Environment News – Hermit Crabs Die by the Millions | He’s Saved 62,000 Animals – With His Pension!
This will be the last newsletter for 2019, I’ll return in mid-January. I wish you all well over the holiday season, travel well, and may 2020 bring you health, happiness and peace!
Some bite-sized pieces of news from the environment this week.
18 December, 2019
News snippets
Air pollution was getting less in the US – until 2016. Between then and now, it’s been rising, and that’s really bad news. Researchers say it’s linked to 9,700 additional premature deaths in 2018. So, almost 10,000 people in the US died earlier than they should have. Worldwide, air pollution kills over 4 million each year. But there is some good news. When air quality improves, people start feeling better in just 2 weeks! Hospital visits are reduced. And in just 2 months, pollution-related deaths also decrease, according to a new analysis.
When people are asked about their most pressing concerns, health care, together with jobs and the economy, are often top. But now Democratic voters in California rank climate change as their No. 1 political priority. That’s great, but it’s taken years of scorching heat, storms of fire and ash, floods and drought to move it upwards.
It’s the time of year when there’s a lot of food around – and “food pushers“! The name was new to me, but it’s for people who almost force you to have 2nd helpings, or more than you want. Experts suggest you use phrases like “I’m too full right now, but maybe later!” Or “I can’t eat any more at the moment, but I’d love to take some home.” Even if someone’s spent hours preparing the dish, they won’t be offended by that. Or try “The food was so fabulous … I literally could not eat another bite” or “No, really … I just wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate it right now.” Just don’t use the D word (diet) as it’s difficult to escape a discussion on that subject!
Here’s a heartwarming story that’s perfect for this time of year. This man uses his pension to help save animals – and so far, he’s saved 62,000, isn’t that amazing?
more snippets
There was very little progress at the COP25 climate talks in Madrid, Spain, despite huge protests from climate activists. Why? Brazil, Australia, the US, China and Big Oil all worked hard to stop progress.
Hermit crabs need to find new homes (shells) as they grow. Sadly, they’re using plastic containers (litter). Once they’re in, they can’t get out due to the slippery surface, and they die slowly of starvation. Our plastic obsession has so many consequences!
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Warm regards,
P.S. Don’t forget to download your free green living handbook “Live Well, Live Green” here.
