Page 22 – Green Prophet

Living Plastics That Clean Water and Heal Themselves—Powered by Sunlight

Design

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July 6, 2025

Stella McCartney makes fashion out of a mushroom leather

Imagine a wound dressing that releases oxygen as it heals, or a building material that cleans your wastewater while changing shape with the sun. These futuristic-sounding ideas may soon enter the design mainstream, thanks to new research into Engineered Living Materials (ELMs)—a field funded by DARPA and which stands at the intersection of materials science, microbiology, and sustainability.

A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego has cracked open the toolbox for ELM creation, allowing scientists to work with a much broader range of polymers, even those previously considered toxic to living cells.

Their breakthrough, recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, uses a diffusion-based method that enables cyanobacteria—sunlight-powered microbes—to infiltrate and transform pre-formed polymers. The result? A living material that can change shape, soften over time, and respond to its environment, all while powered by the sun.

“We have shown for the first time that diffusion is a viable method of creating ELMs,” said co-first author Lisa Tang, a Ph.D. student in chemical engineering at UC San Diego. “This opens the door to using a wider variety of polymers.”

The study was led by Prof. Jinhye Bae (Chemical and Nano Engineering) and Prof. Susan Golden (Molecular Biology), under the umbrella of UCSD’s Materials Research Science and Engineering Center. Co-author Nathan Soulier, a postdoctoral scholar in Golden’s lab, emphasized the scientific impact:

“Such surprising findings highlight the value of studying dynamic, non-equilibrium systems like ELMs.”

A Biotech Renaissance in Material Design

This development could radically influence sustainable design across multiple industries. In the fashion world, Stella McCartney has already collaborated with synthetic biologists at companies like Bolt Threads to develop mycelium leather, an earlier example of living materials. At the MIT Media Lab, designer and materials innovator Neri Oxman has pioneered the concept of “material ecology,” merging computational design with microbial growth and environmental data to create biodegradable architecture and wearables.

stella mccartney fungus — Stella McCartney is going beyond traditional dyes and is using fungus to dye her clothes in Bolt Threads

In Israel, Tel Aviv University’s Prof. Oded Shoseyov (inventor of the Ashpoopie) has been a leader in applying plant and bacterial proteins to smart materials and bio-fabricated textiles, often collaborating with biotech startups on sustainable production methods.

With the new method developed at UCSD, even synthetic polymers with harsh precursors could now become home to living, functional organisms. In the team’s experiment, they used a shape-memory polymer that expands and contracts with temperature shifts—mimicking a sponge. Once returned to room temperature, the polymer absorbed a suspension of cyanobacteria, which not only survived but thrived—altering the material’s structure and producing enzymes that degraded it in novel ways.

Why It Matters: From Wastewater to Wearables

Cyanobacteria can be genetically programmed to perform specific tasks, such as breaking down pollutants or producing biofuels—meaning these living materials could clean water, capture carbon, or even sense toxins. And because they run on solar energy, they don’t need batteries or chemical power sources.

This has major implications for green construction, regenerative medicine, and zero-waste fashion. In architecture, self-healing facades and living insulation could reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials. In medical contexts, bioactive scaffolds could accelerate healing while reducing infection risk.

As demand grows for biodegradable, responsive, and resource-efficient materials, this diffusion-based method could become a cornerstone in post-petroleum design—a path toward truly circular, regenerative systems.

The UCSD team is already exploring how other polymers—those sensitive to pH or capable of conducting electricity—might host living cells. The idea is to create multi-functional, multi-sensory materials that behave more like biological tissues than inert plastic.

Scanning electron microscope image of an engineered living material created by diffusion of live cyanobacteria cells (green) into poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a temperature-responsive polymer.

“By integrating photosynthetic organisms into materials science, we can harness the sun’s renewable energy to create valuable materials,” said Bae. “There is a great need for sustainable alternatives to current practices that rely on finite resources.”

In a world running short on raw materials but rich in sunlight and microbial ingenuity, the age of engineered living matter may be just beginning.

Want to speak “dolphin”?

Animals

Julie Steinbeck

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July 6, 2025

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Looks like Bill Murray and the crew from Steve Zissou: Denise Herzing and her team listening to dolphins

Is Anyone Listening? A Marine Biologist’s 40-Year Conversation with Dolphins

In 1985, marine biologist Denise Herzing set out on a six-week research trip to the Bahamas to study wild dolphins. Four decades later, she’s still there—immersed in what has become a lifelong effort to understand how dolphins communicate. Herzing’s new book, Is Anyone Listening? (University of Chicago Press, 2024), distills this remarkable journey and argues that it’s time we meet animals not just as research subjects, but as potential conversational partners.

Herzing’s work with Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) through her nonprofit Wild Dolphin Project is among the longest continuous underwater studies of a single dolphin population in the world. She’s logged thousands of hours in the water and helped pioneer underwater keyboards and acoustic tools to investigate symbolic communication between humans and dolphins.

But not everyone is convinced the book qualifies as science. In a recent review for Nature, marine mammal expert Laela Sayigh praises Herzing’s “remarkable fieldwork” but warns that the book “lacks sufficient data and references,” leaving some claims unsubstantiated. “However, Herzing’s passion for nature and animals makes for a positive overarching message,” she writes.

Despite its speculative tone, the book opens important ethical questions: If animals are capable of language-like behavior, how should we interact with them?

Communication Underground, Underwater, and in the Canopy

Herzing’s work joins a growing body of research showing that non-human communication systems may be far more complex—and more meaningful—than once believed. At Green Prophet, we’ve followed this theme through the treetops, across deserts, and even underground.

Take frogs, for instance: scientists have shown that some species, like the red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas), use seismic communication by shaking leaves beneath them to warn off predators or signal mates. These substrate-borne vibrations function like primitive Morse code, especially in low-visibility environments like rainforest understories.

And ants? Not to be outdone, recent soil science reveals how some tropical ant and termite species create micro-engineered soil structures, aiding water retention and plant growth. Their subterranean tunnel systems could inspire future architects and soil conservationists alike.

Even plants get in on the conversation. Some researchers suggest that root systems “communicate” chemically with fungi, triggering nutrient exchanges that resemble trading systems. Other researchers say they can pick up on the jabber. Whether we call it communication or co-evolution, it challenges long-held assumptions about intelligence.

While Is Anyone Listening? may not satisfy those looking for hard statistics, it’s a compelling read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, philosophy, and animal behavior. Herzing’s voice—at once personal, precise, and probing—asks us not just to decode dolphin sounds but to consider our role as co-inhabitants of a shared, noisy planet.

And with artificial intelligence now being deployed to analyze animal languages (see the CETI project on sperm whale communication), the field Herzing helped pioneer is more relevant than ever.

