| For some of us, picking a seat in class was the most difficult part of the school day. And while assigned seats might not put you next to a friend, a new study shows how beneficial this can be in building friendships between dissimilar students. The study conducted in Hungarian schools found that seating kids next to each other increased their likelihood of becoming friends by 7% — regardless of gender, ethnicity, or even educational achievement. | | Rapid boom in houseplants come with some risks
Mon Aug 16
Over the past few years, the indoor houseplant sector has grown 50%. The bulk of these new sales were from 18 to 24-year-olds, with a fifth of purchases made in the name of wellness — one U.K. study even showed a 15% increase in productivity in greener offices. By 2019, the industry was worth $48 billion. Now, online spaces are replete with communities sharing tips and showcasing plant collections with #plantmom or #plantparenthood hashtags.
But with demand growing even more in the pandemic, some are questioning their clean image. Houseplants have historically been known for their ability to improve a home's air quality, but more recent investigation into old research shows the claims are overstated. It can take 100 plants in an average sized room to make a noticeable difference. And while plants are crucial to environmental health, that also depends on what is planted and how. For example, some indoor plants require artificial lighting and heat while others simply have a short lifespan, leading to more plants purchased.
Then there's peat moss, commonly used by plant sellers. It's a natural fuel containing decomposed plants and organic material that retains nutrients and moisture, making it the ideal medium for houseplants. That said, peat is problematic because peatland not only stores a third of the world's carbon soil but harvesting peat from it also releases carbon dioxide (the major greenhouse gas driving climate change). Peat is also as flammable as gas or diesel with peatland fires responsible for five percent of human-caused carbon emissions. - In 2015, a peatland fire in Indonesia ranked among the worst man-made disasters in its history. These fires continue to be a problem for the country.
- Last month, a potted plant spontaneously burst into flames and led to a house fire in Colorado. The plant was in direct sunlight during extreme heat and had not been watered.
- Just this week, Minnesota experienced a multi-day peat fire that stretched at least 24 acres due to dry conditions. One of the challenges local firefighters faced is how peat moss fires often burn in the ground, which means they can last up to months.
Fortunately, there are peat alternatives for those hoping to make a safer choice with their green pets. Some small businesses are beginning to sell peat-free solutions, such as Organic Mechanics. Compost is an increasingly popular substitute for peat moss and other store-bought soils. Finally, there's the option to buy plants that don't even require peat, such as poinsettias or sprayed cacti. | | Looking for updates on the stories we share in our newsletter? Or simply want to add to your diet of hidden news stories on social media? Follow us in Instagram for it all!
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The 1440 team scours hundreds of sources each day to provide an impartial view of what's happening in the world — and thoughtfully curated by experts. One reader says, "I love 1440 and have already forwarded it to a few family members (we have an EXTREMELY divided house of 10: from ultra-religious conservatives to democratic socialists). 1440 is our meeting place."
Join 900,000+ readers today and subscribe to 1440 for free. | | .-. __ / \ __ ( `'.\ /.'` ) '-._.(;;;)._.-' .-' ,`"`, '-. (__.-'/ \'-.__) \ /\ '-' \ , | |\ | \ | | | \ / \|/ _, / __/ / jgs | _/ _.' |/__/ \ Dear peat-free soil: We're rooting for you!
Art Credit: Joan Stark | | | |
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