Environmental News from Around the Globe - https://mymodernmet.com/category/environment/ The Big City That Celebrates Creative Ideas Mon, 01 May 2023 15:28:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.1.1 https://mymodernmet.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/cropped-My-Modern-Met-Favicon-1-32x32.png Environmental News from Around the Globe - https://mymodernmet.com/category/environment/ 32 32 Scientists Discover Fungi That Can Eat Plastic in Just 140 Days https://mymodernmet.com/plastic-eating-fungi/ Fri, 28 Apr 2023 16:35:37 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=594949 Scientists Discover Fungi That Can Eat Plastic in Just 140 Days

Our planet has a plastic problem. Accumulated waste and constant production have resulted in mounds of trash around the globe and bobbing in our oceans. Recycling is a good step, but it is limited by the technology's availability and the condition of the plastic in question. With 175 million tonnes (192.9 million tons) of plastic […]

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Scientists Discover Fungi That Can Eat Plastic in Just 140 Days
Scientists Discover Useful Plastic-Eating Fungi

This fungus breaks down polypropylene plastic. (Photo: Amira Farzana Samat/University of Sydney)

Our planet has a plastic problem. Accumulated waste and constant production have resulted in mounds of trash around the globe and bobbing in our oceans. Recycling is a good step, but it is limited by the technology's availability and the condition of the plastic in question. With 175 million tonnes (192.9 million tons) of plastic ending up in landfills or as litter per year of the 400 million tonnes (440 million tons) produced around the globe, it is a massive problem that has stumped society for a long time. As scientists endeavor to generate solutions to break down this non-biodegradable trash, a group of researchers at the University of Sydney discovered two common forms of backyard fungi can breakdown polypropylene completely in 140 days.

In a study published in NPJ Materials Degradation, the researchers detailed the results of using Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album on polypropylene plastic. The two species of fungi are common forms of mold. The team selected samples of polypropylene, a plastic that makes up to-go containers, plastic film, and other soft plastics. It is rarely recycled and, like other plastics, takes decades to degrade. The plastics were heated and treated with both UV radiation and Fenton's chemical (a reagent).

Next, the plastics were “fed” to the fungi and allowed to incubate for 90 days. After 90 days, the plastic was 27% degraded. After 140 days, it was completely degraded. Professor Ali Abbas, a paper author, noted to ABC Net Australia, “It's the highest degradation rate reported in the literature that we know in the world.” Within five years, the team hopes the fungi can be breaking down landfills around the country. “It is scaling up which is very much similar to any kind of fermentation process,” Abbas said. “That technology already exists for those processes and we're able to now borrow that learning from chemical process engineering and bring it into this particular process here.”

Commercial applications could be even faster with funding and political will. The mold solution could be pivotal for isolated areas which produce waste but lack infrastructure or space to house the waste. This potential solution adds to others such as plastic-eating worms to attack our waste. However, the world also needs to reduce its plastic use, even if full degradation becomes widespread. Plastic production, as well as recycling, produce carbon in large amounts. Degrading through mold will also release carbon. While such solutions are particularly valuable for existing waste, the first R in “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” is still the most valuable.

Researchers have used common backyard fungi to destroy some of the toughest plastics.

Scientists Discover Useful Plastic-Eating Fungi

The fungi sets to work. (Photo: University of Sydney)

The molds can destroy polypropylene when activated by heat.

Scientists Discover Useful Plastic-Eating Fungi

University of Sydney scientists Ali Abbas (left) and Amira Farzana Samat (right). (Photo: University of Sydney)

As accumulating plastics are a key environmental problem, the search for solutions is critical.

Scientists Discover Useful Plastic-Eating Fungi

Photo: KANVAG/Depositphotos

h/t: [ABC.Net.Au]

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READ: Scientists Discover Fungi That Can Eat Plastic in Just 140 Days

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Kelp Forests Absorb 5 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide Every Year https://mymodernmet.com/kelp-forests-carbon-dioxide/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 14:45:26 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=595373 Kelp Forests Absorb 5 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide Every Year

What's the value of seaweed? A new study published in Nature Communications suggest the value of the sea plant goes far beyond sushi. Researchers valued kelp forests, forests of large brown algae, at about $465 billion and $562 billion per year worldwide due to their positive impact on commercial fisheries and the environment. This flora […]

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Kelp Forests Absorb 5 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide Every Year
Kelp Forests Sink 5.5 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide Annually

Photo: EAD72/Depositphotos

What's the value of seaweed? A new study published in Nature Communications suggest the value of the sea plant goes far beyond sushi. Researchers valued kelp forests, forests of large brown algae, at about $465 billion and $562 billion per year worldwide due to their positive impact on commercial fisheries and the environment. This flora also absorbs 4.5 million tonnes (4.96 tons) of carbon dioxide annually, rather like forests on land.

