Published

8 months ago

July 25, 2025

Alice Rush

The underground fungi networks that help sustain Earth’s ecosystems are in need of urgent conservation action, according to researchers from the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN).

The scientists found that 90 percent of mycorrhizal fungi biodiversity hotspots were located in unprotected ecosystems, the loss of which could lead to lower carbon emissions reduction rates, crop productivity and reduce the resilience of ecosystems to climate extremes.

Mycorrhizal fungi “cycle nutrients, store carbon, support plant health, and make soil. When we disrupt these critical ecosystem engineers, forest regeneration slows, crops fail and biodiversity above ground begins to unravel… 450m years ago, there were no plants on Earth and it was because of these mycorrhizal fungal networks that plants colonised the planet and began supporting human life,” said Executive Director of SPUN Dr. Toby Kiers, as The Guardian reported. “If we have healthy fungal networks, then we will have greater agricultural productivity, bigger and beautiful flowers, and can protect plants against pathogens.”

Excited to get these data into the hands of decision makers.

[image or embed]

— Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) (@spun.earth) July 25, 2025 at 4:21 AM

Using over 2.8 billion fungal sequences from 130 countries, the scientists were able to create high-resolution, predictive biodiversity maps of the planet’s underground mycorrhizal fungal communities.

“For centuries, we’ve mapped mountains, forests, and oceans. But these fungi have remained in the dark, despite the extraordinary ways they sustain life on land,” Kiers said in a press release from SPUN. “This is the first time we’re able to visualize these biodiversity patterns — and it’s clear we are failing to protect underground ecosystems.”

The research was the first time a scientific application of SPUN’s 2021 world mapping initiative was done on a large scale.

^{Map from SPUN’s Underground Atlas shows predicted arbuscular mycorrhizal biodiversity patterns across underground ecosystems. Bright colors indicate higher richness and endemism. SPUN}

Mycorrhizal fungi help regulate the world’s ecosystems and climate by forming underground networks through which they provide essential nutrients to plants and draw more than 13 billion tons of carbon annually into soils — roughly a third of global fossil fuel emissions.

“Despite their key role as planetary circulatory systems for carbon and nutrients, mycorrhizal fungi have been overlooked in climate change strategies, conservation agendas, and restoration efforts,” the press release said. “This is problematic because disruption of networks accelerates climate change and biodiversity loss.”

Just 9.5 percent of fungal biodiversity hotspots are found inside existing protected areas.

“For too long, we’ve overlooked mycorrhizal fungi. These maps help alleviate our fungus blindness and can assist us as we rise to the urgent challenges of our times,” said Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, impact director at SPUN.

SPUN is featured in @science.org in a piece written by @humbertobasilio.bsky.social. Learn where some of the most unique fungal communities exist, such as West Africa’s Guinean forests, Tasmania’s temperate rainforests, and Brazil’s Cerrado savanna.

Read here: www.science.org/content/arti…

[image or embed]— Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) (@spun.earth) July 25, 2025 at 6:33 AM

SPUN was launched with the aim of mapping fungal communities to develop resources for decision-makers in policy, law and climate and conservation initiatives.

“Conservation groups, researchers, and policymakers can use the platform to identify biodiversity hotspots, prioritize interventions, and inform protected area designations. The tool enables decision-makers to search for underground ecosystems predicted to house unique, endemic fungal communities and explore opportunities to establish underground conservation corridors,” SPUN said.

The findings of the study, “Global hotspots of mycorrhizal fungal richness are poorly protected,” were published in the journal Nature.

“These maps are more than scientific tools — they can help guide the future of conservation,” said lead author of the study Dr. Michael Van Nuland, lead data scientist at SPUN. “Food security, water cycles, and climate resilience all depend on safeguarding these underground ecosystems.”

Prominent advisors to the work include conservationist Jane Goodall, authors Paul Hawken and Michael Pollan, and founder of the Fungi Foundation Giuliana Furci.

“The idea is to ensure underground biodiversity becomes as fundamental to environmental decision-making as satellite imagery,” said Jason Cremerius, SPUN’s chief strategy officer.

The maps will be crucial in leveraging fungi for the regeneration of degraded ecosystems.

