#reducing fossil fuels

[kerriclarkcreative]

Lush Cosmetics has profoundly influenced my approach as a design leader, inspiring me to prioritize innovation, sustainability, and mindfulness in every project. Their commitment to research and development, such as formulating earth-safe soap bases without relying on environmentally harmful ingredients, shows the value of delving deep into problems to find ethical and effective solutions. This thoroughness is a reminder that meaningful innovation starts with a commitment to understanding and addressing the root of challenges.

Lush's creative strategies to reduce waste, such as the development of “naked” products and their Green Hub initiative, highlight the importance of designing systems that benefit both the environment and the business. Their forward-thinking approach to lowering their carbon footprint by reducing air freight and adopting electric vehicles demonstrates the power of combining creativity with logistical efficiency to make a tangible difference.

Their belief in regenerative farming, along with their support for Fair Trade and Community Trade initiatives, underscores the importance of fostering partnerships that uplift local economies and communities. This focus on ethical sourcing and collaboration motivates me to consider the broader societal impact of every decision I make as a design leader.

Finally, Lush’s commitment to ongoing invention and staying ahead of sustainability trends is a lesson in resilience and adaptability. They show that to remain relevant and impactful, a brand must continuously evolve while staying mindful of customer needs. This balance of innovation, responsibility, and customer focus serves as a guiding principle for the kind of leader I aspire to be.

[meteorologistaustenlonek]

"In October, Vicki Hollub, CEO of Occidental, one of the largest operators there, promised­ yet more production in a basin that Bloomberg last year described as “uniquely positioned to become the world’s most important growth engine for oil production.”

Did nobody tell them about climate change? " @Yale Environment 360

[teddyyyoriginalll]

Ocean Acidification

Ocean Acidification threatens the whole foundation of the ocean food chain. Shells of marine life gradually dissolve away, leaving those animals spending more energy on building shells than on finding food, which makes it harder for them to grow and survive and the predators that eat them will struggle to survive as well.

Ocean Acidification threatens coral reefs due to climate change. An increase in greenhouse gasses causes climate change and ocean acidification, and a change in the climate causes a change in the ocean. When the ocean is warmed, sea levels rise and storm patterns change which smothers the coral reef and destroys its structure. Eventually, changes in precipitation will increase freshwater, sediment, and land-based pollutants like fertilizer and other nutrients, to runoff into the ocean and increase algal bloom and murky up the water, which reduces the amount of light able to pass though. Ocean currents altar, and the changes in connectivity and temperature cause a lack of food. Finally, pH levels will reduce and growth and structural integrity will decrease.

Ocean Acidification affects the temperature of the ocean by warming it. Zooxanthellae are compounds made by coral polyps, creatures making up coral that receive shelter. They turn sunlight into energy, which they provide mostly to polyps. Coral and zooxanthellae are temperature specific, and if it gets too warm zooxanthellae cannot convert sunlight to energy efficiently, leaving extra energy which becomes toxic chemicals. Those toxic chemicals remove zooxanthellae. When they are all gone the coral turns white, coral bleaching. If these zooxanthellae are missing for too long the coral structure will become a wasteland.

One way we can decrease ocean acidification is by shrinking carbon footprint. This means reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses we produce. Some ways we can do this is by driving less, burning less fuels that we pollute our atmosphere with. We can also use energy efficient appliances and reserve water and trees.

Another way we can reduce pollution is reusing and recycling. Factories run to produce more and more plastics and other nonbiodegradable things. While our factories run they release greenhouse gasses and smoke. The things we produce get thrown into wastelands rather than be used again, and this pollution harms a variety of life. We can also reduce harmful chemicals we use, like chemicals we spray outside to kill bugs and pests. People also consume lots of non sustainable animals, which leads to an endangerment of species, and we already have a large enough food waste rate. We should consume animals that we have more of that can sustain reproduction and life well.

Humans are constantly burning fossil fuels when simply participating in daily activities. Driving, throwing away trash, killing/consuming animals, using paper and water, working in an industrial setting, tending to farms and livestock, use of electricity and nonrenewable energy, all cause pollution. The pollution caused leads to climate change by the carbon dioxide emission, which is the source of ocean acidification. Climate change warms the ocean and takes up less carbon, and our marine life consumes these carbonate ion molecules. But when carbonate ions react with water it releases hydrogen ions, which makes the ocean more acidic and slowly dissolves life.

just a lil smth for school :) AWARENESS!!!