Aaron Eger at the University of New South Wales in Australia set out with his fellow researchers to quantify the benefits of seaweed. The team focused on six kinds of kelp which grow in dense thickets known as forests. About 1,500 species of fish and marine life live in these forests. This sea life supports commercial fisheries and food supplies. They added this “value” to the other benefits of kelp. Kelp absorbs carbon dioxide (largely responsible for our warming planet) as well as nitrogen and phosphorus from agricultural run off. This helps preserve the quality of our waters.

Testing seaweed gave researchers insight into how much the plants absorb. “Much like a plant on land, [kelp forests] are taking up nutrients, they’re taking up carbon dioxide, and using light to fuel their growth,” Eger said. In total, these kelp forests provide two main benefits. They support $465 to $562 billion per year of the global economy. They also sink almost five million tons of carbon dioxide. Although the current paper does not focus on it, seaweed is also a promising climate-resistant food source with the power to uplift female cultivators. This wonder plant is part of a climate-friendly future in multiple ways.

Kelp forests around the world have proved to be tremendous carbon sinks, as well as a lucrative support for fishing expansion and food supplies.

Kelp Forests Sink 5.5 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide Annually

A giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) forest in Southern California. (Photo: TIMBALCOMB/Depositphotos)

h/t: [New Scientist]

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READ: Kelp Forests Absorb 5 Million Tons of Carbon Dioxide Every Year

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30 Eco-Friendly Products to Reduce Waste in Style https://mymodernmet.com/eco-friendly-products/ Sun, 16 Apr 2023 03:20:12 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=152241 30 Eco-Friendly Products to Reduce Waste in Style

Are you looking for a way to lead a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle without sacrificing your creative spark? If so, you're in luck! We've compiled a selection of eco-friendly products that are as stylish as they are sustainable. Many of these green gifts offer an aesthetically-appealing alternative to single-use plastic, including a reusable, floral-printed shopping bag and a […]

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30 Eco-Friendly Products to Reduce Waste in Style
A Selection of Eco-Friendly Products for Earth Day

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Are you looking for a way to lead a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle without sacrificing your creative spark? If so, you're in luck! We've compiled a selection of eco-friendly products that are as stylish as they are sustainable.

Many of these green gifts offer an aesthetically-appealing alternative to single-use plastic, including a reusable, floral-printed shopping bag and a convenient metal straw. Other items help you cut down on your plastic consumption in other ways, from a plant-based coffee mug to a reusable bottle for your water. You can even up your daily routine and lower your carbon footprint by switching to items like reusable organic cotton makeup pads over disposable wipes. These simple choices will help you do your part to eliminate plastic bags and plastic bottles from polluting our oceans.

Environmentally friendly products can also mean taking waste and giving it a new purpose. Items like wood-cover journals, nature-inspired pencils, and stylish jewelry are all crafted from reclaimed and recycled materials. There are even temporary tattoos that use natural ingredients like vegetable ink so that you can still make a statement without harsh chemicals.

Save the planet in style with 30 sustainable products and lighten your environmental impact.

 

Shine a light on sustainable design with this upcycled illumination.

 

A loose-leaf teacup means that there's no need for disposable tea bags.

Eco-Friendly Products Loose Leaf Tea Strainer

Carlie | $13.89

Ceramic Tea Mug with Loose Leaf Infuser and Lid

TANG PIN | $23.95

 

And travel coffee mugs are a great way to reduce waste!

Plant-based Reusable Coffee Tumbler

FEBU | $17.95

Ceramic Travel Coffee Mug

Ello | $14.99

 

The cover of these wooden notebooks are made from certified sustainable American-grown wood.

Wood Cover Notebook

Hereafter | $29

 

They pair perfectly with these cool pencils. Can you believe they're made from recycled paper?

Eco-Friendly Products Flower Pencils

TRINUS | $22

 

Or that these temporary tattoos are printed using vegetable ink?

Eco Friendly Temporary Tattoos

Tattly | $18

Butterfly Watercolor Temporary Tattoos

Tattly | $18

 

Even this jewelry is made from recycled materials!

