How to Climate-Ready A Home, Reduce Emissions, and Save Money By David Dodge* The idea of home energy retrofits has come a long way. ©David Dodge The idea of home energy retrofits has come a long way. Remember the programs that encouraged people to caulk the cracks, change light bulbs, and add a little insulation here and there? That was then; this is now. Today, wildly fluctuating energy prices, severe weather patterns, and rapidly evolving technological expertise make it indispensable as well as possible to radically improve homes’ energy efficiency, produce one’s energy, and divorce from the vagaries of energy utilities. It’s called deep energy retrofits—a holistic, whole-home approach to improving homes' energy efficiency, comfort, and operational affordability. Save Money, Reduce Emissions Buildings are responsible for about 40% of greenhouse gas emissions—around 28% comes from “operational emissions (such as the energy needed to heat, cool, and power them), and 11% from materials and construction known as embodied carbon.” (See “Decarbonizing the Building Sector,” The Earth & I.) The good news is that there is a growing body of knowledge about how to raise the energy efficiency of homes, heat and cool them with electric heat pumps, and power them with solar. Harold Orr was one of the pioneers of the passive house concept, which involves super-insulated homes that require very little energy to heat. ©David Dodge The good news is that there is a growing body of knowledge about how to raise the energy efficiency of homes, heat and cool them with electric heat pumps, and power them with solar. Housing engineer Harold Orr figured this out in the 1970s during the so-called “oil crisis.” He and his colleagues at the Saskatchewan Research Council, Canada, were asked to build a solar-powered home. But they realized it couldn’t be done without overhauling the home's insulation. Orr became one of the pioneers of the passive house concept. Today, there are numerous strategies to retrofit homes to become super energy-efficient. Moving From ‘Dabbling’ to ‘Deep’ Energy Retrofit At first, Canadian energy expert Jim Sandercock, PhD, who owned an energy inefficient 1951 bungalow, did what many people do: He dabbled in energy efficiency, upgraded his insulation a little bit, replaced his roof, and added solar panels. But these improvements didn’t make much of a difference, and then he was burdened with those sunk costs. It was after doing the minor retrofits that Jim Sandercock realized he really wanted a Deep Energy Retrofit to take his home all the way to net-zero. The term net-zero refers to a home that produces all its energy on a net annual basis. Sandercock viewed his home as having “great bones” and well worth the retrofit effort. He became aware of a pilot program in Canada that was using the EnergieSprong concept from the Netherlands. It performed deep energy retrofits by laser scanning the home and literally dropping new walls and a roof over the old ones. The Sandercock home was renovated to net-zero by building new walls in a factory and craning them over top of the old walls to create super-insulated walls. ©David Dodge It would allow Sandercock to double down on insulation, tighten up the home, and bring it to net-zero. So that’s what he did. New wall panels were built in a factory, delivered, and craned in, right over the top of the old 2x4 R12 walls, bringing the walls to an amazing R40 level of insulation. How to Do a Deep Energy Retrofit Here are the steps to do one’s own Deep Energy Retrofit. 1. Home Energy Evaluation The blower door test reveals how leaky the home is. ©David Dodge A good home energy evaluation will check the insulation, windows, and mechanical systems, and, most importantly, a blower-door test will be done to find out how leaky the current home is. Most older homes are very porous, allowing four, five, six, or more air exchanges per hour due to cracks, electrical outlets and holes in the house, bathroom vents, chimney stacks, and other things. By comparison, a net-zero home typically allows one air exchange per hour. The evaluation will show how much energy a home requires, and a good evaluation will itemize the improvements one can make and the benefits of each. 2. Building Envelope Insulation levels are the most critical factors in making a home much more efficient. Deep energy retrofits often target R35 or R40 walls, about R80 in the roof, and insulation is added down the wall underground right down to the home's foundation to form an unbroken blanket of insulation. (The R-value indicates a material's ability to reduce heat flow, with a higher number meaning better insulation.) Often, a new wall is built with space between the old and new wall that can be filled with insulation. Windows are the weakest link in the home, so triple-paned windows are often used to cut down on heating/cooling losses. 3. Net-zero ready heating and cooling Net-zero builder Peter Amerongen with the double-studded wall system that he and many others use to produce R35-R40 walls. ©David Dodge One of the significant benefits of a super-insulated home is that it will require 70%–90% less energy to heat it. For this reason, most deep energy retrofit projects replace gas furnaces with heat pumps. Air source heat pumps are up to 300% efficient and are rated to be operational at -31 °F (-35 °C). A geothermal ground source heat pump is even more robust but more expensive. Heat pump water heaters are also very efficient, and the best part is both of these systems run on electricity, allowing homeowners to potentially cut the gas line and, more importantly, the gas bill. Finally, a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or energy recovery ventilator (ERV) is added to provide plenty of fresh air to the new super-tight home. These devices recover more than 70% of the heat from exhaust air, saving even more energy. Heat pumps are a very efficient way to warm the home, create hot water, and even dry clothes. ©David Dodge 4. Generating one’s renewable energy Net-zero homes produce all their own energy on a net-annual basis using solar modules. ©David Dodge Solar is now one of the cheapest ways to generate electricity on the planet, and solar is the coup de grâce of the deep energy retrofit to get to net-zero. Alberta, Canada, homeowners Darcy and Darren Crichton did their DIY (do-it-yourself) deep energy retrofit using geothermal heating and cooling, and their utility bill last year ended with a positive balance. They cut their gas line and only have an electricity bill these days. Solar is now one of the cheapest ways to generate electricity on the planet, and solar is the coup de grâce of the deep energy retrofit to get to net-zero. 5. ‘Icing on the Cake’ Induction cooktops are twice as efficient as electric stoves. ©David Dodge Those first four steps can easily deliver a net-zero home, but a few other cool things can further improve a home. Speaking of