#solar restoration

[cleanroo]

Breathe New Life into Your Roof with Restoration Coatings

Mother Nature can take a toll on your roof. From harsh sunlight to relentless rain, the elements wear down even the most durable materials. But before you consider a costly replacement, explore the power of restoration coatings.

Clean Roofing, your trusted roofing experts, recommends restoration coatings as a cost-effective way to extend the lifespan of your roof. These specialized coatings act as a protective shield, repelling water and UV rays while enhancing curb appeal.

Available in a variety of finishes, restoration coatings can revitalize a faded or weathered roof, restoring its original vibrancy. Additionally, these coatings often come with extended warranties, offering peace of mind for years to come.

If you're noticing signs of roof wear, like minor leaks or faded shingles, don't resign yourself to a full replacement. Contact Clean Roofing today for a free consultation and learn how restoration coatings can breathe new life into your roof.

[cognitivejustice]

Restoring Indigenous aquaculture heals both ecosystems and communities in Hawai‘i

For generations, native Hawaiians have understood that their aquaculture systems, fishponds known as loko i‘a, serve as nurseries that seed fish populations in surrounding waters. For the first time, a team of scientists from the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) have modeled this feat of Indigenous science in a study.

“We are using science to translate ‘ike kupuna, or Indigenous knowledge, into policy,” said study co-author Kawika Winter, an ecologist at HIMB and He‘eia National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR).

“The value of this paper is that it’s one of the first, if not the first, to really show that there are ways to do aquaculture in ways that benefit the system around it.”

In partnership with He‘eia NERR and Paepae o He‘eia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stewarding the He‘eia loko i‘a, an ancient Hawaiian fishpond enclosing 36 hectares (88 acres) of brackish water, the team simulated different restoration scenarios in Kāne‘ohe Bay on O‘ahu Island based on a simplified food web. The study found that restoring more of the bay into fully functional loko iʻa would grow fish populations not just within the ponds, but across the bay.

“Aquaculture has a really bad reputation for basically destroying areas around it, but those are commercial approaches to aquaculture that aren’t holistic in their thinking or values-based like Indigenous management,” Winter said. “Rather than ensuring the health of the system, commercial aquaculture is concerned with maximizing profits.”

Winter attributed the success of the loko i’a design to Indigenous thought processes: “Indigenous thinking is operating within the opportunities and constraints of this system and figuring out a way to make things abundant within that context, sometimes even increasing abundance beyond natural levels.

Restoring ecosystems and relationships

Since co-founding Paepae o He‘eia in 2001, study co-author Hi‘ilei Kawelo, a sixth-generation Hawaiian from Kāne‘ohe Bay, has witnessed thousands of volunteers transform the He‘eia loko i‘a.

With the ongoing restoration, Paepae o He‘eia has seen both the aquatic environment and participants’ well-being improve with increased access to traditional foods, strengthening their relationship to place, and fortifying their family and community relationships. “For me and for a lot of our employees, this is one of our outlets, if not our primary outlet for exercising aloha ‘āina [love of the land],” Kawelo said.

“‘Āina is so important, because it is a term for a system that has the nature and its people in an inseparable reciprocal relationship,” Winter said. “The concept is core to this work because it’s about getting back into a way of thinking where there is no separation between the lands, the waters and us.”

While the overarching goal of Paepae o He‘eia and other fishponds is to revitalize Hawai‘i’s extensive Indigenous aquaculture system, Kotubetey said he knows the work may take generations.

[rayofmisfortune]

Weewoo new blog banner!

From left to right we have Solare and Wamoon and Restore and Deleted.

Nothing special really... now to just hope and pray it fits 😭

[solarpunkbusiness]

In 2008, the Bangladesh Resource Center for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), a non-profit organization, pioneered community-engaged mangrove restoration in the country.

So far, BARCIK has brought mangrove restoration to parts of coastal villages including Kaikhali, Burigoalini, Munshiganj, Gabura, Padmapukur and Atulia of Satkhira’s Shyamnagar subdistrict.

Under the BARCIK program, women collect mangrove seeds floated upriver and preserve them for germination. In the next stage, they, together with the male members of their families, sow the germinated seeds in the selected and fenced muddy berms of embankments along the Kholpetua, Chuna and Malancha rivers.

“So far, we have planted mangroves on around 1,800 hectares (4,447 acres) of land, involving more than 400 women,” said Ram Krishna Joarder, BARCIK’s Satkhira district coordinator.