How Termites and Ants Built the Tropics’ Best Soil

Julie Steinbeck

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July 6, 2025

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How Termites and Ants Built the Tropics’ Best Soil

Part of the egress complex of a mound of Macrotermes michaelseni termites from NamibiaCredit
D. Andréen — Part of the egress complex of a mound of Macrotermes michaelseni termites from Namibia, D. Andréen

Biomimicry looks to nature for helping us engineer human products such as vernacular design

For years, scientists believed the exceptional fertility of tropical Ferralsols—a crumbly, porous soil found in regions like the Brazilian Cerrado and parts of West Africa—was simply the result of mineral weathering. But new research has cracked open that theory, revealing a hidden network of co-engineers: termites and ants. These social insects have not just inhabited these soils—they’ve built them.

In a landmark perspective published in Pedosphere Dr. Ary Bruand and colleagues at France’s Institut des Sciences de la Terre d’Orléans trace how millions of generations of termites and ants have sculpted the structure of Ferralsols. By transporting minerals from deep underground and engineering an intricate system of tunnels, these insects have created the porous, breathable soils that support some of the world’s richest tropical biodiversity and agriculture.

“This is like discovering that the pyramids weren’t built by natural erosion, but by ancient engineers,” said Bruand. “These insects have been performing ecosystem services worth billions of dollars, completely unnoticed. Their soil structures are more sophisticated than anything we’ve designed in labs.”

The team used advanced microscopy and chemical tracing to map the fingerprints of insect activity across Ferralsol profiles from three continents. Their findings are striking: termites, possibly in search of scarce minerals like sodium, mine materials from depths of up to 10 meters. They transport these nutrients to the surface, where ants help redistribute and stabilize them—creating honeycomb-like soil microstructures that resist compaction, retain water, and allow roots to thrive.

Yet this partnership is under threat. In regions where native vegetation is converted to cropland, termite and ant populations decline rapidly. In Ivory Coast, the team observed a 60% drop in these soil-structuring insects just five years after agricultural expansion. Water retention and crop yields followed the same downward trajectory.

Termites create soil. Am image by researcher Eric Van Ranst

For scientists, the implications go beyond soil science. The biological design principles embedded in Ferralsols could inspire new directions in vernacular architecture, permaculture, and even regenerative land use. Termite mounds—known for their natural ventilation and climate regulation—have long fascinated architects. Now, this new research offers a soil-level perspective on bioengineering that’s been quietly evolving for tens of thousands of years.

“We must develop farming systems that work with these natural builders, not against them,” said Bruand. “The future of tropical agriculture may depend on whether we can protect these underground allies.”

Schematic representation of the cascading effect of termite bioturbation. Na⁺ is brought to the surface from belowground minerals. Termite biomass and biostructures constitute patches of Na⁺ at the landscape scale. Redistribution of Na⁺ by termites occurs directly by predation (hereby ants) and indirectly via the licking or consumption of termite soil by herbivores and the development of fungi with potential positive impacts on plants and as a feedback loop on herbivores. Recycling of Na⁺ by termites mostly occurs via the consumption of herbivores’ dung (© IRD—Cristal Ricoy Martinez) — Recycling of Na⁺ by termites mostly occurs via the consumption of herbivores’ dung ( IRD—Cristal Ricoy Martinez)

Designers and architects interested in sustainable land-based development can take cues from this research:

Leave vegetation corridors between cultivated fields to allow for recolonization of native insects.
Explore soil biomimicry by replicating termite-built structures in agricultural substrates.
Develop bio-inspired building materials that mimic the thermal and structural logic of insect habitats.

Policymakers, too, may begin using insect abundance as a new indicator of soil health. Researchers are already exploring rapid field tests to measure the “biological soil structure potential”—a kind of ecological fingerprint left by these ancient builders.

The message is clear: these insects have solved problems of drainage, drought, and compaction long before humans ever arrived. Protecting them isn’t just conservation—it’s smart design.

Why Is the Martian Night Sky So Bright? New NASA Video Sheds Light on the Red Planet’s Glow

Peace

Karin Kloosterman

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July 6, 2025

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Update: it’s been debunked as a fake.

A newly released NASA video captured by the Perseverance rover has sparked awe and curiosity: the Martian night sky, far from being pitch black, glows with an eerie brightness. The footage, taken from Jezero Crater, shows a surprisingly luminous Martian landscape illuminated under what seems to be a perpetual twilight.

So what’s behind this otherworldly glow?

The key lies in Martian dust. Unlike Earth, Mars has a thin atmosphere—just about 1% the density of ours—but it’s filled with ultra-fine particles of iron-rich dust that stay suspended in the air. These particles scatter sunlight long after sunset, creating a lingering glow in the sky. It’s similar to Earth’s twilight effect, but stretched much longer and redder due to the planet’s fine particulate matter and lack of moisture.

Another factor is sunlight scattering at high altitudes. Even though the Sun sets on Mars just as it does on Earth, light continues to scatter off the high-altitude dust, keeping the sky bright for hours. This is why astronauts may one day be able to navigate or work during the “night” without artificial lighting—at least in the early evening.

Interestingly, the brightness also helps with scientific observations. The enhanced visibility aids in tracking passing meteors, dust devils, and even detecting faint clouds in the Martian atmosphere.

So while Mars might seem like a lifeless desert, its night sky proves it’s still very much a planet in motion—with light, dust, and mystery dancing above its rusty sands.

Elon Musk is preparing SpaceX to head to Mars. Would you like to see nigh skies like this?

You Won’t Believe Which Country Is Fueling Shark Product Trade in the Pacific

Animals

Karin Kloosterman

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July 6, 2025

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When we think of the illegal wildlife trade, especially involving threatened marine species like sharks, most of us picture Southeast Asian markets in China where they eat shark fin soup, or global shipping ports. But new research suggests a surprising player in the trans-Pacific shark trade: Australia.

A study led by Josephine Lingard, a PhD candidate at the University of Adelaide’s School of Biological Sciences and Wildlife Crime Research Hub, reveals that both Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand are not only destinations for shark products but also active nodes in the movement of shark-derived goods between regions. The research, published in Pacific Conservation Biology, used border seizure data from both countries to track the flow of shark fins, trophies, and meat — and Australia emerged as a significant point of origin.

“We did not expect Australia to be a dominant country of origin for seizures in Aotearoa/New Zealand,” said Lingard. “But the data showed otherwise.”

Related: Arab action on shark finning

The shark products, often carried in personal luggage or by post, were likely intended for personal consumption, resale, or as trophies. While most fin products seized in Australia originated from Asia, preserved shark specimens were more commonly linked to the United States. In Aotearoa/New Zealand, however, Australia was the most common source of both passenger and mail seizures — an unexpected finding given that seizures in Australia had declined over time, while New Zealand’s numbers rose.

Several possible explanations emerge: New Zealand’s geographic proximity and flight connectivity to Australia may make it a natural transit route. Alternatively, shark products may be processed or purchased in Australia before being brought into New Zealand. It’s also possible that Australia is listed as the origin simply due to flight routing, not actual source of capture or processing.

The environmental stakes are high. Over one-third of all chondrichthyan species — a group that includes sharks and shark-like rays — are currently threatened with extinction. All of the threatened shark species are also considered overfished, adding further pressure to already strained ocean ecosystems. Many of these species are targeted for their fins, used in shark fin soup, a status-laden delicacy particularly popular in parts of Asia.

