most broadly effective antivenom to date. It combines protective antibodies and a small molecule inhibitor and opens a path toward a universal antiserum, according to new research. How antivenom is made has not changed much over the previous 100 years. It usually involves immunizing horses or sheep with venom from single snake species and collecting the antibodies produced.
New Plastic Dissolves In The Ocean Overnight, Leaving No Microplastics
by Michael Irving, New Atlas
Plastics are durable and strong, which is great while they’re being used but frustrating when they end up in the environment. Scientists at RIKEN in Japan have developed a new type of plastic that’s just as stable in everyday use but dissolves quickly in saltwater, leaving behind safe compounds. The benefit of plastics is that they’re made with strong covalent bonds that hold their molecules together, meaning they take a lot of energy to break. This is why they’re so sturdy, long-lasting and perfect for everything from packaging to toys. But those same strong bonds become a problem after the useful life of a plastic product is over.
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