emerging technologies
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Biden’s push for plastic as a coal replacement sparks environmental backlash
A Pennsylvania company’s plan to turn plastic waste into fuel for steelmaking, backed by a $182.6 million federal loan guarantee, is drawing sharp criticism from environmentalists who say the project is anything but green.
In short:
- The U.S. Department of Energy is funding a project to replace coal with plastic waste in steel production, claiming it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Environmental groups argue that burning plastic is not a viable climate solution and could worsen air pollution in disadvantaged communities.
- The Energy Department’s decision is under scrutiny as critics push for investment in cleaner, proven technologies like hydrogen.
Key quote:
“There are no steel mills in the United States that burn plastic. No one has any idea what the emissions profile of burning plastic will be.”
— Jane Williams, chair of Sierra Club’s national clean air team
Why this matters:
Burning plastic as fuel could introduce new toxic emissions, raising health concerns in communities already burdened by pollution, while potentially delaying the transition to truly clean energy alternatives. Read more: Every stage of plastic production and use is harming human health.
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Spraying salt in clouds to combat climate change comes with global risks
Marine cloud brightening could cool the Earth, but new research warns it might have unintended, global consequences.
In short:
- Marine cloud brightening (MCB) is a proposed method to reflect sunlight and cool the planet, but it’s highly controversial and lacks proper regulation.
- A recent study shows MCB could have severe global impacts, especially if used on a regional scale without careful oversight.
- Experts stress the need for international governance to manage MCB experiments and potential deployments.
Key quote:
“It is extremely important to differentiate between [small-scale field] research...and impact-scale experimentation or activities related to using or marketing climate interventions.”
— Kelly Wanser, senior adviser to the University of Washington MCB program
Why this matters:
Nobody really knows what kind of ripple effects MCB could have on the planet's weather systems. It could lead to unintended consequences, like changes in rainfall patterns or impacts on marine ecosystems that could be just as damaging as the warming we’re trying to prevent.
Read more: Solar geoengineering: Scientists decry a 'foolish' idea
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Mining the heavens: companies pursue space resources
Mining asteroids could offer potential relief for Earth's resource strain.
In short:
- A new wave of companies, including AstroForge, aims to mine asteroids for valuable metals like platinum and cobalt, which are essential for electronics and electric vehicle batteries.
- Despite previous failures in asteroid mining, current prospects are bolstered by reduced rocket costs and favorable regulatory changes, sparking renewed interest.
- Innovations such as simulated extraction missions and telescopes for detecting asteroids are among the strategies companies are deploying to realize their cosmic ambitions.
Key quote:
“People were much more supportive of mining asteroids than other forms of frontier mining like mining the ocean floor, mining Antarctica, and mining the Alaskan tundra."
— Matthew Hornsey, University of Queensland, lead study author.
Why this matters:
Space mining presents a potentially less environmentally damaging alternative to terrestrial extraction, especially crucial for clean energy technologies. However, the challenges of space debris and ethical concerns about cosmic exploitation remain formidable.
Read more: In push to mine for minerals, clean energy advocates ask what going green really means.
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Inuit app SIKU blends traditional knowledge with tech for environmental tracking
An innovative app developed by Inuit communities, SIKU, is redefining the integration of traditional knowledge and scientific data to empower Indigenous groups across the Arctic in environmental monitoring and decision-making.
In short:
- SIKU, meaning "sea ice" in Inuktitut, is a social network that enables users to document and share observations on wildlife, sea ice conditions, and local foods, fostering a unique blend of traditional and scientific knowledge.
- The platform, developed with the Arctic Eider Society, has gained traction since 2015, now boasting more than 25,000 users from at least 120 communities, who have made more than 75,000 posts.
- It supports crucial community-driven decisions and research, with features like GPS tracking for safety on the ice, and data collection on environmental changes and wildlife management.
Key quote:
“It’s part science and part Inuit knowledge. It can work both ways, instead of one dominating the other.”
— Lucassie Arragutainaq, cofounder of the Arctic Eider Society
Why this matters:
SIKU is more than an app; it's a testament to the power of Indigenous knowledge in shaping environmental policy and research. Learning from Indigenous people may be vital to meeting the existential challenge of the climate crisis.
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New battery material that uses less lithium found in AI-powered search
While the dime-size prototype is not ready for prime time, the feat demonstrates the potential of new technologies to revolutionize materials science.
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Credit: M.E. Sanseverino/Flickr
As tree species face decline, ‘assisted migration’ gains popularity in Pacific Northwest
As native trees in the Pacific Northwest die off due to climate changes, the U.S. Forest Service and others are turning to a strategy called “assisted migration.”
Credit: Valentina R./BigStock Photo ID: 25800830
Hannah Ritchie: ‘Doomsday predictions are a dream for climate deniers’
The environmental scientist, whose book Not the End of the World offers a data-based analysis of the climate crisis, on being informed and engaged without succumbing to despair.
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