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<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Cigarette butts left in grass and soil can harm nearby plant growth, according to a new study.</li><li>The study found that a cigarette butt can cut down the germination, or development, of plants, adding to concerns about discarded cigarette remnants as an under-acknowledged, but widespread, pollutant.</li><li>A common ingredient in cigarette filters makes them among the most common man-made contaminants that affect the ground where they are discarded whether they were smoked or not.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.</a></li></ul><p>Cigarette butts left in grass and soil can harm nearby plant growth, according to a new study.</p><p>The study led by Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge, England found that a cigarette butt can cut down the germination, or development, of plants, adding to concerns about discarded cigarette remnants as an under-acknowledged, but widespread, pollutant.</p><p>Cigarette butts cut down the germination success of grass by 10% and clover by 27%, and the shoot length by 13% and 28%, respectively, according to the study, which was <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651319307481?via%3Dihub">published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety</a>.</p><p>Though plastic straws have <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/president-trump-says-we-have-bigger-problems-than-plastic-straws-2019-7">dominated conversations</a> for those looking to cut down on pollutants, cigarette butts are the most pervasive man-made contaminant.</p><p><a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49044422">The BBC reports</a> that the study says an estimated 4.5 trillion butts are littered globally each year. Though it's difficult to determine the amount of discarded cigarettes, estimates come from the 5.6 trillion cigarettes that are manufactured worldwide each year, most of which are "dumped irresponsibly," according to NBC News.</p><p>The common ingredient in filters that spells danger for the environment comes in the form of <a href="https://fox2now.com/2019/01/25/cigarette-filters-are-the-no-1-plastic-pollutant-and-dont-prevent-cancer/">cellulose acetate</a>, a kind of plastic that takes at least a decade to decompose. /p&gt;</p><p>Researchers reportedly took samples within the city of Cambridge, including some locations that had as many as <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-49044422">128 discarded cigarette butts</a> per square meter. The study reportedly found no difference between harm caused by smoked cigarettes and unsmoked cigarettes.</p><p><strong>Read more</strong>:<em> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/types-of-pollution-health-effects-2019-3">Air pollution kills more people each year than smoking - but it's not the only dangerous pollutant you encounter on a daily basis</a></em></p><p>Due to the cigarette's inherent harm to the environment that is in addition to any smoke it gives off, some environmental activists have pushed for cigarette filters to be banned all together.</p><p>Since the filters on cigarettes don't provide any health benefit and act exclusively as a "marketing tool," they should be banned to cut down on harm to the environment, Thomas Novotny, a professor of public health at San Diego State University <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plastic-straw-ban-cigarette-butts-are-single-greatest-source-ocean-n903661">told NBC News in 2018</a> about the push.</p><p>However, a proposal for such a ban failed after being introduced by a California assemblyman and increasingly strict laws on cigarette littering have <a href="https://www.audubon.org/news/cigarette-butts-are-everywhere-banning-filters-viable-solution">struggled to make a mark on pollution</a> in recent years. </p>

Littered cigarette butts are the most widespread man-made pollutant and they harm plant growth, according to study

<ul><li><strong><keyword id="6355629" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="google">Google</keyword> has collaborated with scientific agencies and artists to come up with a unique initiative. </strong></li><li><strong>The Heartbeat of the Earth experiment shows challenges our climate faces through creative data visualizations.</strong></li><li><strong>Do check out the amazing work of these artists to understand the project better.</strong></li></ul>After releasing the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/google-earth-timelapse-shows-climate-change-impact-over-years/articleshow/82097634.cms">3D Timelapse feature</a> to track <keyword id="6361617" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="climate-change">climate change</keyword> impact on Google Earth, the search giant has now shared <a href="http://g.co/heartbeatoftheearth">a set of climate experiments</a> under the “Heartbeat of the Earth” initiative -- a series of online artworks depicting scientific climate data. The project is a collaboration between Google <keyword id="6435122" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="arts">Arts</keyword> &amp; Culture Lab, the <a href="https://newsroom.unfccc.int/about-us/about-the-secretariat">United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</a>, and a bunch of artists. It was first introduced last year during world environment day.<br /><br />These artists used key findings from a UN report and data from scientific institutions like the US-based National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the World Meteorological Organisation, to create interactive pieces of art concerning our climate. The eight pieces of art address topics like air pollution, rising sea levels, melting glaciers, the impact of microplastics, declining biodiversity and other climate change-related issues.<br /><br />Google has published a blog post a couple of days before <keyword id="6453991" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Earth-Day">Earth day</keyword> -- April 22 -- to share <a href="http://g.co/heartbeatoftheearth">the new climate experiments</a> created by artists Giorgia Lupi, Felicity Hammond, Cristina Tarquini and Sey Min. These interactive art pieces let you learn about the climate challenges using creative data visualisations, which is a simpler medium to convey complex subjects instead of complicated graphs and charts.<br /><br /><strong>Using art and culture to build a sustainable future<br /><div type="Youtube" id="PcMbRWWBV9k" title="Heartbeat of the Earth: the latest artistic exploration of climate data" thumbUrl="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PcMbRWWBV9k/mqdefault.jpg"></div></strong><br />Artists bring the answer to the most complex scientific questions through art. Answers to questions like where do the disposed plastic go, or what can jellyfish teach us about climate change, or simply what species will be lost due to temperature rise?<br /><br />The first creative experience is called the '<a href="https://artsexperiments.withgoogle.com/plasticair/">Plastic Air</a>' that depicts how plastic is degraded into minute pieces (microplastics) which are mixed with the air we breathe. Made by data artist Giorgia Lupi and team, the art gives you a lens to virtually explore the plastic particles that are present around us. It is a breathtaking and eye-opening interactive that you must see.<br /><br />Then there is an intriguing art by Cristina Tarquini called '<a href="https://artsexperiments.withgoogle.com/medusae/">Medusae</a>' that uses point cloud visualisation that lets you take a virtual dive into the Mediterranian Ocean to find out what jellyfish can teach us about the changing climate as they are the master of adaptation to the most uninhabitable conditions, proven over 670 million years of change. It tells us that the increase in the number of jellyfishes is a clue to climate change as it affects them differently than other fish species. Rising temperature, a decline in predator species, acidifying water and lack of oxygen has made them thrive. This interactive art takes you through the journey to show how jellyfish are key indicators of the change.<br /><br />The next art is called the '<a href="https://artsexperiments.withgoogle.com/impactfilter/">Impact Filter</a>', created by artist Sey Min. It is also an interactive tool that lets you see what we might lose due to temperature rise. The artist has used a machine learning model on thousands of images of 62 different types of species sorted by animal type. There's a bar to change the temperature to see what happens to different species and reveal the new Anthropocene species we leave behind.<br /><br />Similarly, there are a bunch of other interactive art pieces from different artists. You can <a href="https://experiments.withgoogle.com/collection/heartbeat-earth">visit this link</a> to find all of them in one place and take a look at the art pieces by yourself.

