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Study finds twice as many cellulose fibers as microplastics in the Atlantic Ocean

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A study by three French institutes—Ifremer, the University of Bordeaux and the IRD (a public research institution)—has found that the surface water of the Atlantic Ocean is twice as polluted by cellulose fibers as it is by microplastics. There’s a pile of information doing the rounds about the pollution of the oceans.

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Pollutant emitted by biomass burning found to cause DNA damage and lung cell death; the role of retene

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A new study by a team from Brazil, with colleagues in the US, has shown that particulate pollution biomass burning in the Amazon induced inflammation, oxidative stress and severe DNA damage in human lung cells. After 72 hours of exposure, more than 30% of the cultured cells are dead, the researchers found.

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Brazilian Ministry Of Environment And National Development Bank launch credit line for projects to reduce carbon emissions

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Brazil’s Minister of Environment Izabella Teixeira and Brazilian National Development Bank (BNDES) President Luciano Coutinho announced the launch of a new credit line to support projects focused on greenhouse gas reduction and climate change solutions. In 2011, approximately R$230 million (US$133.7

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Brazil to Increase Mandatory Biodiesel Blend to 5% in 2010; Mandatory Emissions Testing for Vehicles

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Meeting the higher mandate will move Brazil to being the second-largest producer of biodiesel in the world, only behind Germany, according to Brazil’s Secretariat of Social Communication of the Republic. Currently, Brazil is fourth, with Germany, the US and France in the number 1, 2 and 3 positions respectively.

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PNNL-led international study finds ultrafine aerosols have outsize impact on storm clouds, precipitation

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vehicles) and industrial air pollution—fuel powerful storms and influence weather much more than has been appreciated, according to a study published in the journal Science. Ultrafine aerosols—minute particles from urban (e.g., The work was supported by the Department of Energy’s Office of Science and other organizations.

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New international study finds lab testing of diesel NOx emissions underestimates real-world levels by up to 50%

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in collaboration with scientists at the University of York’s Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI); University of Colorado; and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, assessed 30 studies of vehicle emissions under real-world driving conditions in 11 major vehicle markets representing 80% of new diesel vehicle sales in 2015.

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IMO environment meeting adopts mandatory energy efficiency measures for international shipping; first mandatory global GHG reduction regime for an international industry sector

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Mandatory measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) from international shipping were adopted by Parties to MARPOL Annex VI represented in the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization ( IMO ), when it met for its 62 nd session from 11 to 15 July 2011 at IMO Headquarters in London.