Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
Report: Polluted farm runoff linked to toxic green algae slime in U.S. waters
The Washington Post
Toxic algae is the byproduct of the same types of pollution that causes dead zones in the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay — phosphorous and nitrogen from livestock manure and chemicals sprayed on crops that spills from farms into waterways during moderate to heavy rains. The effects of polluted runoff are made worse by the changing climate, said Hans Paerl, professor of marine and environmental sciences at the University of North Carolina. “Global warming and intensification of major storms and droughts play major roles in the spread of toxic blue-green algal blooms worldwide.” Read more »
Green energy pays for itself in lives saved from smog
New Scientist
Switching to clean energy might seem like the expensive option, but it would pay for itself almost immediately, according to a new analysis. By 2050, 1.3 million early deaths could be avoided every year by switching to clean energy. From estimates of how much society values a human life, researchers deduce that new energy supplies should be worth the cost. "The work strengthens the case for these new regulations by pointing out the air quality and health benefits," says Jason West at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who led the analysis. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summaries! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu.