[box-dwelling]

I'm going to be honest, I think banning disposable vapes is going to send smoking rates through the roof. Especially among minors

[clown-machine]

only in TFA? and some of the movies I think? most of the time they run on Energon, which changes forms in different continuities and media.

Most of the other tf fans in the notes are just saying 'no they run on energon, duh', but I think that only answers one of the questions here. Would Captain Planet think they're friends just because the fuel they use isn't a fossil fuel from earth? Sometimes energon is just a magical/scifi physical manifestation of electrical power and can be harvested from renewable resources(like g1 where they got it from dams and power plants and such). Other times it is a finite resource of magical crystals or glowing liquid that needs to be mined (series in the Aligned continuity and a lot of assorted media use energon as a source of the Autobot/Decepticon war in the first place, it's finite and Cybertron is DYING from energon harvesting). Also there might be some continuities where energon itself is a renewable resource or has sustainable alternatives? (synth en in TFP and some post-war comics touch on this, as well as Earthspark's Terrans running from a new fuel that seems to be generated by Earth through magic.)

Energon is usually shown to be clean-burning or at least have less exhaust than is typical of gasoline irl (That is probably mainly due to animation simplification, but optimus will usually have one or two moments spitting smoke from his exhaust pipes per series, as if he runs diesel like a real semi truck.) Energon seems to usually work as a combustible fuel (it explodes), but then again its not really clear how much of transformer physiology is electronic and how much is mechanical, but I don't think any series have stated transformers have a separate battery like cars do so I think it all is supposed to be powered by energon? Sure a transformer can scan and change vehicle mode to an electric model, but they would still be taking in energon and utilizing that resource the same as someone with a diesel or even coal-burning alt mode! (I dont know all that much about cars and i dont know every tf series feel free to correct me.)

Captain Planet would probably have a different opinion series to series, but for the most part he would have to contend with the fact that the Transformers are sentient alien lifeforms without the ability to change fuel source; their carbon emissions are a necessity of life like animal methane production. So unless energon in that context is clean and sustainable/has clean and sustainable alternatives, they could very well be enemies that Captain Planet feels the need to destroy.

[priteshwemarketresearch]

Green Ammonia Market Statistics, Segment, Trends and Forecast to  2033

The Green Ammonia Market: A Sustainable Future for Agriculture and Energy

As the world pivots toward sustainable practices, the green ammonia market is gaining momentum as a crucial player in the transition to a low-carbon economy. But what exactly is green ammonia, and why is it so important? In this blog, we'll explore the green ammonia market, its applications, benefits, and the factors driving its growth.

Request Sample PDF Copy:https://wemarketresearch.com/reports/request-free-sample-pdf/green-ammonia-market/1359

What is Green Ammonia?

Green ammonia is ammonia produced using renewable energy sources, primarily through the electrolysis of water to generate hydrogen, which is then combined with nitrogen from the air. This process eliminates carbon emissions, setting green ammonia apart from traditional ammonia production, which relies heavily on fossil fuels.

Applications of Green Ammonia

Agriculture

One of the most significant applications of green ammonia is in agriculture. Ammonia is a key ingredient in fertilizers, and its sustainable production can help reduce the carbon footprint of farming. By using green ammonia, farmers can produce food more sustainably, supporting global food security while minimizing environmental impact.

Energy Storage

Green ammonia can also serve as an effective energy carrier. It can be synthesized when there is surplus renewable energy and later converted back into hydrogen or directly used in fuel cells. This capability makes it an attractive option for balancing supply and demand in renewable energy systems.

Shipping Fuel

The maritime industry is under increasing pressure to reduce emissions. Green ammonia has emerged as a potential zero-emission fuel for ships, helping to decarbonize one of the most challenging sectors in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits of Green Ammonia

Environmental Impact

By eliminating carbon emissions during production, green ammonia significantly reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional ammonia. This aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and achieve sustainability goals.

Energy Security

Investing in green ammonia can enhance energy security. As countries strive to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, green ammonia offers a renewable alternative that can be produced locally, minimizing reliance on imported fuels.

Economic Opportunities

The growth of the green ammonia market presents numerous economic opportunities, including job creation in renewable energy sectors, research and development, and new supply chain dynamics. As demand increases, investments in infrastructure and technology will drive innovation.

