Scientists warn that the rise in rocket launches is threatening the recovery of the ozone layer, as chemical residues from rocket exhaust may weaken this protective atmospheric shield. While the ozone layer has shown signs of recovery since the ban on CFCs, increasing rocket activity could offset these gains and hinder future recovery efforts.

The article discusses the impact of 199 data centres in Loudoun County, Virginia, which have transformed the area into a hub for data storage and processing. While these centres contribute significantly to the local economy and job market, residents express concerns about noise pollution, rising electricity costs, and the environmental consequences of such industrial developments near their homes.

The article critiques the concept of the "material footprint," which aggregates the weight of all resources used by an economy without considering the varying scarcity or environmental impacts of those resources. It argues that this metric obscures critical issues related to resource depletion, environmental consequences, and socioeconomic effects, emphasizing the need for more specific data on individual materials and their impacts.