“Restoration practices have been dangerously incomplete because the focus has historically been on life aboveground,” said Dr. Alex Wegmann, a lead scientist at The Nature Conservancy. “These high-resolution maps provide quantitative targets for restoration managers to establish what diverse mycorrhizal communities could and should look like.”

The international network of 96 “Underground Explorers” from nearly 80 countries and more than 400 scientists are currently sampling the most remote and hard-to-access underground ecosystems on Earth, including those in Bhutan, Mongolia, Ukraine and Pakistan.

While just 0.001 percent of the surface of our planet has been sampled, SPUN’s dataset already includes more than 40,000 specimens representing 95,000 mycorrhizal fungal taxa.

“These maps reveal what we stand to lose if we fail to protect the underground,” Kiers said.

The post Earth’s Underground Fungi Networks Need Urgent Protection: Study appeared first on EcoWatch.

https://www.ecowatch.com/underground-fungi-networks-conservation.html

Green Living

Earth911 Inspiration: Filled With Things You Don’t Know

Published

1 day ago

March 13, 2026

Alice Rush

Today’s quote is from Native American author and poet Sherman Alexie. In his award-winning book for young people, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, he wrote: “The world, even the smallest parts of it, is filled with things you don’t know.”

Take some time today to quietly observe the world around you and celebrate the wonders of our planet, our home.

Earth911 inspirations. Post them and share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.

The post Earth911 Inspiration: Filled With Things You Don’t Know appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-filled-with-things-you-dont-know/

Green Living

Ditch the Plastic Pouf: Try This All-Natural Shower Sponge Instead

Published

3 days ago

March 11, 2026

Alice Rush

Last Updated on March 11, 2026

This post was sponsored by Casamera. All thoughts and opinions are my own; for more information, please see my disclosure policy.

Have you ever seen those ‘everything shower’ videos trying to convince you to use 12+ products on your skin and hair? Including plastic poufs destined for landfill in 2 months time?

Ditch the Plastic Pouf: Try This All-Natural Shower Sponge Instead

All you really need is a bar of soap, shampoo/conditioner, safety razor, and something natural to lather with. Enter Casamera, a sustainable brand who creates konjac sponges for face and body (aka all-natural shower sponges).

But what exactly is a konjac sponge? And are they all created equal? Here’s everything you need to know so you can ditch plastic poufs for good.

What Is a Konjac Sponge?

A konjac sponge is a natural skin exfoliant made from the konjac plant, a root vegetable. To make konjac sponges, the konjac tubers are harvested and fiber (glucomannan) is extracted from the root.

The fiber is mixed with water and various other natural ingredients to form a gel-like mixture. This mixture is poured into molds to create the desired shape and size. It’s then steamed to solidify and stabilize the structure.

Casamera makes all-natural shower sponges that include konjac powder as one of the four natural ingredients it takes to make one. Their scrubbers come in a variety of infusions, such as charcoal (best for oily/acne-prone skin), matcha, volcanic mud, peppermint, and walnut.

But not all konjac sponges are the same: Casamera’s dual-sided design has one soft side and one exfoliating side (powered by natural walnut shells), making it suitable for both face and body.

Most conventional konjac sponges are for facial skincare only, making Casamera’s a perfect replacement for plastic poufs. The ergonomic handle fits perfectly in your hand, and you can easily hang it up to dry after use.

Konjac Sponge Benefits

The best known benefits of using a konjac sponge are cleansing and gently exfoliating skin. It’s extremely gentle, so it can help unclog pores, especially helpful to those with oily or acne-prone skin.

Casamera’s sponges are also 100% compostable, unlike plastic poufs destined for landfills. It’s also dual sided: The honeycomb side is perfect for washing up whereas the other side exfoliates for deep cleaning.

Plastic poufs can also smell moldy after just a week. Casamera’s scrubbers don’t have that problem because they’re antimicrobial and fast-drying. Which means less replacements and more money saving!

You’re also not scrubbing microplastics onto your body and down the drain. Casamera’s sponges are plastic-free, even down to their low-waste shipping materials. Plus they plant trees to offset their carbon footprint from manufacturing and shipping!

There’s three different sizes: The OG, the XL and the mini. The mini is great for the face, OG works as an ideal body scrubber, and XL is perfect for smothering your body (and backside) in soapy suds.

