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The Truth Behind the Paris Agreement Climate Pledges
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The Truth Behind the Paris Agreement Climate Pledges

Only 28 European Union nations & 7 others will reduce emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030 China & India, top emitters, will reduce emissions intensity, but their emissions will increase U.S., second top emitter, has reversed key national policies to combat climate change Almost 70 percent of the pledges rely on funding from...

Food Waste in Tourism Is a Bigger Issue Than Previously Thought
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Food Waste in Tourism Is a Bigger Issue Than Previously Thought

There are major gaps in how food waste in tourism is understood and calculated, according to researchers at the University of Eastern Finland and the University of Southern California. Food waste originating from hotels, restaurants and events is recognized and can be estimated and calculated, but as the tourism industry is becoming more and more...

Online Tool Speeds Response to Elephant Poaching by Tracing Ivory to Source
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Online Tool Speeds Response to Elephant Poaching by Tracing Ivory to Source

A new tool uses an interactive database of geographic and genetic information to help authorities quickly identify where the confiscated tusks of African elephants were originally poached. Developed by an international team of researchers, the Loxodonta Localizer matches genetic sequences from poached ivory to those stored in the database. It relies on genetic information from a small, highly...

Poverty May Be More Critical to Cognitive Function Than Trauma in Adolescent Refugees
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Poverty May Be More Critical to Cognitive Function Than Trauma in Adolescent Refugees

For approximately a decade, research has examined whether trauma or poverty is the most powerful influence on children’s cognitive abilities. To address this question, a new study compared adolescents in Jordan–refugees and nonrefugees–to determine what kinds of experiences affected their executive function (the higher-order cognitive skills needed for thinking abstractly, making decisions, and carrying out...

Potentially Large Economic Impacts of Climate Change Can Be Avoided by Human Actions
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Potentially Large Economic Impacts of Climate Change Can Be Avoided by Human Actions

People are less motivated to take actions if its outcome is uncertain, and this could be true for climate-related issues. The uncertainty in climate response to the increase in greenhouse gas concentration, which is often believed to be substantially large, makes it difficult to believe the benefit of reducing emissions or the effectiveness of making...

Africa’s Catholic Churches Face Competition and a Troubled Legacy as They Grow
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Africa’s Catholic Churches Face Competition and a Troubled Legacy as They Grow

Pope Francis has completed his seven-day tour of three African countries: Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. It was a significant trip for a number of reasons. During his visit, the pope spoke on issues of peace and ecological sustainability that these countries are facing. Mozambique recently signed a peace accord with longtime rebels, and the country...

Fetching Water Increases Risk of Childhood Death
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Fetching Water Increases Risk of Childhood Death

Water fetching is associated with poor health outcomes for women and children, including a higher risk of death – according to new research from the University of East Anglia. A new study reveals that adults collecting water is associated with increased risk of childhood death, and children collecting water is associated with increased risk of...

Europe Warming Faster Than Expected Due to Climate Change
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Europe Warming Faster Than Expected Due to Climate Change

Climate change is increasing the number of days of extreme heat and decreasing the number of days of extreme cold in Europe, posing a risk for residents in the coming decades, according to a new study. Temperatures in Europe have hit record highs this summer, passing 46.0 degrees Celsius (114.8 degrees Fahrenheit) in southern France....