Latest news with #GreenMatters
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Experts weigh in on struggling crypto project — here's why some still believe in its potential
Solana, also known as the "Ethereum killer," has grown in popularity, though perhaps not enough to live up to its nickname. Green Matters reported that the Solana platform can process 65,000 transactions a second, which is 2,600 times faster than Ethereum. Solana's average transaction fee is also less than 1 cent USD, while Ethereum's lands between $10 and $50 USD. Despite the strengths of Solana, its token's exchange rate is 1 solana for $127.21 USD as of this writing. By contrast, 1 ether — the native cryptocurrency on Ethereum — equals $1,946.40 USD as of this writing, per Binance. However, exchange rates have dramatically decreased since Green Matters published its article on Feb. 10; 1 solana and 1 ether equated to about $220 USD and about $3,550 USD, respectively, at that time. Both pale in comparison to bitcoin, of course, which is at $82,824.42 as of this writing after experiencing a similar drop over the last month, having traded at $98,333.22 on Feb. 10 and going for over $100,000 at times in December and January. Fast Company attributed this drop to cryptocurrency investors experiencing "macroeconomic uncertainty." This feeling has been spurred by the slew of tariffs the U.S. is imposing on Canada, Mexico, China, and many other countries. At the very least, the Solana platform has the potential to be more eco-friendly than other forms of cryptocurrency because it uses a "proof-of-history" consensus mechanism, which doesn't require mining. Ethereum is not far behind, as it completed "The Merge" in 2022 to switch to proof-of-stake, cutting its energy use by over 99% compared with proof-of-work. Solana may also be a viable alternative to Ethereum as two of the more eco-friendly options in terms of nonfungible token minting, which generally requires a lot of energy and can lead to e-waste, according to Investopedia, especially if a blockchain such as bitcoin is used. That said, proponents of proof-of-work, which bitcoin uses, say it's more secure and more decentralized. On top of that, many mining facilities have been switching to clean, renewable energy or using only excess energy that would otherwise go to waste, along with helping fund the clean energy transition by making it more profitable, which is a big step in the right direction for cleaning up crypto's reputation as an energy hog. Will America someday get all its energy from renewable sources? Yes — very soon Yes — by 2050 Yes — by 2070 Probably never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. But there are still other issues to tackle, as not all cryptocurrency miners are as forward-thinking as the smart ones investing in cleaner energy that saves money in the long run. Many areas have had to deal with threats of energy grid collapses and increased e-waste as a result of more opportunistic miners. With that in mind, diversity in the cryptocurrency market — with some offering lower-energy, lower-fee alternatives, as Solana and Ethereum have been doing — should continue to be healthy in the pursuit of a cleaner future for crypto. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists issue warning over bizarre phenomenon spotted in Alaskan rivers: 'Have to be stained a lot...'
Scientists have issued a warning about a striking but alarming sight that's occurring in Alaskan rivers. Green Matters detailed that at least 75 rivers in the state have started turning orange, a phenomenon that is even visible from space. Canadian photographer Taylor Roades has been documenting the startling scenes and recently posted he will be exhibiting his work under the title "Alaska's Rust Rivers" at the Anchorage Museum in March. Brett Poulin — an environmental toxicologist at the University of California, Davis, and co-author of a study on the problem published in the Communications Earth & Environment journal — noted that the rivers "have to be stained a lot" to be seen at such a distance. Researchers said this was happening because of toxic metals entering rivers from melting permafrost — defined as ground that has been frozen for more than two years. Levels of zinc, nickel, copper, iron, and cadmium in rivers are increasing, with these metals once trapped in soil but now entering waterways because of rising global temperatures leading to increased ice melt. The U.S. Geological Survey, cited by Green Matters, pointed out that the mildly acidic water pH level caused by these metals is equivalent to lemon juice or vinegar. Scientists are concerned that acidic water levels, and the toxicity of the metals, could negatively impact both marine and land ecosystems. Notably, it's suggested that the degradation of water quality could harm spawning fish, which could later strike a blow to the U.S. fishing industry. On top of that, it's feared that if we don't make changes to slow the rate of rising temperatures — which is exacerbated by the production of human-caused pollution — more permafrost could melt in the coming years, releasing further toxic materials into water sources. Rising sea levels and increased soil erosion are additional worries following melting permafrost. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. It sounds like a colossal task, but we can all take steps to prevent permafrost melt by reducing our production of planet-warming pollution, which traps heat in the atmosphere and encourages thermometers to rise. Starting small, you could switch off electric devices at night to stop needless power usage. The electricity grid, while increasingly supported by wind and solar energy, still relies on burning dirty fuels to create energy. Stepping up slightly, you and your family could switch to one plant-based meal a week. According to Earth Day, doing so could prevent the equivalent pollution of taking your car off the road for over a month. Major actions include ditching your gas-guzzling car for an electric version or investing in sustainable domestic energy technology, like solar panels. Both of these changes could save you money in the long run, too. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Explorer makes alarming find while attempting to break a world record in the ocean: 'A rather disheartening discovery'
A record-breaking dive in the world's deepest trench was marred by the discovery of plastic waste on the seafloor. American diver Victor Vescovo descended nearly seven miles to the deepest part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench in the Pacific. And while it was a record-breaking dive, the BBC reported it was also marked by a disappointing find: plastic pollution, including a bag and candy wrappers. Though he also came across a few new sea creatures — the BBC reported that Vescovo's team believes it has discovered four new species of prawn-like crustaceans called amphipods — Green Matters called the ocean plastics "a rather disheartening discovery." Do you think America has a plastic waste problem? Definitely Only in some areas Not really I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. This is not the first case linking plastics with the deepest parts of the ocean. For instance, one study estimated that up to 11 million metric tons (more than 12 million tons) of plastic pollution is sitting on the ocean floor. All this ocean plastic kills an estimated 100,000 marine mammals per year, according to the World Wildlife Fund, which explains that these animals can eat or become entangled in the debris. For instance, one baby turtle found off the coast of Australia had a stomach full of plastic. Fortunately, the hatchling survived and was released back to sea after 18 months of rehab. Plus, harmful chemicals can enter our food chain when we eat ocean-dwelling organisms that have mistakenly eaten plastic waste, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This is dangerous, as several chemicals used in plastic production are known carcinogens that can cause developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune disorders. Ocean plastic is just one manifestation of the plastic plague, and a number of companies are doing their part to help reduce plastic pollution. For instance, McDonald's banned all its plastic cutlery in the U.K., and major beer brands such as Coors Light are getting rid of plastic packaging rings. Plus, many plastic alternatives are popping up, and scientists have discovered how to break down plastic using hungry wax worms and fungi. You can do your part by taking steps to reduce your consumption of single-use plastics. For instance, ditch those single-use water bottles, invest in reusable grocery sacks, support brands with plastic-free packaging, and switch to bar shampoo and conditioner. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
