As%20temperatures%20continue%20to%20soar%2C%20air%20conditioning%20units%20remain%20a%20go-to%20solution%20for%20beating%20the%20heat.%20However%2C%20they%20consume%20substantial%20energy%20and%20can%20release%20potent%20greenhouse%20gases%2C%20making%20them%20environmentally%20unsustainable%20especially%20in%20the%20midst%20of%20climate%20change.%0A%0ABut%20wait%2C%20there's%20good%20news!%20Scientists%20have%20uncovered%20a%20new%20eco-friendly%20alternative%20for%20air%20conditioning%20that%20could%20revolutionize%20how%20we%20keep%20cool%20in%20the%20future.%0A%0ACool%20and%20Colorful%0AThis%20colorful%20material%2C%20available%20in%20various%20textures%20and%20iridescent%20shades%2C%20could%20potentially%20keep%20buildings%2C%20cars%2C%20and%20other%20structures%20cool%20without%20requiring%20external%20power.%0A%0AIt%20is%20the%20perfect%20solution%20for%20environmentally%20conscious%20individuals%20looking%20to%20reduce%20their%20carbon%20footprint%20and%20make%20their%20lives%20a%20little%20more%20colorful.%0A%0AThe%20team's%20results%20will%20be%20presented%20at%20the%20spring%20meeting%20of%20the%20American%20Chemical%20Society%20(ACS)%2C%20a%20hybrid%20event%20being%20held%20virtually%20and%20in-person%20this%20March.%0A%0AWith%20over%2010%2C000%20presentations%20covering%20a%20vast%20range%20of%20scientific%20topics%2C%20the%20meeting%20is%20sure%20to%20be%20a%20source%20of%20inspiration%20for%20scientists%20and%20researchers%20from%20all%20over%20the%20world.%0A%0A%22To%20make%20materials%20that%20remain%20cooler%20than%20the%20air%20around%20them%20during%20the%20day%2C%20you%20need%20something%20that%20reflects%20a%20lot%20of%20solar%20light%20and%20doesn't%20absorb%20it%2C%20which%20would%20transform%20energy%20from%20the%20light%20into%20heat%2C%22%20Silvia%20Vignolini%2C%20Ph.D.%2C%20the%20project's%20principal%20investigator%2C%20said%20in%20a%20press%20release%20statement.%0A%0A%22There%20are%20only%20a%20few%20materials%20that%20have%20this%20property%2C%20and%20adding%20color%20pigments%20would%20typically%20undo%20their%20cooling%20effects%2C%22%20Vignolini%20adds.%20%0A%0ATo%20achieve%20this%20revolutionary%20effect%2C%20the%20researchers%20relied%20on%20the%20concept%20of%20passive%20daytime%20radiative%20cooling%20(PDRC)%2C%20which%20enables%20surfaces%20to%20emit%20their%20own%20heat%20into%20space%20without%20being%20absorbed%20by%20the%20air%20or%20atmosphere.%0A%0AThe%20result%20is%20a%20surface%20that%20can%20become%20several%20degrees%20cooler%20than%20the%20air%20around%20it%20without%20the%20use%20of%20electrical%20power.%0A%0AFunctional%20and%20Fabulous%0A%0AThese%20cellulose-based%20cooling%20films%20are%20not%20only%20functional%20but%20also%20fabulous.%20The%20scientists%20have%20been%20working%20hard%20to%20improve%20their%20aesthetic%20appearance%2C%20creating%20films%20that%20are%20glittery%20and%20colorful%20with%20different%20textures%20like%20those%20found%20in%20wood%20finishes%20used%20in%20architecture%20and%20interior%20design.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20are%20currently%20looking%20into%20ways%20to%20make%20their%20films%20even%20more%20useful.%0A%0AQingchen%20Shen%2C%20one%20of%20the%20researchers%20in%20the%20work%2C%20claims%20that%20if%20paired%20with%20the%20cooling%20power%20of%20their%20CNC-ethyl%20cellulose%20films%2C%20CNC%20materials%20could%20be%20beneficial%20as%20sensors%20to%20detect%20contaminants%20in%20the%20environment%20or%20changes%20in%20the%20weather.%0A%0AFor%20instance%2C%20a%20cobalt-colored%20PDRC%20on%20a%20building%20fa%C3%A7ade%20in%20a%20congested%20urban%20location%20with%20lots%20of%20cars%20may%20one%20day%20keep%20the%20building%20cool%20and%20include%20detectors%20that%20would%20warn%20officials%20when%20the%20amount%20of%20smog-causing%20molecules%20in%20the%20air%20increases.

Colorful alternative for air conditioning

A%20UN%20resolution%20was%20adopted%20on%20Wednesday%20that%20should%20make%20it%20easier%20to%20hold%20polluting%20countries%20legally%20accountable%20for%20failing%20to%20tackle%20the%20climate%20emergency%2C%20in%20a%20vote%20which%20was%20hailed%20as%20a%20historic%20victory%20for%20climate%20justice.%0A%0AThe%20UN%20general%20assembly%20adopted%20by%20consensus%20the%20resolution%20spearheaded%20by%20Vanuatu%2C%20a%20tiny%20Pacific%20island%20nation%20vulnerable%20to%20extreme%20climate%20effects%2C%20and%20youth%20activists%20to%20secure%20a%20legal%20opinion%20from%20the%20international%20court%20of%20justice%20(ICJ)%20to%20clarify%20states%E2%80%99%20obligations%20to%20tackle%20the%20climate%20crisis%20%E2%80%93%20and%20specify%20any%20consequences%20countries%20should%20face%20for%20inaction.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CToday%20we%20have%20witnessed%20a%20win%20for%20climate%20justice%20of%20epic%20proportions%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Ishmael%20Kalsakau%2C%20prime%20minister%20of%20Vanuatu.%20%E2%80%9CToday%E2%80%99s%20historic%20resolution%20is%20the%20beginning%20of%20a%20new%20era%20in%20multilateral%20climate%20cooperation%2C%20one%20that%20is%20more%20fully%20focused%20on%20upholding%20the%20rule%20of%20international%20law%20and%20an%20era%20that%20places%20human%20rights%20and%20intergenerational%20equity%20at%20the%20forefront%20of%20climate%20decision-making.%E2%80%9D%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20just%20ecstatic%20that%20the%20world%20has%20listened%20to%20the%20Pacific%20youth%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Cynthia%20Houniuhi%2C%20president%20of%20Pacific%20Island%20students%20fighting%20climate%20change%20(PISFCC).%20%E2%80%9CThrough%20no%20fault%20of%20our%20own%2C%20we%20are%20living%20with%20devastating%20tropical%20cyclones%2C%20flooding%2C%20biodiversity%20loss%20and%20sea%20level%20rise.%20We%20have%20contributed%20the%20least%20to%20the%20global%20emissions%20that%20are%20drowning%20our%20land.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CAs%20young%20people%2C%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20failure%20to%20stop%20planet-killing%20emissions%20is%20not%20a%20theoretical%20problem.%20It%20is%20our%20present%20and%20it%20is%20our%20future%20that%20is%20being%20sold%20out.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20resolution%2C%20which%20was%20co-sponsored%20by%20more%20than%20120%20countries%20including%20the%20UK%2C%20but%20not%20the%20US%2C%20will%20help%20establish%20a%20legal%20litmus%20test%20of%20sorts%20for%20the%20global%20climate%20justice%20movement%20seeking%20to%20hold%20countries%20to%20account%20for%20climate%20failures%20in%20the%20courts.%0A%0AIt%20comes%20on%20the%20day%20the%20Biden%20administration%20opened%20an%20auction%20to%20drill%2073m%20acres%20of%20the%20Gulf%20of%20Mexico%20for%20oil%20and%20gas%20%E2%80%93%20and%20just%20days%20after%20the%20self-acclaimed%20%E2%80%9Cclimate%20president%E2%80%9D%20approved%20a%20massive%2C%20multi-decade-long%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling%20project%20in%20Alaska%2C%20which%20will%20create%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20%E2%80%9Ccarbon%20bombs%E2%80%9D%20on%20US%20soil.%0A%0AWhile%20the%20opinion%20from%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20highest%20court%20will%20not%20be%20binding%20in%20domestic%20courts%2C%20establishing%20international%20legal%20rules%20can%20be%20influential%20on%20judges%20and%20governments.%20It%20also%20represents%20the%20first%20attempt%20to%20establish%20climate%20action%20obligations%20under%20international%20law%2C%20which%20advocates%20hope%20will%20strengthen%20climate-related%20litigation%20by%20helping%20vulnerable%20states%20and%20advocates%20hold%20countries%20accountable%20for%20their%20action%20and%20inaction.%0A%0A%0AThe%20resolution%20emerged%20out%20of%20mounting%20frustration%20at%20the%20mismatch%20between%20the%20global%20community%E2%80%99s%20rhetoric%20and%20action%20on%20climate%20change%2C%20amid%20escalating%20losses%20for%20countries%20such%20as%20Vanuatu%2C%20which%20face%20an%20existential%20threat%20due%20to%20sea-level%20rise.%20The%20frustration%20spurned%20a%20social%20movement%20led%20by%20Vanuatu%20law%20students%20turned%20youth%20activists%2C%20and%20work%20on%20the%20resolution%20was%20led%20by%20Indigenous%20lawyers%20in%20the%20Pacific.%0A%0AIn%20essence%2C%20the%20ICJ%20advisory%20will%20help%20establish%20whether%20there%20is%20legal%20obligation%20for%20countries%20to%20do%20what%20they%20have%20committed%20to%20in%20non-binding%20treaties%20such%20as%20the%202015%20Paris%20climate%20accord%2C%20and%20whether%20failure%20to%20do%20so%20can%20be%20challenged%20through%20litigation.%0A%0AIt%20comes%20a%20week%20after%20the%20final%20report%20by%20the%20IPCC%2C%20which%20underscored%20the%20urgent%20need%20to%20phase%20out%20fossil%20fuels%20to%20curtail%20global%20heating%20and%20avoid%20catastrophic%20climate%20chaos.%20Transitioning%20to%20renewables%20and%20green%20technology%20is%20not%20enough%2C%20warned%20scientists%2C%20fossil%20fuels%20projects%20must%20be%20phased%20out%2C%20not%20expanded.%0A%0AHarjeet%20Singh%2C%20head%20of%20global%20political%20strategy%20at%20Climate%20Action%20Network%20International%2C%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20UN%20resolution%20to%20take%20the%20issue%20of%20climate%20change%20to%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20highest%20court%20is%20a%20historic%20moment%20in%20the%20fight%20for%20climate%20justice%2C%20human%20rights%20and%20intergenerational%20equity.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20advisory%20opinion%20must%20serve%20as%20an%20important%20accountability%20tool%20towards%20states%20obligations%20in%20protecting%20the%20environment%20and%20future%20generations%20from%20climate%20impacts.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AVanuatu%2C%20an%20archipelago%20of%20islands%20500%20miles%20west%20of%20Fiji%20with%20about%20325%2C000%20habitants%2C%20was%20last%20month%20hit%20by%20two%20category%204%20hurricanes%20within%2072%20hours%20of%20each%20other.%20They%20caused%20widespread%20infrastructure%20damage%2C%20evacuation%20and%20left%20residents%20without%20water%20and%20electricity%20for%20several%20days.

