#Sustainable Hydropower

[nepalenergyforum]

Nepal Strengthens Sustainable Hydropower with New MoU

memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed between the FMO – Dutch entrepreneurial development bank , NMB Bank Ltd., and the Hydropower Sustainability Alliance (HSA). The agreement aims to integrate the Hydropower Sustainability Standard into the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) due diligence process for banking in Nepal. The objectives of the MoU include: Promoting independent…

[confluentia00]

Sustainable Hydropower: Balancing Energy Needs and Environmental Integrity

Hydropower has been a cornerstone of renewable energy for over a century, providing a significant portion of the world's electricity needs through the power of water. However, as the global community shifts towards sustainable practices, the focus has turned to refining hydropower systems to minimize their environmental impact while maximizing energy production. Sustainable hydropower represents a commitment to harmonizing energy generation with ecological preservation, which is crucial in combating climate change and protecting biodiversity.

The Importance of Hydropower

Hydropower is derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which is harnessed for electricity production. It is the most mature, reliable, and cost-effective renewable energy technology available. As of today, hydropower accounts for about of the world’s total electricity production and more than 60% of renewable electricity generation. The allure of hydropower lies in its efficiency and its capacity to adjust to fluctuations in electricity demand, offering a stable, reliable, and continuous source of energy.

Challenges to Sustainability

Despite its benefits, traditional hydropower systems have come under scrutiny for their environmental and social impacts. Large-scale dams, often seen as symbols of progress and economic development, have led to the displacement of communities, disrupted local ecosystems, and altered natural waterways. These impacts can lead to a reduction in biodiversity, the emission of greenhouse gases from rotting vegetation in dam reservoirs, and significant alterations to the landscape.

Principles of Sustainable Hydropower

Sustainable hydropower is not just about generating energy; it’s about doing so in a way that prioritizes and protects ecological and human systems. Key principles of sustainable hydropower include:

Environmental Integration: New projects must prioritize ecological conservation, including maintaining water quality and ensuring the free passage of aquatic organisms. Modern technologies like fish ladders, fish elevators, and sediment management systems help mitigate these issues.

Community Engagement: Sustainable practices demand the involvement of local communities in the planning and decision-making process. This ensures that the benefits of hydropower projects are shared and that local concerns are addressed.

Economic Viability: While economic effectiveness remains a priority, it should not be pursued at the expense of environmental and social values. A truly sustainable hydropower project is one that provides economic benefits without sacrificing its surroundings.

Adaptive Management: Ongoing monitoring and flexible management strategies allow for adjustments in operations based on actual environmental impacts observed. This dynamic approach helps to mitigate adverse effects as they arise.

Innovative Practices in Sustainable Hydropower

Innovation plays a critical role in advancing sustainable hydropower. One promising technology is the development of small-scale, "run-of-river" hydropower systems that generate electricity without the need for large dams. These systems have a minimal footprint because they do not require large reservoirs and thus preserve the natural flow of rivers.

Another innovative approach is pumped storage hydropower, which acts like a giant battery. It stores energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir at times of low demand and releasing it to generate electricity when demand is high. This method is particularly useful for balancing the variability of wind and solar energies and enhancing grid stability.

Global Impact and Future Directions

The global impact of sustainable hydropower is profound, offering a pathway to meet climate goals and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. Countries like Norway, Canada, and Brazil rely heavily on hydropower for their energy needs and are pioneers in integrating sustainability into their hydropower operations. The future of hydropower lies in global cooperation and shared technologies to ensure that all projects adhere to the highest standards of sustainability.

The transition to sustainable hydropower is not just about innovation in technology; it’s about a shift in perspective. It requires seeing beyond the immediate benefits of energy generation and considering long-term impacts on ecosystems and communities. As the world moves towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy paradigm, hydropower will undoubtedly play a crucial role, provided it evolves to meet the stringent demands of sustainability. With concerted efforts and responsible practices, hydropower can continue to be a pillar of renewable energy, driving forward with both power and preservation.

