Tariff Exemptions Are Terrible News for Electronics Repairability
(ifixit.com)
The US trade war is likely to have an unintended casualty: Repairability.
The US trade war is likely to have an unintended casualty: Repairability.
How AppHarvest’s indoor farming scheme imploded (2023)
(lpm.org)
The workers had spent the morning of November 8, 2021, clipping, trussing, and trellising hundreds of thousands of tomato plants that twisted almost four stories into the air. They were inside one of the world’s largest high-tech greenhouses, which sat on more than 60 acres of a former cattle field in Morehead, Kentucky.
The workers had spent the morning of November 8, 2021, clipping, trussing, and trellising hundreds of thousands of tomato plants that twisted almost four stories into the air. They were inside one of the world’s largest high-tech greenhouses, which sat on more than 60 acres of a former cattle field in Morehead, Kentucky.
We need 'revolutionary' cooling tech
(bbc.com)
Climate change is making staying cool more challenging
Climate change is making staying cool more challenging
Seagate claims spinning disks beat SSDs on carbon footprint
(blocksandfiles.com)
A Seagate Decarbonizing Data report says energy usage is a top concern for more than half of business leaders and better use of disks is a wise datacenter choice.
A Seagate Decarbonizing Data report says energy usage is a top concern for more than half of business leaders and better use of disks is a wise datacenter choice.
InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that's stronger than steel
(techcrunch.com)
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it actually comes from a lab in Maryland.
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it actually comes from a lab in Maryland.
Lightweight plastic mirrors drop cost of solar thermal energy by 40%
(newatlas.com)
Researchers in Australia are working on a way to lower the cost of producing solar thermal energy by as much as 40% with the help of shatterproof rear-view mirrors originally designed for cars.
Researchers in Australia are working on a way to lower the cost of producing solar thermal energy by as much as 40% with the help of shatterproof rear-view mirrors originally designed for cars.
InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that's stronger than steel
(techcrunch.com)
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it actually comes from a lab in Maryland.
It sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but it actually comes from a lab in Maryland.
The Climate Modeling Alliance
(clima.caltech.edu)
We know that climate change is poised to reshape our world, but we lack clear enough predictions about precisely how. At CliMA, our mission is to provide the accurate and actionable scientific information needed to face the coming changes—to mitigate what is avoidable, and to adapt to what is not. We want to provide the predictions necessary to plan resilient infrastructure, adapt supply chains, devise efficient climate change mitigation policies, and assess the risks of climate-related hazards to vulnerable communities.
We know that climate change is poised to reshape our world, but we lack clear enough predictions about precisely how. At CliMA, our mission is to provide the accurate and actionable scientific information needed to face the coming changes—to mitigate what is avoidable, and to adapt to what is not. We want to provide the predictions necessary to plan resilient infrastructure, adapt supply chains, devise efficient climate change mitigation policies, and assess the risks of climate-related hazards to vulnerable communities.
The Japanese method of creating forests comes to Mexico
(elpais.com)
In English, the Japanese concept satoyama translates as “village” and “mountain.” These are rural environments where communities manage forests and farmland based on a sustainable system, harnessing their resources without harming them, in a kind of sacred pact between humans and nature for living in harmony.
In English, the Japanese concept satoyama translates as “village” and “mountain.” These are rural environments where communities manage forests and farmland based on a sustainable system, harnessing their resources without harming them, in a kind of sacred pact between humans and nature for living in harmony.
Schools are digging underground for their heat – and saving money
(msn.com)
Like much of New England, the public schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts, have burned heating oil and natural gas for decades to keep their buildings warm through long, cold winters.
Like much of New England, the public schools in New Bedford, Massachusetts, have burned heating oil and natural gas for decades to keep their buildings warm through long, cold winters.
Less meat is nearly always better than sustainable meat
(ourworldindata.org)
If you want a lower-carbon diet, eating less meat is nearly always better than eating the most sustainable meat.
If you want a lower-carbon diet, eating less meat is nearly always better than eating the most sustainable meat.
PyPI Organizations (2023)
(pypi.org)
Today, we are rolling out the first step in our plan to build financial support and long-term sustainability of the Python Packaging Index (PyPI), while simultaneously giving our users one of our most requested features: organization accounts.
Today, we are rolling out the first step in our plan to build financial support and long-term sustainability of the Python Packaging Index (PyPI), while simultaneously giving our users one of our most requested features: organization accounts.
Starch-based bioplastic may be as toxic as petroleum-based plastic
(theguardian.com)
Starch-based bioplastic that is said to be biodegradable and sustainable is potentially as toxic as petroleum-based plastic, and can cause similar health problems, new peer-reviewed research finds.
Starch-based bioplastic that is said to be biodegradable and sustainable is potentially as toxic as petroleum-based plastic, and can cause similar health problems, new peer-reviewed research finds.
Philips will let you fix your trimmer with 3D printable parts and accessories
(theverge.com)
Philips Fixables wants to make it easier for consumers to keep their devices running.
Philips Fixables wants to make it easier for consumers to keep their devices running.
