#like corn based fuels and such

[syltheanti]

Oh STFU, mind your business 🙄

I sent those asks on that bitch Toadstool's end because she is a rabid anti that of course hasn't shut the fuck up about Addiction Verse!

It was pretty hilarious to watch her get mad that I called her a cumrag since she really acts like one...

Tf is weird about me stating she is an addiction???

She sure has no life, when she shoulda worry more about real people!

Grass is a plant with narrow leaves growing from the base. A common kind of grass is used to cover the ground in a lawn and other places. Grass gets water from the roots in the ground. Grass is usually pigmented with the colour ‘green’. Grasses are monocotyledon, herbaceous plants.

The grasses include the "grass", of the family Poaceae (also called Gramineae). Also sometimes it is used to include the sedges (Cyperaceae) and the rushes (Juncaceae). These three families are not closely related but belong to different clades in the order Poales. They are similar adaptations to a common life-style.

The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns (turf) and grassland. Uses for graminoids include food (as grain, sprouted grain, shoots or rhizomes), drink (beer, whisky), pasture for livestock, thatching thatch, paper, fuel, clothing, insulation, construction, sports turf, basket weaving and many others.

Many grasses are short, but some grasses, like bamboo can grow very tall. Plants from the grass family can grow in many places, even if they are very cold or very dry. Several other plants that look similar but are not members of the grass family are also sometimes called grass; these include rushes, reeds, papyrus, and water chestnut.

Grasses are an important food for many animals, like deer, buffalo, cattle, mice, grasshoppers, caterpillars, and many other grazers. Unlike other plants, grasses grow from the bottom, so when animals eat grass they usually do not destroy the part that grows. Without grass, dirt can wash away into rivers (erosion). Graminoids include some of the most versatile plant life-forms. They became widespread toward the end of the Cretaceous. Fossilized dinosaur dung (coprolites) have been found containing grass phytoliths (silica stones inside grass leaves).[Grasses have adapted to conditions in lush rain forests, dry deserts, cold mountains and even intertidal habitats, and are now the most widespread plant type. Grass is a valuable source of food and energy for many animals.Lawn grass is often planted on sports fields and in the area around a building. Sometimes chemicals and water is used to help lawns to grow.

People have used grasses for a long time. People eat parts of grasses. Corn, wheat, barley, oats, rice and millet are cereals, common grains whose seeds are used for food and to make alcohol such as beer.

Sugar comes from sugar cane, which is also a plant in the grass family. People have grown grasses as food for farm animals for about 4,000 years. People use bamboo to build houses, fences, furniture and other things. Grass plants can also be used as fuel, to cover roofs, and to weave baskets. n English, the word "grass" appears in several phrases. For example:

"The grass is always greener on the other side" means "people are never happy with what they have and want something else." "Don't let the grass grow under your feet" means "Do something". "A snake in the grass" is about a person that will not be honest and will trick others. Grass is sometimes used as a slang term for cannabis (also called pot, weed, or marijuana)

[dandelionsresilience]

Dandelion News - January 8-14

Like these weekly compilations? Tip me at $kaybarr1735 or check out my Dandelion Doodles!

1. In Chicago, all city buildings now use 100 percent clean power

“As of January 1, every single one of [Chicago’s municipal buildings] — including 98 fire stations, two international airports, and two of the largest water treatment plants on the planet — is running on renewable energy, thanks largely to Illinois’ newest and largest solar farm.”

2. California Rice Fields Offer Threatened Migratory Waterbirds a Lifeline

“Cranes need nighttime roosting sites flooded to a depth of about 3 to 9 inches, so they can easily hear or feel predators moving through the water. [... Bird Returns pays] farmers to flood their fields during critical migration periods [... and] provide foraging sites by leaving harvested rice or corn fields untilled, so cranes can access the leftover grain.”

3. New York Climate Superfund Becomes Law

“[Funds recovered “from major oil and gas companies” will be used to pay for] the restoration of stormwater drainage and sewage treatment systems, upgrades to transit systems, roads and bridges, the installation of green spaces to mitigate city heat islands and even medical coverage and preventative health programs for illnesses and injuries induced by climate change.”

4. Austin says retooled process for opening overnight cold-weather shelters is paying off

“[... T]he city's moves to lower the temperature threshold to open shelters and announce their activation at least a day in advance were the result of community feedback. [Shelter operators also passed out hot food.]”

5. Helping Communities Find Funding for Nature-Based Solutions

““From coastal oyster reefs to urban stormwater greenways, nature-based solutions are becoming the new normal.” That’s because these types of projects are often less expensive to build and have additional community benefits, such as improving water quality or creating parkland.”

6. Saving the Iberian lynx: How humans rescued this rare feline from extinction

“Back in the early 2000s, fewer than 100 individuals roamed the wild, including only 25 reproductive females. [...] Conservation staff [...] shape these cats into resourceful hunters and get them ready for life outside the center. [...] They’re fine-tuning captive-breeding routines, improving veterinary procedures, and pushing for more wildlife corridors.”

7. Biden cancels student loans for 150,000 more borrowers

“The 150,000 new beneficiaries announced Monday include more than 80,000 borrowers who were cheated or defrauded by their schools, over 60,000 borrowers with total and permanent disabilities and more than 6,000 public service workers[...] bringing the number whose student debt has been canceled during [Biden’s] administration to over 5 million[....]”

8. PosiGen wins another $200M for lower-income rooftop solar

“PosiGen offers a ​“no credit check” [solar panel installation to] those with a higher percentage of their income going to power and fuel bills[....] “somewhere between 25 and 75 percent” of the consumer’s monthly energy savings could come from efficiency measures such as sealing heating and cooling leaks, replacing thermostats, and installing LED lights[....]”

9. Indigenous communities come together to protect the Colombian Amazon

“At this year’s COP, Indigenous peoples celebrated the [protection of] traditional knowledge, innovations and practices[... and] the Cali Fund, which ensures that communities, including Indigenous peoples, receive benefits from the commercial use of [...] genetic data derived from the biological resources that they have long stewarded.”

10. How the heartland of Poland’s coal industry is ditching fossil fuels - without sacrificing jobs

“[Katowice, a former coal city] committed to reducing CO2 emissions by 40 per cent compared to 1990, prioritising investments in green infrastructure, and promoting renewable energy and energy efficiency. [...”]The gradual departure from heavy industry did not bring high social costs in our city,” says Marcin Krupa, Mayor of Katowice City.”

January 1-7 news here | (all credit for images and written material can be found at the source linked; I don’t claim credit for anything but curating.)

[a-bottle-of-tyelenol]

Action vs Inaction in regards to Eurylochus and Odysseus

This isn’t really that hot take of an analysis and I might just be corn-plating, but i don’t see many people taking about this aspect to their characters so I wanted to bring it up.

I think there’s something to be said about how Eurylochus and Odysseus don’t really disagree on a lot of things, it just appears as though they do because of the nature of their approaches. Odysseus very often either shuts Eurylochus down or he expresses a view that seems to differ to Eurylochus’, but if you boil each of these conflicts down to what they really are, all that’s happening is that they want the same end result, they just have differing perspectives on how to get there.