For More Info:-

hydropower training

Hydropower Financing

[mysterioushimachal]

Dile Ram Shabab: The Unsung Hero Who Preserved Tirthan Valley's Natural Beauty

[reasonsforhope]

"Scientists in Singapore have broken a long-standing limitation on the ability to generate electricity from flowing water, suggesting that another elemental force of nature could be leveraged for renewable electricity: rain.

With the simplest and smallest scale test setup, the team could power around 12 LED lightbulbs with simulated rain droplets flowing through a tube, but at scale, their method could generate meaningful amounts that could rival rooftop solar arrays.

Singapore experiences significant rainfall throughout the year, averaging 101 inches (2581 millimeters) of precipitation annually. The idea of generating electricity from such falling water is attractive, but the method has long been constrained by a principle called the Debye Length.

Nevertheless, the concept is possible because of a simple physical principle that charged entities on the surface of materials get nudged when they rub together—as true for water droplets as it is for a balloon rubbed against the hair on one’s head.

While this is true, the power values thus generated have been negligible, and electricity from flowing water has been limited to the driving of turbines in hydropower plants.

However, in a study published in the journal ACS Central Science, a team of physicists has found a way to break through the constraints of water’s Debye Length, and generate power from simulated rain.

“Water that falls through a vertical tube generates a substantial amount of electricity by using a specific pattern of water flow: plug flow,” says Siowling Soh, author of the study. “This plug flow pattern could allow rain energy to be harvested for generating clean and renewable electricity.”

The authors write in their study that in existing tests of the power production from water flows, pumps are always used to drive liquid through the small channels. But the pumps require so much energy to run that outputs are limited to miniscule amounts.

Instead, their setup to harness this plug flow pattern was scandalously simple. No moving parts or mechanisms of any kind were required. A simple plastic tube just 2 millimeters in diameter; a large plastic bottle; a small metallic needle. Water coming out of the bottle ran along the needle and bumped into the top section of the tube that had been cut in half, interrupting the water flow and allowing pockets of air to slide down the tube along with the water.

The air was the key to breaking through the limits set by the Debye Length, and key to the feasibility of electricity generation from water. Wires placed at the top of the tube and in the cup harvested the electricity.

The total generation rate of greater than 10% resulted in about 100 watts per square meter of tube. For context, a 100-watt solar panel can power an appliance as large as a blender or ceiling fan, charge a laptop, provide for several light bulbs, or even a Wi-Fi router.

Because the droplet speeds tested were much slower than rain, the researchers suggest that the real thing would provide even more than their tests, which were of course on a microscale."

-via Good News Network, April 30, 2025

[batboyblog]

Things Biden and the Democrats did, this week #3

Jan 26-Feb 2 2024

The House overwhelmingly passed a tax deal that will revive the expanded Child Tax Credit, this will effect 16 million American children and lift 400,000 out of poverty in the first year. The deal also supports the building of 200,000 housing units over the next two years, and provides tax relief for communities hit by disasters.

The Biden Administration has begun negotiations on drug prices for Medicare. Earlier this year the administration announced it would negotiate for the first time directly with drug manufacturers on the prices of 10 common medications. This week they sent their opening offers to the companies. The program is expected to save Medicare and enrollees billions over dollars over the long term and help push down drug prices for everyone.

The Department of Transportation has green lit $240 Million to modernize air ports across the country. Air Ports in 37 states will be able to get much needed updates and refurbishment.

The Biden Administration announced 10 sites across America as sites for innovation investment. They will receive up to 2 billion dollars each over the next 10 years. The goal is to stimulate economic growth and innovation in semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, sustainable textiles, climate-resilient agriculture, regenerative medicine, and more.

The State Department reviews options for recognizing Palestinian Statehood. While as of yet there's been no policy change this review of options is a major shift in US diplomatic thinking which has long opposed Palestinian Statehood and shows a seriousness of reported Biden plans to push for Statehood as part of a post-war Israel-Saudi normalization deal.

