EDITOR'S PICK

The Era Of Cheap Helium Is Over - And That's Already Causing Problems

25 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"The world's supply depends primarily on just three countries - the US, Qatar, and Algeria - and fewer than 15 companies worldwide...The global helium market has experienced four shortages since 2006...MRI manufacturers are making next-generation scanners that require less of it...many of the world's highest-tech industries - including computing and aerospace - will likely need even more helium in the future...there's no good alternative to helium for most applications."

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Why Electric Bikes Actually Give More Exercise Than Pedal Bikes

23 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"On average, studies have found that e-bike riders typically ride for longer periods of time than pedal bike riders. Not only do they log more hours, but they log a lot more miles, too...Researchers have discovered that when riders find it less grueling, they tend to go on longer rides.

"Researchers have consistently found that e-bike riders tend to report that riding an electric bike is more enjoyable... that means more time spent pedaling

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Shift To EVs Could Prevent Millions Of Kid Illnesses By 2050, American Lung Association Report Finds

23 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"A widespread transition to zero-emission vehicles and electricity would dramatically improve the health and well-being of children nationwide...The shift to greener transportation and energy would also prevent 2.79 million pediatric asthma attacks and millions of other respiratory symptoms

"...the nation has recently seen a rise in poor air quality linked to global warming...1 in 4 Americans are already exposed to air quality deemed "unhealthy"...

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Electric Car Or Not? Price Always Makes The Difference

23 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"...the average price of an electric car in the United States is 35% higher than that of a petrol car and 39% higher in Europe. This is not the case in China, where the average price of an electric car is 27% lower than that of a petrol car.

"The big price difference becomes a major problem when the same customer has to choose between electric, petrol or diesel within the same brand..."

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'Every Molecule of Hydrocarbon Will Come Out'

23 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"...the Gulf states have no intention of reducing their production of fossil fuels any time soon. Rather, as capitalist states, their strategic interests lie in the continuation of an oil-fuelled world for as long as possible.

"The Saudi energy minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, put this perspective bluntly in 2021, pledging that ‘every molecule of hydrocarbon will come out...

"By appearing to transform themselves into key actors in the fight against a warming climate, the Gulf states obscure their ongoing centrality to a globalised fossil capitalism."

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Coal's Influence On Energy Generation Is Fading Fast

23 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"Based on plant owners' reports to the Energy Department stats arm, another 43 gigawatts of coal-fired capacity is slated to retire by 2030...[I]n 2018, EIA data suggested that from January 2018 to December 2023 only 37.7GW would retire, compared with the 81.5GW that did retire during that period.

"Coal, once dominant, today provides about 15% of U.S. power."

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Phasing Out From Fossil Fuels: An Imperative For Climate Justice

21 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"Africa has huge renewable energy potential - it has 60% of the world's best solar resources, but the continent receives less than 3% of global energy investment.

"According to the International Energy Agency, there cannot be any new fossil fuel projects if countries are to meet existing climate targets and avoid the worst consequences for frontline communities"

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Brown University Uncovers Tactics Allegedly Used By A Local Citizens Group To Spread Disinformation: A 'Web Of Deceit And Obstruction'

21 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"...Rhode Island-based group Green Oceans has pushed back against offshore wind construction, using arguments that 'repeatedly overemphasize the granular effects of wind turbines while completely obscuring and failing to contextualize the impacts of climate change and continued fossil fuel combustion on human and ecological systems."

"Green Oceans also relied on fake experts and logical fallacies..."

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The Big Miss on Electric Cars Is Remaking Europe's Auto Industry

21 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"Volkswagen, Renault and Stellantis are thinking the unthinkable, exploring tie-ups with sworn competitors to make cheaper electric vehicles and fend off existential threats...As pressure builds on European carmakers to sell more EVs, China's state-supported manufacturers are entering the cooling market with models that are often better and cheaper...Failure for Europe’s carmakers to come up with a working Plan B risks upheaval in an industry that employs some 13 million people and accounts for 7% of the EU economy."

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China And EVs: GM, Ford, And Stellantis Prepare A Defense Plan

21 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

US manufacturers are scrambling to keep up with the radically lower cost of the Chinese cars, even taking into account the steep import tariffs that they face...BYD got to top spot because they have a completely different strategy to most US and European manufacturers.

"Ford and GM have both made decisions to simplify offerings, cut costs, and lower prices. There are lots of reasons to believe that these firms will outlive Chinese competitors."

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Hydrogen Mining: The New Energy Transition Challenge

21 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"French researchers reported the largest flow of natural hydrogen in a mine in Albania."

"Most hydrogen is likely inaccessible, but a few per cent recovery would still supply all projected demand - 500mn tonnes a year - for hundreds of years...The deposit they discovered leaked hydrogen at a rate of 11 tons per year..this is a tiny amount compared to what transition planners envisage and even compared to what the world consumes in terms of hydrogen currently."

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Is Saudi Arabia Taking Over Electric Motorsports?

20 Feb 2024 | Synopsis

"In January, Saudi Arabia PIF sovereign wealth fund...announced a three-way partnership with the leading electric motorsports series, Formula E, Extreme and E1 powerboat racing.

"People have asked if it's a paradox that a country of oil is sponsoring electric. But it's exactly what they're looking for because they want to diversify...We are doing exactly the opposite of greenwashing..We are advancing the innovation of transportation that makes a real difference."

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