solar energy liquid fuel
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Harnessing the power of the sun: Using solar energy to produce carbon-free liquid fuel

Harnessing the power of the sun: Using solar energy to produce carbon-free liquid fuel 

 

Solar energy has emerged as a critical solution in the global fight against climate change. While much progress has been made in the production of electricity from renewable energy sources, the production of chemical fuels from renewable sources remains a significant challenge. The Sun-To-X project is a consortium of nine partners that aims to use solar energy to produce non-toxic, energy-dense, carbon-free liquid fuel that can be used in transport and energy storage.  More…

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Innovations for sustainable development

Innovations for sustainable development

The 21st of April marks World Creativity and Innovation Day, a day to celebrate and promote creativity and innovation as drivers of positive change. This day is especially relevant in the context of sustainable development, where creative solutions are needed to address the complex challenges of promoting economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

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Unlocking the potential of Women and Girls in Science for a more sustainable future

Unlocking the potential of Women and Girls in Science for a more sustainable future

This year’s International Day of Women and Girls in Science, taking place on 11th February 2023, will focus on the role women and girls can play to help the UN reach its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In doing so the UN aims to connect the International Community to Women and Girls in Science, strengthening the ties between science, policy, and society for strategies oriented towards the future. Gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls will make a crucial contribution not only to economic development of the world, but to progress across all the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as well. More…

solar panels
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Transparent solar panels: The future of solar energy?

Transparent solar panels: The future of solar energy?

Energy is the pulse of our day-to-day life and how we create and use it is changing rapidly. One thing is certain, to limit global warming we need to move away from fossil fuels altogether and embrace sustainable energy sources. Solar power technologies have been developing for decades, and modern solar power could now become a viable alternative to fossil fuels, but it doesn’t come without its flaws. Solar panels can only be placed at certain angles on buildings, significantly reducing the amount that can be installed in towns and cities. There are also concerns that solar farms can affect biodiversity and farmland and natural habitats need to be safeguarded. But what if these limitations in built up areas were removed? Scientists have been developing transparent solar panels that could be the answer to these issues...  More…

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World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022

World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2022

Droughts are among one of the greatest threats to sustainable development, among developing countries and developed countries alike. Studies have estimated that by 2050, over 75% of the global population will be affected by drought. The UN has designated the 17th of June as a World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, in order to raise awareness about the probable threat of extreme water shortages if we do not collectively act to treat land as a limited and precious natural capital. The UNCCD says that “everyone has a role to play, because everyone has a stake in the future”. More…

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Tech Giants Going Green

Tech Giants going green

In a recent article published by the Financial Times ‘How tech went big on green energy,’ Leslie Hook and Dave Lee discuss the pledges made by Fortune 100 Tech companies to combat climate change. Tech companies are large consumers of electricity with Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Facebook, and Apple using more than 45 terawatt-hours of electricity every year, which is about the same amount as the whole of New Zealand. It’s no wonder that they are taking steps to try and reduce their electricity usage, or use greener energy. While the everyday person can make their home more energy efficient by having an electrical inspection carried out by one of the best electrician in West Lake Hills, for example, tech companies have to do a lot more. With Google being the first company to confirm a clean energy deal in 2010, this sparked a competition between Tech companies trying to embrace an industrial concept that promotes sustainable resource productivity.

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Earth Day: Let’s clean up our environment!

The Ocean Cleanup is an organisation founded by Boyan Slat when he was only 19 years old. As a teenager, he felt passionate about reducing plastic pollution in the ocean and so he started developing a novel solution to clear up plastic floating in large bodies of water while still in high school.  More…

world water day
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World Water Day: tackling water
scarcity and sanitation issues

UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 aims to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” by 2030. Lack of access to safe drinking water and poor sanitation negatively impacts food security, livelihood choices, and opportunities for education. World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2 billion people living without access to safe water. More…

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Plastic waste vs. e-waste: where is the industry investing the big bucks?
What is happening with exported plastic and electronic waste at present?

Many wealthy countries export plastic and electronic waste (e-waste) to less economically developed countries to recycle or dispose of. Until 2018, China was accepting more than half of this exported waste. However, as concern for pollution in China increased, a ban on some types of waste imports was introduced. As a result, waste imports in other countries, including Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Poland, and Turkey, have risen significantly. However, the same issues China experienced are leading these countries to return waste to the originating country. More…