Lifeboat Foundation: Safeguarding Humanity
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Category: sustainability – Page 70

WASHINGTON — The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has announced that the agency is seeking assistance from industry as it begins a study into its Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (GLIMR) Access to Space (ATS) approach.

The GLIMR mission aims to provide transformative rapid observations of dynamic coastal zone ecosystems throughout the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) and coastal continental U.S. (CONUS). Its goal is to observe and monitor ocean biology, chemistry, and ecology to help protect ecosystem sustainability, improve resource management, and enhance economic activity. This includes identifying and tracking harmful algal blooms and oil spills, while also observing, quantifying, and understanding processes associated with rapid changes in phytoplankton growth.

The GLIMR ATS scope is expected to include several key components and activities: the spacecraft itself, the launch vehicle, the integration and testing of the GLIMR payload with the spacecraft, and the integration of the spacecraft with the launch vehicle and subsequent launch. It will also cover the command uplink from the industry-provided Mission Operations Center (MOC), the downlink of GLIMR engineering and science telemetry to industry-allocated ground stations, and the delivery of error-checked GLIMR data to various mission partners. Additionally, it encompasses all related tasks and support required during the planned GLIMR Mission, such as pre-launch planning, launch support, in-orbit check-out, and operations.

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To define areas that must be protected to prevent the most likely and imminent extinctions, we propose Conservation Imperatives—16,825 unprotected sites spanning ~164 Mha of the terrestrial realm that harbor rare and threatened species. We estimate that protecting the Conservation Imperatives would cost approximately US$169 billion (90% probability: US$146—US$228 billion). Globally, 38% of the 16,825 sites are either adjacent to or within 2.5 km of an existing protected area, potentially reducing land acquisition and management costs. These sites should be prioritized for conservation action over the next 5 years as part of a broader strategy to expand the global protected area network.

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Recent reports have noted that Tesla Germany has received permission to expand Giga Berlin from the Brandenburg State Office for the Environment, as per the Ministry of the Environment. With the approval in place, Tesla could start construction work ahead of schedule.

The Ministry of the Environment noted that the early start of construction involves the buildout of an asphalted logistics area for new vehicles, the construction of underground lines and staircases at the press shop, and the installation of rooftop solar panels. As per German publication Stern, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has expressed his support for the Tesla Model Y factory’s expansion.

The approval for Giga Berlin’s expansion is expected to pave the way for the facility to increase its vehicle production output. It should be noted, however, that the approval that Tesla Germany was able to secure was only for expansion of the existing Giga Berlin facility. Further forest clearing activities, which are required for Tesla’s plan to build a railway station in the complex, still require permissions.

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New research has unraveled the complex dynamics of the planetary boundary layer, enhancing satellite detection of atmospheric pollutants and aiding environmental management and climate modeling efforts.

A new study has provided groundbreaking insights into Earth’s planetary boundary layer (PBL), a crucial area that affects air quality and climate. By analyzing satellite data, researchers have explored how the temperature gradient from the surface to the atmosphere impacts the identification of atmospheric pollutants, offering a deeper understanding of atmospheric thermal contrasts (TC).

The endeavor to keep tabs on and curb air pollution has been stymied by the enigmatic nature of the planetary boundary layer (PBL). This atmospheric strip, in constant caresses with the Earth’s surface, is a hotbed for pollutants. Yet, its mercurial dance through time and across geographies presents a formidable scientific puzzle. Given these hurdles, an in-depth dissection of the thermal contrast (TC) that delineates this layer is imperative.

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In the past decade, metal-halide perovskites have rapidly progressed as a semiconductor, surpassing silicon in their ability to convert light into electric current since their initial discovery.

Simulations on TACC’s Frontera and Lonestar6 supercomputers have revealed surprising vortex structures in quasiparticles of electrons and atoms, called polarons, which contribute to generating electricity from sunlight.

This new discovery can help scientists develop new solar cells and LED lighting. This type of lighting is hailed as an eco-friendly, sustainable technology that can reshape the future of illumination.

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One of the most common problems is spills of the salty brine that’s a toxic byproduct of pumping oil. Another is over-or under-pumping that can lead to machine failure and methane leaks. (The oil and gas industry is the largest industrial emitter of methane in the U.S.) Then there are extreme weather events, which range from winter frosts to blazing heat, that can put equipment out of commission for months. One of the wildest problems Sebastien Mannai SM ’14, PhD ’18 has encountered are hogs that pop open oil tanks with their snouts to enjoy on-demand oil baths.

Mannai helps oil field owners detect and respond to these problems while optimizing the operation of their machinery to prevent the issues from occurring in the first place. He is the founder and CEO of Amplified Industries, a company selling oil field monitoring and control tools that help make the industry more efficient and sustainable.

Amplified Industries’ sensors and analytics give oil well operators real-time alerts when things go wrong, allowing them to respond to issues before they become disasters.

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The Tesla Model Y has topped Sweden’s automotive registrations regardless of powertrain type in the first half of 2024, as shown in new data.

The Model Y was the most-registered vehicle in Sweden in the first six months of this year, according to data from Mobility Sweden reported by Carup on Monday. The Model Y topped the charts overall with 7,386 units registered, despite a 20 percent decline in overall EV sales. The Model 3 landed 14th overall in the six-month period, while electric options from Volvo, Toyota, Polestar, and Volkswagen were also some of the most registered.

“It is gratifying that the proportion of electric cars reached the best for the year in June, but at the same time we see a stagnant market, which leads to a gradually aging vehicle fleet,” said Mattias Bergman, CEO of Mobility Sweden. “In order to meet the climate goals and strengthen Sweden’s competitiveness, it is crucial that electrification is accelerated.”

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RPTU University of Kaiserslautern-Landau has shown for the first time, in a joint study with BOKU University, that permaculture brings about a significant improvement in biodiversity, soil quality and carbon storage.

In view of the challenges of climate change and species extinction, this type of proved to be a real alternative to conventional cultivation—and reconcile and .

Permaculture uses natural cycles and ecosystems as blueprint. Food is produced in an agricultural ecosystem that is as self-regulating, natural and diverse as possible. For example, is integrated into the cultivation of crops or the diversity of beneficial organisms is promoted in order to avoid the use of mineral fertilizers or pesticides.

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Tesla Energy is no longer a sleeping giant. During the second quarter of 2024, Tesla Energy was able to deploy 9.4 GWh of energy storage products. This represents the highest quarter deployment of energy storage products in Tesla’s history to date.

Tesla Energy was already a standout in the company’s Q1 2024 Update Letter. In the document, Tesla highlighted that Q1’s energy deployments were a new record at 4.1 GWh. As could be seen in Tesla’s Q2 2024 production and delivery report, Q1’s already impressive 4.1 GWh of energy storage deployments grew an astounding 132% quarter-over-quarter and 157% year-over-year.

$TSLA BREAKING: Tesla distributed 9.4 GWh of energy storage in the second quarter of 2024.

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Scientists have found three new species that are close relatives to the plant from which chocolate is produced—a discovery that could pave the way for climate-proof chocolate. The team’s research has been published in the journal Kew Bulletin.

The , discovered in the rain forests of South America, are closely related to Theobroma cacao, the tree that bears which are of tremendous economic importance.

The research team comprising scientists from University College Cork (UCC), the University of São Paulo and New York Botanical Garden say their finding is significant as it indicates that there is much work still to be done in characterizing Earth’s biodiversity.

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