Science and Technology:
¶ “Several Shark Species Are Facing Extinction. Here’s How You Can Help” • Older than dinosaurs and trees, sharks have endured a lot in their 450 million year history. They’ve even survived five mass extinctions, including the asteroid that wiped out 75% of life on the planet. But many species of these aquatic apex predators are now in danger of dying out forever. [CNN]
Shark (Oleksandr Sushko, Unsplash)
¶ “The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant Is A ‘Dirty Bomb’ Waiting To Happen – A Nuclear Expert Explains” • Concerns about the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant were heightened recently as Ukraine and Russia accused each other of planning an attack on the plant. The IAEA and independent experts speak to the all too real risk of catastrophe. [The Conversation]
World:
¶ “A ‘Perfect Storm’ Unfolding This Summer Is ‘Supercharging’ The Weather, Scientist Says” • A “perfect storm” is unfolding this summer, as atmospheric ingredients combine to create record-breaking weather. As the arctic temperatures rise faster than those in warmer areas, the reduced difference can make the jet stream get “stuck,” prolonging weather events. [CNN]
Storm (NOAA, Unsplash)
¶ “Renewable Energy Zones Octuple Renewable Energy For Queensland” • Queensland’s government announced a plan to establish 12 Renewable Energy Zones. And Alan Kohler, finance presenter on the Australia’s ABC, stunned audiences when he showed a graph of melting Antarctic ice and warned: “That’s not finance yet, but it soon will be.” [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Africa Moving Towards Decarbonisation” • Africa, an importer of both second-hand cars and the fuels they burn, is moving to be self-sufficient. East Africa has startups in motorbike, electric tricycle, taxi, and bus assembly; as well as innovative financing and software development. BasiGo, in Kenya, and Ampersand, in Rwanda, are standouts. [CleanTechnica]
Electric buses in Africa (Image courtesy of BasiGo)
¶ “Over Half Of Australians Intend To Buy An EV In The Future” • The attitudes of Australian drivers have changed a lot in the past two years. Major influencers appear to be fuel price hikes, and the easing of EV prices. A new representative national survey commissioned by Savvy has shown that over half of Australians intend to buy an EV in the future. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Eku Energy Secures 1-GW Italian Battery Deal” • Eku Energy, a storage developer, signed a framework agreement with Renera Energy for exclusivity over 1 GW of battery projects in Italy. The Italian goal is to generate 65% of its electricity from renewables by 2030, and Italy is projected to be the third largest energy storage market in Europe by then. [reNews]
Ecu Energy battery (Ecu Energy image)
¶ “This 1-GW Solar + Salt + Shrimp Farm Is A 3-In-1 Power Station” • A huge solar power station in China is generating clean energy, producing salt from sunlight, and serving as a shrimp-breeding site. State-owned China Huadian Corporation said the 1-GW Huadian Tianjin Haijing power station will generate 1,500 GWh of electricity each year. [Electrek]
¶ “Eco Wave Power And EDG Wave Project Receives Funding” • Eco Wave Power and EDF’s EWP-EDF One wave energy power station of 100 KW in the Port of Jaffa secured a grant from the Israeli government. The site has ten floaters along the Port of Jaffa’s pre-existing breakwater, each connecting to Eco Wave Power’s patented energy conversion unit. [reNews]
Eco Wave system (Eco Wave image)
¶ “Nuclear Power Too Expensive And Slow To Be Part Of Australia’s Plans To Reach Net Zero, Study Finds” • Nuclear power should not form part of Australia’s plans to reach net zero emissions because it is too expensive and slow, according to the final report of a project that models how Australia might meet its 2050 climate target. [The Guardian]
US:
¶ “He’s A Millionaire With A Private Jet. But Now He’s Selling It For The Sake Of The Environment” • Private jets emit at least ten times the pollutants of commercial planes per passenger, and they contribute disproportionately to the climate impact of the aviation sector, a US Institute for Policy Studies report shows. One private jet owner is scaling back. [CNN]
Cessna 650 Citation III (wiltshirespotter, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
¶ “US Climate Envoy John Kerry Set To Travel To Beijing This Weekend” • US climate envoy John Kerry is set to travel to Beijing this weekend for climate talks with his counterparts in China, a Biden administration official told CNN. The meeting comes as the US and China seek ways to work together on the climate crisis. [CNN]
¶ “US Storms: Vermont Governor Calls Floods ‘Historic And Catastrophic’” • Vermont has suffered “historic and catastrophic” flash flooding, the governor said after up to two months worth of rain fell in two days. Over 100 rescues have been conducted by emergency crews in the state, and over 100 roads were closed because of the inundation. [BBC]
Flooding in Vermont (National Weather Service)
¶ “How Microgrids Can Help Communities Adapt To Wildfires” • By using small-scale local energy sources, communities can create microgrids that allow them to disconnect from regional electrical grids during emergencies. With microgrids, they can continue to deliver essential services to keep both homes and communities safe. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Arizona Public Service Seeks At Least 700 MW Of Renewable Resources” • Arizona Public Service released its 2023 All-Source Request for Proposals, in which the utility is asking developers to submit project proposals for flexible and innovative energy resources. Of the 1 GW of resources, APS is seeking at least 700 MW of renewable resources. [pv magazine USA]
Have a happily progressing day.
geoharvey 