To Eurylochus, early saga Odysseus doesn’t act— which isn’t strictly true since it’s more accurate to say that Odysseus doesn’t react outside the times his guilt fuels his decisions, but it’s a perspective that Eurylochus has nonetheless. In Full Speed Ahead, Eurylochus proposes that they raid the village— action. Odysseus, while still agreeing to be on the offensive, takes the wait and see approach— inaction in the eyes of Eurylochus. In Remember Them, when more cyclops appear, Eurylochus wants to run— action. Odysseus, again, tells him to wait— inaction. Storm is probably one of the only times early on that this isn’t true strictly since Eurylochus is mostly just expressing his concern over the ships while Odysseus charges ahead (so it’s a conflict in that they’re focusing on different things, it’s just not one that I would count for this purpose), but the windbag is another case of Odysseus telling everyone to wait, to trust him, and Eurylochus acting based on what he thinks is right— I personally will always have the opinion that Eurylochus opened the bag either to settle the unease of the crew or on behalf of them (either because they asked him to or they were going to open it anyways and, as the second highest ranking member, Eurylochus took responsibility for it).

It doesn’t actually matter who was wrong or right— it’s impossible to actually tell in most of these situations. If they had raided the lotus eater village, would the effects be better or worse than being led to Polyphemus’ cave? If they had ran when the other cyclops’ showed up, would they have been caught or would they have been able to sneak away before Odysseus could shout his name? Even if Eurylochus was totally objectively wrong in every single one of these decisions, the part that matters is that he and Odysseus want the same thing thing— to make it home with as many people alive as possible.

Which leads to Puppeteer, a fascinating display of two men who have fundamentally agreed on something, and just have two different outlooks on how to approach it, suddenly flipping in terms of where they stand because of their guilt.

They are both reacting to what just happened. Eurylochus is reeling from the fact that it was majorly his doing that got everyone killed. He is someone that greatly prioritizes the lives of the crew and he had to watch like five hundred of them die to his actions. His response to that is wanting to leave the dozen or so men that were caught by Circe for the sake of saving the others— sacrifice the one to save the many. Odysseus, on the other hand, believes it was his inaction that got everyone killed. He wasn’t able to save Polites, he didn’t kill the cyclops, he couldn’t stop them from opening the bag or Poseidon from killing everyone EXCEPT the ones who opened it. So, unlike Eurylochus who doesn’t want to directly cause more harm, Odysseus feels like he’s obligated to save his men after everything his lack of action has caused. Eurylochus is suddenly the one vying for inaction and Odysseus is suddenly the one to call to action.

This is a big reason why Eurylochus is so upset in Mutiny— not only does he see this as Odysseus going against the very thing that he convinced Eurylochus was right, but it’s him defaulting to inaction again.

“When we fought the cyclops, you were quick to hatch a plan, and when we fought with Circe, it was you who left behind no man—“

Eurylochus is pointing out Odysseus’ action here, even if he disagreed with him or didn’t like what resulted of it.

To Eurylochus, someone that has been pushing for more action and sees himself as someone genuinely trying, he’d rather see Odysseus do something earnestly and it fail than see him intentionally do ‘nothing’ while others suffer and it succeeds— with the caveat being how you measure that success. Obviously, if success leads to a bunch of other issues (like Odysseus taking action in getting the windbag, only for it to sow distrust in the crew because Aeolus is playing tricks) then it isn’t much of a success, is it?

A lot of it is projection, obviously, with Eurylochus feeling hurt because he’s always done what he thought was right with major consequences (either in the form of Poseidon killing everyone or even him possibly interpreting Odysseus’ decision regarding Scylla as a personal punishment because he had Eurylochus be the one who chooses who dies— which gives even more layers to ‘if you want all the power, you must carry all the blame’ if you interpret power as the ability to disregard other people’s lives), while Odysseus gets to do something he feels is wrong and seemingly suffer nothing.

“But when we fought this monster, we didn't take a stand— we just ran. Say something!”

Eurylochus is calling to action— begging for it, really. They have, once again, switched on how they want to approach things. He needs an explanation for why Odysseus would, in his mind, suddenly change. It’s not like Odysseus told them about his monstrous revelations and how his priority is no longer getting as many people home alive as much as it is just getting himself there. To Eurylochus, nothing has changed between Circe and Thunder except Odysseus has now been taking action more than he has inaction. Killing the sirens is an action and it’s implied that he’s been running things this way since they left the Underworld, which we can estimate has been anywhere from a couple months ago to maybe half a year ago. For once, it feels like they’re on the same page since we can assume Eurylochus has gone back to his typical perspective of taking action— Circe’s island was likely a lapse of judgement and, even if it wasn’t, we can assume that Odysseus’ speech along with saving their men and giving them an avenue forward has led Eurylochus back to thinking that taking action is the right thing to do. To him, current Odysseus is the same as the Odysseus that confronted Circe— the one that valued lives and held on to the open arms philosophy a little too much.

I, personally, also think this is why Ares uses this as his argument in God Games— he sees Odysseus’ inaction throughout everything as cowardly and Scylla is just the best representation of that since it happened after a string of Odysseus taking action.

Anyways, I’ve never seen anyone specifically argue against the idea of Eurylochus’ arc being implied like this, but I have seen a lot of people call him a hypocrite without fully understanding why he’s taking these stances. Eurylochus has been acting throughout the entire show— his first appearance is him taking charge and asking Odysseus what they should do about the food issues. His only act of inaction (if you don’t count Storm) is on Circe’s island. That is, again, a lapse of judgment due to his guilt and fear, at most; it’s not a hard trait to base his entire character on.

Now, I know what you’re thinking— but what about Luck Runs Out? Isn’t that Eurylochus criticizing Odysseus for taking action here? Isn’t he asking for inaction? Doesn’t that completely negate this entire post?

And, admittedly, it does a little, but I touched on it a bit earlier with acknowledging how Eurylochus could see this as the exception, rather than the rule, because of how things turned out and I do have further argument for this. I think it’s important to remember that Eurylochus is still human. While he does prioritize action, he doesn’t have to adhere to that belief every single time. He has always been fairly reasonable and cautious so it would make sense that he falls to inaction when he’s unsure. The fact that he doesn’t more often, especially as compared to Odysseus, is really interesting and could possibly be a testament to who he was before the war (a kid in poverty, as mentioned by Jorge, who is maybe a little more prone to inaction and letting his life pass him by, only to meet the princess and take his first real action in pursuing her).

I also think that Eurylochus’ hesitation here had more to do with the fact that they just lost men, including Polites who was likely very close to Eurylochus as well, and is simply just him being uninterested in the possibility of losing even more. I mentioned before that Storm had an element of passiveness to it and I really think that Luck Runs Out is meant to continue this and be the lead up to Eurylochus’ own inaction in the Circe Saga. His arc, in that case, looks like this—

Eurylochus prioritizes action and disavows Odysseus’ inaction -> Eurylochus starts to withdraw because of loss and wants to prioritize people’s lives instead, which leads him to push Odysseus (who has been, reversely, pushed to action by Polites’ death) to his typical inaction -> Eurylochus sees that the action works (the bag gives them a way home) and tentatively returns to valuing action, which leads him to immediately be punished by opening the bag -> the loss is a hundred times worse than it was before and Eurylochus, therefore, decides that inaction actually was the correct way -> Eurylochus learns from Odysseus that this is wrong and taking action is correct as shown by Odysseus saving their men from Circe and getting them to the Underworld -> Eurylochus sees Odysseus’ decision with Scylla as him regressing back to something he thought they both agreed was bad -> Eurylochus feels betrayed, like he doesn’t know who Odysseus is, and leads the mutiny

When you look at things like this, everything else I said still makes sense. Luck Runs Out is Eurylochus promoting inaction due to the events with the cyclops and Puppeteer is Eurylochus actually committing inaction due to the events with Poseidon. Everything else remains true even with this aspect and it still doesn’t make him a hypocrite for criticizing Odysseus in Mutiny either.