And while the global market for shark meat has steadily grown since the early 2000s, the legal trade in shark fins — when fins are landed attached to the body — has been declining. This suggests that illegal or unregulated trade may be filling the gap, often without proper species identification or monitoring.

Indeed, one of the study’s most troubling findings was the lack of transparency in the data. Fewer than 1% of the seizures contained species-specific information, making it almost impossible to assess the impact on endangered populations. Yet, of the species that were identified, 14 of 18 were listed under CITES, the global agreement regulating the international trade in endangered species.

“This lack of identification is consistent with wider problems in shark fisheries, where species are lumped together using generic trade codes,” Lingard explained. “It severely limits our ability to manage conservation efforts effectively.”

The researchers call for stronger enforcement, improved border monitoring, and especially better identification and recording of shark species in trade seizures. Without these steps, efforts to protect endangered sharks — and maintain marine ecosystem health — will remain compromised.

Scientists Crack the Code for Low-Cost, Low-Carbon Plastic Recycling

Karin Kloosterman

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July 6, 2025

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recycled materials, WE MAKE CARPETS, Taragalte Festival, Morocco, eco design, plastic carpet, bottle carpet — WE MAKE CARPETS, Taragalte Festival, Morocco

Recent studies in the US show that most plastics are never recycled. The numbers probably fare worse for other countries in the world. In a significant step forward for sustainable materials science, a new American study has unveiled a breakthrough in the enzymatic recycling of PET — the world’s most common plastic, used in everything from water bottles to food packaging and clothing fibers.

The process, developed by a coalition of U.S. and U.K. researchers, offers a cleaner, cheaper, and more circular approach to handling plastic waste, potentially tipping the balance in favor of large-scale, eco-friendly recycling. The work was led by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in collaboration with researchers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and the University of Portsmouth in England.

The findings, published in Nature Chemical Engineering, focus on enzymatic depolymerization of PET — a technique that breaks plastic down into its building blocks, allowing it to be remade into new products. Historically, the process has been too expensive and chemically intensive to scale. But this new study that adds a new molecule as an enzyme to break down plastic offers a dramatic shift.

By switching out one key chemical — sodium hydroxide — for ammonium hydroxide, the researchers unlocked a self-regenerating loop that dramatically slashes both emissions and cost.

“Sometimes the answer is as simple as rethinking a single molecule,” said Professor Andrew Pickford, Director of the Centre for Enzyme Innovation at the University of Portsmouth. “With ammonium hydroxide, we created a process that nearly eliminates the need for fresh acid and base chemicals.”

The switch to ammonium hydroxide allowed for the formation of diammonium terephthalate, which can be broken down through thermolysis — a heat-based reaction — to regenerate ammonia and produce pure terephthalic acid, one of the core ingredients in PET. The base can then be reused, over and over again.

The impact of this adjustment is notable:

Chemical use drops by more than 99%
Operating costs fall by 74%
Energy use drops by 65%
Carbon emissions are cut nearly in half

Critically, the minimum selling price for recycled PET using this method is estimated at $1.51/kg — well below the $1.87/kg cost of virgin PET, making this one of the first economically viable enzymatic PET recycling systems to date.

The research also tackled pre-treatment steps to improve plastic breakdown. Techniques like extrusion and rapid quenching allowed for full depolymerization in 50 hours. Recovery of ethylene glycol, another PET building block, was improved through a process known as fed-batch concentration.

Dr. Gregg Beckham of NREL, co-lead of the study, said that these combined innovations mark a turning point.

“Enzymatic recycling has long shown promise for mixed and hard-to-recycle PET waste streams, but it hasn’t been practical — until now. By integrating innovations across chemistry, biology, and process engineering, we’ve demonstrated a scalable and cost-effective solution.”

The broader implications are significant. Unlike mechanical recycling, which is limited by contamination and material degradation, enzymatic recycling could handle a wide range of PET waste — including colored plastics, polyester fabrics, and thermoformed containers — that currently end up in landfill or incinerators.

Professor John McGeehan, another key contributor now based at NREL, said the focus is now on moving from lab-scale to real-world application: “It’s about closing the loop — not just in the chemical sense, but in the lifecycle of the material.”

PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is used in over 50 million tonnes of plastic products annually. Yet less than one-third is recycled. The vast majority is downcycled, burned, or buried — contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and global microplastic pollution. Changing that trajectory has become a priority for environmental scientists, regulators, and industry leaders alike.

This new process doesn’t solve plastic pollution on its own. But it does offer a crucial tool: a method of turning used plastic back into high-quality new material, without relying on fossil fuels.

While enzymatic recycling offers hope for managing existing plastic waste, scientists and environmental advocates agree it must be paired with the development of bio-based plastics—materials made from renewable biological sources like corn starch, sugarcane, or algae. Unlike conventional plastics derived from fossil fuels, bio-based alternatives can dramatically reduce carbon emissions at the production stage and are often compatible with closed-loop recycling.

TIPA and Wyld are teaming up to package legal edibles in home-compostable laminate and take steps to keep hard-to-recyclable, single-use flexible plastics out of the environment. — TIPA and Wyld are teaming up to package cannabis edibles in home-compostable laminate and take steps to keep hard-to-recyclable, single-use flexible plastics out of the environment. More should be done in this market.

Leaders in this bioplastics space include NatureWorks (known for its Ingeo PLA plastic made from corn), TotalEnergies Corbion (a joint venture producing bio-based PLA), Novamont (an Italian firm specializing in compostable bioplastics), Danimer Scientific (working on PHA-based plastics from canola oil), and BASF (which offers certified compostable bio-based polymers under the ecovio brand). Developing these alternatives alongside advanced recycling could create a more circular, low-impact future for plastic use.

Toxins in tiny bodies: American children are carrying invisible chemical burden

Health
Home

Karin Kloosterman

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July 6, 2025

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PLastics in kids — Toxins in toddler toys

A silent chemical assault is underway. A new nationwide study has revealed that children in the United States — especially toddlers aged two to four — are regularly exposed to dozens of industrial chemicals during their most vulnerable developmental years. Many of these chemicals are not even on the radar of public health monitoring systems.

The study, published in Environmental Science & Technology, tested urine samples from 201 young children as part of the NIH-supported Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program. Researchers screened for 111 chemicals commonly found in household items, plastics, food packaging, cosmetics, and furniture.

What they found is deeply unsettling: 96 chemicals were detected in at least five children. 48 were found in more than half. 34 were found in over 90% of the children — including 9 not tracked in national health databases like NHANES.

“These are not rare or accidental exposures,” said Deborah H. Bennett, the study’s lead author and professor of public health at UC Davis. “This is a daily, invisible flood of chemicals entering the bodies of children at a stage when their brains and immune systems are still forming.”

