With the summer lull in Brussels drawing to an end, the EU is bracing for a showdown on the agri-food front. At stake is the Commission’s push to cap the amount of subsidies any single farmer can receive – a reform whose negotiations with the Council of the EU are slated to begin in the autumn. This bold move notably pits the EU executive against certain member-states and large agri-food producers. 

Indeed, while most European farmers would be spared by the rules proposed under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) proposal, the continent’s farming giants stand to lose significant sums. Anticipating their resistance, Agriculture Commissioner Christophe Hansen has remained firm, reminding that “if we have to deal with the same amount of money and we want to better support young farmers, new farmers, small farmers,” this additional funding must come “from somewhere.”

Since taking office, Hansen has steered an encouraging pivot in EU agri-food policy, with the long-overdue CAP reform proposal aligned with a broader trend of farmer-friendly decisions. With EU producers facing rising international trade threats, staying on this course will be vital.

Setting CAP system straight 

Brussels’s past efforts to limit subsidy flows to the largest farms through “capping” have collapsed under pressure, and Hansen’s announcement of the reform in July has been met with similar hostility – hardly a surprise given it strikes Europe’s biggest landholders. Yet the proposal offers a much-needed correction to a subsidy system that has long disadvantaged small producers – the very farmers who underpin Europe’s food traditions and world-renowned GI exports.

In the 2023 financial year, just 20% of farms received 80% of direct CAP payments. Most of these are area-based subsidies, calculated per hectare regardless of actual production, allowing large landholders to draw enormous sums. To redress this imbalance, the Commission’s plan would set payments between €130 and €240 per hectare and cap overall income support at €100,000 per farmer, with progressive cuts above €20,000 – namely, a 25% reduction between €20,000 and €50,000, and a 50% reduction between €50,000 and €70,000.

Despite the uproar, the reality is that most farmers would escape unscathed. More than 90% of EU producers received less than €20,000 in decoupled payments in 2023, well below the level where cuts begin. What’s more, in every member state except France and Luxembourg, under a quarter of farms would even be affected. As Théo Paquet of the European Environmental Bureau has rightly posited, this reform should mark a first step toward “real redistribution” and the gradual phasing out of area-based payments detached from production results.

Moving past flawed Nutri-Score system 

Under Commissioner Hansen’s leadership, the CAP payment proposal marks the latest in a series of strong policy decisions that benefit the EU’s small local producers, who were utterly neglected by the last Commission’s ‘Farm to Fork’ policy agenda. One of F2F’s original pillars, the front-of-package (FOP) nutrition label is among the high-profile policies to get axed from the Commission’s agenda, with Hansen leaving it out of the new ‘Vision for Agriculture’ and work programme unveiled earlier this year.

The EU executive’s U-turn on the FOP label proposal has dealt a major blow to France’s Nutri-Score system, once considered the front-runner for EU-wide implementation before attracting an ever-growing coalition of member-states, farmers and researchers opposed to the label. For its critics, Nutri-Score epitomizes F2F’s shortcomings: a one-size-fits-all algorithm that penalises GI heritage products such as cheeses and cured meats, distorts consumer perception and threatens the livelihoods of the small producers Hansen aims to support.

Experts argue its absence will hardly be felt. For example, food law specialist Katia Merten-Lentz has observed that existing labelling rules already protect consumers, while Nutri-Score’s withdrawal would bring “relief to most businesses.” Scientific opinion has also shifted, with researchers spotlighting issues with the independence of pro-Nutri-Score studies, as well as the label’s limited effect on healthier diets and evidence of negative impacts on consumer choices – as confirmed by a new Medical University of Warsaw study published in August.

Despite mounting political opposition, growing scientific criticism and even the retreat of many former industrial supporters like Nestlé and Danone, certain member-states and supermarket chains continue to prop up Nutri-Score. The Commission must therefore remain vigilant to ensure these attempts do not undermine farmers, distort fair competition or compromise the integrity of the single market – particularly as other pressing threats loom on the horizon.

