sustainability
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Depletion of major groundwater source threatens Great Plains farming
Greedy use of water reservoirs x Climate heating bringing more drought.
- www.nature.com Extending the Sustainable Development Goals to 2050 — a road map
The world should redouble its efforts on the SDGs, not abandon them. Here’s how to progress the United Nations’ agenda towards 2050.
- www.theregister.com Energy researchers say SMR promises don't match reality
Too expensive, slow, and risky for investors, and they're taking focus off renewables, say IEEFA experts
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Inside the nuclear influence machine (Australia)
thefifthestate.com.au Inside the nuclear influence machineIs the push for nuclear power in Australia more stalking horse for coal than a genuine alternative for a clean energy future? Here’s how the nuclear cabal is working its pitch
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New Dutch right-wing coalition to cut research, innovation, and environmental protections
>### Four parties hammer out agreement filled with bad news for scientists
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>The nationalist, populist Party for Freedom, led by Geert Wilders, won 23% of the vote in the November 2023 House elections, putting Wilders—once a fringe figure who proposed a “head rag tax” on women wearing headscarves—close to the center of power. Since then, Wilders has been in contentious and often chaotic negotiations to form a government with three other parties, including the center-right party led by outgoing Prime Minister Mark Rutte, which saw its electoral share shrink to 15%. The governing plan endorsed by the four parties, which marks a crucial step in forming a new government, includes a series of harsh anti-immigration measures. Centrist and left-wing parties fiercely criticized the plan during this week’s debate.
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>Another sharp turn comes in environmental policy. The Netherlands, a major agricultural exporter, has more farm animals per square kilometer than any other country in Europe, and their waste emits high levels of nitrogen compounds that violate EU rules and harm the country’s ecosystems. Past government plans to tackle the issue have triggered massive protests by farmers and the rise of a new party, the Farmer-Citizen Movement, that won 4.7% of the vote and is part of the new coalition.
- www.desmog.com Orbán-backed Think Tank Courts Farmers Linked to Far Right Ahead of EU Poll
An oil-funded think tank backed by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is involved in organising widespread farmer protests in the run-up to the EU elections, DeSmog can reveal. Hardline farming groups pledged to “sweep away” EU decision-makers at a “lunch and discussion” event, which was hosted b...
- www.corporateknights.com Veganic farming wants to take the bull shit out of organic agriculture
Organic agriculture has become synonymous with spreading manure. Veganic farming is cultivating a greener path.
- www.argia.eus Lack of regulation of electronic waste impairs the health of the poorest
Digitalisation is sometimes called 'dematerialisation', although in more than one part it is very material: from the production of appliances to our everyday use and ultimately to waste management,
- www.theguardian.com ‘They lied’: plastics producers deceived public about recycling, report reveals
Companies knew for decades recycling was not viable but promoted it regardless, Center for Climate Integrity study finds
- www.theguardian.com ‘Symbol of polarisation’: EU scraps plans to halve use of pesticides
Move is among bloc’s latest environmental concessions to farmers as protests continue across Europe
- www.theguardian.com Move to sustainable food systems could bring $10tn benefits a year, study finds
Existing production destroys more value than it creates due to medical and environmental costs, researchers say
- earth.org EU Delays Key Agricultural Policies Amid Mounting Pressure from European Farmers | Earth.Org
Unfair competition from the import sector, rising costs, and new green rules tabled by the EU have sparked farmers' protests in recent weeks.
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Last week, for the first time ever, a commercial offshore wind farm delivered power to the US grid
apnews.com Decades after Europe, turning blades send first commercial offshore wind power onto US gridOff the coast of eastern Long Island, an 800-foot tall turbine has begun sending electricity onto the U.S. grid from what’s set to be the country’s first commercial offshore wind farm.
NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — Despite some recent financial setbacks, U.S. offshore windpower has hit a milestone. An 800-foot tall turbine is now sending electricity onto the grid from a commercial-scale offshore wind farm on pace to be the country’s first.
The moment is years in the making and at the same time a modest advance in what experts say needs to be a major buildout of this type of clean electricity to address climate change.
Danish wind energy developer Ørsted and the utility Eversource announced Wednesday the first electricity from what will be a 12-turbine wind farm called South Fork Wind 35 miles (56 kilometers) east of Montauk Point, New York. It will be New York’s first offshore wind farm.
Ørsted and Eversource met Wednesday with New York officials to celebrate this “first power” milestone, in East Hampton, New York, where the wind farm connects to the onshore electric grid. They say the achievement builds a foundation for other large U.S. offshore wind farms that will follow.
So far, two of the 11-megawatt turbines are up. The second is undergoing testing, then it can begin producing power too. When the other ten are spinning and South Fork opens by early next year, it will be able to generate 132 megawatts of offshore wind energy to power more than 70,000 homes.
(Click link to read more)
- interestingengineering.com How scientists turned humid air into renewable energy by accident
Last May, researchers revealed they had managed to successfully generate a small but continuous electric current from humidity in the air. Now, a report is revealing the breakthrough came by surprise.
- innovationorigins.com Forget about energy-consuming ventilation systems - plants can clean the air better
Aura System’s green wall purifies indoor spaces’ air, leveraging the plants’ ability to capture and eliminate pollutants.
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Sustainability suggestions for church
Apparently my church has a sustainability committee. Naturally I must give them thoughts. All I can think of so far are smart thermostats, LEDs, and replacing the monoculture grass with something pollinator-friendly. What else should be considered? Are there obvious common things that can be improved on?