Upcycled Necklace

rekrea | $39.70

 

You can store all of these products and more in these eco-friendly bags, pouches, and totes.

Van Gogh Zippered Pouches

LOQI | $22.50

 

Or these convenient reusable shopping bags—which are a great alternative to paper or plastic.

Great Wave Reusable Shopping Bag

LOQI | $17.50

Keith Haring Recycled Material Tote

LOQI | $17.50

 

Pack your bags for a weekend trip. These chic options are made from recycled taffeta.

Van Gogh Almond Blossoms Weekender Bag

LOQI | $44.95

Gold Flower Taffeta Weekender

LOQI | $44.95

 

Cloth makeup pads are much better than disposable wipes.

 

And these makeup brushes made from recycled and sustainable material will keep your face flawless.

Sustainable Makeup Brushes

Eco Tools | $9.98

 

These reusable straws will help make plastic a thing of the past.

Eco-Friendly Products Reusable Straw

FinalStraw | $23.95

Stainless Steel Reusable Straws

Ello | $9.99

 

…and so will reusable water bottles!

Reusable Steel Water Bottle

Simple Modern | $18.99

Eco-Friendly Products

Veegoal | $17.99

 

Finally, wrap your gifts in seeded paper that blooms when you plant it!

Eco-Friendly Products Plantable Wrapping Paper

Triumph Plant | $10.99

 

This article has been edited and updated.

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READ: 30 Eco-Friendly Products to Reduce Waste in Style

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13 Eco-Friendly Tips on How To Reduce Your Garbage and Strive for Zero Waste https://mymodernmet.com/zero-waste-living-tips/ Fri, 14 Apr 2023 13:50:03 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=585732 13 Eco-Friendly Tips on How To Reduce Your Garbage and Strive for Zero Waste

The climate crisis affects everyone, and we all need to do our part to help mitigate the detrimental effects it’s having on our planet. While many of the solutions lie in the hands of governments and public policy reform, there are things that we, as individuals, can do to lessen our negative impact on the […]

READ: 13 Eco-Friendly Tips on How To Reduce Your Garbage and Strive for Zero Waste

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13 Eco-Friendly Tips on How To Reduce Your Garbage and Strive for Zero Waste
Zero Waste Living

Photo: lgishevamaria/Depositphotos
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

The climate crisis affects everyone, and we all need to do our part to help mitigate the detrimental effects it’s having on our planet. While many of the solutions lie in the hands of governments and public policy reform, there are things that we, as individuals, can do to lessen our negative impact on the environment. One of the things we can all strive for is to live a zero-waste lifestyle.

So, what is zero waste? It's the practice of reducing the amount of waste you produce in your daily life to nothing. (Imagine throwing nothing away.) Being zero waste is great for the environment, especially as landfills are full and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find new places to dispose of our trash. By reducing the amount of waste we produce, we help conserve resources and reduce pollution.

Opting for zero waste is also great for your wallet. Choosing reusable items over disposable ones often has a larger up-front cost but will save you money over time. A reusable water bottle, for example, is more expensive than a single bottle of water. But, when you think about how many bottles of water you won't have to buy in the future, it adds up.

If the idea of zero waste is intimidating, that's okay! Don’t let it dissuade you from even trying in the first place. It’s extremely difficult, especially in our culture of mass consumption, to live without making waste; disposable plastics and convenience items are everywhere you turn. Going zero waste isn’t about being perfect, but rather making small changes that add up over time.

To get started, scroll down for some tips for zero-waste living.

Zero waste is the practice of reducing the amount of waste you produce in your daily life to nothing. Here are 13 tips to help you get started.

 

Eco-Friendly Items

Photo: Sonyachny/Depositphotos

 

Reduce your overall consumption.

One of the best ways to reduce waste is by simply consuming less. The solution seems obvious, but it’s easier said than done—especially in a culture that is focused on having the latest and greatest things. To help combat this mindset, be conscious of what you buy (tracking them is helpful), and try to only buy the things that you really need.

 

Make the switch to a reusable water bottle.

Did you know that hardly any plastic is recycled? Ditch the plastic water bottles and invest in a high-quality reusable bottle instead.

 

Bring your own shopping bags.

Grab your grocery totes when you do your food shopping or go on a Target run. You’ll avoid using single-use plastic bags, and in some places, avoid a small bag fee. To make your shopping even greener, refrain from using plastic produce bags and use reusable produce bags (or skip the bag completely).

 

Say no to plastic straws.