Shielding farmers from unfair trade 

Looking ahead, the EU’s upcoming trade deals with major partners will test the Commission’s resolve to pursue a genuinely pro-farmer agenda. As Brussels juggles political complexity, it must ensure trade ambitions don’t override the needs of European agriculture. Tariff negotiations, market access and safeguard mechanisms must be crafted with one boosting agri-food exports and the other firmly on protecting local farm livelihoods and food sovereignty.

Mercosur looms as a critical litmus test. Though the political deal was struck in December 2024, final ratification is expected by December, with both Council and Parliament approval pending, and national parliaments still in play. To secure France’s support, Brussels has introduced “circuit-breaker” safeguards for sensitive products like beef and poultry to prevent sudden import surges. Recently, EU politicians and farm leaders have warned that the Mercosur deal could severely undermine the competitiveness of domestic agriculture unless these protections endure.

Getting Mercosur right has become all the more important in light of Brussels’s apparent capitulation to Trump’s demands in the US-EU trade deal, with new details confirming enhanced market access for US agri-food exports in the EU without meaningful concessions gained to protect European farmers. If Brussels allows such asymmetries to persist, its credibility in defending EU farming may unravel under international pressure.

From looming trade agreements to mounting global competition and environmental pressures, the EU faces a pivotal moment. In the crucial months to come, staying the course will mean keeping small and local farmers at the heart of the agri-food system – not as an afterthought, but as the foundation of resilience, fairness, and food security. Europe’s strength tomorrow depends on protecting the diversity and vitality of its farms today.

Photo by Bernd ? Dittrich on Unsplash

The post EU’s CAP reform continues trend of supporting small farmers in hour of need appeared first on Green Prophet.

Climate change poses a severe threat to food production, making it imperative to find sustainable methods that complement natural, regenerative, soil based farming. One such method is aquaponics, which grows fish and vegetables together using a water substrate with no added minerals. The fish poop supplies all that the plants need to grow. It’s been hard for dreamers and doers to find that sweet spot that balances several ecosystems at the same time: the fish in the pond, the food in the hydroponics beds, and both those parts together.

Researchers from a desert country, where food growing is limited due to lack of water, offer a new proof of concept for a new closed loop system called aquaponics that produces more fish and vegetables while using less energy than conventional systems.

Their findings were published in the journal Resources, Conservation & Recycling.

Prof. Amit Gross, at Ben-Gurion University has been working with his students and collaborators for the last decade on aquaponic systems. His system uses brackish, or salty water and combines farming with growing fish farms.

As we mentioned above, aquaponic systems grow fish while using the fish waste to grow vegetables hydroponically. Hydroponics was invented by NASA decades ago and later perfected by stealth cannabis growers in Canada who could run grow-ops between walls in their apartment throughout the winter. Now that cannabis is legal in Canada and the US and hydroponics a great method for controlled growing of high value crops, advances are needed to make it even more sustainable.

That’s where this new research steps in: coupled aquaponics are closed loop systems that recycle much of the fish effluent rather than reusing it outside of the aquaponic system. Where typically the fish solid waste is disposed of, Gross managed to treat it by anaerobic digestion and recover energy and nutrients into the system to form a near zero waste unit. This is the path to resolving the ups and downs and headaches of balancing the nutrient load in the system and what the plants need as they grow.

After more than two years of testing, Gross’s system demonstrated 1.6 times higher plant areal productivity, 2.1 times lower water usage and 16% less energy consumption per kilogram of feed than conventional systems.

His calculations suggest that upscaling to about one ton of fish will allow operation of the system with no need for external energy, less than 1% water exchange, negligible waste production as well as significant carbon sequestration.

Net zero, here we come? The next grow system for the spaceship to Mars and the first Mars colony? Sustainable food that can be grown in Antarctica?

