Connections: 9/11 was a big turning point in sacrificing privacy for national security. While there are differing opinions on whether this was the best decision or not, being completely off the grid identity-wise is a thing of the past. Biometric systems, especially facial recognition scans, are being introduced at major U.S. airports–a response to a U.S. Congressional mandate “for recording the entry and exit of…
See moreNatural gas has long been “promoted as a clean alternative to other fossil fuels.” It’s main ingredient is methane. Compared to other greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide, methane does not stay in the atmosphere as long but, while it’s there, “its warming effect is much stronger.” A new independent study shows that methane “has been leaking from oil and gas facilities [in the United States]…
See moreRecycling plastic is a challenge. Over the past few decades, plastic “recycling” has in fact consisted–about half the time–of sending that plastic to China (often through Hong Kong). China and Hong Kong “have imported 72% of all plastic waste.” But, this route is now at an end. As of January 2018, China has banned the import of “nonindustrial plastic waste.” As a result, according to…
See moreAs of May 30, 2018, a supercritical carbon dioxide demonstration power plant began operation in Texas, USA. Operated by NET Power, LLC, the technology is powered by natural gas and generates electricity using CO2 itself to run the turbine. The technology–called the “Allam Cycle”–may eliminate “virtually all emissions from natural gas power generation without requiring expensive … carbon capture equipment.” Traditional natural gas power plants…
See moreIn 2017, Hurricane Harvey moved very slowly across parts of Texas (USA) dropping “more than 30 inches of rain in two days and nearly 50 inches over four days.” “Harvey’s rainfall exceeded every known flooding event in American history since 1899.” The reason for the high rainfall totals was the slow movement of the storm–and a 2018 study reports that “between 1949 and 2016, tropical…
See more
Most of the world’s fresh water is found frozen in Antarctica. And, that ice is melting today–and the melting is happening at an increasing rate. A new study estimates that the rate of melting “has tripled since 2007.” At this rate, the melting ice will “contribute 6 inches to sea-level rise by 2100.” While this may not seem threatening occurring over decades, it will cause…
See more
