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1. World’s largest folding solar roof inaugurated over wastewater treatment plant in Switzerland

“The lightweight system also reduces material usage by up to 50 per cent compared to similar fixed solar roof systems. The specifics of the technology also allows for very wide support spacing and significant headroom, ensuring operations can continue underneath during operation and maintenance. [… The] system is expected to generate around 3 GWh of clean electricity each year, the equivalent energy needs of around 700 households.”

2. Once Extinct, Reintroduced Snails Glow With Hope

“This year’s release marks the largest reintroduction of [zoo-bred] snails—some formerly listed as “extinct in the wild” by the [IUCN], since releases began 10 years ago. […] This year brought two more milestones: the first wild-born Moorean viviparous tree snail found outside the release area and the first Polynesian tree snail (P. varia) born in the wild in over 30 years.”

3. In Thailand, a cheap bottle crate hack gives tree saplings a fighting chance

“Saplings grown in bottle crates had better root formation and superior growth [… “compared to standard methods…”.] Crating the saplings also saved on labor costs, which more than offset the cost of purchasing the crates. […] The plastic crates tend to disintegrate after about three to five years, and can then be put back in the recycling stream[….]”

4. New England kicks off $450M plan to supercharge heat pump adoption

“This week, five of [New England’s] states launched a $450 million effort to warm more of the homes in the often-frigid region with energy-efficient, low-emission heat pumps instead [of] by burning fossil fuels. […] Maine has had notable success, hitting its aim of 100,000 new heat pump installations in 2023, two years ahead of its initial deadline. Massachusetts is on track to reach its 2025 target[….] Consumers will also remain eligible for any incentives available through state efficiency programs[….]”

5. New Antivenom Works Against 17 Snakes

“At least 7,000 people die every year from snake bites across Africa but a new therapy targeting 17 different species may help save lives. […] Researchers have now made a new broad-spectrum antivenom by copying eight antibody fragments, or nanobodies, from llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Lama pacos) and combining them. In lab trials, the antivenom saved mice from 17 out of the 18 snake venoms in the Elapidae family, which includes cobras and mambas.”

In Britain, home heating isn’t just a political hot potato; it has been shown to cost lives. In the winter of 2022-23, 4,950 people were estimated to have died earlier than expected (known as “excess winter deaths”) because of the health effects of living in cold homes – including lung and heart problems as well as damage to mental health. In contrast, despite having a much colder winter climate, Sweden’s excess winter deaths index was around 12%, one of the lowest rates in Europe and considerably below the UK’s 18% figure. So how did two countries that are geographically quite close end up so far apart when it comes to home heating outcomes?

Combustion - Winter Heat

New record on the cold

And apparently our heating bill this month (for one person majority of the month not using heating) was £159?!