?????20 times KlimaGoodNews

Earthly Delights Special Edition

Today we are very happy about the 20th issue of our KlimaGoodNews - which is why it comes in a special form, namely as an Earthly Delights Special Edition ?? We love the Earthly Delights articles: Every week they show us anew that the world is full of good ideas, commitment and success stories - even when it comes to climate protection. This gives us hope and inspiration!

In particular, this is often about intensive research, innovation and education, without which we cannot achieve the climate goals. For example, we need technologies that enable us to save CO2e as well as those that remove CO2e from the atmosphere. Entrepreneurs and scientists are looking for answers. And often it's not just the big solutions, but sometimes the small, more inconspicuous ones that show promise. Below you will find a small selection of the many future-oriented developments: Our Top 5 Earthly Delights of the last weeks.

Enjoy reading!

KIT Researchers Produce High-Tech Raw Material from CO2

The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has developed a method for extracting carbon from the air and using it to produce high-quality materials such as "carbon black" (used, for example, in car tires). Of course, this is only climate-friendly if renewable energy sources are used in the process. The research team is still in the early stages of development and is currently testing various methods to be particularly efficient. However, the approach has the potential to make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gases and taking CO2 out of the atmosphere! You can read more here.

Energy from Waves Makes Drinking Water

Drinking water is a rare commodity, especially in times of climate change. That is why desalination plants for seawater exist. However, conventional desalination plants entail the following problems: on the one hand, they consume a lot of energy; on the other hand, they produce a waste product (a highly saline solution) that is usually simply discharged back into the sea. - The consequences: So far, not clearly understood. However, the waste product sinks to the bottom of the sea, where it can have negative consequences for the ecosystem. The desalination plant called "Iceberg" could be the solution: Here, sustainability was a priority from the very beginning of the process. In this case, the drinking water is produced by the energy of waves. In addition, the plant is made from recycled plastic bottles. A solution was also found here for the problem with the waste product. Read more here.

Green Revolution: Cow Dung Powers Tractor!

A new tractor powered by climate-friendly methane from cow dung could replace diesel-powered tractors in the future. This type of tractor could be a significant step towards decarbonizing the agricultural sector and introducing a circular economy! To power the tractor, cow manure is converted to liquid methane, which is then stored in a tank. The pre-production model of the eventual tractor was unveiled in December 2022.

Artificial Housing as a Solution for Homeless Animals

Many animal and plant species are becoming increasingly homeless on land and in water. Human intervention in the natural biospheres is too strong. As a result, many complex ecocultures are being lost. With the help of high-tech solutions such as microchips, 3D printing or laser measurements, researchers and conservationists worldwide are trying to counteract this problem. For example, 3D-printed living seawalls are being used on flood protection walls and other artificial, smooth coastal surfaces around the world. But solutions for birds, bats and other terrestrial creatures are also being worked on with dedication.

Artificial habitat alone, however, should not be a long-term solution, but part of a broader species conservation program that includes protection of natural habitats.

Nevertheless, artificial housing can help create a new habitat for animals that have become homeless.

Energy Communities through Virtual Power Plants

Wind and solar energy are subject to strong fluctuations. There are many different approaches to solving this problem, such as peer-to-peer trading. This involves networking smaller, decentralized "cells" to form a network in which renewable energy can be traded between them - depending on where electricity is currently needed and where it can be provided.

Virtual power plants use smart technologies and digital platforms to connect and manage power producers and consumers in energy communities. They basically replicate the central control room of large fossil fuel power plants through the use of the software. In this way, energy communities can optimize their electricity needs and feed surplus energy into the grid.

The use of virtual power plants can contribute to higher energy efficiency and greater decentralization of the energy supply system. However, political support and a clear legal framework are still needed for final implementation. You can read more about this topic here.