💚 A New Hydrogen World Record 🚄
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Stay impactful,
Happy Good Friday 👋
Here are the impactful insights that I have for you today:
- How a Swiss hydrogen train set a world record 🚄
- The plant-based innovation that makes biodegradable microplastics possible ♻
- How coffee grounds can help combat agricultural contamination ☕
- And more… 💚
Electricity plays a key role when it comes to making our transportation more sustainable…
But did you know that hydrogen-powered vehicles could (also) be the future?
They are clean, can be refueled fast, and have an ever-extending range.
🚄 How a Swiss Hydrogen Train Set a World Record
1️⃣ The big picture: A hydrogen-powered train developed by the Swiss railroad company Stadler has made history by setting a new world record, as recognized by the Guinness World Records. This ‘Flirt’ passenger train achieved an unprecedented feat by covering 1,741 miles (2,803 kilometers) on a single tank of hydrogen fuel, without the need for refueling or recharging. Its journey, completed over approximately 46 hours, took place at a test center in Colorado, USA, showcasing the potential of hydrogen as a clean and efficient energy source for rail transport.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: This achievement underscores the viability of hydrogen fuel as a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels in the transportation sector. By demonstrating that a hydrogen-powered train can travel such a long distance without stopping for fuel, Stadler highlights the potential for reducing carbon emissions and dependency on non-renewable energy sources in public transport. The success of this hydrogen train in setting a new world record not only advances the technology behind hydrogen fuel cells but also propels the rail industry toward a greener future.
3️⃣ What’s next: The record-breaking performance of this hydrogen train opens up new possibilities for the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles in public transportation networks around the world. The next steps involve further testing, optimization, and scaling of this technology to make hydrogen trains a common sight on tracks globally. As countries and companies continue to seek sustainable transport solutions, the success of this hydrogen train could serve as a promising example of what can be achieved with innovation and commitment to environmental sustainability.
Related: Find out more about hydrogen with our following deep dives:
- Hydrogen Explained: All You Need to Know
- What Is the Carbon Footprint of Hydrogen Fuel? A Life-Cycle Assessment
📢 Three More Good News
♻ How researchers made biodegradable microplastics possible:
- Researchers from the University of California San Diego have created plant-based polymers that rapidly (within 7 months) break down, degrade, and disappear—even in water.
- This is a significant improvement compared to standard microplastics that can linger in bodies of water and take 100s to 1,000s of years to break down.
- The science company behind this, Algenesis, is now collaborating with large corporations to integrate their eco-friendly polymers with different products, such as phone cases.
☀️ The French town’s cemetery that embraces solar power:
- One town in France has covered their cemetery with a canopy of solar panels to provide cheap community solar power to their residents.
- Aside from generating clean energy, this solar project promotes community engagement and increases the town’s self-sufficiency. For just €5, residents can actively participate and receive a share of solar power.
- The solar cemetery aims to provide the town residents with cheap and renewable energy by 2025.
☕ How coffee grounds can help combat agricultural contamination:
- Recent studies indicate it’s possible to repurpose used coffee grounds to absorb herbicides like bentazone and combat agricultural pollution.
- Bentazone is a common herbicide that is often used in agriculture, but can be harmful to humans and animals, and can negatively impact the quality of drinking water. By activating coffee grounds with zinc chloride, scientists were able to use the coffee grounds to effectively absorb bentazone.
- While more research is needed, this solution could save tonnes of coffee grounds from going to landfills, reduce agricultural contamination, and lead to a more circular economy.
📢 Even More Good News Headlines From This Week
🔬 The development of biodegradable microplastics
🦪 The pearl-farming industry in Raja Ampat is leading the way in sustainable business practices
🇪🇺 How the EU is addressing microplastic pollution
🌳 How drones are helping fight deforestation
🤝 Three Important Awareness Events
🪖 March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day:
- On March 29, 1973, the US officially ceased military operations in Vietnam.
- This day commemorates that occasion by honoring the 9 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War era.
🩺 March 30, National Doctor’s Day:
- In the US, over a million physicians provide healthcare to patients in need every day.
- This day honors the dedication and compassion displayed by doctors and encourages individuals and organizations to show their appreciation.
⚧️ March 31, Transgender Day of Visibility:
- In response to the largely negative media coverage surrounding transgender people, this day was created in 2010 to shift the focus to the positive.
- The goal is to empower transgender people by celebrating their lives and contributions to society, while still acknowledging the struggles and the discrimination they face.
Related: You can discover all the 115 most important awareness events (for the month, days, weeks) in our awareness calendar for March 2024!
📜 This Week in History
👩🏽💼 March 29, 1918: Pearl Bailey was born, later becoming a popular American entertainer and special Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations. She earned the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1888 for her humanitarian efforts.
👩🏻🎨 March 30, 1842: Élisabeth Vigée-Lebrun passed away in Paris after painting up to 900 pictures throughout her lifetime. Despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, Élisabeth gained recognition for her artistry and her portraits of aristocracy, even painting several pictures of Queen Marie-Antoinette.
📜 March 30, 1856: The Treaty of Paris was signed, bringing an end to the Crimean War.
💭 Quote of the Week
“What the world really needs is more love and less paperwork.”
― Pearl Bailey; American entertainer, singer, Goodwill Ambassador to the UN, and awardee of the Presidential Medal of Freedom/
Share the news with your friends to make a bigger positive impact on the world and society!
Stay impactful 💚