Teamed up, the women monitor the growth of the saplings and take care of them until their maturity, when they start flowering. From the mature trees, they harvest keora fruits and golpata sap to produce pickles and molasses, respectively, for sale.

One of the entrepreneurs of this business, 42-year-old Shefali Begum from Burigoalini village says that mangrove restoration helps her ensure financial stability in a challenging time.

“Although the production of pickles and molasses is seasonal, I can earn $52 (6,000 taka) monthly on average, which is a crucial backup when my husband and sons cannot earn from fishing in the Sundarbans [due to seasonal fishing bans],” Shefali says.

Once an unemployed and poor housewife, Shefali now leads a 40-member cooperative society.

[dandelionsresilience]

Good News - May 8-14

Like these weekly compilations? Support me on Ko-fi! Also, if you tip me on Ko-fi, at the end of the month I'll send you a link to all of the articles I found but didn't use each week - almost double the content!

1. Critically endangered fish with red hands and 'sad toad face' returned to the wild in Tasmania

“Conservationists in Australia are celebrating the return of 18 critically endangered red handfish to the sea after they were taken into care at the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) in January to protect them from marine heatwaves.”

2. A rare Australian marsupial is being genetically modified to save it from extinction. Here's how

“Scientists are trying to genetically 'edit' the endangered northern quoll to make it resistant to the neurotoxin of the invasive cane toad. […] Now experts in gene-editing […] say they can introduce genetic resistance to the toxin by taking DNA from a species of South American lizard and ‘edit’ that into the cells of a northern quoll. They have already managed to do this with the cells of the closely related dunnart, another endemic marsupial.”

3. More and faster: Electricity from clean sources reaches 30% of global total

“For the first time, 30% of electricity produced worldwide was from clean energy sources as the number of solar and wind farms continued to grow fast. [...] Some of [the past year’s] new demand was for heat pumps, which are an efficient way to both heat and cool buildings, and for electric vehicles. [... Last year was also] the 19th year in a row that solar was the fastest-growing source of electricity generation.”

4. Standards Established To Improve Health Care For Kids With Disabilities

“Developed by a panel of health care experts, adults with disabilities and caregivers, the plan published recently in the journal Pediatrics […] calls for providers to be trained about caring for those with neurodevelopmental disabilities, improved communication with patients and their families and proactive planning in advance of health care encounters to ensure that patients are at ease and provided accommodations.”

5. Working together to better understand Alaska’s beluga whales

“Beluga conservation efforts depend on an accurate count of whales. Indigenous hunters also need to know how many belugas there are so that they [can] decide how many can be safely harvested. That’s why WWF is bringing together Western science and Indigenous knowledge […. U]sing hydrophones to detect belugas in the Yukon River works—and it is an approach that is both cost-effective and non-invasive.”

6. Robotic system feeds people with severe mobility limitations

“Researchers have developed a robotic feeding system that uses computer vision, machine learning and multimodal sensing to safely feed people with severe mobility limitations, including those with spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. […] The robotic system successfully fed 13 individuals with diverse medical conditions in a user study spanning three locations[….] Users of the robot found it to be safe and comfortable, researchers said.”

7. Senate Passage of America’s Conservation Enhancement Act a Win for Wildlife

“The Senate’s reauthorization of the America’s Conservation Enhancement (ACE) Act will benefit America’s wildlife and way of life. Led by Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.) and Shelley Capito (R-W.Va.), the bill invests in wetlands and habitat restoration projects across the country as well as strategies to reduce conflicts between wildlife and livestock. […] The passage of this bill shows us once again that Americans are united on the need to protect wildlife and our outdoor heritage,” said Andrew Wilkins, director of land conservation policy at the National Wildlife Federation.”

8. Liberals and conservatives differ on climate change beliefs--but are relatively united in taking action

“The study, led by researchers at New York University, finds that when given the opportunity, liberals and conservatives take action to address climate change at roughly the same levels -- and that this is due to conservatives choosing to take action despite their climate-change beliefs rather than liberals failing to act on theirs.”

9. Democratic state attorneys general are teaming up to protect abortion access

“A group of Democratic attorneys general are working to strengthen state-level protections for abortion, contraception and gender-affirming care. These protections could include expanding the use of so-called “shield laws,” which assert that states where abortion or gender-affirming care are legal won’t cooperate with out-of-state efforts to prosecute anyone who helped provide treatment.”