baking cakes, an induction range is twice as energy efficient as a standard electric stove and performs better than any other kind of stove. Heat pump dryers are much more efficient, and many come in ventless models, thus eliminating another hole (the vent) in a wall. And, of course, homeowners can use LED lights, low-flow water devices, and smart home technologies to make the home even more efficient and functional. Whom to Call? A deep energy retrofit done all at once can cost $100,000 or more. It will pay for itself in time, but it’s important to work with contractors who have already done similar work and can provide references. State, local, and national incentive programs often provide a homeowner with incentives for various components. State, local, and national incentive programs often provide a homeowner with incentives for various components, so explore these options. Some areas also have Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) financing programs that provide loans with payment plans that are synced to the paybacks of the investment, so one does not pay out of pocket. In Canada, a federal interest-free loan is available, but it’s capped at CAD 40,000. Canadians Jesse and Jena Tufts have a 1953 bungalow in Edmonton. The home needed some work anyway, and they wanted to transform their story-and-a-half home into a two-story home. According to a February 2023 article by the City of Edmonton, they transformed their old home into a dream home with R44 insulated walls by adding most of the features described above. They replaced their roof with a solar-optimized south-facing roof with a rooftop deck surrounded by the roof’s solar panels. Jesse is an engineer, and after the renovation, he took a job with the company that did the renovation. He is now one of the most knowledgeable deep energy retrofitters out there. What about DIY? Staging one’s project DIY over time for budgetary reasons, the key is doing it right the first time, one step at a time. Sandercock, for instance, had to remove his solar panels from his home and reinstall them after his deep energy retrofit. For a DIY renovation, one must do the homework. It’s better to do one thing right rather than dabble in half measures. The results will be better, and there won’t be any regrets when one decides to take the home to the next level. That’s what the Crichtons did. They began their deep energy retrofit 20 years ago before anyone knew what deep energy retrofit or net-zero even meant! In their inspiring story, the couple researched their options and added double walls, replaced the roof, added a geothermal ground source heat pump and solar panels, and make money on their utilities today. One year ago, the Crichtons still had a gas line, a gas stove, and a gas heater in the workshop. They were so inspired after adding the geothermal system that they ditched the gas stove, bought an induction stove, added even more solar panels, and cut the gas line. They benefited from a bevy of incentives and grants and are very happy with the result. Whether DIY or hiring a contractor, doing it right will pay dividends for the life of the home and add value to it as well. *David Dodge is an environmental journalist, photojournalist, and the host and producer of GreenEnergyFutures.ca, a series of micro-documentaries on clean energy, transportation, and buildings. He’s worked for newspapers and published magazines and produced more than 350 award-winning EcoFile radio programs on sustainability for CKUA Radio.

More Europeans Using ‘Plug-and-Play’ Solar Energy Systems to Electrify Their Homes *By Richard Kemeny Balcony solar panels are popping up on balconies across Germany. ©Milos Ruzicka/iStock A new green energy craze is sweeping through Germany. Tiny solar power plants are popping up on balconies across the country, giving citizens the ability to take power directly from the sun and into their homes. According to data from Germany’s Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur), demand is soaring for these plug-in balcony photovoltaic systems. Official figures suggest the number of registered systems has grown in the country from around 137,000 in 2022 to well over 400,000 in 2024—and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. This surge in balcony voltaic systems is thought to be spurred by several overlapping drivers, including climate change, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and skyrocketing energy prices. Given the right support and conditions, this simple, effective energy source could soon become more than a German zeitgeist (“the spirit of the time”) phenomenon and spread to homes around the world. What Is Balcony Solar? Much like solar farms and rooftop panels, balcony solar devices use photovoltaic cells to capture energy from sunlight and convert it to electricity. Also known as plug-in solar devices, they consist of small solar panels installed on available balcony space, either directly onto the railings or on stands. These plug-and-play systems do not need professional installation, giving an opportunity for those living in apartments or without access to a roof or large outdoor space to join the solar revolution. Balcony solar panels help everyday citizens to lower their electricity costs. @astrid860/iStock The panels gather energy from sunlight to generate direct electric current. This is then converted via an inverter into the alternative current used in major energy grids. The system can then be plugged into an electrical outlet, adding solar-generated electricity straight into a household’s electrical system. Electricity created by these devices [balcony solar panels] can be used to power or charge appliances directly, which helps to bring down electricity costs. Electricity created by these devices can be used to power or charge appliances directly, which helps to bring down electricity costs. It gives everyday citizens a way to make their own lives less reliant on fossil fuels. In some cases—depending on local regulations and grid systems—electricity can even be fed back into the grid for a financial reward. What About Efficiency? Of course, the efficiency of solar panels depends on the amount of accessible sunlight. This means the energy generation capacity of balcony solar panels is necessarily limited, compared to rooftops, which can generally accommodate larger and greater numbers of panels. Solar panels are able to produce around 15 watts (W) on average per square foot. A 10-square-foot balcony could therefore produce around 150W during “peak sun hours”—where sunlight intensity is an average of 1,000W per 10.5 feet. Balcony solar systems can also be combined with battery storage packs to store excess electricity for use during cloudy weather or at night—or if the electricity grid fails. Balcony solar systems can also be combined with battery storage packs to store excess electricity for use during cloudy weather or at night—or if