World Futures Fall 2021

It is often implied that the young are more concerned about the environment than older adults, but this study suggests that is not the case. "Older people are just as likely as younger people to recognize the need for action on climate change and to say they're willing to make big sacrifices to protect the environment, suggesting claims of a generational divide over the future of the planet may be exaggerated." The polling included Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, with the results reflecting very similar beliefs about the significance of the issues and the need for action. If politicians knew this, would they behave differently, and take bolder steps to mitigate climate change?

Super interesting, great find!

"Researchers at the UAE University (UAEU) have invented a new desalination system that dramatically reduces energy consumption during the desalination process. By developing the new desalination system, scientists in the university's National Water and Energy Center have made an unprecedented scientific advance that has the potential to revolutionize the water desalination industry." They have been granted a US Patent and could potentially start implementation soon. 2025 (H1).

"Ford intends to build a "megacampus" covering almost 6 square miles. There it will synthesize batteries from raw materials and build electric pickups of all sizes, the company announced. Electrifying Ford's signature truck line would have a large impact on carbon emissions because the vehicles are sales leaders and consume huge volumes of gasoline and diesel. The largest of the series, the F-750, is a commercial hauler that can weigh more than 18 tons." Is it wise to dump $TSLA and grab $F to hold until 2025 (H1)? Time will tell.

"Canadian utility redirects $2.3B away from expensive 730MW coal to natural gas conversion, Investment will now fund 3.5 GW of affordable wind and solar." This is a positive move towards a "collective conscientiousness for social and environmental factors," by using renewable energy with new construction aimed for completion in 2025 (H1).

Article discusses application of nanotechnology by the US military to optimize health and detect disease but outlines some of the legal and ethical questions.

How nanotechnology will allow hyper-sonic weapons and aircraft to fly at speeds where the intense heat generated from the friction melts the toughest steel.

New technology will provide better protection for soldiers in the battle field that is stronger than Kevlar or steel.

Most of what we hear about greenhouse gases is associated with carbon dioxide. This research focused on removal of methane, which would have a higher payback if a deployable solution can be identified. "...removing about three years-worth of human-caused emissions of the potent greenhouse gas would reduce global surface temperatures by approximately 0.21 degrees Celsius while reducing ozone levels enough to prevent roughly 50,000 premature deaths annually." The case for funding this technology is strong - "Removing methane from the atmosphere could reduce temperatures even faster than carbon dioxide removal alone because methane is 81 times more potent in terms of warming the climate over the first 20 years after its release, and about 27 times more potent over a century. Methane removal also improves air quality by decreasing the concentration of tropospheric ozone, exposure to which causes an estimated one million premature deaths annually worldwide due to respiratory illnesses."

Interesting article about the clash (and likely continued clash) amongst unions and port operators/authorities and the increased use of automation resulting in the need for fewer employees at the ports. Mentions concern for the government's stance on the introduction of new technology.

First, the dairy industry as we know it - where cows produce milk - 'will be gone', he says. This is because alternative plant milks, such as almond and soy, will take over. Or, they will be made using precision fermentation, a technology using microbial hosts as cell factories, in order to create an identical protein. One of the leaders in the dairy fermentation industry is Change Foods, a brand aiming to create 'mind-blowing animal-free foods' that are better for the planet. Secondly, Mellon predicts the meat industry will collapse. Half of it will consist of plant-based foods, or foods made using cellular agriculture, he claims. 'We already have the products. All we need is the scale, the money, and the will', he says. The views were shared in a TikTok video on Dubai Future Foundation. But the mogul has also been speaking out with a host of media outlets.

Splashy headlines have long overshadowed inconvenient truths about biology and economics. Now, extensive new research suggests the industry may be on a billion-dollar crash course with reality.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Thursday finalized a rule that will slash the use of a potent climate-warming gas commonly used in refrigerators and air conditioners by 85% over the next 15 years, a move that will help halve greenhouse gas emissions this decade. he EPA and White House also announced on Thursday that the administration will take an interagency approach to prevent the illegal trade, production, use, and sale of HFCs and prepare for enforcement actions to punish violations of the law.

A new set of case studies and best practice examples to help cities reduce emissions has been launched by the World Economic Forum and Accenture.

Outlines progress of the 2011-2020 plan--mostly indicating UN and Aichi Biodiversity Targets have not been met.

Rainforest Alliance is working worldwide with famers not just to reduce impact (sustainability), but to achieve regeneration in areas of biodiversity; waterways; climate-smart agriculture; integrated soil, weed, and pest management; and improved productivity and livelihoods.

Please be sure to select some text that gives us a sense of the "scan hit"

2020 Mobile Money Milestones: >300 Mobile Money providers; 1.2 billion accounts; Africa: 55.2% of all providers; 43% of new accounts (2020) in sub-Saharan Africa

Gates Foundation report on the impact of Mobile Money on Poverty. Good stats and evolution.

This looks like a press release to generate buzz inasmuch as there are not talks in place; however, worth watching. Nexi (NEXII.MI) is interested in working on a digital version of the euro, but there are no formal talks with the European Central Bank (ECB), the Italian payment group's corporate and external affairs director Saverio Tridico said on Friday.