All posts tagged: Carbon

HP Introduces First HyperX Open-Back Headset, Lightweight Carbon Fiber Mouse and More

HP Introduces First HyperX Open-Back Headset, Lightweight Carbon Fiber Mouse and More

Published by Miika Tikkanen

HP might not be ready to bring any new gaming laptops or desktop computers into the fray just yet, but it debuted a healthy heaping of new peripherals under its HyperX gaming brand to keep casuals, hard-core gamers and streamers happy. HyperX announced its first open-back headphones and most lightweight mouse, along with a few other goodies that might upgrade your gaming experience. HyperX keeps the focus on gamers, but there are a few pieces of tech here, like the SoloCast 2 Pro mic, that I think will function best in the hands of content creators. There’s a little something for everyone, with products featured at variable prices throughout the lineup. The Cloud Air Alpha is HyperX’s first open-back gaming headset Any parent struggling to get their kid’s attention while they’re crushing a Fortnite lobby will probably be happy about new open-back headphones because they allow more outside noise to filter. And gamers themselves will be happy that the Cloud Air Alphas don’t sacrifice game audio quality. I tried out HyperX’s first open-back headphones in …

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Review: Lenovo’s Flagship Ultraportable Is Now More Repairable

ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Review: Lenovo’s Flagship Ultraportable Is Now More Repairable

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 14 Aura Edition Pros Space Frame design increases repairability Same great X1 Carbon exterior Still incredibly compact and light Free OLED upgrade Cons No faster than last year’s model Battery life is shorter than last year’s The 14th generation of Lenovo’s flagship business ultraportable, the X1 Carbon, looks no different than the previous iteration. But don’t let its comfortingly familiar design fool you: The interior has been completely reengineered to make the laptop run more coolly and quietly, and — more importantly — it’s easier to repair.  The X1 Carbon Gen 14 introduces Lenovo’s Space Frame chassis that features a smaller motherboard and larger cooling fans, along with a modular design that makes it easier to access and then repair or replace individual components. This is good news for ThinkPad buyers who care about ROI, sustainability or both. The laptop is based on Intel’s Core Ultra 300 series processors, known as Panther Lake. If you were hoping for a big leap in performance from last year’s Lunar Lake model, you’ll …

‘Forgotten’ pollutants cause 15 per cent of global warming

‘Forgotten’ pollutants cause 15 per cent of global warming

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds don’t just poison the air we breathe. They also fuel chemical reactions in the atmosphere that heat the planet. Of all the global warming that has happened since the pre-industrial era, about 15 per cent has been caused by emissions other than greenhouse gases, mainly carbon monoxide and VOCs. That is double the contribution of nitrous oxide, the third-most-common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and methane. But few countries include these common “indirect greenhouse gases” in their emissions reduction targets. “There is a set of forgotten climate pollutants that are strongly contributing to today’s warming and could considerably slow down the rate of warming in the future if we start including them in our climate policies,” says Ilissa Ocko at Spark Climate Solutions, a non-profit organisation based in California, who co-authored a study calling for more attention on these gases. Carbon monoxide and VOCs, which are released in part by fossil fuel use, react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form ozone. While naturally occurring ozone in the …

Will burying dead trees after a wildfire keep their carbon locked up?

Will burying dead trees after a wildfire keep their carbon locked up?

Published by Miika Tikkanen

In 2021, a smouldering underground coal seam ignited the tinder-dry grass and brush in Poverty Flats, Montana, setting off a wildfire that burned 267 square kilometres. The blaze killed 50,000 trees, mostly ponderosa pines, that had shaded cattle grazing on the Gentry Ranch. Black, partially burnt snags stood across a moonscape of charred earth. These “widowmakers” could have unpredictably toppled onto workers or cows, or fuelled the next wildfire. Standard practice would have been to burn the trees in piles, emitting almost 7000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. Instead, bulldozers and logging machines with giant claws dumped the trees into a 5000-square-metre pit and covered them over with 6 meters of soil and gravel and a polypropylene fabric. The company running the operation, Mast Reforestation, says this way the trees won’t decompose for centuries, preventing more global warming and making another fire less likely. Mast can also sell carbon credits to pay for planting new trees. “By no means do we consider this a silver bullet – it requires all of the other pathways that are …

