Latest Stories from Jamie
US start-up finds way to halve cost of making solar cells
A start-up called Leap Photovoltaic has reportedly slashed the cost of developing solar technology in half. Could this help the overall supply chain to grow? Over the coming weeks at COP26, crunch talks of how we can phase out fossil fuels and bring about more renewable energy will be had. During a live interview with The Economist last month, climate expert Oliver Morton paid particular attention to solar power and...
China makes underwhelming energy pledge ahead of COP26
President Xi Jinping is attempting to wean the world’s biggest polluter off coal, with a target of peaking China’s carbon emissions in 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Is this bold enough? In the run up to COP26, pressure is mounting against China to make some drastic commitments. If reports are to be believed, the world’s largest polluter has yet to officially select a delegate for the summit and president...
US plastics could reportedly create more emissions than coal by 2030
The American plastics industry is being described by climate experts as ‘the new coal,’ as emerging reports show a release of 232 million tons of greenhouse gases per year. By this stage you’re probably sick to the back teeth, like we are, of the daily doom scrolling through despondent climate stories. However, it’s important to underline the crucial issues we face in the build-up to COP26. We wouldn’t want those with...
COP’s biggest moments that caused public stir and grabbed headlines
As the 26th annual COP approaches, it’s time to run back major moments from prior summits that caused real public stir and the movements which preceded them. If you’re reading this now, chances are you’re relatively clued up on COP26 already thanks to the constant headlines popping up across major news outlets. In the last decade, we’ve matured from debating whether climate change even exists, to largely discussing how we can...
AstroAccess to advance disability inclusion in space travel
In efforts to expand space travel beyond billionaire tech tycoons and hyper trained astronauts, AstroAccess is advancing Zero-G experiences to include the disabled. As industries go, space travel is arguably one of the very least accessible out there. However, efforts are underway to change that. Leading an inclusive space charge, a non-profit called Mission: AstroAccess has started organising Zero-G flight experiences for people with mobility or sensory disabilities. On Sunday (October...
Is climate change dimming the Earth’s shine over time?
The planet has dimmed by 0.5 percent in 20 years. Researchers believe climate change could be responsible. Half a percent of dimming in 20 years may not sound like a huge deal, but considering the Earth is 4.5 billion years old it isn’t exactly great. When talking about the Earth losing its shine, we aren’t referring to Mars exploration being the hot new topic in planetology, or making a bleak metaphorical...
13 days out from COP26 China’s attendance remains in doubt
As the world’s biggest polluter, any success at COP26 all but hinges on China’s attendance. Yet with just 13 days to go until the conference, president Xi Jinping has still yet to commit. After close to two years of grandiose sustainable rhetoric, the world’s leaders are finally set convene in Glasgow this November. Marking the fifth UN climate summit since the Paris Agreement was made, 193 countries of an expected 200...
Carbon recycling creates physical goods from thin air
Everyday household items are now being created using sequestered carbon emissions, and the process is set to become increasingly common over the next 50 years. In the near future, many of our household items could quite literally be conjured from thin air. To date, carbon capture initiatives have predominantly searched for ways to conceal our harmful emissions. Sucked from the atmosphere, sequestered carbon is regularly pumped into industrial concrete mix, for...
New Instagram and Twitter updates target harmful online behaviours
The latest Twitter update will prompt users to reconsider the ‘vibe’ of a heated discussion, while an Instagram ‘nudge’ feature aims to steer teenagers away from harmful content. Despite a newfound urgency in recent years to finally address online hate and content tied to adverse mental health, the big social media platforms are still accused of being too reactionary and not proactive enough. When it comes to Gen Z specifically, the...
California oil spill renews pressure to ban offshore drilling
The Golden State had been a leader in blocking offshore oil expansions since the infamous 1969 spill of Santa Barbara. The latest spill in Huntington Beach, however, has renewed pressure to ban all existing projects. As you’ve most likely seen by now, yet another major oil spill is currently spewing into our oceans, this time courtesy of an offshore drill site in Huntington Beach. On Monday, it was revealed that a...