The Toxic Alphabet of Modern Childhood

chewing gum pieces, microplastics in gum, synthetic gum, natural gum, saliva with microplastics, plastic particles in saliva, chewing gum research, microplastic contamination, UCLA research on gum, microplastics released from gum, gum base made from plastic, plastic in everyday products, environmental impact of gum, lab research on chewing gum, microplastics from synthetic products, plastic pollution and health risks, people chewing gum with plastic particles — Dollar Store toys emit dangerous toxins. So does gum.

Phthalates and phthalate alternatives – Found in toys, food wrap, vinyl flooring, and shampoo

Parabens – Used in creams, cosmetics, and even medications

Bisphenols (BPA, BPS) – Found in plastic containers, canned food linings, and receipts

Benzophenones – Common in sunscreens and cosmetics

Pesticide residues, flame retardants, and combustion byproducts – Lurking in food, furniture, and air

Children are especially vulnerable. Their smaller bodies mean higher exposures per kilogram, and behaviors like crawling, mouthing toys, and touching floors mean they are constantly in contact with contaminated surfaces. In some cases, the children’s chemical loads were higher than their mothers’ levels during pregnancy, pointing to postnatal environmental sources — the home, the daycare, the playground.

The data also revealed disturbing patterns: Chemical exposures were highest among younger toddlers and racial/ethnic minorities, reflecting systemic environmental injustice. While some older chemicals like triclosan and certain phthalates are decreasing (likely due to public pressure and reformulations), new unregulated substitutes like DINCH and emerging pesticides are on the rise.

Swapping out banned chemicals for understudied alternatives is what scientists call “regrettable substitution.” It’s regulation on a delay — and children are paying the price.

What Can Parents Do to Reduce the Toxic Burden?

Anthroposophic, Waldorf School toys by Bella Luna are made from wood and natural paint

While we can’t control every exposure, there are concrete steps caregivers can take:

Avoid plastics labeled #3, #6, and #7, which may contain bisphenols and phthalates

Buy “paraben-free” and “fragrance-free” personal care products. Buy or make your own food wraps from fabric scraps and beeswax. Package lunches and food in steel, not plastic containers.

The Homesteading Family makes beeswax wraps for sandwiches at school and play

Ventilate homes, dust with a damp cloth, and consider buying air cleaners with HEPA filters

Wash hands before meals, especially after outdoor play or contact with plastic items

Limit pesticide exposure — wash produce well and consider organic options when possible

A Call for Chemical Accountability

Ultimately, this is not just a parenting issue. It’s a policy failure. Most of the 40,000+ chemicals used in consumer products in the U.S. are poorly regulated, with minimal long-term health data.

As Green Prophet has reported before, environmental chemicals are linked to declining fertility, disrupted hormones, obesity, and neurodevelopmental disorders — all of which are now rising in childhood populations.

“This study should sound the alarm,” said Jiwon Oh, postdoctoral scholar and co-author of the study. “We urgently need better biomonitoring, stronger chemical safety laws, and corporate transparency. Our children shouldn’t be the test subjects for industrial shortcuts.”

This is a pivotal moment. Conscious parents and policymakers alike have the opportunity — and the obligation — to push for a healthier future. Because these chemicals aren’t just in the air or water — they’re in our children. And that makes this not just a science story, but a moral one.

A blood test to diagnose leukemia

Health

Karin Kloosterman

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July 6, 2025

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Amos Tanay and Liran Shlush — Amos Tanay (left) and Liran Shlush

Cancer is a complicated disease. It’s not one but many, and as such leaves various bio-evidence behind after it starts wreaking havoc on our body. Some cancers, but not all, can be detected by a blood test. My dad’s cancer, when it started as prostate, was detectable in a PSA test, but only when the cancer had progressed to stage 4. By the time he had developed another type of cancer, liver cancer, it was not detectable in the blood. Doctors gave him tests, said the pain isn’t cancer, and we waited for an MRI to find muscle or bone damage. The MRI found the cancer.

But scans, biopsies, waiting for biomarkers for specific tests have risks. Waiting “too long” makes dealing with cancer harder. So an easier blood test that can find cancers such as leukemia in the blood would be a godsend. New research published in the prestigious journal Nature, reports on it. The test is on aging and there are a range of applications making it possibly part of an arsenal by blood biohackers looking to live forever.

What if a blood test could reveal the pace of our aging – and the diseases that may lie ahead? The labs of Profs. Liran Shlush and Amos Tanay at the Weizmann Institute of Science have been conducting in-depth studies into the biology of blood to better understand the aging process and why some people become more susceptible to disease over the years.

Their research teams, made up of physicians, biologists and data scientists, have been tracking changes in the blood-forming stem cells, including the emergence of genetic changes in these cells in about one-third of people over the age of 40. These changes not only increase the risk of blood cancers such as leukemia, but have also been linked to heart disease, diabetes and other age-related conditions.

In a new study published this month in Nature Medicine Shlush and Tanay present findings that may lead to an innovative blood test for detecting a person’s risk of developing leukemia. This test may potentially replace the invasive, painful and invasive test of bone marrow sampling.

The study focused on myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), an age-related condition in which blood stem cells fail to properly mature into functional blood cells. Diagnosing MDS and assessing its severity is crucial, as it can lead to severe anemia and may progress to acute myeloid leukemia, one of the most common blood cancers in adults. Until now, diagnosis has relied on bone marrow sampling, a procedure that requires local anesthesia and can cause discomfort or pain.

The findings are already being tested in a large-scale clinical trial at several medical centers around the world

In the new study, a research team led by Dr. Nili Furer, Nimrod Rappoport and Oren Milman, in collaboration with physicians and researchers the scientists showed that rare blood stem cells – which occasionally exit the bone marrow and enter the bloodstream – carry diagnostic information about MDS.

The researchers demonstrated that with a simple blood test and advanced single-cell genetic sequencing, it is possible to identify early signs of the syndrome and even assess a person’s risk of developing blood cancer. Could this info spur a person to eat better, exercise more regularly and avoid cancer altogether?

The researchers also discovered that the migrating stem cells can serve as a clock for our chronological age, and that in males, their population changes earlier than in women in a way that increases the risk of cancer. This finding may explain the higher prevalence of blood cancers among men. The scientists believe that using the test to diagnose MDS and leukemia is only the beginning, and that in the future it could be applied to a range of other blood-related disorders. The current findings are already being tested in a large-scale clinical trial at several medical centers around the world.

Jeff Bezos’ climate change satellite goes dark, becomes space junk

Green Tech and Gadgets

Karin Kloosterman

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July 4, 2025

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Tracking dangerous methane gas, the Methanestat satellite seems to have lost power after 1.5 years into 5-year mission

A satellite designed to track one of the planet’s most potent greenhouse gases – methane – has gone dark, ending a pioneering mission led not by governments or corporations, but by a nonprofit. MethaneSAT, developed by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and launched in March 2024, lost contact with Earth on June 20, 2025. Engineers have confirmed that the satellite has lost power and is likely unrecoverable.

