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Solar Farms Help Bees: Solar Installations for the Bees

Posted on March 5, 2024 by dishanth

Solar farms help bees: Solar farms emerging as sanctuaries for declining wild and honey bee populations.

In an unexpected turn, solar farms help bees and are emerging as potential sanctuaries for declining bee populations, providing a secondary purpose beyond clean energy generation. A recent study reveals that strategically planting native flowers and grasses around solar installations significantly enhances the population and diversity of crucial pollinators like bees, offering a promising avenue for both clean energy expansion and environmental conservation.

Research conducted by scientists from the Department of Energy’s Argonne National Lab, in collaboration with the National Renewable Energy Lab, focused on assessing the impacts on insects from two large solar installations situated on retired farmland in Minnesota. Enel Green Power North America, the operators of these solar sites, undertook the initiative to plant wildflower mixes alongside the panel arrays during construction in 2018. The researchers then conducted comprehensive year-round insect surveys at these facilities from 2018 to 2022.

The findings from the study are nothing short of remarkable; solar farms help bees. Over the five-year observation period, both native bee and monarch butterfly populations increased more than twenty-fold. The areas surrounding the solar panels transformed into thriving, prairie-like habitats abundant with essential flowering nourishment. The overall insect populations tripled, surpassing initial expectations. Additionally, these flourishing hubs of pollinators are extending benefits to vegetation in nearby agricultural areas, as evidenced by satellite imaging.

Dr. Lee Walston, an ecologist at Argonne and the lead author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about the scale of positive influence managed solar landscapes can have on insect biodiversity and abundance. The strategic integration of natural ecosystem elements adjacent to renewable projects, as demonstrated in this study, could potentially offer a win-win scenario, supporting the expansion of clean energy infrastructure while addressing the decline in insect populations.

The research underscores the concept of “solar sharing” – a departure from the traditional approach of isolating solar infrastructure from its surroundings. By allowing vegetation to thrive around solar facilities, solar farms help bees, and a new haven is created to support fragile bee colonies. The collapse of global bee populations poses a severe threat to agriculture, as over $500 billion in crop production relies on natural pollination annually.

But it doesn’t have to be only about the bees. Agrovoltaics refers to co-locating agriculture and solar photovoltaic systems on the same land. The solar panels are elevated and spaced out to allow crops to be grown underneath while allowing sunlight to reach the crops. The partial shade created by the solar panels can benefit certain crops by providing shelter, reducing evapotranspiration, and lessening weed pressure. The crops benefit the solar infrastructure by reducing heat under and around the panels.

Some bee-friendly crops and flowers that could thrive under the partial shade of solar panels include potatoes, cabbage, kale, carrots, Brussels sprouts, celery, spinach, onions, garlic, lettuce, arugula, strawberries, asparagus, leeks, swiss chard, parsley, oregano, green beans, sunflowers, cosmos flowers, marigolds, clovers, borage, and many varieties of wildflowers. These provide nutrient-rich pollen and nectar that support diverse bee populations.

These findings open the door to a new perspective on the relationship between solar power and ecological conservation. Instead of erecting barriers, solar infrastructure can be designed to coexist harmoniously with the environment. The success observed in this study suggests that solar farms help bees and can play a crucial role in aiding declining bee populations, offering hope for preserving essential pollinators.

As the world grapples with the urgent need for sustainable practices amid the climate crisis, the authors hope these groundbreaking findings will inspire further research. Exploring habitat-friendly solar blueprints to integrate nature into the urgent climate transition could be a transformative step forward. Dr. Walston emphasized the potential symbiosis between solar power and ecological conservation, envisioning bees flocking to blossoms beneath solar panels, which may reveal surprising pathways to advance sustainable energy and agriculture concurrently.

In conclusion, solar farms help bees. Once seen solely as agents of clean energy, they are now emerging as potential allies in the crucial mission to preserve and protect bee populations. This unexpected synergy between renewable energy infrastructure and environmental conservation opens doors to innovative solutions that could redefine the future of sustainable energy and agriculture.