Ask yourself: do you really need the straw? If you can skip it, consider doing so. Alternatively, invest in a reusable straw that’s made from bamboo, stainless steel, or even glass.

 

Switch to cloth in your kitchen.

Rather than using disposable paper napkins or paper towels for cleaning, switch to cloth for both jobs. They can be washed and reused time and again. One easy way to make your own cleaning cloths is to cut up an old t-shirt. They make great rags, and you’re avoiding throwing something in the landfill.

 

Shop the bulk section.

Have you passed by bins of grains and nuts at your grocery store? That’s the bulk section. There, you can get exactly the amount of something you need which helps reduce food waste. Bring your own reusable containers to these sections to save the plastic packaging you’d likely get from the store shelves.

 

Composting Food Scraps

Photo: Pixavrill/Depositphotos

 

Compost your food waste.

Your city might have compost services. In that case, take advantage of them. You’d be surprised how much you can compost in commercial facilities. But if you live somewhere that doesn't offer composting, you can create your own pile or bin to reduce food waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your plants.

 

Bring reusable cups to the coffee shop.

A typical single-use to-go cup you get at the coffee shop has to go into the trash; the poly-lined products aren’t recyclable. To avoid the landfill, bring your own reusable coffee cup. Hot beverages are the most common but don’t forget about your iced coffee, too.

 

Repair and reuse.

Instead of throwing things away, try to repair them or find ways to reuse them. If you’re weary of repairing something, check out if there’s a repair cafe in your area. You might just get that toaster working again.

 

Opt for secondhand.

When shopping for clothing or other items, check out secondhand stores or online marketplaces to find gently used things. Buy Nothing is another option. This form of mutual aid doesn't cost you anything; it's powered by your local neighborhood, and people offer the things they want to get rid of or ask for the things they need. By joining it, you’ll be keeping an item from being thrown out and you’ll have something brand new to you—all at no cost.

 

Use a bar of soap.

Swap out your body wash and liquid hand soap for bars of soap. This will avoid plastic bottles and you'll still enjoy some wonderful scents.

 

Create ecobricks using your plastic waste.

An ecobrick is a way to keep plastic out of the biosphere; essentially, it’s a PET plastic bottle that’s filled with condensed plastic that you're unable to recycle. It has many uses, including in building in the place of conventional bricks.

 

Avoid single-use plastics in your kitchen.

Refrain from using single-use plastics like plastic wrap, ziplock bags, and disposable cutlery. Swap them with beeswax wraps, silicone storage bags, and metal flatware.

 

Fruit in a Cloth Bag

Photo: VladimVasenin/Depositphotos

 

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READ: 13 Eco-Friendly Tips on How To Reduce Your Garbage and Strive for Zero Waste

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Ocean Cleanup Has Removed Over 220 Tons of Plastic Out of the Pacific Ocean https://mymodernmet.com/ocean-cleanup-gpgp-220-tons/ Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:45:23 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=591172 Ocean Cleanup Has Removed Over 220 Tons of Plastic Out of the Pacific Ocean

One non-profit organization is making progress toward its goal of ridding the oceans of plastic by 2040. With its latest haul from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), The Ocean Cleanup has now removed over 220 tons (200,000 kg) of trash from the sea. It's a stunning achievement that should be applauded, particularly when one realizes […]

READ: Ocean Cleanup Has Removed Over 220 Tons of Plastic Out of the Pacific Ocean

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Ocean Cleanup Has Removed Over 220 Tons of Plastic Out of the Pacific Ocean The Ocean Cleanup

One non-profit organization is making progress toward its goal of ridding the oceans of plastic by 2040. With its latest haul from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP), The Ocean Cleanup has now removed over 220 tons (200,000 kg) of trash from the sea. It's a stunning achievement that should be applauded, particularly when one realizes that the entire project began thanks to a simple idea by a teenager.

Dutch inventor Boyan Slat is the founder and CEO of The Ocean Cleanup. Now 28, he was just 16 years old when he wondered why it was so hard to keep plastic out of the ocean. That simple question led to big ambitions, and over the years Slat and his team have tested and improved a mechanism for hauling large quantities of trash from the seas.

System 002/B is the current model at work and has just completed its first haul of 2023. The nearly 7 tons (6,260 kg) of plastic that is extracted pushed the organization over the 220-ton mark. And while this is great progress, there is sadly much more trash where that came from. The GPGP covers an area twice the size of Texas and a 2018 research paper estimated that it contained 87,500 tons of plastic.

