China is investing in numerous water infrastructure projects to ensure future grain production. The country is hoping to prevent future shortages and to replace agricultural acreage that has been lost to urban encroachment.
Technology for a greener future
Archive for December, 2010
Streams and rivers release more nitrous oxide than thought
Scientists have found that globally, rivers and streams produce three times the amount of the greenhouse gas (GHG) nitrous oxide (N2O) than estimated by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Nitrous Oxide has 300 times the “global warming potential” of carbon dioxide (CO2).
Honda starts testing EVs and infrastructure in California and Japan
Honda has decided to test everything necessary for our electric transportation future in Torrence, California and Saitama Prefecture on the Japanese island of Honshū. Honda will be testing not only electric cars but plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric scooters, electric carts and solar power stations.
Wind turbines may be good for crops
A University of Colorado at Boulder study has shown that wind turbines produce positive effects on the microclimate near crops. Those positive effects seem to be reduced fungal growth on corn and soybeans and increased carbon dioxide absorption.
Tobacco is a surprising new source of renewable energy and efficient batteries
Tobacco farmers rejoice! A new use has been found for tobacco and it doesn’t require a warning label. Scientists have found that a tobacco virus can be used to make “tiny components” for future batteries. Tobacco has also been found to be a good source of enzymes, sugar and oil for biofuel production.
UAVs are aiding the study of Arctic ice and seals
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are helping researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder study the changes in Arctic ice and weather. These unmanned planes are also helping with the study of Arctic wildlife like seals and polar bears.
Silvrlining GO solar clothes are urban, chic and expensive
Silvrlining (yes, that is the correct spelling) has several lines of clothing but the GO Collection has the added benefit of harvesting solar energy for your small electronics. The material is an ecologically produced vegan Ultrasuede. The company offers a choice of Stone Gray “cell” print or Olive Green “cell” print.
Our increasing use of biomass could mean trouble for our planet
According to research released by NASA, humans are using more and more plant life for “food, fiber, building and packaging materials and biofuels.” That increase is happening not just overall as the world population increases but also per person.
Scientists at the U of Warwick develop a better way to recycle all plastic
Scientists at the University of Warwick have developed a technique that will recycle all plastics including polystyrene. In many municipalities people sort their garbage into recyclable and non recyclable types of plastic. Once Warwick’s new method becomes implemented world wide, that sorting can cease.
SARTRE road trains reach the implementation phase
The SARTRE (safe road trains for the environment) is a three year project funded by the European Commission. The idea is that a lead vehicle would work much like a train engine. Individual passenger cars would join a train during the commute to and from work and exit the train at the right place to make it into work. The lead car would take over the driving of the following cars, freeing up the drivers to engage in other pursuits like reading reports, working on their laptops or talking/texting on their cell phones.