Popular Mechanics (May 16)
“Scientists have confirmed that plastic bags litter the very depths of the Earth’s oceans inside the Mariana Trench. The findings highlight a polluted region of the ocean often ignored: the very bottom.” While disturbing, the knowledge could prove a source of hope. “The better understanding of the damage being down there, the better chance there is of correcting the damage.”
Tags: Correcting, Damage, Earth, Litter, Mariana Trench, Oceans, Plastic bags, Polluted, Scientists, Understanding
New York Times (May 6)
Brazil has failed to clean up “the highly polluted waters of Guanabara Bay and off nearby Copacabana Beach” where athletes will be asked to compete in water with “virus levels 1.7 million times what would be considered hazardous at a California beach.” Brazil had pledged to build eight water treatment plants to halt the daily flood of raw sewage into the bay, but only one has been built. With less than 100 days to the Rio Olympics, no more will be built. “Brazil’s chief of security for the Games and the sports minister have recently resigned, and the president, Dilma Rousseff, is facing impeachment.” The only remaining solution is to move the aquatic events “to safe, clean waters” even if that means transferring them to another country.
Tags: Athletes, Brazil, Copacabana, Guanabara Bay, Hazardous, Impeachment, Polluted, Raw sewage, Rio Olympics, Rousseff, Treatment plants, Virus levels, Water
