Latest news with #OceanConservancy
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers move forward on bill banning common grocery store item: 'They add unnecessary costs'
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek signed a bill into law banning thick, reusable plastic bags from being used at grocery stores, restaurants, and retail outlets, The Oregonian reported. State Sen. Janeen Sollman, a Democrat from Hillsboro and the bill's chief sponsor, explained that "wasteful disposable plastics like thick plastic checkout bags aren't just annoying for consumers, they add unnecessary costs to our Oregon businesses, and are contributing to an ever increasing pile of plastic trash that is harming the environment and public health." Plastic bags are, indeed, harmful to the environment. After typically being used just once, they end up in landfills, where they can take up to 1,000 years to break down. The intention behind the thicker reusable bags was to steer consumers toward using them multiple times, thus eliminating more single-use plastic bags, but few people reuse them. Critics of plastic bag bans are concerned that they may lead to an increase in the purchase and usage of other types of plastic bags, but studies have shown that bans are effective in cutting down the overall usage of plastic bags. The manufacturing of plastic bags contributes to planet-warming pollution, so demand for them increases the problem that bans are trying to solve. When plastic bags are not disposed of properly, they often end up in bodies of water or caught in tree branches, posing a threat to wildlife and causing additional harm to the environment. The Ocean Conservancy reported that plastic bags are the most common form of single-use plastics found by International Coastal Cleanup volunteers. In addition to the plastic bags harming marine life, microplastics that result from the bags breaking down can be ingested by marine animals, compounding the threat. The Oregon ban is part of efforts by individual states to reduce the environmental impact of plastic bags. California has banned all plastic grocery bags to encourage the use of paper bags or reusable bags. Twelve states have some form of statewide ban on plastic bags. Charging money for them is one deterrent that has reduced usage in the United Kingdom. The growing awareness of the negative effects of plastic bags on ecosystems has inspired individuals and governments to take action. By opting for reusable bags when we shop and helping spread the word about the harm single-use plastic bags bring to the environment, we can be part of the solution. Should the government ban gas stoves? Yes Only in new buildings Only in restaurants No way Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. 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.
Fox News
26-06-2025
- General
- Fox News
Beach visitor accidentally picks up shell of venomous snail that can kill a human in moments
A woman visiting a local beach was walking along the tide admiring shells when she picked up one that could have had deadly repercussions. Sharing her story on TikTok, the woman shows herself finding a spotted, cone-shaped shell and picking it up. She was in Okinawa, Japan, when this happened. "She doesn't know it yet, but she's about to pick up the world's deadliest shell that leads to full paralysis in minutes," the text on the video says. The woman picked up a cone snail shell with coils spotted in brown and white. Cone snails are one of the most venomous animals on Earth, with approximately 600-700 species of slugs in existence, according to the Ocean Conservancy (OC). Most venom in the snails will "cause tingling or numbness at the injection site, then spread to the impacted limb and eventually the entire body," according to OC. In a follow-up video that garnered millions of likes, the woman shared that she did research on the shell and its usual inhabitant, finding out even "worse" information about it. "My brain kept convincing me that I had been stung and just didn't realize it. By the fourth day of panic, my husband was sick of reassuring me I was indeed going to live," she said. Cone snails are marine predators. They use venom to immobilize their prey by using their "harpoon-like teeth" to inject victims, according to the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The video garnered nearly one million likes, with TikTokers weighing in on the incident. "This is why life should have an instruction manual," said one woman. A user commented, "Don't touch anything pretty." "I wonder if my mother-in-law would like a cone shell collection," joked one TikToker. Another user said, "I grew up in Hawaii and they taught me this in fourth grade." The person added, "But I don't think it's common knowledge."