Google's Arts & Culture experiment uses jellyfish, bumblebees, flying cigarette butts and more to teach us about climate change

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>AP Photo/Wayne Parry</span></p><p class="caption">In an April 21, 2012 photo, Melissa Shapero reacts with disgust after picking up a cigarette butt from the beach in Point Pleasant Beach N.J. as Sarah Steward holds a trash bag for her.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Cigarette butts are among the most abundant types of human-produced garbage in the world's oceans. </strong></li><li><strong>Most of the roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes manufactured globally every year contain a plastic-based filter. Those filters can take decades to decompose after the cigarette butt has been discarded.</strong></li><li><strong>The conversation around the waste that accumulates in the ocean has gained new momentum as major companies and metropolitan areas seek new ways to address non-biodegradable garbage.</strong></li></ul><p>Cigarette butts are among the most abundant types of human-produced garbage in the world's oceans. </p><p>Most of the roughly 5.5 trillion cigarettes manufactured globally every year contain a plastic-based filter, made of cellulose acetate, according to the <a href="https://www.cigwaste.org/butt-faqs">Cigarette Butt Pollution Project</a>.</p><p>Those filters can take decades to decompose after the cigarette butt has been discarded. As the plastics break down the chemicals can be consumed by wildlife. According to environmental researchers <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/plastic-straw-ban-cigarette-butts-are-single-greatest-source-ocean-n903661?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma">cited by NBC News</a>, scientists have found traces of these chemicals in roughly 70% of seabirds and approximately 30% of sea turtles.</p><p>"More research is needed to determine exactly what happens to all of that," Nick Mallos, director of the Trash Free Seas campaign for the Ocean Conservancy, told NBC News."The final question is what impact these micro-plastics and other waste have on human health."</p><p>The conversation around the waste that accumulates in the ocean has gained new momentum as major companies and metropolitan areas seek new ways to address other types of nonbiodegradable garbage, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/starbucks-to-ditch-plastic-straws-2018-7">like plastic straws</a>.</p>      <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-happens-if-you-drink-pee-2018-8">Should you actually drink your own pee in a survival situation?</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

There are more cigarette butts in the world's oceans than any other type of garbage

