Wild lands encroachment causing disease, biodiversity loss
“Scientists have found that over the next 50 years, people will push further into wildlife habitats across more than half the land on Earth, threatening biodiversity and increasing the chance of future pandemics. Humans have already transformed or occupied between 70% and 75% of the world’s land.

“Said Neil Carter, the principal investigator of the study, ‘People are increasing their pressures and negative impacts on … species, which is something that we’ve seen already for many years. It is part of the cause of the biodiversity-loss crisis that we’re in’. Biodiversity loss is the leading driver of infectious disease outbreaks. About 75% of emerging diseases in humans are zoonotic, meaning they can be passed from animals to humans. Many diseases — including Covid-19, mpox, avian flu, and swine flu — likely originated in wildlife.” More at – Humans to push further into wildlife habitats across more than 50% of land by 2070 | The Guardian UK.

Kite powered cargo ships
“A typical cargo ship is massive — the largest is more than 1,300 feet long. But a startup called CargoKite is developing ‘micro ships’ that could be nearly 10 times shorter. The design has another key difference. Instead of running on diesel fuel, it uses wind power. ‘Flying’ nearly 1,000 feet above the ship, a large kite pulls the vessel through the water.

“Right now, fuel is the biggest operating expense for shipping companies. CargoKite expects to reduce costs, and having a smaller cargo ship can make deliveries faster and be more flexible. The basic approach is similar to a kite used in kitesurfing, but at a larger scale. The kite taps into high-altitude winds that are steadier and stronger than the wind near the surface. Hydrofoils underneath it that help lift up the hull, like a racing boat, to reduce drag.” More at – These kite-powered boats are bringing wind power back to shipping | Fast Company.

The promise of solid state batteries
“Solid-state batteries which pack more energy into each unit of volume than current batteries, and will stretch the range of electric vehicles, are getting close. Samsung SDI said in March that it will produce solid-state batteries for use in high-end vehicles by 2027. The vehicles would be able to travel more than 600 miles before needing to be recharged.

“Most EV batteries on the market today have a liquid or gel electrolyte, the material through which lithium ions flow as the battery charges and discharges. In a solid-state battery, the electrolyte is a solid, usually ceramic or polymer. The design allows for much higher energy density, faster charging times, and a reduction of fire risk. Nio, a China-based automaker, has a semi-solid-state battery that offers more than 600 miles of range and is now available in the ET7 luxury sedan. CATL, the Chinese company that leads the world in battery production, has also been developing solid-state batteries.” More at – Want an EV With 600 Miles of Range? It’s Coming | Inside Climate News, and PowerCo Tests QuantumScape’s New Solid State Battery For EVs | Clean Technica.

Water is life — or death
“Violent conflicts over water increased sharply in 2023, with nearly 350 water-related conflicts globally, a record high. In 2022, there were 231 recorded conflicts over water, compared to the 347 recorded for 2023. In 2000, there were just 22 water-related conflicts worldwide, Pacific Institute reported. The significant upswing in violence over water reflects growing pressures on water due to population growth, extreme climate change, and ongoing attacks on water systems from war. In around 11% of conflicts, water was used as a weapon of war. Some of these instances include an attack by Russia on Odessa, and a forced shutdown of the last desalination plant in Gaza.” More at – Global Water-Related Conflicts Reached a Record High in 2023, Report Finds | EcoWatch.

Unrelenting flooding in low-lying Bangladesh
“About five million people in Bangladesh were stranded by floods in low-lying areas, as strong currents washed away river embankments. ‘These are the worst floods we have seen in three decades’, Liakath Ali, director of climate change at non-governmental organization BRAC, said. ‘There are people stranded across the country, and we are expecting the situation to worsen in many places as rains continue. Entire villages, all of the families who lived in them, and everything they owned — homes, livestock, farmlands, fisheries — have been washed away’.