Factors Driving the Growth of the Green Ammonia Market

Regulatory Support

Governments worldwide are implementing policies and incentives to promote the adoption of green technologies. These regulations often include subsidies for renewable energy production and carbon pricing mechanisms, making green ammonia more competitive.

Rising Demand for Sustainable Solutions

With consumers and businesses becoming increasingly aware of their environmental impact, the demand for sustainable solutions is on the rise. Green ammonia aligns with this trend, providing an eco-friendly alternative to traditional ammonia.

Advancements in Technology

Ongoing advancements in electrolysis and ammonia synthesis technologies are making the production of green ammonia more efficient and cost-effective. As these technologies mature, they will further enhance the viability of green ammonia in various applications.

Conclusion

The green ammonia market represents a promising avenue for sustainable development across agriculture, energy, and transportation sectors. As technology advances and regulatory support strengthens, green ammonia is poised to become a cornerstone of the global transition to a greener economy. Investing in this market not only contributes to environmental preservation but also opens up new economic opportunities for innovation and growth.

[todaysbird]

as a huge lover of birds, 90% of the concern against wind turbines being used for energy is literally just pro fossil fuel propaganda. birds ARE at a risk however there is a lot of strategies even as simple as painting one of the blades that reduces a lot of accidental deaths. additionally renewable energy sources will do more in favor of the environment that would positively impact birds (and all of us). one study found over one million bird deaths from wind turbines. while that is a shockingly high number and we should work to drastically shrink it, at least 1.3 billion birds die to outdoor cats on a yearly basis. it was never about caring about birds

[lele-o-north]

For this #WorldEnvironmentDay, I just wanted to say how beautiful the world we live in is 🌍

Everyone can contribute to its preservation and restoration. We only need to look at it and understand that we are part of it 🙏🏻

If it is going down, we’re going down with it.

Happy World Environment Day everyone! 🌲☀️🌈

[anthroriley]

ok no, climate change is still EXTREMELY real and an energy transition to net zero is going to be necessary for human survival and well-being. lets not pretend massive wildfires and increasingly frequent, intense hurricanes & cyclones has anything to do with concrete. it simply doesnt.

it's true that trees are good for on-the-ground temperature regulation and UV protection, but regardless of that, fossil fuel emissions will continue to warm the atmosphere and planet as a whole.

“It is not so much for its beauty that the forest makes a claim upon men’s hearts, as for that subtle something, that quality of air that emanation from old trees, that so wonderfully changes and renews a weary spirit.”

― Robert Louis Stevenson

Source: Grow Your Garden Instagram page

[sodacowboy]

okay yeah it’s offline hours

[probablyasocialecologist]

The global food economy is massively inefficient. The need for standardized products means tons of edible food are destroyed or left to rot. This is one reason more than one-third of the global food supply is wasted or lost; for the U.S., the figure is closer to one-half. The logic of global trade results in massive quantities of identical products being simultaneously imported and exported—a needless waste of fossil fuels and an enormous addition to greenhouse gas emissions. In a typical year, for example, the U.S. imports more than 400,000 tons of potatoes and 1 million tons of beef while exporting almost the same tonnage. The same is true of many other food commodities and countries. The same logic leads to shipping foods worldwide simply to reduce labor costs for processing. Shrimp harvested off the coast of Scotland, for example, are shipped 6,000 miles to Thailand to be peeled, then shipped 6,000 miles back to the UK to be sold to consumers. The supposed efficiency of monocultural production is based on output per unit of labor, which is maximized by replacing jobs with chemical- and energy-intensive technology. Measured by output per acre, however—a far more relevant metric—smaller-scale farms are typically 8 to 20 times more productive.

5 November 2024

[meteorologistaustenlonek]

"#COP28 president secretly used #climatesummit role to push oil trade with foreign government officials"

Even though the team has since moved into a separate office, the whistleblowers alleged that COP28 meetings are still regularly held at Adnoc headquarters and Al Jaber frequently works on summit business from his office at the oil company."

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Month - August 2024

1.Negative Power Prices Hit Europe as Renewable Energy Floods the Grid

European power markets are experiencing a notable shift as renewable energy sources, particularly wind and solar, become a larger part of the energy mix. On Wednesday, power prices in several European markets, including Germany, dipped below zero due to a surge in green electricity production.

2. Taiwan introduces ban on performances by captive wild animals

Live performances by wild animals held in captivity, including performances by dolphins, tigers, and other non-domesticated mammals, will no longer be permitted in Taiwan under new Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) regulations.