“Feeding the more than 8 billion people on the planet while reducing greenhouse gas emissions will require innovative technologies. Those that combine two functions in one are obviously preferable. Fish are a sustainable high-quality source of protein with a far smaller carbon footprint than most other sources. Combining fish growth with vegetable production and preventing waste is a win-win-win,” says Gross who worked with Ze Zhu and Uri Yogev from Ben-Gurion University and Prof. Karel Keesman from Wageningen University and Research in the Netherlands.

? Hydroponics, Aquaponics, and Cannabis: Growing Greener with Smart Agriculture

As the world looks for sustainable ways to grow food and medicine, modern farming methods like hydroponics, aquaponics, and even cannabis cultivation are leading a quiet revolution—especially in regions facing water scarcity, like the Middle East and North Africa.

Hydroponics uses nutrient-rich water instead of soil, saving up to 90% of water compared to traditional farming. Aquaponics adds fish into the mix, creating a closed-loop system where fish waste feeds the plants, and the plants clean the water. These systems can be set up in homes, urban rooftops, or greenhouses, making them ideal for future food security.

And yes, cannabis—the once-taboo plant—is gaining ground as a medicinal crop. Grown sustainably in hydro or aquaponic systems, cannabis can provide medical benefits without the environmental damage associated with traditional farming.

This green trifecta—hydroponics, aquaponics, cannabis—is not just a trend; it’s a glimpse into the future of ethical, sustainable agriculture.

? Learn More

Here are 5 useful links to deepen your understanding:

1. Hydroponic Farming in the Middle East

2. What is Aquaponics and Why is it Eco-Friendly?

3. Israel’s Medical Cannabis Revolution

4. Rooftop Farming in the Middle East

5. Smart Agriculture Innovations in MENA

The post New advances on making aquaponics a valid business appeared first on Green Prophet.

iyris delivers more resilient and reliable produce.

Iyris, a company from Saudi Arabia founded by foreign nationals, makes it easier to grow the likes of tomatoes – one of the world’s biggest fresh produce and processing crops – in environments increasingly impacted by climate change. The patented process, which tackles the challenges of hot climates, has the potential to revolutionize where crops are grown to address global food security issues. We interviewed one of the founders Mark Tester earlier this year on the innovation he championed. The company used to be marketed under RedSea Farms.

Their newly patented polyploid hybridization grafting process – mimics and significantly accelerates the natural evolutionary process of breeding genetic resilience into plant rootstocks. With this groundbreaking innovation, farmers can address, without having to change the way that they farm their land, their most urgent need: reliable, resistant crops that can mitigate and combat climate change.

The technology makes crops more resilient to stressful abiotic environments (e.g., salt, drought, heat and pests) delivering higher yields for farmers and reducing crop failure risk. The timescale and predictability of genetic resilience trait integration is significantly accelerated compared to previous methods. 

Related: How Daniel Hillel pioneered drip irrigation

Commercial trials of iyris’ current hybrid grafted diploid rootstocks, delivered an average 20-25% tomato plant yield increase over the best performing commercial alternatives. Expectations are that using this patented polyploid breeding process, yield increases will be even more significant. Results to date have demonstrated that polyploids can double yields when compared to diploids. 

Uniquely, iyris’ plant science innovation allows multiple plant traits to be integrated simultaneously. Previously, scientists and breeders targeted single traits and experienced low predictability rates for even a single integration.

“These achievements in plant science are unprecedented and a significant moment in our mission to feed the world sustainably. iyris can now offer farmers a commercially validated and reliable solution addressing the environmental and economic challenges of today – in tomatoes alone, that’s worth billions of dollars annually,” says John Keppler, Executive Chairperson of iyris.

iyris’ published rootstock patent – ‘Polyploidization of interspecific tomato hybrids to create stable and fertile rootstocks’ follows decades of work and research, most recently at Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), led by iyris co-founder, Professor Mark Tester – the world’s pre-eminent plant scientist. Professor Tester’s thesis developed from research (with his then – PhD student, Yveline Pailles) into resilient relatives of the tomato growing on sea-facing rock faces in the Galapagos Islands.   

