WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.899 Welcome back to Meteorology Matters. If you love 00:00:02.899 --> 00:00:05.320 all things weather, make sure you hit that subscribe 00:00:05.320 --> 00:00:07.660 button over on YouTube, Rob Jones Hurricane, 00:00:07.940 --> 00:00:10.640 to stay updated on all the latest episodes. You 00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:13.859 can find me, meteorologist Rob Jones, on Instagram 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:16.620 and TikTok, meteorologist and TV meteorologist, 00:00:17.059 --> 00:00:19.140 for a glimpse behind the scenes of the weather 00:00:19.140 --> 00:00:22.219 world. Today, we're going on a journey to discover 00:00:22.219 --> 00:00:25.339 an unexpected connection. The link between those 00:00:25.339 --> 00:00:28.160 everyday cleaning products we use and, well, 00:00:28.300 --> 00:00:30.620 the weather patterns we experience. Yeah, it's 00:00:30.620 --> 00:00:32.299 pretty amazing, isn't it? You know, we tend to 00:00:32.299 --> 00:00:34.100 think of those cleaning products as staying put 00:00:34.100 --> 00:00:36.899 in our homes, but as we'll see today, their impact 00:00:36.899 --> 00:00:39.460 can actually go way beyond our walls. Definitely. 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:42.640 So let's dive right in. When we talk about microplastics, 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:44.579 what exactly are we talking about? I kind of 00:00:44.579 --> 00:00:46.299 remember those microbead controversies a while 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:48.960 back. Is this like a continuation of that or 00:00:48.960 --> 00:00:50.759 is there more to it? You're right. There's more 00:00:50.759 --> 00:00:53.479 to the story than just those microbeads. Think 00:00:53.479 --> 00:00:57.280 of microplastics as basically any plastic fragment 00:00:57.280 --> 00:00:59.600 that's smaller than five millimeters. They come 00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:02.539 in two main types. Primary microplastics, which 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:04.560 are added to products on purpose, like those 00:01:04.560 --> 00:01:07.420 microbeads you mentioned, and secondary microplastics, 00:01:07.500 --> 00:01:10.340 which form when larger plastic items like bottles 00:01:10.340 --> 00:01:13.319 or packaging break down. So we're talking about 00:01:13.319 --> 00:01:15.620 tiny plastic particles coming from all sorts 00:01:15.620 --> 00:01:18.519 of places. But I mean, how big of a problem is 00:01:18.519 --> 00:01:20.560 this really? Are we talking trace amounts here 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:24.890 or is this something more widespread? Well, unfortunately, 00:01:24.950 --> 00:01:27.730 it's more widespread than many realize. These 00:01:27.730 --> 00:01:29.969 microplastics have basically made their way into 00:01:29.969 --> 00:01:32.790 all our ecosystems, from the depths of the oceans 00:01:32.790 --> 00:01:35.209 to the soil beneath our feet, and even in our 00:01:35.209 --> 00:01:37.290 food, drinking water, and the air we breathe. 00:01:37.870 --> 00:01:40.569 And what's concerning is that many everyday products, 00:01:40.750 --> 00:01:43.170 even those we use for cleaning, can be contributing 00:01:43.170 --> 00:01:45.230 to this. Hold on. Cleaning products. I'm having 00:01:45.230 --> 00:01:47.030 a hard time picturing how something like, say, 00:01:47.290 --> 00:01:48.969 laundry detergent could be a part of this. Can 00:01:48.969 --> 00:01:51.329 you give us some concrete examples? Absolutely. 00:01:51.530 --> 00:01:54.280 Let's take laundry pods, for instance. They often 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:57.319 contain a plastic called polyvinyl alcohol, or 00:01:57.319 --> 00:01:59.579 PVA, which is designed to dissolve in water. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:02.099 But studies have shown that a good portion of 00:02:02.099 --> 00:02:04.340 it might not actually be breaking down completely 00:02:04.340 --> 00:02:09.629 during wastewater treatment. disappear in the 00:02:09.629 --> 00:02:12.389 wash, they could be leaving behind these microplastic 00:02:12.389 --> 00:02:14.729 residues. That's a bit unnerving. It is. And 00:02:14.729 --> 00:02:16.810 it's not just limited to laundry pods either. 00:02:17.229 --> 00:02:19.710 Some types of sponges, toilet bowl cleaners, 00:02:19.789 --> 00:02:22.629 and even furniture polishes can contain or release 00:02:22.629 --> 00:02:25.969 microplastics when we use them. Wow. OK. So our 00:02:25.969 --> 00:02:28.969 cleaning routines could be unintentionally contributing 00:02:28.969 --> 00:02:32.229 to this whole microplastic problem. But I'm still 00:02:32.229 --> 00:02:35.080 a bit confused. How do these tiny particles from 00:02:35.080 --> 00:02:37.520 our homes end up impacting something as huge 00:02:37.520 --> 00:02:40.000 and complex as the weather? That's a great question. 