Anyways, back to Puppeteer— I say this song/part of the story is fascinating not just because it’s the only time that Eurylochus falls to inaction, but also because it’s the only time we are explicitly told that Eurylochus and Odysseus do understand each other.

“Of course, I'd like to leave now, of course I'd like to run, but I can hardly sleep now knowing everything we've done.”

In literally any other context, Odysseus very likely would’ve agreed with Eurylochus and abandoned their men. It is only because of his guilt of Polites and the crew Poseidon killed that he’s sparked into taking action, instead of simply abandoning them. In that same vein, if it weren’t for that very same context, Eurylochus very likely would have agreed with Odysseus and only didn’t because they literally just lost everyone and he couldn’t handle losing any more. This is not a matter of being wrong or right or even being at fault for either of them because arguments can be made for both; it’s simply them reacting instead of wholly thinking things through the way they normally would.

Eurylochus would love to save their men, but he’s just watched what happens when you fuck with magic and he doesn’t want to risk things any more than he has. That isn’t him evading responsibility, it’s him trying not to make the same mistake again. I think the most telling lyric of Puppeteer for both of them is when Eurylochus asks, “What if she can’t be killed? Would you choose to stay?” and Odysseus responds with, “I don’t know.”

In the same way that Eurylochus is giving up and opting for what is essentially suicide in Mutiny with the cows, it feels like a similar thing is happening with Odysseus and these pigs. Eurylochus is begging Odysseus not to do something that he sees as certain death and Odysseus’ response is that he isn’t sure he would leave even if he knew for a fact it was certain death. Just like how Odysseus begged Eurylochus not to do something in Thunder and Eurylochus’ response was to ask, “How much longer must I push through doubt?”

The way that Eurylochus speedruns Odysseus’ arc in Ocean, this time doing it with Zeus in Thunder, has been talked about before but I really think it goes further than that. It isn’t just Eurylochus taking the role of captain, only to invoke the wrath of a god because of actions he took in the midst of grief. It’s the aftermath of that too— only, this time, Eurylochus faces the aftermath (the resignation to death after so much guilt and grief) and that’s what causes the god to arrive.

Mutiny is not meant to parallel Luck Runs Out, it parallels Puppeteer. Eurylochus’ arc and how it fools Odysseus is not meant to just be Ocean, it includes Circe too.

“There's no length I wouldn't go if it was you I had to save. I can only hope you'd do the same.”

“Don’t make me fight you, brother, you know you would do the same.”

They are so, so similar, but they fundamentally misunderstand each other. Like how much of the audience misinterprets these events, Eurylochus and Odysseus don’t even realize that they’re in the same boat, on the same path, going through the same arcs. Eurylochus finally sees Odysseus acting after two years of inaction and doesn’t understand why he goes back on it, and Odysseus sees Eurylochus finally support inaction one time and is convinced he wholly understands every other similar decision. The betrayal was so strong because, for a moment on Circe’s island, they did understand the perspective opposite to what they typically believe and they both came to the conclusion that the opposite perspective was a bad idea.

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Smithsonian Magazine:

In the Upper Midwest, it’s the time of year when corn is getting high in the field and the days feel languid. As a heat wave moves out of the region and residents start to cool off from the oppressive temperatures and humidity that broke records on Tuesday, the internet is abuzz with talk of a phenomenon that might be making things even stickier: so-called “corn sweat.”

��Using the term ‘corn sweat’ is kind of funny,” Illinois State Climatologist Trenton Ford tells AGDAILY’s Braeden Coon. “It’s not perfect as with most metaphors. Humans and a few other animals will perspire when we get hot, and sweat is evaporated off our skin. What corn does is a bit of a different process.”

The technical term for that biological process is evapotranspiration, and all plants—not just corn crops—do it. As part of evapotranspiration, plants take in water via their roots, transport it through their tissues and then release water vapor into the air. The process is critical for the plant’s metabolic health and for shuttling nutrients in the water from root to leaf.

But with the nation’s largest corn-producing states concentrated in the Midwest, that moisture can add up. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a single acre of corn can add 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water into the atmosphere each day during the growing season, and high temperatures increase transpiration rates.

For context, farmers planted 91.5 million acres of corn in 2024, of which only about 20 percent is grown for human consumption. Of that fraction, most goes to producing high fructose corn syrup and other processed foods. The majority of the country’s corn is used in animal feed and ethanol-based fuels.

The natural prairie ecosystems that covered the drier expanses of the Great Plains before the onset of industrial agriculture appear to have contributed far less moisture to the atmosphere, compared to the corn fields of today. Prairie contributions to humidity also peak earlier in the summer, when temperatures are likely to be lower.

[temyteabag]

The Smiling Critters are small, colorful, anthropomorphic animals, each appearing as a plush toy with a zipper on the front chest, large gaping smiles, and black eyes with white pupils. Each toy has a unique pendant representing the core aspect of each of their personalities.

In addition to this, each Smiling Critter comes with the ability to emit their own unique scent via a hole in their mouths by pulling on their tails, all of which are traditionally used to aid with sleep or relaxation, being based on a specific type of fruit, herb or flower.

Picky Piggy - SCENT: Citrus - What's more important than play and learning? PickyPiggy knows the answer. A playful body and keen mind are fueled by what's put into them, which is why she encourages her friends to eat a well-balanced diet. Secretly, PB&J's are her favorite food.

Bobby BearHug - SCENT: Rose - A kind, caring soul, Bobby BearHug shows compassion for everyone, and for everything. People and places and things, large or small, are all receivers of her love. Each is enriched by this attention and affection, and in turn, so is she.

DogDay - SCENT: Vanilla - This is DogDay, the sunny, strong, and determined leader of our critters! Each trusts him to find the bright side in any situation, and to have a friendly word of encouragement should they feel down. He'll always keep his friends going, no matter what.

Kickin Chicken - SCENT: Ylang-ylang - This is KickinChicken, the cool kid of the crew, and he maintains that sense of cool through anything, even in the most tense of situations. Knock him down, and he'll pick himself up, brush himself off, and ask: "What's next?"

Hoppy Hopscotch - SCENT: Peppermint - Unafraid to hop where others might sit, Hoppy is the friend everyone needs to maintain their energy and enthusiasm. While sometimes loud or impatient, she'll always hop besides her friends, even if it means slowing up once in a while to keep their pace.

Crafty Corn - SCENT: Jasmine - A conscious observer of both color and creativity in the world. CraftyCorn understands the importance of art, and sharing it with others. Crayons, pencils, paint, or words on the page, CraftyCorn can see beauty in anything imagined given shape.

Bubba Bubbaphant - SCENT: Lemongrass - Bubba Bubbaphant is the brains of the critters. Bright and attentive, he keeps his friends steady and always steers them to make smart choices, that way they all might grow up to be bright and brilliant, each in their own right.

CatNap - SCENT: Lavander - CatNap is a calming presence for the critters and ensures he and his friends always have the right amount of sleep to jumpstart the morning's play! End of the day, there's nothing CatNap enjoys more than watching his friends sleep soundly.

Well hello there!, been a while hasn't it? Anyway, happy fathers day!!

I'm on the last week of exams, just two more and I'm done, hurray! I bring you the smiling critters, I like the story of the critters and Poppy Playtime, it's funny, and it can be shady if one wish to see ir like that. Curios thing, my favorite of the bunch is CatNap yet I think the best of the drawing os CraftyCorn.

