Blue Sky Times: German Christmas, Carbon Capture and Anti-Peanut Allergy Toothpaste

Chicago saw a bit of sunshine over the past few days, turning the gray fall skies blue again. Though the wait for the early nights and colder weeks to come can seem strenuous, the news column is here to remind you these things are out of your control and good things are still happening all around us. 

Christkindlmarket Opens

Chicago’s annual outdoor Christmas market opened its doors Nov. 17, and will remain open until Dec. 24. The market, which is described as a “German-style” market, will have locations in downtown Chicago, Aurora and Wrigleyville, according to the website

The market, which first opened in 1996, will feature handmade goods from all over the world, as well as food vendors and activities for all ages. Admission to the event is free, according to the website. 

“The smell of roasted nuts, fresh pretzels, bratwurst and hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, and the glimmer of sparkling Christmas ornaments, all in a cozy atmosphere,” the website reads. “A visit to the market takes all your senses on a journey!”

Christkindlmarket has been ranked as the No. 2 Christmas market in the U.S. this year, according to NBC5 Chicago. In 2022, the market was ranked No. 3 in the world, according to the website. 

Removing Emissions

The first U.S. direct air capture plant operated by Heirloom Carbon Technologies opened in California Nov. 9, The New York Times reported. The plant takes carbon dioxide out of the air and infuses it into concrete where the gas mineralizes and can’t escape into the atmosphere.

While the currently open plant is small, it can remove 1,000 tons of carbon dioxide yearly, according to The New York Times. Carbon dioxide is the second most abundant greenhouse gas and the largest contributor to climate change, with U.S. emissions totaling 5,586 million tons of greenhouse gasses in 2021 according to the Environmental Protection Agency. 

The unveiling of the facility in Tracy, California was attended by secretary of energy Jennifer Granholm and California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis among other industry and labor leaders, according to Heirloom. The plant is operated in accordance with Heirloom’s principles, including not granting equities to companies whose main business is oil and gas production.

Heirloom makes money by selling carbon removal credits which offset the carbon emissions of other companies. While some environmentalists criticize the possibility of large emitters to simply buy back their emissions, others believe this process is necessary to not only halt but reverse carbon emissions and the effects of climate change, according to The New York Times.

Toothpaste To Help Peanut Allergies 

Scientists have developed a toothpaste that has shown potential in helping adults with peanut allergies have less severe reactions, NBC News reported.

The toothpaste contains a trace amount of peanut protein in it, allowing the body to build a certain level of immunity to the legume, thus preventing severe reactions such as anaphylaxis.

In an early stage clinical test, 32 adults brushed their teeth with the toothpaste once a day for 11 months. By the end of the trial, none of the participants had any severe reactions or anaphylaxis. 

Though the initial trial focused on the safety of the toothpaste and didn’t test how effective the treatment is, the results are an early sign it could help prevent severe allergic reactions in adults.

Have a wonderful week everyone and remember, as The Beatles once sang, “Speaking words of wisdom / Let it be.”

This article was written by Isabella Grosso, Lilli Malone and Hunter Minne