So while The Ocean Cleanup has made great progress, there is still a long way to go before the GPGP disappears. Of course, we can all do our part to ensure that there is less plastic around to end up in the ocean. This starts with habits at home and doing away with single-use plastic. While many governments have already banned items like plastic drinking straws and non-biodegradable shopping bags, everyone can do their part. Whether that means purchasing a reusable water bottle or switching to an eco-friendly toothbrush, every little bit helps.

After its first haul of 2023, The Ocean Cleanup has extracted over 220 tons of plastic from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.

With an estimated 1,800 billion pieces of trash floating in the Pacific Ocean, the non-profit will be working tirelessly to eliminate all the plastic.

Trash picked up in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by The Ocean CleanupThe Ocean Cleanup: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube

All images via The Ocean Cleanup.

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READ: Ocean Cleanup Has Removed Over 220 Tons of Plastic Out of the Pacific Ocean

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Company Creates Meatball From the Cells of an Extinct Woolly Mammoth https://mymodernmet.com/woolly-mammoth-meatball/ Thu, 30 Mar 2023 17:30:07 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=589324 Company Creates Meatball From the Cells of an Extinct Woolly Mammoth

Traditional meat production is a leading stressor on the environment, as it's a known fact that raising livestock produces an incredible amount of greenhouse gases. As the world races against time to cut emissions, some companies are doing their part by showing how meat can be produced without livestock. And now one Australian company has […]

READ: Company Creates Meatball From the Cells of an Extinct Woolly Mammoth

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Company Creates Meatball From the Cells of an Extinct Woolly Mammoth
Woolly Mammoth Meatball

Photo: Vow

Traditional meat production is a leading stressor on the environment, as it's a known fact that raising livestock produces an incredible amount of greenhouse gases. As the world races against time to cut emissions, some companies are doing their part by showing how meat can be produced without livestock. And now one Australian company has created a meatball from the cells of an extinct woolly mammoth in order to bring attention to the process.

Cultivated, or cultured, meat is the process of creating animal meat via stem cells. The technology first gained attention a decade ago, when Dutch pharmacologist Mark Post presented the first meat-cultivated burger. Many companies now focus on producing cultivated meat, but the Australia-based Vow is taking a creative approach to the process. While they have produced standard meats like beef and chicken, they are also experimenting with different flavors like kangaroo, quail, crocodile, and alpaca.

Their woolly mammoth meatball—which hasn't yet been tasted—was dreamed up as a way to start a conversation about how much meat we consume and where it comes from.

“We have a behavior change problem when it comes to meat consumption,” says George Peppou, CEO of Vow. “The goal is to transition a few billion meat eaters away from eating [conventional] animal protein to eating things that can be produced in electrified systems.”

Vow believes that it can help people transition to cultivated meat by mixing and matching cells to create a nutritious and delicious option for consumers. Singapore has already approved the sale of cultured meat and chicken by the company Good Meat and they are currently available for purchase. Vow will be offering their Japanese quail to diners in Singapore later this year.

The United States is also poised to start allowing cultured meat to come to market. In late 2022, the FDA also gave approvals that will open the door for meat and seafood produced in labs to eventually hit the shelves in America.

While there might be some hesitancy on the part of the public to eat meat produced in a lab, concerns about the environment and food insecurity make this technology more important than ever.

“It’s a little bit strange and new—it’s always like that at first,” shares Professor Ernst Wolvetang of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering at the University of Queensland. Professor Wolvetang helped Vow create the mammoth muscle protein used to give the meat its flavor. “But from an environmental and ethical point of view, I personally think [cultivated meat] makes a lot of sense.”

The woolly mammoth meatball, which was gifted to the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave in the Netherlands, may seem like a publicity stunt, but for Vow, the use of an extinct animal is important.

“We chose the woolly mammoth because it’s a symbol of diversity loss and a symbol of climate change,” shares Vow co-founder Tim Noakesmith.

While the unusual meatball has people talking, it remains to be seen if it will push the public to change their mentality about the type of meat that they consume.

Cultivated food company Vow created a meatball using cells from a woolly mammoth as a way to start a conversation about eating conventionally produced meat.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Vow (@itsjustvow)


Vow is one of many companies that produce edible animal meat and seafood from cells in a lab.

Diagram about how cultivated meat is produced

Photo: Lukaves/Depositphotos

These food items are seen as a way to combat the negative environmental effects of raising livestock.