President Biden imposes sanctions on Israeli settlers who have engaged in violence against Palestinians and peace activists. This marks the first time the US has leveled sanctions against Israelis and sets up a standard that could see the whole settlement movement cut off from the US financial system

the Department of Energy has tentatively agreed to a $1.5 Billion dollar loan to help reopen a Michigan nuclear power plant. This would mark the first time a closed nuclear plant has been brought back online. Closed in 2022 it's hoped that it could reopen in time to be generating power in late 2025. This is part of Biden's plan to decarbonize the electricity grid by 2035.

the Internal Revenue Service launched a program to allow tax fillers file for free directly with the government. In 2024 its a pilot program limited to 12 states, but plans for it to be nation wide by tax day 2025

The Department of Health and Human Services announced $28 million in grants to help with the treatment of substance use disorder, including a program aimed at pregnant and postpartum women, and expanded drug court aimed at directing people into treatment and out of the criminal justice system.

The Department of Energy announced $72 million for 46 hydroelectric projects across 19 states. This marks the single largest investment in Hydropower in US history.

The Senate confirmed President Biden's 175th federal judge. Biden has now appointed more federal judges in his first term in office than President Obama did in his, however still lags behind Trump's 186 judges. For the first time in history a majority of a President's nominees are not white men, 65% of them are women and 65% are people of color, President Biden has appointed more black women to judgeships than any administration in history.

[fatehbaz]

They’ve built a “Great Wheel” on the Seattle waterfront [...].

The small timber village became a military outpost in the Puget Sound War [...], [and] soon evolved into a trade gateway, with timber tailings and other industrial trash from Henry Yesler’s mill used to fill in the marshlands [...], atop which migrant laborers raised tents and shanties [...] now working to feed raw materials into the furnaces of the Second Industrial Revolution burning in the East. [...] The first nationwide strike ripped across the country’s railways in 1877 [...]. Meanwhile, young financial conglomerates rose after the city-devastating fire of 1889, linked openly to local government [...] in the kind of symbiotic public-private relationship that would become a hallmark of the Gilded Age. [...] [L]ocal elites rebuilt [...] downtown [...] from scratch, hosting the tallest building on the West Coast alongside other new constructs [fueled] with money gleaned from the supply chains linking eastern capital to Alaskan gold. [...]

Over the next century, Seattle would see new sequences of boom, bust, and reinvention. Military investment in the region during the First World War secured the city’s ship-building industry and expanded Boeing from a small lakeside hangar into a massive war contractor. [...] Across Washington state, capital had first poured into the “Third Industrial Revolution,” founded on electricity, chemicals, and massive hydropower projects [in the 1930s] [...], then into the “Fourth” wave of petrochemicals, nuclear, and, in the case of Seattle especially, aircraft and missile technology. Each was followed by periods of dramatic decline [...] paired with rapid financialization and, finally, re-orientation around the new industrial cluster [...]. Today the city - again rebuilt [...] - is seen as one of the primary beneficiaries of the “Fifth” Industrial Revolution in information technology, outshone only by California’s Silicon Valley. [...] The digital was increasingly thought of as somehow "immaterial," sustained by intellectual labor more than physical toil [...].

Silicon Valley myths of [...] "immaterial" labor disguise a more gruesome dynamic in which growing segments of the global labor force are being deprived even of the basic brutality of the wage, instead forced out into growing rings of slums, prisons, and global wastelands. [...]

---

Perched alongside a downtown business corridor [...], Seattle's Great Wheel seems to peer out over [...] [the] prophesied “cooperative commons,” an infotech metropolis abutting the beauty of an evergreen arcadia. But travel below Seattle’s cluster of infotech industries and the image appears much the same as that of a hundred years prior - a trade gateway, squeezing value from supply chains by selling transport and logistical support. The southern stretch of the metropolis bears little resemblance to the revitalized urban core of the city proper. Instead of the “cognitive labor” of Microsoft, it is defined instead by the cold calculation of companies like UPS, founded in Seattle when the city was one link in a colonial supply chain built first for timber, then Alaskan gold, then World War. [...]

