Science and Technology:
¶ “As Ocean Oxygen Levels Dip, Fish Face An Uncertain Future” • Global warming not only increases ocean temperatures, it also triggers a cascade of effects that are stripping the seas of oxygen. With global warming, oceans around the world are becoming ever more deprived of oxygen, forcing many species to migrate from their usual homes. [BBC]
Clown fish (Rachel Hisko, Unsplash)
¶ “Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions At All-Time High, Study Finds” • Greenhouse gas emissions have reached an all-time high, threatening to push the world into “unprecedented” levels of global heating, scientists warn. The world is rapidly running out of “carbon budget,” according to a study published in the journal Earth System Science Data. [The Guardian]
¶ “Drones Fly Low And Slow For Radiation Detection” • One day, drones may work with humans on surveys to detect low levels of radiation, information that could help with decommissioning of sites no longer needed for nuclear-related energy production or research. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been testing drones for the purpose. [CleanTechnica]
Preparing to test drone (Graham Bourque, PNNL)
World:
¶ “Ukraine: Dam Destruction Could Have A Number Of Serious Consequences” • The destruction of the dam at Nova Khakovka could have a number of serious consequences. One is the danger of flooding. Water supplies have been cut off. There are social, economic, and environmental concerns. And the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant is losing its cooling water. [BBC]
¶ “Russia’s War In Ukraine Is Undermining Global Efforts To Tackle The Climate Crisis, Report Finds” • The war in Ukraine has had an enormous human toll. But beyond the immediate, visceral impacts, the conflict is also causing a climate disaster at a time when the world is already struggling to meet climate goals, according to a report. [CNN]
Destroyed Russian tank (Dmitry Bukhantsov, Unsplash)
¶ “Germany – Plugin EVs Take 22.9% Share, Tesla Leads” • The auto market in Germany saw plugin EVs take 22.9% share in May 2023, down from 25.3% year on year. Full electrics gained share, but were outpaced by the losses in plugin hybrid share, due to recent policy changes. The bestselling battery EV in May was the Tesla Model Y. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “150 Double-Decker Electric Buses From Volvo Headed To UK” • One of the largest double-decker electric bus orders ever was made in the UK. UK coach and bus operator Stagecoach ordered 150 electric double-decker electric buses and 39 single-decker electric buses from Volvo Buses. It’s the largest electric bus order Volvo Buses has received. [CleanTechnica]
Volvo buses (Volvo image)
¶ “Ørsted Ratifies Renewables Goal Of 50 GW By 2030” • Ørsted is confirming its ambition to reach an installed capacity of 50 GW of renewable energy by 2030 during its Capital Markets Day, on 8 June. The Danish developer and owner of offshore wind and other renewable assets expects to invest Dkr475 billion ($68.32 billion, €64 billion) by 2030. [reNews]
¶ “Shell Adverts Banned In UK Due To “Misleading” Content” • The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority has banned multiple adverts for oil giant Shell due to “misleading” content. According to the ASA, the adverts “omitted significant information about the overall environmental impact of Shell’s business activities in 2022.” [Offshore Technology]
Shell truck (Shell image)
¶ “Ukraine: UK boosts funding To International Atomic Energy Agency” • The UK announced an additional £750,000 of funding to the International Atomic Energy Agency to support missions in Ukraine, at the meeting of the Board of Governors in Vienna. The UK has now provided £5 million to support IAEA efforts in Ukraine since Russia’s invasion. [GOV.UK]
US:
¶ “Where is the wildfire smoke headed next, and when will it clear out?” • Unfortunately, the current weather pattern is not helping. The low pressure that is funneling the smoke into the US is forecast to linger in New England through the weekend. This pattern could eventually break by next week as a new storm system moves in from the west. [CNN]
Haze from smoke (NASA image)
¶ “VW Seriously Doesn’t Want Dealers To Mark Up The ID. Buzz” • One concern for those of us who have watched the auto dealer shenanigans of the past few years is some massive dealer markups. Auto dealers will add really big markups to a vehicle, if they can. Volkswagen understands that, and the company does not want to see it happen. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Volvo Introduces The EX30: A Compact Electric SUV For The Masses” • With a goal of selling only fully EVs by 2030, Volvo has launched the EX30. The fully electric five-seater compact SUV is a revolution for the brand. The well-appointed vehicle is sure to find buyers, at the jaw-dropping price of $34,950 in the US and around €36,000 in Europe. [CleanTechnica]
Volvo EX30 (Image courtesy of Volvo)
¶ “DESRI Gains Approval For US Solar Storage PPA” • DE Shaw Renewable Investments secured approval for its offtake contracts for a 130-MW solar and battery project in New Mexico. The New Mexico Public Regulatory Commission has approved offtake contracts for Carne solar project, including its 65-MW battery, with El Paso Electric. [reNews]
¶ “NRC Faults Energy Northwest In Worker Contamination Event” • The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a “white finding,” of low to moderate safety significance, after workers were exposed to radiation in May 2021. The NRC’s inspection report said Energy Northwest faults made it unable to properly evaluate doses. [Environmental Health News]
Have a reliably magnificent day.
geoharvey 