Latest Stories from Jamie
Facebook’s new ad regulations freeze out climate groups
In its efforts to limit online abuse, Facebook removed ‘sensitive’ categories from its Detailed Targeting advertising tool. Climate groups now say the new policy is limiting their ability to connect with audiences.
Has Facebook ever been on good terms with climate groups at this point?
Last month, Facebook decided to escalate its response against online abuse by re-evaluating its policies on targeted ads. Previously, its tools had been used to
Big Tech goes up against Russian state media
Google, Meta, and Twitter are blocking Kremlin owned channels from selling ads and pushing propaganda as part of ongoing sanctions against Russia. It’s been four days since Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, and Big Tech is starting to respond. Sanctions against Russia from EU nations and members of NATO continue to come to light, and self-governed social media websites are now making their respective stances clear. Something of a joint digital...
Bitcoin miners are reviving dying coal plants in the US
As the US strives to decarbonise the energy industry, Bitcoin miners are becoming a thorn in its side. The enormous electricity consumption needed to sustain crypto is now fuelling a partial resurrection of coal. Coal is no longer fashionable, but Bitcoin definitely is. The two, unfortunately, are now becoming intrinsically linked. As investment throughout the energy sector transitions to renewables, the shutters are being pulled down on coal plants throughout the...
Warner music and BlackRock invest $750m in female & diverse artists
While aging arena-rock artists continue to cash in on their back catalogues, Warner Music Group, Black Rock, and Influence Media are looking to support relevant and burgeoning talent. $750m has been committed specifically to female and diverse musicians creating now. Surely, there are only so many limited-edition vinyls you can release for albums dropped in the 80s before their appeal is well and truly dead? Though good luck telling that...
COVID-19 vaccine factories to pop up in developing countries
In a bid to address vaccine nationalism, pop-up vaccine factories resembling shipping containers are set to appear in developing countries. If you’ve forgotten about the vaccine rush that happened back in 2020, you’re probably living in a nation that hoarded a bunch of the supply. While many of us are looking to have, or already have had our booster shot for the year, there are millions who’ve yet to receive...
Unlocking this trophy in Horizon Forbidden West will plant an actual tree
As Horizon Forbidden West players fight to save the planet from a rogue terraforming system, they will also simultaneously help the planet in real life. Every time the trophy ‘Reached the Daunt’ is unlocked, Sony will plant a tree. The widely anticipated sequel to Guerrilla Games’ flagship title is now right on the horizon… thank you, I’m here all week. With rave reviews across the board, Horizon Forbidden West will see...
YouTube is working on a dedicated NFT marketplace
YouTube has finally jumped on the NFT bandwagon, according to chief product officer Neal Mohan. Could this open up a fresh and lucrative avenue for creator monetisation on the platform? If you’re sick of seeing ‘Bored Ape’ PNGs plastered all over social media, you’ll have to grit your teeth and bear it for a while yet. Finally hopping aboard the digital cash cow that is NFTs, YouTube has announced that the...
Is climate change creating a vicious cycle for methane emissions?
Scientists are alarmed by a ‘dangerously fast’ growth in atmospheric methane. Reportedly now thrice as prominent in our atmosphere as pre-industrial levels, there are concerns that the planet may actually be harming itself. Climate mitigation plans for methane are reportedly three times too low to meet goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Oh good. With the need to decarbonise industries taking precedence, it appears we’ve been overlooking the steady growth of...
EU scientists make ‘major breakthrough’ in nuclear fusion
EU scientists say they have made a major breakthrough in the quest to make nuclear fusion – the limitless energy source that powers the stars – harnessable for humanity one day. As it stands, the bar for scientific achievements in nuclear fusion isn’t exactly high, but we are, at least, continuing to raise it. Harnessing the unlimited power of the stars may well be key to sustainably powering the globe...
Samsung is repurposing fishing nets for its future devices
As part of its broader ‘Galaxy for the Planet’ initiative, the mobile giant is eliminating all plastic waste in its packaging and is using discarded fishing nets in the builds of future devices. With mobile companies relentlessly rolling out new iterations of their phones, e-waste is becoming an increasingly sizable problem as the years roll by. It’s estimated that by 2030, we’ll produce 74 million tons of gadget waste every...