With increasing global temperature, and dwindling freshwater resources, ground-breaking innovative agriculture solutions are vital to break the food-water-energy nexus. The impact of climate change on global farming is becoming starker every year, and global food production is estimated to need to increase by 50%, by 2050, to feed soaring population rates. iyris’ innovation is perfectly timed given its potential to change the way that crops are grown, allow sustainable agriculture in previously unviable territories for farming and protect farmers from crop failure risk. 

Related: Lycored makes kosher and halal, non-animal tomato-based dyes

With its resilient hybrid tomato rootstocks already available in the market, iyris has proven the commercial viability of their technology in open-field trials. iyris has partnerships with two of the world’s largest tomato producers, with more commercial agreements to come. iyris hybrid rootstocks outperformed the best available alternatives across multiple crop seasons, hybrid tomato rootstocks sales have already exceeded 1 million units.  

The market context is extremely positive. The processed tomato market (2023 data) is estimated at US$51.8 billion with 182 million tons produced annually. iyris and Professor Tester have already started research into other plant groups such as eggplants, melons and pumpkins, with the potential to increase commercial results and improve resilience exponentially.

The post Saudi greenhouses to feed desert people appeared first on Green Prophet.

doTERRA’s Hawaiian reforestation project hits a major milestone.

In the lush oasis of Hawaii’s Big Island, a green revolution is taking root. DoTERRA, the essential oils giant, has reached a significant milestone in its ambitious reforestation project. The company has successfully planted over 500,000 native trees at the Kealakekua Mountain Reserve, marking the halfway point of its goal to plant 1 million by 2030.

The KMR project, launched in 2018, spans an impressive 9,627 acres. DoTERRA’s partnership with the Hawaiian government aims to conserve and protect remnants of the native forest while rebuilding an ecosystem threatened by centuries of over-logging and grazing.

The effort is the largest reforestation project in Hawaii, with many locals rolling up their sleeves to carefully plant seedling after seedling back into Hawaii’s fertile earth.

Beyond Planting: The Ripple Effects of DoTERRA’s Reforestation Project

Greg Hendrickson, general manager of KMR, expressed his enthusiasm for the project’s progress. “Reaching the halfway point to our 2030 goal has been an amazing collective effort involving our community, partner organizations, and the incredibly committed team at KMR,” he said in a press release. 

The impact of this reforestation effort extends beyond the trees themselves. Hendrickson noted that the project has already begun to heal the land and encourage the return of native birds. 

One of the key components of the KMR project is the sustainable harvesting and distillation of ‘Iliahi, or Hawaiian sandalwood. This practice allows doTERRA to produce a highly valued essential oil while simultaneously supporting the growth of other native Hawaiian species.

“I’ve always believed that in order for a forest to be productive, it needed to be protected,” Hendrickson said in a video. “But in order for it to be protected, it needed to be productive. The resources we get from the oil are put right back into this forest.”

The company’s commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental restoration hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2021, doTERRA received the SEAL Environmental Initiative Award for its work in native forest restoration, including its efforts with ‘Iliahi.

“The ethical and sustainable sourcing of ‘iliahi (Hawaiian sandalwood) at KMR requires a commitment to restore the natural habitat that previously existed on the land, and to do so in a way that reverences the remarkable culture of the Hawaiian Islands,” Hendrickson said in a LinkedIn post shared by doTERRA. “KMR is helping ‘iliahi and other native Hawaiian species thrive once more.”

The KMR initiative is not simply about planting trees. DoTERRA has developed a comprehensive management plan in partnership with the Hawaii State Division of Forestry and Wildlife. This plan aims to reestablish a healthy native forest, ensuring that the reforestation efforts have long-lasting effects.

The company also established a nursery that supplies the trees for the KMR project and serves as a valuable resource for other conservation efforts in the region.

DoTERRA’s approach to sourcing and sustainability isn’t limited to the borders of Hawaii. The company’s Co-Impact Sourcing model partners with local growers around the world, emphasizing fair wages, sustainable practices, and community development.

The success of the KMR project thus far is encouraging, but the work is far from over. With a goal of planting 600,000 trees by the end of 2024, doTERRA is on track to surpass its 2030 target. 

