Negotiators gathered in Busan, South Korea, on Monday in a final push to create a treaty to address the global crisis of plastic pollution.Its the fifth time the worlds nations convene to craft a legally binding plastic pollution accord. In addition to the national delegations, representatives from the plastics industry, scientists and environmentalists have come to shape how the world tackles the surging problem.We must end plastic pollution before plastic pollution ends us, Kim Wansup, South Koreas minister of environment, said during the opening session.The planet is choking on plastic, according to the United Nations. Its polluting lakes, rivers, oceans and peoples bodies.Dont kick the can, or the plastic bottle, down the road, U.N. Environment Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen said in a message to negotiators.This is an issue about the intergenerational justice of those generations that will come after us and be living with all this garbage. We can solve this and we must get it done in Busan, she said in an interview.The previous four global meetings have revealed sharp differences in goals and interests. This weeks talks go through Saturday.Led by Norway and Rwanda, 66 countries plus the European Union say they want to address the total amount of plastic on Earth by controlling design, production, consumption and where plastic ends up. The delegation from the hard-hit island nation of Micronesia helped lead an effort to call more attention to unsustainable plastic production, called the Bridge to Busan. Island nations are grappling with vast amounts of other countries plastic waste washing up on their shores.We think its the heart of the treaty, to go upstream and to get to the problem at its source, said Dennis Clare, legal advisor and plastics negotiator for Micronesia. Theres a tagline, You cant recycle your way out of this problem.'Some plastic-producing and oil and gas countries, including Saudi Arabia, disagree. They vigorously oppose any limits on plastic manufacturing. Most plastic is made from fossil fuels. Saudi Arabia is the worlds largest exporter of primary polypropylene, a common type of plastic, accounting for an estimated 17% of exports last year, according to the Plastics Industry Association.China, the United States and Germany led the global plastics trade by exports and imports in 2023, the association said.The plastics industry has been advocating for a treaty focused on redesigning plastic products, recycling and reuse, sometimes referred to as circularity. Chris Jahn, International Council of Chemical Associations secretariat, said negotiators should focus on ending plastic waste in the environment, not plastic production, to get a deal. Many countries wont join a treaty if it includes production caps, he said.To continue to progress and grow as a global economy, there are going to be more plastics, Jahn added.So we should strive then to keep those plastics in the economy and out of the environment, Jahn said.The United States delegation at first said countries should develop their own plans to act, a position viewed as favoring industry. It changed its position this summer, saying the U.S. is open to considering global targets for reductions in plastic production.Environmental groups accused the U.S. of backtracking as negotiations approached.Center for Coalfield Justice executive director Sarah Martik said the United States is standing on the sidelines rather than leading, putting their thumb on the scale throughout the entirety of the negotiations. She hopes this does not derail other countries ambition.The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a national strategy to prevent plastic pollution Thursday, but Martik said she thinks too many of the measures are voluntary to make a difference.Democratic U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley, of Oregon, said its a mistake for the United States to settle for the lowest common denominator proposals, just to get some kind of agreement.Luis Vayas Valdivieso, the committee chair from Ecuador, recently proposed text for sections where he thinks the delegations could agree.The production and use of plastics globally is set to reach 736 million tons by 2040, up 70% from 2020, without policy changes, according to the intergovernmental Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.Research published in Science this month found it is still possible to nearly end plastic pollution. The policies that make the most difference are: mandating new products be made with 40% post-consumer recycled plastic; limiting new plastic production to 2020 levels; investing significantly in plastic waste management, such as landfills and waste collection services and implementing a small fee on plastic packaging.The treaty is the only way to solve plastic pollution at this scale, said Douglas McCauley, professor at UC Santa Barbara and UC Berkeley. McCauley co-led the research.Margaret Spring, chief conservation and science officer for Monterey Bay Aquarium, said plastic pollution used to be considered largely a waste problem. Now it is widely viewed as an existential crisis that must be addressed, said Spring, who represents the International Science Council at the negotiations.Ive never seen peoples understanding of this issue move as fast, given how complex the topic is, she said. It gives me hope that we can actually start moving the dial.The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press