Source Happy Eco News

The Green Revolution: Sharing Leading the Way

Posted on November 2, 2023 by dishanth

The Green Revolution: Sharing leading the way

In a world grappling with pressing environmental challenges, the call for sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. One such solution gaining rapid momentum is the sharing economy, a model that not only promotes resource efficiency but also leads us on the path towards a greener planet. The sharing economy actively encourages the sharing, renting, and borrowing of goods, services, and spaces, fostering a sense of community while simultaneously minimizing our ecological footprint. In this article, we explore why sharing and the sharing economy are indispensable for the planet and how they can shape a more sustainable future.

Resource Conservation

At the heart of the sharing economy lies its ability to optimize resource utilization. Sharing goods ensures that their lifespan is maximized, consequently reducing the need for overproduction. A prime example is the success of car-sharing services. Instead of each individual owning a car that remains idle for most of its life, car-sharing platforms enable multiple people to use the same vehicle, thus decreasing the number of cars on the road and the associated resource consumption.

Reduced Waste

In a world plagued by excessive waste production, the sharing economy provides a remedy by discouraging unnecessary consumption. Sharing platforms offer individuals access to items they need temporarily, effectively reducing the demand for single-use products. Tools, appliances, or clothing can be shared within a community, eliminating the need for every individual to buy these items individually. This practice significantly reduces waste generation and lessens the environmental impact linked to manufacturing and disposal.

Energy Efficiency

The sharing economy also champions energy efficiency by encouraging the utilization of existing resources rather than the creation of new ones. Home-sharing platforms, for instance, enable homeowners to rent out their unused spaces, be it an extra room or an entire house. By making use of existing housing infrastructure, we optimise energy consumption in contrast to constructing new buildings. Furthermore, these platforms incentivise homeowners to invest in energy-efficient practices and technologies, such as renewable energy systems or energy-saving appliances, ultimately reducing carbon emissions.

Sustainable Lifestyles

Embracing the sharing economy fosters a shift in mindset from ownership to access. Instead of relentlessly pursuing possession, people begin to prioritize experiences and the efficient use of resources. This shift in consumer behavior can lead to a more sustainable lifestyle. When individuals recognize the value of sharing and collaboration, they become more conscious of their consumption patterns, opting for sustainable choices that benefit the planet.

Strengthened Communities

The sharing economy has a profound social impact as it brings people together and builds stronger communities. Sharing platforms often connect individuals living in close proximity, facilitating interaction and trust-building. When people collaborate, share resources, and support one another, a sense of belonging and shared responsibility develops. These communities often extend beyond the digital realm, fostering increased social cohesion and support networks.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship

The sharing economy has opened up avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship, particularly in sustainable sectors. It has given rise to new businesses and start-ups focused on sharing services, renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and circular economy practices. These ventures have the potential to create new jobs, drive economic growth, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Leading the Way

Companies like RentMy enable people to “share” everything they own with others in their community. From paddleboards to canoes, DIY tools to garden equipment, musical instruments to cooking appliances, you can earn money from all the items that are just sitting around.

Tentshare and Camptoo do the same but for niched products like tents, camping equipment, and camper vans, allowing people to experience an adventure weekend without the significant upfront costs for all the equipment.

Then there’s Bike Club, a subscription service for bicycles that allows your child to upgrade each time they outgrow their ride. For adults, there’s Spinlister, which connects people who want to ride bikes with bike owners all over the world.

Next Steps

Without a doubt, the sharing economy is here to stay, largely because the benefits it offers are immense. It’s a sustainable choice, reducing the demand for brand-new products. It also promotes community, particularly those with a local focus. It can save and earn you money, with peer-to-peer lending offering an alternative to buying expensive equipment outright and also providing additional income to those renting out their assets.

But what truly drives this fast-growing economy is trust.

This is what allows someone to take a car ride from a stranger or rent a room in a house from someone they’ve never met.

How Do You Build Trust?

The article, aptly titled “The Decline of Serial Killers and the Rise of the Sharing Economy,” suggests that the internet has played a significant role in increasing trust between strangers.

