|
|
|
|
|
|
|
“Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.”
– Jimmy Carter
|
|
|
In today's issue, we'll take a look at:
|
|
Did You Know?
Some new refrigerators are so energy efficient they use less electricity than a ________.
Scroll to the bottom for the answer.
|
|
Transparent Solar Panels Could Revolutionize Solar Energy
Picture this: a world where the windows of your home, office, or even the skyscrapers in big cities do more than just offer a view. They generate clean, renewable energy, silently powering our lives and reducing our carbon footprint. This is exactly what will soon be possible thanks to the groundbreaking invention of transparent solar glass window panels!
Developed by the brilliant minds at Michigan State University (MSU), this innovative technology is turning ordinary windows into powerful sources of solar energy. These aren't your typical solar panels. They're transparent, blending seamlessly with any glass surface while capturing ultraviolet and infrared light and converting it into electricity.
These panels would turn skyscrapers, and any window-clad buildings, into vertical solar farms! With glass surfaces ripe for transformation, buildings could soon meet a significant portion of their energy needs from the sun. Companies like Ubiquitous Energy are on the brink of mass-producing these transparent wonders, bringing us closer to a future where our cityscapes double as energy generators.
As we march towards ambitious climate goals, these solar panels offer a glimpse into a sustainable future where cutting our reliance on fossil fuels and becoming a net-zero world is a real possibility!
|
|
How An Activist Used Social Media to Start an Anti-Litter Revolution
It’s easy to get lost in social media, doom-scrolling and, quite frankly, wasting time. We're all guilty of it! But it gives us hope when people use it for a greater good like crowdfunding, educating, and spreading awareness on important subjects! That’s exactly what Sharona Shnayder is doing one social media post at a time.
The Nigerian environmental activist co-founded Tuesdays for Trash, a global movement that's all about making small, individual efforts count towards a cleaner planet. In the US alone, we're dealing with nearly 50 billion pieces of litter tarnishing our beautiful landscapes. So Sharona's genius idea was to harness the power of social media to connect, inspire, and mobilize eco-minded individuals globally.
Imagine this: Every Tuesday, folks around the world are grabbing bags, hitting their local streets, parks, or beaches, and picking up trash. Then, they’re sharing their eco-victories online with the hashtag #TuesdaysForTrash.
With chapters of the movement now in 31 countries and a staggering 23,000 pounds of trash collected in just two years, it's proof that we can tackle the waste problem, one post at a time. It's all about reshaping our collective mindset and showing that respecting our planet is the ultimate act of community service. Cheers to Sharona for her bright idea and to all those taking action to create a cleaner world!
|
|
Enzyme-Infused Plastics: Recycling's Promising Frontier
Recycling plastic has long been hailed as a solution to mitigate environmental damage caused by plastic waste. However, the reality is far from simple.
One of the primary difficulties in recycling plastic lies in the sheer diversity of plastic types. Plastics come in various forms, each with distinct chemical compositions and properties, making sorting and processing a daunting task. Contamination further complicates matters, as even a small percentage of non-recyclable or improperly sorted plastics can compromise entire batches.
Enter enzyme-infused plastics, a promising innovation in the realm of plastic recycling. These plastics are embedded with enzymes capable of breaking down specific types of plastics, facilitating easier recycling processes.
While enzyme-infused plastics hold immense potential, they also pose challenges. Ensuring the stability and effectiveness of enzymes in diverse environments, such as those found in recycling facilities or natural ecosystems, remains a hurdle. Additionally, scaling up production and integrating enzyme-infused plastics into existing recycling infrastructure requires substantial investment and coordination.
Some of these enzymes are instead designed for landfill disposal, bypassing the recycling infrastructure entirely. While untreated plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill, enzyme-infused plastics reduce that time to a handful of years.
In sum, the development of enzyme-infused plastics offers a glimpse of a more sustainable future. With continued research and innovation, overcoming the challenges of recycling and leveraging other waste disposal infrastructure can pave the way for more effective plastic waste disposal, reducing the burden of plastic pollution on our planet.
|
|
These Coffee Pods Utilize Enzyme-Infused Plastic For Good
What if tossing used coffee pods into the trash was better for the environment than trying to recycle them?
With Bruvi, now it is.
Bruvi has created Guilt Free Toss® B-Pods® for their breakthrough single-serve coffee system.
B-Pods® can simply be tossed in the trash after use. They use food-safe, enzyme-infused plastic, the latest in plastic waste technology, made for landfill disposal.
Guilt Free Toss® B-Pods are uniquely designed to break down much more rapidly and substantially than untreated plastics through an organic process that leaves no microplastics behind.
Since only about 9% of plastic is effectively recycled - less for coffee pods - it's a smart and practical solution. So enjoy remarkably tastier coffee with single-serve convenience, without guilt.
For a limited time, get a Bruvi brewer for only $148 with the purchase of 3 boxes of B-Pods. Check it out at bruvi.com.
|
|
|
Thanks to Bruvi for sponsoring The Canopy.
|
|
Agricultural Land and Renewable Energy Can Happily Coexist
Did you know that the fields of green can go green and still bloom with life under the embrace of solar panels? Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory have unveiled a radiant solution that marries agricultural land with renewable energy, showcasing that solar panels and nature can thrive together!
In the heart of southern Minnesota, a fascinating transformation unfolded over five years on lands once dedicated solely to agriculture. By introducing a rich tapestry of native wildflowers and grasses beneath solar arrays, scientists witnessed a delightful bloom in biodiversity. From spring to late summer, these lands now play host to an array of flowering plants, inviting an assortment of native pollinators to feast upon them. The result? An incredible tripling of insect population and a buzzing increase in native bees!
This marriage of technology and nature, known as Agrivoltaics, is not just a backdrop for biodiversity. It's a solution that addresses multiple challenges. By allowing dual use of the land, Agrivoltaics ensures that our pursuit of clean energy does not come at the expense of vital agricultural space. Solar panels provide shade, reducing water evaporation and creating a gentler microclimate for crops. Meanwhile, these eco-friendly solar sites can also mitigate land-use conflicts, offering a blueprint for integrating renewable energy with farming in a way that benefits everyone—farmers, communities, and our buzzing little friends.
We love to see this brilliant win-win scenario, where agriculture and renewable energy can both thrive!
|
|
Reflections:
- Did You Know: A light bulb!
- Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. With its vibrant orange, red, and golden hues, it's like nothing like we've ever seen before. We're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured in next Wednesday's newsletter!
- Tips To Consume Mindfully: If you're looking to practice more mindful consumption, here are a few places to start...
|
|
Share the love
Know a fellow earth lover who would benefit from joining The Canopy Community? Forward this email or refer them at thecanopy.eco!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