“The advanced spectrometers developed specifically for MethaneSAT met or exceeded all expectations throughout the mission. In combination with the mission algorithms and software, we showed that the highly sensitive instrument could see total methane emissions, even at low levels, over wide areas, including both large sources (super emitters) and the smaller ones that account for a large share of total methane emissions, which were not visible from space until MethaneSAT,” the group said in a statement.

The mission was intended to last at least five years and represented a bold step in climate monitoring. Funded in part by the Bezos Earth Fund and operated in partnership with Google and the government of New Zealand, MethaneSAT was among the first environmental satellites operated by a civil society group rather than a national space agency. Its primary aim was to locate and quantify methane emissions—many of which originate from oil and gas infrastructure—using advanced sensors and cloud-based mapping tools powered by Google Earth Engine.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, estimated to be more than 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period. While methane emissions are responsible for roughly 30% of current global warming, many leaks remain undetected or underreported.

MethaneSAT was designed to fill this gap, offering near real-time, independent data on where emissions originate and how large they are. During its 15 months of operation, MethaneSAT successfully mapped emissions from major oil and gas basins, including the Permian Basin in the United States and areas in Central Asia.

Its data—collected at higher resolution and over larger areas than many existing satellites—was made available to governments, scientists, and the public.EDF stated that while the satellite has ceased functioning, the data already collected will continue to be analyzed and published. In a public update, EDF noted that the engineering team is still investigating the cause of the failure, but all efforts to reestablish communication have so far failed.

“We learned this morning that the satellite has lost power, and that it is likely not recoverable,” the organization said in a statement.Despite the setback, EDF emphasized that the project had already achieved many of its scientific goals and had demonstrated the feasibility of nonprofit-led space missions. MethaneSAT’s development marked a shift in how environmental data is collected and shared. Unlike many state-run satellites whose data is restricted or delayed, MethaneSAT was created to provide rapid, open-access emissions data to encourage faster policy responses and regulatory action.

EDF has not confirmed whether it will pursue a replacement mission, but it has signaled that the broader goals of MethaneSAT will continue. Additional monitoring via aircraft and other technologies is expected to supplement the loss.

While the satellite’s operational life was shorter than hoped, its influence on climate science and accountability has already been significant. But it does point out potential problems when non-commercial NGO projects come to light. The power of investment and accountability may be a stronger driver for success. What do you think?

::Methanestat

Make Verdurette, Natural Vegetable Bouillon

Miriam Kresh

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July 3, 2025

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Make Verdurette, Natural Vegetable Bouillon

Once you’ve got a jar of verdurette in the fridge, you’ll never buy vegetable broth again .

Verdurette is a home-made seasoning mix originating in France: an umami-rich mix of vegetables and herbs ground together and preserved in salt. The salt, which is 20% of the blend, is a preservative. A similar preserved food is our Middle-Eastern salt-preserved lemons.

A teaspoon or two of verdurette adds great flavor and character to soups, grains, sauces, even scrambled eggs. It’s always there in the fridge and lasts a year, unless you use it up sooner.

Leda Meredith leading a foraging tour — Learning to recognize wild edibles with Leda

The late Leda Meredith confessed that she’d become lazy about making vegetable stock, because it’s so easy to stir a couple of teaspoons of the mix into hot water, simmer it 10 minutes, and voilà, broth. Or at least, a flavor base to go on from.

I often think of Leda when I dip a spoon into the verdurette jar, remembering her soft New York-accented voice and the flair she brought to all things culinary. I’m grateful to her memory for many life-enhancing things, and among them, this verdurette.

It’s easy to make this natural broth base yourself. Most or all of the ingredients are probably already lurking in your fridge and pantry. A food processor is the kitchen tool I recommend for making it; otherwise, be prepared to do some very fine chopping. I myself just feed everything into the food processor and let it whizz.

Verdurette consists of 5 parts:

1 part finely chopped alliums: onions, leeks, chives, shallots, garlic
1 part finely chopped root vegetables: carrots, celery root (celeriac), sweet potatoes – but not white potatoes, which discolor and go unpleasantly mushy, or turnips.
1 part finely chopped leafy greens: kale, spinach, nettles, cress, celery, lettuce, beet greens, etc.
1 part finely chopped aromatic herbs: parsley, thyme, oregano, sage, basil, etc.
1 part kosher or sea salt (non iodized)

Caution: go easy with strongly flavored ingredients like garlic, sage, cilantro and rosemary. Too much of any one may dominate the whole mix. Mild aromatic herbs such as thyme, marjoram, parsley and chives can be used freely.

Nothing from the cabbage family, including broccoli and cauliflower, should go into verdurette.

You may combine several kinds of the vegetable or herb in each category. For example, in the alliums part, use several of the ingredients listed above, or use just one: for example, only onions. If you’re like me, you’ll use whatever’s at hand in the kitchen. I like a complex mix, myself.

As long as you stick to the ratio of 1 part salt to 4 parts finely chopped vegetables and herbs, the verdurette will be fine.

How to Make Verdurette

You can make as little as a half cup of verdurette, using tablespoons to measure, and up to a gallon if you need to. But to make a reasonable first-time amount for ordinary cooking, go for 1-1/4 cup of verdurette. A digital scale helps, but cup measurements work too. The main thing is to keep the balance of 80% vegetables to 20% salt.

Finely chop or process each part before measuring. This might mean there will be surplus veg to use up some other way.

Measure 1/4 cup (40 grams) of each pre-processed or chopped vegetable part. Note: Leafy greens should be packed in well when using cups. Altogether, there will be 1 cup mixed vegetables and herbs.

Add 1/4 cup (40 grams) non-iodized salt.

Stir everything up thoroughly. Pour the slightly fluid mass into a clean glass jar.

Cover the jar and store it in the fridge. Now you have vegetable bouillon at hand whenever you need it.

You can start using your fresh batch right away. But you’ll notice that verdurette’s flavor becomes more complex as it continues to mature in the fridge.

You may also preserve one ingredient only, if you wish. Leda Meredith used to preserve a favorite wild edible, daylily flowers, this way.

How To Use Verdurette

When cooking with verdurette, leave out any other salt called for in the recipe.

* Add 2 teaspoons verdurette to a quart of water for a simple vegetable broth.
* Mix a little verdurette into marinade ingredients, for extra umami. Omit other salt in the marinade.
* Sauté verdurette in a little oil before adding the main ingredients for rice, soup, sauce, a braise, or stew. It goes wonderfully in a tomato-based pasta sauce. And in mushroom soup. You get the idea.
* It’s fine to add more during the cooking, but a little at a time – verdurette is salty! Keep tasting, and stop adding verdurette when the flavor is right.
* Verdurette may be cautiously added to salad dressings, but let the mixed dressing sit 10 minutes for the vegetables to release their flavors and soften.

Top photo of green verdurette via the garturstichfarm blog

Head-to-toe sustainable beach style

Kelly Milone

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July 2, 2025

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: Image by Raygar He via Unsplash

Summer in the northern hemisphere, and this thalassophile is here for it—quite literally, as my location is coastal.