In another note, have you seen the new Inky Mistery chapter?! 'cause boy was it really something! I loved it!! Go & check it out if ya have the time.

See ya all, hopefully we'll see each other soon!

P.D. all the info here came from the Poppy Playtime wiki, link below:

[literaryxbones]

Forest Ink Update

For those out of the loop, I made a post discussing Angela Benedict's Forest Ink Haul (Sponsored) video. Angela is a goth subculture Youtuber who's been apart of the scene since the 90's.

There, I talked about and investigated the ethics of Forest Ink clothing. I wanted to know whether the company's claims of slow-fashion, sustainability, and ethical work environments were true.

A Bit of Digging

Human Rights

Forest Ink prides itself on honoring human rights within the textile industry. They have an active SA8000 certificate, given to them by Social Accountability International. SAI is a non-profit registered in New York. They oversee working conditions and helped establish the standards the company claims to follow. Inspections occur in-house every 3 years.

SA8000's measures forbid child labor, slavery, discrimination, and unreasonable working hours. A living wage must be provided to all employees.

In an email I sent out, a representative told me that their clothing is manufactured in Guangdong, China. After products are assembled, they are shipped off to their New York headquarters.

(Parts of these images have been lightly censored to avoid doxxing of myself and Forest Ink employees.)

I don't know how much the overseas employees are paid. There are some promotional images of the factory on the website, which I found interesting.

The SA8000 certification indicates that Forest Ink most likely respects human rights in the workplace.

Environmental Sustainability

Forest Ink asserts that it uses"100% biodegradable" packaging to mail orders. When shipping, clothes are contained in primarily corn-based wrappings that are plastic free.

Mail orders are made of different compounds, specifically PLA (Polylactic Acid) and cornstarch. The slips must be sent to an Industrial Composting Facility to properly degrade over time. Regular plants won't have the equipment required to process this material.

Before purchasing from Forest Ink, make sure that your local composters take PLA.

It also goes without saying that gas-based transport is unhealthy for the environment. C02 emissions released during travel contribute to global warming and pollute airways. Almost every business involved with online ordering refers to gas-powered vehicles.

Now, what about the products themselves?

Polyester, Spandex, and Nylon are the most frequently used fabrics. As far as eco-friendliness goes, they are detrimental to the environment. Their production chain unleashes lots of carbon and other fossil fuels. All of these variations derive from plastic.

Purchasing decisions like this need to be made carefully. If you rush to buy clothes you don't actually want or will often wear, you'll leave behind a piece of plastic unable to biodegrade. This is why I advocate for second-hand shopping and an informed public.

We need to consider how resources are used in order for this world to survive. Most are finite. Often, a resource used is a resource lost.

Blog Updates

I'm going to be ordering 1 article of clothing from Forest Ink so I can review quality. This upcoming showcase will be impartial. I am not officially sponsored by Forest Ink and I would never accept a sponsor without conducting a background check.

Also, I am still planning to post Sims 4 gameplay, I just haven't fully set up my game world yet. I want to turn Willow Creek into a community made up of alt subcultures. There's going to be alt subculture based makeovers of Bella Goth, Bob and Eliza Pancakes, and Don Lothario. The Landgraabs of course will be The Establishment (The rich billionaires no one likes lmao.)

-Written by SORDID

-Information sourced from Forest Ink's Website and Gardening Latest.

(If you want to know more about PLA, I'd highly suggest reading Gardening Latest's blogpost on it. Their guide is extremely thorough and easy-to-understand.)

Citations:

Forest Ink. (2024). Forest Ink. https://forestinkclothing.com/

About us. (2024). Forest Ink. https://forestinkclothing.com/pages/about-us-1 Sustainability. (2024). Forest Ink. https://forestinkclothing.com/pages/sustainabilty

2. General Gardening. (2021, April 11). Gardening Latest. https://gardeninglatest.com/

Hardy, K. (2022, May 10). Composting PLA: How Do You Compost PLA. Gardening Latest. https://gardeninglatest.com/composting-pla-how-do-you-compost-pla/

[yourgamemasterthewhiterabbit]

You know when I half jokingly speculated that my kidneys might be fully functional and just like, undersized for my body?

Well it might not mean anything medically, but my kidneys are 1-2 cm smaller than average, and I am average man sized.

I'm not even bothering to ask a doctor if that could explain any of the weird random test results like suddenly testing as horridly diabetic and then suddenly not, or how my kidneys always seem to be working over-time, because there is no way in hell that wouldn't just add fuel to whatever they think of me.

I mean any source I can find says smaller kidneys means less tissue to filter blood and thus reduced kidney function, but let's never mind that.

I'm just trying to get all the information so I can manage my health, sir.

Whatever, I never wanted to get into this.

Unpacking every bullshit thing my doctors might have ever missed to try to figure out what the fuck is randomly happening to my health, or if I needed to sue someone, was supposed to be a later problem. I just wanted to know whether it was more likely that my potassium levels were too low or high based on my historical potassium levels.

I'm just trying to get my ass functional for now so I can unfuck my life.

I'll try to remember to ask about the heart hand syndrome next time I feel like I can trust my doctor, but my history working with genetics programs is uh... NOT encouraging. They tend to lie to me about what they'll test for just long enough to get my blood and then drop me like a hot rock.

In the meantime I continue to eat high potassium foods and my symptoms continue to marginally improve...

Just like, very very slowly.

I am a little wary of increasing my potassium levels too quickly while my blood calcium is elevated, because I suspect that could cause problems. I suspect rapidly changing electrolyte and mineral deficiencies and levels increasing to normal too quickly was part of the issue last time.

So I have been eating canned beans, and corn.

At some point I will run out of conned beans and corn.

I haven't even bothered comparing my other supposed organ sizes to average or what's considered healthy, because I don't think I'm having issues with anything other than maybe my kidneys right now and I don't want to end up quietly furious that they just didn't bother telling me I have enlarged organs, or a spleen half the size it should be, or something. There isn't anything I can do with that information to help myself right now. One thing I have noticed though is before increasing potassium it seemed like my kidneys were producing a set amount of concentrated urine over time, and any water I drank was just diluting it during the day, not increasing how much my body was processing. So I was waking up in the morning with small amounts of concentrated urine, even if I was drinking 2-5 liters all day, I'd have to pee a lot somewhat immediately after drinking it and then my body would go back to acting dehydrated, especially over night.

AFTER having more potassium though, I am waking up with a full-ish bladder in the morning, rather than early in the night, and the urine is just as concentrated, but there's like 10x more of it, as if my body is ACTUALLY using the water to process more out, instead of just diluting a set amount of urine. I'm also not having to pee like 10-20 times a day. Still peeing a total volume equal to what I am drinking, it just seems to take actual time to process and my body seems to actually be filling it with stuff.

I'm assuming that's a good sign?

My shoulders and knees most especially still hate me, but the bone pain is getting steadily better.

[pregnancykink]

route 70 blues

When I was little, Dad taught us how the highways go: evens from east to west and odds from north to south. Starting up in Boston there's Route 90, all the way to Seattle. And then the 5 from the border at Blaine, through Seattle and down to the border at Chula Vista. Route 80 from New York, Route 70 from Maryland. And so on and so forth.

Route 70 was my favorite. There's an exit in Breezewood, Pennsylvania, and it looks like every exit on the east coast, but it was special to me because it had a McDonalds that Dad was always willing to stop at. Those were the days that you’d get the little slip that would tell you how much to pay based on which exit you were taking and there was a toll booth at Breezewood. I used to get a kick out of telling Dad how much he owed. Dean would never let me put one of those EZ-passes on Baby’s windshield, and now I just keep a couple $20s in the glovebox or pay the bills when they come in the mail. The car’s registered to a real address now.

