Daily Top News: Animals Found Sick and Dying at New Jersey Aquarium, New Tool Measures Microplastics in Minutes, Lego Targets 50% Renewable Materials in Bricks by 2026, and More!

Every day, One Green Planet brings you today’s top news. For those who don’t have much time to look through the news each day, this will be a great resource and an easy way to catch up!

Here you’ll find different categories of news and links to each article published! Enjoy!

1. Animals Found Sick and Dying at New Jersey Aquarium

SeaQuest, an aquarium located in the Woodbridge Center mall in New Jersey, has been placed on indefinite probation due to repeated violations of wildlife regulations, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP). The probation status, initially set in September 2023, restricts the aquarium from acquiring new animals or introducing new public interactions with its existing wildlife.

Click here to read the full story!

2. Animal Carcasses Found Arranged at Remote Intersection in Wyoming

The city of Cheyenne, Wyoming, has been shaken by carefully arranged animal carcasses that have been repeatedly discovered at the same remote intersection. Over the past four months, Cheyenne Animal Control has responded to at least six incidents at the South Greeley Highway and East Nation Road intersection, where dead animals have been deliberately placed.

Click here to read the full story!

3. New Jersey Woman Charged for Attempting to Touch Tiger at Zoo

A New Jersey woman has been charged after being caught on video trying to touch a tiger at the Cohanzick Zoo in Bridgeton, New Jersey. Police identified the woman as Zyair Dennis, 24, from Millville. She faces a charge of defiant trespassing following the incident that took place on August 20, 2024.

Click here to read the full story!

4. Bangladesh Faces Suspension from CITES Over Illegal Bird Trade

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has recently suspended Bangladesh due to continuous illegal trading of endangered birds. The country, a longstanding participant in the CITES agreement, is accused of failing to halt the commercial trade of protected bird species, which includes exotic birds such as macaws and parakeets from Central and South America.

Click here to read the full story!

5. New Tool Measures Microplastics in Minutes

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have introduced a groundbreaking tool that can quickly and affordably measure the presence of microplastics in everyday items like disposable cups and water bottles. This new development, detailed in a recent ACS Sensors publication, leverages a low-cost, portable device paired with a smartphone app to detect plastic particles as small as 50 nanometers—sizes that are invisible to the naked eye.

Click here to read the full story!

6. Widespread Adulteration And Mislabeling Uncovered in Avocado Oil Industry Investigation

Avocado oil, celebrated for its health benefits and mild flavor, is increasingly popular among health-conscious consumers. However, a recent study by the University of California at Davis reveals troubling issues of adulteration and mislabeling within the industry, affecting some of the largest retailers including Walmart, Sam’s Club, Kroger, and Safeway.

Click here to read the full story!

7. Miyoko Schinner to Co-Teach Plant Futures Challenge Lab at UC Berkeley

This fall, UC Berkeley’s Plant Futures Challenge Lab will gain a notable new addition: Miyoko Schinner, a leading figure in the plant-based food industry. Schinner, an accomplished author, entrepreneur, and advocate for sustainable food systems, will join Brittany Sartor, the Co-Founder and Program Director of the Plant Futures Initiative, in teaching the course.

Click here to read the full story!

8. EPA Allocates $34 Million to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Schools

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recently announced a significant funding initiative, awarding $34 million in grants aimed at enhancing indoor air quality in schools, particularly those serving low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities. This initiative targets schools from kindergarten through grade 12, underscoring a crucial move towards creating healthier educational environments.

Click here to read the full story!

9. Canadian Wildfires Set Alarming Emissions Record in 2023

In 2023, Canadian wildfires not only ravaged nearly 4% of the nation’s forests but also emitted a staggering 647 million metric tons of carbon—more than four times the emissions from the country’s fossil fuel use in the same period. This alarming figure places the wildfires as a greater source of carbon emissions than all countries globally, except for the top three emitters: China, the United States, and India.

Click here to read the full story!

10. Lego Targets 50% Renewable Materials in Bricks by 2026

In a significant environmental push, Lego has announced ambitious plans to transform the composition of its famous bricks, aiming to use 50% renewable or recycled materials by 2026. This initiative marks a pivotal shift away from fossil fuels, with the Danish toymaker previously making up 22% of its bricks from non-fossil fuel sources.

Click here to read the full story!

Wake Up Climate Change Is Real by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Adopt-a-Pet: Visit WildWatchers, a watchdog platform specifically designed for animal, earth, and wildlife warriors to actively give back, rescue, and protect animals and the planet.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade repeatedly.
• Support Independent Media: Being publicly funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing high-quality content. Please consider supporting us by donating!
• Sign a Petition: Your voice matters! Help turn petitions into victories by signing the latest list of must-sign petitions to help people, animals, and the planet.
• Stay Informed: Keep up with the latest news and important stories involving animals, the environment, sustainable living, food, health, and human interest topics by subscribing to our newsletter!
• Do What You Can: Reduce waste, plant trees, eat local, travel responsibly, reuse stuff, say no to single-use plastics, recycle, vote smart, switch to cold water laundry, divest from fossil fuels, save water, shop wisely, Donate if you can, grow your food, volunteer, conserve energy, compost, and don’t forget about the microplastics and microbeads lurking in common household and personal care products!