Setting the Stage for Change The concept of reduced working time opens an opportunity to reimagine economic systems that respect both human needs and environmental thresholds. Shorter working hours could simultaneously support social welfare while reducing environmental pressures, contributing to an economic model that operates within the safe and just space between meeting human needs and respecting planetary boundaries. ...
Unmasking Maritime Pollution’s Depths The global shipping industry, while vital for international trade and economic growth, significantly contributes to chemical pollution in our oceans and atmosphere. This pollution extends far beyond the visible oil spills that often capture headlines. It encompasses a complex mixture of air pollutants, greenhouse gases, and water contaminants, with far-reaching consequences for both environmental and human health. ...
To truly understand the complexities of ocean acidification, it’s essential to delve into its underlying chemical mechanisms. When seawater absorbs atmospheric CO2, a gas that is being emitted at alarming rates due to human activities, it triggers a cascade of chemical reactions that ultimately increase hydrogen ion concentration and subsequently lower the water’s pH, making it more acidic.12 This intricate chemical process simultaneously reduces carbonate ion availability, a critical building block. This reduction proves particularly devastating for shell-building organisms such as oysters, clams, and mussels, which rely on these carbonate ions for survival and the development of their protective shells.34 ...
A recent study published in Nature has raised concerns about the current state of Earth’s climate system. The research suggests that the “safe and just” climate boundary has already been breached, with global average temperatures surpassing the 1°C threshold above pre-industrial levels.1 This finding is particularly significant in the context of the Paris Agreement’s goal to limit warming to 1.5°C, as it indicates that we are dangerously close to exceeding this critical limit. ...