SEWAGE spilled directly into Scotland’s rivers, lochs and seas at least 12,000 times last year, new figures reveal – but the true figure is likely much higher. Data obtained via a freedom of information request shows that there were 12,238 ‘overflow events’ from Wastewater Treatment Works (WwTWs) and Sewage Pumping Stations (SPS) reported by Scottish Water in 2020. This means sewage is discharged directly into Scotland’s waters, including habitats for rare and important species and others used by swimmers, surfers and anglers. Scottish Water says it is necessary at times, such as when the system is overwhelmed by heavy rainfall. However, campaigners have described the figures as “shocking,” warning that the discharges are “incredibly damaging to both the environment and human health”.
More than 1,000 demonstrators gathered in the shallow waters off Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth to protest at the destruction of the oceans by polluting nations.
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Covid-19 has brought more than its fair share of woes. Not least has been its deleterious effect on the environment. How? Well, it’s sent consumption of fizzy drinks from single-use cans and plastic bottles through the roof. And it’s derailed plans for the UK’s biggest-ever initiative to ensure drinks packaging is recycled, the deposit return scheme.
In short, it’s been a disaster for the Earth’s oceans – where the amount of plastic waste is expected to triple in the next 20 years, according to a paper published last July in the journal Science.
In 2020, shoppers took home 561.7 million more single-use cans of cola, lemonade, fruit carbonates and mixers than they did in 2019, bringing total sales to 2.9 billion cans. More than 710.4 million plastic pop bottles were taken home, a rise of 102.6 million [Kantar 52 w/e 27 December 2020].
GLADWIN COUNTY â Businesses throughout Gladwin County have been faced with a constant struggle to survive since March 2020, and each business is facing different hardships than their neighbor. As 2021 approaches, people, including business owners, look for a fresh start and hope for a brighter year. However, without any declaration from the state government, a fresh start is hard to do for business owners.Â
Since March, Michigan residents have been in and out of periods of lockdowns and shut-ins that have been frequent enough for many to not know when itâs okay to go out and when itâs not. Following the first confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Michigan on March 18, the stay-at-home executive order was implemented on March 24. This order limited all non-essential travel and shutdown all non-essential businesses including restaurants/bars, barber shops/hair salons, movie theaters, and merchandise stores to name only a few examples. These business owners were ordered to clo