UN adopts landmark resolution on climate justice

Energy-from-waste%20(EfW)%20firm%20enfinium%20has%20this%20week%20signed%20a%20Memorandum%20of%20Understanding%20with%20Navigator%20Terminals%2C%20which%20specialises%20in%20storing%20gas%20in%20liquid%20form.%20The%20agreement%20concerns%20the%20development%20of%20a%20new%20rail%20corridor%20between%20enfinium%E2%80%99s%20Ferrybridge%20EfW%20plant%20in%20West%20Yorkshire%20and%20Navigator%20Terminals%E2%80%99%20storage%20facilities%20in%20Teesside.%0A%0AThe%20corridor%20will%20be%20using%20the%20East%20Coast%20Main%20Line%20and%20then%20linking%20into%20the%20Stockton%20Spur.%20Freight%20will%20be%20scheduled%20around%20passenger%20services%20on%20the%20line%20and%20will%20be%20sent%20at%20quieter%20periods%2C%20such%20as%20night-time.%0A%0Aenfinium%20estimates%20that%20some%20700%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20emissions%20could%20be%20captured%20from%20the%20Ferrybridge%20EfW%20plant%20each%20year%20once%20man-made%20carbon%20capture%20technologies%20are%20fitted%20there%20at%20scale.%C2%A0Tolvik%20estimates%C2%A0that%20the%20average%20annual%20emissions%20footprint%20of%20a%20UK-based%20EfW%20plant%20is%20around%20900%2C000%20tonnes%2C%20for%20context.%20But%20enfinium%20claims%20that%20its%20Ferrybridge%20site%20is%20more%20energy%20and%20carbon%20efficient%20than%20this%20and%20that%20the%20site%20could%20become%20carbon-neutral%2C%20or%20event%20carbon-negative%2C%20with%20CCS.%0A%0Aenfinium%20notably%20became%20a%20member%20of%20the%20Carbon%20Capture%20and%20Storage%20Association%20last%20year.%20It%20will%20build%20its%20new%20EfW%20plant%20in%20Kelvin%2C%20West%20Bromwich%2C%20with%20CCS%20from%20the%20outset%2C%20and%20is%20drawing%20up%20plans%20to%20explore%20CCS%20at%20existing%20plants%20including%20Ferrybridge%20also.%0A%0AIt%20is%20hoped%20that%20the%20new%20rail%20freight%20link%20would%20benefit%20other%20companies%20looking%20to%20capture%20carbon%20and%20store%20it%20permanently%20within%20the%20UK%2C%20as%20well%20as%20enfinium.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20UK%20is%20a%20world%20leader%20in%20decarbonisation%20solutions%2C%20but%20it%20is%20clear%20that%20there%20is%20a%20need%20to%20develop%20alternative%20transportation%20and%20storage%20solutions%20for%20CO2%C2%A0if%20we%20are%20to%20meet%20the%20country%E2%80%99s%20net-zero%20ambitions%2C%20Navigator%20Terminals%E2%80%99%20chief%20executive%20Jason%20Hornsby%20said.%0A%0AThe%20Climate%20Change%20Committee%20(CCC)%C2%A0has%20recommended%C2%A0that%20the%20UK%20aims%20to%20host%20at%20least%2022%20million%20tonnes%20of%20annual%20CCS%20capacity%20online%20this%20decade%2C%20in%20order%20to%20support%20its%20legally%20binding%202050%20net-zero%20target.%20This%20should%20be%20used%20not%20as%20an%20excuse%20not%20to%20reduce%20emissions%2C%20the%20CCC%20has%20stated%2C%20but%20as%20a%20means%20to%20align%20hard-to-abate%20sectors%20with%20the%20nation%E2%80%99s%20legally%20binding%20climate%20targets.%0A%0AHornby%20continued%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20worked%20with%20enfinium%20to%20explore%20the%20opportunities%20for%20them%20to%20realise%20their%20decarbonisation%20plans%20by%20harnessing%20the%20rail%20network%20in%20the%20North%20East%20and%20connecting%20with%20our%20Terminal%20on%20Teesside%20before%20permanent%20sequestration%20of%20the%20carbon.%20This%20is%20an%20exciting%20UK%20first%20project%2C%20and%20we%20hope%20it%20can%20prove%20the%20concept%20of%20carbon%20transportation%20by%20rail%20opening%20up%20huge%20potential%20for%20further%20decarbonisaiton%20of%20British%20industry.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ATees%20Valley%20Mayor%20Ben%20Houchen%20added%3A%20%E2%80%9CSeeing%20Navigator%20Terminals%20and%20enfinium%20come%20together%20to%20develop%20net-zero%20infrastructure%20here%20in%20Teesside%20is%20yet%20more%20proof%20that%20our%20region%20is%20the%20best%20place%20in%20the%20UK%20to%20invest%20in%20industries%20of%20the%20future%20like%20carbon%20capture.%20We%20have%20the%20workforce%20with%20world-leading%20industrial%20experience%20to%20make%20net%20zero%20a%20reality.%20Breathing%20new%20life%20into%20our%20regional%20rail%20infrastructure%20to%20deliver%20carbon%20capture%20is%20an%20exciting%20step%20in%20cementing%20our%20status%20as%20a%20pioneer%20in%20clean%20energy%20and%20reinforces%20that%20Teesside%20is%20a%20great%20place%20to%20do%20business.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ALast%20summer%2C%20the%20UK%C2%A0hosted%20its%20first%20licencing%20round%C2%A0for%20projects%20that%20will%20enable%20the%20large-scale%20storage%20of%20captured%20carbon%20under%20the%20North%20Sea.%0A%0AThe%20Government%C2%A0has%20subsequently%20outlined%20a%20vision%C2%A0to%20invest%20an%20unprecedented%20%C2%A320bn%20in%20CCS%20over%20the%20next%2020%20years.%20Further%20details%20on%20exactly%20where%20this%20funding%20will%20come%20from%20and%20how%20it%20will%20be%20allocated%C2%A0are%20due%20shortly.

