Beer waste gets a second life

Sustainability Matters

April 15, 2021

Beer making involves extracting flavour from barley and other grains, leaving behind a protein- and fibre-rich powder that is typically destined for cattle feed or landfill. But researchers from Virginia Polytechnic and State University have found a way to extract the protein and fibre from the spent grain and use it to create new types of protein sources and biofuels. The research will be presented at the spring

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Solar evaporator solution for fresh drinking water

Sustainability Matters

April 15, 2021

The team led by Associate Professor Haolan Xu has refined a technique to derive fresh water from sea water, brackish water or contaminated water through solar evaporation — delivering enough daily fresh drinking water for a family of four from just one square metre of source water. “In recent years, there has been a lot of attention on using solar evaporation to create fresh drinking water, but

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The case for raising up women in climate tech

GreenBiz Group

April 15, 2021

Four years ago this week, Project Drawdown released groundbreaking research on climate solutions that catalyzed the narrative that reversing global warming is possible. To celebrate that anniversary and underscore what’s needed now, I’m spotlighting 15 women-led ventures at the heart of the climate-tech movement. After all, one of the most surprising conclusions from our work —

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Outdoor co-op REI nudges suppliers on climate and equity

GreenBiz Group

April 14, 2021

Outdoor recreation retail co-op REI is asking its suppliers to double down on their climate strategies and social justice policies, and will require all existing partners to share their climate action plans by the end of this year. The expectations were included in the impact report REI released today along with the company's 2020 financials. In it, the outdoor recreation retail co-op shared that it

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Jacobs joins digital city transformation efforts

Sustainability Matters

April 13, 2021

Professional services company Jacobs has joined Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand (SCCANZ) to support action and investment in digital solutions that advance sustainability outcomes in our cities, towns and communities. SCCANZ is reported to be the world’s largest network of smart cities practitioners and policymakers. With Jacobs becoming a member company, SCCANZ Executive Director

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Lobbying for good? New campaign asks Big Tech to push for bold climate action

Grist News

April 13, 2021

The top five U.S. tech firms devote very few resources to lobbying for climate policy, but a new employee-driven campaign could change that.

When it comes to climate investment funds, diverse management is imperative

GreenBiz Group

April 13, 2021

The engine behind green business is the same as any business: capital. And while social, human and natural capital are all critical, financial capital is the one form that systemically fails the companies and leaders working on the most impactful solutions for the Sustainable Development Goals. Venture capitalists decide who gets to be a billionaire and what solutions reach billions in market penetration.

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Celebrating Earth Day — even during quarantine

GreenBiz Group

April 13, 2021

This Earth Day, you might be thinking, "Hey, there’s a pandemic. Let’s sit this one out." Probably no one would blame you. But journey back with me to last year, at the beginning of COVID-19, when the roads were clear and the air was pristine. If you were like me, it might have been the very first time you saw your city not wrapped in smog. That vision of what our earth could be inspired me,

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The power of mushrooms to create healthier waterways

Sustainability Matters

April 12, 2021

A trial of a fungi-based floating wetlands solution to create healthier, cleaner waterways is underway at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne. Affectionately known as ‘mushi’ (pronounced moo-shi), the three floating wetlands of interlocking triangular-shaped modules have been designed by local engineers, researchers and architects. Instead of using traditional plastic, this

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Educating the next generation on the good, bad and ugly side of plastics

Sustainability Matters

April 12, 2021

Each school will engage in a 12-month learning experience, gaining a better understanding of the impact of plastic pollution on marine and freshwater environments. The students will be empowered to create solutions, whilst learning about recycling and other innovations that exist already. POA and Veolia are partnering to deliver the program as part of their aligned missions to increase education around

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