Slow software for a burning world
(bonfirenetworks.org)
As we approach the release of Bonfire 1.0, this isn’t your typical launch announcement. Instead, it’s a moment to reflect on how we’ve built Bonfire, a roadmap of values, methods, and intentions – and an invitation to define what comes next.
As we approach the release of Bonfire 1.0, this isn’t your typical launch announcement. Instead, it’s a moment to reflect on how we’ve built Bonfire, a roadmap of values, methods, and intentions – and an invitation to define what comes next.
Arduino is at work to make bio-based PCBs
(arduino.cc)
April 22nd is Earth Day – a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations. While the call for climate action grows louder, Arduino is committed to making sustainability an ongoing priority through concrete projects and global collaborations every day of the year.
April 22nd is Earth Day – a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve the planet for future generations. While the call for climate action grows louder, Arduino is committed to making sustainability an ongoing priority through concrete projects and global collaborations every day of the year.
Scientists discover new way to convert corn waste to low-cost sugar for biofuel
(news.wsu.edu)
RICHLAND, Wash. — Scientists at Washington State University have found a new way to produce sugar from corn stalks and other crop waste, potentially opening a new pathway to sustainable biofuels.
RICHLAND, Wash. — Scientists at Washington State University have found a new way to produce sugar from corn stalks and other crop waste, potentially opening a new pathway to sustainable biofuels.
Rams is a documentary portrait of Dieter Rams (2018)
(hustwit.com)
Rams is a documentary portrait of Dieter Rams, one of the most influential designers alive, and a rumination on consumerism, sustainability, and the future of design.
Rams is a documentary portrait of Dieter Rams, one of the most influential designers alive, and a rumination on consumerism, sustainability, and the future of design.
World's largest '100 per cent electric' ship launched
(abc.net.au)
At 130 metres long, Hull 096 is the largest electric vehicle of its kind ever built, with the maker saying it represents a "giant leap forward in sustainable shipping".
At 130 metres long, Hull 096 is the largest electric vehicle of its kind ever built, with the maker saying it represents a "giant leap forward in sustainable shipping".
Eco-voxels: reconfigurable building blocks for Earth and space construction
(techxplore.com)
For centuries, innovations in structural materials have prioritized strength and durability—often at a steep environmental price.
For centuries, innovations in structural materials have prioritized strength and durability—often at a steep environmental price.
How the Water System Works
(thenewatlantis.com)
There is so little fresh surface water on Earth that if you collected it all into a ball, it would barely reach across New York City. Running water is a miracle — but the technology that brings it to us and takes the waste away is actually thousands of years old. The only barrier to staying hydrated today is political will.
There is so little fresh surface water on Earth that if you collected it all into a ball, it would barely reach across New York City. Running water is a miracle — but the technology that brings it to us and takes the waste away is actually thousands of years old. The only barrier to staying hydrated today is political will.
One-sixth of the planet's cropland has toxic levels of one or more metals
(elpais.com)
The first 30 centimeters of soil are the foundation of life. This foot-deep slice of the pedosphere is the vital space for most plant roots. When roots go deeper, it’s to anchor the plant, not to nourish it. Within this narrow band, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and countless other microscopic organisms form the so-called biological crust, which in turn supports the larger life forms above.
The first 30 centimeters of soil are the foundation of life. This foot-deep slice of the pedosphere is the vital space for most plant roots. When roots go deeper, it’s to anchor the plant, not to nourish it. Within this narrow band, bacteria, fungi, nematodes, and countless other microscopic organisms form the so-called biological crust, which in turn supports the larger life forms above.
Spain hits first weekday of 100% renewable power on national grid
(pv-magazine.com)
Spain’s grid ran entirely on renewable energy for the first time on April 16, with wind, solar, and hydro meeting all peninsular electricity demand during a weekday.
Spain’s grid ran entirely on renewable energy for the first time on April 16, with wind, solar, and hydro meeting all peninsular electricity demand during a weekday.
Made in America: The Price Tag of Patriotism
(newinternet.tech)
We build beautiful narratives about our values. We tell stories about what matters—local manufacturing, sustainability, ethical production.
We build beautiful narratives about our values. We tell stories about what matters—local manufacturing, sustainability, ethical production.
Japan embraces lab-made fuels despite costs and climate concerns
(japantimes.co.jp)
For Japan’s largest utilities, lab-made fuels are a meaningful step toward greener energy that also extends the life of billions of dollars’ worth of existing fossil-fuel infrastructure.
For Japan’s largest utilities, lab-made fuels are a meaningful step toward greener energy that also extends the life of billions of dollars’ worth of existing fossil-fuel infrastructure.
Controversial tree farms powering Apple’s carbon neutral goal
(technologyreview.com)
The tech behemoth is betting that planting millions of eucalyptus trees in Brazil will be the path to a greener future. Some ecologists and local residents are far less sure.
The tech behemoth is betting that planting millions of eucalyptus trees in Brazil will be the path to a greener future. Some ecologists and local residents are far less sure.
Remineralizing soils? The agricultural usage of silicate rock powders: A review
(sciencedirect.com)
Soil nutrient depletion threatens global food security and has been seriously underestimated for potassium (K) and several micronutrients.
Soil nutrient depletion threatens global food security and has been seriously underestimated for potassium (K) and several micronutrients.