Ships harness wind for voyage to a cleaner future
There is no mistaking Cristina Aleixendri’s enthusiasm – and competence – when it comes to talking about how wind-assisted shipping is on the verge of…
Innovation
Greener Playgrounds Are an Overlooked Climate Solution
Across the country, cities are transforming asphalt schoolyards into spongy, shady community centers. The new schoolyard at PS 184M Shuang Wen, a grade school in…
How heat pumps of the 1800s are becoming the technology of the future
By Chris Baraniuk Innovative thinking has done away with problems that long dogged the electric devices — and both scientists and environmentalists are excited about…
Jordan’s electric car users battle with batteries
Electric car early adopters in oil-poor Jordan are now having to grapple with the thorny question of battery disposal, as demand for the technology accelerates…
How teaching kids energy efficiency in schools can benefit families at home
Students’ enthusiasm for energy efficiency can ripple outward, making an impact beyond the classroom. What kids learn at school doesn’t stay at school. So by teaching…
The road to low-carbon concrete
By M. Mitchell Waldrop For thousands of years, humanity has had a love affair with cement and concrete. But now, industry groups and researchers are…
Salt and a battery – smashing the limits of power storage
We have all been there. The rectangular icon in the top right-hand corner of the screen turns red and flashes to indicate you’re almost out…
Looking backward to move forward: sustainable alternatives to automobiles
Imagine a future where private automobiles have gone the way of the horse and buggy. For everyday trips, you hop on and off community-owned bikes…
Commodity bonds as a development tool
Bonds with fuel pellets as the commodity are a surprisingly good example, but that is the finale of this item. First, the intro: Commodity bonds…
Net zero: Copenhagen’s failure to meet its 2025 target casts doubt on other major climate plans
The city of Copenhagen, often celebrated as one of the world’s greenest for its cycling culture and other initiatives, recently defaulted on its pledge to…
Less fuel in harvesting maize
Maize is one of the New World plants nobody else had experienced before 1500. Compared with wheat or rye, it certainly looked peculiar. The grain…
A new model can identify ideal locations for EV charging stations
Ownership of electric vehicles has been surging across much of the developed world in the face of sky-high oil prices, but supportive infrastructure for EVs…
Germany pushes joint effort to become climate-neutral aviation ‘pioneer’
The German government has launched a new push to make the country an international leader in sustainable aviation. “With a joint effort by industry, science,…