Science and Technology:
¶ “Underestimating Climate Change Is A Costly Mistake For Crop Production” • A new study published in Nature Communications suggested that we may be underestimating the risks of harvest failures in multiple global breadbaskets. This failure could have serious consequences across the world for food security, prices, and social stability. [Nature World News]
Crop (Paz Arando, Unsplash)
¶ “Toyota Claims Solid-State Battery Has 745 Mile Range, 10 Minute Charging Time” • Toyota said it has simplified the production of the material used to make solid-state batteries, with a discovery that could dramatically cut charging times and increase driving range. It the weight, size, and cost of batteries could be cut in half. [CleanTechnica]
World:
¶ “Japan Will Soon Release Fukushima Radioactive Water Into The Ocean. How Worried Should We Be?” • TEPCO has built over 1,000 massive tanks to contain what is now 1.32 million metric tons of wastewater – enough to fill over 500 Olympic pools. It is running out of space for new tanks, so it will release water with tritium in it. [CNN]
IAEA experts check water storage (IAEA Imagebank, CC-BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Climate Change: World’s Hottest Day Since Records Began” • The world’s average temperature reached a new high on July 3, topping 17°C for the first time. Scientists say the reading was the highest in any instrumental record dating back to the end of the 19th century. The high heat is due to a combination of the El Niño and emissions of CO₂. [BBC]
¶ “Crippling Fuel Crisis Turns Cuba To Old Friend Russia” • In a time of crippling fuel crisis and a dire economic outlook, Cuba’s leadership has again turned to an old ally for help. The latest in a series of major challenges they have faced recently, including food insecurity, inflation, and electricity blackouts, is a fuel crisis. So they look to Russia for help. [BBC]
Recent photo of cars in Havana (Persnickety Prints, Unsplash)
¶ “Tesla Model Y Tops BEV Sales In New Zealand In June, #2 In Overall Market” • The Tesla Model Y topped battery EV charts in New Zealand last month, selling 765 units. More importantly, the Model Y was the second best selling vehicle in the country’s overall market! It was only behind the Toyota RAV4, which sold 1,496 units last month. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Tesla Will Be In India “As Soon As Possible,” Says Elon Musk” • Many countries want to offer Tesla its next manufacturing home. Over the past few years, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has had several discussions with the government of India about a potential investment, and a recent meeting stoked encouragement that the two could forge a deal soon. [CleanTechnica]
Road in New Delhi (Laurentiu Morariu, Unsplash)
¶ “Germany Achieves Record 57.7% Renewable Energy Share In Net Power Generation For First Half Of 2023, Fraunhofer Study Finds” • The findings of a Fraunhofer study show that renewable generation constituted 57.7% of the net electricity generation for the German power supply, an increase from 51.8% recorded in the same period of 2022. [SolarQuarter]
¶ “Volvo Switch To Renewable Fuels, Cuts Emissions 84%” • Volvo Cars hopes to reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint by 40% per car in the time from 2018 to 2025. That requires a 25% reduction in the company’s operational emissions, and that includes logistics. So, for Volvo to reach its 0 carbon goal, it has to look everywhere. Shipping is an obvious issue. [CleanTechnica]
Shipping (Image courtesy Volvo Cars)
¶ “The Companies Leading The Fight Against Climate Change” • As the issue of climate change takes more of the center stage, the UK government is pushing companies further to reduce their impact. New regulations will have British companies outlining their net zero plans from 2024, giving a view of what a ‘credible’ transition plan looks like. [Hargreaves Lansdown]
¶ “UAE To Triple Renewable Energy Contribution By 2030” • UAE announced plans to triple the amount of renewable energy in its power mix over the next seven years, with a goal of climate neutrality. A National Strategy will support R&D programs in energy technologies, in addition to encouraging innovation and investment in energy sector. [reNews]
UAE (Nick Fewings, Unsplash)
¶ “Russia, Ukraine Accuse Each Other Of Plotting Imminent Attack On Nuclear Plant” • Russia and Ukraine accused each other of plotting to stage an attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station, which was taken over by Russia at the beginning of the war. With six reactors, the Zaporizhzhia plant is Europe’s largest nuclear facility. [MSN]
US:
¶ “Four Reasons Why K–12 Schools Are Warming Up To Heat Pumps” • As students celebrate learning lessons and making it to summer vacation, we have one big thing to celebrate too: school leaders have been busy learning how modern HVAC systems can transform their school buildings. Here are the top four lessons we want to pass along. [CleanTechnica]
School (Gautam Krishnan, Unsplash)
¶ “Missouri S&T Will Ask St Louis Area Residents For Opinions About Nuclear Waste” • Missouri University of Science and Technology wants to know what people around St Louis think about nuclear waste. It got a $2 million grant from the US DOE to study the issue. The Yucca Mountain repository in Nevada is off the table, and a facility is needed. [STLPR]
¶ “Inside The First Youth-Led Climate Lawsuit To Go To Trial ” • The final day is over in the youth-led lawsuit against Montana for its failure to rein in development of fossil fuels in the state and slow climate change. Over the first five days of the trial, the plaintiffs’ attorneys carefully shaped their case. Now they are waiting a decision. [Wired]
Have a sensationally okay day.
geoharvey 