On Nov 28, 2021, I wrote- The way China and the USA polarize the world, I am pessimistic about the COP26 outcome. And I am a skeptic that shortly, we will forget the climate change, global warming, ecocide, etc., issues and find a remote location to hide from the war genocides. Being a student of history- I know- History cyclically repeats itself. China and USA are polarizing the world, but Russia has invaded Ukraine- what a surprise!
For now, I share the three pieces of news my readers liked on my social and professional platforms these months.
Graphene will help decarbonize industry, produce greener concrete, and make hydrogen. The 5-bn tonnes of cement produced each year thus account for some 8% of the world's anthropogenic CO2. Yet if we add less than 0.1% by weight of graphene to the mixture, concrete ends up 30% stronger. And stronger concrete means less of it is needed, with a consequent reduction in CO2.
ESI Energy admitted to killing at least 150 bald or golden eagles in the US, being struck by a turbine blade since 2012. And the Department of Justice (DOJ) fined $8 million. One question raised is- what is my value compared to a US eagle? If I die in a road accident or under a construction site in my country?
We believe- harmful algal blooms in oceans and lakes are the phenomenon of the industrial age. Interestingly, chemical signatures of the algal blossoms in Mayan times show concentrations and toxicity similar to present-day sprouts in the same lake. Maybe there is another reason than we think of algal blooming.
On May 18, 2021, The Economist published-Graphene will help decarbonize industry, produce greener concrete, and make hydrogen. For a start, it is 200 times stronger than steel. Yet it is magnificently lightweight and flexible. It is also an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and exhibits impressive light-absorbing abilities.
The 5-bn tonnes of cement produced each year thus account for some 8% of the world's anthropogenic CO2. Yet if we add less than 0.1% by weight of graphene to the mixture, concrete ends up 30% stronger. And stronger concrete means less of it is needed, with a consequent reduction in CO2.
Graphene is made from an increasing range of materials, including waste and discarded mixed plastics, which otherwise might end up in a landfill. It avoids exfoliating mined graphite, which at present is the dominant manufacturing process.
One mixture in which scientists are particularly interested in concrete, some 30bn tonnes of which we pour every year. The addition of a small amount of graphene to concrete provides an anchor for the cement to grab onto, resulting in a powerful interaction as the concrete cures. It means- not only- that less concrete is needed to achieve the same level of strength but also that structures made of it are likely to last longer. Graphene enhancement would also protect rebar- the steel rods used to reinforce concrete- from moisture.
Other potential markets include adding small amounts of graphene to the bitumen used to make asphalt roads. It would highly prolong their durability- by preventing creeping and rutting in hot weather and cracking during cold spells, which leads to potholes. Graphene can also increase the abrasion resistance of car tires, making them last longer.
On Apr 7, 2022, Business Insider printed that ESI Energy- a renewable energy company, has admitted to killing at least 150 bald or golden eagles in the US being struck by a turbine blade since 2012. And the Department of Justice (DOJ) fined $8 million. Per the DOJ, ESI failed to apply for the necessary permits after the death of the birds. In its plea agreement, ESI agreed to spend up to $27 million during its probationary period on an "eagle management plan" to minimize future eagle deaths and injuries. It also committed to paying $29,623 per future injury or death of a bald or golden eagle.
I started reading the news from the perspective of an environmentalist, but in the end, the environment evaporated from my mind and the questions raised are-
What is the value of me compared to a US eagle? If I die in a road accident or under a construction site in my country?
On Dec 23, 2021, science.org published, We believe harmful algal blooms in oceans and lakes are a frequent consequence of anthropogenic pollution. Sewage discharge or nutrient runoff from farms can lead to anoxic conditions toxic to eukaryotic life. Waters et al. show that this is not just a phenomenon of the industrial age. Sediment cores from Lake Amatitlán, Guatemala, indicate the presence of cyanobacteria characteristic of harmful blooms during the pre-Columbian Mayan occupation of the watershed, with algal spikes coinciding with periods of the maximum human population. At their peak, chemical signatures of the algal blooms in Mayan times show concentrations and toxicity similar to present-day sprouts in the same lake.
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