Wales Online
26-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
Common object banned from public places starting July 1 in France
Common object banned from public places starting July 1 in France Starting July 1, the European nation will ban smoking in parks, on beaches, and at bus stops - all outdoor areas that can be accessed by children From July 1, France will ban smoking in outdoor areas frequented by children (Image: Getty ) France is gearing up to introduce a ban on smoking in public spaces, with the new rules set to come into effect from 1 July. The ban will cover parks, beaches, and bus stops – any outdoor areas frequented by children. The European country, known for its iconic image of smokers enjoying cigarettes on cafe terraces or strolling down quaint streets, has been steadily tightening restrictions on tobacco use in public places over recent years. The impending prohibition aims to curb not only the environmental impact of discarded cigarette ends but also the health hazards associated with second-hand smoke. Health and family minister Catherine Vautrin said: "Tobacco must disappear where there are children." She emphasised that the liberty to smoke "stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts". The upcoming ban also targets educational institutions, seeking to deter students from lighting up outside and nearby school premises. Ms Vautrin warned that violators could face fines up to €135 (£115), reports the Daily Record. Ms Vautrin assured that law enforcement would be responsible for enforcing the ban. French authorities are preparing to enforce the new rules vigorously, with signage and campaigns designed to foster adherence. This move on 1 July extends France's existing anti-smoking laws, which have banned smoking in eateries and nightclubs since 2008. Those who break the rules could be fined as much as €135 (£115) Article continues below Smoking is still permitted in outdoor areas of cafes and bars, and e-cigarettes are not currently included in the ban. However, France is reportedly set to introduce stricter vaping regulations soon. According to a BBC report, the UK government is considering similar measures. These could involve extending laws in England to cover outdoor areas such as playgrounds and hospital grounds to protect children and vulnerable individuals from the risks of secondhand smoke. Cigarette butts are reportedly the most common item found polluting beaches and waterways globally. In response to the impending ban, Chris Dorsett, Ocean Conservancy's Vice President of Conservation, highlighted the positive impact it will have on reducing ocean plastic pollution. Cigarette butts are the most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways He said: "Not only does banning smoking in public places protect public health, but it will also make a huge impact on keeping our oceans and beaches clean. According to Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup data, cigarette butts are the number one most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways in Europe and worldwide. "In addition to shedding dangerous microplastic fibers, cigarette butts also leach chemicals into the environment, harming sensitive marine ecosystems. We applaud France for taking this important step to protect people and the environment from the threat of cigarette pollution." Article continues below Since 1986, volunteers from the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup have gathered a staggering 63 million cigarette butts globally. In the most recent year for which data is available, 2023, a total of 323,431 cigarette butts were collected solely from European beaches and waterways. Why is passive smoking harmful? Secondhand smoke, or passive smoking, is dangerous as it puts non-smokers in contact with the same harmful chemicals and cancer-causing agents present in cigarette smoke, raising their chances of developing different illnesses. This kind of exposure can result in respiratory problems, heart issues, and even cancer for those who don't smoke. Kids are especially at risk from the impacts of passive smoking because their bodies and airways are still growing.
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
France will ban common item from July 1 in most outdoor spaces
The ban will cover public places such as beaches, parks and bus stops France is set to enforce a ban on a common object in public spaces in just a few days. Starting July 1, the European nation will prohibit smoking in parks, on beaches, and at bus stops - all outdoor areas that can be accessed by children. Known for its smokers, hanging out with cigarettes on cafe patios or walking along cobblestone roads, France has been ramping up its restrictions on tobacco use in public areas over the last few years. The latest ban in five days time is hoped to not only reduce the pollution of cigarette butts, but also lessen the risks caused by passive smoking. Health and family minister Catherine Vautrin said: "Tobacco must disappear where there are children." She said that the freedom to smoke "stops where children's right to breathe clean air starts". The ban will also apply to schools, aiming to prevent students from smoking near them. According to Ms Vautrin, those who break the rules could be fined as much as €135 (£115). Ms Vautrin says that the police would uphold the ban, adding that the public would have the opportunity to "self-regulate." French officials are gearing up to actively implement the new regulations, complete with signs and public awareness initiatives to encourage compliance. The July 1 ban expands the existing smoking regulations in France, which have prohibited smoking in restaurants and nightclubs since 2008. People can still smoke in cafes' and bar terraces' outdoor spaces. As it stands, e-cigarettes (vapes) aren't part of this ban, although France is looking to tighten vaping rules soon. The UK government is said to be thinking about taking similar steps, according to a report by the BBC. Including potentially expanding laws in England to cover outdoor spots like playgrounds and hospital grounds to "shield kids and the most vulnerable from the dangers of second-hand smoke." According to data, cigarette butts are the most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways worldwide. In response to the upcoming ban, Chris Dorsett, Ocean Conservancy's Vice President of Conservation, spoke about the positive impact the ban will have on ocean plastic pollution. He said: "Not only does banning smoking in public places protect public health, but it will also make a huge impact on keeping our oceans and beaches clean. According to Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup data, cigarette butts are the number one most commonly found item polluting beaches and waterways in Europe and worldwide. "In addition to shedding dangerous microplastic fibers, cigarette butts also leach chemicals into the environment, harming sensitive marine ecosystems. We applaud France for taking this important step to protect people and the environment from the threat of cigarette pollution." Since 1986, volunteers with Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup have collected 63 million cigarette butts worldwide. In 2023 – the most recent year for which the organisation has data for so far, 323,431 cigarette butts were collected from beaches and waterways in Europe alone.
