innovation
The US Department of Energy (DOE) is pinning its hopes — and money — on the possibility that we could one day easily store energy from intermittent sources like wind and solar for steady power supplies, or produce transport fuel directly from bacteria using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Those two innovations
global warming
Greenbang’s weekly Climate Change Index tracks research findings and events directly attributable to global warming. Our aim is to provide a numerical, week-to-week indicator of climate change developments. Items that qualify for listing in each week’s index include new climate data published in peer-reviewed academic journals and extreme
climate
A different kind of “doomsday clock” launched by Oxford University is ticking toward 2045, the year at which it’s estimated — under a “business as usual” scenario — we’ll emit the trillionth tonne of carbon and tip the scales in the direction of catastrophic climate change. As of today, the
concrete
Could a fire-resistant “Liquid Granite” made from recycled materials be used to construct buildings of the future? Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University believe so, as the material they’ve developed is as versatile as concrete while even safer under high temperatures. Liquid Granite is not only fire-resistant beyond 1,100
arctic
This past summer might have seen more Arctic sea ice cover than in 2007 or 2008, but scientists continue to see dramatic — and accelerating — signs of climate change in the region, according to the latest Arctic Report Card. The annual assessment is a collaborative effort of 71 national and international
green roofs
While climate scientists warn against the possible unintended consequences of global warming solutions like geoengineering, a different kind of unintended consequence of going green is playing out in the city of Chicago. The Chicago Tribune reports that the city’s success in becoming a leader in green roof has set
Jurdy notices the mercury rising …
methane
US researchers say they’ve come closer to finding a way to convert methane gas into a more easily transported liquid fuel. Methane, the primary component of natural gas, is plentiful and more efficient than oil, while producing less pollution. If a low-cost and low-energy way could be found to
deforestation
Researchers have uncovered a serious error in the accounting rules used to calculate the impact of biofuels on greenhouse gas emissions. While “readily fixable,” the error — if left uncorrected — could encourage even more deforestation than is already taking place around the globe. The error affects not only the Kyoto Protocol,
livestock
Our growing global appetite for meat might be having an even worse impact on greenhouse gas emissions that previously thought (pdf), according to a new report from World Watch. The report, “Livestock and Climate Change,” finds that livestock might actually be responsible for 51 per cent of all human-caused greenhouse
sustainable technologies
Sustainable technologies are not only critical to our future, but are making for a better present in the Colombian city of Medellin. For proof, you don’t have to look any further than the transformation of El Morro de Moravia, a rubbish dump neighbourhood once declared a “public disaster,” into
geothermal energy
The hunt is on for the next source of clean and reliable energy: heat from deep below the Earth’s surface. In the UK, officials launched that hunt today with the announcement of a new £6 million Deep Geothermal Challenge Fund. Part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’