Cattle in Pampas landscape at dusk, Patagonia, Argentina

Photo: FOTO4440/Depositphotos

Vow: Website | Instagram
h/t: [The Guardian]

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READ: Company Creates Meatball From the Cells of an Extinct Woolly Mammoth

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Dandelion-Like “Fairy” Robots Can Help Fill the Gap of Declining Pollinator Populations https://mymodernmet.com/dandelion-fairy-robot-pollination/ Sun, 26 Mar 2023 12:55:57 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=578283 Dandelion-Like “Fairy” Robots Can Help Fill the Gap of Declining Pollinator Populations

The declining populations of pollinators across the globe are of great concern. As the backbone of fertilization and an important foundation of the ecosystem, scientists have come up with incredible solutions to preserve their lives. In Europe, bus stops have become pollinator pit stops. In Japan, tiny water shrines serve as bee respites. But what […]

READ: Dandelion-Like “Fairy” Robots Can Help Fill the Gap of Declining Pollinator Populations

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Dandelion-Like “Fairy” Robots Can Help Fill the Gap of Declining Pollinator Populations
FAIRY robot from Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang

Photo: Jianfeng Yang/Tampere University

The declining populations of pollinators across the globe are of great concern. As the backbone of fertilization and an important foundation of the ecosystem, scientists have come up with incredible solutions to preserve their lives. In Europe, bus stops have become pollinator pit stops. In Japan, tiny water shrines serve as bee respites. But what if pollinator populations are declining too much? A team of scientists from Tampere University in Finland has a possible solution.

The university's Light Robots is a group focused on robots that respond to light and are also lightweight. It honed in on stimuli-responsive polymers. Group leader and Academy Research Fellow Hao Zeng states, “The development of stimuli-responsive polymers has brought about a wealth of material-related opportunities for next-generation small-scale, wirelessly controlled soft-bodied robots.” He goes on to say that these special polymers have been used to make tiny robots walk, swim, and jump, but none have successfully used them to make robots fly—until now.

Zeng and Jianfeng Yang have created a new dandelion-inspired design for their project called FAIRY, or Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly. This polymer-assembly robot can fly by wind and is controlled by light. “Superior to its natural counterparts, this artificial seed is equipped with a soft actuator,” explains Zeng. “The actuator is made of light-responsive liquid crystalline elastomer, which induces opening or closing actions of the bristles upon visible light excitation.” In other words, light can be used to change the shape of the small robot.

Zeng and Yang designed these tiny fairies to mimic one of nature’s best pollinators, the dandelion. The tiny robots have high porosity and are incredibly lightweight, which allows them to easily float in the air. Dandelion seeds create separated vortex rings, which help the seeds balance and travel long distances.

To do their due diligence, the team created a way for the robots to generate their own separated vortex rings. “The fairy can be powered and controlled by a light source, such as a laser beam or LED,” Zeng says. Once light hits the robot, it changes its shape, generates swirling air, and catches the wind to effortlessly take flight. A beam of light can also control how the robot takes off and lands. And because the polymer is responsive to light, during dark and cloudy days, it stays still and waits for optimal light conditions to embark on its journey.

The researchers will next set their sights on improving the design and scaling it to have incredible benefits. They’ll work on the polymer’s sensitivity so that the micro-robots can be controlled in daylight. They’ll also find ways to carry tiny electronic devices like GPS and sensors, and chemical compounds. “It sounds like science fiction,” Zeng writes, “but the proof-of-concept experiments included in our research show that the robot we have developed provides an important step towards realistic applications suitable for artificial pollination.”

The FAIRY project has been running for a little over a year now and has an end date of August 2026. There are many challenges to overcome and questions to answer, but Zeng and his team are confident that the possibilities are endless. “This would have a huge impact on agriculture globally since the loss of pollinators due to global warming has become a serious threat to biodiversity and food production.”

A team of scientists from Tampere University has a possible solution for the declining populations of pollinators: tiny FAIRY robots.

FAIRY robot from Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang

Photo: Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang/Tampere University

FAIRY, or Flying Aero-robots based on Light Responsive Materials Assembly, is a polymer-assembly robot that can fly by wind and is controlled by light.

FAIRY robot from Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang

Photo: Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang/Tampere University

Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang designed these tiny fairies to mimic one of nature’s best pollinators, the dandelion.