UK closes in on first carbon capture rail link

The%20European%20Parliament%20gave%20its%20final%20approval%20to%20tougher%20national%20targets%20to%20cut%20emissions%20in%20some%20sectors%2C%20and%20expand%20CO2-absorbing%20natural%20ecosystems%20like%20forests.%0A%0AThe%20two%20laws%20are%20part%20of%20a%20major%20package%20of%20climate%20change%20legislation%20passing%20through%20the%20European%20Union's%20policymaking%20process%2C%20designed%20to%20ensure%20the%2027-country%20bloc%20cuts%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%2055%25%20by%202030%2C%20from%201990%20levels.%0A%0AOne%20regulation%20sets%20national%20targets%20to%20slash%20planet-warming%20emissions%20in%20sectors%20including%20road%20transport%2C%20heating%20of%20buildings%2C%20agriculture%20and%20waste%20management.%0A%0AThese%20sectors%2C%20unlike%20industry%20and%20the%20power%20sector%2C%20are%20not%20covered%20by%20the%20EU's%20carbon%20market%2C%20but%20generate%20about%2060%25%20of%20EU%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions.%0A%0AThe%20new%20law%20aims%20to%20curb%20their%20emissions%2040%25%20by%202030%2C%20compared%20with%202005.%20It%20replaces%20a%20current%20target%20for%20a%2030%25%20cut%20in%20these%20sectors.%0A%0ARicher%20countries%20face%20tougher%20targets%2C%20with%20Denmark%2C%20Finland%2C%20Germany%2C%20Luxembourg%20and%20Sweden%20facing%2050%25%20emission%20cuts%2C%20versus%20Bulgaria's%2010%25%20goal.%20The%20new%20law%20also%20tightens%20the%20amount%20of%20emissions%20savings%20from%20past%20or%20future%20years%20that%20countries%20can%20%22bank%22%20and%20%22borrow%22%20to%20meet%20their%20targets.%0A%0A%22The%20new%20rules%20for%20national%20emission%20cuts%20ensure%20that%20all%20member%20states%20contribute%2C%22%20said%20Jessica%20Polfj%C3%A4rd%2C%20lead%20lawmaker%20on%20the%20file.%0A%0AThe%20second%20law%20would%20expand%20Europe's%20forests%2C%20marshes%20and%20other%20%22sinks%22%20that%20absorb%20CO2%20from%20the%20atmosphere%2C%20to%20ensure%20this%20sector%20removes%20a%20net%20310%20million%20tonnes%20of%20CO2%20equivalent%20by%202030%20-%20a%20roughly%2015%25%20increase%20from%20today.%0A%0AThe%20aim%20is%20to%20reverse%20a%20recent%20decline%20in%20Europe's%20carbon%20sinks%2C%20which%20can%20be%20done%20by%20recreating%20old%20forests%20or%20generating%20new%20ones%2C%20rewetting%20peatland%20or%20changing%20farming%20practices%20such%20as%20reduced%20tilling%20to%20trap%20more%20carbon%20in%20the%20soil.%0A%0AEach%20EU%20country%20would%20face%20binding%20targets%20to%20absorb%20more%20emissions%20so%20that%20the%20EU-wide%20goal%20is%20reached.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20Parliament%20approved%20both%20laws%20with%20a%20comfortable%20majority.%20EU%20countries%20will%20vote%20on%20them%20in%20the%20coming%20months%2C%20and%20if%20approved%2C%20the%20laws%20will%20enter%20into%20force.%0A%0AEU%20countries%20and%20lawmakers%20agreed%20the%20details%20last%20year%20after%20months%20of%20negotiations%2C%20so%20the%20final%20votes%20typically%20approve%20laws%20with%20no%20changes.

EU countries approve CO2-cutting targets

Lithium-ion%20batteries%20are%20ubiquitous%20today%20-%20from%20electric%20cars%20to%20smartphones.%20But%20that%20does%20not%20mean%20that%20they%20are%20the%20best%20solution%20for%20all%20areas%20of%20application.%20TU%20Wien%20has%20now%20succeeded%20in%20developing%20an%20oxygen-ion%20battery%20that%20has%20some%20important%20advantages.%20Although%20it%20does%20not%20allow%20for%20quite%20as%20high%20energy%20densities%20as%20the%20lithium-ion%20battery%2C%20its%20storage%20capacity%20does%20not%20decrease%20irrevocably%20over%20time%3A%20it%20can%20be%20regenerated%20and%20thus%20may%20enable%20an%20extremely%20long%20service%20life.%0A%0AIn%20addition%2C%20oxygen-ion%20batteries%20can%20be%20produced%20without%20rare%20elements%20and%20are%20made%20of%20incombustible%20materials.%20A%20patent%20application%20for%20the%20new%20battery%20idea%20has%20already%20been%20filed%20together%20with%20cooperation%20partners%20from%20Spain.%20The%20oxygen-ion%20battery%20could%20be%20an%20excellent%20solution%20for%20large%20energy%20storage%20systems%2C%20for%20example%20to%20store%20electrical%20energy%20from%20renewable%20sources.%0A%0ACeramic%20materials%20as%20a%20new%20solution%0A%0A%22We%20have%20had%20a%20lot%20of%20experience%20with%20ceramic%20materials%20that%20can%20be%20used%20for%20fuel%20cells%20for%20quite%20some%20time%2C%22%20says%20Alexander%20Schmid%20from%20the%20Institute%20for%20Chemical%20Technologies%20and%20Analytics%20at%20TU%20Wien.%20%22That%20gave%20us%20the%20idea%20of%20investigating%20whether%20such%20materials%20might%20also%20be%20suitable%20for%20making%20a%20battery.%22%0A%0AThe%20ceramic%20materials%20that%20the%20TU%20Wien%20team%20studied%20can%20absorb%20and%20release%20doubly%20negatively%20charged%20oxygen%20ions.%20When%20an%20electric%20voltage%20is%20applied%2C%20the%20oxygen%20ions%20migrate%20from%20one%20ceramic%20material%20to%20another%2C%20after%20which%20they%20can%20be%20made%20to%20migrate%20back%20again%2C%20thus%20generating%20electric%20current.%0A%0A%22The%20basic%20principle%20is%20actually%20very%20similar%20to%20the%20lithium-ion%20battery%2C%22%20says%20Prof.%20J%C3%BCrgen%20Fleig.%20%22But%20our%20materials%20have%20some%20important%20advantages.%22%20Ceramics%20are%20not%20flammable%20--%20so%20fire%20accidents%2C%20which%20occur%20time%20and%20again%20with%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%20are%20practically%20ruled%20out.%20In%20addition%2C%20there%20is%20no%20need%20for%20rare%20elements%2C%20which%20are%20expensive%20or%20can%20only%20be%20extracted%20in%20an%20environmentally%20harmful%20way.%0A%0A%22In%20this%20respect%2C%20the%20use%20of%20ceramic%20materials%20is%20a%20great%20advantage%20because%20they%20can%20be%20adapted%20very%20well%2C%22%20says%20Tobias%20Huber.%20%22You%20can%20replace%20certain%20elements%20that%20are%20difficult%20to%20obtain%20with%20others%20relatively%20easily.%22%20The%20prototype%20of%20the%20battery%20still%20uses%20lanthanum%20--%20an%20element%20that%20is%20not%20exactly%20rare%20but%20not%20completely%20common%20either.%20But%20even%20lanthanum%20is%20to%20be%20replaced%20by%20something%20cheaper%2C%20and%20research%20into%20this%20is%20already%20underway.%20Cobalt%20or%20nickel%2C%20which%20are%20used%20in%20many%20batteries%2C%20are%20not%20used%20at%20all.%0A%0AHigh%20life%20span%0A%0ABut%20perhaps%20the%20most%20important%20advantage%20of%20the%20new%20battery%20technology%20is%20its%20potential%20longevity%3A%20%22In%20many%20batteries%2C%20you%20have%20the%20problem%20that%20at%20some%20point%20the%20charge%20carriers%20can%20no%20longer%20move%2C%22%20says%20Alexander%20Schmid.%20%22Then%20they%20can%20no%20longer%20be%20used%20to%20generate%20electricity%2C%20the%20capacity%20of%20the%20battery%20decreases.%20After%20many%20charging%20cycles%2C%20that%20can%20become%20a%20serious%20problem.%22%0A%0AThe%20oxygen-ion%20battery%2C%20however%2C%20can%20be%20regenerated%20without%20any%20problems%3A%20If%20oxygen%20is%20lost%20due%20to%20side%20reactions%2C%20then%20the%20loss%20can%20simply%20be%20compensated%20for%20by%20oxygen%20from%20the%20ambient%20air.%0A%0AThe%20new%20battery%20concept%20is%20not%20intended%20for%20smartphones%20or%20electric%20cars%2C%20because%20the%20oxygen-ion%20battery%20only%20achieves%20about%20a%20third%20of%20the%20energy%20density%20that%20one%20is%20used%20to%20from%20lithium-ion%20batteries%20and%20runs%20at%20temperatures%20between%20200%20and%20400%20%C2%B0C.%20The%20technology%20is%2C%20however%2C%20extremely%20interesting%20for%20storing%20energy.%0A%0A%22If%20you%20need%20a%20large%20energy%20storage%20unit%20to%20temporarily%20store%20solar%20or%20wind%20energy%2C%20for%20example%2C%20the%20oxygen-ion%20battery%20could%20be%20an%20excellent%20solution%2C%22%20says%20Alexander%20Schmid.%20%22If%20you%20construct%20an%20entire%20building%20full%20of%20energy%20storage%20modules%2C%20the%20lower%20energy%20density%20and%20increased%20operating%20temperature%20do%20not%20play%20a%20decisive%20role.%20But%20the%20strengths%20of%20our%20battery%20would%20be%20particularly%20important%20there%3A%20the%20long%20service%20life%2C%20the%20possibility%20of%20producing%20large%20quantities%20of%20these%20materials%20without%20rare%20elements%2C%20and%20the%20fact%20that%20there%20is%20no%20fire%20hazard%20with%20these%20batteries.%22

