Latest Stories from Jamie
Is the vertical farming bubble popping already?
Vertical farming had been touted by numerous experts as the future of food production in a warming world. In 2023, however, such companies are withering and key players have called it a day. If farming conditions become untenable due to climate change, we’ll just take our crops indoors, right? In theory, the concept of vertical farming may seem an easy win for the future of food production. Stacking vegetables from floor to ceiling...
Microsoft beats FTC in historic bid to land Activision Blizzard
Microsoft has passed arguably the most vital hurdle to becoming sole owners of Activision Blizzard in the most expensive tech deal of all time. Is this the beginning of an anti-competitive market within gaming? The controversial deal which will dwarf what Disney paid for Marvel is a huge leap closer to getting done. First announcing its bid to buy Activision Blizzard – the acclaimed publisher behind Call of Duty, World of...
Nearly half of US tap water contains forever chemicals says study
The US Geological Survey has completed a comprehensive analysis of the nation’s tap water quality. Alarmingly, it found that 45% of samples were contaminated with harmful forever chemicals. Apparently, we’ve yet another annoying boon for the bottled water industry. The US Geological Survey has just released the details of its comprehensive report on the quality of America’s tap water. Specifically, the federal agency had tested for levels of ‘forever...
Shell makes U-turn on oil phase-down pledge to ‘reward shareholders’
Shell is the latest fossil fuel giant to scale back its climate pledges in favour of increasing pay outs to shareholders. The company claims it has already reached its green target after selling interest in a Texan oilfield during 2021. Despite making record profits in 2022, Shell believes its shareholders deserve even grander payouts. The all-too familiar caveat of this decision is that sustainable targets will take the hit. Last week,...
A once-retired California mine could supply the US renewable revolution
The US may have its own rare Earth element supply chain, and the very first in the Western Hemisphere at that. Could this end China’s dominance over the West’s renewable revolution? Just across the border from Nevada resides the only large-scale rare-Earth element mine in the entire Western Hemisphere. Named Mountain Pass, the 600-foot pit in the California sand is chock-full of precious rare-Earth ores which are essential for the formation...
Opinion – Mizzy’s rise sets a dangerous precedent for young creators
Meet Mizzy, the epitome of chasing attention and clout at all costs. His illegal ‘prankster’ antics have garnered a cult-like following online and ignited concern that aspiring creators may follow his blueprint. ‘Hate brings likes, hate brings views,’ says 18-year-old Bacari-Bronze O’Garro, aka Mizzy. Like millions of youngsters, Mizzy has shunned the idea of a conventional career in favour of chasing the influencer dream. Achieving social media stardom is harder than...
Tencent launches WeChat Palm Payments in China
This week, Tencent started introducing palm recognition through its WeChat Pay service. The tech is to be installed in Beijing’s Airport Express Line, where it will take payments by scanning people’s palm prints and their unique formation of veins without physical contact. Like the idea of completing financial transactions with the wave of a hand? That prospect is, as of this week, a reality in China thanks to its national tech...
UAE allegedly uses fake accounts to defend its hosting of COP28
Across Twitter and Medium, at least 100 fake accounts are posting positive sentiments about the United Arab Emirates and its controversial position as host nation of COP28. Experts claim its part of a shoddily executed popularity drive from within. Sultan Al Jaber, CEO of state oil giant ADNOC, is an ‘ally the climate movement needs,’ according to a bunch of climate-activist accounts popping up across Twitter and Medium. This is a...
The studio aiming to make Hollywood productions sustainable
Atlanta based movie studio, Electric Owl, is aiming to lower Hollywood’s hefty carbon footprint by offering green amenities to production companies. Watching movies and television is far and away the biggest pastime within the United States, with adults consuming an estimated 17% more of this content than 25 years ago. Our ceaseless demand for watchable entertainment has come at a severe environmental cost, however, with data suggesting each big-budget film...
Is bacteria the key to making limitless energy from thin air?
Scientists have been studying a form of bacteria able to scavenge atmospheric hydrogen from thin air. They believe applying this principle to new technology could help humanity create limitless energy. As the world continues to negligently burn through fossil fuels, science is frantically searching for sustainable ways to power civilisation. Far-fetched as it may sound, we could generate limitless energy from thin air, literally. An Australian research team from Monash University...
