Tag Archives: Earth

By harnessing the power of nature, engineers are looking to tap into vortex wind as a source of abundant energy When it comes to alternative energies, wind and solar power are currently attracting about 95% of all investments worldwide, according to a recent report from IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency). Both are considered excellent alternative energy sources: clean, renewable, and produce minimal …

By Joel Jaeger, Katrina McLaughlin, Lori Bird and Karl Hausker   Building a clean, reliable, cost-effective power grid will require many different types of energy. The bulk will come from solar and wind; but since these aren’t available 24/7, 365 days a year, they must be paired with a smaller amount of clean, “firm” power that’s always available when needed. Geothermal energy, nuclear energy and …

Hydroelectric energy is the “backbone of clean power,” but an urgent need to improve efficiencies is driving engineers to explore a whirlwind of options Among alternative energy solutions, wind, solar, and hydrogen capture the majority of attention. Yet the combined output from these sources pales in comparison to that of hydroelectric power. Producing more than 4,300 TWh worldwide, hydroelectricity produces …

Current methods used to process hydrogen into a usable fuel are cost-prohibitive, but several new innovations are promising to open the door to cost-competitive green hydrogen. Hydrogen is well positioned to be the fuel of the future. However, a commercially viable transition to green hydrogen – the environmentally friendly version of the fuel – seems perpetually 10-15 years away. While …

The world has changed drastically since Covid-19 was first detected. And as the global pandemic looks to reach endemic status, humanity must make some tough choices, while acknowledging how modern life has impacted the natural world.   The connection between the natural world and human activities has become more apparent than ever. A 2020 World Economic Forum study concluded that human …

___________________________________________________________________________ Society’s understanding and value of global environmental sustainability has increased over the past few years. The United Nations evaluated the demand for emission-reduction efforts, establishing the Paris Agreement. Its goal is to reduce greenhouse gases. Individuals can support the sustainability goal by installing solar rooftops on their properties. You may increase the efficiency of your investment by first calculating …

In 2015, the United Nations (UN) created the Paris Agreement, improving global environmental sustainability. It calls on various countries, holding them accountable for their greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental engineers and scientists responded to the agreement by developing green technology. Renewable energy systems can effectively reduce society’s reliance on emission-producing power systems. While the media highlights solar and wind power, other …

As the entire world continues to feel the negative effects of climate change, in the form of increased inclement weather events and rising global temperatures, it’s impossible to ignore the myriad ways in which humans are fueling these changes. In fact, research indicates that fossil fuel emissions are the primary cause of climate change, a phenomenon that can be directly …

The Oxford Net Zero initiative launched today [16 Nov] draws on the university’s world-leading expertise in climate science and policy, addressing the critical issue of how to reach global ‘net zero’ – limiting greenhouse gases – in time to halt global warming. Leading academics from across the university’s disciplines, including Geography, Physics, Economics, Biology, Law and Earth Sciences, will come together to …

The number of environmental challenges facing the planet is daunting at times: climate change, ocean acidification, plastic pollution, and food wastage — just to name a few. While many nonprofits and eco-conscious groups continue to make a concerted effort to reverse or minimize the challenges our planet faces, many young adults are wondering how they can help too.    Wanting …

Environmental awareness and corporate social responsibility have been focal points in the business world for years now. Companies great and small have striven to make a difference by incorporating concepts such as making a “profit with a purpose” as they attempt to marry their normal, profit-driven activities with the long-term-oriented goal of creating a sustainable business model. While businesses are …

The rise of green energy inventions like solar thermal, wind turbine, and biobattery are shaping the way we think and live in a carbon-dependent industry. Furthermore, the cheap and clean energy generators enabled a paradigm shift towards adopting modern structural designs in energy independence.  These green alternative energy inventions have gained global fascination. For instance, Toyota plans on continuing the …

We’ve all heard the stories. The global temperature is rising. The polar ice caps are melting. Storms are worsening. And we’ve seen the casualties. Fourteen lives lost in Tennessee. Nearly 90 dead in California. More than 1 billion animals taken in Australia. All the victims of voracious wildfires fed by an increasingly parched earth. It seems that no one and …

In both the real world and in popular culture, renewable energy gets a lot of press. From solar energy to hydropower and beyond, so-called “alternative” energy sources are increasingly seen as a viable solution towards combating the negative effects of climate change.  A prime cultural example of renewable energy in the spotlight was seen on 1998’s “That ‘70s Show.” During …

Today, the US Department of Energy (DOE) released two rules that continue the administration’s assault on common sense light bulb energy efficiency standards. The standards, scheduled to take effect in January 2020, would require most everyday light bulbs to achieve LED levels of energy efficiency, would save consumers billions of dollars, and would avoid millions of tons of carbon dioxide …

Practicing mindfulness can completely transform your life. As a lifestyle, mindfulness has been around for many, many years, with the first sages of yoga promoting this approach to life. This age-old practice has been shown to do wonders on an individual level, but today, we can take things one step further and use mindfulness to improve our planet’s sustainability.  The …

Agricultural systems are requiring an increasing amount of energy to cope with the current and projected growth in demand. Unfortunately, increased use of nonrenewable energy has a detrimental impact on our environment. In today’s world, where the effects of climate change are very real and fast approaching, it is crucial to use sustainable processes for agriculture. Renewable energy can contribute …

With the environment getting stripped of its resources every day — coal, oil, and other minerals — it’s important for car buyers to understand just how dangerous emissions are and how they contribute to our declining atmosphere. This could be one reason why auto manufacturing companies are moving toward eco-friendly vehicles. For starters, vehicles that are considered “eco-friendly” are able …

“The evidence of human-caused climate change is overwhelming and continues to strengthen, that the impacts of climate change are intensifying across the country, and that climate-related threats to Americans’ physical, social, and economic well-being are rising.”- 4th National Climate Assessment, 2018 Current Climate Change Assessment & Trends Two important Federal government announcements have energy enthusiasts moving quickly toward a global …

Today’s consumers tend to have the environment at the forefront of their mind when making purchases. While many are willing to pay a bit more to have less impact on Mother Earth., as this trend continues, more and more environmentally friendly options are hitting the market — and some of them can even save you money. Notably, LED lights might …