the electricity grid fails. There are other factors to consider. Balconies that are partially shaded by natural or man-made structures will see their energy production reduced. The orientation of an apartment can drastically affect how much sunlight it receives and how much electricity it can produce. In Germany, a 400W balcony solar system facing southwards at the right angle will generate around 320W on average; yet this would fall to half in slightly cloudy weather. Cleaning balcony solar panels during winter weather. ©Astrid Gast As is the case with many renewable energies, shifting weather patterns affect how much electricity is generated. In British summers, which can provide around five peak hours per day, this balcony could produce 750 watt-hours (Wh) though this figure would fall dramatically during the winter. Moreover, even though solar panels on balconies may not be as exposed as on rooftops, they are still vulnerable to strong winds and must be secured. Snow and hail can affect both balcony solar panels and rooftop panels. Cost Considerations If well maintained, solar panels usually last around 25 years. Ideally, one would want to recuperate one’s investment in the balcony power plant beforehand to make it worthwhile economically. Costs for solar panels and balcony solar systems vary. But if a 360W capacity balcony solar power system costs around $2,000 in the US, it could take up to 25 years to break even, depending on energy prices and weather conditions over that period. In Germany, economic incentives appear to be a major driver behind the success of plug-in solar plants. In January 2023, the German government made balcony generators exempt from VAT (value-added tax). In Europe, the average costs of these systems can range between €1,500-3,000 (about $1,630 to $3,261), some are available for less than €300 (about $326). Many of the costs are heavily subsidized by German states and/or municipalities (with direct subsidies of up to €500, or about $543) and can range up to €1,450 (about $1,576) per system depending on size and capacity. Another reason behind Germany’s balcony solar boom is that many citizens live in apartments, making small solar systems an enticing option. Compared with US residences, German homes demand far less energy: On average, German families use around 3,500 kWh of electricity per year while in the US, electricity demand is roughly triple that per household. Ironically, US electricity costs are a lot less—$0.13 / kWh compared with $0.52 / kWh in Germany. Modern apartment building in Germany: One reason behind the balcony solar boom is that many citizens live in apartments, making small solar systems an enticing option. ©Maryana Serdynska/iStock Streamlining Solar Regulations Germany has relaxed legislation surrounding balcony solar systems to further boost uptake, setting an example for like-minded European countries like Austria and Switzerland. In April 2024, the German government passed “Solarpaket 1,” a set of legal reforms including a simplified grid connection procedure for balcony power systems. The energy threshold for registration of balcony plants has also been raised from 600W to 800W. The German government passed … a set of legal reforms including a simplified grid connection procedure for balcony power systems. Regulations can be more complex elsewhere, however. In the US, balcony power systems can require the same permits as large rooftop systems, making the whole process more onerous. In New York, height limits for balcony systems are set at 10 feet due to citywide building restrictions. While planning permission generally isn’t required, state and local restrictions may apply, which could be the deciding factor in whether someone chooses to invest in such a system. That being said, people wishing to install a balcony solar system in the US may be eligible for a federal solar tax credit. But the potential is staggering for an American balcony solar revolution similar to that seen in Germany. Some estimates suggest plug-in balcony systems in the US could generate over 108 million MWh/year— four times the amount generated by the country’s solar industry in 2015—and offer somewhere in the order of $13 billion per year in energy savings. The case of Germany shows how political will, funding, and the relaxation of red tape can dramatically increase uptake in this new, clean energy source. Inviting citizens into the energy creation process could transform consumers into “prosumers” who are more environmentally minded. While a country’s energy consumption profile doesn’t turn on one system, balcony solar systems could have a measurable impact if their adoption could reach a critical mass. *Richard Kemeny writes about archaeology, marine biology, oceanography, ecology, technology, and the environment

How Environmental Groups are Saving a Severely Troubled River By Marion Warin Miller* Volunteers during an Anacostia River cleanup event. ©Tami Heilemann/Public Domain National Archives and Records Administration In the summertime, when vacationers revel in the splendor of nature, conservationist volunteers and organizations hit the trails, rivers, forests, and other landscapes to clean and restore the natural beauty of these sites. In the DC area, one beneficiary of these efforts is the Anacostia River—or the “East Branch” of the Potomac River, as it was once called. The 8.5-mile Anacostia runs from its shallow beginnings around Bladensburg, Maryland, through Washington, DC, until it merges with the mighty Potomac River. The Anacostia’s watershed includes heavily populated areas of Prince George’s County and Montgomery County as well as the District of Columbia. Despite all the modern development—and pollution—surrounding its banks, the Anacostia River Watershed is “still a remarkably rich natural area,” says the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS). The nonprofit group said a recent inventory of species, called a BioBlitz, found 522 unique species around the Anacostia, including: bald eagles, beavers, ospreys, cormorants, white perch, striped bass, crayfish, herons, turtles, egrets, otters, red fox, shad, kingfishers, catfish, and mussels. Today, the Anacostia River continues to be cleaned and restored by several exemplary environmental organizations. In fact, a select few sections of the Anacostia River have been deemed safe enough to swim in, according to The Swim Guide. This marks an improvement over 2018, when none of the Anacostia beaches tracked by theswimguide.org could pass a water test. The Anacostia Story Historians say the first riverkeepers of the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers were indigenous tribes, such as the Piscataway, Nacotchtank (or Anacostank), Pamunkey, and Mattaponi, among others. In 1608, Captain John Smith, a leader of the Jamestown colony, and twelve companions conducted explorations of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributary rivers and were well received by the Nacotchtank, the most northerly of the Algonquin tribes living along the Potomac. Captain Smith documented these forays in his journal, The Sixt Voyage (1606): “Within is a country that may have the prerogative over the most pleasant places known, for large and pleasant navigable rivers, heaven and earth never agreed better to frame a place for man's habitation.” The tribal name, Nacotchtank, meaning “town of traders,” was later Latinized to Anacostine. Hence the river’s name, Anacostia, is an homage to the indigenous people who inhabited this area and its abundant wildlife and clear rivers teeming with fish and other marine life. The Anacostia River’s name is an homage to the indigenous people who inhabited this area and its abundant wildlife and clear rivers teeming with fish and other marine life. ©Beck Harlan From Pristine to ‘Unfixable’ With the passage of time, industrial development and environmental mismanagement began to foul America’s rivers flowing through urban, suburban, and commercial areas. The Anacostia River became so befouled it was dubbed the “forgotten river” and “unfixable.” A major culprit was the Washington Navy Yard that was built on its banks near Southeast DC in 1800. This US Navy installation “manufactured guns and munitions, built ships, and deposited toxic sediment in the riverbed” through the mid-1960s, the DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice said in a recent report. Toxic sediment, sewage overflows, industrial waste, urban and stormwater runoff, litter and trash, and illegal discharges all helped make the river unsafe for swimming and fishing. In addition to that toxic sediment, sewage overflows, industrial waste, urban and stormwater runoff, litter and trash, and illegal discharges all helped make the river unsafe for swimming and fishing, and harmed the wildlife living in or near the river. By the 1960s, other rivers were also found to be suffering. In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson, speaking to state governors and other officials, exclaimed that he found the polluted Potomac flowing near the Capitol building “disgraceful.” Fortunately, such sentiments eventually led to the groundbreaking passage of the Water Quality Act of 1965 and, later, the Clean Water Act of 1972. Senator Howard Baker, a Republican from Tennessee, stated in defense of the Clean Water Act, “As I have talked with thousands of Tennesseans, I have found that the kind of natural environment we bequeath to our children and grandchildren is of paramount importance. If we cannot swim in our lakes and rivers, if we cannot breathe the air God has given us, what other comforts can life offer us?” Reversing the Anacostia River’s Crisis To counter the pollution of the Anacostia River, environmental organizations, such as the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), the Anacostia Riverkeeper (ARK), and the Earth Conservation Corps (ECC), have been at the forefront of efforts to clean up the river, educate the public, and recruit volunteers. They also conduct scientific research to help develop strategies to protect the river in the future. The Anacostia Watershed Society The AWS prioritizes community involvement and offers educational programs and volunteer opportunities, such as writing letters, making phone calls, and picking up trash. One of AWS's large-scale activities involves mussel population restoration. Biologists have long been aware that mussels, like oysters, play an important role in keeping rivers and waterways clean. Biologists have long been aware that mussels, like oysters, play an important role in keeping rivers and waterways clean. When mussels feed, they act like powerful vacuum cleaners, filtering materials out of several gallons of water per day. In fact, they have been used in New Zealand to help filter and clear up that nation’s freshwater lakes (see the Earth & I article “Mussel Power Cleans New Zealand’s Freshwater Lakes.”) Many of the mussels previously found in the Anacostia River are either endangered or extinct. AWS is now working with Professor John Pfeiffer, a zoologist at the National Museum of Natural History, to raise awareness of local mussel restoration. “Since 2019, the Anacostia Watershed Society has released more than 24,000 mussels into Washington’s Anacostia River, which will filter an equivalent of 132 Olympic-sized swimming pools each year,” says a recent article in Smithsonian Magazine. The AWS also recently launched a project called “Mussel May,” in which volunteers re-introduced several thousands of mussels into the river. The Emerald Ash Borer Threat Another problem besetting the Anacostia region is the devastation of the ash forests along the riverbanks. Anacostia watershed ash tree forest in 2007 before the infestation with Emerald Ash Borers. Photo Courtesy of NPS Approximately twenty years ago, an invasive beetle from Asia known as the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) appeared in North America, decimating ash tree forests in several states. About ten years ago, these beetles began attacking the ash trees adjacent to the Anacostia River. Although in Asia, ash trees have developed a natural resistance to the beetles, the North American ash species is vulnerable and can suffer a 99% mortality rate with no intervention. Although in Asia, ash trees have developed a natural resistance to the beetles, the North American ash species is vulnerable and can suffer a 99% mortality rate with no intervention. “You don’t know how much ash trees make up a riparian forest until they’re dead,” Jorge Bogantes, AWS's Natural Resources Specialist, told the DCist this year. He and his team of volunteers have planted hundreds of trees of fifteen different species not affected by the EAB pest on both sides of the Anacostia River to recreate the forest amidst the dead ash tree snags. Anacostia watershed ash tree forest in 2017 after the infestation with Emerald Ash Borers. Photo Courtesy of NPS The online exhibit Ash Forest Project offers information about the ash tree forest ecosystem and how people can become stewards of this vital natural environment. Anacostia Riverkeeper The ARK works “to protect and restore the Anacostia River for all who live, work, and play in its watershed, and to advocate for a clean river for all its communities.” In line with its mission statement, ARK schedules volunteer cleanup activities. In 2022, for example, more than nine hundred volunteers collected over 20,000 pounds of trash from the river and its shoreline. Besides raw sewage, a rising source of pollution for the Anacostia is the illegal dumping of tires from vehicles. Besides raw sewage, a rising source of pollution for the Anacostia is the illegal dumping of tires from vehicles. This past spring, ARK worked with a group of students from The George Washington University’s Environmental Resource Policy Capstone Project to investigate