00:02:40.039 --> 00:02:42.060 It really shows how interconnected everything 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:44.500 is on our planet. Think about it. You wash your 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:46.900 clothes and those microplastics, along with the 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:49.199 water, travel down the drain and into the wastewater 00:02:49.199 --> 00:02:51.539 treatment system. But treatment plants aren't 00:02:51.539 --> 00:02:54.199 always able to catch every single microplastic. 00:02:54.419 --> 00:02:56.699 So what happens to those that slip through? Well, 00:02:56.800 --> 00:02:58.840 some of them end up in our rivers and lakes, 00:02:58.919 --> 00:03:01.479 and eventually the oceans, where they can harm 00:03:01.479 --> 00:03:04.449 marine life. But here's where it gets even more 00:03:04.449 --> 00:03:08.669 interesting. Microplastics can also become airborne. 00:03:09.229 --> 00:03:11.129 They can be picked up by the wind and travel 00:03:11.129 --> 00:03:13.969 incredibly long distances, reaching even the 00:03:13.969 --> 00:03:16.550 most remote parts of the world, like the Arctic. 00:03:16.909 --> 00:03:19.229 Wait, you're telling me those tiny bits of plastic 00:03:19.229 --> 00:03:21.229 from our cleaning products could be floating 00:03:21.229 --> 00:03:23.069 around in the atmosphere? That's something I 00:03:23.069 --> 00:03:25.379 never would have thought of. It's pretty mind 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:27.840 -blowing, right? And what's even more fascinating, 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:30.080 and maybe a bit alarming, is that scientists 00:03:30.080 --> 00:03:32.240 are starting to understand how these airborne 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:34.939 microplastics could actually be influencing the 00:03:34.939 --> 00:03:38.280 weather patterns we see. Really? How so? Can 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:39.780 you tell us more about that? Well, think about 00:03:39.780 --> 00:03:42.840 how clouds form. They need these minuscule particles, 00:03:43.219 --> 00:03:46.379 called condensation nuclei, for water vapor to 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:49.900 condense around, and, you guessed it, microplastics 00:03:49.900 --> 00:03:52.939 can act as those nuclei. You're saying that microplastics 00:03:52.939 --> 00:03:55.060 could actually be helping to form clouds? What 00:03:55.060 --> 00:03:57.259 kind of effect did that have? That's exactly 00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:59.819 what researchers are trying to figure out. If 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:02.520 microplastics are playing a role in cloud formation, 00:04:02.919 --> 00:04:05.120 they could also be impacting rainfall patterns, 00:04:05.620 --> 00:04:07.680 potentially affecting where and how much rain 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:10.620 or snow we get. That's incredible. It's amazing 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:12.740 how something as simple as cleaning our homes 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:14.699 could be influencing the weather on such a large 00:04:14.699 --> 00:04:17.750 scale. It really does show you how interconnected 00:04:17.750 --> 00:04:20.790 everything is on our planet, and how even seemingly 00:04:20.790 --> 00:04:23.689 small actions can have far -reaching consequences. 00:04:24.389 --> 00:04:27.389 Absolutely. But beyond the environmental impact, 00:04:27.709 --> 00:04:29.430 I also can't help but think about the potential 00:04:29.430 --> 00:04:31.870 health effects of these microplastics. We're 00:04:31.870 --> 00:04:34.850 talking about tiny plastic particles that can 00:04:34.850 --> 00:04:37.389 get into our water, food, and even the air we 00:04:37.389 --> 00:04:40.149 breathe. That can't be good, right? You're right 00:04:40.149 --> 00:04:42.149 to be concerned. There's a growing amount of 00:04:42.149 --> 00:04:43.990 research looking into the potential health effects 00:04:43.990 --> 00:04:46.810 of microplastics. And while we still need more 00:04:46.810 --> 00:04:48.949 research, some of the findings are definitely 00:04:48.949 --> 00:04:51.689 raising red flags. Can you give us some specific 00:04:51.689 --> 00:04:54.000 examples of what researchers are finding? Well, 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:55.899 let's go back to that study we mentioned earlier 00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:59.360 about laundry pods and PVA. Researchers estimated 00:04:59.360 --> 00:05:02.339 that a significant percentage of that PVA, maybe 00:05:02.339 --> 00:05:06.360 as much as 77%, could be sticking around in the 00:05:06.360 --> 00:05:08.600 environment even after going through wastewater 00:05:08.600 --> 00:05:12.500 treatment. 