<ul class="summary-list"><li>What's causing the unprecedented wildfires spreading across Canada is a mix of things.</li><li>Lightning strikes likely ignited some of them, but it's unseasonable weather that's helped the spread.</li></ul><p>Lightning strikes and unseasonably warm weather are to blame for the fires in Canada, experts said. </p><p>Over the last six weeks wildfires have spread across Canada, burning nearly <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/wildfires-burn-across-canada-with-little-relief-sight-2023-06-08/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">10 million acres</a>. These active wildfires are burning across central and eastern Canada, focused in Ontario and Quebec, and they have generated a <a href="https://www.insider.com/new-york-city-covered-in-orange-smoke-from-canadas-wildfires-2023-6">cloud of smoke</a> that has wafted down to the <a href="https://www.insider.com/wildfire-smoke-new-york-washington-dc-skies-red-2023-6">eastern US</a>, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-yorks-air-dirty-nothing-new-for-global-cities-2023-6">polluting the air</a> and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/wildfires-halt-delay-airline-flights-nyc-lga-philadelphia-dc-charlotte-2023-6">disrupting airfare</a>. </p><p>Forest fires in Canada are a general occurrence, particularly in the west. But it is "unusual" to see them burn on both coasts at the same time, Michael Norton, an official with Canada's Natural Resources Ministry, told <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/canada-track-its-worst-ever-wildfire-season-2023-06-05/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Reuters</a>.</p><p>"At this time of the year, fires usually occur only on one side of the country at a time, most often that being in the west," he said.</p><h2>What started the fires? </h2><p>The cause of ignition is unknown in <a href="https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/3ffcc2d0ef3e4e0999b0cf8b636defa3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Alberta</a> in the west, though human causes, such as cigarette butts or sparks from passing trains, were blamed for fires elsewhere in the country, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-did-the-wildfires-in-canada-start-cause-nova-scotia-quebec/#:~:text=How%20did%20the%20fires%20in,other%20half%20are%20human%2Dcaused." target="_blank" rel="noopener">per CBS News.</a></p><p>That said, the fires in Quebec in the east were likely ignited "within a short window after a big lightning event," said Ellen Whitman, a forest fire research scientist who works for Natural Resources Canada in the Canadian Forest Service, to the <a href="https://www.halifaxexaminer.ca/environment/fires/an-expert-explains-the-science-of-wildfires/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Halifax Explainer.</a></p><p>"Generally in Canada, lighting-caused fires are about half of our ignitions, but they make up the majority of area burned because they are ignited in places where there are no people nearby to notice them, so they get detected less quickly," Whitman said. </p><h2>Dry weather pushed the fires forward</h2><p>Kent Moore, professor of physics at the University of Toronto told <a href="https://uk.style.yahoo.com/wildfires-canada-cause-explanation-climate-change-005844098.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News! Canada </a>spring fires in Nova Scotia are usually easier to extinguish, as the soil is still wet.</p><p>This year, however, spring has come early, and the soil has remained drier than usual, allowing the fire to keep smoldering deep underground, Moore said. </p><p>"Those are much more difficult to put out because you have to dig up the dirt to get to the fire," Moore said. "That's typically what you'd find in the summer fire season when things tend to be drier."</p><h2>Climate change is likely making the fire fiercer</h2><p>For Moore, climate change can't take all the blame for the fires on the east coast. It may come down to season variability. </p><p>"There's just natural variability," he said. "Some springs are dry and some springs are wet."</p><p>That's not to say climate change doesn't have a part to play, however. </p><p>"The fires season is also lasting longer now because of climate change. Spring is coming weeks earlier and fall is coming weeks later. More time for the fires and grasslands to burn," Edward Struzik, a fellow at Queen's Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy at Queen's University in Canada told CBS News.</p><p>The igniter itself — lightning — is more common due to climate change, Struzik said. </p><p>"Most fires in the boreal forest of northern Canada are started by lightning. A one-degree Celsius increase in temperature amounts to about 12% more lightning. So the warmer it gets as the climate heats up, the more triggers there are for fires to burn," said Edward Struzik, <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-did-the-wildfires-in-canada-start-cause-nova-scotia-quebec/#:~:text=How%20did%20the%20fires%20in,other%20half%20are%20human%2Dcaused." target="_blank" rel="noopener">per CBS News.</a></p>

How did the wildfires start in Canada?

<ul><li>The lightweight flexible <keyword id="6407740" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="fabric">fabric</keyword> has been 3D-printed from nylon plastic polymers.</li><li>It stiffens up when put inside a vacuum-packed plastic envelope.</li><li>The fabric could be used for making protective gear, exoskeletons and even erect temporary bridges.</li></ul><keyword id="6367929" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="scientists">Scientists</keyword> from Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a flexible fabric that looks like a normal cloth but can transform into a hard material. This is a new ‘chain mail’ fabric that can actually stiffen on demand — something similar to Batman’s bulletproof cape.<br /><br />It’s a lightweight fabric in nature, and it has been 3D-printed from nylon plastic polymers. It is also made up of hollow eight-sided triangular shapes that interlock with each other. The chainmail fabric can also be made from 3D printed aluminium that can be even be used to withstand an even stronger impact.<br /><br />  <div type="image" title="fabric 3" msid="85267779" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;When the fabric is put inside a vacuum-packed plastic envelope, it stiffens up to reach its rigid state. &amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div><br />This fabric has the capability of toughening up on demand making it 25 times more rigid and holding up over 50 times than its own weight. NTU demonstrated holding the fabric in its natural state where it’s flexible and lightweight. When the fabric is put inside a vacuum-packed plastic envelope, it stiffens up to reach its rigid state. The NTU and Caltech scientists compare this fabric to that of Batman’s cape which is flexible but it can be used as a glider when required.<br /><br /><strong>Possible use cases<br /></strong><br />There can be multiple use cases for this chainmail fabric. Some of the possible use cases could be to make protective exoskeletons and protective gear for athletes. It could also be used as lightweight armour-like bulletproof vests to help protect against an impact. More use cases include using the fabric to create equipment that will help the elderly stand and carry heavy loads. In the future, it could even be used to erect temporary bridges in the future. The team plans to explore more methods of stiffening the fabric such as through magnetism, electricity or temperature. <br /><br /><strong>SEE ALSO:</strong><br /><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/researchers-found-that-plastic-pollutants-in-the-ocean-may-be-exciting-hermit-crabs-which-could-lead-to-disrupted-marine-food-webs/articleshow/85259554.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Researchers found that plastic pollutants in the ocean may be 'exciting' hermit crabs, which could lead to disrupted marine food webs</a><br /><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/meet-beachbot-a-beach-rover-that-uses-ai-to-remove-cigarette-butts-from-beaches/articleshow/84759758.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet BeachBot, a beach rover that uses AI to remove cigarette butts from beaches</a><br />

Scientists discover a flexible fabric that can be used to make a real-life superhero suit