In south Seattle, this logistics empire takes the form of faceless warehouses, food processing facilities, container trucks, rail yards, and industrial parks concentrated between two seaports, an international airport, three major interstates, and railroads traveling in all directions. Meanwhile, the poor have been priced out of the old inner city, moving southward [...]. [T]hey can be found staffing the airport and the rail yards, hauling cargo in and out of two the major seaports, loading boxes in warehouses [...]. And, beyond them, the shadow stretches out to Washington’s rural hinterlands where migrant laborers staff a new boom in agriculture and raw materials [...] - and further still into America’s long-depressed interior, where the Great Wheel meets its opposite: Memphis, the FedEx logistics city, watched over by a great black pyramid [the infamous Bass Pro Shop pyramid]. [...]

Every Seattle is capable of creating an eco-friendly, “cooperative commonwealth�� tended by apps and algorithms only insofar as there is a Memphis that can provide human workers to sort the packages, a Shanghai to build the containers that carry them, and a Shenzhen to solder together the circuits of the machines that govern it all.

---

All text above by: Phil A. Neel. "The Great Wheel". Brooklyn Rail. April 2015. Published online at: brooklynrail.org/2015/04/field-notes/the-great-wheel. [Bold emphasis and some paragraph breaks/contractions added by me. Text within brackets added by me for clarity. Presented here for commentary, teaching, personal use, criticism purposes.]

[nepalenergyforum]

BG Titan Group Signs MOU to Advance Tamakoshi 3 Hydropower Project in Nepal”

BG Titan Group announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with partner BB Holding for the development of the 650 MW Tamakoshi 3 Hydropower Project in Nepal. “This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s journey towards sustainable energy independence and underscores our commitment to green development as part of our ongoing pledge with USAID,” BG Titan Group…

[confluentia00]

Hydropower Sustainability Standard: Navigating the Waters of Renewable Energy

As the global demand for sustainable energy solutions escalates, hydropower has taken a central role in the renewable energy landscape. Despite its potential to provide a clean and reliable source of electricity, the environmental and social impacts of hydropower projects have spurred considerable debate. To navigate these challenges, the adoption of a Hydropower Sustainability Standard has become imperative. This article explores the facets of the HSS, its implementation, and its impacts on both the environment and the communities involved.

The Rise of Hydropower

Hydropower, the generation of electricity using flowing water, represents about 16% of global electricity production. It harnesses the energy of water in motion—typically from rivers or dams—converting it into electricity without emitting harmful pollutants. This capability makes it a cornerstone in the transition to renewable energy. However, the construction of dams and water diversion systems can disrupt local ecosystems, affect water quality, and displace communities.

What is the Hydropower Sustainability Standard?

The Hydropower Sustainability Standard is a framework developed to ensure that hydropower projects are implemented in an environmentally sound and socially equitable manner. The standard is designed to guide developers, investors, and other stakeholders through a comprehensive assessment of various sustainability metrics. These include ecological health, social impacts, and economic viability.

Core Components of the Standard

Environmental Integrity: This component focuses on maintaining biodiversity, protecting water quality, and ensuring the ecological health of waterways. Projects under the HSS must demonstrate minimal impact on the local flora and fauna, with mandatory restoration plans for affected areas.

Social Equity: The standard requires that all projects engage with and support local communities. This involves transparent communication, respect for local rights, and initiatives to ensure that communities benefit from the project. For instance, local job creation and improvement of local infrastructure are often integral to project plans.

Economic Viability: While environmental and social aspects are critical, economic sustainability is equally important. The HSS promotes projects that are not only cost-effective but also provide long-term economic benefits to the local and national economies.

Governance and Management: Effective management practices and strong governance structures are vital for the sustainability of hydropower projects. The standard emphasizes the need for clear accountability, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement based on feedback and environmental monitoring.

