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To read the in-depth version of this article, please visit "Can We Use Saltwater Instead of Lithium-Ion Batteries? (In-Depth Article). Saltwater batteries are emerging as a promising option for energy storage in various sectors, including municipal, residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Although they currently face some constraints, their potential benefits make them an attractive choice. One key advantage is that they do not require a small footprint, which i

Strawberries are among the most beloved fruits worldwide, but traditional strawberry farming requires significant land, water, and pesticide use. In Richmond, Virginia, a revolutionary approach is transforming how these berries are grown with vertical farming. This innovative agricultural method minimizes environmental impact while maximizing production, offering a model that could also be applied in Canada, where sustainable food production is increasingly a priority. The Be

Electric vehicle (EV) battery production involves a complex supply chain. Every battery needs mining, refining, and assembling different materials. These materials, like lithium, cobalt, and nickel, are essential for the battery to perform well and last long enough.

The Canadian federal ban on plastic bags marked a turning point in our environmental policy. Introduced to combat plastic pollution, the ban aimed to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastics, which have long been a detrimental force against ecosystems and wildlife. In the early days of this ban, grocery retailers across the nation adopted paper bags as an alternative solution to cater to the needs of customers who forgot to bring reusable bags. The Initial Shift

When discussing the right to repair , it's impossible not to mention planned obsolescence. The term pertains to consumer technology designed to break after a certain amount of time. This practice has penetrated every sector, spanning technology, appliances, fashion, and automobiles alike. It's fair to say that a model centred on profiting from waste ultimately results in environmental degradation and pollution. Main Types of Obsolescence There are three main types of obsolesc

Advanced electronics are harder to fix. Smartphones, TVs, and cars require specialized diagnostic software and proprietary parts....

What happens to the battery in your old smartphone once you get rid of it? Once an afterthought, now extracting valuable metals from discarded phones, electric vehicle batteries, and countless other gadgets that power our digital lives is a thriving industry. And as the global appetite for portable electronics and electric vehicles continues to surge, so does the mountain of spent lithium-ion batteries. But can we keep going like this? Why Lithium-ion Batteries? In the worl

Electric vehicles (EVs) are on the rise. Just look outside. You’ll probably see a Tesla or even a Rivian. Recently, new, more ecological cars have started invading even EV-averse roads of Alberta! And yet, some feel that while one revolution has just begun, another is right around the corner. Its name? Hydrogen. Progress can’t stand still. That’s true, but hydrogen? Will this supposedly magic solution make cars more eco-friendly and still have all the best qualities of gas ve

Electric vehicles (EVs) are an increasingly common choice for Canadians. This is good news since Canada plans to phase out combustion vehicles by 2035 and replace them with EVs. It’s ambitious — some even say unrealistic because of the lack of charging infrastructure. But who’s responsible for building the charging infrastructure for this massive transition? Is any money collected through carbon taxation used for this? The Carbon Tax The carbon tax policy is designed to

Think back to pictures of your parents and grandparents from your childhood. Many households had a TV that served well for over 15 years...

The potential for AI to solve climate change is vast. But that’s not the whole story. As we look deeper, we see that some risks may not be worth taking. AI’s potential for good is undeniable, but claims that it will “solve the climate crisis” are misguided, say specialists. As a tool, it’s incredible, but utilizing it is not exactly “free.” Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, admitted, “AI will require vastly more power than expected.” [10] A new report indicates that the electricity

AI talk is a constant media background buzz. Some preach about how AI technology supports climate change action, but skeptics warn of dire dangers. “There are a lot of really cool applications of AI in different sectors of climate change — everything from optimizing electricity grids to tracking biodiversity.” Dr. Sasha Luccioni, an AI for sustainability researcher from Quebec. [11] In 2020, the UN started actively exploring AI’s potential to help by establishing an interag

Electric vehicles are on the rise — there’s no denying it. In big cities, they are no longer an oddity, and as they become more affordable, more people buy them. Transportation is responsible for roughly 25% of emissions in Canada [9]. So, people see BEVs as a potential solution. Yet, there are still many barriers to overcome. More Canadians live in condos, apartments and other housing where a BEV owner may not have a garage charger. More BEVs Means More Condo Challenges In 2

Hiking, camping, and just being in nature rejuvenates in ways nothing else can. You don’t have to be outdoorsy to appreciate a lush, green forest and the approximately 28% of the world’s oxygen supply it provides. [1] But we’re losing our forests to deforestation, not just in Canada but worldwide. From agricultural expansion to the devastation from forest fires, reforestation efforts emerge as a crucial strategy to restore and replenish our dwindling forests. Reforestation i

As global temperatures continue to change because of greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystems everywhere will be impacted. One of the...

Canada has long been one of the worst polluters in terms of greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions per capita. To fight GHG emissions, Canada...