New oxygen-ion battery could change energy

The%20team%2C%20led%20by%20experts%20at%20Chalmers%20University%20of%20Technology%2C%20purified%20contaminated%20water%20using%20a%20cellulose-based%20material.%20This%20development%20can%20potentially%20combat%20the%20widespread%20problem%20of%20toxic%20dye%20discharge%20from%20the%20textile%20industry.%0A%0AMoreover%2C%20it%20could%20help%20developing%20countries%20with%20poor%20water%20treatment%20technologies.%20An%20article%2C%20%E2%80%98Cellulose%20Nanocrystals%20Derived%20from%20Microcrystalline%20Cellulose%20for%20Selective%20Removal%20of%20Janus%20Green%20Azo%20Dye%2C%E2%80%99%20was%20published%20in%C2%A0Industrial%20%26%20Engineering%20Chemistry%20Research%C2%A0to%20detail%20the%20advantages%20of%20this%20technology.%0A%0AMany%20people%20are%20living%20without%20access%20to%20clean%20water%0A%0AClean%20water%20is%20necessary%20for%20our%20health%20and%20living%20environment%3B%20however%2C%20it%20is%20far%20from%20accessible%20to%20everyone.%20The%20World%20Health%20Organization%20(WHO)%20estimates%20that%20over%20two%20billion%20people%20are%20forced%20to%20use%20contaminated%20water%20sources.%0A%0ABuilding%20upon%20the%20importance%20of%20clean%20water%20access%2C%20the%20Chalmers%20team%20focused%20on%20new%20uses%20for%20cellulose%20and%20wood-based%20products.%20The%20group%2C%20led%20by%20Gunnar%20Westman%2C%20Associate%20Professor%20of%20Organic%20Chemistry%20at%20Chalmers%2C%20developed%20technology%20that%20can%20easily%20remove%20water%20pollutants.%0A%0AThe%20researchers%20have%20built%20up%20solid%20knowledge%20about%20cellulose%20nanocrystals%20%E2%80%93%20this%20is%20where%20the%20key%20to%20water%20purification%20lies.%20These%20tiny%20nanoparticles%20have%20an%20outstanding%20adsorption%20capacity%2C%20and%20researchers%20have%20now%20found%20a%20way%20to%20utilise%20these%20in%20contaminated%20water.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20have%20taken%20a%20unique%20holistic%20approach%20to%20these%20cellulose%20nanocrystals%2C%20examining%20their%20properties%20and%20potential%20applications.%20We%20have%20now%20created%20a%20biobased%20material%2C%20a%20form%20of%20cellulose%20powder%20with%20excellent%20purification%20properties%20that%20we%20can%20adapt%20and%20modify%20depending%20on%20the%20types%20of%20pollutants%20to%20be%20removed%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Westman.%0A%0ABreaking%20down%20toxins%20with%20cellulose-based%20technology%0A%0AIn%20their%20study%2C%20the%20researchers%20showed%20how%C2%A0toxic%20chemicals%20can%20be%20filtered%20out%C2%A0of%20contaminated%20water%20using%20cellulose%20and%20wood-based%20materials.%20They%20conducted%20the%20research%20in%20collaboration%20with%20the%20Malaviya%20National%20Institute%20of%20Technology%20Jaipur%20in%20India%2C%20where%20dye%20pollutants%20in%20textile%20industry%20wastewater%20are%20a%20widespread%20problem.%0A%0AThe%20method%20does%20not%20require%20pressure%20or%20heat%2C%20and%20uses%20sunlight%20to%20catalyse%20the%20process.%20Westman%20explained%20that%20the%20technique%20can%20be%20likened%20to%20%E2%80%9Cpouring%20raspberry%20juice%20into%20a%20glass%20with%20grains%20of%20rice%2C%20which%20soak%20up%20the%20juice%20and%20make%20the%20rice%20transparent.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AWestman%20continued%3A%20%E2%80%9CImagine%20a%20simple%20purification%20system%2C%20like%20a%20portable%20box%20connected%20to%20the%20sewage%20pipe.%20The%20pollutants%20are%20absorbed%20as%20the%20contaminated%20water%20passes%20through%20the%20cellulose%20powder%20filter%2C%20and%20the%20sunlight%20entering%20the%20treatment%20system%20causes%20them%20to%20break%20down%20quickly%20and%20efficiently.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20a%20cost-effective%20and%20simple%20system%20to%20set%20up%20and%20use%2C%20and%20we%20see%20that%20it%20could%20be%20of%20great%20benefit%20in%20countries%20that%20currently%20have%20poor%20or%20non-existent%20treatments%20for%20contaminated%20water.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ATesting%20the%20method%20in%20developing%20countries%3A%20Can%20it%20depollute%20contaminated%20water%3F%0A%0AIndia%20is%20a%20country%20with%20extensive%20textile%20production%2C%20meaning%20large%20amounts%20of%20dyes%20are%20released%20into%20lakes%2C%20rivers%2C%20and%20streams%20every%20year.%20Contaminated%20water%20contains%20dyes%20and%20heavy%20metals%20and%20can%20cause%20skin%20damage%20with%20direct%20contact%20and%20increase%20the%20risk%20of%20cancer%20and%20organ%20damage%20when%20they%20enter%20the%20food%20chain.%20Additionally%2C%20nature%20is%20affected%20in%20several%20ways%2C%20including%20impairing%20photosynthesis%20and%20plant%20growth.%0A%0ATherefore%2C%20the%20researchers%20decided%20to%20test%20their%20technology%20in%20India%2C%20as%20conducting%20field%20studies%20is%20an%20essential%20step%20in%20testing%20the%20method%E2%80%99s%20feasibility.%20So%20far%2C%20laboratory%20tests%20with%20industrial%20water%20have%20shown%20that%20more%20than%2080%25%20of%20the%20dye%20pollutants%20are%20removed%20with%20the%20new%20method.%20Westman%20sees%20good%20opportunities%20to%20increase%20the%20degree%20of%20purification%20further.%0A%0AHe%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CGoing%20from%20discharging%20completely%20untreated%20water%20to%20removing%2080%25%20of%20the%20pollutants%20from%20contaminated%20water%20is%20a%20vast%20improvement%20and%20means%20significantly%20less%20destruction%20of%20nature%20and%20harm%20to%20humans.

Removing pollutants from contaminated water

The%20European%20Parliament%20and%20Council%20have%20reached%20a%20deal%20on%20cleaner%20maritime%20fuels%20-%20asking%20to%20cut%20ship%20emissions%20by%202%25%20from%202025%20and%20by%2080%25%20from%202050.%20A%20provisional%20agreement%20reached%20on%20March%2023%20between%20negotiators%20sets%20up%20a%20fuel%20standard%20for%20ships%20to%20steer%20the%20EU%20maritime%20sector%20towards%20the%20uptake%20of%20renewable%20and%20low-carbon%20fuels%20and%20decarbonisation.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20talks%2C%20MEPs%20succeeded%20in%20ensuring%20that%20ships%20will%20have%20to%20gradually%20reduce%20greenhouse%20gas%20(GHG)%20emissions%20by%20cutting%20the%20amount%20of%20GHG%20in%20the%20energy%20they%20use%20(below%202020%20level%20of%2091.16%20grams%20of%20CO2%20per%20MJ)%20by%202%25%20from%202025%2C%206%25%20from%202030%2C%2014%2C5%25%20from%202035%2C%2031%25%20from%202040%2C%2062%25%20from%202045%20and%2080%25%20from%202050.%0A%0AThis%20will%20apply%20to%20ships%20above%20a%20gross%20tonnage%20of%205000%2C%20which%20are%20in%20principle%20responsible%20for%2090%25%20of%20CO2%20emissions%2C%20and%20to%20all%20energy%20used%20on%20board%20in%20or%20between%20EU%20ports%2C%20as%20well%20as%20to%2050%25%20of%20energy%20used%20on%20voyages%20where%20the%20departure%20or%20arrival%20port%20is%20outside%20of%20the%20EU%20or%20in%20EU%20outermost%20regions.%0A%0AMEPs%20also%20ensured%20that%20the%20Commission%20will%20review%20the%20rules%20by%202028%20to%20decide%20whether%20to%20extend%20emission-cutting%20requirements%20to%20smaller%20ships%20or%20to%20increase%20the%20share%20of%20the%20energy%20used%20by%20ships%20coming%20from%20non-EU%20countries.%0A%0AThe%20deal%20gives%20more%20credits%2C%20as%20an%20incentive%2C%20in%20the%20form%20of%20offsetting%20emissions%20to%20those%20ship%20owners%20who%20use%20renewable%20fuels%20of%20non-biological%20origin%20(RFNBO)%20from%202025%20to%202034.%20The%20deal%20also%20set%20a%202%25%20renewable%20fuels%20usage%20target%20as%20of%202034%20if%20the%20Commission%20reports%20that%20in%202030%20RFNBO%20amount%20to%20less%20than%201%25%20in%20fuel%20mix.%0A%0AAccording%20to%20the%20preliminary%20agreement%2C%20containerships%20and%20passenger%20ships%20will%20be%20obliged%20to%20use%20on-shore%20power%20supply%20for%20all%20electricity%20needs%20while%20moored%20at%20the%20quayside%20in%20major%20EU%20ports%20as%20of%202030.%20It%20will%20also%20apply%20to%20the%20rest%20of%20EU%20ports%20as%20of%202035%2C%20if%20these%20ports%20have%20an%20on-shore%20power%20supply.%20This%20should%20significantly%20reduce%20air%20pollution%20in%20ports.%0A%0ACertain%20exemptions%2C%20such%20as%20staying%20at%20port%20for%20less%20than%20two%20hours%2C%20using%20own%20zero-emission%20technology%20or%20making%20a%20port%20call%20due%20to%20unforeseen%20circumstances%20or%20emergencies%2C%20will%20apply.%0A%0AEP%20rapporteur%20J%C3%B6rgen%20Warborn%20(EPP%2C%20SE)%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CThis%20agreement%20sets%20out%20by%20far%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20most%20ambitious%20path%20to%20maritime%20decarbonisation.%20No%20other%20global%20power%20has%20drafted%20such%20a%20comprehensive%20framework%20to%20tackle%20maritime%20emissions.%20This%20is%20truly%20ground-breaking.%E2%80%9D