77%. That's a huge amount. But why 00:05:12.500 --> 00:05:14.680 should we be worried about PVA in particular? 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:17.889 Well, PVA itself is a type of microplastic. And 00:05:17.889 --> 00:05:20.410 some studies have linked exposure to microplastics 00:05:20.410 --> 00:05:22.870 with various health issues, including inflammation, 00:05:23.370 --> 00:05:25.670 oxidative stress, and even potential hormone 00:05:25.670 --> 00:05:28.269 disruption. That's definitely concerning. But 00:05:28.269 --> 00:05:30.629 you mentioned earlier that more research is needed. 00:05:30.910 --> 00:05:33.209 What are some of the key areas that scientists 00:05:33.209 --> 00:05:36.069 are focusing on to understand the full extent 00:05:36.069 --> 00:05:38.569 of the potential health risks? That's a great 00:05:38.569 --> 00:05:40.680 question. Researchers are really digging into 00:05:40.680 --> 00:05:43.279 several areas. One focus is understanding how 00:05:43.279 --> 00:05:45.560 microplastics are absorbed and distributed throughout 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:47.720 the body. Do they just pass through or are they 00:05:47.720 --> 00:05:49.639 building up in certain organs? And if they are 00:05:49.639 --> 00:05:52.379 accumulating, what are the potential long -term 00:05:52.379 --> 00:05:55.160 effects of that? Exactly. Researchers are also 00:05:55.160 --> 00:05:57.620 looking at how microplastics interact with our 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:00.259 cells and tissues. Do they cause inflammation? 00:06:00.860 --> 00:06:03.720 Do they interfere with important cellular processes? 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:06.319 These are all crucial questions that we need 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:08.879 answers to. It's a bit unsettling to think that 00:06:08.879 --> 00:06:12.819 we're still figuring out the full extent of the 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:15.079 potential health risks associated with these 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:17.560 microplastics. It's definitely a complex issue, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.920 and it's important to approach it with scientific 00:06:19.920 --> 00:06:22.319 curiosity and a commitment to understanding all 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:25.199 the details. Absolutely. It's all about understanding 00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:27.500 the risks so we can make informed decisions and 00:06:27.500 --> 00:06:30.300 protect ourselves and future generations. So 00:06:30.300 --> 00:06:33.100 given what we know so far, are there any practical 00:06:33.100 --> 00:06:36.620 steps we can take to reduce our exposure to microplastics 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:38.259 and prevent them from entering the environment 00:06:38.259 --> 00:06:40.500 in the first place? That's where things get really 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:42.740 interesting. You know, while big changes in how 00:06:42.740 --> 00:06:45.259 we produce and manage plastic waste are definitely 00:06:45.290 --> 00:06:47.550 important, there are absolutely things we can 00:06:47.550 --> 00:06:50.269 do as individuals to reduce our own microplastic 00:06:50.269 --> 00:06:52.389 footprint. So it's not all doom and gloom. We 00:06:52.389 --> 00:06:54.389 actually have some control over this. That's 00:06:54.389 --> 00:06:56.310 good to hear. What are some of those things we 00:06:56.310 --> 00:06:58.930 can do? Well, for one, we can rethink our cleaning 00:06:58.930 --> 00:07:01.829 routines. Like instead of relying on those super 00:07:01.829 --> 00:07:04.089 convenient but potentially problematic laundry 00:07:04.089 --> 00:07:08.490 pods, we can switch to powder detergents or liquid 00:07:08.490 --> 00:07:11.370 detergents that have more sustainable biodegradable 00:07:11.370 --> 00:07:14.009 formulas. So back to basics with the powder. 