[GWSG] Europe cuts meat; and Pittsburgh; RAPIDO's housing plan; eVTOL; C out in the wash; climate in the Jax T-U

[Tilley, Al]

1. According to a meat industry rep from New Zealand, Europe’s meat consumption dropped 20% in three months.  The planetary health diet study is an influence. A UK supermarket chain reports that 91% of their customers identify as flexitarian. https://www.livekindly.co/europe-meat-consumption-dropped-20/

2. In line with the goal of Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan 3.0 to lower meat consumption in the city 50% by 2030, the city is organizing a vegan week with biometric screenings, a showing of the documentary Game Changers on vegan athletes, and meal plans with cooking demonstrations. https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2019/09/05/city-Pittsburgh-vegan-plant-based-diet-Rip-Esselstyn-Engine-2/stories/201909050066?fbclid=IwAR1iJcPquoyoo2yefKO4KJZDygAMwRK1-X3lkybBINE1pTC1I8405RJ6oiI

3. Following 2008’s Hurricane Dolly, Brownsville, TX, was faced with many displaced families. Local, state, and federal authorities failed to provide more than trailers. NGOs, Texas A&M, the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, and businesses organized RAPIDO, which builds a 432 square foot core house for immediate shelter with a package of additions to be added as time and resources allow. They began in 2014 with 20 houses. https://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/affordable-housing/forget-fema-trailers-heres-how-to-house-people-in-a-hurry-20180604

The RAPIDO site:  http://www.cdcbrownsville.org/rapido.html

The RAPIDO goal is to provide homes within 12-20 weeks of a disaster. The People’s Design Library, linked to the CORE Accessory Dwelling Unit tab, provides details on the design and construction of the homes. As communities are forced to relocate by flood or heat, the RAPIDO model may prove valuable.  http://www.bcworkshop.org/posts/rapido-core-adu

4. 200 different firms are developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft—essentially, drones to transport people. They will not require runways, make no noise, and are emissions free if their batteries are charged renewably. The goal is urban air mobility.  https://cleantechnica.com/2019/09/07/urban-air-mobility-already-has-200-evtol-designs/?utm_source=CleanTechnica+News&utm_campaign=397d261434-Daily+Email+CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b9b83ee7eb-397d261434-331994013

5. CO2 can be captured from an exhaust stream and used to produce sodium oxalate, which is then used to wash clothes. The detergent produces water-soluble calcium in which the carbon is sequestered. “This strategy has many advantages. Sodium oxalate is prepared from CO2, and the manufacturing process is environment friendly. The actual carbon mineralization is realized in the laundry process, so no extra equipment and energy is required.” https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-49127-8

6. Regional interest: the front page of today’s FL Times-Union carries Nate Monroe’s column about Jacksonville’s failure to deal with climate disruption even as it experiences increasing flooding. On the same page is a story on climate science and hurricanes.  https://www.jacksonville.com/news/20190906/nate-monroe-city-hall-needs-to-acknowledge-climate-change---and-do-something-about-it

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