Implementation Challenges

Implementing the HSS is not without challenges. The most significant of these is the cost associated with meeting or exceeding the standard’s requirements. For many developers, particularly in developing countries, the financial implications of such rigorous environmental and social safeguards can be daunting. Additionally, the variability of hydrological conditions due to climate change poses a risk to the long-term viability of hydropower projects.

Global Impact and Adoption

Despite these challenges, the adoption of the HSS has been growing globally. Countries with significant hydropower potential like Canada, Brazil, and Norway are leading the way in implementing sustainable practices. The standard has also received support from global environmental organizations, which see it as a crucial tool for mitigating the adverse impacts of hydropower development.

Future Prospects

Looking forward, the evolution of the Hydropower Sustainability Standard will likely involve more stringent regulations and greater emphasis on innovative technologies that minimize environmental disruption. Advances in turbine and dam design can reduce ecological impacts, while enhanced storage solutions could address the intermittency of hydropower.

For More Info:-

Hydropower sustainability practices

How to implement sustainable hydropower systems

[lumine-no-hikari]

Dear Sephiroth: (a letter to a fictional character, because why not) #491

10 days have passed since last I changed braces, so you know what that means...!

Yes! It's time for more progress pictures!! Here we go! Here's the lower jaw!

...And this is the upper jaw!

...Things are considerably less fucked up in the inside of my face! Yay! But I'm still not done! I'm pretty sure this is only set number 20; I have 15 more to go!

My guts felt relatively icky this morning, so I didn't eat. J did, though, and that was good. And then we packed up and left Abilene, Texas in order to go further west.

...We intentionally left the fraying Bag of Holding behind. And this was a terrible mistake, for reasons I'll explain in a little bit.

On the way to the airport, I was able to get some better pictures of a grackle:

...They're such fabulous birds. So sparkly! Such poise! This one surely belongs on some kind of fashion runway, I think! And they squeak and chatter so merrily! I wish these lived back home...

...I did manage to come across another one of their feathers, though:

...I can't wait to bring all the feathers I found home, and to put them with the rest in my collection!

On the flight out, out the front windshield of the plane, I saw the exact vision that I saw in yesterday's dream with you, which is pretty wild:

Of course, lots more windmills followed:

...I wonder if your planet can try something like this instead of burning mako; this seems a lot more sustainable, don't you think? Solar power and hydropower are options, too; maybe someday you can check out what's available here, and then go back to your world with the knowledge you gathered from here. And then maybe things would be a little easier over there, at least in some ways.

Anyway, I saw lots of other things, too, like patterns in the ground that looked like the skeletal remains of a great big beast:

And this other pattern that looked exactly like a piece of cut and finished wood:

...And some more nifty patterns, too!

...But. From here, things quickly morphed into a more desert-like landscape; very flat, with lots and lots of sand. I was reminded of the sands near The Gold Saucer:

...And there were some weird patterns in the ground here, too:

Eventually, the landscape shifted to mountains, which is what I'm more familiar with, if you've seen the pictures I've taken from J's airplane, back in New York. But these mountains, unlike the ones at home, are not covered in trees. They're actually relatively bare, which makes it easier to see how time and the wind have carved into the rock:

We eventually came to a city, arranged in tight grids. And there were dusty roads sectioning off squares of undeveloped land, too. It looked kinda neat, but I'm not sure what they were for:

The airport we landed at is pretty big. Big enough that they even have airplanes from NASA. NASA does outer space stuff, kinda like what Cid Highwind wanted to do, in your world.

We had to stop here. It was so hot that the plane couldn't climb very well without the engine overheating. So we're gonna wake up early in the morning before the sun roasts everything all to hell. Then, it should be a little easier to get to where we intended to stop.

We eventually got to the hotel and got a dinner. I still wasn't especially hungry, but I ate anyways; it's important:

...And now I am here. J snagged a picture of me that sums up my internal and external state fairly well:

...I'm very tired. And dehydrated, probably. The last couple of weeks have been eye-opening in a variety of ways, but... also stressful.