00:07:15.160 --> 00:07:17.180 Okay, got it. And what about when we dry our 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:19.639 clothes? Any suggestions there? Definitely. Ditch 00:07:19.639 --> 00:07:21.920 those dryer sheets, you know, the ones that often 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:24.259 have microplastics in them. A good alternative 00:07:24.259 --> 00:07:27.300 is wool dryer balls. They're reusable and they 00:07:27.300 --> 00:07:30.120 can even help your clothes dry faster. So it's 00:07:30.120 --> 00:07:32.180 a win -win for your clothes and the environment. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:35.279 Wooled dryer balls. Now, that's a blast from 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:37.920 the past. OK, I'm adding that to my list. What 00:07:37.920 --> 00:07:39.920 about other cleaning products? Any tips on how 00:07:39.920 --> 00:07:41.939 to choose ones that are less likely to contain 00:07:41.939 --> 00:07:44.439 microplastics? Absolutely. A good rule of thumb 00:07:44.439 --> 00:07:47.060 is to become a label detective. You won't find 00:07:47.060 --> 00:07:49.319 microplastics listed directly, but you can look 00:07:49.319 --> 00:07:52.360 for specific types of plastics like polyethylene, 00:07:52.579 --> 00:07:55.399 polypropylene, polyurethane, and yet those microbeads 00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:57.420 we talked about. Sounds like a fun challenge. 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:01.199 But sometimes those ingredient lists can be pretty 00:08:01.199 --> 00:08:03.660 overwhelming. Are there any resources out there 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:05.920 that can help us decipher all that? You bet. 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:08.939 There's this campaign called Beat the Microbead. 00:08:09.259 --> 00:08:11.519 They have a website and even an app that can 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:13.720 help you figure out which products have microplastics 00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:16.759 in them. Awesome. So avoiding those specific 00:08:16.759 --> 00:08:19.180 ingredients is a good starting point. Any other 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:20.660 hints we should be looking for on the label? 00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:24.199 Yeah. Keep an eye out for products that say microplastic 00:08:24.199 --> 00:08:27.199 free or biodegradable. And if you really want 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:30.519 to go the extra mile, try exploring more natural 00:08:30.519 --> 00:08:32.860 cleaning alternatives. Natural cleaning. Like 00:08:32.860 --> 00:08:35.129 what does that stuff actually work? as well as 00:08:35.129 --> 00:08:37.330 the conventional products. You might be surprised. 00:08:37.929 --> 00:08:40.049 Think about the cleaning power of simple ingredients 00:08:40.049 --> 00:08:43.450 like baking soda, vinegar, and castile soap. 00:08:44.070 --> 00:08:46.210 They're effective, affordable, and they don't 00:08:46.210 --> 00:08:48.850 have those harsh chemicals and microplastics. 00:08:49.029 --> 00:08:51.230 That does ring a bell. My grandma used to use 00:08:51.230 --> 00:08:53.549 baking soda for everything. Maybe I should give 00:08:53.549 --> 00:08:56.509 that a try. Any suggestions for scrubbing cools 00:08:56.509 --> 00:09:00.139 that are microplastic free? Oh, yeah. Ditch those 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:02.740 melamine sponges. They're known for shedding 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:06.299 microplastics. Instead, try natural options like 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:09.100 cellular sponges, loofahs, or bamboo brushes. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:11.580 They'll get the job done without adding to the 00:09:11.580 --> 00:09:14.019 microplastic problem. Wow. It seems like we have 00:09:14.019 --> 00:09:15.940 a lot of choices when it comes to making our 00:09:15.940 --> 00:09:18.740 cleaning routines more eco -friendly. But to 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:21.440 be honest, sometimes those convenient, ready 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:24.220 -to -use products are just so tempting. What 00:09:24.220 --> 00:09:25.820 would you say to someone who's struggling to 00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:28.360 break free from those habits? I get it, convenience 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:30.679 is a huge factor. But it's important to remember 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:33.000 that our choices, even the ones that seem small, 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:35.700 can have a real impact. Choosing a different 00:09:35.700 --> 00:09:37.720 laundry detergent might seem like a small thing, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:40.100 but it's a step towards a healthier planet. And 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:42.080 potentially better health for ourselves, too. 