Fungi's role in environmental cleanup and construction innovation

In Cleveland, a novel approach harnesses fungi's power to address pollution and housing crises.

In short:

Scientists explore fungi to decompose toxic waste from abandoned homes, transforming it into construction materials.
The process creates "mycoblocks," a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials, stronger than concrete.
This initiative not only tackles waste management but also aims at reducing carbon emissions significantly.

Key quote:

"I think mycelium will be the unsung hero of climate change."

— Joanne Rodriguez, founder and CEO of Mycocycle

Why this matters:

Scientists and environmentalists are exploring innovative uses of fungi to tackle various waste challenges, from breaking down plastics to transforming agricultural byproducts into valuable commodities.

A 2021 study highlighted the relationship between seasonal climate variability and soil microbial communities.

www.bbc.com

a trail in the snow with trees and mountains in the background

Credit: Karolis Karalevicius/Unsplash

California’s glaciers may vanish this century, exposing ice-free Sierra peaks unseen for millennia

New research shows the Sierra Nevada’s glaciers, which have endured since the last Ice Age, are shrinking rapidly and could disappear within decades. Scientists warn their loss will mark the first time in human history that Yosemite’s granite peaks stand without ice.

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www.latimes.com

Fungi's role in environmental cleanup and construction innovation

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