We spent a lot of time on Route 70. Straight through a couple flyover states and ending in Utah. When Dean and I would play the alphabet game, we’d race to see who could spot the Zanesville, Ohio water tower first to get the Z and win it all. We would bet stupid shit on winning that game: who would have to clean Dad’s Colt next, who would have to cast iron bullets next. Who would have to make the beds at the next motel that would be home. That sort of thing.

But the main thing I remember about Route 70 was the way the sun would shine through the windows of the Impala once we’d get out of the green of the Kansas City suburbs and before we’d get into the Rockies. There was this little stretch where the fields turned tan with dead corn and wheat, and we’d stopped in a town called Burlington to sleep for the night on our way to a case in Moab.

It's a postage stamp town. There was a truck stop called Love’s and a motel named for the town, which was where we’d fueled up and then bedded down. I must’ve been about newly 16, Dean 20 and full of false-bravado. Dad was letting him go off on solo hunts more and more often by then, but he and I were together in the car at the time. I had been a steady passenger in the front seat by that point. And I remember – the sun was shining, and there were no trees to dapple it, and it hit Dean’s face just right. His freckles were finally coming back out in the May warmth and his eyes looked almost clear. He had a little grin on his face, the right side of his mouth pulled up as he nodded along to CCR’s Cosmo’s Factory cassette. Ramble Tamble was the opening track on the B-side. I always bitched about Dean’s music taste, but I didn’t mind the swamp rock so much. And I liked Ramble Tamble, because it reminded me of us. Drifting. A big long guitar solo that made Dean smile and made me think about moving from town to town.

Back then, I hated the way we lived, but I liked that the way we lived was something just Dean and I understood. Something just for us. No matter how many kids I couldn’t make friends with in school, eventually I'd get back in the car with Dean. And down the road we’d go.

In Burlington, Colorado, I knew I was in love with Dean. I knew it in that moment with the sun shining, with Dean's hands tapping on the steering wheel and John Fogerty crooning along in the background. I knew it in the way we’d share the motel bed since Dad only ever got rooms with two queens, and I knew it in the way that Dean would clean the guns next even though he’d spotted the Zanesville water tower first.

I'd wanted to lean over and kiss him. Instead, I'd said, “This is the tape with Up Around the Bend on it, right? I like this one.”

And he'd said: “Sammy, you might have some good music taste after all!” It'd made my chest bloom, and I loved him. I’d hold that inside for another decade before I said anything, and by that point, we were both doomed.

— for @wincestwednesdays "americana"

[tonguetyd]

literally annoyed that all coastal states (including my dumb glove shaped state) aren't 90% hydro/wind

i might not be an engineer but i am with you there

*drags soapbox out and jumps on top*

DO YOU KNOW HOW INFURIATING IT IS TO HAVE EVERYONE SAY “ELECTRIFY EVERYTHING” KNOWING FULL GODDAMN WELL THAT THE GRID 1) CANNOT SUPPORT IT AND 2) IS DRASTICALLY NOT BASED ON RENEWABLE ENERGY?!?!?!

Don’t get me wrong I love electric cars, I love heat pump systems, I love buildings and homes that can say they are fossil fuel free! Really! I do!

But it means FUCK ALL when you have!!!! Said electricity!!!! Sourced by fossil fuels!!!! I said this in my tags on the other post but New York City! Was operating on *COAL*!!!!! Up until like 5 years ago.

WE ARE SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A RIVER.

Not to mention the ocean which like. You ever been to the beach?! You know what there’s a whole hell of a lot of at the beach? Wind!!!!!!!! And yet we have literal campaigns saying “save our oceans! Say no to wind power!”

Idk bruh I feel like the fish are gonna be less happy in a boiling ocean than needing to swim around a giant turbine but. I’m not a fuckin fish so.

NOT TO MENTION (I am fully waving my hands around like a crazy person because this is the main thing that gets me going)

THE ELECTRICAL GRID OF THE UNITED STATES HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED ON LARGE SCALE LEVELS SINCE IT WAS BUILT IN THE 1950s AND 60s.

It is not DESIGNED to handle every building in the city of [random map location] Chicago being off of gas and completely electrified. It’s not!!! The plants cannot handle it as now!

So not only do we not have renewable sources because somebody in Iowa doesn’t want to replace their corn field with a solar field/a rich Long Islander doesn’t want to replace their ocean view with a wind turbine! We also are actively encouraging people to put MORE of a strain on the grid with NO FUCKING SOLUTION TO MEET THAT DEMAND!

I used to deal with this *all* the time in my old job when I was working with smaller building - they ALWAYS needed an electrical upgrade from the street and like. The utility only has so many wires going to that building. And it’s not planning on bringing in more for the most part!

(I am now vibrating with rage) and THEN you have the fuckin AI bros! Who have their data centers in the middle of nowhere because that’s a great place to have a lot of servers that you need right? Yeah sure, you know what those places don’t have? ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO SUPPORT THE STUPID AMOUNT OF POWER AI NEEDS!!!!!!!

Now the obvious solution is that the AI bros of Google and Microsoft and whoever the fuck just use their BILLIONS OF FUCKING DOLLARS IN PROFIT to be good neighbors and upgrade the fucking systems because truly what is the downside to that everybody fucking wins!

But what do I know. I’m just friendly neighborhood engineer.

*hops down from soapbox*

[fantasy-fields-bitty-center]

Name: Crow

Species(Based on): Human

Doll type: ball joint

Material: clay

Size: 7 inches tall(Mini), 2 foot tall(Fullsized)

Personality: Still, observant, cautious, quiet, thoughtful, protective, weathered, wise-acting, slow to trust, loyal once bonded

Likes: Worn flannel, windy afternoons, autumn leaves, soft dirt, lantern light, watching birds, patchwork accessories, magic food that smells like roasted corn or hay

Dislikes: Heavy rain, sudden movements, crowded spaces, loud voices, being mistaken for decoration, brittle or dry environments

Compatibility: This bitty thrives in calm, grounded environments and tends to remain still for long periods unless encouraged to move,

They are especially drawn to outdoor spaces or cozy window spots where they can keep quiet watch.

Despite their cautious demeanor, they are deeply protective of those they bond with and often grow attached to small animals or quiet bitties.

Their protective streak makes them a strong companion for shy or nervous bitties who benefit from a watchful presence. However, their movements may remain a bit jerky even after full soul formation, giving them a distinct scarecrow charm!

Feeding habits: Doll bitties can only eat magic food!! Crow bitties will eat just about anything,

Additional info: If a Doll bitty gets hurt(splintered, broken, cracked, etc.) they can be brought back to the center and they can be repaired!

Similarly to out Robotic bitties, Doll bitties have synthetic souls that eventually become their own soul with their own soul traits and magic, though types have common soul traits there is some variations! (souls only come pre 'developed' as they need others magic to fuel their souls for a few months to even years before they have their own, due to this they have to stay at the center until they can be on their own, this is to avoid any injures that can be cause by lack of magic,

Though if you ever find a Doll bitty that still has their synthetic soul(first, if you do not wish to adopt the bitty please bring it back to the center asap) or one of your Doll bitties choose to have a child via 'animation' of another doll, you must keep said bitty(the child)very close to you or another bitty(with a sufficient amount of magic) as they still need another source of magic to live,

Doll bitties can be stiff at first but once their soul is properly formed they can manipulate the doll body just as easily as a normal monster! though when the dust the doll body is still left behind, and their face returns to whatever expression they had when first created, often with their soul dusting inside the body,

Zone: Inside

In Universe: They were made with scarecrows in mind of course! Though more for the aesthetic as they would rather befriend crows than scare them off,

Difficulty: Intermediate

Main Features: Hair skin and eye color varies,

Main Clothing: (image below)

[vforvalensa]

I think the emergence of "AI" as a tech industry product that is in the process of being forced corporations into every of modern life is basically the same as, and happening for similar reasons, as the emergence of breakfast cereals in the 1800s.

