Wander Thoughts

Tiny plastic fragments that have been ingested by humans are suspected to be a potential cause of the rapidly increasing threat of superbugs.

Research has shown that the accumulation of these tiny plastics – fragments that break away from items including shopping bags and food packaging – has been associated with heart disease, dementia, and various types of cancers.

As these plastics can take approximately five centuries to fully decompose, they leave behind microplastic residues that persist in the environment, traceable across the food chain and even human consumption of drinking water, which consequently accumulate within the human body.

Scientists have found a connection between the rise and spread of drug-resistant infections.

These super-resistant bacteria, which have developed the ability to withstand even the most effective antibiotics, are often believed to have originated from doctors overusing powerful antibiotics.

Environmental experts now think that microplastics are widespread in the environment where bacteria begin their lives, and that this presence is driving mutated, increasingly resistant bacteria leading to drug-resistant infections.

Researchers have found that microplastics significantly accelerate the dispersal of deadly bacteria by an estimated 200 times.

The inability to address these microplastics poses a threat to the lives of millions.

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately ten million people are expected to pass away annually by 2050, primarily due to the rising prevalence of superbugs.

Dr. Timothy Walsh, a renowned microbiologist with over 25 years of experience in the field and author of the study from the University of Oxford, noted: "Considering the absence of a unified global system for managing plastic waste and the rising presence of microplastics in various aspects of human life, these discoveries are truly disconcerting."

'At the individual level, we need to reduce, reuse, and recycle, whereas at the global level, we must establish strong governance policies to manage plastic waste effectively.'

Last year, the UK Government released a plan to "contain, control and mitigate" the spread of drug-resistant infections. The document, however, does not have a section pertaining to microplastics.

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Claudia Steffensen and her husband were hiking along a trail in the Valtellina Orobie Mountains Park in Lombardy in 2023 when she noticed a light gray rock bearing 'strange designs.'

Upon closer inspection, she came to the realization that the patterns were actually prints of various animals.

During the Permian era, the period just preceding the time of dinosaurs.

Further research in the area revealed numerous fossilized footprints belonging to at least five different species of prehistoric reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

It's estimated that some of these early animals were quite large, likely ranging from six to 12 feet in length, according to researchers in a recent announcement.

The team also uncovered ancient markings - including impressions of seeds, leaves, and stems - alongside impressions of raindrops and waves on the shores of a prehistoric lake.

The prints were preserved in detailed and impressive manner, even featuring the impressions of fingernails and the belly skin of certain animals.

The researchers attributed excellent preservation of these fossils to their former closeness to water.

This ancient ecosystem, dating back to high altitudes of up to 10,000 feet and lowlying valleys, has been preserved in intricately detailed sandstone formations.

Paleontologists have also identified claw marks and patterns on the undersides of various animals.

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The summer sun hardened the dry surfaces so much that when new water returned, it didn't erase the footprints, but instead covered them with new clay, creating a protective layer.

The Permian period extended from 299 million years ago to 252 million years ago.

During this time, the global climate underwent a rapid warming, ultimately leading to a catastrophic mass-extinction event that marked the end of this era and eliminated a staggering 90 percent of Earth's species.

It is ironic that modern climate change has made the discovery of this ancient alpine ecosystem possible, as the fossils were buried beneath layers of snow that have begun to melt due to a warmer Earth.

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The remarkable aspect was the altitude - these artifacts were discovered at extremely high elevations and were exceptionally well-preserved. This is an area prone to landslides, which led to rock formations that unveiled these fossils.

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The find of these fossils provides a glimpse into an ancient ecosystem devastated by an extreme global temperature increase. In a similar manner, it also serves as a reminder of the consequences that human-induced warming may lead to as it approaches catastrophic levels.

"These fossils … indicate a distant geological era, but they share the same global warming pattern as we experience today," the researchers said.

The past offers valuable lessons about the potential dangers we risk creating in the present.

When booking a flight online, you'll often be given the option to offset the carbon footprint of your trip.

You'll be asked if you want to pay a small extra fee - often under €5 - to the cost of your booking to help offset the emissions produced by your flight.

However, carbon credit schemes have repeatedly been criticized by scientists and climate activists as ineffective and even counterproductive.

Should you opt for offsetting the emissions from your flight, or are there other options available to make your travel more environmentally friendly?

What is the process behind carbon offsetting for flights?

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A one-way flight from London's Heathrow Airport to Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport emits approximately 0.32 tons of CO2.

The concept is to offset the emissions by funding a scheme that will remove or store the equivalent amount of carbon elsewhere, typically through the planting of trees.

The deception of carbon offsetting schemes

or ‘flight shame.’

Carbon offsetting at most cancels out emissions that have already been released into the atmosphere, but does not reduce them as travelers sometimes mistakenly believe.

Have been labeled as ineffective by scientists, while others can have a negative impact.

Tree planting and forest protection initiatives, however, raise sustainability concerns. Despite this, Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) projects account for about a quarter of the credits on the voluntary carbon market.

Research by scientists from the University of California, Berkeley revealed that "existing REDD+ methods most likely produce credits that stand for only a small part of the intended benefits they assert to bring about in addressing climate change."

On members of indigenous peoples and local communities who face forced displacement.

The initiative should be sustainable and serve as a long-term commitment, incorporating a clear strategy for the care and upkeep of the planted trees, and clearly demonstrate that these projects are supplementary, meaning that the actions would not have been undertaken in the absence of this initiative.

What are some alternative options to carbon offsetting for flights?

Another option is to choose destinations that are close to one's starting location, thus minimizing the need for long-term studio which sits heavily on the environment.

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Thanks to Europe's renewed interest in rail travel, long-distance train journeys are faster, more comfortable, and more affordable than ever before. Use websites such as Omio and Trainline to locate routes and prices, and purchase tickets.

Train journeys can often be faster than flights because you don’t have to arrive at the train station hours before like you do with a flight. Additionally, there's typically no limit on luggage, decreasing stress when packing.

In addition to this, it's more beneficial to be able to move freely on a train, rather than being confined to a small seat on an airplane. Trains also provide benefits such as carriages with child-friendly amenities, and on long journeys, they offer comfortable sleeping quarters, allowing you to arrive at your destination feeling refreshed and saving on the cost of an overnight stay.

If you have to fly, consider choosing airlines that utilize sustainable aviation fuel and opt for an economy seat - business class passengers typically occupy more space, resulting in higher emissions than economy seats.

Flying on large commercial aircraft is a more environmentally friendly option compared to smaller planes or private jets, as it enables the transportation of more people while reducing the amount of emissions per individual trip.