Inside Switzerland’s giant water battery
From SWISS-INFO, an informative essay on the Nant de Drance hydroelectric power plant.
Science
Observer Interview: Peter Kalmus
Interview – Peter Kalmus: ‘As a species, we’re on autopilot, not making the right decisions’ Ian Tucker May 21, 2022 The Nasa data scientist explains why inaction on the climate crisis pushed him to chain himself to an LA bank – and why trusting in the ‘people in charge’ is so dangerous: ==================================== Do you … [Read more…]
HATELAB
In the Guardian, May 7, 2022, an article on hate speech Hate speech online has escalated to unprecedented levels. Matthew Williams, a professor of criminology, is shining a scientific light on who is behind it and why. “It is no coincidence that soaring hate-crime figures are found in countries where the extreme right is rising … [Read more…]
In a World on Fire, Stop Burning Things
In the New Yorker, Bill McKibben wrote an essay titled “In a World on Fire, Stop Burning Things” Here, he references many new reports which fortify the case for moving to renewable energy now and reinforcing the need to stop burning. On the last day of February, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued its … [Read more…]
Energy efficiency guru
Interview – Energy efficiency guru Amory Lovins: ‘It’s the largest, cheapest, safest, cleanest way to address the crisis’ by John Vidal “Solar and wind are now the cheapest bulk power sources in 91% of the world, and the UN’s International Energy Agency (IEA) expects renewables to generate 90% of all new power in the coming … [Read more…]
Use of ‘sexist’ and ‘racist’ in the New York Times increased over 400% since 2012. Why?
In The Guardian: Use of ‘sexist’ and ‘racist’ in the New York Times increased over 400% since 2012. Why? We analyzed 27m news articles published between 1970 and 2019. Our study reveals a substantial shift has occurred, and it may have important implications. by David Rozado, Musa al-Gharbi and Jamin Halberstadt Contemporary US media workers … [Read more…]
Covid infection increases risk of mental health disorders
Covid infection increases risk of mental health disorders, study finds. Researchers note need to follow patients after recovery for any emerging disorders. The Guardian – Melody Schreiber – Fri 18 Feb 2022 The results were all clear: Covid has a marked effect on mental health.
What does society owe immunocompromised people?
The Atlantic The Millions of People Stuck in Pandemic Limbo By Ed Yong February 16, 2022 Two years later, COVID-19 is still all around us, everywhere, and millions of people like Landon are walking around with a compromised immune system. A significant proportion of them don’t respond to COVID vaccines, so despite being vaccinated, many … [Read more…]
‘Noise radar’ in Paris
The Guardian: ‘Noise radar’ in Paris will catch raucous cars and motorbikes System promises to issue tickets automatically in attempt to address sound pollution in the city Under existing legislation authorities can already sanction the owners of noisy vehicles, but police need to have the necessary equipment and catch the driver in the act. The … [Read more…]
The Mystery of the ‘Russian Flu’
An Undiscovered Coronavirus? The Mystery of the ‘Russian Flu’ Scientists are grasping for any example that could help anticipate the future of Covid, even a mysterious respiratory pandemic that spread in the late 19th century. New York Times – By Gina Kolata Feb. 14, 2022