Searching for solutions to microplastics in the water
new ways to tackle the problem of microplastic pollution, Derek Van Dam reports
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Yahoo
8 minutes ago
- Yahoo
French bill clears path to return artefacts looted during colonisation
A bill to make it easier for France to return cultural objects taken during the colonial period was presented at a ministerial council in Paris this week by Culture Minister Rachida Dati. Despite a pledge by President Emmanuel Macron in Burkina Faso in 2017, and follow-up reports, only a small number of items have been returned so far. The new bill would allow artefacts to be given back by government decree, without needing a full vote in Parliament each time. It would apply to objects taken from their countries of origin under conditions described as "illicit". A similar bill planned for 2024 was blocked by France's highest administrative court, the Conseil d'Etat, and its review was postponed. On 30 July, the French government said its goal is to speed up restitution. The bill would set out clear rules for what counts as looted, and would cover items acquired between 1815 and 1972. It cites theft, looting or forced transfer as reasons for return. The word "colonisation" is not used, but the references point directly to France's colonial past. France passes law to allow return of Ivorian drum stolen by colonial troops Scientific commission Dati said the bill would apply mostly to African countries, but could be used for objects taken from anywhere. France will be among the first countries to pass such a law, said Catherine Morin-Desailly, a senator and member of the French Senate Culture Committee. "Apart from Belgium so far, such a framework law has not yet seen the light of day," Morin-Desailly told RFI. Asked whether the process would really be faster, she said: "Yes and no". "I'm going to be nuanced because for each object it is also necessary to examine the request and to have a scientific, historical and legal study that allows us to affirm that it is indeed the right object," she explained. What's new in the bill is that objects can only be returned if their acquisition is proven to be illegal. If that hasn't yet been shown, a scientific commission can be set up to help. It would bring together French and international experts to research the object's history and trace its true origin. How an RFI investigation helped return an ancient treasure to Benin "There will be a lot of work [for the] special commission to allow these restitutions. But what is important is that it will avoid specific laws that clutter the parliamentary agenda and make it take time," Morin-Desailly said. She said public attitudes have changed, and that a shift is now possible. "Not all objects from foreign countries were necessarily acquired illicitly," she added. "This is where we will have to look closely." The aim of each return should be either "reparation" or "reappropriation". These terms were not included in the last bill, which was more cautious and referred only to "international relations" or "cultural cooperation". Thousands of requests France has returned only 27 works to African nations in the past six years. This includes 26 royal treasures from Dahomey handed back to Benin in 2021, and one item returned this year from Finland, though it belonged to a French collection. At least 10 countries have filed official requests for thousands of other items, including Algeria, Madagascar and Côte d'Ivoire, based on 2023 data. The new law would allow the principle of "inalienability" to be waived by decree in these cases. That rule normally bars French public museums from giving away state-owned items. Many of the objects are still held in French collections and have never been properly listed or documented. Lack of transparency Experts and lawmakers have criticised the lack of transparency around how these items ended up in France. "France has not yet finished its process of coming to terms with its colonial past," Pierre Ouzoulias, a Communist senator from Hauts-de-Seine and a member of the Senate Culture Committee, said on Wednesday in an interview with France Culture. He wants to see a permanent, independent commission created. 'Titanic' task of finding plundered African art in French museums "It is absolutely essential that these restitutions are carried out with complete transparency," he said, "and that opinions are made public, to assure Parliament and the nation – who own these items – that everything has been done according to the rules and in accordance with a codified code of ethics that will be upheld regardless of future governments." Saskia Cousin, a sociologist and anthropologist at the University of Nanterre, also supports the plan. She has long studied the issue of looted African heritage. Cousin said thousands of artefacts have been returned to African nations from other parts of the world, but that France is "lagging behind". Netherlands prepares to return looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria "This is an issue that goes beyond cultural diplomacy," she told France Culture. "We must return to the primary stakeholders – especially the youth, their heritage and matri-heritage – so they can reclaim not only this history but also a sense of pride." The bill is due to be debated by the French Parliament during an extraordinary session in September, after the summer break.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Researchers make alarming discovery deep in caves rarely seen by humans: 'Can exist even in remote places'
Researchers make alarming discovery deep in caves rarely seen by humans: 'Can exist even in remote places' Researchers have discovered microplastics in a remote, mountainous area of Greece. What's happening? A new study, presented at the 17th International Congress of the Geological Society of Greece in May, found a "significant" amount of blue and transparent microplastics present in the Gourgouthakas and Liontari caves. Scientists sampled various water sources from the caves, which are located in the White Mountains of Crete. They discovered plastic "fibers and fragments" measuring less than 5 millimeters in diameter. These areas are isolated and rarely see human activity. To conduct their research, scientists took a trip in August 2024 that required "hours of hiking and complex equipment transport," according to Greece-based outlet Ekathimerini. "This practically means that microplastic pollution can exist even in remote places," Christos Pennos, a visiting professor at Aristotle University, told the publication. Researchers believe that the microplastics may have been transported to the region by wind. Why is this discovery concerning? Microplastics are an increasingly worrisome problem. Plastic does not decompose well in nature; instead, it breaks apart into smaller and smaller pieces over time, forming tiny microplastics. Some particles are also manufactured to these sizes intentionally for use in consumer goods, such as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. At such sizes, microplastics can be challenging to identify and completely remove from the environment. They can infiltrate soil and food systems. They can inhibit plant growth, putting crops at risk. And they can make their way into waterways and even the air. This form of plastic pollution is also being found in the bodies of animals and humans at record levels. The full impact of microplastics on human health remains largely unexplored. However, several studies have found toxic microplastics in the brain, urine, lungs, and more. These particles could increase the risk of health issues such as cancer and neurological diseases. What's being done about microplastics? The presence of microplastics in the Gourgouthakas and Liontari caves suggests that the issue is widespread and difficult to contain. Do you worry about having toxic forever chemicals in your home? Majorly Sometimes Not really I don't know enough about them Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Fortunately, researchers are exploring methods to mitigate microplastic contamination in key areas of concern. Some teams have investigated methods for filtering microplastics from water. Others are experimenting with ways to remove the contaminants from soil. Individuals can make a difference by reducing their use of plastic in daily life. For example, swapping single-use plastic items for reusable products — such as glass water bottles, cotton bags, and stainless steel food containers — can save consumers money while preventing new plastic pollution from entering landfills. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
Since wolves' return, Yellowstone's aspens are recovering, study finds
Three decades after wolves were reintroduced in Yellowstone National Park, aspen stands are recovering, a new analysis suggests. Published in Forest Ecology and Management, the study looks at what happened after 1995, when wolves were reintroduced to the park. During most of the 20th century, there were no apex predators in the park aside from bears and cougars, and elk increased to record numbers.
