Cutting down trees to build houses in the Laurentians might sound paradoxical for nature enthusiasts, but the region’s approach to forestry is actually very environmentally conscious. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommends building with wood as a way to combat climate change, as trees turn CO2 into cellulose and store it in their trunks. The region’s forests are selectively harvested with ecosystem-based management, and only 1% of public forests are harvested annually. Furthermore, all raw materials from the forest are put to full use, from chips for paper to bark for heating the factory and even ash for fertilizer. 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
