Seven out of eight water sources within and surrounding the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s Shintabara Base in Miyazaki Prefecture have been found to exceed permissible levels of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These “permanent chemicals” are extremely difficult to degrade and can accumulate in the environment and human bodies over extended periods. Long-term consumption of…

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is experiencing severe air pollution, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) topping global rankings. PM2.5 concentrations far exceed World Health Organization safety standards, surpassing pollution levels in traditionally heavily polluted cities like Delhi and Lahore. This surge in pollution stems from multiple overlapping factors: Sarajevo’s location in a…

In the early hours of December 19, India opened the gates of the Salar Dam in Indian-administered Kashmir without prior notification. Floodwaters surged into Pakistan along the Jhelum River, causing multiple breaches in the Satluj and Ravi rivers’ embankments. In Pakistan’s Punjab province, 14,000 residents in Kasur and 89,000 in Bahawalpur were trapped. A total…

Several U.S. states have recently faced various types of water pollution. New York State experienced elevated chloride levels in waterways due to excessive winter road salt usage during snowmelt. Just one teaspoon of salt can contaminate 5 gallons of drinking water, prompting local awareness campaigns urging salt usage control. Manuel Creek in Fort Myers, Florida,…

On December 14, Hanoi, Vietnam was ranked by IQAir as the world’s most polluted city, with its Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 230 at one point—surpassing Delhi, India. AQI levels at some monitoring stations even approached the dangerous threshold of 300, affecting surrounding provinces like Thanh Hoa and Thai Nguyen. The smog drastically reduced visibility…

Reports from December 2025 indicate that the El Rovalle copper mine in Colombia’s Chocó Department has long caused harm to the surrounding environment and communities. Operating since 1990, the mine doubled its daily output to 1,000 tons after being acquired by a Canadian multinational corporation in 2013. It lacks the environmental permits required under Colombian…

Satellite imagery analysis reveals 517 suspected mining sites along Laos’ rivers, predominantly located in major Mekong tributary areas. Among these, 188 sites in Attapeu Province are largely unregistered in official records. These mines predominantly use chemical extraction methods, with some employing high-risk heap leaching operations. Toxic substances flow downstream into the Mekong River’s “3S” river…

Prolonged drought and excessive agricultural groundwater extraction have disrupted aquifer recharge and drastically reduced its supporting capacity in Turkey’s Konya Plain. Compounded by soluble geological conditions in the region, this has resulted in nearly 700 sinkholes forming, with surface subsidence becoming increasingly prominent. This phenomenon not only undermines the stability of local ecosystems but also…

A report released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicates that environmental pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss are interconnected and worsening. Without altering current development models, these issues will further threaten food and water security while exacerbating poverty and health crises. The report urges nations to collaborate on advancing energy transitions and sustainable…

On December 10, an accident occurred at an oil pipeline in the Uckermark region of Brandenburg, Germany. Leaking oil sprayed into the air, contaminating surrounding wetlands and soil. Nearby nature reserves and the Oder River face risks of cross-border pollution, causing direct damage to the regional ecological environment.