Thanks to the fact that nearly all of us have a virtual identity these days, it’s challenging to go completely under the radar, reducing our fear of strangers.

This means we are more willing to engage with those we don’t know, seeing “strangers” as “peers.”

Businesses operating within the sharing economy are also employing various tactics to build upon this trust. For example, we encourage users to upload profile photos and write detailed profile descriptions that help identify them on a personal level.

We have also addressed concerns about the risk of damage. This has been a vital part of the development of RentMy. We provide extensive insurance protection for all those on our platform, allowing lenders to loan their items out risk-free, knowing that we will cover any damage or loss.

Final Thoughts

In a world increasingly aware of the environmental challenges we face, the sharing economy has emerged as a beacon of hope, leading the way towards a more sustainable future. It champions resource conservation, reduces waste, promotes energy efficiency, and encourages sustainable lifestyles. Moreover, it fosters stronger communities, fuels innovation and entrepreneurship, and ultimately drives positive change in our society.

Companies like RentMy, Tentshare, and Bike Club exemplify how individuals and businesses can play a pivotal role in this transformative movement. The sharing economy is not only here to stay but also set to thrive, offering a sustainable, community-driven, and financially rewarding path forward.

But, as we embrace the sharing economy, we must recognise that trust is its cornerstone. The internet has been a key enabler, reducing our fear of strangers and turning them into peers. Building trust involves transparency, identity verification, and addressing concerns, such as the risk of damage. At RentMy, we take these concerns seriously, offering comprehensive insurance protection to assure both sharers and renters.

Trust is the bridge that allows us to share with one another, and as we continue down this path, it’s a bridge that will only strengthen and lead us towards a greener, more interconnected world. So, as we take that car ride from a stranger or rent a room from someone we’ve never met, we are not just participating in the sharing economy; we are actively shaping a more sustainable, connected, and trust-driven future for all.

Source Happy Eco News

Sustainable Supply: Transforming the Global Supply Chain with Green Practices

Posted on October 18, 2023October 18, 2023 by dishanth

Sustainable Supply: Transforming the Global Supply Chain with Green Practices

People can already feel the effect of global warming, making them ask what they can do to combat the crisis. Riding a bike to work and recycling are excellent starting points.

Still, the world needs more significant changes to ensure future generations have opportunities to succeed. How can humanity achieve a better planet? It starts with a sustainable supply chain.

Here’s a guide on why it’s the next step in solving the climate crisis.

How to Achieve a Sustainable Supply Chain

Actions speak louder than words, and they’re how the Earth will achieve long-lasting change. These six strategies demonstrate creating a sustainable supply chain this decade and beyond.

1. Switch to Renewable Energy Sources

Sustainability starts with switching to renewable energy sources. Solar, wind, nuclear and geothermal power are only some of the options available. Renewable energy sources are better for the environment because they don’t release greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as carbon dioxide (CO2). They’re also better for the supply chain because you can produce renewable energy locally instead of depending on a far-away supplier.

Renewable energy has increased in the past few decades, with experts seeing consumption triple since 2013. These sources have become more commonplace as governments and companies see the benefits of installing solar panels, wind turbines and other technologies.

2. Reduce Fossil Fuel Consumption

Increasing renewable energy consumption needs to happen simultaneously with reducing fossil fuel utilization. According to the United Nations, fossil fuels are the largest contributor to climate change. Coal, oil and gas constitute about 90% of CO2 and 75% of GHG emissions. Ocean temperatures are rising, glaciers are melting, and natural disasters are worsening daily. It’s hard not to look at fossil fuel as the primary suspect.

The supply chain would benefit from reducing its fossil fuel consumption because of how volatile prices can be. Gas prices fluctuate with supply and demand, so even minor disruptions in production can significantly increase costs. For example, severe weather increases natural gas demand and leads to suppliers raising rates. Relying on renewable resources removes the uncertainty for many companies.