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:44.820 It's about realizing that our actions have consequences, 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:47.740 even the most ordinary parts of our lives. Exactly. 00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:50.519 And when enough of us start making these small 00:09:50.519 --> 00:09:53.379 changes, it can lead to a big collective shift 00:09:53.379 --> 00:09:55.480 that can really make a difference. That's a good 00:09:55.480 --> 00:09:58.320 point. It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer 00:09:58.320 --> 00:10:00.740 scale of environmental problems, but knowing 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:02.860 that our individual choices can actually contribute 00:10:02.860 --> 00:10:06.100 to positive change is really empowering. For 00:10:06.100 --> 00:10:08.759 sure. And speaking of making a difference, let's 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:11.360 circle back to how microplastics and meteorology 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:15.080 are connected. It's kind of crazy how these tiny 00:10:15.080 --> 00:10:17.779 particles from our cleaning products can actually 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:20.840 affect something as big and complex as the weather. 00:10:21.000 --> 00:10:22.980 I'm still blown away by that. Can you remind 00:10:22.980 --> 00:10:24.379 us how that works? It's almost like something 00:10:24.379 --> 00:10:26.720 out of a science fiction movie. Right, it's pretty 00:10:26.720 --> 00:10:29.200 wild. Remember how we talked about clouds needing 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:32.240 those tiny particles called condensation nuclei 00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:34.860 to form? Well, microplastics, especially those 00:10:34.860 --> 00:10:37.259 that become airborne, can act as those nuclei. 00:10:37.480 --> 00:10:39.419 So you're telling me that those little bits of 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:42.080 plastic from my laundry detergent could be helping 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:44.740 to make the clouds we see in the sky? That's 00:10:44.740 --> 00:10:47.529 the kind of reality we're facing. And if they're 00:10:47.529 --> 00:10:49.929 affecting cloud formation, they could also be 00:10:49.929 --> 00:10:52.370 affecting precipitation patterns, you know, changing 00:10:52.370 --> 00:10:55.509 where and how much rain or snow falls. This adds 00:10:55.509 --> 00:10:57.970 a whole new layer to the issue, doesn't it? We 00:10:57.970 --> 00:11:00.070 often think of plastic pollution as being a problem 00:11:00.070 --> 00:11:02.409 for our oceans, but now we're seeing how it can 00:11:02.409 --> 00:11:04.710 affect the air we breathe and even the weather 00:11:04.710 --> 00:11:07.389 we experience. You got it. That's exactly it. 00:11:07.509 --> 00:11:10.350 It highlights how urgent it is to address plastic 00:11:10.350 --> 00:11:12.950 pollution at its source. You know, reducing our 00:11:12.950 --> 00:11:15.769 reliance on single use plastics, promoting recycling 00:11:15.769 --> 00:11:18.330 and reuse, and coming up with more sustainable 00:11:18.330 --> 00:11:22.070 materials. These are all crucial steps in tackling 00:11:22.070 --> 00:11:24.269 this problem. It sounds like a multi -pronged 00:11:24.269 --> 00:11:26.769 challenge, one that requires individual action. 00:11:26.990 --> 00:11:29.429 innovations from industry, and of course, strong 00:11:29.429 --> 00:11:31.649 government policies. Couldn't agree more. It's 00:11:31.649 --> 00:11:33.950 a complex issue that needs a collaborative effort. 00:11:34.429 --> 00:11:36.730 But with growing awareness, dedicated research, 00:11:36.850 --> 00:11:39.389 and a real commitment to change, I think we can 00:11:39.389 --> 00:11:41.509 create a more sustainable future for ourselves 00:11:41.509 --> 00:11:44.730 and for future generations. Welcome back to Meteorology 00:11:44.730 --> 00:11:48.470 Matters. We've been diving deep into this... 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:52.059 unexpected world of microplastics and how they 00:11:52.059 --> 00:11:54.919 can impact our planet, even reaching up into 00:11:54.919 --> 00:11:57.379 the atmosphere and messing with weather patterns. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:12:00.240 Definitely a lot to take in, but I kind of say 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:02.360 I'm feeling pretty motivated to find some solutions. