With the Paris Agreement on climate change in effect, steel producers are under pressure to decarbonise their production processes. SSAB, a Scandinavian steelmaker, is leading the industry’s transition towards low-carbon steel production with its Hybrit project: a process that uses hydrogen to reduce emissions, with the by-product being water instead of carbon dioxide. The project has the potential to reduce emissions in Finland and Sweden by up to 108 million tonnes each year, demonstrating that decarbonisation is possible and inspiring other businesses to follow suit. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here