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Dogs may sneeze during playtime, when they catch a whiff of pollen, or to get attention.</li><li>Frequent sneezing may also be due to nasal mites, a tooth abscess, or something stuck in their nose.</li></ul><p>Even the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFxTPBruZy4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tiniest Chihuahua</a> can sneeze impressively loudly when opportunity strikes. </p><p>Dogs often sneeze for the same reasons people do: something like pollen or dust tickles their nose, and their body forces it out. Your furry friend may also sneeze for dog-specific reasons, like communicating during play. </p><p>The occasional sneeze is usually nothing to lose sleep over. Constant sneezing, however, may pose more of a concern, since some rare causes of frequent sneezing, like tumors or tooth abscesses, can become dangerous if left untreated.</p><p>It's also worth paying attention to sneezing that occurs with other signs of illness, like coughing, bloody snot, and teary eyes.</p><p>Below, find eight possible reasons why your dog is suddenly sneezing all the time, plus guidance from vets on what to do about it.</p><p><strong>Note: </strong>Dogs usually sneeze air outward, but they can also do reverse sneezing, which sucks air inward. Reverse sneezes happen less often, though they're more common in <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2306-7381/9/12/665" target="_blank" rel="noopener">smaller breeds</a>. Otherwise, there isn't much difference between the two types of sneezes.</p><h2>1. Irritants and allergens</h2><p>Dogs have an incredible <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-dogs-see-the-world-through-scent-2017-4">sense of smell</a>, so their noses react to things most humans would barely notice. </p><p>For example, a nearby spritz of perfume or dirt up their nose may spur sudden sneezing, says <a href="https://floofydoodles.com/blogger-gb-about/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sophie Whoriskey</a>, veterinarian and senior writer at <a href="https://floofydoodles.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Floofy Doodles</a>. The sneezing fit should end quickly once your dog gets some fresh air.</p><p>Some dogs may also develop <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/health/conditions-symptoms/seasonal-allergies">seasonal allergies</a> to <a href="https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/signs-your-pet-has-seasonal-allergies-and-what-you-can-do-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ragweed, mold, or tree pollen</a>. These allergens can cause long-term inflammation and swelling in your dog's nose, Whoriskey says — which can lead to persistent sneezing. </p><p>In addition to sneezing, other <a href="https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/signs-your-pet-has-seasonal-allergies-and-what-you-can-do-help" target="_blank" rel="noopener">common symptoms</a> of seasonal allergies in dogs include:</p><ul><li>Coughing or wheezing</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/how-to-clean-dogs-ears">Waxy ears</a></li><li>Excessive shedding</li><li><a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/dog-scratching">Red, itchy skin</a></li><li>Compulsive paw-licking</li></ul><p><strong>Note: </strong>Keep catching your dog <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-do-dogs-scoot-their-butts">scooting their butt</a> across the floor? This can be a sign of allergies, too. Canine allergies often show up as skin symptoms — including <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-allergies-symptoms-treatment/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">itching and irritation in delicate areas</a>. </p><h2>2. Communication</h2><p>"You might hear a dog 'sneeze' when they're playing or happy to see a friend," says <a href="https://www.funpawcare.com/bios/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russell Hartstein</a>, certified pet behaviorist and trainer and founder of <a href="https://www.funpawcare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fun Paw Care</a>. </p><p>This type of sneeze, however, isn't quite the same as the automatic, biological sneeze you might hear if your dog has allergies. Hartstein says it's more of a huff or sigh where your dog consciously blows out air. </p><p>This "fake sneeze" is your dog's way of telling you they're excited and having fun. If they're play-wrestling with you, this type of sneeze <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-sneeze/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">can translate as</a> "just kidding" — so you don't take their growling and nipping seriously. </p><p>You'll generally notice this kind of sneezing during playtime, walks, or when your dog meets other dogs. You may also see your pet <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-sneeze/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">curl their lip</a> or wrinkle their nose just before the fake sneeze.</p><h2>3. Nasal infections</h2><p>Microorganisms that invade your dog's nose <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may cause</a>:</p><ul><li>Rhinitis: <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inflammation</a> and swelling in the mucus membranes</li><li>Sinusitis: Inflammation and swelling in the sinuses</li></ul><p>This swelling can make it harder for your dog's nose to filter air, which exposes them to <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heavier loads of dust and other irritants</a>. And of course, more stuff in the nose generally means more sneezing. </p><p>Several pathogens can cause rhinitis and sinusitis:</p><ul><li><strong>Viruses:</strong> The viruses that most frequently trigger this inflammation also lead to <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">kennel cough</a>, <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/flu/other/canine-flu/keyfacts.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dog flu</a> or <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-is-my-dog-shaking">canine distemper</a>. FYI, no evidence suggests you can catch these illnesses from your dog.</li><li><strong style="color: #222222;">Bacteria: </strong>While <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opportunistic bacteria</a> may join the party once viruses have set up shop in your dog's nose, bacteria alone rarely cause rhinitis or sinusitis. Your dog may have a bacterial infection if their snot gets thick or turns a whitish-yellow color.</li><li><strong style="color: #222222;">Fungi: </strong>Fungal infections can also cause inflammation in the nose. These infections are <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">often painful</a>, and your dog may refuse to let anyone touch their head.</li></ul><p>Sneezing and reverse sneezing are both common with rhinitis and sinusitis. Regardless of which condition your dog has, they may also have <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">these common symptoms</a>:</p><ul><li>Runny nose</li><li>Snoring</li><li>Open-mouthed breathing</li></ul><h2>4. A desire for attention</h2><p>In case you haven't heard, most dogs love attention — and they'll do all sorts of things to get it, like <a href="https://www.insider.com/vets-reveal-how-can-i-tell-if-my-dog-likes-me-signs">rubbing</a> against you, <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-do-dogs-howl">howling</a>, or giving you <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/why-does-my-dog-stare-at-me">puppy-dog eyes</a> from the floor. Sneezing is a loud and easy behavior your dog may learn to use to get all eyes on them.</p><p>When your pet sneezes cutely, you may feel tempted to coo and fuss over them. But your ooh-ing and aww-ing may teach your dog to sneeze whenever they want your attention, Hartstein says. So long as you keep rewarding the behavior, they'll likely continue sneezing. </p><p>A bout of sneezing could be <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/why-do-dogs-sneeze/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">a bid for attention</a> if your dog:</p><ul><li>Has a clean bill of health from the vet.</li><li>Sneezes directly on you, often staring at you intently afterwards.</li><li>Interrupts with a sneeze when they see you <a href="https://www.insider.com/dog-jealous-ear-medicine-2018-9">petting or praising another animal</a>.