Latest Stories from Jessica
Bermuda is on a mission to expand its marine conservation laws
Through consultation with residents and local fishermen, Bermuda is looking to expand its ocean conservation efforts. Named The Blue Prosperity Plan, the project will attract global investors to its Blue Economic Zone in exchange for protecting its vibrant marine habitats. The island of Bermuda is often referred to as the ‘jewel of the Atlantic,’ and for good reason. Though commonly mistaken as part of the Caribbean, Bermuda is located in complete...
Pathogenic fungi could get stronger as the climate grows warmer
While mushrooms may now be helping combat depression, not all fungi are friends. Evolved types, such as pathogenic fungi, pose a threat to human health and studies warn that climate change could increase their potency. We’ve been warned time and time again about the human health risks posed by a warmer climate. Fighting off infection, reducing the spread of viruses, and stopping novel and dangerous pathogens from travelling between animals and...
Can made-to-order clothing brands slow our fashion consumption?
In the last few decades, we’ve fallen into a vortex of quick consumption and rapid throwaway when it comes to fashion items. As vintage shopping and rental services gain widespread popularity, could slowing down the production of fashion altogether be next? Inside global warehouses, an unthinkable number of clothing items sit on shelves waiting to be purchased. With fast fashion brands dominating the market and producing thousands of identical styles, the...
WhatsApp could end UK services over upcoming Online Safety Bill
The UK’s Online Safety Bill is due to come into effect by the end of this year, but its rules conflict with WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption feature. The messaging app’s leaders are refusing to weaken their privacy standards when 98 percent of its users are located elsewhere. For most users of the platform, WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption feature is a benefit. It acts as a guaranteed layer of security, ensuring that only those...
Study reveals Europe’s dangerous ‘forever chemical hotspots’
In-depth research conducted by the Forever Pollution Project in collaboration with Le Monde and The Guardian has revealed that a massive 17,000 sites in Europe and the UK are plagued by dangerous levels of forever chemicals. We’ve heard a lot about ‘forever chemicals’ and their effects on human health in the last few years. At the moment, we know there are 4,700 different kinds of forever chemicals circulating the market. These...
Why the Facemega deepfake app is a slippery slope
Accessing deepfake technology is getting easier. With the majority of people choosing to use it for sinister reasons, it’s hard to ignore that the negative consequences of the novel tech might outweigh its benefits. The negative and dangerous consequences of deepfakes have been heatedly discussed since AI technology made its way into the mainstream in 2017. Experts have warned that their widespread use, combined with constantly improving AI learning systems,...
Opinion – Dating apps ruin the experience of falling in love
From selecting a potential partner based on vague information on a phone screen to the weighty implications of meeting within a platform designed to transform strangers into couples, have ‘dating apps’ taken the fun out of falling in love? If you met your significant other through close friends, family, or acquaintances, this article might not be for you. If you found your life partner on a dating app, this also...
UN finalises the High Seas Treaty after two decades of negotiations
Last year, ocean conservationists grew worried as nations failed to sign the High Seas Treaty for the fifth time. But over the weekend, the UN achieved momentous success – it received signatures from leaders of 193 countries to protect one of the planet’s largest and most precious resources. It’s the day many were starting to believe would never come. After more than two decades of negotiating, the UN has finally reached...
Tequila and mezcal production could be halted by climate change
Making tequila and mezcal requires agave syrup extracted from a virtually climate-resistant plant. But the only animal that pollinates this special plant is rapidly disappearing as its natural habitat and food sources succumb to a warming world. It’s Friday and you know what that means. Millions of people will be heading out to their local watering hole for happy hour, with many choosing to sip on the popular and delicious margarita. You...
Climate change forces winemakers to turn to ancient grapes
Workers at vineyards around the world are asking themselves: what do the people want? Well, wine, of course. But providing that as our climate grows warmer will require resorting to grape varieties that are currently on the brink of extinction. Global winemakers are facing a serious dilemma. As a result of climate change, their once-reliant grape vines are starting to produce fruit with altered tastes. Sometimes, the grapes hardly grow at...
