Latest Stories from Jamie
Could futuristic tech help to end China’s record droughts?
China, renowned for being first with technological advancements, is exploring cloud seeding, GM crops, and a multibillion-dollar water transfer project to address its severe drought problem. Following an unprecedented 2-month heatwave, China is being forced to show its mettle as a leading innovator to survive record water shortages. Between mid-June and August, the average temperature increase across provinces was reportedly around 1.2C higher than the seasonal norm. While this may not sound...
Organised crime is a hidden yet major contributor to deforestation
When someone mentions deforestation, you probably think of beef production or the wood industry as being most culpable. A key driver that often goes under the radar, however, is organised crime like drug trafficking and illegal logging. Almost a year on from COP26, there’s definitely work to be done to regenerate 30% of natural land by 2030. Every 12 months, the world loses an estimated 25 million acres of forest to...
AI-generated piece controversially wins art competition
This year at the Colorado State Fair, a piece of AI-generated art won an award for Emerging Digital Artists. In the days since, online debate about what constitutes ‘real art’ has ignited. If you keep up with Thred, you’ll already be completely in the loop regarding AI-generated ‘text-to-image’ programs and their recent emergence. Canny visual software like DALL-E, NightCafe, and – in this instance – Midjourney, are able to take our...
Greenpeace drops boulders in the ocean to prevent bottom trawling
In an effort to prevent the destructive industrial fishing method of bottom trawling, Greenpeace has planted 18 large boulders on a seabed off the UK coast. Plans to continue the act of ‘protest’ today, however, have been blocked. It’s safe to say that ocean conservationists are in the ‘last resort’ phase when it comes to dealing with perpetrators. If you haven’t heard of ocean trawling before, it refers to arguably the...
New UK prime minister renews concern over climate nihilism
Since the anointment of Liz Truss as the new Conservative prime minister, a renewed lack of clarity around the continuation of vital research funding and climate measures has experts worried. UK citizens are understandably preoccupied with policies impacting the immediate future. Eco experts, however, are looking to the long term and what a new change of leadership could mean for our efforts to mitigate climate change by the mid-century. Despite the...
100% hydrogen passenger trains are up and running in Germany
A regional train operator in Germany has become the first rail company to utilise 100% hydrogen fuel cells. Could Alstom quickly become trailblazers for a cleaner industry? While diesel locomotives continue to spew toxic nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, a regional train operator in Germany is releasing purely water vapour. That’s thanks to a new fleet of trains which run entirely on hydrogen. Situated between the lower Saxony towns of Cuxhaven...
Michigan researchers develop transparent solar powered windows
A team of researchers at Michigan State University have just developed the world’s first fully transparent solar window. Is this the beginning of a more self-sufficient future for modern cities? Imagine a future where the light shining in through our windows actively powers our bulbs when the sun goes down. That’s no longer an entirely unrealistic prospect. Now, we’re fully aware that windows have technically been integrated with solar technology before...
Experts believe sex for procreation could soon be obsolete
Despite the ethical concerns of many, reproductive options including designer babies and even ‘artificial wombs’ appear to be inevitable. Some experts even believe that sex for procreation may soon be obsolete. Imagine that. If this isn’t the weirdest thing you’ve read today, then I recommend deleting your browser history immediately. One could argue that with constant advancements in fertility drugs, artificial insemination, in vitro fertilisation, and increasingly barmy embryonic gene...
Thousands of fossil fuel projects are still protected by treaties
Over the past 50 years, countries have signed thousands of treaties worth billions that may scupper global efforts to phase out fossil fuels. These agreements allow investors to sue governments for compensation if projects are axed. Fully transitioning to a renewable world, unfortunately, may not be simple as merely cancelling all outstanding fossil fuel leases. That’s because the conglomerates that once stood to profit massively from these projects, will not just...
The 1977 climate memo that should’ve changed the world
‘If you could go back’ must be one of the most uttered phrases in human history. Decades before the term ‘climate crisis’ dominated tabloids and political discourse, here’s the vital 1977 memo that could have helped to prevent it all. // This article is entirely based on research conducted by The Guardian - Emma Pattee is the author of the original story. See for...