3. FTC bans fake online reviews, inflated social media influence; rule takes effect in October

The FTC voted unanimously to ban marketers from using fake reviews, such as those generated with AI technology, and other misleading advertising practices.

The ban also forbids marketers from exaggerating their own influence by, for example, paying for bots to inflate their follower count.

4. Chinese drones will fly trash out of Everest slopes

Come autumn, Nepal will deploy heavy lifter drones to transport garbage from the 6,812-metre tall Ama Dablam, south of Everest. This will be the first commercial work an unmanned aerial vehicle does in Nepal’s high-altitude zone.

The heavy lifter from China’s biggest drone maker, Da Jiang Innovations (DJI), will take on tasks traditionally handled by Sherpas. Officials believe it will help reduce casualties on Everest.

5. Swiss scientists have found a way to use the whole cocoa fruit to make chocolate and not just taking beans and discarding the rest.

Kim Mishra (L) and Anian Schreiber (R) cooperated on the new chocolate making process

Food scientists in Switzerland have come up with a way to make chocolate using the entire cocoa fruit rather than just the beans - and without using sugar.

The chocolate, developed at Zurich’s prestigious Federal Institute of Technology by scientist Kim Mishra and his team includes the cocoa fruit pulp, the juice, and the husk, or endocarp.

6. Six-year-old boy found in Vietnam forest after five days

A six-year-old boy who was missing for five days has been found deep in a forest in Vietnam. Dang Tien Lam, who lives in the northwestern Yen Bai province, was playing in a stream with his nine siblings on 17 August when he wandered into the hills and got lost, local reports said.

He was found on Wednesday by local farmers who heard a child's cry while they were clearing a cinnamon field close to the forest.

7. Lego plans to make half the plastic in bricks from renewable materials by 2026

Lego plans to make half the plastic in its bricks from renewable or recycled material rather than fossil fuels by 2026, in its latest effort to ensure its toys are more environmentally friendly.

The Danish company last year ditched efforts to make bricks entirely from recycled bottles because of cost and production issues. At the moment, 22% of the material in its colourful bricks is not made from fossil fuels.

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That's it for this month :)

This newsletter will always be free. If you liked this post you can support me with a small kofi donation here:

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Also don’t forget to share this post with your friends.

[reasonsforhope]

The European Union’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 8.3% in 2023 as a surge in renewable energy installations helped displace coal.

This means the bloc’s emissions have declined 37% since 1990, while its economy has grown 68% over the same period.

The divergence indicates “the continued decoupling of emissions and economic growth,” the European Commission said in an update, adding that the region is on track to reach its target of reducing emissions by at least 55% by 2030.

According to an analysis by the European Environment Agency, based only on existing climate measures and planned actions, the EU will reduce its emissions by 49% by 2030.

Electricity and heating lead the way

Emissions from electricity production and heating under the region’s emissions trading system (ETS) dropped 24% in 2023, compared to the previous year, per the Commission.

Set up in 2005, the ETS is widely viewed as a key driver of the bloc’s decarbonisation. In 2023, it generated revenues of €43.6 billion in 2023 for climate action investments.

However, some sectors are still moving in the wrong direction. For instance, aviation emissions grew 9.5% last year as the sector continued to rebound in the wake of the pandemic.

More to be done

“The EU is leading the way in the clean transition, with another year of strong greenhouse gas emission reductions in 2023,” said Wopke Hoekstra, commissioner for climate action.

“As we head off soon to COP29, we once again demonstrate to our international partners that it is possible to take climate action and invest in growing our economy at the same time,” Hoekstra added. “Sadly, the report also shows that our work must continue, at home and abroad, as we are seeing the harm that climate change is causing our citizens.”

In a separate statement, Leena Ylä-Mononen, executive director of the European Environment Agency, said climate change impacts were “accelerating”, meaning the bloc needed to become more resilient to extreme weather while also slashing emissions.

In the second quarter of 2024, renewables accounted for 52% of all electricity generated in the EU, a 6 percentage point increase in a year. Nuclear generation was up slightly and comprised 24% of the mix, meaning clean sources made up 76% of the region’s total electrical output.

-via The Progress Playbook, November 1, 2024

[fadi123]

sand battery

What Is a ‘Sand Battery’ 2023?