Dezeen Showroom: statement lighting effects are produced by wall lights from Indian company Naaya Studio, which manufactures its fixtures from natural clays.Naaya's wall lights and sconces include sculptural products designed to illuminate grand spaces such as large halls or restaurants.Naaya's wall light and sconce range includes sculptural designs like ClipperThe Clipper wall lamp, for instance, consists of layered, organically shaped panels that create a soft halo effect as light peaks out between them.Another bold design is Kurve, which features a curved slit in the front surface of the lamp that allows light to pierce through it. This is available in a mirrored version to facilitate reflected pairings or linear compositions.Obscura and Sol call to mind the light from eclipsesThere is also the Obscura and Sol wall lights eclipse-like lamps where illumination emerges from a concealed light source. The two designs can be used separately or in combination, highlighting their similarity to celestial bodies.For a more traditional design elevated with the organic beauty of ceramic materials, there is the Canista sconce a compact version of Naaya's drum-shaped Canista pendant.Product details:Product: Wall lights and sconcesBrand: Naaya StudioContact: sales@naayastudio.comMaterial: clayColours/finishes: variousDimensions: variousDezeen ShowroomDezeen Showroom offers an affordable space for brands to launch new products and showcase their designers and projects to Dezeen's huge global audience. For more details email showroom@dezeen.com.Dezeen Showroom is an example of partnership content on Dezeen. Find out more about partnership content here.The post Wall lights and sconces by Naaya Studio appeared first on Dezeen.

Medieval construction techniques informed the stone plinth and hand-hewn timber columns of Our Lady of Sorrows Chapelin the Czech Republic, completed by local architecture studio RCNKSK.Named after and dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the chapel was funded by a community in the village of Nesvailka near Brno, which lacked a local place of worship for over a century.RCNKSK's design comprises acylindrical form that culminates in a tall steel spire, with material choices that were informed by the story of the Virgin Mary.RCNKSK has completed a chapel for the village of Nesvailka in the Czech Republic"The vision was to create a building that would not only shape the landscape but also leave an indelible mark on the culture, society, and heritage of this place," RCNKSK co-founder Jan n told Dezeen."The chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, chosen by the locals as a symbol of the profound suffering she endured," n continued. "Her story, imbued with emotion, is woven into the very fabric of the space."Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel sits on a stone base intended to represent humanity, which the studio said is "stubborn, unyielding, and difficult to shape". It is punctured by a five-metre-high entrance door.Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel features a cylindrical formRising from this base are seven large hand-hewn timber beams, representing the seven sorrows of Mary, which meet in a circular skylight in the roof framed by the external spire.Wrapping the central space, the cylindrical wall of the chapel was created using CNC-cut wooden elements, chosen to create a modern contrast to the hand-carved columns.Read: Atelier Koma creates concrete chapel to offer "separation from the secular world""I sought to create a chapel that would feel timeless in the landscape, so its origins would be uncertain as if it had always belonged to the land," said n."The design blends the wisdom of tradition with the ingenuity of modernity. Inspired by medieval craftsmanship, the structure dialogues with contemporary technologies," he continued."This philosophy influenced the choice of materials natural, though uncommon in the region such as stone and wood. These materials carry a deep symbolism: a beacon of faith rising from a parched earth."A stone base is topped with a gridded timber structureThe gridded timber wall structure creates a pattern of rhombuses across the interior, several of which have been cut out to create small windows that n describes as representing "Mary's tears, weeping over us".Externally, Our Lady of Sorrows Chapel's volume has been clad with small, vertically-laid wooden planks that will weather over time, with the thin windows offering glimpses of the diagonal wooden structure within.Rhombus-shaped openings draw light into the chapelAround the perimeter, paths are framed by apple trees, which will grow to form avenues connecting the chapel to the village and surrounding fields.Other contemporary chapels recently featured on Dezeen include a concrete structure in South Korea by Atelier KOMA, designed to offer a feeling of "separation from the secular world", and an inverted pyramid in Portugal by Bernardo Rodrigues Architects.The photography is by Ondej Bouka.The post RCNKSK blends "medieval craftsmanship with contemporary technologies" for Czech chapel appeared first on Dezeen.

Casio has designed a special heat-resistant, moisture-resistant watch that you can wear into a sauna. The coiled wristband mimics the locker key wristbands you get at a traditional Japanese onsen; this design stands off of your wrist, to avoid getting soaked with sweat. The lens reportedly won't fog up, and the watch contains a 12-minute timer mode, so you can perfectly time your cold plunges. It's a niche enough product that Casio hasn't committed to a major production run. Instead they're launching a campaign for it next month on Japanese crowdfunding site Makuake. It's expected to run in the 10,000 - 11,000 (USD $60 to $70) range.

