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global briefs Murky Waters

Deep-Sea Mining is the New Frontier

Whether mining the ocean floor will be allowed to proceed and the minerals obtained there play a role in supply chains of the future is one of the biggest decisions of resource governance today. The seabed holds a vast quantity of mineral resources, yet is also one of the last pristine areas on the planet. A new white paper published by the World Economic Forum, Decision-Making on Deep-Sea Mineral Stewardship: A Supply Chain Perspective, has found that significant knowledge gaps make it hard to predict the scale of the potential effect, and decisions made now about mineral stewardship will have lasting effects for generations.

The World Bank and the International Energy Agency forecast a multifold increase in the demand for key metals used for decarbonization, many of which are found in mineral deposits in the deep seabed, but some organizations and more than 600 scientists have called for a pause or total ban on the exploitation of these minerals. Positive factors such as increased metal supply, wider use of decarbonization technologies and benefits to countries from extraction royalties must be considered against the generation of sediment plumes, noise from extraction and impacts on the seafood industry.

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Indigenous Efforts Use Hemp to Remove Forever Chemicals From Superfund Site

The former Loring Air Force Base, in Limestone, Maine, on the Canadian border, closed in 2007, is now owned by the Aroostook Band of Micmacs. The superfund site is so polluted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave it a waiver, deeming it technically impractical to clean, being loaded with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), cancer-causing compounds commonly known as “forever chemicals". PFAS tend to bioaccumulate, building up in soil, water, animals and humans; they can persist for hundreds or thousands of years and have been linked to kidney and testicular cancer, liver damage and suppressed immunity.

In the spring of 2019, the Micmac Nation, nonprofit Upland Grassroots and their research partners began an experiment. Hemp is a good candidate for phytoremediation because it grows fast across much of the country. Its roots are deep and profuse to better absorb pollutants from the soil. By 2020, researchers discovered that the hemp plants were successfully sucking PFAS out of the contaminated soil via phytoremediation and hope that their example may help farmers that have discovered their soil is tainted. Micmac Chief Edward Peter-Paul says, “Anything we can do to contribute to making the environment better, we want to be a part of.”

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Chow Time

Attitudes Changing Toward Animal Rights

A new survey by the University of Exeter published in Social Psychological and Personality Science shows that children differ dramatically from adults in their moral views on animals. Researchers asked a group of 479 children and adults ages 9 to 11, 18 to 21 and 29 to 59 about the moral status and treatImage'in/AdobeStock.com ment of farm animals (pigs), pets (dogs) and people. The youngest participants said that farm animals should be treated the same as people and pets, and think eating animals is less morally acceptable than do adults. The two older groups held more traditional views. The findings suggest that speciesism, the moral imperative that gives different value to different animals, is learned as we become socialized. Dr. Luke McGuire says, “Humans’ relationship with animals is full of ethical double standards. Some animals are beloved household companions while others are kept in factory farms for economic benefit. Dogs are our friends, pigs are food.”

McGuire notes, “If we want people to move towards more plant-based diets for environmental reasons, we have to disrupt the current system somewhere. For example, if children ate more plant-based food in schools, that might be more in line with their moral values, and might reduce the normalisation towards adult values that we identify in this study.”

Three Fun Ideas to Spice Up Your Water

by Heather Schuerlein

Try the following herbs and fruit to add some pizzazz to your summer hydration: 1Watermelon – Known as “xi gua” in Chinese herbal medicine, this melon generates fluids due to its high water content. It is particularly useful for those with significant thirst and dark, scanty urination (very dehydrated). It’s also used to help with jaundice and icteric hepatitis. Add dvoevnore/DepositPhotos.com to your water or just cut some up and eat! The watermelon rind (known as xi gua pi) is also AntonMatyukha/DepositPhotos.com used to hydrate. It's commonly juiced in the juicing world. 2Bo he – You'll know this herb as peppermint. It’s used in Chinese medicine to help with colds, sore throats, flus and even rashes. It’s also a nice, cooling herb to put in your water for some minty refreshment. In addition, bo he is good for the liver, and will help with unresolved anger that is causing rib side pain.

3Mei gui hua – Also known as Chinese rose, this herb can be found at a specialty tea shop or online at Mountain RoseHerbs.com. Mei gui hua tea is used to calm the heart and mind, and can be sipped on at the end of a long day. It can be thought of as a sister to chamomile tea; it has a similar effect of being soothing and comforting. This can be enjoyed warm or cooled to your desired temperature. Remove the roses before chilling.

Dr. Heather Schuerlein is the acupuncture physician at Palm Coast Acupuncture. To connect with her, email PalmCoastAcupuncture@gmail. com or visit PalmCoastAcupuncture.com. See ad, page 21.