How to Use a Konjac Sponge (Step-by-Step)

To use Casamera’s scrubbers, here’s a simple step by step routine that’s easy to remember:

Presoak the scrubber with water
Apply body wash to it (I love Plaine Products refillable body wash)
Scrub away!
Rinse it out (make sure there’s no suds or water left)
Hang it dry (ideally in a well-ventilated area)

How Long Do Konjac Sponges Last?

If properly maintained, a konjac sponge can last 2-3 months or longer depending on use. To sanitize it, once a week, add the sponge to a bowl of boiling water for a couple of minutes.

If you’re using the sponge daily, be mindful it may deteriorate faster. If you see a difference in color, texture, or a strange smell, replace it.

Getting the scrubber pack is ideal because you’ll get three sponges in one pack, enough to last months!

Konjac Sponge vs Face Wipes

While makeup wipes may be considered easy and convenient, they also tend to be saturated in harsh chemicals that can irritate your skin (some may even contain PFAs).

Plus face wipes are single-use, meaning they’ll end up in a landfill somewhere or worse – fatbergs. Fatbergs are massive, solidified blockages in sewer systems made up of oils, grease, fats, and non-biodegradable items (like wet wipes).

Whatever you choose to use, never flush face wipes down the toilet – even if it says flushable.

Konjac sponges are reusable and capable of removing your makeup without the use of questionable ingredients. Just soak it in water, add your favorite cleanser, and watch the grime and makeup come right off!

And when they’re at the end of their life, they can be composted, instead of polluting our sewers.

Is a Konjac Sponge Worth It?

Yes, a konjac sponge is worth it (specifically Casamera’s) and here’s a quick recap as to why:

Made using 4 clean ingredients (konjac powder, water, walnut shells, + infusion)
Gently exfoliates + washes skin
100% compostable, doesn’t shed microplastics
Easy to use in 5 steps
Comes in a variety of infusions for every skin type
Will last 2–3 months or longer depending on use
Ships plastic-free
OneTreePlanted partner

So, would you give konjac sponges a try? Let me know in the comments!

And, a huge thank you to Casamera for sponsoring this post. Be sure to visit Casamera.com to get your hands on their rejuvenating scrubber pack!

The post Ditch the Plastic Pouf: Try This All-Natural Shower Sponge Instead appeared first on Going Zero Waste.

Ditch the Plastic Pouf: Try This All-Natural Shower Sponge Instead

Green Living

Best of Sustainability In Your Ear: Carbon Direct Chief Scientist Julio Friedmann on the Path to Carbon Removal

Published

3 days ago

March 11, 2026

Alice Rush

The scale of our climate challenge is staggering: humans have pumped 1.6 trillion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the air and oceans since 1750, and we’re adding another 40 billion tonnes every year. Even with dramatic emissions reductions, we’re still on track to blow past 1.5 degrees of warming, the Paris Accord target first breached in 2024. Tune in to a conversation with Dr. Julio Friedmann, Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct. This carbon management company partners with Fortune 500 companies such as Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, and American Express to transform net-zero commitments into science-backed action plans. After a career that began as a researcher at ExxonMobil and included service at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Columbia University’s energy policy center, and running advanced energy programs in the Obama administration’s Department of Energy, Julio brings unique expertise to the intersection of massive climate challenges and current technological capabilities.

Dr. Julio Friedmann, Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct, is our guest on *Sustainability In Your Ear*.

As companies work toward 2030 and 2050 carbon goals, the question isn’t whether we’ll need massive carbon removal—it’s whether we can deploy it fast enough and fairly enough to matter. The recent $100 million XPRIZE Carbon Removal awards highlighted the diversity of approaches being pursued, with natural solutions like enhanced rock weathering using basalt and azomite soil, and biochar applications to farmland dominating the winners. But how do these technologies stack up against the hype? Friedmann provides a realistic assessment of where Direct Air Capture, ocean alkalinity enhancement, and other carbon removal approaches stand today. Carbon Direct’s team of 70+ scientists changes the conversation with corporate clients about their carbon strategies, providing the scientific firepower to offer hard feedback about what’s needed to preserve the markets, supply chains, and revenue streams companies depend on. You can learn more about Carbon Direct’s work and explore their library of climatetech reports at https://www.carbon-direct.com/