So, in the mid 19th century, coming right off of the industrial revolution, all these machine processed grain products suddenly get invented and heavily marketed; quaker oats, shredded wheat, grape nuts, corn flakes, granola, granula. And importantly, all the processes for making these products get patented.

This is at a point in history, massive infrastructure for producing metal, machine part, and coal fuel had been constructed in the US in order to support the advancements in transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing, but once the big projects were built there was a surplus of machine production power. Like there are only so many transcontinental rail roads you can build. And this is also a point where A Lot of money was being made through patent licensing, like this is the era of Thomas Edison.

So we have a ton of excess machine power, excess material, like grain, that the industries causing the excess of machine power, very well publicized methods monetizing uses for that machine power, and good ol' american grifters ready to take advantage of those conditions by selling home consumers a product based on incredibly dubious claims.

A similar thing now is happening with computing power, where we are seeing diminishing returns on how computers can be useful or impressive to a vast majority of users, but there is still a massive industry dedicated to making more powerful computers, and as a result every major computer company is tryna convince the public at large that their digital snake oil will change the world in order to justify selling new computers every couple of years.

[afhenvs3000f24]

Unit 9

I remember how, when I was still in high school, I just wanted to come home and unwind, seeing whatever was on the TV after a really exhausting day. My ritual of half-watching the news as I scrolled through my phone was suddenly disrupted by a segment that had all the hallmarks of joining the long list of forgotten stories in marine science. Then, I heard, "The green sludge that could power our future," and I paused. I looked up, curious. What followed altered the world for me and put me on my path to where I am today, studying Environmental Management.

These words by the news anchor were animated with that very rare tone of genuine excitement. The camera cut to a sprawling, bright-green pond, bubbling under the sun. What I think most amazed me then was the realization that what I was looking at wasn't just any body of water, but an algae farm. It wasn't just about the algae clinging to rocks and ruining beach days; it was about a world of potential I'd never considered. The segment dove into the basics: how algae grow at incredible speeds, don't require fresh water or fertile soil, and can store up to 50% of their body weight in oil that can be turned into biofuel. My jaw dropped.

A lightbulb just went off in my head. Here was this slimy, green organism-so unassuming, so oft-rejected by the public which was quietly capable of making fossil fuels obsolete. The notion seemed the stuff of a science fiction movie, but there it was, on a 6 pm news slot.

The more I listened, the more it resonated with me. What if the algae could capture not only carbon dioxide from the air but also grow in aggressive media, such as seawater or even wastewater? I remembered the scientist being interviewed and saying, "Algae don't compete with traditional crops for arable land. They're nature's ultimate recyclers, turning sunlight and CO2 into liquid energy." I sat up a little straighter; my heart was pounding. That line stuck with me, humming in the back of my mind long after the segment had moved on. This was bigger than a fun fact to whip out during science class.

At the time, I was struggling with what to do after high school. I'd always cared about the environment, but I'd never quite known how to turn that concern into action. That segment was like a jigsaw piece clicking into place: I could work in a field where nature wasn't just something to be protected; it was a partner in creating solutions for some of the world's biggest challenges. That algae, oftentimes an overlooked part of our ecosystem, actually could serve in a way as groundbreaking as sustainable energy was what truly inspired me. It sealed my decision to study Environmental Management, hoping someday I would be part of the team to make innovations like algae-based biofuel mainstream.

Let me take you back to what made algae so cool. During that segment, the narrator just listed out a string of facts that got me wide-eyed. Did you know that algae can double their biomass in as little as 24 hours? Or that they can thrive in briny seawater where other crops wither and die? This is not all about speed and adaptability, though. The most astonishing fact was that algae could produce oils rich enough to be directly converted into biodiesel. Unlike corn or soybeans used for traditional biofuels, algae don't hog valuable agricultural land or guzzle fresh water. It is a zero-compromise way of producing energy, the sort of thing which I'd always assumed would exist only in the distant future.

I was practically giddy over how the algae could power vehicles, homes, and whole communities while sopping up CO2. The algae weren't cool; they're game-changers. More than an ivory tower curiosity, the possibility of clean renewable energy that wouldn't compete with the world for food or water is something the world most desperately needs.

Fast forward to today, I am a third-year Environmental Management student, and the spark that ignited after that news segment burns bright. Every time I read about advances in algae biofuel research, I know exactly why I chose this path. I want to be a part of a world where innovations like these aren't just talked about on evening news shows but are implemented into how we live and interact with our environment.

The algae taught me that even the most minute and insignificant parts of our world can make all the difference. They are the underdog of nature, and they just go to prove that true power isn't flashy or grand; it's usually hidden in spaces so small, just waiting to be noticed.

But if you take away anything from my story, let it be this: pay attention to the "green sludge" moments. Maybe they just might be the start of something that would change your life and maybe even change the world

[self-indulgent-paw-patrol]

Would Rocky and/or Zuma be VSCO pups? Also also, are the pups' and Ryder's vehicles green vehicles(eco-friendly vehicles)?

I never heard about VSCO before in my life. Had to look it up. I'm guessing you mean an app where the users take photos, edit and publish them? Where I live, the popular app for this was Instagram and for a short while, Snapshot.

I'm guessing maybe Zuma might be into taking photographs, he's got plenty free time to do whatever he wants and he's one of the few pups who's shown to go out on their own, to mind their own business pretty often, like how he goes windsurfing regularly without necessarily bringing anyone else with him. I can see him seeing something, taking a picture, publishing it. He would like to share his world as he sees it, he's the type who loves nature and wants to share his experiences.

As for their vehicles, sad to disappoint but they're almost all fuel-driven. It's clear none of them is electric or whatever just by their engine noise. The most I can say for that is that maybe they use alternative fuel, like maybe corn-based or soy-based fuel. Maybe diesel, Idk. Ryder and Rocky may have adapted a bunch of filters and stuff to make sure they'd pollute less, but it doesn't change the fact they're run by regular fuel.

I'm putting the rest under the cut, first because this post got long AGAIN, secondly because I have a dear friend who didn't watch the Mighty Movie yet and I'll talk a bit about something from the movie with screenshots too soooooo I don't wanna spoil their fun 💜

The exceptions are the Mighty Vehicles. Those are fueled by the pups' own energy once they're powered up with the Meteor energy. I imagine this would maybe drain the pup's strength at some point if they spend their energy to drive those vehicles for too long, but neither the show nor the Mighty Movie had anything about that.

Also it's important to note: In the show, their Mighty vehicles won't work once they run out of power. They stop glowing, they stop hovering, they just stop working altogether, meaning they don't have an alternative engine/fuel to work without the Meteor power up. You can see it happening in the episode when the Copycat steals the Meteor from their tower while they're out on a rescue mission.

