The environmental organization “Congaree River Keepers” in South Carolina, USA, has filed a lawsuit in federal court, accusing Alpek Polyester and Eastman Chemical Company of long-term discharge of large quantities of plastic pellets (commonly known as “plastic rice”) and the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane into the Congaree River. Monitoring indicates plastic pellet concentrations in this river…

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released its Air Quality and Climate Bulletin, revealing that global air pollution is worsening. WMO scientists note that due to climate change, wildfire seasons are intensifying and extending year by year. The fine particulate matter emitted by wildfires can travel across the globe, contributing to declining air quality worldwide.…

An international team has recently discovered evidence of invasive barnacles in Canada’s Arctic waters. As the climate warms, water temperatures in the region have risen, no longer cold enough to prevent the invasion of non-native species. These barnacles can cause biofouling on ships, pipelines, and other infrastructure.

Researchers from Kyoto University selected 34 wastewater treatment plants from approximately 2,200 nationwide for testing and analysis. Results revealed that sludge from all 34 plants contained perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These compounds are difficult to degrade, accumulate in the environment and human bodies, and are known as “forever chemicals.”

Lough Neagh, the largest lake in Britain and Ireland, has experienced a blue-green algae bloom for the third consecutive year, turning its waters murky green and emitting an unpleasant odor. This algal bloom is the result of years of accumulated pollution, with agricultural, industrial, and domestic wastewater discharges all contributing to the contamination. Lough Neagh…

September 10, Asahi Shimbun website reports that the number of tourists visiting Antarctica is rapidly increasing, now exceeding 100,000 annually. An international research team comprising scientists from the Netherlands and other countries has pointed out that due to factors such as the surge in tourists and the expansion of research activities, the Antarctic region is…

In August, explosions occurred at 17 Russian refineries, which form the core of Russia’s energy supply chain. The fires at these facilities led to environmental contamination, with oil levels in a Don River tributary exceeding standards by 80 times. Residents of 12 villages were unable to use tap water, while 30,000 people near Saratov were…

On September 8, the 2025 Ocean Cooperation and Development Forum opened in Qingdao West Coast New Area, China. Gino van Beek, Global Secretary General of ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability, stated that to address the escalating global marine plastic pollution crisis, ICLEI is actively promoting the development of a “Global Plastic Agreement.” Leveraging its…

The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (2025/40) mandates that plastic packaging contain 30% recycled material by 2030. However, reports indicate that companies like Coca-Cola sell over 2 million tons of plastic bottles annually, with recycled material usage at just 6.6%. The soft drink industry continues to rely on “lightweighting” rather than reducing single-use packaging,…

A research team from Nankai University published findings in Nature, confirming for the first time that plant leaves can absorb atmospheric microplastics through stomata and transport them to vascular tissues via the apoplastic pathway. Near polyester manufacturing facilities, PET microplastic concentrations in plant leaves reached up to 10⁴ ng/g, showing significant correlation with atmospheric pollution…