10. Antwerp gives residents free trees

“The Belgian city of Antwerp has 2,000 trees to give away, and it wants to give them to residents to plant in their gardens [...] with the aim of involving citizens in the greenifying process of the city. [...] What’s more, the city website offers practical advice on how to proceed with planting and caring for the tree so that it will meet the standards set by the municipality. [...] The City makes sure to give dead trees a second life by using their wood in the making of natural kids’ playgrounds.”

May 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.)

[roseredsnow]

So my car is finally fixed which means I can take bigger stuff over now but wanted to share pictures of the corner I'm on about reviving, I did do a bit while waiting for trains (after pictures were taken).

I'm gonna start with the bricks around trees cause they're covered in moss then the two paths.

I think it was meant to have small stones rather than grass around it but I can't find any pictures from when it was first done to know for definite so my plan is to just scatter some native wildflower seeds and hope.

I dont want to do too much now while insects will still be using leaf cover that's why I'm starting where I am.

[solcarow]

.

[rapidflowflex]

Bayou State Softwash

Our Unique process Cleans, Sanitizes and Disinfects all exterior surfaces up to 99.9% in accordance with the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, preventing the potential spread of Covid-19, viruses, germs and allergens. Clean, Sanitize and Disinfect gathering areas, such as Restaurant Patios, HOA Amenities, Stadiums, Playgrounds, Play Equipment, Picnic Areas, Park Benches, Outdoor Tables, etc. Bayou State Softwash is here to help prevent the spread.

[tangiblesolar]

How to Clean Solar Pathway Lights: A Simple Guide to Brightening Up Your Outdoor Space

To clean the solar pathway lights, wipe the surface with a damp cloth and mild soap. Solar pathway lights are a popular and eco-friendly way to light up outdoor spaces. However, over time, dirt, dust, and debris can accumulate on the surface and reduce their efficiency. Regular cleaning is necessary to maintain their brightness and functionality. We will discuss some simple yet effective methods…

[merchantservices444]

Advantages of Merchant Processing over Direct Carrier Billing in Mobile Commerce

[gominisoc]

A lot of extra SPACE, just in time for the eclipse!

[afeelgoodblog]

The Best News of Last Year - 2023 Edition

Welcome to our special edition newsletter recapping the best news from the past year. I've picked one highlight from each month to give you a snapshot of 2023. No frills, just straightforward news that mattered. Let's relive the good stuff that made our year shine.

January - London: Girl with incurable cancer recovers after pioneering treatment

A girl’s incurable cancer has been cleared from her body after what scientists have described as the most sophisticated cell engineering to date.

2. February - Utah legislature unanimously passes ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy

The Utah State Legislature has unanimously approved a bill that enshrines into law a ban on LGBTQ conversion therapy.

3. March - First vaccine for honeybees could save billions

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the world’s first-ever vaccine intended to address the global decline of honeybees. It will help protect honeybees from American foulbrood, a contagious bacterial disease which can destroy entire colonies.

4. April - Fungi discovered that can eat plastic in just 140 days

Australian scientists have successfully used backyard mould to break down one of the world's most stubborn plastics — a discovery they hope could ease the burden of the global recycling crisis within years. 

5. May - Ocean Cleanup removes 200,000th kilogram of plastic from the Pacific Ocean

The Dutch offshore restoration project, Ocean Cleanup, says it has reached a milestone. The organization's plastic catching efforts have now fished more than 200,000 kilograms of plastic out of the Pacific Ocean, Ocean Cleanup said on Twitter.

6. June - U.S. judge blocks Florida ban on care for trans minors in narrow ruling, says ‘gender identity is real’

A federal judge temporarily blocked portions of a new Florida law that bans transgender minors from receiving puberty blockers, ruling Tuesday that the state has no rational basis for denying patients treatment.

7. July - World’s largest Phosphate deposit discovered in Norway

A massive underground deposit of high-grade phosphate rock in Norway, pitched as the world’s largest, is big enough to satisfy world demand for fertilisers, solar panels and electric car batteries over the next 50 years, according to the company exploiting the resource.

8. August - Successful room temperature ambient-pressure magnetic levitation of LK-99

If the claim by Sukbae Lee and Ji-Hoon Kim of South Korea’s Quantum Energy Research Centre holds up, the material could usher in all sorts of technological marvels, such as levitating vehicles and perfectly efficient electrical grids.

9. September - World’s 1st drug to regrow teeth enters clinical trials

The ability to regrow your own teeth could be just around the corner. A team of scientists, led by a Japanese pharmaceutical startup, are getting set to start human trials on a new drug that has successfully grown new teeth in animal test subjects.

