All posts tagged: air

Is cleaner air accelerating global warming more than we expected?

Is cleaner air accelerating global warming more than we expected?

Air pollution can have a cooling effect on the climate Cheunghyo/Getty Images James Hansen, the climate scientist best known for alerting the US Congress to global warming in the 1980s, has redoubled his warnings that we are underestimating the climate impact of declining air pollution. “Humanity made a bad deal, a Faustian bargain, when we used aerosols to offset almost half of greenhouse gas warming,” said Hansen at a briefing hosted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network. But other researchers say this conclusion is based on shaky foundations, and we still don’t know how much reductions in air pollution are contributing to global warming. Hansen’s conclusions are “hovering around the top end of what we’d consider to be plausible”, says Michael Diamond at Florida State University, who wasn’t involved with the research. Record spikes in global average temperatures in 2023 and 2024 have spurred debate about whether the pace of global warming is accelerating faster than expected. Rising levels of greenhouse gases and a warming Pacific Ocean drove most of the temperature increase, …

This long duration compressed air energy storage project just got a .76B DOE loan

This long duration compressed air energy storage project just got a $1.76B DOE loan

Image: Hydrostor Hydrostor’s GEM A-CAES has received a conditional loan guarantee of up to $1.76 billion from the US Department of Energy (DOE) to build the Willow Rock Energy Storage Center, a cutting-edge compressed air energy storage (CAES) system, in Eastern Kern County, California. If everything goes as planned, Willow Rock will bring 500 megawatts (MW) and 4,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of long-duration energy storage (LDES) to the southern California power grid. This system will lower energy costs, improve grid reliability during peak demand, and expand the rollout of renewable energy into the grid. Here’s how it works and why it’s unique. How compressed air energy storage works CAES technology is all about storing energy for later use, especially when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing. Here’s how it works: Storing energy: The system takes surplus energy (often from renewable sources like solar or wind) and uses it to compress air, which is stored in underground caverns. Releasing energy: When the grid needs power, the compressed air is released, passing through a turbine …

No time to exercise? Try this five-minute exercise snack while waiting for the air fryer to ping

No time to exercise? Try this five-minute exercise snack while waiting for the air fryer to ping

When you’re busy, exercise is often one of the first things to fall by the wayside. When this happens to you, don’t beat yourself up about it—it happens to us all. Maintaining a positive mindset towards exercise is one of the things that will ensure it’s enjoyable and keep you motivated. It’s also worth remembering that a little bit of exercise is better than none at all. I was reminded of this when I recently saw Barre instructor Mara Cimatoribus’ workout for the time-poor. It’s a five-minute arms routine that you can do while you’re waiting for your dinner to cook, or a kettle to boil. If you’ve never tried barre, it’s a brilliant way to get stronger. It involves low-impact movements that improve your mobility and strengthen a range of muscles, including those that you might not use as much in other forms of exercise. This workout is designed to improve muscle tone in the arms and it’s great for boosting posture too. How to do Mara Cimatoribus’ five-minute barre workout There are five …

New MacBook Air Models With M4 Chip Expected to Launch ‘Earlier’ Than iPhone SE 4 and iPad 11

New MacBook Air Models With M4 Chip Expected to Launch ‘Earlier’ Than iPhone SE 4 and iPad 11

Apple is rumored to have many product announcements planned for the first half of next year, including updated MacBook Air models, an iPad 11, an iPhone SE 4, the AirTag 2, updated iPad Air models, and potentially more. In a social media post today, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman reiterated that the iPad 11, iPhone SE 4, and updated iPad Air models will be coming in the “spring” next year. Notably, he said the updated 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air models with the M4 chip will be announced “earlier” than those other devices, but he did not provide a specific timeframe. This likely means that the updated MacBook Air models will be announced in a press release on the Apple Newsroom website at some point from January through March, whereas the other devices might be announced at Apple’s usual spring event in March or April. Apple would be getting the minor MacBook Air update out of the way early. Apple earlier this month released macOS 15.2, and in doing so it accidentally confirmed new MacBook Air models …

US accelerates climate action with .8bn direct air capture funding

US accelerates climate action with $1.8bn direct air capture funding

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) has launched a major initiative to combat climate change, offering up to $1.8bn in funding to support the development and commercialisation of direct air capture (DAC) technologies. This move marks a significant step toward achieving large-scale carbon removal from the atmosphere, reinforcing America’s global competitiveness in clean energy and creating economic opportunities for communities nationwide. What is direct air capture? Direct air capture is an advanced climate technology designed to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) directly from the atmosphere. Unlike traditional carbon capture methods that focus on emissions from industrial sources, DAC targets CO2 that has already been released, referred to as ‘legacy emissions.’ This makes DAC a critical tool for addressing historical contributions to climate change. Direct air capture systems use chemical processes to capture CO2, which can then be stored underground in geological formations or utilised in products like concrete or synthetic fuels. By providing a scalable solution to remove atmospheric carbon, DAC holds immense potential for mitigating the impacts of climate change and achieving net-zero emissions …

Gregg Wallace live: BBC says MasterChef will air tonight as ex host blames women jibe on feeling ‘under siege’

