Greenwashing is a term often used to describe businesses that attempt to portray an environmentally-friendly nature, despite being major sources of pollution. In North Carolina, environmental advocates accuse Smithfield — the US’ largest pork producer — of greenwashing after they unveiled their plan to turn hog waste into biogas. While the plan seems reasonable, it becomes sinister upon closer inspection; their scheme ignores decades-long protests against their failure to treat the hog waste properly, while also increasing groundwater pollution from extra nitrogen being produced as a by-product of the biogas. 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
