Although people can be influenced to adopt a specific pro-environmental behaviour, this doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll adopt other ones on their own. Previous research conducted in the UK showed that people who started reusing shopping bags didn’t combine this with other small pro-environmental actions like switching off lights in unused rooms and turning off taps when brushing teeth. People were more likely to adopt behaviours with the least impact on decarbonisation because they involve the least effort and change to their standard routines. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
