Big if True: Cyanobacteria were the first organisms on Earth to develop the ability to produce oxygen. Through photosynthesis, they convert light into chemical energy and oxygen. According to a team of US researchers, cyanobacteria could even serve as a powerful air filtration system when integrated into a new "artificial plant" concept.
A thirsty potato: According to private records obtained by the Financial Times through freedom of information requests, data center facilities in Virginia have experienced a significant increase in water consumption in recent years. The rise of generative AI could exacerbate this issue, potentially contributing to an environmental disaster in the making.
Sweating Planet: Rising temperatures are transforming vast regions of the planet into unbearably hot environments. While air conditioning is effective at cooling indoor spaces, it is also an enormous drain on energy resources. As a result, scientists are seeking innovative solutions that can provide comparable cooling without consuming excessive energy or resources.
In a nutshell: Have you noticed recently that the plastic air pillows Amazon used to stuff into its fragile deliveries have been disappearing, and replaced with paper filler? It's part of the company's environmental push that will see the use of the pillows completely eliminated by the end of the year.
A critical response to ever-increasing CO2 emissions
Why it matters: A new plant that sucks planet-warming carbon dioxide straight out of the air like a massive vacuum cleaner began operations this week in Hellisheiði, Iceland. And this thing is no joke – it's being billed as the largest direct air capture facility on the planet.