Latest Stories from Jessica
These European airports are among the world’s most polluting
Fresh analysis shows how major airports contribute to climate change and air pollution, placing policymakers under further pressure to reconcile the conflict between the industry's growth and their own climate goals. A new analysis has shed light on just how much the world's most bustling airports are contributing to climate change and air pollution. The 2024 Airport Tracker is a collaborative effort between the think tank ODI and Transport...
Slovakia is turning old cigarette butts into asphalt roads
Around Bratislava, containers specially designed for cigarette butts have been set up by the local council. Once full, their contents are being upcycled into asphalt roads, preventing tons of chemicals and plastic waste from entering the natural environment. Every day, a whopping 18 billion cigarette butts are thrown away. Over a single year, that amounts to more than six trillion cigarettes – but only one-third of these will be properly...
Will Samsung’s smart ring usher in a new era of wearable tech?
As consumers become increasingly interested in tracking their health status with help from wearable tech, could Samsung’s smart ring make smartwatches a thing of the past? Modern life is all about data. Banking apps notify us about changes in our month-to-month spending habits, music apps reveal how many minutes we spent jamming this year, and our phones and smart watches track everything from the number of steps we take each...
Man who self-immolated in front of Israeli embassy in Washington dies
US Air Force member Aaron Bushnell died after setting himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy in Washington DC. His last words were ‘Free Palestine’. On Sunday afternoon, 25-year-old Aaron Bushnell filmed himself walking towards the Israeli embassy in Washington DC while wearing his military uniform. Broadcasting on Twitch live stream, he said: ‘My name is Aaron Bushnell. I am an active duty member of the US Air Force...
EU criminalises serious cases of environmental destruction
The European Union has become the first international body to criminalise acts comparable to ecocide. Ecocide is a case of severe environmental destruction which leads to habitat loss and, ultimately, crimes against humanity. For far too long, major companies have engaged in practices that are destroying our planet with little to no consequences. Those days may soon be coming to an end. In a landmark ruling, the European Union has criminalized...
Spain becomes latest European nation to ban short-haul domestic flights
Back in November, the Spanish government proposed a ban on flights that take less than 2.5 hours by train. Confirmation that the law will come into effect soon signals a win for the environment – but is it too good to be true? In efforts to reduce its national carbon footprint, Spain has become the latest European country to ban domestic flights travelling distances reachable within 2.5 hours by train. The...
Lawsuit filed against dating apps claims they are ‘fuelling addiction’
Since the emergence of online dating apps almost a decade ago, they’ve become one of the most common ways new couples meet. However, some users are claiming that their addictive nature is causing harm to our relationships and mental health. On Valentine’s Day, six dating app users filed a proposed class-action lawsuit accusing Tinder, Hinge, and other dating apps of using addictive, game-like features to encourage ‘compulsive use.’ Filed in the...
Study finds that deep ocean dwellers are full of microplastics
Microplastics are everywhere. In our homes, bloodstreams, and even in human placentas. New research shows these pesky plastic particles have even reached the deepest parts of the ocean – and they’re being eaten by sea creatures. Considering humans have been using non-biodegradable and non-recyclable plastic since the early 60s, there probably isn’t a single part of the planet that hasn’t been touched by fossil-fuel based materials. Various kinds of plastic have...
Are these drive-in parks the ‘petrol stations’ of the future?
A new kind of refueling station has popped up in the Danish town of Sønderborg. Rather than filling up on petrol, the facility has been designed to allow drivers to ‘recharge their minds’ alongside their electric vehicles. Most petrol stations only look good when captured on a retro film camera in low lighting, but the locations where we power up our vehicles could be about to get a massive makeover. This...
The case of Bobbi Althoff encapsulates how fickle internet fame can be
Becoming famous overnight is a common dream for many young people today. That said, longevity is never guaranteed and no one is spared from the hypercritical, fickle tastes of online audiences. Last summer, 26-year-old Bobbi Althoff shot to immediate internet fame as the host of The Really Good Podcast. Her content is best described as off the cuff, so-awkward-they’re-almost-cringe conversations with global stars including Drake, Lil Yachty, Shaq, Jessica Alba,...
