3 Bits periodically provides three bite-sized items of interest about climate news.
1. Scientists Rebellion
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s recent report warned that drastic action is required in order to avoid global temperatures from rising to 2.7°F above preindustrial levels, a threshold that would introduce severe climate calamities. In order to avoid that situation, the report said that greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 84 percent by 2050 – and that we’re woefully behind achieving that goal. In early April 2022, in response to the report, a group called Scientists Rebellion, representing 25 countries, took part in a global demonstrations to call attention to the urgency of the situation. A group of scientists in Los Angeles chained themselves to a JP Morgan Bank building. Scientists in Panama protested at foreign embassies while their associates in Malawi led a teach-in. Not to be outdone, scientists from Germany protesters actually glued themselves to a bridge. In Washington, D.C. scientists chained themselves to the White House fence. While the impact of these actions remains to be seen, Scientists Rebellion is finding its voice. (Sources: Smithsonian Magazine (1) (2))
2. Go Micro
Solar power is looking beyond rooftop installations and several innovative companies are leading the way in off-grid solar power generation. A company called Pvilion uses solar sensitive fabrics to make energy capturing awnings, shirts, purses, tents, and other products. The US military uses their tents which reduces the need for transporting as much fuel when doing field operations. Platio produces solar panels that are used for patios and walkways, turning pedestrian paths into energy producers. And Ubiquitous Energy makes glass treatments for windows and is focused on high rises and urban areas to create vertical solar farms that have the potential to create up to 30% of a high rise’s energy use. (Source: ABC News)
3. Tech on the Bounding Main
It is estimated that gas powered outboard boat engines “bleed” about 150 million gallons of unburned fuel into our oceans annually. These engines are also major air polluters as they are not equipped with catalytic converters. While there have been a few forays into electric marine engines, there has not been a winner thus far. A company called Flux Marine wants to change all that. There is some competition from companies focused on low-powered trolling electric engines, and traditional, well-capitalized manufacturers of gas-powered marine engines will respond but Flux Marine is off to a good start. Armed with a solid product, they recently closed an oversubscribed Series A fundraising round. The National Science Foundation, the US Air Force, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center have also awarded them grants. Here’s to clear sailing and clean boating! (Source: The Impact)