</li><li>Expects meals or walks at a certain time and sneezes when you run a little late.</li><li>Needs frequent entertainment and activity to <a href="https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/bored-dogs-how-to-recognize-doggy-boredom-and-help/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stave off boredom</a>.</li></ul><h2>5. Things stuck in their nose</h2><p>A good sneeze can usually throw out any dirt or microbes stuck in your dog's nose. Larger objects, however, may be harder to dislodge. </p><p>In one <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsap.13220" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2020 study</a>, 90% of foreign objects found in dog's noses were some kind of grass seed. Other objects found in dog's noses include:</p><ul><li>Twigs</li><li>Thorns</li><li>Pebbles and rocks</li><li>Fish hooks or needles</li><li>Swatches of fabric</li></ul><p>If your dog has snorted up a larger object, it may be stuck in their nose no matter how much they try to sneeze it out — but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll stop trying. </p><p>Along with sneezing, they <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">may also</a>:</p><ul><li>Paw at their nose</li><li>Have a runny nose leaking <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.12175" target="_blank" rel="noopener">blood or pus</a></li><li>Have discharge coming out of one nostril but not the other</li></ul><p><strong>Note: </strong>Dogs who <a href="https://www.insider.com/cool-jobs-you-didnt-know-dogs-could-have-2019-7#this-one-puppy-is-trained-to-protect-pieces-of-art-from-pests-and-it-could-lead-to-a-new-career-path-for-dogs-3">work outdoors</a> are <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsap.13220" target="_blank" rel="noopener">more likely</a> to sniff up things they can't sneeze back out, since hunting and herding requires them to stick their noses to the ground. Dogs with <a href="https://www.insider.com/important-things-every-dog-owner-should-know-2019-12">flat snouts</a> also have a higher risk of getting objects stuck in their nose, since narrow airways can easily trap objects. </p><h2>6. Nasal mites</h2><p>Sometimes the thing stuck up your dog's nose isn't a pebble or a seed, but a bug. </p><p><a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/canine-nasal-mites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Canine nasal mites</a> are tiny, pale insects that often make their homes in dogs' noses. Scientists aren't entirely sure how they transfer from dog to dog, but a <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/canine-nasal-mites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">common theory suggests</a> they travel between hosts when dogs sniff each other. </p><p>Vets tend to find mite infestations in larger breeds, although any kind of dog can get them. Adult dogs <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/canine-nasal-mites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">over the age of 3</a> are more likely to have mites than puppies.</p><p><a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/canine-nasal-mites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Some signs</a> your dog may have nasal mites include:</p><ul><li>High-pitched, noisy, or labored breathing</li><li>Blood or discharge leaking from their nose</li><li>Trouble picking up scents</li><li>Head shaking</li><li>Face scratching</li></ul><h2>7. Tooth root abscess</h2><p>If your dog has a habit of <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/pets/best-chew-toys">chewing on hard things</a>, like bones, furniture, or the bars of their crate, their teeth may chip. This breakage allows bacteria to sneak into the tissue inside and underneath the tooth and grow into a painful infection called an <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tooth-root-abscess-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">abscess</a>.</p><p>Without treatment, an infection in your dog's mouth can <a href="https://www.vetsmall.theclinics.com/article/S0195-5616(13)00175-7/fulltext" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spread to surrounding tissues</a> like the nose or eye, which may start leaking discharge to flush the bacteria out. This discharge can tickle your dog's nose and prompt them to sneeze. </p><p>Some <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/tooth-root-abscess-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">signs</a> your dog has a tooth abscess include:</p><ul><li>Reluctance to play with chew toys</li><li>Only eating or chewing on one side of their mouth</li><li>Dropping food while eating</li><li>Pulling away when you try to touch their head</li><li>Red or inflamed gums</li><li>Swelling around their nose or eyes, if the infection has spread</li></ul><h2>8. Tumors</h2><p>On very rare occasions, the source of your dog's sneezing could be cancer. </p><p>Around <a href="https://smallanimal.vethospital.ufl.edu/clinical-services/oncology/types-of-cancer-and-treatment/nasal-tumors-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">1% of all dog cancers</a> involve nasal tumors, which appear when the cells lining your dog's nose multiply out of control. These cells grow into masses that clog your dog's airways, prompting them to sneeze.</p><p>Dogs <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nasal-tumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exposed to cigarette smoke</a> or urban pollution are more likely to develop nose cancer. Breeds with <a href="https://smallanimal.vethospital.ufl.edu/clinical-services/oncology/types-of-cancer-and-treatment/nasal-tumors-dogs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long snouts</a>, such as bloodhounds or whippets, also have more of a risk. That said, cancer can affect any dog, no matter their living situation or breed.</p><p>Nasal tumors may cause nasal discharge or difficulty breathing. Other signs <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nasal-tumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specifically linked to nose cancer</a> include:</p><ul><li>Facial deformities as the tumor grows</li><li>Unusual tiredness</li><li>Decreased appetite and weight loss</li></ul><p>In rare cases, nasal tumors can spread to the brain and cause <a href="https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nasal-tumors" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neurological issues</a>, like seizures or sudden blindness.</p><h2>When to visit the vet</h2><p>According to Whoriskey, you should schedule a vet appointment for your sneezing dog if they:</p><ul><li>Continue sneezing throughout the day</li><li>Show signs of discomfort or distress, such as whining</li><li>Have a runny nose or eyes, especially if the discharge is bloody</li><li>Only breathe through their mouth</li><li>Keep pawing at their face</li><li>Refuse to let anyone pet or scratch their head</li></ul><p>The above symptoms could point to a number of conditions, but they all signal a possible medical issue. Whoriskey says it's essential to take your dog to a veterinarian for a proper diagnosis, since treatment generally works best when you catch a disease early. </p><p>Your vet may perform <a href="https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/rhinitis-and-sinusitis-in-dogs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">multiple tests to make a diagnosis</a>, including:</p><ul><li>Visually checking your dog's mouth and nose</li><li>Inspecting their nasal cavity with a small tube called an endoscope</li><li>Running imaging scans, like X-rays or MRIs</li><li>Taking samples of your dog's snot or nose tissue to examine under a microscope</li><li>Depending on what the vet finds, they may prescribe medication, suggest lifestyle changes, or recommend surgery. </li></ul><h2>Insider's takeaway</h2><p>Sometimes dogs sneeze just to be playful or ask for attention. These "fake" sneezes are perfectly natural, but you can always address them with more playtime and training at home. </p><p>Other times, your dog's sneezing comes from a physical issue that may require treatment from a vet — like allergies, infection, or a mite infestation. </p><p>Chances are, your dog's sneezing is no big deal. But sneezing combined with other symptoms,  like a bloody nose, trouble breathing, or refusing to let you touch their head, could mean there's something wrong with your dog's sniffer. So, you'll want to take them to the vet as soon as you can.</p>

