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environment
Technology / 1 week ago
One AI image uses as much energy as running a fridge for four minutes
Artificial intelligence may feel weightless in the sense that, in just a few clicks and an image appears, but the energy behind it tells a different story. According to Slashgear, generating just one AI image consumes about 0.011 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. That might sound small, but it’s roughly the same amount of energy your refrigerator uses in four minutes.
Business / 4 weeks ago
Australia and China dominate global wool production
Australia and China remain the world’s top wool producers, according to recent figures from the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO). The data shows Australia leading with 356,745 tonnes of greasy wool, closely followed by China at 332,293 tonnes. Together, they account for nearly half of the world’s wool output. New Zealand ranks third with 133,100 tonnes, while Turkey, Morocco, Iran, Sudan, South Africa, Russia, and India complete the top ten list. These countries play crucial roles in regional textile industries and global wool supply chains, as reported by IWTO Market.
Environment / 4 weeks ago
The world’s most polluted countries
Air pollution remains one of the world’s most pressing environmental and health threats. The latest IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report paints a troubling picture, showing that millions of people still breathe air far above safe health limits. According to the report, Chad, Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and India were the world’s most polluted countries in 2024, with air quality levels many times higher than the guidelines set by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Maps / 11 weeks ago
How the Pacific Ocean outsizes all the continents combined
Imagine placing Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe, Australia and Antarctica into one huge basin and still having room to sail around. That’s essentially what a recent World in Maps illustration suggests: a silhouette of the Pacific Ocean overlaid with the outlines of entire continents. Covering about 63 million square miles (163 million km²), roughly one‑third of Earth’s surface, the Pacific Ocean is big enough to fit all the world’s landmasses and still leave spare space. It’s not just wide; it stretches about 12,300 miles (19,800 km) from west to east.
Environment / 13 weeks ago
Why a handful of islands have the world’s cleanest air
The air quality ranking isn’t led by vast industrial economies but by tiny island territories with clean skies and windswept coastlines. The IQAir 2024 World Air Quality Report reveals that the Bahamas, Bermuda and French Polynesia recorded average fine‑particulate (PM₂.₅) concentrations of 2.3–2.6 µg/m³, well below the World Health Organisation’s guideline of 5.0 µg/m³.
Environment / 18 weeks ago
Where it is illegal to urinate in the sea
When it comes to strange laws around the world, Portugal carries the win. It is the only country in Europe where it is illegal to urinate in the sea, a law that’s both amusing and puzzling to many travellers. While the rest of Europe is marked in yellow in a map created by The World in Maps, indicating legality, Portugal is boldly shaded in red, standing alone with this unique regulation.
Environment / 34 weeks ago
The alarming truth: Only 9% of the world's plastic waste gets recycled
The world is facing a plastic crisis, with millions of tons of plastic waste generated every year. Despite efforts to increase recycling rates, the reality is grim: only 9% of the world's plastic waste gets recycled, according to a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The majority—nearly 50%—ends up in landfills, while 19% is incinerated. Alarmingly, 22% of plastic waste is mismanaged, meaning it leaks into the environment through open dumping, uncontrolled burning, or being lost in nature, ultimately contributing to the growing crisis of plastic pollution in oceans, rivers, and ecosystems.
Environment / 51 weeks ago
The role of recycling in resource conservation and environmental protection
Recycling offers a pathway to sustainable resource management, helping to reduce waste and lessen environmental impact. According to IPEN research, each material—plastic, glass, paper, or aluminium—has its challenges and benefits. Plastics are widely used, but only 9% are effectively recycled. Issues like toxicity and microplastic pollution complicate the recycling process, and most plastics can only be recycled once or twice, limiting their reuse potential.
Environment / 1 year ago
5 countries with the highest forest area
Forests play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting biodiversity, and mitigating climate change. Globally, approximately 31% of Earth's land area is covered by forests. However, deforestation remains a significant concern, with 21 countries losing more than 25% of their forest cover since 1990.
