discuss The Environmental Thread - Earth Matters, so what's holding us back?

[Cannuck]

I believe everyone would agree on at least one point - planet Earth matters! For years, scholars and environmentalists have touted the idea - that the boundaries of life on our planet have been stretched to a breaking point by human activity. From a scientific perspective, the notion of climate change is no longer up for debate. Our species and life as it exists on planet Earth now depends on the choices we humans make. Each individual with a brain possesses the ability to contribute solutions to our common current dilemma, so what's holding us back?

Is it our lack of knowledge; a conflict of interest; the lack of will, and/or other priorities that define the human race? Do we possess the courage to take an initiative, to act upon our convictions and choose to help preserve the Blue planet? Have our environmental problems become too big for individuals to tackle that we must leave it for governments to handle?

Are we limited by our own self-interests, by the confines of our own box or bubble? Have we merely been caught up in our daily mundane existence, distracted by the media and current affairs, that we fail to consider the future? Is Climate Change simply a hoax? Is the human species destined to evolve or are we doomed to extinction?

Here is place to discuss any pertinent thoughts or ideas you may have on the subject. Every thought counts. Please be respectful.

 

[Cal2]

Elon Musk to offer $100 million prize for 'best' carbon capture tech

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/env...illion-prize-best-carbon-capture-tech-rcna234

"Tesla chief and billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on Thursday took to Twitter to promise a $100 million prize for development of the “best” technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions."

--------------------

That's already invented, long time ago:

Tree planting 'has mind-blowing potential' to tackle climate crisis

https://www.theguardian.com/environ...le-climate-crisis-scientists-canopy-emissions

"Planting billions of trees across the world is one of the biggest and cheapest ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere to tackle the climate crisis, according to scientists, who have made the first calculation of how many more trees could be planted without encroaching on crop land or urban areas."

"As trees grow, they absorb and store the carbon dioxide emissions that are driving global heating. New research estimates that a worldwide planting programme could remove two-thirds of all the emissions from human activities that remain in the atmosphere today, a figure the scientists describe as “mind-blowing”.

The winner of Musk's prize - https://www.carboncure.com/


But as for carbon capture being a significant part of a carbon cure, maybe not so much(?)

Oil companies sold the public on a fake climate solution — and swindled taxpayers out of billions
The fossil fuel industry’s carbon capture bamboozle, explained.

https://www.vox.com/climate/363076/climate-change-solution-shell-exxon-mobil-carbon-capture

 

[Cal2]

For what it's worth:

https://oxman.com/mission

OXMAN is rethinking design to empower a future of complete synergy between Nature and humanity.

 

[Cannuck]

Be prepared for the new normal.

 

[Cannuck]

What's holding us back?

Lies and

 

[Cannuck]

We need more initiatives like this...

Project One Tree: What is Reforestation, How are Trees Replanted and How Can it Help Our Planet?​

Trees are the lungs of our planet, providing oxygen, shelter and sustenance for countless species. Yet, deforestation and land degradation threaten the very existence of our world’s forests, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, wildlife and human societies. In response to these challenges, a simple yet powerful solution is gaining force – reforestation.

 

[Cal2]

We need more initiatives like this...

Project One Tree: What is Reforestation, How are Trees Replanted and How Can it Help Our Planet?​

Trees are the lungs of our planet, providing oxygen, shelter and sustenance for countless species. Yet, deforestation and land degradation threaten the very existence of our world’s forests, with far-reaching consequences for the environment, wildlife and human societies. In response to these challenges, a simple yet powerful solution is gaining force – reforestation.

Ancient tree from India may replace petroleum, company hopes

An ancient tree from India is now thriving in groves where citrus trees once flourished in Florida, and could help provide the nation with renewable energy as a petroleum-alternative.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/video/new...m-company-hopes/vi-BB1puZd4?ocid=msedgdhp&t=5

Also a source for things like high end protein.

 

[Cal2]

Renewable energy investments by region, 2022 (USD Billions)​

China's renewable energy investments surpassed the combined investments of all other regions by more than 25% in 2022​

https://index.holoniq.com/charts/HC...-investments-by-region%2C-2022-(USD-Billions)

 

[Cannuck]

For the record...

