11/16/23 - The Daily News

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We all know about the plastic pollution and the microplastics that are invading every aspect of our lives -- the oceans, our food, our bodies and in the creatures of the sea. Now researchers have found microplastics in the clouds; and these particles could be affecting our weather. Low altitude and denser clouds contain the greatest amounts of microplastics. Older, rougher particles had more lead, mercury and oxygen attached to their surfaces which could hasten the development of clouds. More research needs to be done; but clouds "play a vital role in our climate by regulating the amount of solar energy that reaches the surface and the amount of the Earth's energy that is radiated back into space". Taylor Swift has been in the news a lot lately because of her Eras Tour and the fact that she is now worth $1.1 billion. Now there is talk of a Taylor Swift ocean cruise for 2024. Marvelous Mouse Travels is collaborating with Royal Caribbean to have a Taylor Swift inspired cruise. There will be Swift theme nights, Taylor Karaoke, trivia, scavenger hunts, door decorating contests and more...however, don't expect to see Swift onboard the cruise ship. The National Climate Assessment, which comes out every 4 or 5 years, is showing that the United States is warming about 60% faster than the rest of the world. Since 1970 the lower 48 States have warmed by 2.5 degrees; and Alaska has increased by 4.2 degrees, compared to a global average of 1.7 degrees.. In Alaska everything from the growing season to hunting and fishing is being affected. There is even talk of relocating Indigenous communities because of hunting and fishing difficulties. Each section of the US is facing challenges: severe heat and drought, reduced water supplies, wildfire risk, flooding, poor air quality... Hawaii and other Pacific Islands are vulnerable to rises in sea levels. The US is projected to get about 3.8 degrees hotter by the end of the century. Photo Credit: Pixabay