Hitting three birds with one stone, rock dust is a mining by-product that captures carbon dioxide and redistributes it and other nutrients back into fields. Crushing up rocks accelerates chemical weathering, where CO2 transforms into bicarbonate after dissolving in raindrops and reacting with rocks. The bicarbonate and other rock nutrients get trapped under the soil, preventing the carbon from reaching the atmosphere. If sprinkled over UK farms, rock dust could eliminate up to 30 million tons of CO2 yearly (45% of the country’s carbon emissions) by 2050. 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