New EU deal on cleaner shipping

The%20Biden%20administration%20unveiled%20a%20new%20plan%20to%20work%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20mitigate%20and%20adapt%20to%20the%20climate%20crisis.%20President%20Joe%20Biden%20announced%20the%20publication%20of%20the%20first%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20in%20U.S.%20history%20at%20the%20White%20House%20Conservation%20in%20Action%20Summit%2C%20during%20which%20he%20also%20officially%20named%20two%20new%20national%20monuments%20and%20asked%20the%20Secretary%20of%20Commerce%20to%20consider%20a%20National%20Marine%20Sanctuary%20in%20the%20U.S.%20waters%20surrounding%20the%20Pacific%20Remote%20Islands.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20can%20reduce%20emissions%20by%20building%20offshore%20wind%20farms%2C%20better%20protect%20our%20coastal%20and%20fishing%20communities%20from%20worsening%20storms%2C%20changing%20fisheries%20and%20other%20impacts%20on%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Biden%20said%2C%20as%20USA%20TODAY%20reported.%20%0A%0AThe%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20has%20three%20main%20goals%3A%20%0A%0AAchieve%20carbon%20neutrality.%0AWork%20with%20the%20oceans%20to%20develop%20nature-based%20solutions%20to%20store%20carbon%20dioxide%2C%20reduce%20the%20risk%20from%20the%20climate%20crisis%20and%20protect%20communities%20and%20ecosystems%20from%20inevitable%20changes.%0AWork%20with%20the%20ocean%20to%20boost%20the%20resilience%20of%20communities%20to%20those%20same%20changes.%0A%0ATo%20accomplish%20these%20goals%2C%20the%20report%20underscored%20eight%20priority%20actions%2C%20among%20them%20boosting%20offshore%20wind%20and%20other%20ocean-based%20renewable%20energy%20projects%2C%20decarbonizing%20maritime%20shipping%2C%20conserving%20and%20restoring%20marine%20and%20coastal%20carbon%20sinks%20and%20creating%20more%20marine%20protected%20areas.%20The%20Biden%20administration%20has%20already%20promised%20to%20protect%2030%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20land%20and%20water%20by%202030.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CGuiding%20these%20actions%20is%20a%20commitment%20to%20be%20responsible%20stewards%20of%20a%20healthy%20and%20sustainable%20ocean%3B%20advance%20environmental%20justice%3B%20engage%20with%20communities%2C%20Tribal%20Nations%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Peoples%3B%20act%20based%20on%20evidence%2C%20science%2C%20and%20Indigenous%20Knowledge%3B%20and%20integrate%20and%20coordinate%20actions%20across%20the%20Federal%20Government%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Policy%20Committee%20co-chairs%20Arati%20Prabhakar%20and%20Brenda%20Mallory%20wrote%20in%20a%20letter%20introducing%20the%20plan.%20%0A%0AThe%20Biden%20administration%20first%20announced%20its%20intention%20to%20draft%20an%20ocean%20climate%20plan%20to%20celebrate%20World%20Ocean%20Day%20of%202022.%20The%20final%20publication%20was%20widely%20welcomed%20by%20ocean%20advocacy%20groups.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThis%20Ocean%20Climate%20Action%20Plan%20is%20the%20first%20comprehensive%20approach%20that%20the%20U.S.%20has%20taken%20to%20leveraging%20the%20power%20of%20the%20ocean%20in%20the%20fight%20against%20climate%20change%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ocean%20Defense%20Initiative%20Director%20Jean%20Flemma%20said%20in%20a%20statement%20emailed%20to%20EcoWatch.%20%E2%80%9CThe%20plan%20should%20inspire%20a%20ripple%20effect%20of%20powerful%20climate%20actions%20from%20coast-to-coast%20that%20will%20slash%20emissions%20and%20help%20frontline%20communities.%20Still%2C%20a%20plan%20is%20only%20as%20strong%20as%20its%20implementation.%20We%20look%20forward%20to%20working%20with%20the%20Biden%20Administration%20to%20ensure%20strong%20ocean%20climate%20action%20policies%20are%20adopted%20across%20federal%20agencies%20and%20help%20the%20communities%20that%20need%20it%20most.%E2%80%9D%0A%0ASome%20concerns%20about%20implementation%20include%20the%20broader%20impact%20of%20certain%20ocean-based%20climate%20solutions%20highlighted%20for%20study%2C%20Inside%20Climate%20News%20noted.%20One%20such%20project%20would%20seed%20parts%20of%20the%20ocean%20with%20minerals%20that%20would%20encourage%20the%20growth%20of%20photosynthetic%20plankton.%20This%20would%20draw%20down%20carbon%20dioxide%20but%20might%20disrupt%20other%20natural%20marine%20cycles.%20Overall%2C%20however%2C%20ocean%20advocates%20are%20happy%20to%20see%20recognition%20of%20the%20role%20the%20ocean%20already%20plays%20in%20lessening%20the%20impact%20of%20the%20climate%20crisis%2C%20as%20it%20absorbs%20around%2090%20percent%20of%20extra%20warming.%0A%0A%E2%80%9COcean%20policy%20is%20often%20overlooked%20in%20discussions%20of%20climate%20action%20and%20climate%20solutions%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%20Senior%20Director%20of%20Federal%20Policy%20Lara%20Levison%20told%20USA%20TODAY.%20%E2%80%9CThere%E2%80%99s%20so%20much%20emphasis%20on%20what%E2%80%99s%20happening%20on%20land%20and%20not%20nearly%20enough%20focus%20on%20the%20ocean.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20overall%20praised%20the%20plan%2C%20but%20urged%20the%20administration%20to%20do%20more%20to%20limit%20offshore%20oil%20and%20gas%20drilling.%20Recently%2C%20Biden%20has%20come%20under%20fire%20for%20approving%20the%20controversial%20Willow%20oil%20drilling%20project%20in%20Alaska.%20In%20its%20most%20recent%20report%2C%20the%20Intergovernmental%20Panel%20on%20Climate%20Change%20has%20said%20that%20existing%20fossil%20fuel%20projects%20would%20take%20up%20the%20carbon%20budget%20for%20limiting%20warming%20to%201.5%20degrees%20Celsius%20above%20pre-industrial%20levels.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%E2%80%99s%20reassuring%20that%20President%20Biden%20is%20taking%20the%20climate%20crisis%20seriously%20and%20ensuring%20that%20our%20oceans%20are%20factored%20into%20the%20plan%20to%20address%20it%2C%E2%80%9D%20Oceana%E2%80%99s%20Vice%20President%20for%20the%20United%20States%20Beth%20Lowell%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%E2%80%9CTo%20date%2C%20our%20oceans%20have%20helped%20protect%20us%20from%20the%20worst%20impacts%20of%20climate%20change%2C%20and%20we%20know%20they%20can%20play%20an%20outsized%20role%20in%20keeping%20the%20planet%20from%20warming%20to%20catastrophic%20levels.%20But%20in%20order%20for%20that%20to%20happen%2C%20countries%20like%20the%20United%20States%20must%20stop%20the%20expansion%20of%20dirty%20and%20dangerous%20offshore%20drilling.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20group%20has%20calculated%20that%2C%20if%20the%20U.S.%20government%20banned%20offshore%20drilling%20in%20unleased%20federal%20waters%2C%20it%20could%20prevent%20more%20than%2019%20billion%20tons%20of%20greenhouse%20gas%20emissions%20from%20entering%20the%20atmosphere%20and%20stave%20off%20more%20than%20%24720%20billion%20in%20damages.

