By harnessing the power of the wind, cargo ships will be able to reduce their carbon footprint by a staggering amount. The Seawing system is an automated parafoil kite that can be attached to all types of ships. It works by connecting wind-monitoring computers to navigational systems, which help steer the ship and its kite into favourable wind conditions. It is expected to cut fuel consumption and emissions by a whopping 20%—a welcome change given that these titanic ships can consume up to 225 tonnes of fuel per day. 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
Merv
June 1, 2023
