In Between Times 4-19-2024
EarthX is April 22-26, Wind power moving modern cargo, Protecting the Bahamas, Circular plastics, Is the LNG refining ban a good idea?
Come join us at Earthx April 22-26 in Dallas!
An opportunity to speak with, listen to, and break bread with many of the people changing our world for the better. Investors, scientists, C-suiters, activists, and you in an engaging and open environment. We hope to see you there!
Sail-powered cargo ship completes global journey and saves up to 15% on fuel
If you’ve spent any time on large ships you know that they act like giant sails even when they don’t have sails. Consider the energy used when a large vessel plows into a headwind or struggles against a gale screaming across its deck. There’s a lot of energy in that equation coming from the wind, the sea, and the ship’s engine.
What if a modern shipping vessels used sails to co-opt some of the wind’s energy?
What an idea. Sails on a ship!
The Pyxis Ocean is doing just that and she has cut her energy consumption by 15%.
This may not sound like much but as a proof of concept it is quite valuable. Fifteen percent is quite a lot of energy for a large ship. Now multiply that out for even a small portion of the world cargo fleet. It’s would have a serious impact.
(From N Technology)
The freighter, which was charted by food giant Cargill, was assisted by two innovative steel and fibreglass vertical sails – known as WindWings – which reach 37.5 metres in height and resemble aircraft wings.
Scientists who studied the vessel's performance say its wind-propulsion technology allowed it to save three tonnes of fuel a day.
This resulted in an effective 15 per cent reduction of diesel fuel that it would be typically expended, according to Cargill.
The data “underscores the potential” of wind to reduce the shipping industry's carbon footprint, the company says.
Click here for the article.
Making fisheries sustainable in The Bahamas
I was in The Bahamas last year. Each time I visit I am struck by the sheer wildness of the place.
The Bahamas more often conjure visions of cruse ships and rum runners than of wilderness but it is one of the wildest places I have ever visited. The place is teeming with life. The sea is filled with fish of various hues and shapes. In the sky there are sea birds of all sorts. There is something about seeing a white-tailed tropic bird streaking across a blue sky over an even bluer ocean. The Bahamas are remarkable from a wildlife perspective and are just a couple of hours from the US mainland.
But in today’s world every wilderness can be spoiled pretty quickly. Given the Bahamas proximity to the US this is probably especially so. Currently some fisheries in the islands are under significant pressure.
The Nature Conservancy is addressing the overharvesting of conch snails and helping fishermen more sustainably gather their catch.
(From The Nature Conservancy)
Including both recreational and commercial fishing in the economic impact total shows fishing supports 26,917 jobs and generates $544.2 million in income, $1.2 billion in value-added (contribution to GDP) and $2.2 billion in total sales. Of this total commercial fishing contributes 5.1% and recreational fishing contributes 14.9% to Bahamian GDP. Combined across both sectors, the entire fisheries value chain contributes 20% to the Bahamian GDP.
In The Bahamas today, illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, including foreign and domestic poaching, are widespread and pose a myriad of threats to the ocean, the fishing industry and communities throughout the country. Not only are livelihoods, households and local economies put at risk, but a decline in marine species populations threatens the balance necessary for the survival of ecosystems such as coral reefs. The (Marine Action Partnership) MAP for Sustainable Fisheries is a collaborative multiyear and multiagency approach to improve the capacity for marine enforcement in the country. Partners of the MAP include The Bahamas Department of Marine Resources, The Ministry of Agriculture and Maine Resources, The Ministry of National Security, The Royal Bahamas Police force, Customs, Immigration, The Royal Bahamas Defense Force, WildAid, The National Fishers Association and other fishing associations.
Click here for the article.
How Unilever is working toward a circular plastic regime within the company
Circular Plastics: the challenges of plastic recycling
New study casts doubt on climate basis for Biden LNG pause
This article was highlighted by our friends over at Clear Path. It articulates nicely “the law of unintended consequences”.
