Michele, it gives much hope that scientists are studying how to use methane-eating bacteria, called methanotrophs, to eat up methane before it escapes to the atmosphere.
Methane is the scariest greenhouse gas because (1) it is 20 times more warming than carbon once it reaches our atmosphere. Also (2) a large quantity of methane has been stored beneath the Arctic Ocean ice cap and in the Arctic Circle tundra permafrost. Once the Arctic ice cap and the permafrost melt, tons of methane could be released into the atmosphere where it could cause sudden and catastrophic global warming.
So it's comforting to know that scientists are trying to find ways to understand this mysterious bacteria and possibly convert it to a chemical that could eat methane in the places we need. I wonder if they are getting the funding they need for these projects. I'd feel better about Bill Gates if he'd put his money towards these projects and forget about the aerosols.
https://www.nature.com/articles/ncomms11728
I'm not a scientist, so please correct me if I've stated this incorrectly.
Excrement stains in satellite images in Antarctica were how researchers discovered a penguin colony that had been living there for some 2,800 years. You can read about this incredible discovery here:
https://www.livescience.com/64282-hidden-adelie-penguin-supercolony.html
Some good news from the field of cancer research: Scientists develop 10-minute universal cancer test.
According to the Good News Network, a paper published in Atmospheric Environment researchers looked at how people could reduce air pollution from roads by planting trees and hedges.
Well, here's to re-thinking the definition of science and technology.
I wonder if this is a piece of our "future" puzzle. As much as we will develop some wonderful technology tools to help manage our lands and our lives, I think we will also dig deep into our past to find forgotten solutions to problems we currently face. An earth friendly way to problem solve.
- A California town threatened by the sort of wildfires that recently wiped out a neighbouring community is appealing for an unusual type of help: a crack team of goats.
Nevada City has launched a crowdfunding drive, dubbed “goat fund me”, to recruit a herd to munch through acres of wildfire-prone vegetation at the fringe of town.
Lovendures, I saw the same story about goat grazing and was pleased. Yes, I do think old methods and indigenous knowledge will play major roles in reversing environmental and cultural decay. Personally, I've never found much inspiration in the shiny techno-utopias envisioned by the wizards of Silicon Valley. Instead, I like to imagine that the coming decades will see a renaissance of "marginal knowledge" that has been hiding in plain sight.
For example, the adobe construction methods of Southwestern Indians is an effective, low-energy model for dwellings that will passively stay cool in the summer and retain heat in the winter. It also turns out that the leaves of the kratom plant (Mitragyna speciosa) can be used as a non-opioid treatment for fentanyl and heroin addiction. As disclosures like these gain traction among problem solvers, maybe we'll see a synthesis of old and new technology that gives rise to innovations beyond our current imaginings. One can hope...
Looks like the future has arrived, at least in Scottsdale.
Autonomous robotic vehicles have begun delivering groceries for Fry's Food Stores in Scottsdale, AZ. There is no driver in the vehicle, a first apparently, however a car with a human is driving behind during the test run. This is unlike other autonomous cars which do have a driver inside. The vehicle can travel up to 25 miles an hour and travels on side streets. They are actually kinda cute. I can see a good use for these, especially if you are sick or unable to drive. The cost for delivery currently is $5.95.
What will the future of housing look like? Perhaps housing after disasters? Perhaps this. Homes that build themselves in as little as 10 minutes.
https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p06ywmw9/the-amazing-homes-that-build-themselves
Love this. Love thinking about homes that can handle the changes ahead.
Fascinating concept of house design and of levers from an industrial designing standpoint!
But I don't see or hear any mention of foundations, insulation, earthquake, tornado, high winds, flooding etc. resistance.
Lots of thoughts but fun to see, Lovendures!
Will be interesting to see if its more than winning art designs approach or truly environmentally livable, sustainable, ecofriendly or practical.
Some of those industrial art design people come up with some really amazing concepts that only end up in design venues, modern art shows, and promotional tours, but again I once scoffed at the concept of self-driving cars ?