Science and Technology:
¶ “Solar Powered Hyperloop System Could Be Coming To A City Near You” • An eco-friendly version of the Hyperloop network is in the works, powered by a skin of solar-powered modules and wind turbine forests, and complete with parks and urban farming spaces. It is the superfast transport technology first envisaged by Elon Musk. [CNN]
Solar powered Hyperloop
¶ “Satellite Data Reveals Link Between Hotter Temperatures & Forest Fires” • NASA satellites have been gathering data for many years. Now, in a report by the Goddard Space Flight Center, NASA scientists say analysis of all that data shows a strong link between higher global temperatures and the frequency and severity of forest fires. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Device Generates Light From The Cold Night Sky” • An inexpensive thermoelectric device harnesses the cold of space without active heat input, generating electricity that powers an LED at night, researchers report in the journal Joule. The device was developed by at team of scientists at UCLA and Stanford University. [Eurasia Review]
Thermoelectric generator (Credit: Aaswath Raman)
World:
¶ “Nestlé Plans To Reduce Greenhouse Gases Across Its Supply Chain” • Nestlé pledged to reach zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a goal that requires many changes from both it and the farmers it works with. Global warming poses a huge threat to any business that relies heavily on agricultural products and water. [CNN]
¶ “Brazil Amazon: Old Enemies Unite To Save Their Land” • While the world’s attention has been focused on the fires raging in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil, indigenous people warned that policies of President Jair Bolsonaro pose a bigger threat to their existence. Rival groups are uniting to fight government plans for their home region. [BBC]
Kayapó and Panará, once rivals (Lucas Landau | Rede Xingu+)
¶ “AfDB’s Solar Project Aims At Making Africa A Renewable Power House” • The African Development Bank is leading a revolution with a highly ambitious solar project to make Africa a renewable power-house. This project is expected to stretch across the Sub-Saharan region by tapping into the region’s abundant solar resource. [Inter Press Service]
¶ “How The Battery Of The Nation Will Power Up Our Future” • The project director at Hydro Tasmania believes Tasmania is on the cusp of the most significant economic and social opportunity since the hydro system was developed. The rest of Australia wants renewable energy and Tasmania’s Battery of the Nation project can provide it. [The Advocate]
Cethana Power Station site (Photo: Paul Scambler)
¶ “North, South Korea Oppose Japan’s Plan To Release Radioactive Fukushima Water” • South Korea reacted angrily to the proposal that water contaminated water at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant be dumped, summoning the Japanese ambassador to the Foreign Ministry in August to express its concerns. [Taiwan News]
¶ “Network Giant Says Renewables Transition Will Deliver Lower Prices And Cut Emissions” • The biggest owner of Australian grid assets, Spark Infrastructure, says renewables will cut prices for consumers significantly. But it warns that the lack of federal policy is making the transition more expensive than it needs to be. [RenewEconomy]
Gannawarra solar farm and battery storage (Wirsol image)
US:
¶ “Greta Thunberg Responds to Cost of Climate Action Critics: ‘If We Can Save the Banks, We Can Save the World'” • During an event with Naomi Klein, 16-year-old Swedish activist Greta Thunberg had a message for those people who claim it is “too expensive” to boldly confront the climate crisis with sweeping policies like a Green New Deal. [EcoWatch]
¶ “Climate Activists Climb Houston Bridge Ahead Of Democratic Debate To Demand Renewable Energy” • Greenpeace climate activists climbed Houston’s Fred Hartman Bridge ahead of the Democratic debate to shut down shipping traffic and call for a shift to renewable energy. Pictures showed the activists dangling with banners unfurled. [msnNOW]
Activists and banners (© Greenpeace)
¶ “Marriott Aims For 33% Reduction In Plastic Waste” • Marriott, the world’s largest hotel chain, is on a mission to reduce plastic waste at an epic scale. Its big shift will come from eliminating travel-sized toiletries, which should reduce plastic waste by nearly a third. While it’s not a goal of reaching 0% plastic, it is laudable. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Duke Energy Acquires 200-MW Texas Solar Giant” • Duke Energy Renewables has purchased the 200-MW Rambler photovoltaic project in Texas from Canadian Solar subsidiary Recurrent Energy. The solar plant is being constructed in Tom Green County, Texas and is expected to achieve commercial operation in mid-2020. [reNEWS]
Solar array (Duke Energy image)
¶ “Clean Power Greens Mexican Cement In Texas” • Mexican cement company Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua signed a long-term power purchase agreement with an unnamed company for renewable electricity for a cement plant in Texas. The 10-year fixed-price deal will mean wind and solar power will cover 100% of the plant’s electricity needs, GCC said. [reNEWS]
¶ “New York Installs 20-MW Battery” • The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has completed the state’s largest battery storage installation. The 20-MW system, supplied by Key Capture Energy, will serve the state’s electrical system by enhancing power grid performance and reliability. [reNEWS]
Have a wholesomely fruitful day.
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