FAIRY robot from Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang

Photo: Hao Zeng and Jianfeng Yang/Tampere University

“It sounds like science fiction,” Zeng starts, “but the proof-of-concept experiments included in our research show that the robot we have developed provides an important step towards realistic applications suitable for artificial pollination.”

h/t: [Good News Network]

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Earth’s Temperature Is Rising More Rapidly Than Expected According to Experts https://mymodernmet.com/ipcc-global-warming-report-2023/ Tue, 21 Mar 2023 19:20:23 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=587056 Earth’s Temperature Is Rising More Rapidly Than Expected According to Experts

The window of opportunity to save our planet from a climate crisis is closing quickly. According to a new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), governments need to curb their use of fossil fuels immediately or Earth will pass a critical global warming threshold even sooner than we thought. In a comprehensive […]

READ: Earth’s Temperature Is Rising More Rapidly Than Expected According to Experts

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Earth’s Temperature Is Rising More Rapidly Than Expected According to Experts
Factory showing emissions

Photo: jjayo/Depositphotos

The window of opportunity to save our planet from a climate crisis is closing quickly. According to a new report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), governments need to curb their use of fossil fuels immediately or Earth will pass a critical global warming threshold even sooner than we thought. In a comprehensive study published on Monday, the IPCC declared that global temperatures will rise 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels at some point in the early 2030s.

While many governments have pledged to have zero net emissions by 2050 or 2060, according to this panel of experts, it simply won't be enough. Temperatures have already risen 1.1 degrees Celsius, so in order to keep warming below 1.5 degrees, greenhouse gas emissions will need to be slashed in half by 2030. Additionally, industrialized nations would also have to stop releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere by the early 2050s. Even if these two ambitious goals are accomplished, there is still only a 50% chance of keeping warming to under 1.5 degrees Celsius.

“The pace and scale of what has been done so far and current plans are insufficient to tackle climate change,” states Hoesung Lee, IPCC Chair. “We are walking when we should be sprinting.”

Luckily, the experts say that not all hope is lost. And they've provided a roadmap for ensuring that the world's population knows how to help keep emissions down. While their suggestions call for bold, rapid action, the panel is also clear in stating that this is necessary in order to help our planet thrive for future generations.

Visual representation of global warming

Photo: sarayut/Depositphotos

“Mainstreaming effective and equitable climate action will not only reduce losses and damages for nature and people, it will also provide wider benefits,” says Lee.

IPCC points out that the extreme weather caused by global warming is already evident across the globe. Heavy rainfall, extreme heatwaves, and longer periods of droughts are already making life difficult for humans and animals in every nation.

So what can we do to turn things around? Anything to avoid further greenhouse gas emissions can have a positive effect. This means walking, cycling, or taking public transit instead of driving in order to improve air quality. The experts also champion the conservation and protection of 30-50% of the Earth’s land, freshwater, and ocean as a way to keep a healthy planet.

The study also points specifically to the food sector, electricity, transport, industry, buildings, and land-use as areas that can make significant changes to reduce emissions. And in doing so, they could also make it easier for individuals to live a low-carbon lifestyle that can both help the planet and improve their health.

But, in order to make real change, the entire planet will need to work together and put their individual needs aside for the good of our future.

“Transformational changes are more likely to succeed where there is trust, where everyone works together to prioritize risk reduction, and where benefits and burdens are shared equitably,” Lee asserts. “We live in a diverse world in which everyone has different responsibilities and different opportunities to bring about change.”

h/t: [NYTimes]

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READ: Earth’s Temperature Is Rising More Rapidly Than Expected According to Experts

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13,000 Solar Panels Will Help Power JFK Airport’s ‘New Terminal One’ https://mymodernmet.com/solar-panels-jfk-terminal-one/ Sat, 18 Mar 2023 14:45:55 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=577178 13,000 Solar Panels Will Help Power JFK Airport’s ‘New Terminal One’

New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport is getting an upgrade. Its New Terminal One, which started construction in 2022, was designed with both beauty and sustainability in mind. The $9.5 billion project includes a microgrid to power the terminal. This new power system is an innovative answer to the energy crisis and would […]

READ: 13,000 Solar Panels Will Help Power JFK Airport’s ‘New Terminal One’

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13,000 Solar Panels Will Help Power JFK Airport’s ‘New Terminal One’ Solar Panels on New Terminal One JFK

New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport is getting an upgrade. Its New Terminal One, which started construction in 2022, was designed with both beauty and sustainability in mind. The $9.5 billion project includes a microgrid to power the terminal. This new power system is an innovative answer to the energy crisis and would allow the New Terminal One to operate without the city's power grid during emergencies.