8 reasons your dog is sneezing a lot, from nasal infections to tumors, and when to take them to the vet

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Los Angeles County's board of supervisors approved a plan to build a massive mixed-used development on land that's eight times the size of San Francisco.</li><li>The plan previously garnered controversy <strong>among environmental groups that are concerned about rising pollution levels and the destruction of natural habits.</strong></li><li>Now, scientists and locals are worried about wildfire risk, especially in light of the recent California blazes.</li><li>While developers insist they're safeguarding the territory, wildfire experts say the main cause of fires - human activity - can't be accounted for in the project's design. </li></ul><p>Los Angeles has approved a plan to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-plan-for-tejon-centennial-creating-controversy-2018-8">build a mixed-used development</a><span> on land that's eight times the size of San Francisco. </span><span>Earlier this week, the county's board of supervisors voted in favor of the Centennial project, a sprawling suburban oasis that's being touted as a solution to the region's housing shortage. </span></p><p><span>The development could soon introduce around 19,000 new homes LA County, bringing the state closer to <a href="https://laist.com/2017/01/05/socal_needs_homes.php">its goal of adding 100,000 new units</a> per year. Centennial's</span><span> business park is also expected to generate around 23,000 jobs.</span></p><p><em><strong>Read more:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/los-angeles-plan-for-tejon-centennial-creating-controversy-2018-8">A tug-of-war is ongoing over plans to build a new Southern California town on land that's 8 times the size of San Francisco</a></em></p><p><span>There's one major problem: The development would sit on territory that's extremely prone to wildfires.</span></p><p><span>According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the land falls within "high" or "very high" <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-tejon-fire-hazard-20181204-story.html">fire hazard zones</a>, which have seen numerous blazes since the 1960s.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></span></p><p><span>Centennial was reminded of this risk in November with the onset of two major <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/california-wildfires">California wildfires</a>, which claimed more than 90 lives and destroyed around 19,000 homes - the same amount that the project is expected to deliver. </span></p><p>Representatives from the project's developer, <span>Tejon Ranch Co., have said that the new construction provides an opportunity to get things right. </span></p><p><span>"From the beginning of our planning process we've been cognizant of 'fireproofing' Centennial insomuch as any community can be fireproofed," the company's vice president of corporate communications, Barry Zoeller, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-tejon-fire-hazard-20181204-story.html">told the Los Angeles Times</a>.</span></p><p><span>But therein lies the issue. Ma</span>ny scientists and locals <span>insist that the development can't be fireproofed, citing evidence that most wildfires are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/youtube-theories-what-caused-california-wildfires-2018-11">the result of human activities</a> such as neglecting campfires, flinging cigarette butts, burning debris, or committing arson.</span></p><p><span><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to <span>Marko Bourne, a former Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) official who now leads Booz Allen Hamilton's emergency management, disaster assistance, and risk practice, t</span>he only real way to minimize wildfire risk is to avoid living in or next to forested areas.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">The denser we build [in these areas], the more we're going to see destruction," he said.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Only one out of four local supervisors <a href="https://ktla.com/2018/12/11/supervisors-ok-development-of-19000-homes-off-5-freeway-in-tejon-ranch/">pointed to this evidence</a> as a reason to curtail the Centennial project on Tuesday. <span>Supervisor Kathryn Barger</span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> defended the project's use of <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-tejon-ranch-decision-20181211-story.html">flame-resistant materials</a>, and said she was <a href="https://ktla.com/2018/12/11/supervisors-ok-development-of-19000-homes-off-5-freeway-in-tejon-ranch/">relying on the opinion of fire officials</a> who had approved the project<span>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The week before, a scientist at the Center for Biological Diversity <a href="https://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-ol-le-centennial-tejon-ranch-20181206-story.html">wrote in to the LA Times</a> to illustrate the danger.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>"Natural areas that have burned in the past will likely burn again," said scientist Tiffany Yap. "It's only a matter of time before Centennial leads to more human ignitions."</span></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span><span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>The Center for Biological Diversity has released its own campaign called "<a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/campaigns/centennial/">Stop Centennial</a>," which argues that the development would destroy natural wildlife habitats. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span>In <a href="https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/news/press_releases/2018/centennial-development-12-11-2018.php">a statement</a>, an attorney for the center called Centennial "one of the most destructive sprawl projects in county history."</span></span></p>