the issue of tire pollution in the Anacostia watershed and determine how best to mitigate it. The students recommended that the DC government assess a nominal fee on the sale of all new and used tires, of which a small amount would go to the dealer and the bulk of the fee would go to a tire management fund. Such types of funds have been used elsewhere to expedite tire cleanup, deter repeat offenders, develop a monitoring task force, and schedule free tire drop-off events. ARK volunteers also regularly sample and monitor the river’s water quality to alert the community to the ongoing health of the Anacostia River. Earth Conservation Corps In 1992, nine youths from the Valley Green public housing project in Southeast DC kickstarted the ECC by deciding to improve their lives through environmental cleanup. The nonprofit ECC has since helped at-risk youth transform their lives by improving the environment in which they live. The ECC and its allies have long targeted the Anacostia River for rehabilitation and have ended up raising and investing more than $40 million in youth-driven conservation projects. After thirty-one years of clean river advocacy and conservation programs, there is a visible improvement in surface-level river quality and millions of dollars are planned in current and future investments. ECC volunteers posing at the Anacostia waterfront in Washington, DC. Photo Courtesy of EPA With the support of the National Wildlife Federation, AmeriCorps, and other groups, the ECC has helped to restore and maintain DC’s first certified wetland along the Anacostia. After thirty-one years of clean river advocacy and conservation programs, there is a visible improvement in surface-level river quality and millions of dollars are planned in current and future investments. The Anacostia Recovery The Anacostia River is a precious historical and natural treasure. It is home to a variety of wildlife, including fish, birds, and turtles. The growing success of the efforts to clean up the Anacostia River shows that when people take ownership of their environment and engage in wise stewardship, both natural habitats and America’s communities can become healthier and more livable. In concord, the DC government is investing in improving its processes to prevent wastewater from entering the Capital’s waterways untreated. *Marion Warin Miller is a French bilingual researcher, writer, and editor now residing in Northern Virginia. She has master’s degrees in Business and Economics, and in International Economics and Economic Development. She has also ministered for community development and world peace. As a grandmother of eight, she is deeply interested in environmental stewardship and preserving natural wonders for future generations. She has traveled to many natural sites in countries around the world and now escapes to the gorgeous Shenandoah Valley National Park whenever time allows.

Prof. Susie Dai examining tubes of bioengineered algae in her University of Missouri lab. Abbie Nell Lankitus/University of Missouri A discovery by a team at the University of Missouri may lead to an easy and natural way of cleaning microplastics from wastewater. Led by Dr. Susie Dai—a professor in the College of Engineering and principal investigator at the Bond Life Sciences Center—the research team focused on a specific strain of alga. They “used genetic engineering to create a new kind of algae that produces a volatile natural oil called limonene—the same chemical that gives oranges their refreshing scent,” the university said in a press release. “Limonene makes the new algae water-repellent. Because microplastics are also water-repellent, the two come together like magnets when they meet in water, forming clumps that sink to the bottom and create a solid layer of biomass that is easy to collect and remove.” According to a report by Harvest Public Media and KCUR/NPR in March, “[b]oth Dai’s engineered algae and the tiny pieces of plastic are hydrophobic, meaning they repel water and attract each other. By changing the genetic code of the algae, the scientists can dial up its stickiness factor, removing more than 90% of microplastics in a water sample within an hour.” Dai’s research, which was first begun when she was at Texas A&M University, was detailed in a study with 10 colleagues published in Nature Communications in December 2025. Microplastics—tiny fragments resulting from the breakdown of larger plastic waste—have become a pervasive environmental contaminant found in oceans, freshwater systems, and even drinking water. Their small size makes them difficult to filter out using conventional wastewater treatment methods, prompting scientists to search for more effective solutions. Dai’s approach offers a threefold benefit. First, it directly removes microplastics from water sources. Second, the algae simultaneously absorb excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, helping to clean wastewater and reduce harmful algal blooms. Third, the collected biomass—including the captured plastics—can be manufactured into composite materials such as bioplastic films, supporting a circular economy. “By removing the microplastics, cleaning the wastewater and eventually using the removed microplastics to create bioplastic products for good, we can tackle three issues with one approach,” Dai told the Show Me Mizzou news release. “While our research is still in the early stages, our eventual goal is to integrate this new process into existing wastewater treatment plants so cities can clean their water more effectively and reduce pollution while creating useful products at the same time.” A Coincidence of Science The discovery itself was serendipitous. Dai’s lab originally engineered the alga to produce biofuels for aviation. During testing, researchers observed the alga’s unexpected tendency to aggregate plastic particles, leading to a pivot in research focus with potentially far-reaching environmental implications. The team is now working to scale up the technology using large bioreactors, including a 100-liter (26.4-gallon) system nicknamed “Shrek.” These systems cultivate the algae under controlled conditions, with the goal of integrating the process into existing wastewater treatment infrastructure. Experts say scalability will be key. While laboratory results are promising, deploying the technology across municipal systems will require further testing, regulatory approval, and cost analysis. Still, early indications suggest it could complement or enhance current filtration methods. Additional reporting highlights the broader significance of the work, noting that microplastic pollution is increasingly linked to ecological and human health concerns. If successfully scaled, the Missouri team’s innovation could mark a turning point in how communities address one of the most persistent forms of modern pollution—transforming microscopic waste into manageable, even reusable, material.