“We are proud to be part of this prestigious group of organizations and individuals who are doing what it takes to make our world a better place,” doTERRA posted on LinkedIn.

The post DoTERRA Plants 500,000 Trees, Sowing Positive Seeds of Change in Hawaii appeared first on Green Prophet.

In urban jungles and in medical settings it’s refreshing to see food gardens popping up as green roofs. Hospitals are to treat ailing folks, yet the food served to patients is usually over processed and of low quality.

Boston Medical Center (or BMC) is an academic medical center that delivers a model of healthcare where innovative and equitable care empowers all patients to thrive. In June this year Recover Green Roofs celebrated the opening of Newmarket Farm at Boston Medical Center and its 7300 square foot rooftop farm with wheelchair accessible green space.

Related: Interview with Nature’s Path organic and regenerative food business

With raised beds, a pollinator garden, plus an outdoor classroom, the design process highlights a critical collaboration between BMC, Recover Green Roofs, and Higher Ground Farm. Marking Recover’s second design and installation on BMC’s campus following the initial Boston Medical Center Power Plant Farm, both sites collectively forge new community partners and enhance access to fresh foods.

A portion of each harvest is donated to several South End nonprofits, including Rosie’s Place.

In 2022, Mayor Wu established GrowBoston to promote urban agriculture and food production, deploying funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. GrowBoston provided $300,000 to support the expansion of Newmarket Farm. The farm features a unique green roof media blend developed by Ben Flanner of Brooklyn Grange and Chuck Duprey at Naturcycle. They used a locally manufactured version of the innovative blend developed for the Javits Center Expansion Rooftop & Farm, optimized for deep growing crops, long term performance and water management. The growing media depth ranges from 19-23 inches and large growing beds with a granular drainage base retain tens of thousands of gallons of rainwater throughout the year, reducing the need for irrigation.

Related: adding fungi to your green roof urban farms and gardens

A high-tech custom drip irrigation system supplements regional rainfall.

Managed by Sarah Hastings, BMC’s Rooftop Farmer, and Higher Ground Farm, the farm adds valuable green space to the Newmarket District, addresses food insecurity, and offers culturally relevant fresh foods. Cultivating hard-to-find produce, they grow aji dulce, Malabar spinach, Callaloo greens, bok choy, napa cabbage, cranberry beans, and Japanese turnips, among others.

Because of Newmarket Farm’s location overlooking the Boston skyline, it also optimizes sun-loving fruit, including tomatoes, and flowers that attract pollinators. A covered seating area provides education and outreach classes to students from Boston Public Schools, members of local community organizations, and staff & patients to get hands-on training on hyperlocal vegetable gardening. Plus, both BMC rooftop farms serve as a model for other hospitals, understanding that the local environment is intrinsic to supporting the overall health and wellbeing in our communities.

The post Food gardens on the roofs of medical centers and hospitals appeared first on Green Prophet.

The eyes of Aishagul Duganova, a 48-year-old mother of three, light up as she talks about her new greenhouse, which is bringing with it a new stability amidst her family’s health problems and money troubles.

The post Greenhouse agriculture in Kazakhstan appeared first on Green Prophet.

Bitcoin mining—the process by which new bitcoins are entered into circulation—is notoriously energy-intensive. It requires powerful, specialized computers known as ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) that are capable of handling immense computational tasks. These machines operate continuously and compete against each other to solve mathematical problems that become progressively more difficult over time. The energy consumption of these operations is substantial, often compared to the energy usage of entire countries.

The nature of Bitcoin mining is inherently energy-intensive. It requires powerful, specialized computers that are capable of handling immense computational tasks. These machines operate continuously and compete against each other to solve mathematical problems that become progressively more difficult over time. The energy consumption of these operations is substantial, often compared to the energy usage of entire countries.

