Green news of the week

Our selection of environmental news from here and elsewhere

Watch out for dogs when it’s hot

It’s been documented that humans commit more violent crimes when the temperature and air pollution are high. American researchers wanted to know if the weather also influenced the mood of the canine breed. After analyzing 69,525 reports of dog bites on humans in 8 American cities, including New York and Los Angeles, the researchers trace a direct link between the attacks and the temperature, reveals the study published in Nature. Dog bites account for 0.3% of all emergency room visits in the United States. They are the cause of craniofacial lesions, finger amputations and sometimes even death.

The sea or the mine?

The oceans are once again in the crosshairs of mining giants to extract metals used to design batteries, mobile phones and computers. The United Nations body responsible for the seabed is due to meet this summer to discuss a draft “mining code”. More than 30 exploration licenses have already been granted, mainly in the Clarion-Clipperton fracture zone, extending over 4.5 million square kilometers between Hawaii and Mexico. Conservationists fear that ecosystems will be damaged by mining. In particular because of the risks of leaks, spills of fuels and other chemicals used in the extraction.

The rich and the carbon footprint

Far from decreasing, the carbon footprint of the wealthiest people on our planet continues to increase, denounces a researcher from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Edgar Hertwich. They consume more, so it’s not surprising that their footprint is higher, says the expert. “But from an ethical point of view, it’s unfair that the rich get a bigger share of CO2 emissions₂ “, he declared this week to the New Scientist. The Institute for Socioeconomic Research and Information (IRIS) of Quebec published data in February showing that the carbon footprint of the ultra-rich is equivalent to the annual emissions of 1,000 to 2,000 middle-class Canadians.

The Thames in lack of oxygen

Sewage and hot weather: The Thames in London is deprived of oxygen, to the point of killing thousands of fish. In order to save endangered marine species and plants, a specialized boat was deployed for the first time last summer. For about ten days, he literally injected air into the river. Thames Water Company owns two boats, vitality And Bubbler, equipped to pump up to 30 tons of oxygen per day. In mid-June, thousands of fish were found dead in the River Soar, Leicester, UK, due to low oxygen supply.

Quiz

Where was the hottest day recorded in Canada last Tuesday?

On July 4, 2023, the highest temperature was recorded in Kuujjuaq, in northern Nunavik. The mercury soared to 34.3°C. The next day, a temperature of 34.7°C was recorded in the community of Kuujjuarapik, in Northwestern Quebec.