10. October - Nobel Prize goes to scientists behind mRNA Covid vaccines

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine has been awarded to a pair of scientists who developed the technology that led to the mRNA Covid vaccines. Professors Katalin Kariko and Drew Weissman will share the prize.

11. November - No cases of cancer caused by HPV in Norwegian 25-year olds, the first cohort to be mass vaccinated for HPV.

Last year there were zero cases of cervical cancer in the group that was vaccinated in 2009 against the HPV virus, which can cause the cancer in women.

12. December - President Biden announces he’s pardoning all convictions of federal marijuana possession

President Joe Biden announced Friday he's issuing a federal pardon to every American who has used marijuana in the past, including those who were never arrested or prosecuted.

------

And there you have it – a year's worth of uplifting news! I hope these positive stories brought a bit of joy to your inbox. As I wrap up this special edition, I want to thank all my supporters!

Buy me a coffee ❤️

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[cognitivejustice]

The climate and biodiversity crises are already affecting people and landscapes around the world. But there’s one natural remedy that can tackle them both: restoring degraded and damaged landscapes.

There are already countless restoration projects that are turning degraded landscapes into beacons of hope and resilience – including those led by our own Restoration Stewards and GLFx community.

We recently covered five of the most important things you should know about restoration. Now, let’s dive deeper into how you can join this thriving new global movement and start your own restoration project. Here’s a step-by-step guide to guide you through the process.

If you’d like to learn more, the Restoration Experiences Digital Forum is available to watch on demand.

[watford-herts-london]

Watford's Town Hall and Colosseum Restoration for Future Energy

The Town Hall is undergoing a major restoration project as part of the council’s 10-year Town Hall Quarter programme. The project aims to transform the top of the town centre into a vibrant hub for people and businesses. Elected mayor Peter Taylor views the solar panel installation on the roof of Watford Town hall during its renovation. Photo credit: Simon Jacobs As part of the council’s key…

[dailykhabhar]

NASA Restore the permanent contact with Voyager 2 spacecraft know how

हाइलाइट्स 21 जुलाई को नासा का वॉयजर 2 से संपर्क स्थायी तौर पर कट गया था. इसकी वजह से गलती से एक आदेश का जाना था जिससे यान का एंटीना मुड़ गया था. अब शक्तिशाली ट्रांसमीटर से एंटीना सुधारने के आदेश पहुंचने से यह सफलता मिल सकी. कुछ हफ्तों पहले ही अमेरिकी स्पेस एजेंसी नासा का अपने एक प्रतिष्ठित यान वॉयजर 2 से संपर्क टूट गया था. इसके बारे में बताया जा रहा था कि वैसे तो कई तरह से वॉयजर 2 से संपर्क करने…

[rjzimmerman]

Excerpt from this story from Grist:

Within weeks, the nation will deploy 9,000 people to begin restoring landscapes, erecting solar panels, and taking other steps to help guide the country toward a cleaner, greener future.

The first of those workers were inducted into the American Climate Corps on Tuesday during a virtual event from the White House. Their swearing-in marks another step forward for the Biden administration’s ambitious climate agenda. The program, which President Joe Biden announced within days of taking office in 2021, is a modern version of the Climate Conservation Corps, the New Deal-era project that put 3 million men to work planting trees and building national parks.

During the ceremony, the inaugural members of the corps promised to work “on behalf of our nation and planet, its people, and all its species, for the better future we hold within our sight.” 

The American Climate Corps was among the first things Biden announced as president, but it took a while to secure funding and get started. More than 20,000 young people are expected to join during the program’s first year, according to the White House, with new openings appearing on the American Climate Corps job site in the months ahead. The pay varies depending on the location and experience required, with open positions ranging from around $11 to $28 an hour.

The administration is promoting the corps as a way for young people to jump-start green careers. In April, the White House announced a partnership with TradesFutures, a nonprofit construction company, a sign that the program might help fill the country’s shortage of skilled workers who can help electrify everything. The White House will also place members in so-called “energy communities” like former coal-mining towns to help with environmental remediation and other projects.

“Whether it’s managing forests in the Pacific Northwest, deploying clean energy across the Southwest, or promoting sustainable farming practices throughout the heartland, the president’s American Climate Corps is providing thousands of young Americans with the skills and experience to advance a more sustainable, just tomorrow,” White House climate advisor Ali Zaidi said in a press release on Tuesday.