One of the unavoidable byproducts of this massive computational effort is heat. A significant amount of heat is generated as these high-power devices run 24/7, leading to concerns about wasted energy and its environmental impact. The electricity used is another major factor, with the sourcing of this power becoming a critical point of discussion within the cryptocurrency community and beyond, as stakeholders seek more sustainable practices. 

In an innovative twist, some enterprises are channeling the waste heat generated from Bitcoin mining to more productive uses. As Bitcoin mining operations generate substantial amounts of heat due to their intense computational requirements, this byproduct has traditionally been viewed as an inevitable, albeit problematic, consequence. However, a growing number of forward-thinking companies are now exploring ways to capture and utilize this excess heat, transforming it from a waste product into a valuable resource.

One such leader is Akbar Shamji, the founder and CEO of a privately held Canadian company whose operations are focused on the designing, building, and operating of ESG focused data centers. Shamji’s aim for the company is to both contribute to the sustainability of blockchain technology and lead by example in the movement towards greener digital infrastructures. Below, we explore how he and others in the blockchain industry are setting a standard for responsible practices in the digital currency landscape.

The energy demands of bitcoin mining

Bitcoin mining is an essential component of the cryptocurrency network, serving both to process transactions and to create new coins. This process is underpinned by a method known as “proof of work,” which requires participants, or “miners”, to solve complex cryptographic puzzles. The purpose of these puzzles is to secure the network and verify transactions, preventing issues like double-spending. Miners who successfully solve these puzzles are rewarded with newly minted bitcoins, incentivizing continuous operation and competition.

The requirement to solve these puzzles means that Bitcoin mining rigs—specialized computer systems—are constantly running high-power computations. This relentless demand for computational power translates directly into high energy consumption. Each puzzle solution requires miners to perform trillions of calculations, which in turn consume vast amounts of electricity. This has led to the installation of “mining farms,” locations with large numbers of mining rigs, often situated where electricity costs are lowest, sometimes regardless of the environmental impact of the energy sources.

The environmental concerns associated with Bitcoin mining are significant. The energy-intensive nature of mining often relies on non-renewable energy sources which contribute to carbon emissions and broader environmental degradation. In regions where coal or other fossil fuels are the primary energy sources, the environmental impacts are exacerbated. 

This high energy use also strains local power grids and can lead to increased energy costs for local communities. As the value of Bitcoin increases, the incentive to mine intensifies, potentially leading to escalated energy use and an increased carbon footprint, posing substantial challenges to global efforts to combat climate change. 

Transforming waste heat into a valuable resource

In the context of Bitcoin mining, waste heat refers to the thermal energy generated by mining rigs during their high-power computational operations. In the absence of effective heat management, this waste heat is often released into the environment, representing a missed opportunity for energy recovery and adding unnecessary strain on cooling systems. Efficiently capturing and repurposing this waste heat can significantly enhance the overall energy efficiency of Bitcoin mining operations and mitigate some of the environmental impacts associated with their energy-intensive nature.

In Norway, Akbar Shamji’s company has established a hydro-powered data center that features an innovative program for recycling its heat into greenhouses. This program captures the excess thermal energy from its Bitcoin mining operations and repurposes it to support agricultural activities, transforming waste heat into a valuable resource. The process starts with advanced heat recovery systems, like heat exchangers, which transfer thermal energy from the mining equipment to a water-based medium or air. This heated medium is then channeled to nearby greenhouses.

Once in the greenhouses, this recycled heat helps maintain an optimal temperature for growing crops, which is particularly valuable in colder climates where consistent warmth is essential for year-round production. By utilizing this waste heat, Shamji’s company not only reduces the dependency on traditional heating sources (typically powered by fossil fuels) but also lowers the energy costs for agricultural operations. 

The program is a prime example of circular economy principles in action. By recycling the byproduct of Bitcoin mining—heat that would typically be released into the environment—Akbar Shamji’s company boosts the sustainability of its data centers and supports local agriculture. This clever reuse of waste heat improves both the efficiency and environmental impact of the mining operations while fostering a cooperative relationship between technology and agriculture. 