Nation’s First Ocean Climate Action Plan

Green%20hydrogen%20is%20an%20efficient%20way%20to%20store%20energy%20for%20long%20periods%20of%20time%2C%20regarded%20as%20the%20energy%20carrier%20of%20the%20future.%20Because%20of%20this%2C%20efficient%20green%20hydrogen%20production%20is%20essential.%20%20%0A%0ATypically%2C%20the%20most%20common%20way%20to%20produce%20green%20hydrogen%20is%20through%20the%20electrolysis%20of%20water%2C%20however%2C%20with%20current%20electrolysis%20methods%2C%20a%20lot%20of%20rare%20and%20expensive%20materials%20are%20required%20for%20the%20process%20to%20be%20efficient%20enough.%20%20%0A%0ATo%20overcome%20this%2C%20researchers%20from%20the%20University%20of%20Twente%20have%20developed%20a%20new%20composite%20material%20that%20outperforms%20the%20individual%20compounds%20by%20one%20to%20two%20orders%20of%20magnitude.%20The%20composite%20consists%20of%20several%20earth-abundant%20elements%20that%20could%20be%20potentially%20used%20for%20efficient%20hydrogen%20production.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20work%2C%20%E2%80%98A%20High-Entropy%20Oxide%20as%20High-Activity%20Electrocatalyst%20for%20Water%20Oxidation%2C%E2%80%99%20is%20published%20in%20the%20journal%20ACS%20Nano.%20%20%0A%0AThe%20search%20for%20an%20efficient%20electrocatalyst%20for%20green%20hydrogen%20production%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CCurrently%2C%20the%20most%20efficient%20electrolysers%20contain%20platinum%20and%20iridium%2C%20which%20are%20needed%20for%20the%20electrodes%20on%20which%20the%20hydrogen%20and%20oxygen%20gas%20are%20produced%20from%20water.%20However%2C%20platinum%20and%20especially%20iridium%20are%20too%20rare.%20That%E2%80%99s%20why%20we%E2%80%99re%20constantly%20looking%20for%20electrode%20materials%20made%20from%20more%20abundant%20resources%2C%20which%20also%20can%20be%20used%20as%20efficient%20and%20stable%20electrocatalysts%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20UT-researcher%20Chris%20Baeumer.%20%0A%0AThe%20team%20found%20a%20new%20material%20that%20will%20assist%20with%20green%20hydrogen%20production%20%E2%80%93%20a%20compound%20containing%20five%20different%20transition%20metals.%20Individually%2C%20these%20metals%20are%20only%20moderately%20active%20when%20used%20as%20a%20catalyst%2C%20however%2C%20Baeumer%20and%20his%20team%20found%20the%20combined%20activity%20outperforms%20the%20individual%20compounds%20by%20a%20factor%20of%20up%20to%20680.%20This%20discovery%20shocked%20the%20team.%20%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%20expected%20that%20the%20stability%20compared%20to%20traditional%20composites%20would%20be%20enhanced%2C%20but%20when%20we%20started%20testing%2C%20it%20soon%20turned%20out%20that%20the%20activity%20was%20much%20higher%20too.%20In%20collaboration%20with%20our%20partners%20from%20Karlsruhe%20(Germany)%20and%20Berkeley%20(US)%2C%20we%20found%20that%20the%20individual%20transition%20metals%20may%20%E2%80%98help%E2%80%99%20each%20other%20to%20make%20the%20combined%20material%20better%20than%20the%20sum%20of%20its%20parts%20in%20a%20so-called%20synergy-effect.%E2%80%9D%20%0A%0AThe%20new%20material%20still%20needs%20to%20be%20tested%20on%20the%20industrial%20scale%20%0A%0AHowever%2C%20the%20new%20findings%20do%20not%20mean%20that%20we%20can%20directly%20replace%20all%20electrodes%20with%20this%20new%20material.%20Combining%20the%20five%20different%20materials%20is%20complex%2C%20and%20the%20activity%20has%20only%20been%20tested%20in%20a%20lab-environment.%20%0A%0A%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20comparing%20a%20newly%20discovered%20composite%20to%20materials%20optimised%20for%20large-scale%20production%2C%20meaning%20that%20our%20new%20material%20still%20needs%20to%20be%20tested%20on%20the%20industrial%20scale.%20However%2C%20with%20some%20tweaking%20and%20further%20research%2C%20this%20combination%20of%20transition%20metals%20has%20the%20potential%20to%20outperform%20currently%20available%20alternatives%2C%E2%80%9D%20explained%20UT-postdoc%20Shu%20Ni%2C%20who%20is%20leading%20these%20future%20developments%20for%20materials%20optimisation.

New material to create green hydrogen 

European%20Union%20lawmakers%20on%20Tuesday%20toughened%20up%20a%20draft%20law%20to%20crack%20down%20on%20illegal%20timber%20trade%20and%20other%20crimes%20against%20the%20environment%2C%20with%20sanctions%20that%20include%20imprisonment%20for%20up%20to%2010%20years%20for%20the%20most%20serious%20offences.%0A%0AThe%20EU%20draft%20law%2C%20proposed%20in%20December%202021%2C%20updates%20and%20introduces%20bloc-wide%20definitions%20of%20environmental%20crimes%20to%20help%20protect%20biodiversity%2C%20including%20the%20combatting%20of%20illegal%20abstraction%20of%20water%2C%20with%20minimum%20sanctions%20that%20EU%20states%20would%20have%20to%20apply.%0A%0A%22There%20can%20be%20no%20more%20excuses%20when%20it%20comes%20to%20environmental%20crime%2C%22%20Dutch%20centre-right%20member%20of%20the%20European%20Parliament's%20legal%20affairs%20committee%2C%20Antonius%20Manders%2C%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%0A%0AThe%20committee%20backed%20cross-party%20compromises%20to%20toughen%20the%20draft%20law%2C%20including%20a%20requirement%20for%20EU%20states%20to%20ensure%20that%20any%20conduct%20which%20causes%20or%20is%20likely%20to%20cause%20death%20or%20serious%20harm%20to%20any%20person%E2%80%99s%20health%2C%20quality%20of%20air%2C%20soil%2C%20water%2C%20animals%20or%20plants%20constitutes%20a%20criminal%20offence.%0A%0ASuch%20offences%20should%20be%20punishable%20by%20at%20least%2010%20years%20in%20prison%2C%20the%20committee%20agreed.%0A%0AThe%20committee%20backed%20fines%20of%20up%20to%2010%25%20of%20a%20company's%20average%20worldwide%20turnover%20in%20the%20three%20business%20years%20preceding%20the%20fine%2C%20tougher%20than%20the%203%25%20of%20worldwide%20turnover%20in%20the%20previous%20one%20year%20proposed%20in%20the%20draft%20law.%0A%0AIt%20also%20backed%20a%20clause%20saying%20that%20member%20states%20%22shall%20ensure%20that%20from%20the%20moment%20a%20conduct%20becomes%20unlawful%2C%20the%20perpetrator%20cannot%20invoke%20the%20issuance%20of%20an%20authorisation%20to%20be%20exempted%20of%20any%20criminal%20liability%22.%0A%0AParliament%20has%20joint%20say%20with%20EU%20states%20on%20the%20draft%20law%2C%20and%20member%20countries%20in%20December%20reached%20their%20own%20position%20ahead%20of%20joint%20negotiations%20with%20parliament%20that%20will%20begin%20in%20the%20coming%20months.

