California seeks to make its low-carbon living more affordable

Grist News

September 20, 2021

Three new laws promise to make cities denser and fairer.

Efficient electrocatalyst produces hydrogen from water

Sustainability Matters

September 19, 2021

Curtin University researchers claim to have identified a new, cheaper and more efficient electrocatalyst to make green hydrogen from water that could one day open new avenues for large-scale clean energy production. Typically, scientists have been using precious metal catalysts, such as platinum, to accelerate the reaction to break water into hydrogen and oxygen. The Curtin researchers found that

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LA County moves to ban oil and gas drilling

Grist News

September 17, 2021

A unanimous vote from the county’s supervisors means L.A. County could become first in the nation to phase out existing oil wells.

Nonprofit finds hope against wildfires with unexpected ally: charcoal

Grist News

September 17, 2021

To capture carbon and jumpstart forest thinning, Methow Valley couple – and Washington taxpayers – bet on biochar.

How To Move Across The Country In An Eco-Friendly Way

David Kramer

September 16, 2021

Moving is never easy, but it becomes even more difficult when you’re trying to move across the country in an eco-friendly way

Recycling Alternative’s On-site Composting Technology is a Game-changer

Recycling Alternative

September 16, 2021

When Metro Vancouver officially introduced a ban on food waste to landfills, there was a need for waste management companies to expand into food waste management. The already established leader, Recycling Alternative developed a solution to manage food waste in urban areas.

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Heliostat technology shifts sunlight to the streets below

Sustainability Matters

September 16, 2021

The glittering golden jewel that crowns Billbergia’s 39-storey tower at Rhodes Central in Sydney’s Inner West is much more than an eye-catching architectural feature. The 27-m-high structure that crowns the building is a piece of world-leading technology that could place Australia firmly at the forefront of solar-related innovation. The heliostat — from ‘helios’

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Micro-sized air bubbles required for DAF Plant

Sustainability Matters

September 16, 2021

Veolia Northern Territory was looking for a low-maintenance, low-operator requirement, simple, cost-effective solution to provide a large amount of micro-sized air bubbles for the DAF system at its wastewater treatment facility at Berrimah, according to the company's Technical Services Engineer, Dion Meta. The options “An article by Sustainability Matters was published which

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Standalone water treatment system inspired by nature

Sustainability Matters

September 15, 2021

Students from Monash University’s Department of Chemical Engineering have used the water treatment cycle found in nature as inspiration to develop a sustainable, standalone water treatment system that removes persistent organic pollutants from industrial wastewater. Industrial wastewater is a global concern. Untreated wastewater from industrial sites can contain heavy metals, toxins and

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Food waste could be converted into batteries

Sustainability Matters

September 15, 2021

As the world works toward economically and environmentally friendly ways to power the devices that people use daily, two US researchers are investigating how food waste and its associated biomass can be converted into rechargeable batteries. There is a heavy reliance on graphite — a limited resource — to make battery anodes, the negative terminals on batteries. Demand for reusable batteries

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Study: More than half of young people think ‘humanity is doomed’

Grist News

September 14, 2021

It’s the first study to find that climate anxiety is connected to government inaction.

Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan in NSW

Sustainability Matters

September 14, 2021

The NSW Government has released the Energy from Waste Infrastructure Plan, which outlines the planning considerations for future energy-from-waste infrastructure in the state. The plan is designed to ensure waste infrastructure is located in precincts most suitable for managing the state’s residual waste and also protects air quality for communities. Cleanaway noted that the new plan limits the

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A spoonful of sugar for long-lasting lithium–sulfur batteries

Sustainability Matters

September 13, 2021

Australian researchers say they have managed to stabilise lithium–sulfur battery technology, long touted as the basis for the next generation of batteries, by simply using a glucose-based additive on the positive electrode — a spoonful of sugar, if you will. In theory, lithium–sulfur batteries could store 2–5 times more energy than lithium-ion batteries of the same weight. The

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Some electric vehicles are greener than others, study finds

Sustainability Matters

September 13, 2021

Research evaluating electric vehicles (EVs) on energy consumption and overall emissions — alongside New Zealand’s goal of decarbonising the transport sector — has found that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) performed better than other types of EVs in both New Zealand and Australia. Researchers from the Universities of Auckland and Wollongong compared Australia and New

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Global windfarm installations expected to surge after COVID drop, says report

Grist News

September 13, 2021

Offshore energy boom in China will grow world’s windfarm capacity by more than 12 gigawatts in 2021.

