Anthropocene Magazine

Most countries around the world could improve their energy security and reduce trade risks by shifting away from fossil fuels, according to a new study. The analysis suggests that achieving net-zero carbon emissions at a global scale would result in decreased trade risks for nearly 85% of the global population. https://lnkd.in/g8BprfTV

What do Spanish lamb stew, Indian bean curry and Brazilian beef steak have in common? While these dishes originate from around the globe and have very different ingredients, new research finds they all exact an outsized toll on global biodiversity. Meat, particularly beef, has long been known to have a large environmental footprint. https://lnkd.in/gYQ5mkGv

Getting out of our current environmental, biodiversity, and climate crisis will require major changes to societies around the globe. What exactly are the barriers to such a transformation, and which countries are best placed to make the change and could therefore serve as an inspiration to others? https://lnkd.in/gpEeBhzW

One-third of all food produced for humans annually is lost to waste. The decomposing matter produces half of all the emissions generated by the global agrifood system. What if, instead of focusing solely on how to curb and avoid food waste, we turned the challenge on its head—and looked at what we can make with all that discarded food? https://lnkd.in/gAK-JpSd

Wrinkles on elephants make the gentle beasts look wise. But they also serve an important purpose: the crevices and the porous skin hold water and help keep the pachiderms cool by storing water and expelling heat via evaporation. Researchers have now turned to elephant skin as an unusual source of inspiration for tiles that provide energy-free cooling for buildings and homes. https://lnkd.in/gdNgSkhJ

A host of agricultural challenges—crops’ vulnerability to drought, massive nitrogen pollution and greenhouse gas emissions—share one elegant solution: getting plants to grow longer, deeper roots. It may sound odd, but in fact this feat of genetic engineering has occupied scientists for years. https://lnkd.in/gUVt9NJ6

Animal migrations are marvels of the natural world. People are entranced by mass movements that span continents, as creatures travel thousands of kilometers in the pursuit of food, mates and ideal weather. Monarch butterflies trek across North American to high-altitude forests in Mexico, where they transform trees into shimmering black and orange sculptures. https://lnkd.in/dxJkNgk5

Changing the timing of electricity use in buildings reduces peak demands on the grid, according to a new analysis focused on Norway and its connection with the broader European power system. Ultimately, this strategy could save money by reducing the need for costly new power infrastructure. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are becoming more important in the European power grid. https://lnkd.in/g8JGF8xc

Renewable energy and low-carbon technologies are going to crucial for keeping the world’s temperatures from reaching dangerously high levels. Cost is often a hindrance, though. Finding synergy between technologies can sometimes help. Combining hydropower and solar is a good example, as is making sustainable fuel from food waste. https://lnkd.in/gZiHRAZK

Nearly 70% of the global population would give up 1% of their household income to stop climate change, according to a new survey of nearly 130,000 people in 125 countries. “The results are tremendously encouraging,” says study team member Armin Falk, a behavioral economist at the University of Bonn in Germany. https://lnkd.in/gvsQ39ed