Heading seaside during the off-season has its own kind of charm, but there’s nothing quite like a quintessential, sun-soaked summer beach day—the kind that leaves you exhausted from the heat and exasperated with the sand but rejuvenates your soul for the days ahead.

Salt and sand in your hair, but you don’t care? Aggravating for your scalp, but otherwise not a big deal. Don’t care about prepping your beachcapades with earth-approved products? Houston—or in this case, Miami, Nice, Seychelles, etc.—we have a problem.

To refresh my beach bag this year, I curated a shortlist of eco-conscious companies that don’t skimp on style. By implementing green practices, they inspire consumers—and each other—to do better for themselves and the planet.

Embrace a sustainable summer by putting these brands on your vacay radar:

Skincare:

Earth Harbor

Founded by a professional herbalist and toxicologist, Earth Harbor is committed to using bio-based ingredients boosted by minerals and other nutrients in their bath and body goods, and recyclable and biodegradable materials in their packaging. Ocean inspiration flows through product names: “mermaid milk” moisturizer, “mystic waters” mist, “nymph nectar” facial balm, “sea kiss” lip balm, and many more.

Through Thrive Market, I’ve tried and loved some of these products at a discounted price, and once scored the “beach waves” hair texturizer as a gift with purchase. Visit the website!

Urban Hydration

The clean skincare products by Urban Hydration are widely accessible in the U.S., stocking shelves at more than 30,000 retail locations across the country, from pharmacies such as CVS to beauty-focused outlets such as Ulta. Many of their cleansers, moisturizers, creams and oils incorporate fruit extracts and other plant-based, natural ingredients, giving skin a taste of the tropics.

Try the algae line to “sea the glow” and target blemishes, or the aloe vera collection to soothe the beatings of the sun. Visit the website!

Swimwear:

Vitamin A Swim

As the first swimwear company to use recycled fibers, Vitamin A holds sustainability at its core. Expanding from nylon and polyester, their newest all-recycled material combines 80% ghost fishing nets with 20% spandex. Besides swimsuits, the brand offers a wide variety of other beachwear, such as sarongs, caftans, and loose-fitting trousers.

Collections heavily utilize organic and recycled cotton, high-quality flax linen, and TENCEL™, made from sustainably sourced wood fibers processed in a nontoxic organic solvent. Visit the website!

Rhyle Swim

These bathing suits are responsibly made in Brazil and live up to sexy bikini expectations. Designs are boldly cheeky yet subtly unique, with small cutout features and a range of textures. The details are thoughtful but not over the top, fashioning a girl-next-door vibe. Pieces are luxuriously soft, with a growing focus on using recycled fibers and minimizing textile waste.

And they are delivered in a reusable laundry bag, extending their longevity. Visit the website!

: Image by Kelly Milone, author

Footwear:

Teva

Going strong after more than 40 years in business, Teva has become a household name in functional footwear. Founded by a Grand Canyon river guide, the company pioneered the modern sport sandal. Specializing in strappy architecture constructed with 100% recycled polyester, “Teva’s,” as the kids call them, provide secure grip, in and out of the water. Water conservation drives minimal packaging goals. Visit the website!

Fleks Footwear

Founded in 2024, Fleks Footwear boldly burst onto the market with a future-focused agenda, offering a curated collection of popular styles in ultra-comfortable, ultra-sustainable form. Slides (platform optional), flip-flops, double-strap sandals, and clogs are proudly made with 85% high-performance foam waste.

The remainder of materials are either salvaged or recycled, and no solvents are necessary. I picked up the East Beach Slide in Coconut Milk and, because I couldn’t resist another pair, which I mainly wear as house slippers, the San Ysidro Slide in Morning Coffee, featuring a fluffy shearling strap. Visit the website!

And there you have it: A handful of brands to help you look and feel your best as you head out to shore.

Add a sunhat—preferably made from raffia, wheat straw, or seagrass—and a pair of upcycled shades, and you’re golden! Just like the sun intended.

A Quick Style Round-Up for Corporate Executives

Fashion

Bhok Thompson

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July 1, 2025

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man with umbrella in desert fog — Dressing for climate change!

When you meet someone, you are often judged and evaluated before you even strike a conversation, based on how you look and how you carry yourself. As much as we may hate it, your attire is an important part of your personality and does communicate a non-verbal vibe about you to the other person. That is exactly why dress codes exist for different occasions and are considered an important element of discipline. However, when you graduate out of your college, your dress codes are vaguely classified as formals and casuals. It often becomes difficult for fresh entrants in the industry to figure out the right way to dress.

Dressing right is very crucial when you are in a corporate role, especially if you aspire to assume a leadership position. Your attire should communicate that you are professional, focus and you mean serious business. This quick style guide will help you crack the ultimate style code.

Clothing

When you are working as a corporate executive, especially in a leadership role, your attire matters a lot. The way you carry yourself is considered to be an important part of your corporate identity. Your clothing is the most dominating element of your overall attire and therefore you need to pay attention to it regardless of your gender and position.

The best clothing option for any corporate executive is to go for a suit. A nicely stitched suit in hues of Black, Blue, and Greys paired with an appropriately contrasting shirt and a tie is a classic gentleman’s dress and you can never go wrong with that one. That being said, many people do not find it practical to wear a suit every day. Moreover, often weather conditions and work dynamics do not allow that kind of attire at many places. In that case, you can stick to a formal shirt and a dress pant. When choosing shirts and ties, pay attention to the kind of colors and prints that you choose.

Keep your hues and prints subtle and sophisticated. You wouldn’t want to walk into your office with a splash of colors. Some contemporary workplaces today encourage more easy-going environment and follow a smart-casual dress code instead of a formal one. In such circumstances, do not get carried away by going for something way too casual. Collared polo shirts paired with cotton pants or straight cut jeans are a great smart casual option.

For female executives, the basic guidelines remain the same. Ladies suits have been a huge hit in the fashion circuits in the recent past, so you can make the best use of the current trends by dressing up in a ladies suit. When going for a suit, make sure it is stitched according to your body requirements. For instance, the tailored suits from Ellaé Lisqué are well-fitted and perfect for female executives who want to stand out and show off. If suits are not your thing, you can put up a smart formal top paired with a skirt. Although females have a wider color palette to choose from but avoid picking up colors that are too bright or loud. You can go for darker tones of blues and red, however, stick to a single color or pair up with a neutral color instead of going all colorful. Even if you are personally okay with showing skin, avoid dresses that are too suggestive at your workplace. Wear something that is convenient, manageable and comfortable while at the same time professional.

Shoes

Your shoes are very much part of your overall professional attire. The classic hot always has been the closed toe high heeled shoe. Closed-toe shoes do not mean that you are allowed to walk into your workplace wearing sneakers or joggers. Invest in a good pair of formal leather shoes. Ideally, shades of black and browns are the best choices. The closed toe rule applies to women too, and ideally, women should stick to high heels too. However, if for some reason you are not able to wear heels, go for kitten heels or Wedges.