In the Mighty Movie, however, Ryder apparently accounted for the possibility of that being an issue and had engines installed with emergency fuel from beginning, so they can still be driven normally even when not powered up - they only lose ability to use the weapons/tools that are to be energized by their powers. The best way to notice that is if you look at Zuma's hovercraft: It doesn't have propellers! Instead, it's the Meteor's power swirling where the propellers would have been that gives the Hovercraft the impulse it needs to move. Once the power is out, though, you can clearly spot a motherfucking turbine just between them-- Ryder, my man, that's ONE WAY to make a Hovercraft move for sure XD

The good news is that Zuma's hovercrafts in general are literally NEARLY 100% green and the most eco-friendly a vehicle could ever be and that's simply because it's a hovercraft! These vehicles have little to no friction against surfaces when moving, barely any contact at all, be it over water, over grass, over a road, over a swamp, whatever. No friction against surfaces means that the engine doesn't need to produce much strength/power to make the vehicle move in the first place, which in turn means way less consumption of fuel and energy. A full tank will make those orange bad boys go daily for months, while the others will need to refill their gas every other week XD

[musicblogwales]

Chroma - 'Bombs Away' Single Review (Estelle Trowill)

Pontypridd based bilingual alt-rock trio CHROMA are excited to announce the release of their new single, "Bombs Away," released on 2nd October 2024 through Alcopop! Records. 

The track is from the band's debut album ‘Ask For Angela’, which was released in October 2023 and has recently been shortlisted for the 2024 Welsh Music Prize.

Commenting on the single, vocalist Katie Hall said: “Since I saw My Chemical Romance in Cardiff CIA as a 14 year old kid, I’ve always wanted to write a song for teenage girls to mosh to. Bombs Away is that song. I love going to gigs and I feel like my time getting pushed around in the pit made me fall in love with heavier music.”

“Bombs away at its core is a breakup song. It’s about that moment you begin to see the wood for the trees, with someone you’re seeing. It’s that moment you realise someone’s taken advantage of your kindness and you’re just fuming. Bombs Away is that anger and then moving on.”

The track delivers a powerful buildup, fueled by hard-hitting drums and Katie’s commanding vocals, creating an intense energy throughout. The infectious, repetitive chorus adds an extra layer of impact, making it irresistibly catchy and perfect for a high-energy mosh pit. Its anthemic quality and driving rhythm make it an ideal soundtrack for letting loose and getting lost in the moment. 

‘Ask For Angela’ was recorded at Giant Wafer Studios in Llanbadarn Fynydd, during lockdown. CHROMA’s acclaimed, now Welsh Music Prize-shortlisted debut album was produced and mixed by Steffan Pringle (Adwaith, Future of the Left, Boy Azooga) and mastered by Tom Langrish at E1 Mastering in London (IDLES, Fontaines D.C, DITZ).

CHROMA have had an exciting year, recently being named one of the newest patrons of the Music Venue Trust. After a thrilling support slot with the Foo Fighters earlier this year, plus standout sets at SXSW Festival, FOCUS Wales, and shows with Bob Vylan, The Mysterines, and more, CHROMA are now gearing up to support Goldie Lookin Chain.

2024 UK Live Dates:

SOLD OUT - NORWICH - Epic Studios *

SOLD OUT - BIRMINGHAM - Hare & Hounds *

08 Oct - CARDIFF - Wales Millennium Centre (Welsh Music Prize 2024)

11 Oct - MANCHESTER - Castle Hotel, Beyond The Music

12 Oct - ABERYSTWYTH - Harleys

SOLD OUT - NOTTINGHAM - Metronome *

SOLD OUT - NEWCASTLE - The Cluny *

SOLD OUT - GLOUCESTER - Guildhall *

SOLD OUT - BRISTOL - SWX *

SOLD OUT - NARBERTH - Queens Hall *

SOLD OUT - BIRMINGHAM - Hare & Hounds *

SOLD OUT - NARBERTH - Queens Hall *

SOLD OUT - SWANSEA - Sin City *

16 Nov - LONDON - Electric Ballroom *

SOLD OUT - BIRKENHEAD - Future Yard *

SOLD OUT - NEWPORT - Corn Exchange *

SOLD OUT - NEWPORT - Corn Exchange *

* with Goldie Lookin Chain

CHROMA are Katie Hall on vocals and guitar, Liam Bevan on bass, and Zac Mather on drums.

Discover:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chromabanduk/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CHROMAbanduk/?_rdr

Twitter: https://x.com/chromabanduk

Website: https://www.chroma.band/home

Words: Estelle Trowill

[urists]

One of the things that makes me a little insane sometimes is modern agriculture. And not in the monoculture, etc, sense, but in the way that modern agriculture is really just a massively scaled up process for turning fossil fuels into food.

This is a good thing, to be clear - every calorie of food we don’t derive from fuel is a calorie that is either: a) non-existent, b) less nutritious, or c) derived from back-breaking manual labor, and sometimes some combo of the three. Fossil fuel based ag is a good thing! It’s also just operating at a scale that is truly ludicrous. Like - every single person needs to eat about 2000 calories a day, more or less. That’s about 5e15 calories a year. Even if we derive every single one of those from corn and potatoes, crops which are BANANAS efficient (like 10+ million calories per acre), that’s still half a billion acres you need to farm. At ~200 pounds N per acre, that’s 50 million tons of N per year. A ton of pure urea has about half a ton of N and takes about a half a ton of ammonia to make. Haber says you can’t get better than about 70% mass efficient for ammonia from methane, which means that the 50 million tons of N need at least ~70 million tons of methane, or about 80 billion cubic meters of natural gas. We only make about 4 trillion a year! It’s insane to think that in the absolute best case, 2% of the world’s natural gas production goes solely into making just one type of fertilizer!

Until, ofc, you remember that prior to modern agriculture, approximately 100% of the world’s energy went into making crops - which means that even though modern agriculture operates at a scale that makes me kind of insane, the fraction of our energy we spend on crops is currently at the lowest it has ever been. Thanks, fossil fuels!

[readmedia777]

Cannabis to Jet Fuel: The High-Flying Future of Sustainable Energy

Introduction

The world stands at a critical crossroads, grappling with the dual challenges of increasing energy demands and climate change. With industries like aviation heavily reliant on fossil fuels, finding sustainable alternatives is no longer optional—it’s imperative. Amid this urgency, a surprising contender is emerging: cannabis, specifically industrial hemp, as a potential source of renewable jet fuel.

From its fast growth cycle to its ability to thrive in diverse conditions, hemp offers remarkable ecological and economic advantages. As researchers explore innovative ways to harness its energy potential, we may be on the cusp of a green revolution in aviation. Let’s delve into how cannabis could transform the skies, making jet fuel not just sustainable but revolutionary.

The Growing Need for Sustainable Energy in Aviation

The aviation industry accounts for nearly 2.5% of global carbon emissions. This might seem like a small percentage, but when you consider the cumulative environmental impact of millions of flights annually, the numbers become alarming. Traditional jet fuel, derived from fossil fuels, is one of the largest contributors to these emissions.

Efforts to transition to greener aviation fuels, such as biofuels from algae and waste materials, have shown promise. However, these alternatives often face scalability issues, high production costs, or supply limitations. A more sustainable and abundant resource is needed to meet the growing energy demands of global air travel. This is where hemp enters the picture, offering a renewable and viable solution to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation.

Cannabis: An Overview of Its Industrial Potential

Cannabis, often associated with recreational or medicinal use, is also a highly versatile crop with industrial applications. Hemp, a strain of cannabis with negligible psychoactive properties, has been cultivated for centuries for its fiber, seeds, and oil.