A study showed than many US citizens are either uneducated or afraid of nature, which would make them more likely to be indifferent to exploitation of natural resources. I believe it is all about exposure...

Note: the study did not include aboriginal (non-white), results would differ

The study also indicated that most adults agree that children need more education and exposure to the outdoors. When humans learn about and to respect nature at a young age, they are more likely to carry that understanding into adulthood and teach their own children.

What They Knew and When​

From the very beginning of the American Petroleum Institute (API) in 1919, the oil industry recognized pollution issues, and the regulatory and liability risks they created, as an area of common concern and common interest. By the 1930s, API had focused particular attention to issues of air pollution. These issues came into sharp focus in the 1940s, as a rapidly growing Los Angeles grappled with the debilitating impacts of smog.

In late 1946, as public concern and media scrutiny mounted, executives from the Western Oil and Gas Association met in Los Angeles to consider a response. They emerged with a plan—and a Committee.

Comprised of executives from leading oil companies (including Union Oil, Standard Oil of California (both now part of Chevron), Esso (now ExxonMobil), and Shell), the newly-created Smoke and Fumes Committee would fund scientific research into smog and other air pollution issues and, significantly, use that research to inform and shape public opinion about environmental issues.

The express goal of their collaboration was to use science and public skepticism to prevent environmental regulations they deemed hasty, costly, and unnecessary.

https://www.smokeandfumes.org/fumes

Remember when oil prices were so low that Trump gave BIG OIL corporations a $20Billion bailout?

"Morally bankrupt": Trump blasted for multibillion-dollar Big Oil bailout​

Remember oil prices jumped 24% when Trump said he'd start a "global price war"?

Oil surges a record 24% after Trump says he'll get involved in the global price war at an 'appropriate time'​

 

[Cannuck]

People have short memories... remembering Hurricane Katrina:

On Aug. 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast near Buras-Triumph, Louisiana, breaching levees and spurring floods that devastated New Orleans.

The costliest storm in U.S. history, Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damage. Previously a Category 5, but it was a Category 3 storm when it inundated the Louisiana coast as well as parts of Mississippi and Florida.

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2024/0...cane-katrina-overwhelmed-new-orleans-in-2005/

 

[Cal2]

AI saves researchers years in finding a better green hydrogen catalyst​

Led by PhD student Jehad Abed, the team developed an AI program and trained it on more than 36,000 metal oxide combinations. Its purpose was to identify an alloy to serve as an effective catalyst in hydrogen production. The AI ran simulations on these combinations to determine which one would be the most efficient, stable, and durable throughout the production process.

The AI could suggest any of billions of metal oxide combinations. Working out an alloy that would satisfy the researchers' desired conditions could have taken them years, but as Abed noted, the AI arrived at a strong candidate in a matter of days.

Ultimately, the program identified an alloy consisting of specific proportions of ruthenium, chromium, and titanium. It turned out to be 20 times more stable and long-lasting than the team's benchmark metal.

https://newatlas.com/science/ai-better-green-hydrogen-catalyst/

 

[Cannuck]

VOICES from the younger generation...

Here is a young warrior with medicine in his throat

 

[Cal2]

VOICES from the younger generation...

Here is a young warrior with medicine in his throat

My wife used to help an Indian couple some with their powwow recording company. She got to meet a lot of bands from all over, came to recognize the differing sounds from different tribes.

 

[Cal2]

The future of construction? The case for 3D-printed, biobased materials​

"Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine wanted to change the one-and-done nature of multistory construction while using more sustainable materials. With this in mind, they developed a single-piece floor panel made entirely of biologically based materials. The panels – affectionately called cassettes because of their similar look to old-school cassette tapes – are as strong as the traditional steel-concrete versions, require no assembly, save on labor costs, and can be fully recycled."

https://www.asce.org/publications-a...on-the-case-for-3d-printed-biobased-materials

Need more of this.

