🌞 Toxic Plastic Ban

Daily Upsider - Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Thursday, June 20th, 2024

Good Morning! 🌞 

Ever wondered how life can exist in the pitch-black depths of the ocean? Around hydrothermal vents, unique ecosystems thrive without sunlight. Instead of relying on photosynthesis, these remarkable organisms utilize chemosynthesis, deriving energy from chemicals like hydrogen sulfide emitted by the vents.

Today’s Upside

Environment

Washington State Bans Single-Use Foam

In 2021, Washington state passed a law banning single-use polystyrene food and drink containers, which has now taken effect.

Polystyrene, made from fragile hollow beads of various plastics, is considered one of the most environmentally harmful plastics. Despite its lightweight, durable, and insulating properties, it remains in use for packaging and other applications. Polystyrene can take over 1,000 years to decompose, releasing microplastics into soil and water throughout that time.

According to Oceana, at least 11 states have enacted laws to phase out expanded polystyrene foam. The environmental group advocates for nationwide bans on the material. Seattle prohibited foam food containers approximately 15 years ago, and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek signed a similar law last year.

Although recycling polystyrene is possible, Washington’s Department of Ecology notes it is costly and most residential recycling programs do not accept it. Food residue complicates recycling further, which is why the ban targets takeaway containers. Polystyrene can also blow around and contaminate other materials during transport and at recycling facilities.

Violators of the ban will face fines but also receive support and resources to help them find alternative container options. Possible replacements include aluminum containers, which are reusable and provide better insulation for food.

I am not usually in favor of bans like this, but these types of styrofoam are really bad for you health, as well as the environment. Whether you use bans or not, moving away from using this stuff will be good for us all. Also, they make everything taste like styrofoam.

Science

First Human to Spend 1,000 Days in Outer Space

Oleg Kononenko during a 2012 spacewalk – NASA.

Oleg Kononenko has become the first human to log 1,000 days in space over a 16-year career on the ISS.

This achievement comes during his fifth spaceflight and third term as ISS commander. In February, he surpassed the previous record of 878 days set by fellow Roscosmos cosmonaut Gennady Padalka.

Kononenko arrived at the ISS last September aboard the Soyuz MS-24 with cosmonaut Nikolai Chub and NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara. He is set to return in four months, at which point his long-term space exposure will make him an invaluable subject for human biology research.

As space missions grow longer with initiatives like the Artemis Accords and the International Lunar Research Station, understanding the effects of prolonged space travel on the human body is critical. Kononenko's extended periods in low-Earth orbit will provide essential data for studying the impacts on eye health, bone density, blood flow, radiation exposure, and space motion sickness.

Emmanuel Urquieta, former chief medical officer at the Translational Research Institute for Space Health, emphasized the importance of this research, noting the need for comprehensive data from missions extending up to 900 days. This information is crucial for ensuring the health and safety of astronauts on future missions to Mars.

Born in Turkmenistan, Kononenko has completed over 18 hours of spacewalks, conducting experiments, repairs, and maintenance on the ISS. His distinguished career includes a rare nighttime re-entry in December 2015 and accolades such as the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal and the NASA Space Flight Medal.

Culture

Man’s Daily Gratitude Gone Viral

TodayIAmGrateful

Social media has somewhat of a bad reputation when it comes to mental health. However, one man is flipping the script by promoting something that can make a true difference: gratitude.

Using the handle Today.IAm.Grateful, 39-year-old college administrator David shares short, daily videos expressing appreciation for everything from salt to ceiling fans and cell service. His message clearly resonates with those looking to slow down and cultivate thankfulness, as he’s garnered over 340,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram since launching his accounts.

David’s journey to gratitude has been a conscious effort. He started his TikTok channel in the summer of 2023 after struggling with mental health issues, including anxiety, lack of confidence, and excessive self-criticism. Encouraged by a friend, he began incorporating intentional activities to improve his mental health, one of which was a gratitude practice.

“The traditional instruction is to list three things each day that you are grateful for,” the father of three explained in an email interview with Nice News. “I was in such a bad place that the idea of having to think of three was giving me anxiety! So I changed it. I decided I would think of just one thing each day to be grateful for. I could handle that. And I would just repeat that one thing and focus on it all day long.” 

He started by writing down that one thing in a journal but found it challenging to maintain consistency. That’s when he decided to start a video journal, hoping it would help keep him accountable. Within two weeks of posting, he was feeling better and hasn’t missed a day since. It’s safe to say that many of his followers also tune into his feed daily.

@today.iam.grateful

My car battery died (*flat for you Aussies). My first reaction was frustration. I was like, what in the world – it’s never done this bef... See more

“I discovered that what I had been needing in my life was needed by thousands of people around the world,” said David. He receives an abundance of positive comments and messages from people expressing how much his account has helped them. He attributes his viral success to the simplicity of his approach: “Even if we are overwhelmed, busy, or in a poor mental state, we can process one simple gratitude expressed in just a few seconds!”

“Do it. It’s not easy to start, and never will be,” said David. “You have to choose it on purpose. Just like working out, you have to strengthen the ‘gratitude muscle’ in your brain. Start simple like I did. What’s just one thing you are grateful for today?” 

@today.iam.grateful

Today I’m grateful for my water hose. I was thinking today what I would have to do if I did not have one. Without a water hose, I would ha... See more

Here’s another video of his daily gratitude— don’t forget to send some encouraging messages to your friends today too! 🌞 

@today.iam.grateful

Today I’m grateful for encouraging messages from friends. This is your sign that it’s time to send one. Can you think of one or two people... See more

Mind Stretchers

⁉️ 

What is the 4-digit number (no zeros) in which the first and last digits are the same, the second digit is half the sum of the second and the fourth, and the last digit is half the sum of the first and third?  (the sum of all digits is 24)

Yesterday’s Answers to the Mind Stretchers:
37

Gerry Moore got the correct answer first!

Be the first to send us the correct answer for today’s mind stretcher for a shout-out with the answer tomorrow. Just send us the answer and your name to [email protected] or reply to email.


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