EU: tightening bill on environmental crimes

The%20global%20uptake%20of%20electric%20vehicles%20(EVs)%20will%20be%20essential%20to%20decarbonising%20the%20transport%20sector%20and%20achieving%20net%20zero%20targets.%20However%2C%20a%20current%20limitation%20of%20the%20technology%20is%20their%20insufficient%20driving%20range%20and%20the%20short%20lifespan%20of%20their%20batteries.%20Scientists%20have%20potentially%20developed%20a%20revolutionary%20solution%20to%20these%20issues%2C%20designing%20a%20polymer%20coating%20called%20HOS-PFM%20that%20enhances%20electric%20vehicle%20battery%20power%20and%20lifespan.%0A%0AGao%20Liu%2C%20a%20senior%20scientist%20in%20Berkeley%20Lab%E2%80%99s%20Energy%20Technologies%20Area%2C%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20advance%20opens%20up%20a%20new%20approach%20to%20developing%20EV%20batteries%20that%20are%20more%20affordable%20and%20easy%20to%20manufacture.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AThe%20research%2C%20%E2%80%98Formation%20of%20hierarchically%20ordered%20structures%20in%20conductive%20polymers%20to%20enhance%20the%20performances%20of%20lithium-ion%20batteries%2C%E2%80%99%20may%20represent%20a%20significant%20milestone%20in%20e-mobility.%0A%0AElectric%20car%20battery%20design%20must%20be%20advanced%0AThe%20demand%20for%20electric%20cars%20is%20growing%20considerably%20each%20year%2C%20as%20major%20nations%20in%20the%20automotive%20space%2C%20such%20as%20the%20UK%20and%20US%2C%20have%20outlawed%20the%20sale%20of%20new%20petrol%20and%20diesel-power%20vehicles%20from%202035.%0A%0AHowever%2C%20for%20EVs%20to%20be%20fully%20embraced%20by%20motorists%20around%20the%20world%2C%20various%20aspects%20of%20the%20technology%20will%20need%20to%20improve%2C%20including%20charging%20infrastructure%2C%20range%20capabilities%2C%20and%20electric%20car%20battery%20life.%0A%0ACurrently%2C%20the%20average%20driving%20range%20of%20an%20electric%20car%20is%20between%20150-300%20miles%20on%20a%20full%20charge%2C%20and%20the%20average%20life%20expectancy%20is%20around%2015%20to%2020%20years.%20These%20capabilities%20fall%20short%20of%20conventional%20cars%20and%20will%20need%20to%20improve%20in%20the%20coming%20years%20to%20drive%20the%20transition%20to%20electrified%20transport.%0A%0AHow%20does%20the%20new%20polymer%20coating%20work%3F%0AThe%20HOS-PFM%20polymer%20coating%20works%20by%20conducting%20electrons%20and%20ions%20simultaneously%2C%20which%20ensures%20electric%20car%20battery%20stability%20and%20high%20charge%2Fdischarge%20rates%20while%20boosting%20battery%20life.%0A%0AHOS-PFM%20has%20also%20demonstrated%20potential%20as%20a%20battery%20adhesive%20that%20could%20potentially%20increase%20lithium-ion%20battery%20lifetime%20for%20between%20ten%20to%2015%20years.%0A%0AThe%20team%20showed%20HOS-PFM%E2%80%99s%20exceptional%20conductive%20and%20adhesive%20properties%20by%20coating%20aluminium%20and%20silicon%20electrodes%20with%20the%20polymer%20coating%20%E2%80%93%20testing%20their%20performance%20on%20a%20lithium-ion%20battery%20set-up.%0A%0AAluminium%20and%20silicon%20are%20promising%20lithium-ion%20battery%20electrode%20materials%20due%20to%20their%20high%20energy%20storage%20capacity%2C%20abundance%2C%20lightweight%20and%20low%20cost.%20However%2C%20these%20materials%20break%20down%20after%20multiple%20charge%2Fdischarge%20cycles.%0A%0AThe%20team%E2%80%99s%20experiment%20showed%20that%20HOS-PFM%20prevents%20degradation%20in%20silicon-%20and%20aluminium-based%20electrodes%20during%20battery%20cycling.%20Simultaneously%2C%20the%20coating%20produced%20a%20high%20battery%20capacity%20of%20over%20300%20cycles%20%E2%80%93%20which%20is%20comparable%20to%20the%20performance%20of%20current%20state-of-the-art%20electrodes.%0A%0ALiu%20concluded%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20results%20are%20impressive%20because%20silicon-based%20lithium-ion%20cells%20typically%20last%20for%20a%20limited%20number%20of%20charge%2Fdischarge%20cycles%20and%20calendar%20life.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CThe%20HOS-PFM%20coating%20could%20allow%20the%20use%20of%20electrodes%20containing%20as%20much%20as%2080%25%20silicon.%20Such%20high%20silicon%20content%20could%20increase%20the%20energy%20density%20of%20lithium-ion%20batteries%20by%20at%20least%2030%25.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBecause%20silicon%20is%20cheaper%20than%20graphite%2C%20the%20standard%20material%20for%20electrodes%20today%2C%20cheaper%20batteries%20could%20significantly%20increase%20the%20availability%20of%20entry-level%20electric%20vehicles.%E2%80%9D

Electric car battery life extended

MPs%20have%20voted%20to%20support%20a%20controversial%20ban%20on%20importing%20hunting%20trophies%20from%20thousands%20of%20species%20into%20the%20UK%2C%20preventing%20British%20hunters%20from%20bringing%20the%20body%20parts%20of%20lions%2C%20elephants%20and%20giraffes%20into%20the%20country.%0A%0AA%20private%20member%E2%80%99s%20bill%20put%20forward%20by%20the%20Conservative%20MP%20Henry%20Smith%20and%20backed%20by%20the%20government%20received%20the%20support%20of%20parliament%20after%20years%20of%20divisive%20debate%20on%20the%20issue.%20MPs%20from%20across%20the%20political%20spectrum%20spoke%20in%20favour%20of%20the%20legislation%20before%20it%20passed.%0A%0AThe%20government%20says%20the%20law%2C%20which%20will%20now%20move%20for%20debate%20in%20the%20Lords%2C%20will%20strengthen%20the%20conservation%20of%20endangered%20species%20and%20has%20widespread%20support%20from%20the%20British%20public.%20The%20ban%20was%20part%20of%20the%202019%20Conservative%20election%20manifesto%20and%20comes%20after%20a%20high-profile%20anti-trophy%20hunting%20campaign%20backed%20by%20celebrities%20including%20Ricky%20Gervais%2C%20Brian%20May%2C%20Ed%20Sheeran%20and%20Joanna%20Lumley.%0A%0ABut%20many%20scientists%2C%20environmentalists%20and%20African%20community%20leaders%20have%20said%20the%20new%20law%20could%20inadvertently%20accelerate%20the%20loss%20of%20wildlife%2C%20and%20accused%20celebrity%20campaigners%20of%20%E2%80%9Cneocolonialism%E2%80%9D.%20They%20point%20to%20the%20contributions%20of%20regulated%20trophy%20hunting%20to%20the%20recovery%20of%20populations%20of%20black%20and%20white%20rhino%20in%20Namibia%20and%20South%20Africa%20and%20the%20snow%20leopard%20in%20Tajikistan.%0A%0AAmid%20strong%20views%20on%20both%20sides%20and%20accusations%20of%20misinformation%20from%20pro-hunting%20groups%20and%20anti-trophy%20hunting%20campaigners%2C%20MPs%20backed%20an%20amendment%20from%20Sir%20Christopher%20Chope%20to%20create%20an%20expert%20advisory%20board%20on%20the%20import%20ban.%20The%20ban%20will%20cover%20about%206%2C000%20species%20and%20include%20some%20of%20the%20most%20endangered%20and%20charismatic%20animals%2C%20including%20hippos%2C%20leopards%20and%20polar%20bears.%0A%0ABritish%20hunters%20are%20not%20a%20large%20part%20of%20the%20trophy%20hunting%20industry%20and%20the%20ban%20is%20considered%20largely%20symbolic%20by%20conservationists.%20In%202015%2C%20the%20killing%20of%20Cecil%20the%20lion%20by%20a%20trophy%20hunter%20in%20Zimbabwe%20provoked%20global%20outrage%20and%20revulsion%20at%20the%20industry%2C%20where%20hunters%20pay%20tens%20of%20thousands%20of%20pounds%20to%20shoot%20and%20pose%20with%20the%20bodies%20of%20wild%20animals.%0A%0AThe%20actor%20Peter%20Egan%2C%20a%20prominent%20anti-trophy%20hunting%20campaigner%2C%20said%20the%20vote%20was%20%E2%80%9Csensational%E2%80%9D%20news.%0A%0AClaire%20Bass%2C%20a%20senior%20director%20of%20campaigns%20and%20public%20affairs%20at%20Humane%20Society%20International-UK%2C%20also%20welcomed%20the%20vote.%20%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20delighted%20that%20this%20extremely%20popular%20bill%20has%20passed%20its%20report%20stage%20and%20third%20reading%2C%20with%20dozens%20of%20cross-party%20MPs%20taking%20the%20floor%20in%20today%E2%80%99s%20debate%20to%20share%20their%20strong%20support%20for%20legislation%20to%20stop%20hunters%20bringing%20their%20sick%20souvenirs%20back%20to%20the%20UK.%20We%20%E2%80%A6%20look%20to%20the%20House%20of%20Lords%20to%20ensure%20swift%20passage%20of%20this%20vital%20law%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0ABut%20others%20expressed%20their%20disappointment%20and%20urged%20the%20Lords%20to%20oppose%20the%20law%20in%20its%20current%20form.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20bitterly%20disappointing%20MPs%20have%20succumbed%20to%20an%20emotive%20but%20misinformed%20animal%20rights%20campaign%E2%80%9D%2C%20said%20Amy%20Dickman%2C%20an%20Oxford%20University%20professor%20who%20is%20an%20expert%20on%20lion%20conservation.%20%E2%80%9CThis%20bill%20will%20kill%20more%20animals%20than%20it%20will%20save.%20Hopes%20for%20a%20rational%2C%20evidence-based%20debate%20now%20rest%20in%20the%20House%20of%20Lords.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AMaxi%20Pia%20Louis%2C%20a%20community%20leader%20from%20Namibia%2C%20said%20she%20was%20disappointed%20that%20the%20voices%20of%20Africans%20had%20not%20been%20heard.%20%E2%80%9CBritain%20has%20ignored%20our%20numerous%20attempts%20to%20engage.%20What%20is%20the%20purpose%20of%20the%20diplomatic%20ties%20we%20supposedly%20share%3F%20This%20bill%20will%20make%20African%20communities%20poorer%20for%20many%20years%20to%20come%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0AThe%20international%20biodiversity%20minister%2C%20Trudy%20Harrison%2C%20said%20the%20vote%20was%20a%20pivotal%20moment.%20%E2%80%9CUsing%20an%20internationally%20agreed%20list%20of%20species%2C%20this%20will%20play%20an%20important%20part%20in%20helping%20reverse%20the%20decline%20of%20wildlife%20across%20the%20world.%20I%20look%20forward%20to%20it%20becoming%20an%20act%20of%20parliament%2C%E2%80%9D%20she%20said.%0A%0AHenry%20Smith%2C%20the%20MP%20who%20led%20the%20private%20member%E2%80%99s%20bill%2C%20said%20the%20government%20was%20delivering%20on%20its%202019%20manifesto%20commitment.%20%E2%80%9CI%E2%80%99m%20grateful%20to%20the%20government%20for%20supporting%20my%20%E2%80%A6%20bill%20and%20I%20look%20forward%20to%20it%20now%20progressing%20through%20the%20House%20of%20Lords.%20Our%20country%20does%20not%20want%20to%20be%20part%20of%20a%20trade%20in%20the%20body%20parts%20of%20endangered%20species.%20Today%20the%20Commons%20sent%20this%20message%20loud%20and%20clear%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said.

