Latest Stories from Jamie
This browser extension counters climate anxiety and doom scrolling
If you download this irreverent browser extension, whenever you read a doom and gloom climate story, you’ll receive a small call to action accompanied by an amusing snarky comment. Finally, pop-ups we can get onboard with. As someone whose job it is to follow every minute detail of the existential crisis that is climate change, take it from me: doom scrolling can feel exhausting. Every morning you’re trawling through stories describing...
Global displaced population passes 100m for first time
The UN refugee agency regrettably states that the global population of forcibly displaced people has passed 100m for the first time. This ‘staggering milestone’ calls for urgent action to address the underlying causes. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sealed it, at least 14m people have been pushed from their homes bringing the global total of forcibly displaced people to over 100m. This marks the first time that this disconcerting number has...
Robot beekeepers could help pollinators prosper in a warming world
As our world becomes warmer, we’re losing bee colonies at an unprecedented rate and our global food supplies could soon be under major threat. Preparing for the worst, Israeli start-up Beewise is already rearing its own hives using state-of-the-art AI tech. May 20, the fifth annual World Bee Day, was less about celebrating our remarkable pollinators and more about raising awareness. The insect apocalypse is something both climate experts and conservationists...
The Norwegian start-up making roads carbon negative
Using recycled asphalt bonded by plant-based adhesive, Carbon Crusher has created a mix for carbon negative roads that is both affordable and actively sequesters emissions. Paving the road to a greener future sounds awfully cliché, but that is quite literally Carbon Crusher’s business MO. The Norwegian tech start-up has been wracking its brains over the last year to think up alternatives to conventional road tar. Since the Romans, there has been...
Can ‘gravity batteries’ boost our energy storage capacity?
Cutting-edge technology could harness the universe’s fundamental force to help our green energy transition. Generating green energy is largely dependent on Earthly forces. When the sun is shining, or the wind blowing and the waves rolling, we’re good. When skies darken and conditions calm, however, our supply lines of sustainable power are diminished and that’s a problem. In stark contrast to our carbon neutrality ambitions, we supplement these low yield periods by...
Heinz announces plans to make sustainable paper ketchup bottles
The new paper ketchup bottle forms part of Heinz’s wider initiative to make all of its packaging recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025. It’s time to play ‘Genuine or Greenwashing’ again. Come on down! This week’s edition focuses on Heinz, as it’s unveiled plans to develop a recyclable paper bottle made from 100% sustainably sourced wood pulp. Its globally recognisable ketchup bottle will be made in partnership with Pulpex, which produced a...
What is the COP15 conference and what does it hope to achieve?
Policymakers and climate experts have convened in the Ivory Coast for the 15th session of a UN summit. Sharing the name of annual sustainability conference COP, this meeting focuses specifically on protecting land against infertility and degradation. As you’re reading this, policymakers and climate experts are convening in the economic capital of the Ivory Coast, Abidjan, for day two to discuss global action on land issues. Headed up by the UN,...
El Salvador president reveals designs for volcanic ‘Bitcoin City’
El Salvador president Nayib Bukele is quite literally obsessed with cryptocurrency. This week, he caused big stir online with tweets showing intricate designs of a full blown Bitcoin city. One does not merely dabble in cryptocurrency. Once you’re in these days, you’re all in. El Salvador president Nayib Bukele is the prime example of this obsessive mentality, to the extent that he actually instated Bitcoin as legal tender within his home...
China continues its tirade against youth gaming & streaming
As part of its two-month campaign to clean up the ‘chaos’ around gaming and livestreaming, China is continuing to place restrictions on young people. It appears the nation with the single largest gaming market, isn’t all that pleased with its accolade. The growing list of internet restrictions within China could honestly do with its own A-Z at this stage. More than 8,000 websites are blocked throughout the country, including TikTok, Twitter...
EU ruling aims to stop market domination from Big Tech giants
A new EU law dubbed the Digital Markets Act will aim to stem the relentless market domination of Big Tech’s giants. This will, in theory, provide smaller online businesses with a chance to grow. As much as we’d love it to be, the world just isn’t an equal opportunity place, is it? Ah well, at least our phones are always there to provide a bit of escapism, complete with all...