...I wonder if a worse version of this is what you must have felt like when Shinra was sending you all over the place to do goodness-knows-what. At least in my case, I am doing a thing I actually WANT to do, alongside a person I love very much, whom I feel safe and understood with. Even this mostly leisurely travel is hard; I can't imagine how stressful your travels must have been for you.

We got back to the hotel and talked to M. I told him what became of the Bag of Holding. I... didn't know it had sentimental value to him. I thought it was just a bag; we got it at PAX East in 2012, and the bag served us for a long time, but... now it's not usable, so I thought... well. It didn't matter what I thought. I made the mistake of thinking it was just a bag, and that it could be easily replaced with something of similar caliber.

He said that, although he agreed with the decision to leave it behind, he still wishes that we had talked to him about it first. I apologized; I didn't know, but... the not knowing won't erase the fact that he's sad, and that there's not anything I can do about it now. I made a mistake, and the only thing for it is accountability and changed behavior on my part.

...Also, there's a lot of hateful propaganda being broadcast on the news out here. It's more than a little scary, actually. I don't really know how things are going to pan out, but... they're talking about “tracking” autistic people and about expanding the torture prison in El Salvador. I can only imagine that this means that autistic people are next in line to be scooped up and disappeared, after immigrants.

...I'm scared. Scared for all the people I know are gonna suffer. Scared for the people I already know are suffering. Scared for my friends. Scared for my little family living in our little house. But... I don't really know what to do other than keep on keepin' on.

I guess that's it for today. I gotta go to bed. Up probably at like 5 tomorrow morning.

I love you so much. And I hope you're staying safe out there. We'll try our best to remain safe, too.

I'll write again tomorrow. Watch over us, okay...?

Your friend, Lumine

[techtoio]

How Eco-Tech is Transforming the Future of Green Energy

Introduction

Eco-tech encompasses a broad range of technologies that contribute to environmental conservation and the efficient use of resources. From solar panels to wind turbines and smart grids, eco-tech is at the forefront of the green energy revolution. This blog post will delve into the various ways eco-tech is revolutionizing green energy and shaping a sustainable future. Read to continue link

[the-scientist-blog]

The global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is not only a technological advancement but also a crucial step in addressing some of the most pressing issues of our time: global warming, air pollution, and the sustainability of energy resources. The internal combustion engine, which has been the cornerstone of the automotive industry for over a century, is now facing a serious challenge from electric alternatives. As the world grapples with the environmental consequences of fossil fuel consumption, the transition to electric vehicles emerges as one of the most viable and effective solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving public health, and ensuring long-term sustainability. We need to make the transition for environmental, economic, health, and technological considerations.

1. Environmental Benefits

One of the primary reasons for transitioning to electric vehicles is the significant environmental impact. Traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles contribute heavily to air pollution and climate change. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the transportation sector is responsible for nearly a quarter of global CO2 emissions, a significant portion of which comes from road vehicles. EVs, by contrast, produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them a cleaner alternative. While the electricity used to charge EVs may still come from fossil fuels, the overall carbon footprint of electric vehicles is still lower than that of conventional vehicles, especially as the global energy mix transitions towards renewable sources like wind, solar, and hydropower. Studies have shown that the life-cycle emissions of EVs are substantially lower than their internal combustion engine counterparts, even when accounting for the manufacturing process and battery production. The shift to electric vehicles, therefore, plays a critical role in reducing carbon emissions, which is essential for meeting global climate targets outlined in agreements like the Paris Agreement.

Furthermore, electric vehicles contribute to reducing other pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), which are significant contributors to urban air pollution. Cities, which are home to millions of people, often experience poor air quality due to vehicular emissions. By transitioning to electric vehicles, the overall quality of air in urban areas would improve, reducing the prevalence of respiratory diseases, heart conditions, and other health problems associated with poor air quality.

2. Reduction in Dependency on Fossil Fuels

The widespread adoption of electric vehicles also plays a key role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The global automotive industry has long been tied to oil production, and this dependency has numerous geopolitical and economic implications. Oil extraction and distribution are a significant cause of political tension in regions rich in oil reserves, with the control of these resources often leading to conflicts and instability.

