This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 19 April
How does a so-called “miracle moss” remove arsenic from water? What scientific accident could lead to the full recycling of single-use bottles? And, what bold idea could be a huge boost to ocean conservation?
This, and more, in the week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories.
1.
A giant, air-purifying “cloud” just popped up in the middle of Milan
“Transitions,” a giant, cloud-like pod, has landed in the heart of the Brera Design District for Milan Design Week 2018. As envisioned by Takehiro Ikeda, the enormous “water-drop pavilion” uses Panasonic‘s cutting edge air-purifying technology to provide all those who enter with clean, cool air.
A giant, air-purifying "cloud" just popped up in the middle of Milan https://t.co/4Ro2fl5fj2
— Inhabitat (@inhabitat) April 18, 2018
2.
Miracle moss removes arsenic from drinking water
The moss purifies by quickly absorbing and adsorbing (in which something sticks to the surface, basically) arsenic from water. The discovery could easily pave the way for an eco-friendly way to purify water. One possible scenario is to grow the moss in streams and other waterways with high levels of arsenic, note the researchers.
https://twitter.com/EcoInternet3/status/986298034194542592
3.
HyperloopTT is building the world’s third Hyperloop test track in France
Hyperloop Transportation Technologies just began construction on the world’s third Hyperloop test track. According to its latest announcement, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies‘ full-scale tubes just reached a research and development facility in Toulouse, France, and a test track is under construction.
The best way to predict the future is to create it. Today marks the official arrival of our passenger and freight tubes in Toulouse, France. Building the #Hyperloop begins now. #HyperloopTTMovement #HyperloopTT pic.twitter.com/Hh08KegGGy
— HyperloopTT (@hyperlooptt) April 12, 2018
4.
Scientists accidentally create plastic-eating mutant enzyme
An international team of scientists studying a plastic-eating enzyme found that a tweak to the enzyme could make it even better at breaking down bottle plastic, PET (polyethylene terephthalate).
This sounds like the beginning of a super hero story or dystopian fiction. Scientists create a mutant enzyme that consumes everything in its path… https://t.co/hG25DcHQ5G
— Treehugger.com (@Treehugger) April 18, 2018
5.
Six solar roads shaking up infrastructure around the world
Solar road or pathway projects around the world are showing that streets can both provide firm footing and generate clean energy. Here are six projects that highlight potentially game-changing technologies in the solar road sphere.
6 solar roads shaking up infrastructure around the worldhttps://t.co/OjRBrpxx3X pic.twitter.com/bPUYaAag4R
— Inhabitat (@inhabitat) April 16, 2018
6.
A bold idea to save the oceans: Ban fishing on the high seas
As radical as it sounds, ending fishing in the parts of the ocean 200 miles from shore would be a huge boost to conservation—and have little effect on the fishing industry.
A bold idea to save the oceans: Ban fishing on the high seas https://t.co/ldqjf5MmxT pic.twitter.com/kw8Zozq8jZ
— Fast Company (@FastCompany) April 15, 2018
7.
Sweden opens road with slot-car style rail for electric vehicles
Sweden just opened a stretch of highway that powers an electric test truck the same way a slot car works—by transferring electricity from a rail in the road through a charging arm that drops down into the slot in the road.
Electrified roads charge battery powered vehicles in Swedenhttps://t.co/24hAPiLN0h
— Michał (@michalsz) April 17, 2018
8.
New guidance to help consumers make better meat choices
Campaign draws up eight principles to guide people who want to be healthier and reduce their environmental impact.
https://twitter.com/Greenhouse_PR/status/986907525147742208
9.
Brussels has an ingenious solution to wasteful takeout containers
Brussels has introduced the intriguing Tiffin Project. This zero-waste endeavor connects eco-minded residents with restaurants that are willing to accommodate reusable containers.
#TreeHugger Brussels has an ingenious solution to wasteful takeout containers https://t.co/0bpBRAnJvO pic.twitter.com/ac6qllOfKe
— Sustainable Web (@sustainable_web) April 13, 2018
10.
Buildings renovation: The low hanging fruit for emissions savings
With real estate responsible for over a third of the EU’s CO2 emissions, legislating to improve energy savings in the building stock is a low hanging fruit that our governments would be mad not to pick.
Buildings renovation: The low hanging fruit for emissions savings https://t.co/h4IB2VONGd
— Euractiv (@Euractiv) April 17, 2018