The microgrid will produce 11.34 megawatts of electricity from rooftop solar, gas fuel cells, and battery storage. On the roof, 13,000 solar panels will set a record as the largest solar array in New York City and at any U.S. airport terminal. To put things into perspective, the microgrid will produce enough electricity to power 3,570 American homes for an entire year.

The energy project will be constructed and managed by AlphaStruxure, a Boston-based firm specializing in energy infrastructure. According to the company, the microgrid will produce 38% less greenhouse-gas emissions and reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide by 98%.

Four power islands make up the microgrid. Each will have its own fuel cells and battery storage and will be digitized and automated. The islands function independently but are interconnected, and the first three are expected to open in 2026. The fourth, and final, power island will then open in 2029.

The 23-gate terminal is set to feature large, well-lit interiors and amenities to enhance the traveler experience. The first gate is expected to open in 2026, with construction on New Terminal One wrapping up in 2030.

The New Terminal One at JFK International Airport will be fitted with 13,000 rooftop solar panels, the largest solar array in NYC.

Solar Panels on New Terminal One JFK

h/t: [Interesting Engineering]

All images via A Whole New JFK.

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READ: 13,000 Solar Panels Will Help Power JFK Airport’s ‘New Terminal One’

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Meet the Woman Who Lived in a Tree for Two Years To Save It From Loggers https://mymodernmet.com/julia-butterfly-hill-tree/ Wed, 08 Mar 2023 21:15:04 +0000 https://mymodernmet.com/?p=579351 Meet the Woman Who Lived in a Tree for Two Years To Save It From Loggers

They say those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. Taking a stand for what you believe in forms a person and creates change that ripples across society. For environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, the moment to take a stand came in December 1997. The then-23-year-old activist was road-tripping across California when she encountered […]

READ: Meet the Woman Who Lived in a Tree for Two Years To Save It From Loggers

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Meet the Woman Who Lived in a Tree for Two Years To Save It From Loggers

They say those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. Taking a stand for what you believe in forms a person and creates change that ripples across society. For environmental activist Julia Butterfly Hill, the moment to take a stand came in December 1997. The then-23-year-old activist was road-tripping across California when she encountered a group of eco-warriors rotating through “tree sits” among Humboldt County's magnificent redwoods. Volunteering to go up for a week stint, Hill ended up spending over two years—738 days—living in the lofty branches of a magnificent, 200-foot-tall tree. Her actions, and those of her fellow activists, saved the tree from destruction by loggers.

The tree was in danger of being cut down by the Pacific Lumber Company. The tree itself was 1,000 years old and alive despite a past lightning strike. Activists named it Luna, after the Moon. Hill was recruited for a short stay on a six-by-four-foot platform made of reclaimed wood, but as we know, it was much longer than that.

The residency was not an easy one. Volunteers, including the radical environmental group Earth First!, passed up supplies in a bucket pully system. Hill cooked on a single-burner propane stove and slept in a tightly wrapped sleeping bag. Freezing temperatures and 40-mile-per-hour winds created danger. Helicopters circled, angry loggers harassed her, and the logging company laid siege to the tree for ten days trying to remove the activist.

During her tenure, Hill gave interviews and drew a great deal of attention (via solar-powered phones). She only came down once a resolution was reached with the logging company to preserve Luna and other trees within a 200-foot radius. Hill then went on to take more radical stands for the environment and to become a proponent of tax redirection (not paying one's taxes to the government, but directly donating to causes one believes deserve the funds).

As brave as Hill's stance in the tree was, beautiful young white women tend to get the kind of news coverage and praise other climate and Earth activists don't. For example, indigenous protesters at Standing Rock who were resisting the desecration of their lands by the Dakota Access Pipeline faced brutal resistance and harsh weather. Women and even the elderly in Appalachia have led the way in a series of tree sits to protect biodiversity and prevent pipelines. Meanwhile, indigenous peoples in the Amazon fight to preserve our Earth's lungs.

People with privilege can choose to take a stand, but many others have no choice but to preserve their lives and livelihoods. Not everyone can sit in a tree for two years, but we can all take a stand for the Earth in our daily lives. How will you take your stand?

An eco-activist named Julia Butterfly Hill lived in the canopy of a California redwood tree for two years between 1997 and 1999.

Embed from Getty Images

Her stand saved the ancient tree from destruction by a lumber company.

Embed from Getty Images

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READ: Meet the Woman Who Lived in a Tree for Two Years To Save It From Loggers

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