Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics

An annual event, held every April 22nd, to raise awareness and promote environmental protection.

The accumulation of plastic waste, which harms the environment and human health due to its persistence and potential toxicity.

Items made of plastic designed for only one use and are typically discarded after use.

The production and consumption of clothing at a rapid pace due to trends, resulting in significant environmental impacts.

A global environmental organization that promotes Earth Day and advocates for environmental protection policies.

Policies and regulations designed to protect the environment (e.g. Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act).

Theme for Earth Day 2024, highlighting the need to reduce plastic production and consumption.

Materials created to replace non-renewable and polluting materials for a positive environmental impact.

A sudden increase in brightness of a star in a binary system, caused by an explosion on the surface of a white dwarf.

Two stars orbiting each other.

A large, bright, and cool star in its final stage of life.

Material shed by a red giant accumulates on the surface of a white dwarf, and eventually explodes in a burst of energy.

A binary star system known for its periodic nova outbursts, approximately once every 80 years.

A nova can be visible for several days with the naked eye and up to a week with binoculars.

A horseshoe-shaped area on the edge of the Pacific plate, also known as the Circum-Pacific Belt, where a majority of the world’s earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.

Large pieces of the Earth's crust that move and interact with each other, causing earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Measures taken to minimize damage and casualties in the event of an earthquake.

Shifts and vibrations in the Earth's crust caused by tectonic plate movement.

Regulations that specify how buildings should be designed and constructed to withstand natural disasters.

A race across the globe for solo sailors, covering over 30,000 miles.

The first American woman to sail alone around the world without stopping.

It's a long and demanding journey of over 30,000 miles, requiring significant sailing skills and endurance.

Only seven out of 16 participants completed the race.

The three most challenging points of the Global Solo Challenge: Cape of Good Hope (Africa), Cape Leeuwin (Australia), and Cape Horn (South America).

The southernmost point of South America, notorious for its harsh weather conditions and dangerous waters, often compared to climbing Mount Everest.

The route taken by sailor Abby Brauer in the Global Solo Challenge: starting from Spain, down the African coast, across to Australia, around Cape Horn, and back to Spain.

Difficult situations encountered by Abby Brauer during the Global Solo Challenge, including being thrown across the boat, dehydration, and needing an IV.

Abby Brauer's success in the Global Solo Challenge aimed to inspire young girls to consider professional sailing as a possible career path.

Chimpanzees exhibit human-like strategic behavior when patrolling their territory, using terrain and listening for rivals to assess risks and potentially expand their territory.

The use of strategies and tactics to achieve objectives, specifically in warfare, demonstrated by chimpanzees in their territorial defense.

The borders between chimpanzee communities are not fixed, but are determined by their daily presence and control over specific areas.

Chimpanzees use terrain and listening for rivals to evaluate the risk of potential conflict when patrolling their territory.

Chimpanzees strategically use higher ground to observe and listen for rivals, effectively employing a human-like tactic to assess risk before entering a potential conflict area.

A pen-and-ink drawing depicting a scene from the American Revolutionary War, including women and soldiers, potentially drawn by an eyewitness.

The distinctive uniform worn by soldiers of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, identified in the Revolutionary War sketch.

A drawing created by someone who personally witnessed the event depicted, potentially providing valuable historical insights.

The importance of a historical artifact or event, which can provide valuable information and understanding of the past.

A separate event at the Paris Games, not combined with other climbing disciplines, due to its unique skill set.

Bouldering and lead climbing scores are combined for overall competition in the Paris Olympics.

A Sumatran orangutan treated a cheek wound with a medicinal plant, liana, demonstrating self-medication behaviour.

A tropical vine used by Rakus for wound treatment, known locally for its healing properties.

The act of animals using natural substances to treat themselves, like Rakus using liana.

Critically endangered species with less than 15,000 individuals remaining due to habitat loss and poaching.

Conversion of rainforest to palm oil plantations and other agriculture threatens orangutan populations.

Illegal hunting or capture of orangutans, often driven by demand for food or status symbols.

The main military force of the thirteen American colonies during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).

A major battle of the American Revolutionary War, fought on September 11, 1777. It resulted in a British victory.

Women who traveled with the Continental Army, providing essential support services like cooking, cleaning, and medical care.

A Swiss artist known for his Revolutionary War sketches, believed to be the creator of a sketch depicting North Carolina troops.

A type of camouflage where two individuals work together to create a convincing disguise.

A type of spider known for its hunting strategy of blending in with its environment.

A group of extinct marine reptiles that dominated the seas during the Triassic and Jurassic periods.

A geological period in Earth's history that spanned from 251.9 to 201.3 million years ago.

A geological period that spanned from 201.3 to 145 million years ago.

The bottom part of the jaw in animals, essential for biting and chewing.

A newly discovered species of giant ichthyosaur, named after its discovery location in the Severn River.

The activity of searching for and collecting fossilized remains of ancient organisms.

Someone who studies fossils as a hobby, without professional training.

A scientist who specializes in studying sea-dwelling reptiles.

Cicadas that spend most of their lives underground and emerge every 13 or 17 years to reproduce.

Periodical cicadas emerge every 13 or 17 years, both prime numbers, to avoid predators with shorter lifespans.

A group of cicadas that emerge simultaneously after a specific number of years.

The loud, high-pitched drone made by male cicadas to attract mates.

Female cicadas lay eggs in twigs, which can damage young trees by severing their food supply.

An urban dance style characterized by intricate footwork, rapid movements, and impressive spins and flips.

The breaking competition at the Olympics features individual athletes judged on their style, flair, and mandatory moves.

Surfing is an Olympic sport where athletes are judged on their maneuvers, tricks, speed, and flow on waves.

Skateboarding at the Olympics has two disciplines: park and street, each focusing on different obstacles and techniques.

Skateboarders are judged on their height, speed, agility, trick variety, and overall style in different disciplines.

Sport climbing has three disciplines: bouldering, speed climbing, and lead climbing, each with unique challenges.

A sport climbing discipline where athletes climb short, challenging walls without ropes, aiming for the fewest attempts.

A sport climbing discipline where athletes race against time to climb a wall as quickly as possible.

A sport climbing discipline where athletes climb a tall wall, aiming to reach the highest point within a time limit.

Host cities can now include up to six new sports in their Olympic program, allowing for greater diversity.