A pair of sodium-ion batteries. Vladimir022009/Wikipedia In the global race to decarbonize, a common, kitchen-table element is emerging as the unlikely hero of the energy transition. As of 2026, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have moved from experimental curiosities to a pivotal commercial reality, offering a cheaper, safer, and more abundant alternative to the lithium-ion systems that have dominated the last decade. The momentum shifted decisively in late 2025 and early 2026, as industrial giants like Chinese battery maker CATL (Contemporary Amperex Technology Co.) launched the Naxtra line, the world’s first mass-producible sodium-ion battery family. In February 2026, the first mass-produced passenger electric vehicle (EV) equipped with these batteries was unveiled, signaling a new era for affordable urban mobility. Sodium: Abundant and High-Performing The primary driver behind this shift is material abundance. Sodium is over 1,000 times more plentiful in the Earth's crust than lithium, making it immune to the extreme price volatility and geopolitical bottlenecks associated with “white gold” mining. Furthermore, SIBs utilize aluminum for their anode current collectors instead of the expensive copper required for lithium cells, potentially slashing production costs by 30%. Performance breakthroughs are also narrowing the gap. While lithium still leads in energy density for high-performance cars, the latest sodium-ion cells have reached 175 Wh/kg—sufficient for city cars with ranges exceeding 400 km. Crucially, sodium-ion batteries excel in extreme cold, maintaining 90% capacity at -40°C, a threshold where traditional batteries often fail. Industry experts see this as a strategic turning point. An analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the growing role of sodium as a market stabilizer: “For the largest global battery manufacturers ... sodium‑ion expertise and production capacity can act as a strategic hedge against the risk of lithium price spikes, enabling rapid switching if needed.” Beyond transportation, the most profound impact may be on the electrical grid. In March 2026, Peak Energy announced the deployment of a passively cooled sodium-ion system in the US Midwest. Because sodium-ion cells are inherently more stable and less prone to “thermal runaway” (battery fires), they do not require the heavy, energy-intensive cooling infrastructure of lithium plants. Some Exciting Serendipity Perhaps most futuristic is a breakthrough from the University of Surrey, where researchers discovered that keeping water within the battery material nearly doubles its energy capacity and allows it to function as a desalination tool. Dr. Daniel Commandeur, the study’s lead author, noted: “Being able to use sodium vanadate hydrate in salt water is a really exciting discovery, as it shows sodium-ion batteries could do more than just store energy—they could also help remove salt from water.” By late 2026, sodium-ion is no longer just a “budget” alternative. It is a diversified energy solution that promises to make renewable storage safer, EVs more affordable, and the global supply chain more resilient.

Will Be the Start of 3 New National Forests Rolling hills and farmland near Coberley that typify the Cotswolds landscape in the western UK. The government will be planting more trees in the area to diminish flooding and drought. Saffron Blaze/Wikipedia The UK government has officially embarked on a major environmental infrastructure initiative to plant 20 million trees across western England by 2050. This launches the development of the “Western Forest” with a quadruple goal of encouraging biodiversity, mitigating floods and droughts, expanding the number of accessible public green spaces, and sequestering carbon. It will be the first of three planned national forests, which will serve as a cornerstone of the government's long-term environmental strategy. The Western Forest will span a diverse landscape connecting the Cotswolds to the Mendip Hills, covering parts of Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, and Somerset, which are traditionally called the “West of England." Strategically designed to serve more than 2.5 million residents, the initiative integrates new woodlands into both urban centers and rural agricultural zones, promoting biodiversity and community access to forests. By leveraging a collaborative model, the project focuses on agroforestry, encouraging farmers to integrate trees into existing agricultural operations without compromising food production, while simultaneously revitalizing undermanaged existing woodlands. Strategic Objectives Carbon Sequestration: The project contributes directly to the UK’s legally binding net-zero targets by 2050. Biodiversity Recovery: The initiative aims to create at least 2,500 hectares (6,177 acres) of new woodland to help halt species decline and support the goal of protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030. Canopy Targets: This forest is a critical component in driving England’s total woodland cover toward a 16.5% target by 2050. Beyond the environmental imperatives, the Western Forest acts as a catalyst for local economic growth. Supported by an initial government investment of up to £7.5 million ($9.9 million), the program promotes green job creation and skills development within the forestry sector. Nature Minister Mary Creagh has emphasized that this project is essential for “bringing nature closer to people” and preventing localized flooding risks, which are increasingly critical in the face of climate instability. This development is merely the beginning of a broader national infrastructure push. Following the launch of the Western Forest, the government has already opened the competition for a delivery partner for a second national forest in the Oxford–Cambridge Growth Corridor and is currently identifying potential sites for a third in the Midlands or North of England. This final forest is designed to address regional health inequalities through the creation of accessible green space. As the UK navigates the transition toward sustainable land use, these three forests represent a fundamental shift in how the nation views infrastructure—not merely as concrete and steel, but as a living, carbon-capturing network essential for long-term climate resilience.