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:04.460 Yeah, that's the spirit. You know, knowledge 00:12:04.460 --> 00:12:06.860 is power, right? The more we understand about 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:09.120 this complex issue, the better equipped we are 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:11.919 to actually make a difference. For sure. So let's 00:12:11.919 --> 00:12:13.539 switch gears a bit and talk about what we can 00:12:13.539 --> 00:12:15.440 do about it. We've already touched on some great 00:12:15.440 --> 00:12:18.000 tips like, you know, choosing natural cleaning 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:20.000 products and really scrutinizing those labels 00:12:20.000 --> 00:12:22.799 to avoid hidden microplastics. But what are some 00:12:22.799 --> 00:12:25.320 other everyday things our listeners can do to 00:12:25.320 --> 00:12:28.159 minimize their own microplastic footprint? Well, 00:12:28.340 --> 00:12:30.259 one simple but super effective thing is to cut 00:12:30.259 --> 00:12:32.299 back on single -use plastics. Think about all 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:34.580 those plastic grocery bags, water bottles, take 00:12:34.580 --> 00:12:36.879 -out containers, all that stuff. By choosing 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:40.039 reusable alternatives, we can really make a dent 00:12:40.039 --> 00:12:42.460 in the amount of plastic waste that ends up in 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:44.279 the environment, you know, the waste that eventually 00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:47.019 breaks down into those pesky microplastics. Right, 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:49.039 that makes total sense. I've been using reusable 00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:51.019 shopping bags for years, and I always have my 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:53.539 trusty refillable water bottle with me. It's 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:56.559 amazing how those small changes can become like 00:12:56.559 --> 00:12:59.159 second nature after a while. Absolutely. And 00:12:59.159 --> 00:13:01.820 speaking of reducing waste, composting is another 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:05.039 fantastic way to keep organic materials out of 00:13:05.039 --> 00:13:07.980 those landfills. Food scraps, yard waste, even 00:13:07.980 --> 00:13:10.080 those paper towels we use for cleaning, all that 00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:12.419 can be composted and turned into valuable nutrients 00:13:12.419 --> 00:13:14.360 for our gardens. Composting is something I've 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:17.059 been meaning to try. Any advice for someone who's 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:20.740 just starting out. Oh, tons. There are so many 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:23.519 resources available online and in local communities. 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:26.179 You can find a composting method that fits your 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:28.639 lifestyle, whether it's a backyard compost bin, 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:31.620 a worm composting system, or even a community 00:13:31.620 --> 00:13:33.820 composting program. That's great to know. It 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:36.000 sounds like there's an option for everyone, no 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:38.120 matter how much space they have or how much experience 00:13:38.120 --> 00:13:41.399 they have. So we've talked about the impact of 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:44.179 microplastics from cleaning products, but what 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:47.080 about our clothes? We mentioned earlier that 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:50.440 microfibers from synthetic fabrics can also be 00:13:50.440 --> 00:13:52.779 a significant source of microplastics. Is there 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:55.220 anything we can do about that? You're absolutely 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:57.820 right. Clothing is another area where we can 00:13:57.820 --> 00:14:00.399 make a difference. First and foremost, try to 00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:03.279 prioritize natural fibers like cotton, wool, 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:06.840 and linen whenever possible. They're more biodegradable 00:14:06.840 --> 00:14:09.620 and less likely to shed those troublesome microfibers. 