Los Angeles just greenlit a development on land that's 8 times the size of San Francisco, and scientists are warning it's in wildfire territory

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Rob Price/BI</span></p><p class="caption">Jeff Kirschner, creator of Litterati.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Litterati is an app that encourages users to pick up and track litter.</strong></li><li><strong>It has registered almost 1 million pieces of litter, just received $225,000 grant from the US National <keyword id="41551" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="60" keywordseo="science">Science</keyword> Foundation, and ran a successful Kickstarter campaign.</strong></li><li><strong>It was inspired by trash its founder Jeff Kirschner saw dumped in a creek while out hiking with his kids.</strong></li></ul><p><br />SAN FRANCISCO - Jeff Kirschner has a discarded tub of cat litter to thank for his business.</p><p>A few years ago, he was hiking with his kids when they spotted it dumped in a creek. "Daddy, that doesn't go there," his then-four-year-old daughter complained.</p><p>"I know it sounds cliché, but for me that was the eye-opening moment," he said. Today, he runs Litterati, an app that "gamifies" picking up litter, letting users take photos of what they've collected and track their environmental efforts.</p><p>It's now hitting some major milestones: On December 13, <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/litterati/litterati-join-the-community-thats-cleaning-the-pl">it successfully closed a Kickstarter campaign that raised more than $50,000 for the compan</a>y. To date, its users have picked up almost 1 million pieces of litter around the world (999,809, as of writing).</p><p>And the company has now been awarded a $225,000 grant from the National Science Foundation, a US government agency that funds research and education projects, Kirschner told Business Insider.</p><p>"We're now literally a crowdsourced global community that's cleaning the planet one piece [of litter] at a time," he said.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Litterati</span></p><p class="caption">The first piece of litter Jeff Kirschner picked up -&#xa0;a cigarette butt he posted on Instagram hashtagged #litterati.</p></div><p></p></div></div>Litterati has around 60,000 users Kirschner said, in 115 countries - who collectively log about 10,000 pieces of picked-up litter a week.</p><p>It's small, but so is the team: There are just two full-time employees, including Kirschner, and a handful of people volunteering their time, including three engineers and a community manager.</p><p>However, the two new sources of funding - the grant and the Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign - may help accelerate things.</p><p>The Kickstarter just managed to hit its target - raising $51,432 after asking for $50,000 - and will invest the cash to beef up its app.</p><p>And the National Science Foundation grant will also go towards improving Litterati's tech, Kischner said: "It's an enormous deal, we couldn't be any more thrilled."</p><p>The app plans to let users join groups, so that schools, clubs, and other communities can track their collective efforts rather than having to go solo. It will also introduce maps, so litter-pickers can see what else is being picked up in their neighborhoods.</p><p>The company has a wealth of data, which it already uses for analysis. Second-graders in California mapped more than a thousand pieces of litter on their campus to identify trends, and the company has conducted an analysis of litter distribution in San Francisco for the city, leading to an increase in taxes on cigarettes. (Cigarettes are the second-most commonly tagged item on Litterati, <a href="https://www.litterati.org/">according to its website</a>.)</p><p>But Litterati now plans to more systematically try and analyze the data on litter it is collecting - a likely major long-term source of revenue to sustain the business.</p><p>"Can we provide insight as a service to cities so they can understand exactly what's on their streets ... at any given point in time?" the 46-year-old founder said. "Can we do the same with brands? Can we help a brand understand what is your environmental footprint for your packaging?"</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Litterati.</span></p><p class="caption">A map showing litter distribution in a school playground. Each pin is a piece of litter that was found by a user, and a plastic straw is highlighted.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>The company doesn't currently have any public partnerships with companies, though Kirschner said well-known brands have reached out to it, including a "very well-known coffee company" asking about the data Litterati holds on it.</p><p>"This is a massive problem," Kirschner said about litter. "It impacts the economy, the environment, it degrades community pride, it decreases property value, it kills wildlife, and now with the plastic pollution in the ocean situation, it is literally poisoning our food system."</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-memes-covfefe-spongebob-white-guy-blinking-salt-bae-cash-me-ousside-2017-12">The 9 best memes of 2017</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

An app that tries to make picking up trash fun just got a $225,000 cash injection from the US government

