Tag: sustainability

How do we make more sustainable concrete that can last over 100 years?

Making concrete sounds easy enough: You mix cement, water, sand and stones and let it harden. But it becomes a lot more complicated to ensure a concrete bridge has a long life.

We must move beyond 'green capitalism'

Big corporations are branding themselves as sustainable. But the capitalist logic of expansion and consumption that make them thrive is the real climate issue, CBS professor claims in a new book.

Green transition: The whole world can learn from a small town in Iceland

A small town in northern Iceland has gone almost CO2-neutral. Researchers went there to find out how they did it and what we can learn from them.

Algae: the future sustainable super crop

Research into algae makes it increasingly clear that these plants have huge potential for the sustainable production of everything from food to medicine.

Self-assembling electronics may soon be a reality

Self-assembling electronics sounds like technology for the distant future, but everyday household soap has just taken us a step closer.

Hydrogen cars now one step closer

Scientists have taken a big step towards making environmentally-friendly hydrogen cars a reality.

Nitrous oxide is the new ozone enemy

Nitrous oxide affects both the ozone layer and global warming when it’s released into the atmosphere. Farmers and wastewater treatment plants are among those who send out gas, and now Danish scientists have set out to figure out how this works.

Proof: graphene can convert sunlight to electricity

Graphene has an excellent ability to convert solar radiation into energy. Now we can see how the material works and why it has the potential to massively boost the efficiency of solar cells.

Fungi and rust can stifle smell of slurry

New study shows how fungal spores and rust can help reduce the stench of slurry in biofilters, which help prevent harmful substances from being released into the atmosphere.

New centre to unravel mystery of solar energy storage

A new research centre has been given five years to develop new techniques for storing solar energy.

Soil bacteria can clean your drinking water

Bacteria that occur naturally in soil can effectively reduce the amounts of the pesticide residue BAM in drinking water.

Global warming also affects palm trees

Palms are slow to adapt or disperse in response to man-made climate change. This could spell the end for several palm species.

Sedatives turn fish into unsociable gluttons

Drug residues in the waterways can have unexpected consequences for our ecosystems, say Swedish researchers after exposing perch to anti-anxiety drugs.

Turning toxic vegetable refuse into nutritious animal feed

New research makes it possible to remove growth-inhibiting natural toxins from protein-rich waste products.

Getting Arctic raw materials requires a gentle hand

We must be very careful if we want to preserve the Arctic region’s special natural environment and culture while ensuring that the coming raw materials boom doesn’t turn into a disaster.

A cup of coffee with biodiversity and clean drinking water, please

OPINION: Sales of clean water, CO2 credits and the protection of biodiversity can benefit the environment and provide an extra income for farmers who grow coffee under the shade of trees.

Oilfields have reduced their methane emissions

Capturing methane-rich natural gas from oilfields has helped ensure that emissions of methane have been far lower than expected, a new study shows.

Magnetic screw helps capture energy from waves

Wave energy is known for its great potential, but so far no-one has found the right way to exploit the movements of waves. Three newly qualified engineers have come up with a great suggestion

Tropical tree extract can clean drinking water

A new extract can prevent parasites from entering a person’s intestines. This is an easy and cheap solution to a widespread problem – it can help over a billion people who have worms in their intestines.

Bad news for greedy fishermen

New research in fish genetics makes it possible to determine the exact origin of any particular fish. This could make life difficult for fishermen who cannot stay away from endangered species.

Your sustainable lifestyle could strain distant countries

Urban sustainability usually only has a local effect – and attempts at making cities sustainable could actually have negative effects on distant countries. New study sheds light on the hidden pitfalls.

Eat Nordic food and live longer

It’s a good idea to eat rye bread and cabbage. It’s healthy, it’s Nordic and it helps us live longer.

Computer model predicts tomorrow’s nature

Researchers have developed a computer model that can look into the future. The model’s virtual world makes it possible to explore how man-made changes in nature will impact on animal life in the future.

Harmful bacteria invade the groundwater

New research reveals that bacteria in farm slurry seep down to the groundwater before they can be broken down in the subsoil.

Herbs and berries can preserve meat

Why should the shelf life of meat products be extended by a chemical preservative, nitrite, if nature’s own products, grown ecologically, can be used? Researchers have found eight herbs and berries that can preserve meat – and also offer new flavours.