(From The Washington Examiner)
The report, conducted by Berkeley Research Group and commissioned by the U.S. trade group LNG Allies, found that the average emissions intensity of U.S. LNG exports to Europe is 53% lower than emissions from coal-fired power plants within the bloc and 8% lower than emissions from total piped gas imports to the bloc.
U.S. LNG greenhouse gas emissions had a 29% and 19% lower emissions profile compared to piped gas supplies from Russia and Algeria, respectively.
U.S. LNG emissions were higher than piped gas emissions from Norway and Azerbaijan, however — at 35% and 4%, respectively.
Click here for the article.
The future of retail is the intersection of digitalization and sustainability
We certainly agree with this. Innovation and digitization are absolutely key to creating a much more sustainable future. In an environment of constant solution seeking the world’s hardest questions will be answered. This environment will in turn create new questions, which in turn will need new answers. The key is to keep, always, looking forward and in encouraging new thinking on difficult topics. This is particularly true in retail where it seems there lay great opportunity for significant progress on the sustainability front in the near term.
We’re still waiting for our 3D printed running shoes. (By the way.)
(From Fortune)
AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) can be utilized in numerous retail scenarios, including waste reduction, inventory management, logistics optimization, and facility management. By leveraging these technologies, retailers can enhance their operational efficiency, improve customer experiences, and drive revenue growth. Grocers lose an average of $70 million a year to perishable food spoilage alone, causing significant income erosion.
In order to safeguard perishable goods, guarantee optimum freshness, and minimize waste, environmental sensors can be used in cold chains to monitor ambient conditions such as temperature, humidity, air quality, light intensity, and other environmental factors inside a storage facility, cargo container, delivery vehicle, or store. IoT sensors in supply chains ensure efficient deliveries and quality control, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Click here for the article.
What on earth is regenerative farming? It’s looking long-term, rebuilding soil life and just plain farming
“Just plain farming.” We love this
Regenerative farming, farming with an eye toward the preservation and the nurturing of soil and the environment generally can already make business sense. In the long run, if one can get over the very significant economic hump of transitioning to regenerative farming, which can take many years, one can have a profitable, highly productive farm while also being much more sustainable.
Getting over the transition hump is the toughest bit.
(From Farmers Forum)
“Fundamentally, regenerative agriculture is about leveraging Mother Nature in our favour in every aspect of the farm. To make it more productive, more profitable and more pleasurable to operate.” James explains. Sounds great – but it’s far from simple.
“There’s always a trade-off, always a Catch 22,” Ian elaborates. When it comes to soil management, “Ploughing is great organic weed control – but it takes tons of diesel and disturbs soil structure… Spraying uses a lot less energy and doesn’t disturb the ground… but well, it has its own set of drawbacks.”
And thus “regenerative” is less about specific protocols but rather a general direction farms take to constantly improve and adapt. For instance, this fall, Ian planted 120 acres of fall rye cover to try to get a fleabane outbreak under control for next year’s cropping.
Click here for the article.
EVENT
Apr 25 - Apr 25
Disagree Better: A Governor’s View on How Business Can Bridge Divides
Business for America
Americans are exhausted by the hyperpartisanship and polarization in our country, and rightly so. The toxicity and conflict have not only overtaken news, politics, and social media; they have also crept into our workplaces. Join Business for America and Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to learn about the campaign to Disagree Better, and hear from prominent business leaders on what they’re doing to bridge differences. For our country to thrive, we must take action and address the dangerous divisions in our communities – before it is too late.
Disagree Better is an effort to show Americans can work through our differences to find solutions to the most difficult problems facing our states and our nation. Originated by the National Governors Association during Governor Cox’s chairmanship, the initiative has brought Americans renewed hope as Republican and Democratic governors demonstrate how to disagree without being disagreeable.
At this event, Governor Cox and business leaders will share their stories about modeling behavior to de-escalate conflict, listen to understand, and have productive disagreements. We will also discuss business-centered activities to help bridge divides in our workplaces, in our communities, and in our country’s politics. Companies of all sizes, industries, and parts of the country will be invited to join activities that are a fit for their values, brands, employees, and stakeholders.