Today’s Solutions: November 23, 2024

484 results for "carbon dioxide"

Cheap catalysts turn sunlight

Cheap catalysts turn sunlight and carbon dioxide into fuel

Scientists have long dreamed of mimicking photosynthesis, by using the energy in sunlight to knit together hydrocarbon fuels from carbon dioxide and water. Now, a cheap new chemical catalyst has carried out part of that process with record efficiency, using electricity from a solar cell to split Read More...

Australia set to use hydrogen

Australia set to use hydrogen to export its solar power around the world

The future of hydrogen is bright. Since it doesn’t emit carbon dioxide when its burned, hydrogen is potentially the ultimate source of clean energy. And thanks to recent innovations, we now have the ability to produce hydrogen more efficiently, use it to store other clean energy, and even Read More...

Research explores ‘artif

Research explores 'artificial leaf' system for solar fuel production

If human beings could mimic the way plants make their own fuel, it's not a stretch to say that Earth's energy needs could be solved. The way leafs convert sunlight and carbon dioxide into life-sustaining chemical energy is a resourceful process, and scientists are attempting to do the same thing Read More...

Possibility: It’s their futu

Possibility: It’s their future

From The Intelligent Optimist Summer 2016 In what could be a growing movement, courts in the United States and the Netherlands are siding with environmental activists who argue that governments that promote fossil fuel use and development are violating environmental laws and constitutional rights, Read More...

Rock, paper,  progress

Rock, paper, progress

From The Intelligent Optimist Magazine Summer 2016 A new “stone” paper devised in Taiwan uses calcium carbonate instead of wood pulp. It could save the forests, but is the world ready for the ultimate paper-vs.-plastic question? By Karin Klein The first thing I notice about my new notebook is Read More...

Nature's air filter

Nature's air filter

From The Intelligent Optimist Magazine Fall/Winter 2016 Air pollution is responsible for roughly 7 million deaths worldwide every year. Air-borne pollutants also cause heart disease, stroke, skin diseases, reduced fertility and miscarriage, and cancer. There’s a solution: Plants that clean the Read More...

Nature’s air filter

Nature's air filter

From The Intelligent Optimist Magazine Fall/Winter 2016 Air pollution is responsible for roughly 7 million deaths worldwide every year. Air-borne pollutants also cause heart disease, stroke, skin diseases, reduced fertility and miscarriage, and cancer. There’s a solution: Plants that clean the Read More...

Researchers develop low-energy

Researchers develop low-energy process for filtering water using carbon

Filtering mass-amounts of water can be an energy-intensive process, but that could soon change thanks to a team of researchers. Using carbon dioxide resumes, the researchers developed a new process that requires one thousand times less energy to remove suspended particles and bacteria from water. Read More...

Clearing the air

Clearing the air

From The Optimist Magazine Summer 2014 Forget the airpocalypse—the skies are getting cleaner. Hopeful signs from Mexico City, no longer the world’s dirtiest. On a cool Saturday morning, I check the air quality report on Twitter before putting on my running shoes. “Good,” the tweet says—as Read More...

True Grid

True Grid

The solution to our overburdened, outdated power grid? One word: microgrids—localized power networks that are cheaper, cleaner and more reliable. What’s not to like?  By Greg Nichols From The Optimist Magazine Fall 2015 In late 2000 and early 2001, rolling blackouts swept across California. Read More...