Gregg Wallace live: BBC says MasterChef will air tonight as ex host blames women jibe on feeling ‘under siege’

MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace issues apology after ‘middle class women’ comment amid misconduct allegations Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Gregg Wallace has apologised for saying allegations of inappropriate behaviour were made by “middle-class women of a certain age”, claiming he felt “under siege”. Wallace said in a video posted on Instagram that he was “not in a good place” and he is “under a lot of stress”. “I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it, I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it,” he said, adding that he will “take some time out”. Downing Street condemned Wallace’s remarks about middle class women as “inappropriate and misogynistic”. The BBC is resisting calls to pause broadcasts of MasterChef as it investigates allegations by 13 individuals of sexually inappropriate comments made by Wallace, who stepped down from the …

Art, Hell, and the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 electric air compressor

Art, Hell, and the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 electric air compressor

With its compact dimensions, outstanding performance, and quiet, emissions-free operation, the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 is changing the game when it comes to indoor construction and demolition projects. Now, it’s changing an altogether different game: art. Construction companies bidding on jobs in indoor or densely populated urban environments are already singing the praises of electric equipment, but the Atlas Copco E-Air H185 is now making a name for electric equipment in the art world, taking center stage in a new performance installation that marries science, robotics, and art in Prague. Dubbed “Inferno,” the project calls itself a fusion of technology and art, and features “dancers” wearing articulated mechanical exoskeletons motivated by air-powered hydraulic actuators that are fed a constant supply of compressed air from the Atlas Copco unit backstage. The result is a choreographed robotic dance, “where machine and human bodies became one.” Smooth operator E-Air H185 VSD compressor in ARCHA+ Theatre, Prague; by Atlas Copco. The unique environment of the ARCHA+ Theatre is similar to St. Jerome’s in Naples, where an all-electric Bobcat excavator …

What Air Travel Under Trump Could Look Like

What Air Travel Under Trump Could Look Like

The Trump administration could prove more sympathetic to businesses than to consumers. Jaromir / Getty November 26, 2024, 6:33 PM ET The list of air-travel fiascos this past year reads like a verse of “We Didn’t Start the Fire”: A chunk of plane fell off mid-flight. Boeing workers went on strike. A CrowdStrike software issue grounded thousands of planes worldwide. A major airline merger was blocked. Passengers were terribly unruly. And yet, in roughly that same time period, much about the experience of air travel actually went pretty well: Cancellations in the first half of this year (even with that software outage) were way down from the chaos of 2022, even amidst record-breaking travel days, and last year was by some metrics the safest on record. The Biden administration implemented new requirements for airlines to give passengers refunds for canceled or significantly changed flights and announced a new rule to crack down on airline junk fees. Flights are more affordable than they were decades ago, adjusted for inflation. An air-travel paradox has emerged. As my …

The A Ma Maniére x Nike Air Force 1 ‘W.Y.W.S.’ Is an Instant Classic

The A Ma Maniére x Nike Air Force 1 ‘W.Y.W.S.’ Is an Instant Classic

The inside of the trainer is lined with mauve terry cotton, and the sidewalls are amped up by two super shiny Swooshes. All of this then rests on top of a white rubber midsole. But while most Forces since the ’80s have been stamped with “Air” along the back, this one’s got A Ma Maniére branding instead. Why? Well, just so everyone knows that this ain’t no ordinary collab. A Ma Maniére has been an institution in the sneakerverse since 2014. Founded by designer James Whitner, the brand’s French name translates to “in my way”—a nod to how the designer has always done things on his own terms. Alongside the ‘Sesame,’ the ‘While You Were Sleeping’ lineup also includes other hyped drops like the Air Jordan 4 (that launched a few months ago) as well as the label’s first ever Air Max 95. And with this collection celebrating AMM’s 10th anniversary, it’s safe to say that it’s a pretty big deal. A Ma Maniére x Nike Air Force 1 ‘W.Y.W.S.’ A Ma Maniére The A …

Cheltenham’s Skyborne Academy partners with DHL Air UK

Cheltenham’s Skyborne Academy partners with DHL Air UK

Cheltenham-based Skyborne Airline Academy has announced it is to partner with DHL, one of the world’s biggest logistics companies, on a fully funded Integrated Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL) programme for DHL Air (UK) employees.   The first candidates have joined Skyborne to begin their UK CAA Integrated ATPL course, before becoming First Officers on one of DHL Air (UK)’s fleet of Boeing aircraft.  Lee Woodward, CEO, Skyborne, said: “At Skyborne, we’re strong advocates of making pilot training accessible for all, regardless of background. Our partnership with DHL Air (UK) continues this drive to remove financial barriers to entry and encourage greater diversity in our industry.” Debbie Moore, Head of Talent Management and Development, DHL Air (UK), added: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Skyborne for our first ever sponsored flight training initiative. With graduates from the academy already flying with DHL, we knew we were making the right choice.  This cadet pilot programme gives an opportunity of a lifetime to our team members who could not otherwise afford the dream. Thanks to our funding and Skyborne’s expertise, our employees …