00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:12.200 But, you know, if you do have synthetic clothing, 00:14:12.379 --> 00:14:13.899 there are still things you can do to minimize 00:14:13.899 --> 00:14:17.419 shedding. Washing clothes in cold water and using 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:20.080 gentle cycles can definitely help. And there 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:22.100 are even special laundry bags designed to trap 00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:24.360 those microfibers during the wash. Those laundry 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:25.940 bags sound pretty clever. I'll have to check 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:28.279 those out. Oh, and speaking of innovations, what 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:30.600 about those advancements in biodegradable plastics 00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:32.679 we talked about? Are those starting to become 00:14:32.679 --> 00:14:35.580 more available? Yeah, definitely. It's a really 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:37.879 exciting field, with scientists and companies 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:40.500 working hard to develop new materials that break 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:43.000 down more effectively in the environment. Some 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.120 of these bioplastics are even made from renewable 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:48.259 resources like cornstarch or sugar cane, offering 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:51.259 a more sustainable alternative to traditional 00:14:51.259 --> 00:14:54.899 petroleum -based plastics. It's inspiring to 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.600 see all these eco -friendly solutions coming 00:14:56.600 --> 00:14:59.509 out. It feels like the future of cleaning and 00:14:59.509 --> 00:15:02.169 everyday products could be so much brighter and 00:15:02.169 --> 00:15:04.129 greener. I'm right there with you. I'm optimistic 00:15:04.129 --> 00:15:06.809 too. With continued research, investment, and 00:15:06.809 --> 00:15:09.029 consumer demand, I think we can create a world 00:15:09.029 --> 00:15:11.690 where products are not only effective, but also 00:15:11.690 --> 00:15:13.870 environmentally responsible. Well, this has been 00:15:13.870 --> 00:15:17.590 an incredibly eye -opening and honestly empowering 00:15:17.590 --> 00:15:19.990 conversation. I feel like I've gained a whole 00:15:19.990 --> 00:15:22.250 new understanding of the everyday products we 00:15:22.250 --> 00:15:24.509 use and the impact they can have on our planet. 00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:27.820 Most importantly, I'm leaving with a sense of 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:30.399 hope and a whole toolbox full of practical steps 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.360 we can all take to make a real difference. That's 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:34.720 fantastic to hear. That's exactly what we were 00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:37.500 going for. Remember, even those small changes 00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:40.120 can have a ripple effect. By making conscious 00:15:40.120 --> 00:15:42.360 choices, supporting sustainable innovations, 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:45.519 and advocating for change, we can really create 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:48.220 a healthier, more sustainable future for ourselves 00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:50.679 and for future generations. Couldn't have said 00:15:50.679 --> 00:15:53.500 it better myself. And to all our listeners out 00:15:53.500 --> 00:15:55.080 there, thanks for joining us on this journey 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:57.179 of discovery. We hope you've learned something 00:15:57.179 --> 00:15:59.059 new and are feeling inspired to take action. 00:15:59.230 --> 00:16:01.509 Don't forget to subscribe to Rob Jones Hurricane 00:16:01.509 --> 00:16:04.129 on YouTube, and you can find me, meteorologist 00:16:04.129 --> 00:16:07.389 Rob Jones, on Instagram and TikTok, meteorologist 00:16:07.389 --> 00:16:10.830 and TV meteorologist to explore more fascinating 00:16:10.830 --> 00:16:13.090 weather phenomena. Until next time, stay curious 00:16:13.090 --> 00:16:13.990 and keep exploring.