Environment
New York just passed a bitcoin mining ban — here’s everything that’s in it
Following an early morning vote in Albany on Friday, lawmakers in New York passed a bill to ban new bitcoin mining operations. The measure now heads to the desk of Governor Kathy Hochul, who could sign it into law or veto it. If Hochul signs the bill, it would make New York the first state […]
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The energy in nuclear waste could power the U.S. for 100 years, but the technology was never commercialized
EBR-II at the US Department of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory. Photo courtesy Idaho National Laboratory There is enough energy in the nuclear waste in the United States to power the entire country for 100 years, and doing so could help solve the thorny and politically fraught problem of managing spent nuclear waste. That’s according to […]
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Amazon is ‘obstructing’ probe into deadly warehouse collapse, House committee says
The site of a roof collapse at an Amazon.com distribution center in Edwardsville, Illinois. Drone Base | Reuters Members of the House Oversight Committee are alleging that Amazon is “obstructing” the panel’s investigation into a deadly warehouse collapse at one of the company’s facilities in Illinois. In a Wednesday letter addressed to Amazon CEO Andy […]
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From EV batteries to coffee: Ideas about recycling and nature are changing how firms do business
A hot cup of coffee is the perfect start to the day for millions of people around the world. But when taking that first sip, it’s easy to forget how much work goes into bringing it to the table. From the farmers cultivating and harvesting coffee plants, to milling and roasting, many crucial and labor-intensive […]
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Sweeping water restrictions begin in Southern California as drought worsens
Paul Ramirez, 54, waters the front lawn at his home in Boyle Heights, California, May 11, 2022, as his dog Bandit, a 2 year old Yorkshire terrier, jumps for joy. Mel Melcon | Los Angeles Times | Getty Images Sweeping restrictions on outdoor water use go into effect on Wednesday for more than 6 million […]
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At least 4 people dead in earthquakes in southwestern China
A 6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes 45 km W of Linqiong, China. Courtesy: USGS Two earthquakes killed at least four people and damaged houses in southwestern China on Wednesday, authorities and state media said. Fourteen others were injured, at least one seriously, state broadcaster CCTV said in an online report. All of the dead and injured were in […]
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Egypt set for world’s sixth largest high-speed rail system with backing from Germany’s Siemens
A train passes through a station in Egypt. The project involving Siemens Mobility will use trains that can reach a top speed of 230 kilometers per hour, and the line will be fully electrified. Paulvinten | Istock | Getty Images A new high-speed rail line is coming to Egypt, with developer Siemens Mobility saying it […]
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This government lab in Idaho is researching fusion, the ‘holy grail’ of clean energy, as billions pour into the space
This is a close up view of an X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy system being used at the Idaho National Lab measuring surface chemistry on a potential candidate material to use for fusion. Masashi Shimada has been researching nuclear fusion since 2000, when he joined the graduate program at University of California San Diego. He’s currently the […]
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How to protect yourself against monkeypox and what to do if you catch it
Test tubes labelled “Monkeypox virus positive and negative” are seen in this illustration taken May 23, 2022. Dado Ruvic | Reuters A recent monkeypox outbreak across the U.S., Europe, Australia and the Middle East has baffled health experts and is raising concerns of a wider outbreak. As of Wednesday, there were 346 confirmed and suspected […]
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Airbus sets up UK-based facility that will focus on hydrogen tech for aircraft
A model of one of Airbus’ ZEROe concept planes, photographed in November 2021. The firm has said it wants to develop “zero-emission commercial aircraft” by the year 2035. Giuseppe Cacace | Afp | Getty Images Airbus is launching a U.K.-based facility focused on hydrogen technologies, a move which represents the firm’s latest attempt to support […]
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