3. Electrify the Fleets

Removing fossil fuels from the supply chain means scrutinizing which industries use them the most. A good place to start is the automotive industry, considering the millions of cars and trucks driving on the streets daily. Most automobiles you pass have tailpipes emitting GHGs. The European Union (EU) says road transportation contributed nearly 72% of total emissions from member nations.

Electrifying fleets is the fastest way to reduce emissions from the transportation industry. Electric vehicles (EVs), trains and other forms of transport are slowly electrifying as manufacturers see the benefits of using this technology. The global supply chain would become more sustainable and secure because you can produce electricity at home. In contrast, oil and gas often come from international suppliers. Plus, EV research, manufacturing and production create thousands of job opportunities worldwide.

Integrating EVs into the supply chain requires more widespread adoption. Unfortunately, EVs cost more than petrol cars due to higher production costs. Manufacturing should become less expensive in the next decade to make these vehicles more accessible and affordable.

4. Change the Packaging

E-commerce is another sector worth scrutinizing due to its environmental impact. The world has relied more on e-commerce since the pandemic, with online retailers making shopping more accessible for consumers. Experts foresee a 14.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) until 2027 in the e-commerce market, demonstrating how the world has shifted in its buying preferences.

Reducing the environmental impact of e-commerce entails switching to EVs and changing the packaging. Many sites use non-recyclable materials for their packages, and the environmental cost adds up quickly. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says packaging and containers significantly contribute to municipal solid waste, adding to landfills worldwide.

The supply chain would become more sustainable if e-commerce companies switched to more sustainable packaging. Some businesses have changed to mushroom, seaweed, cornstarch and other more environmentally friendly materials for their packages. These options are more sustainable because they’re biodegradable and compostable. The end user can dispose of the container and feel better about their carbon footprint.

5. Emphasize ESG Scores

How will the planet get large companies on board with a sustainable supply chain? The leading motivator for multinational corporations is environmental, social and governance (ESG) scores. This metric tracks how a company promotes environmental policies, social justice and governing equity.

How many women and people of color are on the board? What were a corporation’s emissions last year? ESG scores determine these statistics on a 0 to 100 scale, with a score below 50 indicating poor performance.

Why do ESG scores matter? Investors are talking with their wallets. Shareholders are more likely to invest in companies demonstrating care for the environment and people within the organization. Businesses with minimal or no concern for the planet are more likely to fall behind because they’re less sustainable and profitable.

6. Push for Government Action

Ultimately, it’s up to governmental bodies worldwide to enforce environmental policies and hold companies accountable. Corporations can release statements supporting eco-friendly ideas, but some find themselves greenwashing and doing more harm than good. Environmental lobbyists and activist groups push the government to push businesses to do the right thing and enact favorable policies.

Why a Sustainable Supply Chain Is Necessary

Companies have touted making a sustainable supply chain this decade, so it’s worth asking why it’s necessary. Here are a few reasons why improving the supply chain is vital.

Stabilizing Economies

The supply chain disruptions from 2020 to 2022 demonstrate global economies’ vulnerability. A sustainable supply chain means increasing regional domestic solutions instead of relying on international suppliers. Ports can close due to infectious diseases and other issues, so making an efficient supply chain is essential moving forward.

Curbing Global Warming

The top reason for making a sustainable supply chain is to curb global warming. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) says summer 2023 was the hottest on record, with information dating back to 1880. Scientists attribute the rise in global temperatures to human activity worldwide. Reducing this rise requires making the supply chain more sustainable. s

GHGs are a significant factor in climate change, with countries like the U.S., China and India contributing the most each year. Reducing emissions is essential to prevent climate change’s worst environmental and human health impacts. Research shows a positive correlation between CO2 emissions and disability-adjusted life years, meaning reducing emissions leads to longer and healthier lives.

Lowering Costs

A sustainable supply chain makes sense for the environment and a company’s bottom line. Sustainable supply chains lead to reduced costs associated with energy production and consumption. Relying on solar and wind power at home is less expensive and more reliable in the long run than depending on foreign oil.