Carbon credits are flawed, but they can still help save forests

Carbon credits are flawed, but they can still help save forests

Published by Miika Tikkanen

In 1986, an energy CEO heard a briefing about climate change and felt guilty that his company was building a coal-fired power plant in Connecticut. The company eventually paid to plant trees for timber in Guatemala so farmers would stop cutting down intact forest, in theory compensating for the coal plant’s carbon emissions. The idea would develop into markets that allow companies to offset their emissions by buying “voluntary” carbon credits that help avoid deforestation, among other measures. Advocates say land users should be paid to leave a forest standing. Critics say maybe the land users weren’t going to cut down the forest anyway. So who’s right? Both, according to a growing body of research. Last month, one of the most rigorous studies yet found that most early projects did successfully reduce deforestation. But they sold credits for almost 11 times more forest on average than they actually saved. Historically, forests have absorbed about half of humanity’s fossil fuel emissions, and tropical forests are particularly important, holding back global warming by about 1°C. But they …

Is carbon removal in trouble?

Is carbon removal in trouble?

Published by Miika Tikkanen

Whatever, exactly, is happening behind the scenes, many in the industry are nervous, says Wil Burns, Co-Director of the Institute for Responsible Carbon Removal at American University. People viewed the company as the foundational supporter of carbon removal, he adds. “This pause—whether it’s short term or whatever it is—the way it’s been rolled out is extremely irresponsible,” Burns says. The vast majority of firms looking to get carbon removal contracts are probably seeking Microsoft deals. So, while Microsoft has every right to change its plans, the company needs to be open with the industry now, he adds. “I don’t think you can hold yourself out as the paragon of fostering carbon removal and then treat a nascent industry that disrespectfully,” Burns says. Carbon removal companies were already in turmoil in the US, particularly because of recent policy shifts: Funding has been cut back, and recent changes at the Environmental Protection Agency were aimed at the government’s ability to target carbon pollution. Now, if the largest corporate backer is shifting plans or taking a significant pause, …

Carbon Emissions in a War-Torn World Threaten Brain Health

Carbon Emissions in a War-Torn World Threaten Brain Health

Published by Jenni Sidey

If we have any chance of prevailing against the life challenges we currently face (multiple wars, global warming, environmental pollution, and so on), we must train our brains in new ways of observing and thinking. What’s needed is to hone our ability to discover underappreciated links between seemingly unrelated forces. The brain, with its billions of neuronal connections, seems ideally suited for doing that, since every neuron is at least potentially influenced and is influencing an unknown number of other neurons. Using the brain as our model, what’s required is a recognition of the need to “up our game” when it comes to understanding causation and interrelation. Take the factors already recognized as contributing to global warming. Increased heat leads to dryness, fires, and smoke, which, in combination, damage the brain. Only recently have wars been added to the litany of contributors to global warming and brain damage. When you thought of global warming, did wars, as significant contributing factors, come to mind? Probably not, since the science supporting the relationship is recent. Take the …

Toyota GR Yaris MORIZO RR: 300hp, Carbon Fiber, and More

Toyota GR Yaris MORIZO RR: 300hp, Carbon Fiber, and More

Published by Miika Tikkanen

The Toyota GR Yaris MORIZO RR is a limited-edition performance car that embodies the pinnacle of engineering and motorsport-inspired design. Developed under the guidance of Akio Toyoda, also known as “Morizo,” this vehicle is a testament to Toyota Gazoo Racing’s dedication to pushing boundaries in motorsports. With only 200 units slated for production, this exclusive model is set to debut in spring 2026, coinciding with Toyota’s participation in the 2025 Nürburgring 24 Hours. The GR Yaris MORIZO RR is not just a car; it’s a collector’s dream and a celebration of Toyota’s racing heritage. Unmatched Performance and Precision At the core of the GR Yaris MORIZO RR is a carefully engineered 300hp powertrain, delivering a balance of raw power and refined precision. This high-performance engine is paired with advanced technologies designed to enhance handling, control, and overall driving dynamics. The Nürburgring-tuned suspension system ensures that the car is equally adept on the racetrack and on everyday roads, offering versatility without compromising performance. Key performance features include: A unique “Morizo” 4WD mode with a 50:50 torque …