The greater impact of innovative practices

The use of waste heat from Bitcoin mining into agricultural practices opens up exciting prospects for the future of both sustainable agriculture and renewable energy usage. As more companies adopt similar innovative approaches, the potential to revolutionize agricultural heating practices becomes increasingly significant. This shift could lead to broader adoption of renewable energy sources and waste heat recovery systems, enhancing the overall sustainability of farming operations. By turning what was previously considered waste into a valuable resource, industries can contribute to a circular economy that reduces reliance on non-renewable energy sources and minimizes environmental impact.

These collaborations can foster innovation and inspire other sectors to reevaluate their waste products and byproducts. The successful integration of waste heat into greenhouse operations can serve as a blueprint for other industries, encouraging them to explore similar partnerships that could lead to sustainable practices and solutions. This shows that the path to greater sustainability is not limited to advancements within a single industry but can be significantly accelerated through cross-industry collaboration, leveraging diverse expertise and resources for a more sustainable future.

What’s more, the broader impacts of these developments extend beyond environmental benefits. By showcasing practical, scalable solutions for integrating renewable energy and waste heat recovery, these advancements can drive policy changes and encourage investment in green technologies. As businesses and governments recognize the economic and environmental advantages of these practices, we may see increased support for policies that promote sustainability and innovation. Ultimately, the continued evolution of these technologies has the potential to foster a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape, benefiting both agriculture and the broader economy.

According to Akbar Shamji, his company’s core focus is to innovate in the blockchain space while building ESG focused data centers. As the world grapples with issues like climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the need for creative and effective strategies such as these has never been more urgent. Technologies that repurpose waste, enhance energy efficiency, or reduce carbon footprints are not just beneficial; they are essential for the long-term health of our planet.

The post Innovating Sustainability: Bitcoin Mining Waste Heat and its Green Potential with Akbar Shamji appeared first on Green Prophet.

The post Hydroponics in Bhutan appeared first on Green Prophet.

If we look at Frank Herbert’s Dune novels is mostly desert, with extreme heat and an almost total absence of water and inhabitants rely on stillsuits, which recycle water from sweat and urine to sustain them in the dry environment. Drinking purified moisture from the body is not just a fantasy invention, however – it could soon be reality for astronauts, thanks to a prototype urine collection and filtration system inspired by stillsuits.

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University have developed a new spacesuit, inspired by Frank Herbert’s Dune, that recycles urine via a filtration backpack to extend spacewalks and improve hygiene. Unlike the traditional NASA suits, which have led to issues like UTIs, the new design features a vacuum-based external catheter and forward-reverse osmosis, though NASA has yet to adopt the technology.

Outside the safety of a space station, spacewalkers rely on their suits for oxygen and protection from the environment. Over the five to eight hours of a typical mission, they may also need to relieve themselves, which is often uncomfortable and unhygienic. It is also wasteful, as the water from urine is not recycled in current suits, unlike wastewater on the International Space Station.

No more astronaut diapers?

Astronauts have long complained about a lack of comfort and hygiene when using the maximum absorbency garment (Mag diaper), NASA’s ‘waste management system’ that essentially works like a multi-layered adult nappy made of superabsorbent polymer.

“The Mag has reportedly leaked and caused health issues such as urinary tract infections and gastrointestinal distress. Additionally, astronauts currently have only one litre of water available in their in-suit drink bags. This is insufficient for the planned longer-lasting lunar spacewalks, which can last 10 hours, and even up to 24 hours in an emergency,” said Sofia Etlin, research staff member at Weill Cornell Medicine and Cornell University, part of the study detailing the new suit.

The new design includes a vacuum-based external catheter leading to a combined forward-reverse osmosis unit to provide a continuous supply of potable water, with multiple safety mechanisms to ensure astronaut wellbeing.

The urine collection device includes an undergarment made of multiple layers of flexible fabric. This connects to a collection cup of moulded silicone, with a different shape and size for women and men. The inner face of the collection cup is lined with polyester microfibre or a nylon-spandex blend, drawing urine away from the body.