Ensuring a Sustainable Supply Chain for the Future

Time is running out to stop the worst effects of climate change. Fortunately, the planet still has a few years left to control rising temperatures and set humanity on a better path. Creating a better Earth starts with building a more sustainable supply chain. These six ways demonstrate what needs to happen.

Source – Happy Eco News

Green IT for a Greener Future

Posted on September 6, 2023September 8, 2023 by dishanth

Exploring a Green IT strategy isn’t solely about cost and carbon reduction – it’s a pledge to stakeholders

Tell us about Doji?

Doji offers innovative Green IT solutions that empower businesses and individuals to cut emissions and costs through a circular approach. Our unique marketplace, with operations in the U.K. and Brazil, connects enterprises and individuals, enabling them to secure certified refurbished devices and explore options like selling, trading, donating, or recycling existing tech, all with an eco-friendly process while tracking emissions.

We advocate for verified refurbished devices, helping users lower expenses and emissions while advancing Net Zero goals. This showcases our commitment to sustainable consumption and positions Doji as a leader in driving an environmentally conscious future.

How Serious is the Electronic-Waste Challenge?

E-waste, dubbed a ‘tsunami’ by the UN, is the world’s fastest-growing waste stream. In 2021, it hit 57.4 million tonnes, exceeding the Great Wall of China’s weight. Alarmingly, user devices, including smartphones and tablets, emit 1.5 to 2.0 times more carbon than data centers (1). These emissions are projected to increase by 12.8% annually (2), with around 75% arising from manufacturing, transportation, and disposal. Doji tackles this by enabling longer tech device lifecycles.

How Does Doji Aid Organizations in Lowering IT Carbon Footprint and Gaining Benefits?

A rapid and effective way to slash IT Carbon emissions is through a Green IT strategy for tech procurement, where Doji excels.

Doji offers top-quality certified refurbished business devices, negating the need for new ones that generate 70-80% more CO2, primarily in manufacturing. Refurbished IT offsets ‘CO2 costs’ during production over extended use, reducing waste and enhancing environmental balance.

Companies can also recycle old tech through Doji—selling, trading in, recycling, or donating through Doji’s charity partners. Doji also provides carbon accounting, offset projects, and tools for sustainable workplace consumption through its partners.

Overall, the Green IT strategy enhances company reputation, furnishes budget-friendly top-notch hardware, and frequently yields significant savings while also driving positive environmental and social impact.

Besides sustainability, quality, and cost, what should IT decision-makers consider when exploring refurbished IT, especially with Doji

IT leaders should focus on certified data deletion, strong customer service, transparent practices, and supplier commitment to sustainability when opting for refurbished IT. At Doji, sustainability is our driving force for business success, championing a profound shift toward a more environmentally conscious future.

And finally, what does Doji mean, and why did you choose it?

Originating from Japanese candlestick charting, my co-founders and I, who met while studying at the University of Oxford, chose ‘Doji as it symbolizes price equilibrium between buyers and sellers, reflecting our commitment to fairness for all parties, including the environment.

How Does Doji Aid Organizations in Lowering IT Carbon Footprint and Gaining Benefits?

A rapid and effective way to slash IT Carbon emissions is through a Green IT strategy for tech procurement, where Doji excels.

Besides sustainability, quality, and cost, what should IT decision-makers consider when exploring refurbished IT, especially with Doji

IT leaders should focus on certified data deletion, strong customer service, transparent practices, and supplier’s commitment to sustainability when opting for refurbished IT. At Doji, sustainability is our driving force for business success, championing a profound shift toward a more environmentally conscious future.

And finally, what does Doji mean, and why did you choose it?

Source Sustainability

Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Plan Will Become a Law Next Year

Posted on July 21, 2023July 21, 2023 by dishanth

Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Plan is intended to train workers for new roles in preparation for the future of a green economy. The government has presented a sustainable jobs bill that will provide the workforce needed for what is called a “just transition” to a new green economy. The country aims for a 40-45% reduction in emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hopes the Sustainable Jobs Plan will help attract billions of dollars in investment by creating a skilled clean energy workforce. The bill, which will become law early in 2024, will publish an action plan every five years to put in place measures to invest in the net-zero emissions economy and skills of the future. From 2025, the government plans to release a new sustainable jobs plan every five years.