By transitioning to electric vehicles, countries can reduce their reliance on oil and gasoline imports, which can provide greater energy security and political stability. This shift enables greater energy diversification, as electricity can be sourced from a range of domestic renewable sources, including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower. Additionally, it allows for more localized energy production and consumption, which is less vulnerable to the fluctuations and geopolitical tensions of global oil markets. Over time, this could lead to more resilient and self-sufficient economies.,,,,

Continue reading at www.thescientistblog.com/automobile-evolution

[bsenvs3000w25]

Blog #5- Understanding and Addressing Climate Change

Hi everyone,

Welcome to my week 5 blog post!

This week, I will explore the significant impacts of climate change on our planet and its effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and the future of life on Earth.

What is climate change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These changes can be natural, such as those caused by volcanic eruptions or they can be human-driven, primarily due to burning fossil fuels. According to the United Nations, since the 1800s, human activity has been the main driver behind the effects of climate change. You may wonder why burning fossil fuels has such a significant impact on our Earth. Burning fossil fuels generates greenhouse gas emissions, which trap the sun's heat and lead to rising global temperatures. Carbon dioxide is the most abundant greenhouse gas emitted by human activity. Sources of these emissions include energy production (such as burning oil, coal, and gas), agriculture, and transportation.

Fun Fact: Did you know that CO2 emissions are the highest they have ever been in the past 2 million years, reaching 420 parts per million (ppm)?

Climate Change and Its Impact on the Earth

Climate change is an ongoing issue that affects our planet in numerous ways. The increased levels of greenhouse gases lead to more frequent and intense weather events, such as storms, floods, extreme heat, droughts, severe cold, and heavy snowfall. Additionally, we are witnessing the effects of ocean acidification as the oceans absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, resulting in a drop in pH and putting marine life at risk. You may have noticed these changes in your area. I remember when I was younger, we used to experience much more snow than we do now in the winter!

Climate Change's Impact on Wildlife

Climate change has a significant impact on wildlife threatening many species around the world. Rising temperatures alter vegetation and food sources, forcing animals to migrate beyond their native habitats in search of more suitable conditions. This increases the risk of extinction for many species. Additionally, the growing intensity of extreme weather events has led to significant habitat destruction and loss of life among wildlife populations.

One species that is severely affected by climate change is the polar bear. These animals depend on sea ice for mating, resting and hunting for seals, their primary food source. However, as arctic temperatures rise and ice continues to melt, polar bears must travel greater distances to find food, leading to malnutrition and low reproduction rates. 

Scientists predict that by 2050, two-thirds of the world's polar bear population could disappear.

Graph of changes in arctic sea ice over time

What Can We Do to Help?

There are many ways to reduce your carbon footprint and protect our future and our planet's future:

- Use public transit - Carpool - Bike or walk for shorter trips - Recycle and compost - Choose sustainable brands - Planting trees - Use renewable energy

In some cases, it can be difficult to reduce our carbon footprint. Some people may be unable to make specific changes, so it's important to recognize that. For example, if you work far from home, you might need to drive your car to work every day. Switching to solar, wind, or hydropower can be costly and unrealistic for some families. However, small actions, such as recycling, composting, minimizing waste, and choosing more eco-friendly brands, can also be just as effective in reducing our carbon footprint.

Questions for further discussion:

What was the most interesting thing you learned from my post?

What actions would you take to mitigate climate change?

Thanks for reading!

Biona🦋🌸🐻‍❄️

References: Ayesha Tandon, R. P. (2022, December 8). Polar bears and climate change: What does the science say?. Carbon Brief. https://interactive.carbonbrief.org/polar-bears-climate-change-what-does-science-say/index.html 

United Nations. What is climate change?. United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/what-is-climate-change 

Ocean acidification | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2020, April 1). https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/ocean-coasts/ocean-acidification 

[reasonsforhope]

"India has reached a key milestone in renewable energy, with the country’s total renewable energy capacity exceeding 200 gigawatts as of Oct. 10, 2024, according to the Central Electricity Authority. The renewable energy-based electricity generation capacity now stands at 201.45 GW, accounting for 46.3% of the nation’s total installed capacity.