Bill banning import of hunting trophies into UK

Announced%20by%20EU%20Commission%20President%20Ursula%20von%20der%20Leyen%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Green%20Deal%20Industrial%20Plan%2C%20the%20proposed%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%20will%20be%20instrumental%20in%20scaling%20up%20EU%20green%20technology%20manufacturing%2C%20creating%20an%20array%20of%20lucrative%20jobs.%0A%0AThe%20act%20will%20help%20achieve%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20net-zero%20technologies%20manufacturing%20capacity%20target%2C%20reaching%20at%20least%2040%25%20of%20the%20Union%E2%80%99s%20deployment%20needs%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20new%20initiative%20will%20drive%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%202030%20climate%20and%20energy%20targets%20to%20ease%20reliance%20on%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20bringing%20in%20attractive%20investments%2C%20creating%20jobs%2C%20and%20helping%20the%20EU%20become%20energy%20independent.%0A%0AVon%20der%20Leyen%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20need%20a%20regulatory%20environment%20that%20allows%20us%20to%20scale%20up%20the%20clean%20energy%20transition%20quickly.%20The%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%20will%20do%20just%20that.%20It%20will%20create%20the%20best%20conditions%20for%20those%20sectors%20that%20are%20crucial%20for%20us%20to%20reach%20net%20zero%20by%202050%3A%20technologies%20like%20wind%20turbines%2C%20heat%20pumps%2C%20solar%20panels%2C%20renewable%20hydrogen%2C%20as%20well%20as%20CO2%20storage.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDemand%20is%20growing%20in%20Europe%20and%20globally%2C%20and%20we%20are%20acting%20now%20to%20ensure%20we%20can%20meet%20more%20of%20this%20demand%20with%20European%20supply.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AAnnounced%20by%20EU%20Commission%20President%20Ursula%20von%20der%20Leyen%20as%20part%20of%20the%20Green%20Deal%20Industrial%20Plan%2C%20the%20proposed%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%20will%20be%20instrumental%20in%20scaling%20up%20EU%20green%20technology%20manufacturing%2C%20creating%20an%20array%20of%20lucrative%20jobs.%0A%0AThe%20act%20will%20help%20achieve%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%20net-zero%20technologies%20manufacturing%20capacity%20target%2C%20reaching%20at%20least%2040%25%20of%20the%20Union%E2%80%99s%20deployment%20needs%20by%202030.%0A%0AThe%20new%20initiative%20will%20drive%20the%20EU%E2%80%99s%202030%20climate%20and%20energy%20targets%20to%20ease%20reliance%20on%20fossil%20fuels%2C%20bringing%20in%20attractive%20investments%2C%20creating%20jobs%2C%20and%20helping%20the%20EU%20become%20energy%20independent.%0A%0AVon%20der%20Leyen%20said%3A%20%E2%80%9CWe%20need%20a%20regulatory%20environment%20that%20allows%20us%20to%20scale%20up%20the%20clean%20energy%20transition%20quickly.%20The%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%20will%20do%20just%20that.%20It%20will%20create%20the%20best%20conditions%20for%20those%20sectors%20that%20are%20crucial%20for%20us%20to%20reach%20net%20zero%20by%202050%3A%20technologies%20like%20wind%20turbines%2C%20heat%20pumps%2C%20solar%20panels%2C%20renewable%20hydrogen%2C%20as%20well%20as%20CO2%20storage.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CDemand%20is%20growing%20in%20Europe%20and%20globally%2C%20and%20we%20are%20acting%20now%20to%20ensure%20we%20can%20meet%20more%20of%20this%20demand%20with%20European%20supply.%E2%80%9D%0A%0AEnhancing%20skills%0AMeasures%20within%20the%20act%20will%20ensure%20that%20a%20skilled%20workforce%20will%20be%20created%20to%20support%20the%20proliferation%20of%20EU%20net-zero%20technologies.%20The%20act%20will%20also%20provide%20leading%20industry%20academics%20with%20the%20necessary%20arsenal%20to%20achieve%20these%20goals.%0A%0AFostering%20innovation%0AThe%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%20will%20allow%20Member%20States%20to%20set%20up%20regulatory%20sandboxes%20to%20test%20innovative%20net-zero%20technologies%20and%20stimulate%20innovation%20under%20flexible%20regulatory%20conditions.%0A%0ANet-Zero%20Europe%20Platform%0AA%20Net-Zero%20Europe%20Platform%20will%20help%20the%20Commission%20and%20Member%20States%20coordinate%20action%20and%20exchange%20information%20around%20Net-Zero%20Industrial%20Partnerships.%20They%20will%20also%20collaborate%20to%20ensure%20the%20availability%20of%20data%20to%20monitor%20progress%20toward%20the%20objectives%20of%20the%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act.%20The%20Net-Zero%20Europe%20Platform%20will%20identify%20financial%20needs%2C%20bottlenecks%2C%20and%20best%20practices%20for%20projects%20across%20the%20EU%2C%20fostering%20contacts%20across%20Europe%E2%80%99s%20net-zero%20sectors%20and%20utilising%20existing%20industrial%20alliances.%0A%0AThe%20regulation%20will%20now%20be%20discussed%20and%20agreed%20upon%20by%20the%20European%20Parliament%20and%20the%20Council%20of%20the%20European%20Union%20before%20its%20implementation.%0A%0ABioenergy%20Europe%20expresses%20concern%20over%20the%20lack%20of%20strategic%20vision%20for%20bioenergy%0AAlthough%20Bioenergy%20Europe%20welcomes%20the%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%2C%20they%20believe%20there%20is%20a%20lack%20of%20strategic%20vision%20for%20the%20bioenergy%20industry%20and%20net-negative%20technologies%20like%20bioenergy%20with%20carbon%20capture%20and%20storage%20(BECCS)%0A%0ABioenergy%20Europe%20explained%20that%20the%20lack%20of%20bioenergy%20in%20the%20list%20of%20strategic%20net-zero%20technologies%20demonstrates%20a%20lack%20of%20vision%20from%20the%20European%20Union.%20They%20argue%20that%20the%20heavy%20focus%20on%20carbon%20capture%20and%20storage%20technologies%20(CCS)%20overshadows%20BECCS%20solutions%20essential%20for%20achieving%20carbon%20neutrality%20in%20Europe.%0A%0ABioenergy%20Europe%20believes%20that%20establishing%20an%20EU%20market%20for%20BECCS%20would%20contribute%20to%20combating%20emissions%20on%20a%20large%20scale%20and%20help%20accelerate%20the%20development%20of%20many%20innovative%20projects.%20This%20is%20demonstrated%20by%20the%20EU-funded%20project%20BECCS%20Stockholm%2C%20which%20aims%20to%20remove%20800%2C000%20tonnes%20of%20carbon%20dioxide%20from%20the%20atmosphere%20every%20year%20in%20Stockholm%20alone.%0A%0AThe%20organisation%20stated%20that%20if%20bioenergy%20and%20BECCS%20are%20not%20considered%20strategic%20assets%20in%20the%20Net-Zero%20Industrial%20Act%2C%20the%20lack%20of%20support%20will%20cause%20EU-based%20bioenergy%20technology%20providers%20to%20outsource%20their%20production%20to%20non-EU%20territories.%0A%0AEnnio%20Prizzi%2C%20Policy%20Officer%20at%20Bioenergy%20Europe%2C%20explained%3A%20%E2%80%9CThe%20Net-Zero%20Industry%20Act%20proposal%20focuses%20heavily%20on%20a%20narrow%20selection%20of%20technologies%20when%20it%20should%20further%20support%20innovative%20carbon%20dioxide%20removal%20solutions%20such%20as%20BECCS.%0A%0A%E2%80%9CBECCS%20is%20an%20industrial%20technology%20capable%20of%20capturing%20and%20permanently%20storing%20carbon%3B%20and%20is%20already%20a%20prominent%2C%20developed%20and%20cost-effective%20carbon%20removal%20solution%20that%20can%20achieve%20net-negative%20emissions.%20Without%20the%20right%20support%2C%20innovative%20CDR%20technologies%20would%20be%20a%20missed%20opportunity.%E2%80%9D%0A

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