This new legislation has been ongoing for over two years of consultations and conversations with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, workers and unions, industry, environmental and civil society organizations and interested Canadians. Based on these conversations, the creation of the Sustainable Jobs Plan put forward ten concrete actions to advance the creation of sustainable jobs and support workers in every part of Canada. These actions include:

Establish the sustainable jobs secretariat: This will ensure federal policies and program coordination among Government departments.

Create a Sustainable Partnership Council: This council would advise the government on job creation and support workers.

Develop economic strategies through the Regional Energy and Resource Tables: These tables will work with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous groups and other partners to identify a set of concrete actions and develop economic strategies.

Introduce a sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program: This will provide workers with training, equipment and materials that meet industry standards and investments that support a low-carbon economy.

Advanced funding for skills development for sustainable jobs: This will be achieved by working with universities, colleges, union training centres and employer groups to help workers succeed in a net-zero economy.

Promote Indigenous-led solutions and a National Benefits-Sharing Framework: This will be achieved by continuously supporting Indigenous-owned clean energy projects across Canada.

Improve labour market data collection, tracking and analysis: These improvements will help the council provide advice and identify new measures and actions that must be taken.

Motivate investors and draw in industry leaders to support workers: The money will be used to support green infrastructure, clean technologies, climate action, and environmental protection.

Collaborate and lead on the global stage: Canada is committed to ensuring that their best practices and lessons learned are shared globally.

Establish legislation that ensures ongoing engagement and accountability: The overall goal is that all Canadians are involved in the decision-making process and that everyone adapts to new changes to help achieve our goals.

Canada’s Sustainable Jobs Plan will train people in jobs that are compatible with Canada’s path to a net-zero emissions and climate-resilient future. These include:

Clean energy: This includes jobs in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power generation, as well as energy efficiency and conservation.
Green infrastructure: This includes jobs in building and maintaining sustainable infrastructure, such as green roofs, rainwater harvesting systems, and electric vehicle charging stations.
Low-carbon transportation: This includes jobs in electric vehicle manufacturing, public transit, and active transportation (e.g., walking, biking, and rolling).
Sustainable agriculture: This includes jobs in organic farming, sustainable forestry, and aquaculture.
Recycling and waste management: This includes jobs in recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy.
Environmental monitoring and remediation: This includes jobs in monitoring air and water quality and cleaning up contaminated sites.

The Sustainable Jobs Plan will help to ensure Canada has the skilled workforce it needs to build a clean, healthy future for the country.

Think-tank Clean Energy Canada expects jobs in this sector will grow by 3.4% annually over the next decade, nearly four times faster than the Canadian average. With the commitment from the Canadian government to the Sustainable Jobs Plan, there is hope that the country can meet its environmental goals and that sustainable jobs will become the new normal across the country.

Source Happy Eco News

How automotive batteries are being turned into solar power storage

Posted on December 13, 2022 by dishanth

As concern over climate change and the need for clean energy sees an increasing number of people switch to electric cars, these vehicles are fast gaining a larger market share.

But some experts are asking how green the batteries that run them really are?

They’re raising questions about the environmental impact of lithium mining, respect for human rights and alleged child labour in cobalt mines, the high energy costs of production, and a recyclability rate of barely 10%.

Rita Tedesco, ECOS Head of energy transition says that the recycling of materials of batteries “at this moment is neither interesting for recyclers nor for manufacturers because it’s much cheaper to extract virgin materials than to recycle them.”

But a Spanish company is trying to give used car batteries a ‘second life’.

As part of the EU project, Stardust, its reconditioning them to store solar energy, adding at least 10 years to their life.

Critics say European Union legislation on sustainable practices in battery recycling is largely outdate.

But discussions are currently underway on proposed legislation which could regulate the production chain from extraction to the recycling and reuse processes.

Watch the video in the player above.

