By Ayurella Horn-Muller, Grist First-of-its-kind research shows how “ecoacoustics” can help scientists monitor the health of soils — using underground critter concerts. Think back to the last concert you went to. Now replace the music that rang through the venue with an erratic series of pops, muffled staccatos, distorted taps, …
Lufthansa is using artificial sharkskin to streamline airplanes
By Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica Copying a trick from the animal kingdom can help cut aircraft emissions. Companies are often caught between wanting to cut emissions but also grow profits. But for airlines, these two different imperatives actually align. Cutting carbon emissions means burning less fuel and spending less …
Scientists Develop Solar Panel Material 100 Times Thinner Than a Human Hair
By Frank Landymore, Futurism Its efficiency is already rivaling silicon-based solar panels. Thin Wins Researchers from the University of Oxford say they’ve developed a new, “multi-junction” technique to create a solar material that’s so thin it can be printed directly onto the surface of everyday objects, from cars, and smartphones, …
A Cracking New Use for Shellfish Waste: Extending the Life of Produce
Sustainable Brands University of Maryland researchers have developed a new type of porous material made of chitosan and copper to spray on fresh produce that absorbs chemical pesticides, extends shelf life and easily washes off. Crab shells have emerged as something of a dark horse in recent years, in terms of …
New Tool Identifies Top States, Cities for US Cleantech Manufacturing, Investment
Sustainable Brands RMI’s Clean Growth Tool provides policymakers and investors with a guide to development, manufacturing and job opportunities for a variety of low-carbon and clean-energy solutions and industries in all 50 states. Nonprofit climate and cleantech research institute RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) has launched the Clean Growth Tool — a new analytical …
STARTUPS WORKING ON USING THE OCEAN AS HUGE WASTE DUMP FOR CO2 TO SAVE EARTH FROM CLIMATE CHANGE
By Frank Landymore, Futurism “THE OCEAN BASICALLY DOES THE WORK FOR US.” Our fight against climate change is getting desperate. We may be on our way to a renewables-powered future, but until then, immediate solutions are needed to contend with soaring temperatures and rising sea levels. That has scientists considering …
It’s getting cheaper to filter carbon dioxide out of the air
By Justine Calma, The Verge Sucking CO2 out of the air is still a very costly endeavor, but one company has taken a big stride toward making the technology commercially viable. The next generation of industrial plants to filter CO2 out of the air is on the way, and it’s …
Bay Area city presses pause on controversial sea-spray climate project
By Sharon Udasin, The Hill The East Bay Area city of Alameda, Calif., has temporarily halted a boat-based climate research project, as local officials work to determine whether spraying sea salt particles into the air poses any environmental or health risks to members of the public. The University of Washington …
To aid the green energy transition, we need to modernize our grid infrastructure
By Sen. Peter Welch (D-VT), The Hill While it’s true that some things get better with age, the United States’ aging transmission infrastructure is not one of them. Updated transmission infrastructure is crucial to reducing emissions and ensuring dependable electricity service. Congress has passed green energy laws to help make …
Battery prices are plummeting. That’s good news for the planet.
By Mack Deguerin, Popular Science Battery prices could fall by 40% by 2030, but more work is to be done. Climate scientists, for years, have urged governments around the world to switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Wind and solar plants have increased in popularity in recent years but they …