British packaging company Frugalpac has developed this Frugal Bottle, a paper wine bottle. It's similar to wine-in-a-box, except the packaging is actually shaped like a standard bottle and has the same 750mL capacity. It's designed for recyclability. The outer surface is made from 94% recyclable paperboard. (I'm guessing that remaining 6% is whatever the neck and cap are made out of.) When the bottle's empty, you press on a demarcated spot on the shoulder to split the seam. You then pull the outer apart, revealing the polyethylene pouch within. This too can be recycled, though only at a recycling facility that can handle films. The Frugal Bottle is five times lighter than a glass one, reducing shipping costs. The company reckons it has a carbon footprint "up to six times lower than a glass bottle."

Dubbed the Roam, this tiny home is quite tiny. It serves as a towable dwelling that occupies a length of 12 feet. Despite its small size, it packs a punch with a bunch of convenient and efficient features. You can also outfit the home to be run off the grid to ensure you can live a peaceful life on the road with complete freedom. It is designed by Texas-based firm Nook Tiny Homes, and it provides the portability of a camping trailer as well as the comfort and interior of a compact home.Designer: Nook Tiny HomesThe Roam serves as a good option for a guesthouse and can be used on the weekend or for vacations. It can also be used for retail or as an office space. The interior is quite compact. It isnt the best option for socializing, but it has been outfitted with the basics to make for a comfortable home. Most of the house is occupied by a single space. It includes stacked beds that include integrated storage space. A kitchenette is placed close by, and it includes a small sink, a fridge, cabinetry, and an electric stovetop.The home also includes a bathroom which can be accessed via a sliding door. The bathroom is equipped with a toilet and shower. Generous glazing has been integrated into the home, which allows sunlight to stream throughout the day. It also includes a pull-out awning that will offer shade if you choose to relax outside. The frame of the tiny house is built using cold rolled steel, and mineral wool is utilized for insulation. The exterior is clad with metal inverted rib panels and topped with a standing seam metal roof. A roof-based storage rack has been integrated as well.The Roam is powered by an RV-style hookup standard, but you can equip it with solar panels if needed, especially if you want to go off the grid and kickstart life on the go. The starting price of the home is US$55,000, but it will increase if buyers go for the off-the-grid option, but it is worth it if a life in the wilderness and amongst nature if something you appreciate and desire.The post This Towable Dwelling Provides The Portability Of A Camping Trailer & The Comfort Of A Tiny Home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Theres some debate around the premise that having multiple computer monitors can improve your productivity. Whether true or not, the suggestion is practically useless for people on the go with laptops. Yes, you can bring an extra portable monitor with you, but thats the maximum you can probably have thats still reasonably portable.Unsurprisingly, there are some attempts these days to attach not just one but two monitors to a laptop while still trying to keep the bulk and heft to a bare minimum. Equally unsurprising is how it still might not be enough for some people who really want to take their productivity to the next level. This dual-monitor system tries to bring that multi-monitor desktop experience to laptop users but is probably going to earn them some odd glances and dumbfounded stares.Designer: Base CaseUntil the day we are all comfortably wearing AR glasses that can put up any number of virtual monitors in front of our eyes, we will always be at the mercy of the laws of physics. In short, the more monitors you have, the more space youll need to occupy, and the more weight youll have to carry around in addition to your laptop. Thats why those triple screen laptop designs try to minimize the size and weight of the additional screens at the expense of screen size.This rather unusual design, on the other hand, makes no qualms about appearances. It offers not one but two large 24-inch monitors on the go to supplement your laptops measly 16-inch screen. There is no bag that will fit two 24-inch monitors, so the Base Case comes with its own. Yes, as the name so plainly points out, these two monitors are stuffed in a suitcase the size of a carry-on.Unlike regular luggage, these screens in a bag have a hinge at the top and you set it sideways like a desktop dual monitor setup. Your laptop will lie beneath this contraption thats held up high with two telescopic legs. Given the size of the unfolded Base Case, youll definitely want some horizontal clearance for your multi-monitor laptop setup.Aside from the sheer ridiculousness of its appearance, there are a few things that make Base Case less than ideal as a portable multiple monitor solution. Despite its size, there is practically nothing else inside that suitcase other than the monitors and retractable cables. A decent battery would have been nice, especially since youll have to plug the monitors in for power. And while it does have space for storing your laptop and other items so you wont have to carry a separate bag, pulling luggage around isnt always feasible or convenient, especially in crowded transportation.The post Dual 24-inch monitors in a suitcase stretch the definition of portability first appeared on Yanko Design.

Any news from the other planets? #pcgamer #pcgaming #theelderscrolls #starfield #bethesda

A selection of Ubisoft games have been experiencing persistent crashes on Windows 11's latest update, leading Microsoft to block the update on systems with those games installed.The games are experiencing mysterious, persistent crashes on the 24H2 update.

$170 is a record low price for Apple's best earbuds.