Source euronews

Denmark just opened a huge vertical farm, and it could be a sign of things to come globally

Posted on December 16, 2020 by dishanth

When you look at a lush, green, delicious plant, you probably tend to think it comes from a fertile land somewhere in the world. Well, that might no longer be the only option out there. A vertical farm just opened up in an old warehouse without windows in Copenhagen and it expects to produce 1,000 tons of produce per year by 2021, showing that vertical farms really do have a solid future.

They won’t see the light of day or have access to soil, but hundreds of tons of lettuce, herbs, and kale (among other produce) will soon be coming out of the vertical farm. The advantage of the vertical farm is that it takes less space than a conventional crop, helping to meet the world’s food demand and producing food locally instead of importing it.

Around 37% of the earth’s landmass is used for agriculture, according to the World Bank. But climate change and conflicts can challenge the availability of land for farming, not to even mention soil erosion — one of the major environmental issues that often fly under the radar. A quarter of the world’s productive lands have already been degraded, according to the World Food Programme, challenging food security.

The project is run by YesHealth Group, a Taiwanese company with a long record developing vertical farming technology, in partnership with Nordic Harvest, a Danish start-up that wants to use technology to make food production more sustainable. YesHealth already runs in Taiwan the largest vertical farm in China.

It’s not actually a brand-new idea, as vertical farms have been around for almost a decade. They first took in Asia and the United States, which has the world’s biggest vertical farm, located in a steel mill in New Jersey and producing two million pounds of produce every year. But the idea is now also catching up in Europe.

“We offer a more sustainable way of producing food year-round, locally, without disturbing nature,” founder of Nordic Harvest, Anders Riemann, told Reuters. “We take some of the food production back into the cities where you can grow in a much smaller land and space-optimized in the height.”

The farm is installed in a 7,000 square meter hall and has 14 shelves of greens stacked up toward the ceiling in aluminum boxes. It’s all automated, with robots used to move the shelves into position and stack the produce. When fully operational, the farm will be hermetically sealed to secure the farming conditions.

Water consumption will be between 90% and 95% lower compared to traditional farming. No artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or other toxic chemicals will be used. About 200 tons of produce will be harvested in the first quarter of 2021 but this would reach 1,000 annually when the farm runs at full capacity by end of 2021.

The project also addresses one of the frequent criticism vertical farms have, the fact that they require a vast amount of electricity to provide artificial light — but for Denmark, that won’t be too big of a problem. The farm uses 20,000 specialized LEDs lightbulbs, manufactured by YesHealth, that are powered by renewable energy from Denmark’s extensive wind farms.

“A vertical farm is characterized by not harming the environment by recycling all the water and nutrition or fertilizer,” said Riemann. “In our case, we use 100% energy from windmills which makes us CO2-neutral.”

Denmark reported record-breaking wind power in 2019, covering 47% of the country’s electricity demands for the entire year. Out of the 47%, most came from onshore (29%), although offshore also generated a healthy amount (18%). The country expects to keep expanding renewables as a way to reduce its emissions.

by Fermin Koop

Source ZME Science

Sri Lanka returns first batch of imported waste from the UK

Posted on December 11, 2020 by dishanth

The first batch of 21 containers out of a total of 263 was labeled for recycling, but has been uncovered to be medical waste. This constitutes a violation of the Basel Convention that regulates the global movement of hazardous waste.

Sri Lanka has sent back the first batch of hundreds of containers of waste to the UK., becoming the latest nation in the Global South to push back against abuses of a worldwide recycling framework by exporters in the West.

An initial consignment of 21 containers arrived back in the UK., the county of origin, in late November, according to the ship-tracking data. There are still another 242 containers waiting to be shipped back, according to Sri Lanka Customs.

Sri Lanka, like many other countries in the Global South, routinely imports waste from the West to recycle. The country is also a party to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, which means exporters must obtain its consent to send medical or other biohazardous waste.

But the exporters behind the containers in question appeared to have flouted that rule by packing their containers with suspected medical waste, according to a customs inspection in July 2019. Officials reported finding discarded mattresses, carpets and rugs that appeared to be soiled.