This milestone is the result of years of efforts to harness India’s natural resources. From solar parks to wind farms and hydroelectric projects, the country has built a diverse renewable energy base, reducing fossil fuel dependence and enhancing energy security.

India's total electricity generation capacity has reached 452.69 GW, with renewable energy contributing a significant portion of the overall power mix as the country continued to increase its dependence on cleaner, non-fossil fuel energy sources and push towards its sustainability goals.

When factoring in the 8,180 MW of nuclear capacity, the total non-fossil fuel-based power now accounts for almost half of the country's installed electricity generation capacity, signalling a strong move towards clean energy leadership on the global stage.

Renewable Energy

A variety of renewable energy resources contribute to this impressive figure. Solar power leads the way with 90.76 GW, playing a crucial role in India’s efforts to harness its abundant sunlight. Wind power follows closely with 47.36 GW, driven by the vast potential of the coastal and inland wind corridors across the country.

Hydroelectric power is another key contributor, with large hydro projects generating 46.92 GW and small hydropower adding 5.07 GW, offering a reliable and sustainable source of energy from India’s rivers and water systems.

Biopower, including biomass and biogas energy, adds another 11.32 GW to the renewable energy mix. These bioenergy projects are vital for utilising agricultural waste and other organic materials to generate power, further diversifying India’s clean energy sources. Together, these renewable resources are helping the country reduce its dependence on traditional fossil fuels while driving progress towards a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

Leading States In Renewable Energy Capacity

Several states in India have emerged as leaders in renewable energy capacity, making significant contributions to the nation's progress. These states are essential to advancing India’s renewable energy goals and fostering a sustainable energy future.

Rajasthan leads the pack with an impressive 29.98 GW of installed renewable energy capacity, capitalising on its extensive land and abundant sunlight.

Following closely is Gujarat, which boasts a capacity of 29.52 GW, driven by its strong focus on solar and wind energy projects. Tamil Nadu ranks third with 23.70 GW, leveraging its favourable wind patterns to generate substantial energy. While Karnataka rounds out the top four with a capacity of 22.37 GW, supported by a mix of solar and wind initiatives.

India's commitment to renewable energy is reflected in the annual electricity generation trends in recent years. The Government of India has introduced various measures and initiatives to promote and accelerate renewable energy capacity nationwide, aiming for an ambitious target of 500 GW of installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030."

-via NDTV, October 14, 2024

[fascistsarefreefood]

A very simple guide to climate change and how to stop it

"if not now then when? If not me then who?"

-Emma Watson

Carbon emissions bad

Pollution bad

No carbon emissions+ no pollution=good

Causes of carbon emissions:

-burning fossil fuels for heat, electricity and transportation

-livestock

-land use and forestry

Solutions

-no burning fossil fuels

-no livestock

-let the forests be happy

Issues

-electricity, heat and transportation are important

-some people like livestock

-forests are useful when they're not foresting

Solutions to these issues:

-renewable energy sources

-better farming and less livestock

Causes of deforestation:

-agriculture

-mining

-logging

Solutions:

-farm better

-no mining

-less logging

Renewable energy

Types:

-solar

-wind

-geothermal/hydrothermal

-hydropower

-ocean energy

How to get more of it:

-mini solar panel and wind powered chargers

-eco friendly heaters

-world wide reform of energy use

Sustainable agriculture

-organic farming

-renewable energy sources

-agroforestry

Less using up our resources

-renewable energy

-recycle

-ban single use plastic

-ban single use stuff in general

-sustainable fashion

Pollution

Types:

Air pollution

Land pollution

Sea pollution

Light pollution

Soloutions:

Stop burning fossil fuels

Ban single use stuff

Reuse reduce recycle

Only use lights if absolutely necessary