Key Data from the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 A sandstorm sweeps across Ethiopia. iStock The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 paints a nuanced picture of humanity’s relationship with environmental risk. While climate and ecological threats continue to dominate the long-term outlook, the report finds that governments, businesses, and experts are increasingly distracted in the short term by geopolitical conflict, economic instability, misinformation, and technological disruption. Key Global Data Extreme weather events remained the number one global risk over the next 10 years, according to the Forum’s Global Risks Perception Survey (GRPS), reflecting persistent concern over floods, droughts, wildfires, heat waves, and storms linked to climate change. Yet in the two-year outlook, environmental concerns lost ground relative to a broad range of geopolitical and societal risks that the report also covers, such as economic downturn and cyber insecurity. Extreme weather events fell from second in the previous report’s short-term outlook to fourth in the new report. Pollution dropped as well in the two-year outlook, falling from sixth in the prior report to ninth. Critical change to Earth systems—which includes risks such as ice-sheet collapse, ocean circulation disruption, and forest dieback—fell seven positions in the short-term rankings compared with the previous year’s report. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse declined five positions, to 26th in the two-year outlook, and landed in the lower half of the short-term risk rankings despite ranking second in the list of long-term concerns. Natural resource shortages ranked sixth long-term (but only 17th short-term) in the new report. The report notes that all environmental risks declined in severity scores for the two-year horizon, suggesting not only lower rankings relative to other threats but “an absolute shift away from concerns about the environment.” Despite this near-term deprioritization, environmental threats continue to dominate the longer horizon: Five of the top 10 global risks expected over the next decade are environmental in nature. Concerns over pollution held steady beyond time horizons, ranking ninth, short-term, and 10th long-term. The GRPS also found that environmental risks give rise to the greatest long-term pessimism among experts. Nearly three-quarters of respondents described the environmental outlook over the coming decade as either “turbulent” or “stormy,” making it the most pessimistic risk category surveyed. Source: World Economic Forum

Environmental Working Group Reveals New Data on ‘Forever Chemicals’ Washing produce in tap water. Pexels Two major 2026 datasets from nonprofit, public health watchdog Environmental Working Group (EWG) highlight a growing environmental health concern: Americans are routinely exposed to harmful chemicals through both drinking water and food. EWG’s updated PFAS contamination map (PFAS refers to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances or “forever chemicals,” known for their persistence in the environment and human body) and its 2026 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce find widespread, overlapping chemical exposure pathways—raising concerns about long-term human and ecological health. Key Data Points EWG’s new PFAS map identifies 9,728 locations in the US where toxic “forever chemicals” have been detected in water systems. Drinking water tests indicate that 176 million people in the US live in communities with detectable PFAS in their water supply. Federal monitoring mandated by the Safe Drinking Water Act has already found 3,539 public water systems with detectable PFAS, representing about 95% of systems tested. Separate EWG analysis identifies 41,828 industrial and municipal sites that may be producing or releasing PFAS into the environment. According to EWG, “PFAS do not break down in the environment and can build up in our bodies, and they’re known to cause a number of serious health harms.” EWG’s 2026 Shopper’s Guide is based on over 54,000 US Department of Agriculture–tested samples of fruits and vegetables. A PFAS-linked fungicide (fludioxonil) was detected in 14% of all tested produce samples. Certain fruits—such as peaches and plums—showed PFAS-related pesticide residues in around 90% of samples tested. Strawberries ranked No. 1 on EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” list, with tests showing multiple pesticide residues on a single sample, often including 10 or more different chemicals. Spinach samples contained an average of seven different pesticides, with up to 19 detected in a single sample. EWG warns that “pesticides can be harmful to health, including by disrupting the hormone and reproductive systems and harming the nervous system, especially during development and early life.” The neurotoxic insecticide permethrin—banned on food crops in Europe—was found in 76% of spinach samples. EWG says that, at high doses, “permethrin overwhelms the nervous system and causes tremors and seizures.” Many produce samples contain four or more pesticide residues per item, highlighting cumulative exposure risks. Why It Matters Together, these datasets suggest that chemical exposure linked to adverse health effects is not isolated—it is systemic, occurring across essential daily needs. PFAS persist in the environment and human body, while pesticide residues—some linked to hormone disruption and chronic disease—are commonly found even after washing produce.

Weather in the contiguous US states was astonishingly hot and dry in the month of March. Pexels March 2026 marked an extraordinary moment in US climate history, with record-breaking warmth, widespread drought, and stark regional contrasts. According to the NOAA National Climate Report (March 2026), the month set new benchmarks for temperature and dryness, alongside climate variability across the country. Key Data Points The contiguous US average temperature reached 50.85°F, making March 2026 the warmest March in 132 years of recordkeeping. Average daytime high temperatures were 11.4°F above normal, even exceeding typical April highs by 0.9°F. More than 1,432 counties—over half the US—experienced their warmest March day on record. The period from April 2025 to March 2026 became the warmest 12-month span ever recorded in the US (since 1895). National precipitation from January to March 2026 fell to less than 70% of average, making it the driest start to a year on record. Drought expanded to nearly 60% of the contiguous US, the largest footprint since November 2022. March 2026 marked the first time any US month exceeded 9°F above the 20th-century average, underscoring the extremity of the anomaly. Temperatures in Yuma, Arizona, hit 109 degrees, breaking the national March record. In contrast, Alaska recorded its fourth-coldest March since 1925, highlighting dramatic regional divergence.

