This week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories — 10 August
Could a Belgian dish help save beaches from climate extremes? Could artificial reefs unlock the ‘final frontier’ of renewable energy? And, how have Dutch students grown a biodegradable car?
This, and more, in the week’s ten biggest climate innovation stories.
1.
When oceans give you jellyfish blooms, turn them into tasty chips
Scientists think human pressures on oceans could cause more jellyfish blooms. What to do? Eat them, says a Danish gastrophysicist who has cracked the science of making them palatable.
What to do about an increase in jellyfish blooms? Eat 'em. https://t.co/59pOiJV4lI
— NPR (@NPR) August 9, 2017
2.
This new tyre has no air and is 3D-printed from biodegradable materials
The new Michelin VISION concept is a 3D-printed, airless, wheel-tyre combination composed of organic, biodegradable materials, including orange zest, bamboo, molasses, wood, and natural rubber. Instead of a runner inner tube that maintains its structure with regular injections of air, the VISION is more solid, sponge-like structure–picture a 3D spiderweb, molded into the shape of a wheel.
This new tire has no air and is 3D printed from biodegradable materials https://t.co/ly0MgFiiuC pic.twitter.com/Qm3d9Ov7RB
— Fast Company (@FastCompany) August 10, 2017
3.
Finalists announced for the Innovative Climate Finance Tool Competition
Climate Action, a UK based organisation that works in partnership with the UN Environment Programme has announced six finalists in their Innovative Climate Finance Tool Competition.
Read more on Climate Action Programme
#Climetrics is a finalist in the Innovative Climate Finance Tool Competition https://t.co/CDSFuY1PeP Take a look: https://t.co/g64qOjDZx4 pic.twitter.com/mtFoPCiGmO
— CDP (@CDP) August 8, 2017
4.
Dutch students grow their own biodegradable car
What’s made of sugar, can carry four people and travel at 80 km per hour? A biodegradable car, whose inventors say could be the next step in environmentally friendly motoring.
Dutch students grow their own #biodegradable car from sugar and flax. #GreenTransport @TUecomotive https://t.co/TQ1vfAqmf7 pic.twitter.com/cbNLPLOrKT
— The B Team (@thebteamhq) August 9, 2017
5.
CPI unveils investment system to unlock financing for renewables
Climate Policy Initiative claims its Clean Energy Investment Trust concept could unlock up to €3.4 trillion of investment in renewables assets. Policy analysts CPI Energy Finance unveiled the design for a new type of long-term investment option, which it claims could help attract cheaper long-term capital for solar and wind projects.
CPI unveils investment system to unlock financing for renewables https://t.co/HLlkaTRTEg
— BusinessGreen (@BusinessGreen) August 7, 2017
6.
Green pyjamas: Primark debuts first products made through its Sustainable Cotton Programme
UK fashion giant Primark says new range of women’s pyjamas have been made using cotton sourced from an initiative that helps female farmers embrace environmental best practices, with cotton sourced through its Sustainable Cotton Programme.
Primark launches first line of products using #sustainable cotton https://t.co/X2ca7ZtayD
— ClientEarth (@ClientEarth) August 9, 2017
7.
Could artificial reefs unlock the ‘final frontier’ of renewable energy?
The world is sitting on an untapped clean energy resource that could deliver double current global electricity demand each and every year. No, this is not science fiction – but for some clean tech specialists it might be close.
This is fascinating on how artificial reefs and wave power generators could combine to profitable effect https://t.co/Zku9ZlO9Yi BG+
— James Murray (@James_BG) August 9, 2017
8.
Catalonia passes climate change law to reduce emissions by 100 per cent by 2050
The autonomous community of Spain, which serves as co-chair for The Climate Group’s States & Regions Alliance and is part of the Under2 Coalition, has an ambitious plan to reduce its emissions by 40 per cent by 2030, based on 2005 levels.
Read more on The Climate Group
Catalonia passes bold climate bill to cut emissions by 100% by 2050 https://t.co/YJKIA8x71y #StatesandRegions
— Climate Group (@ClimateGroup) August 9, 2017
9.
Device could make washing machines lighter and greener
Most washing machines come with 25kg of concrete but researchers claim there’s a simple alternative — water.
'Why has no one thought of this before?' https://t.co/DmPyCRPO7E
— BBC News Most Read (@bbcnewsmostread) August 4, 2017
10.
Moules frites with a difference: Belgium cooks up reefs scheme to save beaches
With increasing concern that climate change poses a risk to the Belgian coastline, mussels are among materials being tested in a pilot project to see if small artificial reefs can protect beaches from North Sea storms.
https://twitter.com/debackerphil/status/893143321991950337