Category: Health

Fossil Fuels Killing Us

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One of the lessons we eventually sense is that, in all things, over-indulgence is unhealthy. Even if we were to eat our favorite food too often, our body would eventually probably develop an allergy to it. Oil has been a boon to our quality of life. It’s enabled us to travel the globe at very affordable costs.

However, we’re now over-using this resource. And, as this research report describes, it’s literally killing us.  Just as horse-drawn carriage and buggy whip makers fought to inhibit the transition to horseless carriages, and naturally tried whatever they could to sustain their businesses, the fossil fuel industry is doing likewise.… Keep reading

Americans breathing unsafe pollutant levels

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While life expectancy has been slowly increasing in developed countries, it’s now decreasing in the U.S. One factor diminishing our health lies in the air we breathe. The good news: while federal actions are actually enabling more pollutants, we can, as individuals, improve things. Comments afterwards.

 

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Nearly half of Americans breathing in

unsafe levels of air pollutants – report

 

American Lung Association’s study says almost 156 million

people live in areas with unhealthy levels of soot or smog

 

Nina Lakhani

The Guardian

23 Apr 2025

 

Almost half of Americans are breathing in dangerous levels of air pollutants, a new report shows, a rise compared with a year ago and likely to further increase in coming years thanks to the climate crisis and the Trump administration’s sweeping environmental rollbacks.… Keep reading

Paris Breathes Better

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Virtually everyone values healthier air. Virtually everyone values the personal convenience that cars provide. Virtually everyone values the beauty of a handsome urban setting, such as Paris. And virtually everyone values the beauty of rich urban park landscapes. But … not nearly enough of us walk that talk. I delight in finding measurable action in the magical city of Paris – and seeing the results, as well. Comments afterwards.

 

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Paris says au revoir to cars.

… Keep reading

Air pollution harms our task focus

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While many actions are being taken to address climate problems, here’s a research report you can use to keep your thinking as sharp as possible.

 

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Air pollution reduces people’s ability to

focus on everyday tasks, study finds

 

Even brief exposure to particulate matter found to

impede selective attention and emotional recognition

 

Olivia Lee

The Guardian

6 Feb 2025

 

A person’s ability to focus on everyday tasks is affected by short-term exposure to air pollution, a study has found.… Keep reading

Microplastics in our bodies

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Because they’re so small, we simply don’t see microplastics, making them more difficult for us to worry about. However, although fact-checking doesn’t seem to be in vogue these days, if scientific, verifiable data suggests actions we can take that have major upsides and no downsides, why not consider taking the advice? Comments afterwards.

 

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Microplastics are in many of your body’s organs and tissues.

Why they’re so bad and what you can do to stay healthier.

… Keep reading