Wildfires Still a Major Threat A firefighter in Brazil's Mato Grosso state. Pexels Global tropical forests are under intense pressure from a combination of agricultural expansion, wildfires, and land-use change. The latest analysis from the World Resources Institute’s Global Forest Review and Global Forest Watch platform shows that while some recent progress has been made, overall trends remain far off track from global goals to halt deforestation by 2030. Tropical forests are critical carbon sinks, biodiversity reservoirs, and sources of livelihoods, yet they remain vulnerable to climate change and economic pressures, with around 94% of deforestation occurring in these forests. Key Data Points An estimated 4.3 million hectares (10.6 million acres) of tropical primary forest were lost in 2025. This was down 36% from 2024’s record high losses. Much of the 2025 reduction was due to a 42% decline in Brazil, which reached the “lowest level of non-fire primary forest loss on record.” However, Brazil still had the largest area of tropical rainforest loss, given the size of its forests. Forest loss in 2025 equaled more than 11 soccer fields per minute, highlighting the continued rapid pace of deforestation. Wildfire data from 2025 was incomplete, but in 2024, fires were responsible for nearly half of tropical forest loss. That marked the first time fires overtook agriculture as the leading driver of forest loss; prior to 2024, fires accounted for about 20% of losses. Wildfire-driven forest loss in 2024 released 4.1 gigatons of greenhouse gases, more than four times the emissions from all global air travel in 2023. Despite recent improvements, tropical forest loss in 2025 remains 46% higher than a decade ago, showing that gains are fragile and uneven.

Doctors are challenged by rising incidence for several major cancers. Pexels The latest report from the American Cancer Society, published in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, reveals a complex picture—declining mortality alongside rising incidence for several major cancers. Meanwhile, other recent studies and reports show the continuing influence of environmental pollutants on cancer rates. Highlights Cancer is the second-largest cause of death in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. New cancer cases are projected to be 2,114,850 in 2026. That’s roughly 5,800 new diagnoses per day, underscoring cancer’s continued challenge to public health. Cancer deaths, on the other hand, are expected to be 626,140 in 2026, or about 1,700 deaths per day nationwide. Cancer mortality has fallen 34% since 1991. This long-term decline has averted approximately 4.8 million deaths, largely due to reduced smoking, earlier detection, and improved treatments. The five-year survival rate has reached a historic high of around 70%. In other words, about 7 in 10 patients survive at least five years after diagnosis. Increasing rates are reported for some cancers, including breast, prostate, pancreas, melanoma, liver (in women), and endometrial cancers, signaling ongoing risk factors and detection trends. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death. It is expected to cause more deaths than colorectal and pancreatic cancers combined. About 1 in 3 men (39.2%) and 1 in 3 women (38.7%) will develop invasive cancer in their lifetime. Approximately 60% of diagnoses occur in people aged 65 or older, though 12% occur under age 50, highlighting concerns about younger populations. The 15th Report on Carcinogens mandated by the US Congress identifies 63 substances known to be human carcinogens and 193 “reasonably anticipated to be human carcinogens — including some classes of related chemicals or substances.” Eight new carcinogens were added to the report—a chronic bacterial infection, a flame retardant, and six byproducts of water disinfection. Carcinogens can be hard to avoid, as they are present in air, water, and food. A recent study by the Institut Pasteur reported, for instance, that “living in pesticide-heavy environments could raise cancer risk by up to 150%.” A report by the Union for International Cancer Control and supported by the Clean Air Fund found that people regularly exposed to high levels of airborne particulate matter, when compared to those with lower levels of exposure, face an 11% increase in the risk of developing cancer. This includes higher increases for liver and colorectal, kidney, lung, and bladder cancers. Approximately 87% of lung cancers in men and 84% in women can be attributed to cigarette smoking. Although smoking prevalence dropped from 42% in 1964 to 11% in 2023, it remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Approximately 87% of lung cancers in men and 84% in women can be attributed to cigarette smoking. Wikimedia Takeaway The 2026 projections show progress in survival and mortality reduction alongside persistent—and in some cases rising—cancer incidence. Advances in prevention, screening, and treatment are saving lives, but the growing number of diagnoses highlights the need for continued investment in research, early detection, and lifestyle-related prevention strategies.

Highlights from Ember’s Global Electricity Review of 2025 Spain’s Andesol Power Station. Wikimedia Global energy think tank Ember’s latest global electricity analysis finds that 2025 marked a historic clean-power turning point: Solar generated more electricity than wind for the first time, while renewables collectively overtook coal as the world’s largest source of electricity. Key Data Points: Solar grew 30% in 2025, the largest annual increase ever recorded for a single electricity source. Solar added 636 TWh (terawatt-hours) of generation, surpassing the previous record solar increase of 479 TWh set in 2024. Wind added 205 TWh, growing 8.2% in 2025, making it the second-largest source of new generation after solar. Solar reached 2,778 TWh globally, just ahead of wind’s 2,715 TWh, marking the first year solar topped wind power generation. Solar and wind together met 99% of new global electricity demand growth in 2025, sharply limiting the need for additional fossil fuel generation. Renewables generated 10,730 TWh, reaching 33.8% of the global electricity mix and overtaking coal for the first time. Coal fell below one-third of global electricity generation, while renewables moved ahead as the world’s largest electricity source. Fossil fuel generation declined by 0.2%, suggesting that clean power growth may now be strong enough to begin pushing fossil electricity into structural decline. Why It Matters: Ember’s data suggest that solar is no longer just the fastest-growing energy source—it could become the central driver of global electricity growth. The fact that solar overtook wind, renewables overtook coal, and fossil generation slipped in the same year makes 2025 a potential landmark in the clean-energy transition.