Sustainability
Lüften sounds simple – but ‘house-burping’ is more complicated in Pittsburgh
Lüften sounds simple – but ‘house-burping’ is more complicated in Pittsburgh “Lüften” is a German practice of opening windows and doors to rapidly fill a house with outdoor air, typically at least twice daily, to improve indoor air quality and control humidity. The practice is not unique to Germany, but it’s uncommon in the US, […]
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Infusing asphalt with plastic could help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat
Infusing asphalt with plastic could help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat Infusing asphalt with plastic can help roads last longer and resist cracking under heat, making them more durable and reducing the need for frequent repairs. The technology involves mixing small amounts of recycled plastic with asphalt to create a stronger road […]
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The world is in water bankruptcy, UN scientists report – here’s what that means
The world is in water bankruptcy, UN scientists report – here’s what that means The world has entered an era of “water bankruptcy,” where many regions are no longer able to recover from frequent water shortages due to climate change and unsustainable water use. About 4 billion people, nearly half the global population, live with […]
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America’s next big critical minerals source could be coal mine pollution – if we can agree on who owns it
America’s next big critical minerals source could be coal mine pollution – if we can agree on who owns it Acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines in Appalachia contains valuable rare earth elements that could be a domestic source for these critical minerals, but ownership and environmental regulations are unclear. The U.S. relies on […]
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Inflatable robot arm picks apples
Inflatable robot arm picks apples A low-cost, simple robotic apple picker arm has been developed by researchers at Washington State University, which can pick apples in about 25 seconds. The inflatable arm weighs less than 50 pounds and is made of a soft fabric filled with air that is similar to, but stronger than, the […]
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How mountain terraces have helped Indigenous peoples live with climate uncertainty
How mountain terraces have helped Indigenous peoples live with climate uncertainty Indigenous communities have developed mountain terraces to adapt to climate uncertainty for centuries, using their knowledge of weather patterns, water cycles, and soil conditions to create systems that slow runoff and retain moisture. The Ifugao rice terraces in the Philippines and Moroccan terraces in […]
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Global power struggles over the ocean’s finite resources call for creative diplomacy
Global power struggles over the ocean’s finite resources call for creative diplomacy The world’s oceans are becoming increasingly important for global power struggles, with issues like Arctic shipping, seafloor mining, and overfishing driving tensions between countries. Arctic shipping poses complex challenges due to declining sea ice, overlapping claims, and competing strategic aims among nations, making […]
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Colorado ranchers and consumers can team up to make beef supply chains more sustainable
Colorado ranchers and consumers can team up to make beef supply chains more sustainable Beef production can be part of a circular economy by reducing waste, conserving resources, and promoting sustainable practices. Cow burps are a significant source of methane emissions in beef production, but researchers are exploring technologies to mitigate this impact, such as […]
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Climate engineering would alter the oceans, reshaping marine life – new study examines each method’s risks
Climate engineering would alter the oceans, reshaping marine life – new study examines each method’s risks Climate engineering methods aim to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or counter its effects, but these interventions come with risks, especially for the ocean and global food security. There are two broad categories of climate interventions: carbon dioxide […]
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The battle over a global energy transition is on between petro-states and electro-states – here’s what to watch for in 2026
The battle over a global energy transition is on between petro-states and electro-states – here’s what to watch for in 2026 The global energy transition is underway, with countries aiming to “transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems in a just, orderly and equitable manner” by 2030. Despite progress in renewable energy growth (90% […]
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