<p><div class="image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image"><p class="source">Shutterstock</p></div></div></div><em>This post is sponsored by <a href="http://www.responsibility.ups.com/Sustainability" target="_blank">UPS</a>.</em></p>
<p><em></em>Why would a corporation want to make itself more sustainable? Because it's good <keyword id="6355515" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="Business">business</keyword>.</p>
<p>It takes real effort (and a lot of moving parts) to change a big company, but those with serious <keyword id="49089" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sustainability">sustainability</keyword> goals can become more efficient, improve their reputations, and find new business opportunities.</p>
<p>Here are four major corporations - a car manufacturer, a furniture retailer, a food packager, and a bank - with one thing in common: They're all trying to carry out ambitious sustainability plans. </p>
<h2><strong>Heading Back To The Farm</strong></h2>
<p><strong></strong>Leading packaged food-maker <strong>General Mills</strong> has a long history in sustainability: Back in the 1930s, its Green Giant brand encouraged crop rotation as a way to protect farmland from the then-devastating Dust Bowl. According to its most recent <a href="http://www.generalmills.com/~/media/Files/CSR/2013_global_respon_report.ashx" target="_blank">sustainability report</a>, General Mills plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy usage, and water usage by 20% within two years, and solid waste generation by 50%. </p>
<p>But as its operations got cleaner, the company discovered a larger problem at the beginning of its supply chain. The farms where General Mills gets raw materials such as corn, oats, and sugar <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/general-mills-commits-to-sustainably-source-10-priority-ingredients-by-2020-225198912.html" target="_blank">are responsible for</a> nearly two-thirds of the company's overall greenhouse gas emissions and 99% of its water usage.</p>
<p>Top suppliers must now complete a scorecard on how much energy and water they use, along with how much greenhouse gas and solid waste they generate. Over time, General Mills will favor the cleaner suppliers in its purchasing. The company is working with the World Wildlife Fund to meet its goal of <a href="http://www.generalmills.com/Responsibility/Sourcing.aspx" target="_blank">sustainably sourcing 100% of its top 10 ingredients</a> by 2020.</p>
<h2>Feel Better About Assembling That Bookcase</h2>
<p>Swedish company <strong>Ikea</strong> is the world's largest furniture retailer, with stores in 26 countries. It says 91% of its main home furnishing materials, including packaging, are made from renewable, recyclable, or recycled goods. By the end of fiscal 2014, 100% of it will be. Worldwide, Ikea is investing $2.01 billion in solar and wind energy.</p>
<p>Ikea uses wood in a lot of its products, but wood isn't automatically sustainable if it's been logged illegally or taken from forests that aren't managed responsibly. The retailer partners with various nonprofits to support responsible forestry. In addition, the company is encouraging sustainability at home. As Ikea's <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/sustainability_report/sustainability_report_2012.pdf" target="_blank">sustainability report</a> states, "To change behavior, it's important to find approaches that are relevant to how people actually live."</p>
<p>To that end, they sell energy efficient appliances, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30167932/" target="_blank">recycling bins for small kitchens</a>, and lamps <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/search/?query=led+lamps" target="_blank">pre-fitted with energy-efficient LEDs</a> (by the end of 2016, all the lighting they sell will be converted to LED). In the U.K., <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ikea-selling-solar-panels-in-uk-2013-9" target="_blank">they are selling solar panels directly to the consumer</a> and <a href="http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/11/13/ikea-charging-electric-cars" target="_blank">also letting customers with electric vehicles get free fast-charges for their cars</a> while they shop. </p>
<h2>Pushing Fewer Papers</h2>
<p>The financial services behemoth <strong>Bank of America</strong> has <a href="http://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/csr-report-2012/environmental-sustainability.html#fbid=ZUGxIEl9Rkd" target="_blank">announced</a> a 10-year goal to invest $50 billion (on top of $20 billion already invested) toward for-profit projects devoted to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative transportation. BofA says the move will create jobs and generate profits. </p>
<p>Recently, BofA examined its procedures and supply chain, cutting down on paper consumption by 20%. And by managing energy better and consolidating office space, the bank also reduced energy usage by 25% and water usage by 20%. </p>
<p>BofA volunteers are encouraged to participate in various conservation efforts, such as the Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup. Each September, BofA volunteers spend a day picking up cigarette butts, food wrappers, fishing nets, and appliances polluting our waterways. Other efforts include a $250,000 grant from their foundation to conduct urban forest assessments in five U.S. cities. </p>
<h2>Where Did That Car Seat Come From?</h2>
<p class="intro"><strong>Ford</strong> conducts a <a href="http://corporate.ford.com/microsites/sustainability-report-2012-13/blueprint-materiality">public analysis</a> of its sustainability strengths and weaknesses, with goals prioritized on a <a href="http://corporate.ford.com/microsites/sustainability-report-2012-13/blueprint-materiality-matrix" target="_blank">decision matrix</a>. Among other initiatives, they've reduced their global water use by more than 10 billion gallons.</p>
<p class="intro">The car manufacturer tries to make its supply chain transparent so they'll know the original source of all of its raw materials - which sounds like it should be an easy process, but it actually isn't for a huge global corporation like Ford. That's because Ford's suppliers often have their<em> own</em> suppliers, making it difficult to find out the point of origin for something like the leather used in car seats or the chrome used on the trim. Ford is also actively working toward making sure there is no forced labor or trafficking anywhere in the chain. </p>
<p>Along with Bank of America, Ford is an investor in a billion-dollar "green bond" that has been set up to support "climate smart" investments in emerging markets, <a href="http://www.greenbiz.com/blog/2013/11/08/ford-microsoft-invest-green-bond?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRoluarOZKXonjHpfsX66esvXaeylMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4CTMZlI%2BSLDwEYGJlv6SgFSLHEMa5qw7gMXRQ%3D" target="_blank">according to GreenBiz.com</a>.</p>
<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #999999; margin-bottom: 10px; font-size: 15px!important; line-height: 25px; overflow: auto; vertical-align: middle;"><em>For more about logistics and sustainability, <a href="http://www.responsibility.ups.com/Sustainability" target="_blank">visit UPS.com</a>. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/destination-sustainable"> <strong>Read more Destination Sustainable posts »</strong></a></em></div>
<p>Find out <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sponsor-posts">more about Sponsor Posts.</a></p>

You Searched For "cigarette butt pollution" and got 9 results

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