Science and Technology:
¶ “The Wool That Could Capture Carbon” • Sheep Inc claims to be the world’s first “carbon negative” fashion brand. The brand, which is based in London, factors farming (including methane, sheep farming’s main source of emissions), manufacturing, packaging, and transport into its analysis, according to a report from Carbon Footprint. [BBC]
Grazing sheep (Hasan Almasi, Unsplash)
¶ “How ESA Made Solar Panels That Work In Deep Space” • At Jupiter there is only 3% as much solar energy per square meter as on Earth. The temperature in that part of the solar system is just 30ºC above absolute zero. To make a solar-powered probe work, ESA had to invent solar panels that could operate effectively in a cold, dark environment. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “‘A New Era’: Germany Quits Nuclear Power, Closing Its Final Three Plants” • Germany’s last three nuclear power plants are closing as of April 15, marking the end of the country’s 60 year nuclear era. German opposition to nuclear power was already strong in 2000, when the government promised a phase-out. Then came the Fukushima Disaster. [CNN]
Isar nuclear plant (Elmschrat, CC-BY-SA 3.0, cropped)
¶ “The Clean Energy Milestone The World Is Set To Pass In 2023” • Greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, the largest source of the world’s emissions, are expected to fall for the first time, according to London-based think tank Ember. The world’s demand for electricity is still growing, but new renewable energy is growing faster. [BBC]
¶ “Thousands Of EV Charge Points Are To Be Installed Across London” • To aid in London’s transition to a net-zero carbon metropolis by the year 2030, London mayor Sadiq Khan and the London Councils have announced the installation of thousands more electric vehicle charge points in all 32 boroughs and the city of London. [CleanTechnica]
London (Dominika Gregušová, Pexels)
¶ “Volkswagen Unveils All New Drive Unit For ID. Cars, CEO Promises Profitability For ID.2” • Volkswagen says its APP 550 electric powertrain will improve the power of its rear-wheel drive electric cars while adding range. Volkswagen says it plans to deliver the first vehicles with the new 210 kW (280 hp) electric drive system this year. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “The 82-kWh BYD Seal Joins The Dolphin In Europe” • BYD recently announced that its new 60 kWh Dolphin hatchback is coming to Europe. Now BYD has announced that its Seal sedan is also coming to Europe later this year. The European version of the Seal will have an 82 kWh battery pack with a range of 520 to 570 km (320 to 350 miles). [CleanTechnica]
BYD Seal (BYD image)
¶ “Undersubscribed Renewables Auctions Call For Government Action” • Europe has seen undersubscribed renewable energy auctions over the past few years, GlobalData, Energy Monitor’s parent company, reports in a study. They are at odds with its goal to accelerate the roll-out of solar and wind power to reach net zero and bolster energy security. [Energy Monitor]
¶ “G7 Ministers Agree On A ‘Drastic’ Increase In Renewable Energy” • The Group of Seven rich nations have agreed to call for “drastically” increasing electricity from renewable sources and are considering targets for solar and wind power, a person familiar with the talks said. The G7 met in Japan for climate and energy talks. [International Business Times]
G7 leaders in 2022 (内閣官房内閣広報室, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “IAEA Issues Grim Warning On Ukraine Plant” • UN nuclear chief Rafael Grossi warned, “We are living on borrowed time,” after two landmine explosions near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant. The International Atomic Energy Agency has repeatedly expressed fears over the safety of the plant, Europe’s largest atomic power station. [The Manila Times]
US:
¶ “Racial Disparities Are Working Against Disaster Recovery For People Of Color. Climate Change Could Make It Worse” • People of color face greater risks of harm from US climate disasters. A report from the EPA looked at four social groups: people living on low-income, racial minorities, those who did not graduate high school, and seniors over 65. [CNN]
Storm (Lachlan Ross, Pexels)
¶ “US EV Tax Credit Tool Tracks Electric Car Savings” • Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed an online resource to help consumers understand EV tax credits available through the Inflation Reduction Act. The tool can be found on a DOE website, fueleconomy.gov. It shows eligible models and their federal tax credits. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Dominion’s Renewable Projects Are Approved By Regulators Despite Cost Concerns” • Dominion’s regulators approved a suite of renewable energy projects the utility had proposed. Virginia’s State Corporation Commission wanted to deny two projects out of cost concerns. The projects are expected to add 38¢ to an average electricity bill. [Virginia Mercury]
Wind turbines (Kervin Edward Lara, Pexels)
¶ “Virginia Lawmakers Kill Youngkin Amendment To Define Nuclear Energy As Renewable” • The Democratic-controlled Virginia Senate rejected an amendment to an energy bill that would have allowed nuclear and hydrogen power to qualify as renewables. It also rejected legislation that would qualify certain biomass facilities as renewable. [The Hill]
¶ “Nuclear Power: An Uncertain Contribution To Climate Change Solution” • A bill to lift a moratorium on construction of nuclear power plants in Illinois is moving through the state legislature. But an environmental expert said that doesn’t mean there will be a rush to put up new reactors for the first time in decades. “They are exorbitantly expensive.” [WGLT]
Have an appreciably ideal day.
geoharvey 
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