What makes hemp stand out is its adaptability and efficiency. It grows quickly, requires minimal water, and can thrive in a variety of climates. Its seeds are rich in oil, which can be processed into biodiesel, while its cellulose-rich stalks are ideal for ethanol production. These properties make hemp a promising candidate for the renewable energy sector, including aviation fuel.

Discover how Cannabis Waste to Jet Fuel is driving the next wave of sustainable energy for aviation.

How Cannabis Can Be Transformed into Jet Fuel

The process of converting hemp into biofuel involves several scientific steps, primarily focused on extracting usable energy components from the plant.

Oil Extraction: Hemp seeds are pressed to extract oil, which can be refined into biodiesel.

Cellulose Processing: The stalks are rich in cellulose, a key ingredient for ethanol and other biofuels.

Catalytic Refinement: Advanced technologies can further refine hemp oil and ethanol into aviation-grade fuel.

When compared to other biofuel sources like corn or soybeans, hemp offers higher yields and requires less intensive agricultural inputs. This makes it not only an environmentally friendly option but also a potentially cost-effective one.

Environmental Benefits of Hemp-Derived Jet Fuel

Hemp’s ability to combat climate change extends beyond its use as biofuel. Here’s how:

Carbon Sequestration: Hemp absorbs significant amounts of CO2 during its growth, effectively offsetting emissions from its fuel production and use.

Low Input Farming: It requires fewer pesticides and fertilizers compared to traditional crops, reducing the environmental impact of its cultivation.

Biodegradability: Any waste generated during hemp biofuel production is biodegradable, contributing to a circular economy.

The transition to hemp-based aviation fuel could lead to a substantial reduction in lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, bringing us closer to carbon-neutral air travel.

Economic Opportunities from Cannabis-Based Aviation Fuel

The hemp-to-jet-fuel pathway isn’t just about sustainability—it’s a potential economic powerhouse. Hemp cultivation can create jobs, especially in rural and agricultural communities. Transitioning to hemp-based fuels provides farmers with a lucrative alternative to conventional crops, especially in regions facing agricultural challenges.

Additionally, scaling hemp biofuel production could drive down costs, making it competitive with traditional jet fuels. This economic potential makes hemp a win-win solution for the environment and the economy.

Overcoming Challenges in Adoption

While the potential of hemp-derived jet fuel is immense, realizing its full benefits requires addressing significant challenges:

Regulatory Hurdles: Many countries still have restrictive laws surrounding cannabis cultivation, even for industrial purposes. Easing these regulations is critical to enabling large-scale hemp farming and its use in energy production.

Technological Limitations: Developing cost-efficient and scalable methods to extract and refine hemp-based biofuels is a priority. Research in this area is ongoing but requires substantial investment.

Public Perception: Hemp often suffers from its association with marijuana, leading to public misunderstandings. Education and awareness campaigns can help demystify hemp’s role in sustainable energy.

Overcoming these obstacles demands coordinated efforts from policymakers, scientists, and industries. By fostering collaboration and innovation, the barriers to hemp-based aviation fuel adoption can be systematically dismantled.

Global Potential for Hemp Aviation Fuel

Hemp is an incredibly adaptable crop, capable of thriving in various climates, from temperate regions to semi-arid zones. This makes it a viable option for countries across the globe, including those with challenging agricultural conditions.

Developing Countries: Hemp cultivation can provide economic opportunities for developing nations, offering a sustainable crop with high market value.

Energy Independence: By producing their own biofuels, nations can reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, bolstering energy security.

Global Supply Chain: Establishing international networks for hemp farming and biofuel production could transform the global energy landscape, making green aviation fuel accessible to all.

The global potential for hemp-based aviation fuel lies not just in its environmental benefits but also in its ability to create equitable economic opportunities.

Cannabis vs. Other Biofuel Sources

Hemp isn’t the only crop being considered for biofuel, but it has distinct advantages over many alternatives:CriteriaHempSoybeansAlgaeCornGrowth Cycle3-4 months4-5 monthsContinuous4-6 monthsWater RequirementsLowHighModerateHighLand Use EfficiencyHighModerateVery HighModerateEnvironmental ImpactPositive (CO2 sequestration)NeutralNeutralNegative (high pesticide use)Yield per Acre (Fuel)HighModerateHighLow

Hemp’s balance of high yield, low environmental impact, and versatility makes it a standout choice among biofuel crops, particularly for aviation.

The Role of Innovation in Expanding Hemp’s Potential

Innovation is the linchpin for maximizing hemp’s potential in the energy sector. Recent advancements in agricultural technology, such as precision farming and genetic improvements, have enhanced hemp yields and reduced production costs.

Farming Techniques: Modern irrigation methods and soil management practices can optimize hemp growth, even in challenging environments.

Biofuel Refinement: Emerging technologies in biofuel conversion, like enzymatic processing and catalytic cracking, are making hemp fuel production more efficient.

Integrated Systems: Hemp biofuel production can be coupled with other sustainable initiatives, like carbon capture technology and renewable power generation, to create a holistic green energy system.

By continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation, we can unlock even greater possibilities for hemp-derived energy solutions.

Cannabis and the Future of Green Aviation

Imagine a world where airplanes soar across the skies, powered by a fuel that’s not only renewable but also environmentally restorative. This vision isn’t as far-fetched as it seems. Hemp-based aviation fuel has the potential to:

Decarbonize Air Travel: By drastically reducing emissions, hemp biofuel could make aviation one of the greenest modes of transportation.

Inspire Industry Change: The adoption of sustainable fuels in aviation could set a precedent for other industries to follow.

Enhance Public Perception: Passengers and airlines alike would benefit from the positive environmental impact, creating a ripple effect of sustainability consciousness.

The future of aviation is undoubtedly tied to innovative energy solutions, and hemp is poised to play a starring role in this transformation.

Building a Hemp-Based Energy Ecosystem

To fully realize the potential of hemp-based aviation fuel, it’s essential to integrate it into a broader ecosystem of sustainability. This means:

Circular Economy Practices: Utilizing every part of the hemp plant ensures minimal waste and maximized utility. For example, while the seeds are used for oil, the stalks can be processed into materials like bioplastics.

Collaborative Efforts: Partnerships between energy companies, agricultural sectors, and governments are vital to creating a seamless supply chain.

Infrastructure Development: From farming facilities to biofuel refineries, building the necessary infrastructure is critical for scaling production.

This holistic approach not only amplifies the benefits of hemp fuel but also lays the groundwork for a more sustainable future across multiple industries.

Public Awareness and Policy Advocacy

For hemp aviation fuel to succeed, the public must be aware of its benefits, and policymakers must pave the way for its adoption. Key steps include:

Educational Campaigns: Informing the public about the environmental and economic advantages of hemp biofuel can help dispel misconceptions.

Policy Support: Governments need to incentivize hemp cultivation and biofuel production through subsidies, tax breaks, and research funding.

International Collaboration: Coordinated global efforts can accelerate the development and adoption of hemp-based fuels, ensuring widespread benefits.

Through awareness and advocacy, we can create the conditions necessary for hemp-derived jet fuel to take off—both literally and figuratively.

Conclusion

Hemp represents a beacon of hope in the quest for sustainable energy, particularly in the aviation sector. Its rapid growth, low environmental footprint, and high biofuel yield make it an unparalleled resource for addressing the twin challenges of climate change and energy demand.

By embracing cannabis-derived jet fuel, we can transform the skies into a cleaner, greener space, inspiring future generations to dream bigger and think sustainably. The journey from cannabis to jet fuel isn’t just about energy—it’s about redefining what’s possible in our fight for a better planet.