“In this case, Sri Lanka hasn’t received any request from the UK., so this is an illegal shipment,” Ajith Weerasundara, director of chemicals and hazardous waste management unit at the Central Environment Authority (CEA), told Mongabay. “We have officially requested the UK. to recall the hazardous waste.”

Sunil Jayarathne, a spokesman for Sri Lanka Customs, told Mongabay that the containers were imported by a Sri Lankan company between 2017 and 2018 for the stated purpose of recycling, mainly to extract any metal contained in the waste items. A hundred and thirty of the containers were released to a metal recycling company, and some of the waste subsequently processed, but the rest were impounded in a free-trade zone.

In the meantime, a leading local environmental NGO, the Centre for Environmental Justice (CEJ), filed a petition seeking a court order to re-export the waste containers to the UK. and prosecute those responsible for the illegal shipment. In its petition, the CEJ highlighted possible damage to environment and threats to the health of the general public, as the waste appeared to be discarded hospital waste.

Responding to Sri Lanka’s formal request, the UK.’s Environment Agency agreed to recall the dumped garbage.

“UK is committed to tackling illegal waste exports, with individuals found to be exporting incorrectly described waste can be punished with a two-year jail term and an unlimited fine,” it said in a statement.

Following the agreement, the CEJ withdrew its petition, according to its executive director, Hemantha Withanage.

“It is also important to track the movement of the waste back to the country of origin as there had been instances of such garbage being dumped elsewhere,” he told Mongabay, adding that the CEJ continues to track the ships’ movement through online vessel-tracking portals. “We should also get the numbers of the individual containers as we can drill down to that level now,” he added.

Global South as a dumping site

Jayarathne of Sri Lanka Customs and Weerasundara of CEA said they are investigating the matter and those responsible for importing the hazardous waste can also be punished under the law.

Sri Lanka is also claiming 1.6 billion Sri Lankan rupees ($8.7 million) from the UK. as compensation under the provisions of the Basel Convention.

There are several recent examples of individual countries taking waste-exporting countries to task for violating the global treaty and attempting to use countries in the Global South as their waste dumps without obtaining consent.

Malaysia sent back 150 containers of plastic waste to their countries of origin in January 2019, and the Philippines returned 1,500 metric tonnes of garbage to Canada in June 2019. Cambodia also sent back 1,600 metric tonnes of plastic waste to the US and Canada in July 2019.

Sri Lanka is pushing in the same direction, according to Samantha Gunasekara, a former deputy director of Sri Lanka Customs. A 37-year customs veteran, Gunasekara told Mongabay there have always been attempts to dump foreign waste in Sri Lanka, and that an absence of specific legislation prevented the full prosecution of the perpetrators.

“Things have improved in the legal sphere since then with new regulatory mechanisms being improved, especially under the Imports and Exports Act,” Gunasekara said. “Sri Lanka, however, should introduce domestic laws to enable the application of Basel Convention provisions to advance our interests.”

Sri Lanka signed the Basel Convention in 1992, but the enabling legislation has yet to be introduced, he added.

He also warned about the growing trend of electronic waste, or e-waste, being dumped in Global South countries.

“There are a number of schemes where developed countries send their used computers to be distributed to students in poorer countries. This looks like a generous gesture, but computers have a limited lifespan, and when the machines turn into e-waste, this happens in the developing countries and add to their e-waste records,” Gunasekara said.

Managing local hazardous waste

Notwithstanding the influx of foreign waste, Sri Lanka needs to develop its capacity to handle hazardous waste, said Ajith de Alwis, a professor of chemical and process engineering at the University of Moratuwa.

The Covid-19 pandemic has shown the importance of having an industry-based economy as it is more resilient than a service-based one. But more factories would mean the generation of more waste. Across Sri Lanka, much of this waste is incinerated, but this is a process that’s nether desirable nor sustainable, de Alwis said.

“Sri Lanka needs to secure landfill sites to effectively handle such hazardous waste,” he said.

By Malaka Rodrigo, Mongabay.com

Source Eco Business