[GWSG] Raised concrete; EU targets renewables; to explain the IRA; worried youngsters; doomism & denialism; US solar boom

[Tilley, Al]

1. A team at MIT has discovered that adding baking soda to concrete reduces its carbon emissions by 15% and makes it stronger. https://cleantechnica.com/2023/03/29/mit-researchers-develop-new-additives-for-green-concrete/

2. The EU has passed a resolution to raise the share of renewables in the energy consumed by the 27-nation bloc from 22% today to 42.5% by 2030. (The previous target was 32%.) They have set the target of becoming a climate neutral economy by 2050.  https://www.barrons.com/news/eu-reaches-deal-to-nearly-double-renewable-energy-by-2030-5d484c7a

3. The Yale Climate Change Communication group finds that large numbers of people know little about the Inflation Reduction Act. Some of those who know least come to be among the most enthusiastic supporters when they learn the general outline of the act. Those of us who write or speak on climate might consider (if they don’t already) working the info in paragraphs one and two of the article into their general presentations. https://mailchi.mp/yale/who-is-most-supportive-of-the-inflation-reduction-act?e=4dee1d8b35

4. The number of young people in the UK who report that worry over climate is affecting their mental health has increased to 73% (compared to 61% of the general population). Activism can help. “Things will get better because you’ll learn to deal with it. It won’t disappear but if you can, reach out to groups that can help. Take your fear and turn it into action – that’s all we as young people can do.” Lily Henderson, 18. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/mar/30/terrified-for-my-future-climate-crisis-takes-heavy-toll-on-young-peoples-mental-health

5. I think that news services could help ease climate anxiety by reporting on and explaining effective climate actions—as in item 3. Here is a story on the dangers of doomism from two years ago which has only become more timely. Doomism, as Sean Youra says, is like denialism in its effects, a fact reflected in doomist fossil fuel industry propaganda.  https://medium.com/climate-conscious/climate-doomism-is-the-new-climate-denial-f4a48ddd970

6. A boom in solar manufacturing is well underway in the US. https://cleantechnica.com/2023/03/31/turning-america-into-a-solar-manufacturing-powerhouse/

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