Remember that often your work will require you to move around and it is important that you wear something that would not give you sore feet. Therefore, even if you are used to heels, pick only heels that are high enough for you to carry all day. Wedges are a great alternative to closed toe heels as the offer relatively much more support and are relatively more comfortable. If you wish to stick to flats, go for pumps. For shoes, try to stick to neutral colors only and avoid hues that are too loud or bright.

Accessories

Accessories are an important part of fashion and style as they help to accentuate your entire look. Although you do not have to completely eliminate your jewelry and accessories from your corporate look, you still have to keep it very subtle. Even if you are a huge jewelry fan, leave your bracelets and necklaces at home when coming to work. The max you can wear is a small pair of studs in your ears, a finger ring or two and a watch. Keep other pieces light and let your watch be the most dominating element of your accessories. Watches have always been associated with class and luxury so invest more in this area. Tag Heuer Carrera has some super classy leather strap watches in its line that you can pick from. Whatever you choose, make sure that your accessories do not become a hindrance in your productivity and allow you to do your tasks effectively.

Hair and Makeup

Although there is not much to do with hair and makeup with men, still style it as professionally as possible. Ideally, avoid very long hair, but if you have longer lengths then avoid keeping them open. Make sure your hair is clean, shampooed and tied up neatly. Although females can leave their hair open, but make sure they are manageable and do not bother you amidst your work. You do not have to invest hours in the morning to style your hair. Tie them up in a neat bun or do a high ponytail or a braid. That would not only look neat and professional, but your hair will stay intact till the day end without bothering you. You can use a styling gel or a hair spray for extra support.

As for makeup, it is best to stay as natural as possible. Use the foundation that matches your skin tone. If your skin does not have too many imperfections, it is best to use conceal and correct and top it up with a good moisturizer and finishing powder only. Avoid heavy highlighters and bronzers and use a very subtle cheek tint. Keep your eyeshades neutral and add a liner and a mascara. If your clothes are dark toned, go with nude or earth-toned lips. If you have kept everything else very minimalistic, you may add a pop of red on your lips.

4 Ways to Address Your Mental Health Needs When Life Won’t Quit

Health

Bhok Thompson

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July 1, 2025

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Brazil rainforest and waterfalls — Breath in, breath out. When life is too challenging try to transport yourself back to a place in nature where you feel one with the world and yourself.

It’s all too easy for your mental health to take a backseat when life gets hectic. Juggling work, family, and social obligations can overwhelm and emotionally drain you. However, it is important to remember that caring for your mental health is just as essential as tending to your physical health. Here are some tips for getting your mental health back on track when you can’t slow life’s train.

1. Take Advantage of Professional Help

Professional help is crucial whenever life becomes too much to tackle in a healthy way. The first step is acknowledging that you need professional support. This realization will require you to listen to your thoughts and emotions. Feelings of anxiety or depression, mood swings, and stress that interfere with your daily life are indicators that it’s time to seek assistance.

Depending on the situation, you may need to visit a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health specialist. You should research their qualifications and expertise areas and read patient reviews. A primary care provider is an excellent place to start if you need a recommendation. Consider whether you want to take advantage of mainly in-person or virtual appointments.

Your treatment options will vary based on your symptoms, medical history, and long-term goals. For example, you may just need a safe space to talk about your feelings and thus decide to attend therapy once a week. In some cases, you will need a psychiatrist to write a prescription for medication. More intensive treatment like rehab for depression can be handled on an outpatient basis so you can still tend to your day-to-day responsibilities.

2. Be Firm With Your Boundaries

Setting and maintaining boundaries is foundational for adequately navigating the complexities and demands of life. Boundaries are the limits you set to protect your time, energy, and emotional well-being. Maintaining a healthy balance between managing your needs and accommodating the needs of others takes practice. The benefits of protecting your peace include reduced stress, enhanced energy, improved relationships, enhanced self-respect, and burnout avoided.

Start by reflecting on your needs, priorities, and values. Then use that self-awareness to understand what you will and will not accept in various situations. You’ll also need to learn how to recognize when you feel stressed, drained, and overwhelmed with life to know when a boundary is necessary.

In addition, learning to clearly and assertively communicate your boundaries is essential to healthy relationships. When expressing yourself, be sure to use “I” statements so you don’t accidentally come across as blaming or accusatory. One of the hardest parts of setting boundaries is learning to say no, especially if you have a history of people-pleasing. Remember that declining requests and speaking up when something is out of alignment with your life is OK.

Once you establish your boundaries, it is crucial to be consistent. This consistency gives you and others a better understanding of your limits. For instance, if your boundary is not staying out late on weeknights, your friends will keep that in mind when making plans with you.

3. Incorporate Self-Care Into Your Routine

Incorporating self-care into your daily routines is a proactive approach to reducing stress, improving your mood, and building healthy coping strategies. Self-care can be any activity or action that supports your emotional and physical well-being. Caring for yourself could involve engaging in hobbies you love, hanging with friends who fill you up, and slowing down when needed. Self-care could also mean not overextending yourself with too many commitments and, as noted above, setting boundaries when necessary.

acid rain forests bounce back, sweet woman in the forest — Forest bathing is a kind of therapy called for in some cultures like Japan. It can help you communicate better with people.

Finding even the smallest ways to incorporate moments of self-care into your routine can make a big difference in your overall mental well-being. These tiny moments could include taking a short walk after dinner, cuddling with a pet, or reading a good book. Remember that prioritizing self-care is not selfish but essential for loving and caring for yourself.

4. Take Care of Your Body

One of the greatest things you can do for your mind is to properly care for your body. This care includes eating a proper diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. When it comes to food, ensure you’re eating a variety of nutritious foods like organic fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins. These nutrients are foundational for brain health and mood management.

Regular exercise is one of the best methods for boosting your mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters. Deep, quality sleep is fundamental to emotional well-being, so aim for the recommended amount each night and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

Limiting harmful substances is another way to honor your body and mind. Alcohol and drugs can exacerbate some mental health issues, which leaves you feeling worse and could create a cycle of dependency. Smoking can likewise worsen psychological and physical health, so seek support if you need to quit.

Something else that’s harmful but we often don’t think about is EMF: the radiation that comes from our phones and other devices. New research suggests that EMF can cause headaches, fatigue, and even low mood. Investing in EMF-protection clothing can help reduce those symptoms. Brands like HAVN design fashionable and comfortable EMF protective clothing to help look after our bodies.

Getting Back on Track

The chaos of life can be hard to tame, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your mental well-being. Incorporating these practices into your everyday life allows you to find the resilience and strength to keep moving forward. This personal growth can also allow you to become more productive and present in everyday life. Remember that caring for your mental health is a necessity, not a luxury.