Study: Indigenous resistance has staved off 25% of U.S. and Canada’s annual emissions

Grist News

September 10, 2021

That's the pollution equivalent of approximately 400 new coal-fired power plants.

WEBINAR Timeless Tips For Grads

ECO CANADA

September 9, 2021

In a competitive world, these tips for Job seekers and Grads of Environmental Science can help expedite the job search process and allow for the actualization of meaningful careers. The webinar is offered by ECO Canada.

These urchin slayers are trying to save California’s underwater ‘rainforest’

Grist News

September 9, 2021

‘Zombie’ urchins have obliterated West Coast kelp forests. Can they be stopped?

Qld's full-size electric bus powered by 100% solar

Sustainability Matters

September 9, 2021

The transport sector accounts for 18.9% of Australia’s carbon emissions, so expanding the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is one of the most effective ways to lower these emissions. Global e-mobility leader and bus operator Transdev has now risen to the task, placing what is claimed to be Australia’s first 100% sustainably powered full-size electric bus on the roads in South East

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Program to help councils supercharge climate action

Sustainability Matters

September 9, 2021

The Cities Power Partnership and Ironbark Sustainability have joined forces to launch an Australian program that will enable local governments to make evidence-based decisions when investing in emissions reduction projects. The pilot program uses the Cities Activity Database (CAD), Ironbark Sustainability’s tool, that categorises data from about 13,000 climate activities from more than 800

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‘Orca,’ the largest carbon removal facility to date, is up and running

Grist News

September 9, 2021

It can remove 4,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere per year. But the cost isn't clear yet.

For a livable future, 60% of oil and gas must stay in the ground

Grist News

September 8, 2021

And 90% of coal must remain buried, according to a new study.

Kellogg launches recyclable retail displays across Australia

Sustainability Matters

September 7, 2021

Kellogg Australia has revealed that it will trial 1000 recyclable displays across retail stores nationwide. The new displays are made with 80% recycled content and a water-based coating instead of plastic coating for the stands, while the shelf clips are created with natural materials by combining sugarcane and wood pulp (all previously made of plastic film and moulded plastic). The move is the first trial

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Air pollution takes away billions of years of life expectancy — and many countries aren’t doing enough about it

Grist News

September 7, 2021

Researchers say polluted air is the “greatest risk to global health."

Glaciers are more than ‘frozen, sterile wastelands’

Grist News

September 7, 2021

Frozen beans, polar bear run-ins: A new book tells the truth about life as a glaciologist.

Should we have an IPCC for food?

Sustainability Matters

September 6, 2021

The first ever United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNSS), taking place on 23 September, aims to deliver progress on all 17 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through a food systems approach, leveraging the interconnectedness of food systems to global challenges such as hunger, climate change, poverty and inequality. It has been said that the summit could be as historic to food system

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Can the West learn to share renewable power?

Grist News

September 6, 2021

Insights: Proponents of a heftier, coordinated grid assess its importance — and barriers to their visions.

Australia must reach net zero emissions: ATSE

Sustainability Matters

September 5, 2021

Ahead of the COP26 Climate Change Summit in November, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) calls on the federal government to commit to and announce immediate and decisive action to reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Having considered the scientific evidence, and the urgency called for in the latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, the

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3 ways to prevent the next mass power outage

Grist News

September 3, 2021

Hurricane Ida exposed the grid's weaknesses. It didn't have to be that way.

Advanced materials facility key to a sustainable future

Sustainability Matters

September 2, 2021

The University of Adelaide’s North Terrace campus is now home to an Advanced Materials Research Facility, which will enable scientists to develop the next generation of advanced materials to achieve a more sustainable future for society. “In the new Advanced Materials Research Facility, chemical engineers and scientists will be making materials for a range of applications such as renewable

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Fleet charging infrastructure has become a new revenue frontier

Sustainability Matters

September 2, 2021

What we’ve also seen is an emerging third motivator that is not only available to commercial fleet operators, but also to retail and commercial businesses — and that’s new revenue streams opened up by selling electric vehicle charging station capacity. Across Australia, we have only just past 3000 public charging stations. While the lack of installed charging stations has been a barrier

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OPEC member urges oil producers to focus more on renewable energy

Grist News

September 2, 2021

Iraqi minister and International Energy Agency chief urge countries to move away from fossil fuel dependency.

