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Sustainable Living
Urban mining
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Mining precious metals like gold, silver and these days copper is extremely costly as well as being energy-intensive, environmentally harmful, and dangerous. We continue to seek precious metals because they are not just used for ornamentation; they are essential parts of modern electronic devices. [Read more…] about Urban mining
No energy bills
A net-zero energy house is one that creates as much energy as it uses over the course of the year. It is a home that doesn’t pay any energy bills. [Read more…] about No energy bills
Galapagos green
The Galapagos Islands are famous for inhabitants like giant tortoises, marine iguanas and blue-footed boobies. Nearly the entire archipelago is a national park that carefully preserves this unique environment. But the Galapagos is also home to over 30,000 people living on four of the islands and involved in the tourist trade, in farming and fishing, and in local businesses. The human inhabitants need electricity and, like most islanders, have mostly gotten it from diesel generators. [Read more…] about Galapagos green
An ammonia economy
The world’s leading automakers are betting on hydrogen-powered cars as the future of personal transportation. These are electric cars that use fuel cells as the source of electricity instead of batteries. [Read more…] about An ammonia economy
Climate change and human development
There is much public discussion about the role of human activities in the changing climate but one research study looked at a diametrically opposite concept: the role of changing climate in the development of human culture. [Read more…] about Climate change and human development
Molecular solar power
As the use of solar power expands, there is growing attention to the problem of what to do when the sun isn’t shining. The ability to store solar energy when it is available and use it later is the basic solution to the problem. Developing technologies like battery banks and molten salt tanks are currently the major focus. [Read more…] about Molecular solar power
Neonicotinoid pesticides
Neonicotinoid pesticides have been known for some time to pose a threat to bees and other pollinators. In fact, last year the European Commission imposed a two-year moratorium banning them on plants that attract bees. But now, research suggests they are a danger to everything from lizards to shellfish. [Read more…] about Neonicotinoid pesticides
True food
Genetically modified organisms – or GMOs – are a hot topic in the food industry. More than 70% of packaged foods sold in North America contain genetically modified ingredients. More than 88% of corn, 94% of soybeans, and 90% of cotton in the U.S. are grown from GMO seeds. And all of these figures are rising. [Read more…] about True food
CO2 cold storage
Around the world, scientists are looking for ways to capture and store the CO2 generated from large power stations and industrial plants. Carbon capture and storage, or CCS, is the enabling principle behind “Clean Coal”, a technology that is currently more theoretical than practical. [Read more…] about CO2 cold storage
Renewables growth continues
For the first five months of 2014, renewable energy sources accounted for 54% of the new electrical generating capabilities installed in the United States. Just about all the other new installations were natural gas plants. Although coal-fired plants are still the largest source of electricity in the country, no new coal plants have come on line this year. [Read more…] about Renewables growth continues
Lost in migration
For decades, scientists and researchers have wondered whether electromagnetic noise – emitted by our use of electronic devices such as cell phones, radios, and televisions – affects birds’ ability to migrate. [Read more…] about Lost in migration
Solar-powered Germany
At the start of June this year, Germany set a new record by producing 50% of its electricity needs with solar panels. Solar panels in that country of over 80 million people produced over 23 gigawatts of electricity on the afternoon of June 9th, which corresponded to 50.6% of the nation’s demand for electricity. [Read more…] about Solar-powered Germany
Illinois microbead ban
Last month, Illinois became the first state to ban the sale of cosmetics containing plastic microbeads. [Read more…] about Illinois microbead ban
Whiskey-powered vehicles
A Scottish biofuel company called Celtic Renewables has successfully demonstrated the concept of producing biobutanol – a hydrocarbon fuel that can be a direct replacement for gasoline and diesel – from whiskey-making byproducts. They are now moving ahead to establish an industrial-scale pilot facility. [Read more…] about Whiskey-powered vehicles
Insect defense report card
During last spring’s report card season, a little known government program received its grades. The program is aimed at defending our nation against the imported insects and diseases that harm trees, forests, and local economies. [Read more…] about Insect defense report card
Solar grid parity
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One of the most common complaints about solar power is that it is too expensive and that the only reason it gets deployed at all is by virtue of government subsidies and tax credits. Historically, there was some amount of truth to this criticism but the times they are a-changing. [Read more…] about Solar grid parity
Versatile duckweed
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Duckweed is a tiny and extremely simple flowering aquatic plant that floats on or just beneath the surface of still or slow-moving bodies of fresh water. It is an important high-protein food source for waterfowl and is even eaten by people in some places. Duckweed is extremely fast growing and is capable of doubling its population in as little as 48 hours. In warm climates, it can grow pretty much anywhere. [Read more…] about Versatile duckweed
Weed crops for a warming world
Rising temperatures, droughts and higher CO2 levels pose threats to the world’s food supply. Grains like wheat and rice have been bred for centuries for productivity but are not well suited to a changing climate. [Read more…] about Weed crops for a warming world
Renewables changing of the guard