Fast Company
20-06-2025
- Science
- Fast Company
Thanks to bans and fees, there are fewer plastic bags littering beaches
It turns out eliminating the 'paper or plastic' question through plastic bag regulation is effectively reducing the number of bags found in shoreline litter across the United States. A new analysis of shoreline cleanup data finds that areas with plastic bag bans or consumer fees have fewer bags turning up in their litter. The research offers some of the strongest evidence yet that regulating plastic bag use makes a difference in reducing the amount of plastic waste in marine ecosystems. A heightened threat to marine wildlife 'We find, largely, that all the regulations do show a decrease in plastic bag litter as a share of total litter on these shores,' says Kimberly Oremus, co-author of the research paper and an assistant professor of marine science and policy at the University of Delaware. The total reduction ranged between 25% and 47%, the study found. About 20 metric tons of plastic end up in the environment each year, estimates the International Union for Conservation of Nature—that amounts to over 2.4 kilograms of plastic for each person on Earth. Plastic bags are particularly prevalent in marine ecosystems. They are very difficult to recycle and, because they are lightweight and have a large surface area for wind to catch, they blow out of the trash and into the environment at higher rates than other plastic items, says Erin Murphy, the ocean plastics science and research manager at the environmental advocacy nonprofit Ocean Conservancy, who was not involved in the research. She added that in 2024 alone, the conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup volunteers gathered up more than a million plastic bags. In addition to getting into the environment at high rates, plastic bags also pose a heightened threat to marine wildlife. Wildlife can become entangled in or smothered by these bags or can mistake them for food, like jellyfish, a favorite among many species. These interactions with plastic can lead to the deaths of endangered and common animals alike and can even contribute to broader population declines. Counting the plastic bags 'One big challenge in studying the effects and regulations of plastics is actually measuring this pollutant in the environment,' says Anna Papp, co-author of the research paper. To overcome this challenge, the study used crowd-funded data from beach cleanups. The data was collected by the Ocean Conservancy as part of their Trash Information and Data for Education and Solutions (TIDES) project. Nearly 19 million people have participated in the data collection worldwide. The study also examined plastic bag policies at various geographical scales between 2017 and 2023. The earliest plastic bag policies in the U.S. were implemented around 2007, researchers say, but an uptick in the mid-2010s more directly led to the policies analyzed in the study. While the data provides insight into how the share of plastic bags found among shoreline litter has changed due to policy measures, an important caveat remains: Plastic litter has been increasing overall. Plastic production doubled from 234 million to 460 million tons between 2000 and 2019—and without mitigation, it is only expected to rise, according to a recent report from the French-based Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Some regulations are better than others Still, the researchers noted that not all regulations worked equally well. Total bans and consumer fees resulted in greater decreases than partial bans, which still allow businesses to use thicker, potentially reusable plastic bags. The researchers also found that regulation was most effective in places that had a high baseline of plastic bag litter before the bans or fees went into place. The study data seems to indicate that consumer fees were the most effective option for mitigating plastic bag litter, though the paper's authors say more research is needed to confirm this finding. 'These policies are effective, but they're not a panacea for all plastic litter,' Oremus said. 'Anyone who's looking at regulations for plastic broadly needs to think beyond just the consumption side of plastic.'