A “sand battery” is a high temperature thermal energy storage that uses sand or sand-like materials as its storage medium. It stores energy in sand as heat. 

Its main purpose is to work as a high-power and high-capacity reservoir for excess wind and solar energy. The energy is stored as heat, which can be used to heat homes, or to provide hot steam and high temperature process heat to industries that are often fossil-fuel dependent.

As the world shifts towards higher and higher renewables fraction in electricity production, the intermittent nature of these energy sources cause challenges to energy networks. The sand battery helps to ambitiously upscale renewables production by ensuring there’s always a way to benefit from clean energy, even if the surplus is massive.

The first commercial sand battery in the world is in a town called Kankaanpää, Western Finland. It is connected to a district heating network and heating residential and commercial buildings such as family homes and the municipal swimming pool. The district heating network is operated by an energy utility called Vatajankoski.

The term “sand battery” was introduced to grand audience by a BBC News story published the 5th of July 2022. The story was written by BBC News’ Environmental Correspondent Matt McGrath.

Read the story: BBC News: Climate change: 'Sand battery' could solve green energy's big problem

Watch the video: BBC News: How the world's first sand battery stores green power

UPDATE: We’ve been getting a lot of attention after our sand battery went viral. Due to a massive amount of requests and messages, our reply times can be very long. We appreciate your patience. Thank you! Please also note that we don’t have products for individual homes yet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the structure of your heat storage?

It is an insulated silo made of steel housing, filled with sand and heat transfer pipes. Additionally, equipment outside the storage is required, such as automation components, valves, a fan, and a heat exchanger or a steam generator.

How do you heat the sand?

With electricity from the grid or from local production, in both cases from fluctuating sources such as wind and solar. We charge it when clean and cheap electricity is available. The electrical energy is transferred to the heat storage using a closed loop air-pipe arrangement. Air is heated up using electrical resistors and circulated in the heat transfer piping.

How hot is the sand?

The maximum temperature in the Kankaanpää heat storage is about 600 degrees Celsius. However, the temperature may even be higher depending on customer needs. In practice, the maximum temperature of a sand-based heat storage is not limited by the properties of the storage medium, but by the heat resistance of the materials used in the construction and control of the storage.

How do you get heat out of the heat storage?

The heat storage is unloaded by blowing cool air through the pipes. It heats up as it passes through the storage, and it can be used for example to convert water into process steam or to heat district heating water in an air-to-water heat exchanger.

Why do you use sand?

Many solid materials, such as sand, can be heated to temperatures well above the boiling point of water. Sand-based heat storages can store several times the amount of energy that can be stored in a water tank of a similar size; this is thanks to the large temperature range allowed by the sand. So, it saves space and it allows versatile use in many industrial applications.

What kind of a sand you are using?

The heat storage is not very sensitive to sand grain size. We prefer high density, low-cost materials that are not from scarce sources. Someone else’s dirt could be our heat storage medium. We prefer to use materials that are not suitable for construction industry.

Does it matter what the grain size of the sand is?

Not much, we prefer to use those grain sizes that are not suitable for construction industry.

How is the heat storage insulated?

The heat storage is made of steel and insulated with standard, heat resistant insulating materials. The insulation is all around the heat storage between the outer steel layer and the inner one.

How long does the sand stay hot in the winter?

It can stay hot for months if needed, but the actual use case of the heat storage in Kankaanpää is to charge it in about 2-week cycles. The heat storage has its best range of use when it is charged and discharged 20 to 200 times per year, depending on the application.

Is the outer surface of the heat storage hot?

The surface of the storage is not hot, because the heat stays inside the storage—where it should be.

Can it store electricity?

Not as such, as it stores energy in the form of heat. The heat can be converted back to electricity using turbines like the ORC-turbine or a steam turbine. This requires additional investments to the turbine technology, and the conversion to electricity has inherent losses, thus complicating the economical side.

Is this a new technology?

Well, yes and no. The idea of heating sand to store energy is not new. Our way of doing things and commercializing it in large scale applications is.

[dipnots]

Geothermal Energy: A Clean and Reliable Source of Power

Geothermal energy is a clean, renewable source of energy that is derived from the Earth’s heat. It is a type of energy that is generated from the natural heat that is produced by the Earth’s core. Geothermal energy has been used for thousands of years for various purposes, such as bathing and heating homes, and today it is increasingly being used as a source of electricity. How Geothermal Energy…