An RFID tag linked to an absorbent hydrogel activates a vacuum pump when moisture is detected, sucking the urine into the filtration system. There, the urine is recycled with an efficiency of 87% through a two-step, integrated forward and reverse osmosis system. This uses a concentration gradient to remove water from the urine, as well as a pump to separate water from salt.

While the prototype looks bulky we could call on SpaceX designers to make the final look more appealing.

The purified water is then enriched in electrolytes and pumped into the in-suit drink bag, available for consumption. Collecting and purifying 500ml of urine should take only five minutes, the researchers claimed.

“Our system can be tested in simulated microgravity conditions, as microgravity is the primary space factor we must account for. These tests will ensure the system’s functionality and safety before it is deployed in actual space missions,” said Dr Christopher E Mason, the study’s lead author.

Related: Are Muslims allowed to travel to Mars?

The system, which integrates control pumps, sensors, and a liquid-crystal display screen, is powered by a 20.5V battery with a capacity of 40 amp-hours. Its total size is 38x23x23cm and it weighs 8kg, which its developers said should be “sufficiently compact and light to be carried on the back of a spacesuit”.

The prototype was developed with one eye on upcoming NASA Artemis missions.

A crew will orbit the Moon in 2025, followed a year later by a landing on its south pole.

Crewed missions to Mars are expected in the early 2030s – and the Emirates plans on being there along with Elon Musk.

The post Scientists design ‘Dune’-inspired spacesuit to recycle urine appeared first on Green Prophet.

Sitting in a field in the heart of Uzbekistan’s Fergana Valley, Shaodatkhon Oripova’s greenhouse isn’t just the simple structure it used to be. It’s now alive with digital sensors connected to the internet, through which the 62-year-old farmer can control the temperature, humidity, light and soil moisture. Uzbek farmers also work with drip irrigation.

“In the past,” she said, “a lot of my earnings would disappear into paying for utility bills and buying fertilizers,” says the mother of three, whose farm produces herbs, tomatoes, lemons, corn and clover.

Now, Shaodatkhon can better regulate these inputs through the sensors. If anything needs to be adjusted in the greenhouse, her mobile phone buzzes to alert her.

These sensors were particularly useful over the summer when extreme heat and lack of water impacted production from her greenhouse. While other farmers sustained great losses, she was able to maintain her production at close to last year’s levels.

Shaodatkhon has been used to the hard work and highs and lows of farming. “I was born into a family of farmers, and I have been a farmer my whole life, but it has not been easy,” she said.

It is a different type of farming now. Shaodatkhon describes how every day is a new learning experience with digital technology. She can now free up more time for other things such as marketing her produce, spending time with her family and improving her education and quality of life.

Shaodatkhon is one of the farmers taking part in the Smart Farming for the Future Generations project of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). It is closely aligned with the Digital Villages Initiative, which was introduced in the villages of Novkent and Yuksalish in the Fergana Valley of Uzbekistan in 2023.

The Digital Villages Initiative is a flagship programme of FAO aiming to transform at least 1 000 villages around the world into digital hubs. The initiative seeks to foster rural transformation and empower communities through digitalization and participatory approaches to combat hunger, poverty and inequality. The Digital Village Initiative helps farmers access technology to boost production, access rural services and improve livelihoods.

But it’s not just farmers who are getting involved. FAO is also offering training programmes to local young people. A coding camp helped train youth in replicating smart sensor devices. In the culmination of the training programmes, a Digital Villages Hackathon took place in November 2023 yielding an array of innovative agritech solutions to the challenges faced by rural people in the Fergana Valley.

The continuation of regular collaborative innovation workshops, known as “living labs”, also provides a vital platform for exchange among farmers, experts and innovators. During these sessions, farmers like Shaodatkhon and her family discuss the challenges they face, for example heating the greenhouse against the biting winter cold. Other topics brainstormed with a range of local actors and experts have included water scarcity, a lack of infrastructure and limited access to reliable extension services.

The post Uzbek greenhouses go digital appeared first on Green Prophet.