Embracing Slow and Sustainable Fashion through Your Eyewear Choices

Fashion

Bhok Thompson

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July 1, 2025

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In light of fashion being responsible for nearly 20% of total global waste, industry players have become increasingly conscious of their resource consumption and overall environmental impact. This has also led to the rise of slow fashion, providing consumers with a more sustainable option for their apparel, footwear, and accessories. Embracing slow fashion also leads to multiple benefits beyond the consumer staying stylish while also saving storage space. These include less waste in landfills, reduced carbon emissions, and cleaner water. As more shoppers look to buy sunglasses that align with these values, eyewear brands are responding by focusing on durability, ethical sourcing, and environmentally responsible production.

For stylish eyewear that fits this slower, more responsible approach, check out www.neveneyewear.com. Their men’s polarized sunglasses are durable and are designed with a focus on both comfort and sustainability.

Among the segments in the broader fashion industry currently experiencing significant transformations toward sustainability and environmental commitment is eyewear. While eyewear is typically associated with single-use plastic waste from acetate frames and packaging, partnering with a responsible optical supplier and following the tips below can guide you through making more responsible and environmentally conscious choices for eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Among the segments in the broader fashion industry currently experiencing significant transformations toward sustainability and environmental commitment is eyewear. While eyewear is typically associated with single-use plastic waste from acetate frames and packaging, the following tips can guide you through making more responsible and environmentally conscious choices for eyeglasses and sunglasses.

Shop local

One of the most straightforward ways to reduce your carbon footprint when shopping for eyewear is to support local brands. Not only do you get the opportunity to uplift local craftsmanship and independent fashion designers, but you also ensure your eyewear is made of locally and responsibly sourced materials. For example, the Ottawa-based brand SKRP (pronounced “scrap”) prides itself on Canadian-made products, including skateboard sunglasses made of Canadian maple wood and recycled materials. These sunglasses are available in various stylish options, such as round, aviator, and Wayfarer style.

Look for recycled materials

Upcycled glasses vintage worn by man with mustache — Find your grandfather’s glasses for the best recycled look of slow glasses

Another way eyewear brands are committing to sustainable practices is by transforming their production processes and prioritizing recycled materials over traditional plastics like acetate. To illustrate, eyewear brand Jimmy Fairly has partnered with Reformation for a sustainable sunglasses collection that uses bio-acetate, a type of acetate made with plant-derived renewable materials like wood pulp. This capsule collection features a wide range of frame styles to suit varying tastes and preferences, from classic cat-eye Joan to statement-making Josephine with its oversized frames and contrast lenses. Meanwhile, eco-friendly brands are tapping into renewable materials like vegetal or oil-based resin for equally durable and sustainable eyewear lenses.

Consider packaging and delivery

Besides the frames themselves, packaging and distribution processes in the eyewear supply chain can also create a significant amount of carbon emissions. So, while e-commerce can help you gain access to more affordable and sustainable options you may not find in your local area, consider whether or not their packaging materials and delivery options minimize environmental impact. In this case, a viable option would be Eyebuydirect, among the leading retailers in Canada offering sustainable in-house collections of glasses online. Such eyewear collections are made of bio-nylon, bio-acetate, wood, and recycled plastic bottles, but you can further reduce your carbon footprint through its eco-friendly storage cases and packaging materials. Eyebuydirect also partners with logistics providers using sustainable solutions for green shipping.

Opt for timeless styles

Lastly, nothing says slow and sustainable like shopping for frames that you can use for many years since they will never go out of style. So, instead of basing your frame choice on every short trend cycle, prioritize brands like Dutil Eyewear, whose stylish frames have been seen on A-list celebrities like Meryl Streep. With its core brand values being cleanliness, timeliness, and simplicity, the Canadian company showcases a curated selection of classic frame styles, such as Big Ben Sun, which are oversized sunglasses with a tortoiseshell pattern that can match any type of wardrobe.

If you enjoyed reading this, check out the rest of the articles here at Green Prophet for more news and resources on sustainable living.

Iran is sinking in sinkholes from overwatering

Miriam Kresh

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July 1, 2025

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Iran is sinking in sinkholes from overwatering

What’s that sinking feeling?

In Iran, the very ground under your feet may drop away.

The issue here isn’t war. The issue is land subsidence, a human-caused phenomenon that’s been ignored and mismanaged In Iran for decades. Over-pumping of groundwater is causing Iranian land to subside; that is, to sink.

Land subsidence causes damage like water pipes bursting, roads collapsing, and sewer and gas lines breaking. Houses and buildings crack as their foundations weaken. Iran is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. With this land deformation, even a minor quake could cause catastrophic disaster.

The GFZ German Research Center for Geosciences in Potsdam used satellite data to reveal the extent of the subsidence. A tool known as Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar, which spots even the most minute difference in ground deformation, revealed that land around Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKIA) was sinking at around 5 centimeters per year. This is considered a “moderate” rate of land subsidence. According to Iran’s National Cartographic Center, other areas are sinking at the rate of 31 cm per year.

Land sinks slowly, almost invisibly. But now the effects of land subsidence are plain to see; especially when a hole in the earth opens up and swallows a whole car under your eyes. At risk are cities, historical sites, and crucial structures like Iran’s airport. In Tehran, Isfahan and Rafsajan, land has dropped by over 12 inches (30 cm) per year. It can’t be ignored anymore.

90% of Iranian groundwater is used for farming. Much is wasted through inefficient management, such as unmonitored drilling of deep wells to make up for reduced rainfall. 14.5 cubic meters of groundwater are pumped every second, an unsustainable rate of use. One way to reduce waste and water theft is to implement water metering.

One might think that innovative farming methods such as Saudi Arabia’s proposed hydroponic greenhouses might penetrate Iranian thought.

As for the largest urban center, 70% of Tehran’s water needs are supplied by five nearby dams. Now, according to current state media reports, the reservoirs are only 13 percent full.

Better management of water resources is needed, such as projects to reduce waste and recycle water; but corruption and plain official indifference impede it.

Discussing water scarcity and air pollution in Tehran, the best that President Masoud Pezeshkian had to offer was a proposal to move Iran’s governmental hubs away.

“We have no choice but to move the country’s political and economic center closer to the sea,” he said.

In other words, no plan to manage water where the majority of people live: just moving government structures on to a better place.

Climate change and air pollution have roles in this sorry story too. Droughts plague Iran. In 2024, precipitation was 60% below average. Ice formed on mountains, which as snowmelt helps fill wells and aquifers, could help, except that it’s contaminated with pollution that rises from urban air.

Human population growth also strains water resources and distribution: the population of Tehran, for example, has exploded from 2 million to over 15 million in the last five decades. With a population of 90+ million, ignoring land subsidence and the reasons it happens could eventually lead to widespread disaster.

Photos via Tehran Times

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Verdurette consists of 5 parts:

How to Make Verdurette

How To Use Verdurette

Skincare:

Earth Harbor

Urban Hydration

Swimwear:

Vitamin A Swim

Rhyle Swim

Footwear:

Teva

Fleks Footwear

1. Take Advantage of Professional Help

2. Be Firm With Your Boundaries

3. Incorporate Self-Care Into Your Routine

4. Take Care of Your Body

Getting Back on Track

Shop local

Look for recycled materials

Consider packaging and delivery

Opt for timeless styles

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