Environment

Plastic Perils

A new U.N. report documents how plastic contaminants are building up in the soil around the world. “We are starting to understand that the buildup of plastic can have wide-ranging impacts on soil health, biodiversity and productivity,” said co-author Elaine Baker of the University of Sydney.

The report warns that as plastic breaks down, it interferes with the ability of plants to absorb water and nutrients in their roots and for water to be stored in the soil. Plastics are used extensively in agriculture, from plastic-coated seeds to protective wraps used over crops to modify soil temperature and prevent weed growth.

Smoke Pollution

A string of wildfires darkened skies Wednesday and Thursday in the Pacific Northwest, where residents of the normally lush, green region experienced the world's worst air pollution. Seattle and Portland, Oregon, were first and second, respectively, in the global ranking of places with the poorest air quality, according to IQAir, a Swiss company that measures air pollution.

The quality was worse than in places like Beijing, New Delhi and Lahore, Pakistan, which more frequently struggle with air pollution.