 

[Cal2]

The future of construction? The case for 3D-printed, biobased materials​

"Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Maine wanted to change the one-and-done nature of multistory construction while using more sustainable materials. With this in mind, they developed a single-piece floor panel made entirely of biologically based materials. The panels – affectionately called cassettes because of their similar look to old-school cassette tapes – are as strong as the traditional steel-concrete versions, require no assembly, save on labor costs, and can be fully recycled."

https://www.asce.org/publications-a...on-the-case-for-3d-printed-biobased-materials

Need more of this.

Not bio-based materials used - yet. But now Walmart is getting into using some construction 3D printing:

 

[Cal2]

The clay cure:

Homes could soon be quickly built by clay-shooting "impact printers"​

While clay is widely used to build basic structures such as huts, we typically don't see it being utilized in large-scale construction projects. That could soon change, however, thanks to a recently developed process known as impact printing. .....

Additionally, production of the cement used in concrete is one of the world's largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions.

With such drawbacks in mind, Dr. Lauren Vasey and colleagues at Switzerland's ETH Zurich university looked to clay. More specifically, they developed a proprietary material consisting of clay, silt and an undisclosed earth-based "common waste product" from industry partner Eberhard AG.

https://newatlas.com/good-thinking/impact-printing-clay-construction/#:~:text=Brain Health-,Homes could soon be quickly,clay-shooting "impact printers"&text=While clay is widely used,process known as impact printing.

Clay reduces methane in cow burps by 30%​

Cows produce methane as a byproduct of digesting their high-fiber diet, and belch the gas out on a continuous basis. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, that burped-out methane – from cows and other livestock animals – makes up about 40% of total global methane emissions.

Making matters worse is the fact that methane is approximately 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide at contributing to global warming.

In order to reduce the methane in cow burps, scientists have experimented with cattle feed supplements such as fish oil, seaweed, tropical leaves, and even baby kangaroo poop. Now, halloysite clay is showing promising results.

https://newatlas.com/environment/cow-burps-methane-clay/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=e01b38e4a1-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2024_09_19_08_06&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-e01b38e4a1-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]

 

[Cal2]

So where's the fly in this CO2 ointment. Or is there one.

Cheap, scalable carbon capture method also rejuvenates rivers​

A proven process: limestone dosing has already been used to restore river ecosystems damaged by acidifcation – but it could be an extremely powerful carbon capture tool as well

https://newatlas.com/environment/ca..._term=0_65b67362bd-a8cfc03174-[LIST_EMAIL_ID]

 

[Cannuck]

Think Climate Change Is a Hoax? Try Betting on It​

Global temperatures are rising, CO2 levels are higher than they’ve been since civilization began, and the consequences are playing out all around us. It’s not just about warmer weather, it’s about a destabilized climate that brings extremes in all directions. Denying it because it doesn’t fit your local observations is like ignoring a hurricane because your town hasn’t been hit yet. The storm is still coming.

If you think it’s all a hoax, take that bet to a Las Vegas bookmaker and see what kind of odds you get.

 

[Cannuck]

On another note, Elon's new "water engine" will disrupt the world...

 

[Cal2]

On another note, Elon's new "water engine" will disrupt the world...

Also showed up in a search:

The first water car is already a reality: 1000 kilometers of autonomy and the end of gasoline​

https://www.eldiario24.com/en/water-car-end-gasoline/114/


https://www.google.com/search?q=sou...AIgGAZAGCpIHAzkuOKAHzYMB&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

 

[Cannuck]

Earth matters, so what's holding us back? Corruption

Corruption is a barrier to the success of mitigation and adaptation initiatives and has caused multiple other harmful impacts on human society and the environment. The good news is that integrity controls can thwart corruption. By applying controls that close systemic weaknesses in climate finance processes and neutralize enabling factors for corruption, climate actors can protect the integrity of climate initiatives.

Check out the Climate and Corruption Atlas...

https://www.transparency.org/en/pro...-integrity-programme/climate-corruption-atlas

And, if interested, dig deeper...

https://www.transparency.org/en/publications