“Bangladesh is a land of great rivers, like the Padma, Arial Khan, and Meghna, and that is why the country is ravaged each year by floods. The catchment areas of Gumti River that flows through India and Bangladesh have witnessed the heaviest rains of this year over the last few days’, India’s foreign ministry said.” More at – Bangladesh’s Worst Floods Leave 5 Million Stranded Amid Political Turmoil | NDTV, and 3 Million Stranded as Parts of Bangladesh See Worst Flooding in Nearly 40 Years | EcoWatch.

Uranium’s deadly legacy still haunting Navajo Nation
“Last year, on a remote stretch of northern Arizona forest, President Biden designated the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni — Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument. The monument designation permanently banned new uranium mining claims on nearly a million acres adjacent to Grand Canyon National Park. But one previously established mine that has been on hold for decades and is located within the national monument can legally still operate because of preexisting rights. And it started producing uranium ore earlier this year.

“Now that the mine is producing ore, Native American tribes, local officials and Arizona’s attorney general are questioning its safety. More than 500 abandoned uranium mines on and near the Navajo Nation left over from the Cold War era are blamed for deaths, cancers and other grave health problems in many of the region’s Indigenous communities. Energy Fuels maintains that Pinyon Plain, Arizona’s only currently operational uranium mine, is a key part of the global transition away from fossil fuels. In late July Energy Fuels sent its first truckloads of ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine to its White Mesa Mill in southern Utah for processing. The route crosses a large part the Navajo Nation. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren has vowed to stop any future shipments.” More at – Navajo, Arizona attorney general question safety of newly reopened uranium mine | KSUT Public Radio.

Indigenous Gitanyow opposing fracked gas pipeline
“On Thursday, on a remote forest service road in northwest B.C., Gitanyow Simgiget (Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs) burned a benefits agreement they signed with TC Energy 10 years ago in support of the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) pipeline. Supported by dozens of youth from surrounding communities, the chiefs closed their territories to all traffic related to the new pipeline and set up a blockade. Construction of the 800-kilometre pipeline — which will ship mainly fracked gas from B.C.’s northeast to liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities on B.C.’s coast — is set to begin this weekend.

“If completed, the new pipeline would cross more than 1,000 waterways, including major salmon-bearing rivers and tributaries. When the pipeline was first proposed in the early 2010s, some Gitxsan and Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs signed contracts with TC Energy and the provincial government, outlining their support for the project and related infrastructure. The contracts detailed how the company would compensate the nations financially. But youth say things have changed over the past decade — and that they didn’t have a say in the decision.

“At an August 19 youth-led community meeting on Gitxsan lax’yip (territory,) attended by dozens of young people, many spoke in opposition to the pipeline. Drew Harris, an event organizer, said the prospect of another pipeline and increased fossil fuel expansion is frightening in the face of climate change. Since signing the agreement, the Gitanyow have implemented extensive fish and wildlife programs, gathering vital data about habitat and impacts, including how climate change is affecting their lands and waters. Naxginkw Tara Marsden said this makes all the difference.” More at – Indigenous leaders burn PRGT pipeline agreement, blockade B.C. road | The Narwhal.

Golf course repurposed as solar project
“On August 22, 2024, Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy (TPE) celebrated the completion of their collaboration on a new 9.4 megawatt (MW) solar project in Warren, Rhode Island. The solar project, which includes two co-located solar arrays, represents a unique repurposing of acreage that was previously developed as a golf course.

“Located in the Rhode Island Energy service territory, the solar project provides energy savings to 15 area non-profit organizations, schools, cities, and towns that have signed an energy sales agreement with Nexamp, and get their power from Rhode Island Energy. Over its lifetime, this project is expected to generate approximately 11.5 million kWh annually, contributing to Rhode Island’s goal of 100% renewable electricity across the state.” More at – Former golf course now hosts 9.4-MW solar project in Rhode Island | Solar Power World, and Nexamp and TurningPoint Energy Celebrate Completion of 9.4 Megawatt Solar Farm in Rhode Island | TurningPoint Energy.