Microplastics: What the Evidence Really Says

You’ve probably seen the headlines about microplastics, which claim that the micrometer-scale bits of plastic are everywhere, causing a wide variety of health issues. But while the headlines get more and more extreme, the scientific research on microplastics doesn’t actually support the media’s claims. Let’s take a look.

Biofuels are Delusion, New Data Reveal

Biofuels are fuels made from plant oils. The idea is that using plants to create fuel for cars and generators should lower carbon emissions, as the plants take in carbon from the atmosphere as they grow. But according to new analysis, the reality of biofuels doesn’t match the models, and synthesizing and burning the fuels might actually increase the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Let’s take a look.

The Big Problem With Solar Power

Solar power is one of the most popular sources of renewable energy, due to both its cost-effectiveness and the fact that solar panels emit zero greenhouse gases. But according to new analyses, solar isn’t as cheap as we’ve been led to believe. Let’s take a look at the real cost of solar power and other problems with the technology.

Is it pointless now to fight climate change?

I’d much rather only bring you good news, but I feel like I can’t just be quiet about this unfolding climate disaster. I no longer believe that we are able to keep the damage manageable by reducing emissions, and so all signs point to geoengineering. Remarkably enough, most climate scientists now think the same. Let’s have a look.

Are We Causing a Mass Extinction?

You’ve probably heard that human industrialization is actually a mass extinction event that’s killed off hundreds of thousands of different animal species, I certainly did. But is that actually true? Recently, a group of ecologists published a paper comparing human-related extinctions to mass extinction events of the past. Let’s take a look at the numbers.

The Next Clean Fuel Hype Is Likely Ammonia

Hydrogen hype is on the decline, but we might have a replacement for it already: ammonia hype. Recently, more companies and researchers have proposed using ammonia as an alternative fuel similar to hydrogen. But is that realistic? Here is what you need to know about ammonia and the fuel of the future.

The Earth’s Core Is A Massive Helium Reserve, Researchers Claim

The world is slowly running out of Helium, and has already seen four helium shortages. It’s a problem because Helium is essential in the creation of microchips, and we need plenty of those to keep artificial intelligence running. Luckily – and surprisingly – researchers have recently published a paper claiming that the Earth’s core is actually full of the stuff. Let’s take a look.

Earth’s Magnetic Field has a Hole, and it’s changing

Earth's magnetic field has a hole located over the South Atlantic Ocean. It’s called the South Atlantic Anomaly and according to NASA and the ESA, it’s changing. Could this be a sign that the Earth’s magnetic field is about to flip? I’ve had a look.

Is Carbon Dioxide Removal the Next Stock Market Bubble?

According to the New York Times, carbon dioxide removal tech is “the new climate gold rush.” Investors have poured billions of dollars into the tech, and market analysts predict that it might become a trillion-dollar industry in the future. But does reality match the hype? Let’s look at what the numbers really say.

The Hydrogen Bubble Is Finally Bursting

Over the past decade, governments all over the world have invested heavily into the hydrogen economy, that is the idea to use hydrogen to store and transport energy from intermittent renewables. Over the past year, stocks of most key companies in the business have tumbled by as much as 50%. There are good reasons for this.

Why Bitcoin Mining is Good for the Environment -- And why it isn't

I was under the impression that Bitcoin mining was bad for the environment. It turns out that the situation is much more controversial and interesting than I originally thought. So what is it, is bitcoin good? Or is it bad? Let’s have a look.

“Are we the idiots?” – Bill Gates on Planting Trees

Bill Gates has recently been under fire following an interview in which he said that planting trees won’t save us from climate change. Is he right? Is this just another quote taken out of context? What does the science say? Let’s have a look.

Scandal over Nuclear Phase-Out in Germany: What We Know

A recent investigation has revealed that the final steps in phasing out nuclear power in Germany was partly based on false information. And doesn’t look like it was a mistake, but a deliberate rewriting of what was originally accurate information. The ministry denies everything. A quick summary of what we know.

I thought Electric Cars Were the Future. I Changed my Mind.

I thought electric vehicles were the future of transportation. Not so much because they're clean, but because many car enthusiasts love them for their powerful acceleration. However, it's becoming increasingly clear that the necessary upgrades to the electric grid aren't going anywhere near fast enough to get the transition done according to plan. This is why I believe now we'll likely see a shift to hybrids in the near future.

Electric Highways: A good idea?

Several European countries have done trials for electric highways , some of which have now been concluded. The results have been unexpectedly controversial. What are electric highways? Why are the results controversial? Could this be the answer to transitioning away from fossil fuels? Let’s have a look.

Are wildfires good?

Wildfires have made a lot of headlines recently. Climate change, they say, has made them worse. But some ecologists now say that suppressing wildfires is a bad idea and will just make things worse. You read that right, they say we should just let it burn -- so long as no people are in danger. Does that mean small wildfires are actually good? Let’s have a look.

Sulphur as Energy Storage -- Gamechanger?

For decades we have seen scientists and engineers trying to outdo each other in finding more efficient and cheaper ways of storing energy. A group from the German Aerospace Center now says that sulphur is the way forward. Let’s have a look

Who Owns the Clouds? Cloud Seeding May Cause Global Water War

Cloud seeding is a way to make clouds rain before they naturally would. It is becoming increasingly common. Just in the past months, it has been used around the world to combat droughts, clean polluted air, and fight wildfires. But what are the ramifications of controlling the weather? Will this lead to water wars in the future? Let’s have a look.

We Need To Stop Lying about Plastic To Ourselves

Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle. We’ve all seen this motto as the end-all-be-all solution to the plastic waste problem. But a recent report reveals that the fossil fuel industry has promoted the recycling myth for decades, despite knowing that it wouldn't work. Indeed, there's been little progress in dealing with the millions of tons of plastic waste created every year. Why isn’t more plastic recycled? What can we do to solve the plastic waste issue? Let’s have a look.

Heat Pumps Finally Make Sense -- Maybe

Most buildings across the globe are heated with gas and oil despite heat pumps being a much more energy-efficient alternative. While some countries have been keen on adopting them, others have been slow on the uptake. Why have some countries been hesitant to push the technology? Could a new upgrade to heat pumps make them a more viable heating option? Let’s have a look.