OPEC member urges oil producers to focus more on renewable energy

Grist News

September 2, 2021

Iraqi minister and International Energy Agency chief urge countries to move away from fossil fuel dependency.

Etifix meets ambitious sustainability and quality standards with SCREEN L350UV SAI E label press

SP News

September 1, 2021

New SCREEN inkjet machine enables Italian label specialist to break into new markets   In response to an ever-evolving market and shorter lead times, Italian label specialist Etifix needed a new digital press to meet demand. The solution: the Truepress Jet L350UV SAI E. Focusing on high quality standards and ambitious sustainability requirements, Etifix chose... The post Etifix meets ambitious

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Heat resistant and fully recyclable: white rPET100 packaging for dairy, hot drinks and ready meals

SP News

September 1, 2021

Made from recycled material and designed for recycling: Starlinger viscotec, a division of the Austrian machinery supplier Starlinger & CoGmbH, has developed a new material to make packaging for dairy and hot-fill products fully recyclable. rPET100 combines the environmental advantages of recycled PET with easy material processability and opens opportunities for new circular packaging

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REC Group REC N-Peak solar panel

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

REC Group has launched the REC N-Peak 2, the second generation of its n-type TOPCon cell-based solar panels. The second-gen panels are designed to further improve power density and energy yield per m2. The REC N-Peak solar panel, released in 2018, combines n-type mono half-cut cells with a twin-panel design, delivering good power output and long-term performance. The new solar panel takes forward the same

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Closing the climate change ambition gap

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

The urgency of climate action is clear, with world leaders to consider the IPCC’s report raising a code red for climate action in Glasgow in November. Imminent climate catastrophe means that rather than waiting for political consensus, it’s time for business to take the lead where others hesitate by setting clear climate goals and ensuring they are met. This isn’t just about saving our

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GF Piping Systems process control loop for water and wastewater treatment

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

GF Piping Systems’ complete solutions of valves, actuators, sensors, displays and controllers are designed to have an integral role for water conservation in the water and wastewater treatment industry. They can be used to increase productivity around the water cycle by raising efficiency and lowering overall costs and use of resources. Depending on the application area, there are different

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Victoria's zoos now powered by 100% renewable energy

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

Victoria’s iconic zoos have become the first on mainland Australia to be powered by 100% renewable energy, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government. Healesville Sanctuary is powered by renewable energy produced by the Crowlands Wind Farm near Ararat, while Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo use 100% GreenPower. This builds on the 675 kW of onsite solar already installed at the three

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Studying platypus populations in North West Sydney

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

Sydney Water, in partnership with Cattai Hills Environment Network (CHEN) and Western Sydney University, is embarking on a study that will see water samples taken from the Cattai Creek catchment, in North West Sydney, and sent back to Sydney Water labs where they will be analysed for traces of platypus environmental DNA (eDNA) to establish platypus numbers in the area. Sydney Water’s lab teams have

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Harvesting biomass from wastewater recycling

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

Environmental health experts at Flinders University are advancing research into a highly sustainable wastewater recycling program by developing a cost-effective way to harvest microalgal biomass for use in biofuels and other applications. The high-rate algal pond (HRAP) model, recycling wastewater at two regional South Australian locations at Kingston-on-Murray and Peterborough, uses algae and

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Closing the climate change ambition gap

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

The urgency of climate action is clear, with world leaders to consider the IPCC’s report raising a code red for climate action in Glasgow in November. Imminent climate catastrophe means that rather than waiting for political consensus, it’s time for business to take the lead where others hesitate by setting clear climate goals and ensuring they are met. This isn’t just about saving our

...

Victoria's zoos now powered by 100% renewable energy

Sustainability Matters

September 1, 2021

Victoria’s iconic zoos have become the first on mainland Australia to be powered by 100% renewable energy, thanks to funding from the Victorian Government. Healesville Sanctuary is powered by renewable energy produced by the Crowlands Wind Farm near Ararat, while Melbourne Zoo and Werribee Open Range Zoo use 100% GreenPower. This builds on the 675 kW of onsite solar already installed at the three

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