Pollution in parts of Manhattan declined by 22% in the first six months of this year after motorists began paying a new toll to drive south of 60th Street, according to a Cornell University analysis https://t.co/fSaBC7R048 ...

Company bosses and investors are brimming with enthusiasm for artificial intelligence – but the general public isn’t buying it, a survey has found. About 93% of corporate leaders and 80% of investors said they think AI will be net positive for society compared to just 58% of ordinary people, according to the poll by nonprofit Just Capital. The research, centered around perceptions of the technology that has sparked vast investment commitments this year, underscores the divide between those developing and ...

Environmental Awareness and Waste Management - The speaker founded a "Garbage Club" (兄弟ゴミ部) aiming to create a society where people wouldn't have to pick up trash [1] - The speaker was criticized for using katakana (ゴミ) instead of hiragana (ごみ) to write "garbage," as it was seen as a form of discrimination [1] - The speaker emphasizes the importance of discussing environmental issues with friends and family, noting that in Japan, a significant portion of people (indicated by the "yellow part" of a survey result) do not discuss these issues even once a month [2] - The speaker advocates for carrying reusable items like water bottles, bags, and chopsticks as a simple eco-friendly action and conversation starter [2] - The speaker points out the hypocrisy of carrying reusable items but still accepting disposable items, highlighting the convenience-driven habits of society [3] Waste Composition and Societal Changes - The speaker mentions a study that began in 1980, categorizing household waste in Kyoto into approximately 400 types, and has continued for 45 years [2] - Disposable diapers became popular in Japan after the introduction of American-made diapers in 1975 and Japanese tape-style diapers in 1981, leading to mass production, consumption, and disposal [1][2] - While the use of children's disposable diapers is decreasing due to the declining birth rate, the use of adult and pet diapers/sheets is increasing [2] - The speaker acknowledges the essential use of disposable diapers for caregiving, despite advocating for waste reduction [2] Personal Reflection and Values - The speaker's encounter with garbage has changed their perspective, allowing them to see society from a different angle and appreciate those who are marginalized or in need [3]

Invasive Species Impact - A noxious foreign invader has infiltrated the soil of the Great Plains, posing a botanic nightmare for nearly a dozen western states [1]

Environmental Impact - Eating more beans could potentially contribute to saving the planet [1]

[Applause] Neither snow nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night shall keep these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds. Now, this phrase was carved on the main post office building in New York City. And for this reason, many people came to believe that it represented the motto of the postal service.But this phrase actually comes from an ancient account of the heroic messengers during the Greek and Persian wars written 2500 years ago. But the sentiment still remains the same that no mat ...

Environmental & Social Impact - A mining accident in China caused poisoning of homes and fields in Zambia [1] - Compensation offers were contingent on silence regarding the accident [1]

An accident at a Chinese mine poisoned homes and fields in Zambia. The compensation offers came with a catch: Don’t talk about it. https://t.co/MgpKCIADVJ ...

Environmental Impact of Ethanol - Converting land for corn ethanol production can generate 25% more carbon emissions than gasoline [1] - Producing enough compostable plastics to replace current packaging would require over half the world's corn supply and more water than all of Europe uses in a year [5] Sustainability Assessment Framework - A product's environmental sustainability should be evaluated based on its resource consumption (water, land, energy, raw materials) [8] - Disposal methods and potential long-term waste or toxicity issues must be considered [8][9] - Solutions should be better than the current practices or doing nothing at all, acknowledging trade-offs [4][9] Electric Vehicle (EV) Evolution - Manufacturing an EV can generate up to 80% more carbon emissions than making a conventional car, primarily due to battery material mining and processing [17] - Early EVs in the 1990s required the same energy to drive one mile as heating a one-bedroom apartment for 15 minutes [12] - On-road emissions of EVs depend on the electricity source, with lower carbon footprints in regions dominated by hydropower [18] - Repurposing old EV batteries for stationary energy storage (e g, powering street lights, stadiums) is emerging as a valuable application [16] Achieving Sustainable Solutions - Lasting change requires alignment among policymakers, industries (automotive, battery, electronics), academia, investors, and consumers [21][22] - Applying the sustainability assessment framework early on can accelerate the adoption of sustainable technologies like sustainable aviation fuels and biodegradable plastics [23]

[Music] Did you know your brain makes a sound. Nope. Mine goes ooh.It's what happens when curiosity peaks. When something clicks, when you stumble upon a surprising link, it's what Taylor Swift also does to us with her Easter eggs. Makes us all go ooh and connect the dots.Wow, cold. For me, my whole life has been a series of these oo and chaotic, yes, but meaningful. For most people, paths look like this.A straight line, one lane. For me, they mostly look like this. Hold on.Sorry. That's the insides of my b ...