The Top 5 Happy Eco News Stories for February 7, 2022
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This week we have two blog posts. The first one is an interview with Maksym Astapov, the cofounder of GoEVCorp and VegTabWare who tells us about his inspiration for these environmental companies. The second post is by Ian Benedict R. Mia, independent contractor in academia and startups, who tells us how climate change is depicted in video games. We also have stories about the Green City of Freiburg, Germany, Hawaii’s transition to 100% renewable energy, California’s plans to reduce emissions from dairy farms, zero-emission 3D printed homes, and how endangered coho salmon bounced back.
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10 Questions with Maksym Astapov, cofounder of GoEVCorp and VegTabWare
Maksym Astapov is the cofounder of GoEVCorp, a company that sells electric bicycles. Maksym is currently undergoing another environmental project called VegTabWare, tableware made out of natural vegetable material.
1. Thank you so much for sharing your story with our readers. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I have a technical education in the field of renewable energy sources (electricity). In parallel with my studies at the university, I started doing business in the field of FMCG and by the time I graduated, I decided to focus on my own business. I was often visited by thoughts: what kind of planet will we leave to our descendants? I started looking towards projects in which I can change the world, make it cleaner and greener…[read more].
How Climate Change is Depicted in Video Games
Guest Post by: Ian Benedict Mia, independent contractor in academia and startups
Video games have always been a reflection of the times. The Final Fantasy franchise, for instance, has touched on themes like grief, existentialism, and loss, as well as politics, war, and religion, to name a few. Long-time fans of the franchise would praise the game for how it masterfully combines different elements into one coherent, memorable, and eventually nostalgic experience.
When I was growing up, video games helped me navigate life’s uncertainties as well as overcome my most awkward phases. I remember popping out my Game Boy Color and Game Boy Advance in my parents’ car, playing various classics that I still think of fondly to this day…[read more].
The Happy Eco News Weekly Top 5
Takeaways:
- Germany’s city of Freiburg is close to becoming climate neutral.
- Known as the “Green City”, Freiburg is a big promoter of solar energy, with stadiums, churches, and buildings running on solar power.
- One in three of their residents use bicycles as their main source of transportation.
- Everything is connected and accessible by streetcars.… [read more].
Takeaways:
- In Hawaii, the state has begun implementing a system of incentives to speed up the transition to 100% renewable energy.
- The state is trying to implement performance-based regulation to set a new regulatory framework which would incentivize the utility to both cut costs and achieve climate friendly goals.
- The ultimate goal would be to move away from the monopoly that dominates the electric utility and to have many renewable energy producers on the electricity grid.…[read more].
Takeaways:
- A program funded by California Public Utilities Commission’s Dairy Biomethane Pilot Program is looking to turn cow manure into renewable natural gas.
- This program will not only help dairy farmers reduce methane emissions but it will also help them create new economic opportunities.
- The methane will be collected from 15 dairy farms in Merced County and will be converted into renewable natural gas through anaerobic digestion.…[read more].
Takeaways:
- Construction company Mighty Buildings has developed a concrete replacement known as light stone material which can be used to print a 3D home in less than 24 hours.
- The company wises to solve four challenges with their development including lack of workers, materials, time, and construction waste.
- 3D homes eliminate 100% of their excess waste that you would see in a traditional construction site.… [read more].
Takeaways:
- Last year after California saw heavy rain, they also saw the endangered coho salmon fish which hasn’t been seen for 25 years.
- Although the rainfalls might be temporary, the fish are benefiting by laying eggs in nests where babies will hatch and spend most of their juvenile life.
- “If we give the fish a fighting chance at survival, they will come back.” said Todd Steiner, executive director of Turtle Island Restoration Network.…[read more].
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