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Good Climate: Renewable Energy Generated 10% Of The World's Power In 2021
50 countries generating more than 10% of their power from wind and solar in 2021. Clean sources accounted for 38% of total power supply — even more than coal. Findings come as the world faces an energy crunch, both from the economic recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and Russia's war in Ukraine.
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It Looks Delicious, But Don’t Eat It: The Truth About Food in Movies
You’ve probably noticed it before: a breakfast table piled high with bacon, eggs, pancakes, fruit, muffins, and orange juice — and a kid who grabs a single piece of toast before running out the door. It’s a scene that plays out again and again in movies and TV shows, and social media users have had enough. “Never understood the American TV and movie cliché where the parents make a lavish breakfast, no one touches it,” one viewer wrote. “Maybe rich Hollywood people see this because they have employed cooks and are super-wasteful, but no normal people.” But according to people who actually work in film, it’s not laziness or a misunderstanding of family dynamics — it’s logistics. Dr. Travis Lee Clark, an art history professor at Utah Valley University, took to X (formerly Twitter) to break down the real reason behind these over-the-top, untouched feasts: it’s all movie magic. And it’s not about realism — it’s about what looks good on screen. “First, no director likes an empty table at a meal,” Clark explained. “It looks dull, and lacks visual interest. So the set dresser piles on food… often far more than would be rational at a regular meal because film is a visual medium and it’s easier to make something look good with more than less.” The result is an extravagant meal that’s not designed to be eaten. Most of it is fake or inedible after sitting under hot lights for hours, often coated in carnauba wax (yes, like the kind used on cars) to keep it looking glossy. Even the real food becomes cold, congealed, and unsafe to eat after a few takes. Then there’s the issue of continuity. Film scenes are shot multiple times and from various angles. If an actor takes a real bite of eggs or pancakes in one take, the script supervisor has to make sure they take that same bite in every take after — or risk ruining continuity. That’s hard to track, and even harder to edit around. Enter: toast. Toast is dry, shelf-stable, and visually consistent. It doesn’t wilt, leak, or change much from shot to shot. That makes it the go-to food prop for actors, who often prefer it to eating something greasy or soggy for hours. Crackers and breadsticks are other safe bets. “Toast is usually the part of the meal on set that someone can actually eat,” Clark wrote. “Also, every piece of toast looks pretty much the same, so it’s easy to restock the scene from take to take.” In some cases, actors do eat — but with help. Productions often provide spit buckets so performers can chew for the camera, then discreetly dispose of the food between takes. Actor Nick Offerman once explained, “Even if you’re eating one bite of cake, you may end up eating four pieces of cake by the time you add them all up. You learn: don’t swallow it.” There are other tricks too. On shows like Love Is Blind, shiny opaque wine glasses are used to disguise how much liquid is inside, so editors can cut scenes together out of order without giving away continuity mistakes. Chinese takeout containers are another favorite: they’re closed, opaque, and easy to reuse across multiple takes without anyone noticing the food level changing. But there are exceptions. The Sopranos, known for its lavish Italian meals, famously let the cast go all in on the food. “I was allowed to eat chicken cacciatore at 7 o’clock in the morning,” one actor said. “It was amazing. I ate a lot on the show.” In most productions though, the food is all show and no bite. The next time you see a character ignore their full plate of waffles and reach for toast instead, now you know: it’s not a snub to breakfast. It’s a survival tactic.
Score (97)
Japan Just Launched Its First Floating Offshore Wind Farm in a Push Toward a Clean Energy Future
Japan has officially entered a new phase of renewable energy production with the launch of its first-ever floating offshore wind farm. The 16.8-megawatt Goto Floating Wind Farm began commercial operations on January 5, according to a press release from Toda Corporation, the firm leading the project. Located off the coast of the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, the wind farm is a milestone in Japan’s efforts to cut emissions and strengthen energy independence. “Through the long-term operation of the wind farm, [Goto Floating Wind Farm] aims to promote renewable energy and help improve the quality of life for local communities,” Toda stated. What makes the project especially notable is its use of hybrid spar-type floater technology — a world first in commercial deployment. Kei Ushigami, Toda’s head of marine renewable energy, told AFP that the floating structure offers a stability advantage well-suited to Japan’s geography, which is frequently affected by earthquakes and typhoons. The launch comes at a critical time. According to the International Energy Agency, Japan generated nearly two-thirds of its electricity in 2024 from fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas. These sources not only contribute to climate change but also to global air pollution linked to millions of premature deaths annually. Japan has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, which means balancing its emissions with pollution-reducing technologies and renewable energy. Projects like the Goto wind farm are key steps toward that goal. In addition to its environmental impact, the wind farm has strong local ties. Toda said domestic companies played a major role in constructing the eight turbines, and will also oversee ongoing operations and maintenance. That’s a boost for local economies — and a shift away from Japan’s heavy reliance on imported energy. Floating wind farms offer another big advantage: they allow power to be generated in deep waters where fixed-bottom turbines aren't feasible. That opens up a wide range of opportunities for an island nation like Japan, with limited land space and deep coastal shelves. With the Goto wind farm now live, Japan joins a small but growing group of countries testing floating offshore wind at scale. It’s a modest start, but a powerful symbol — both of technological innovation and the country’s shifting energy future.
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Score (97)
Scientists Are Listening to Worms and Ants to Measure Soil Health — And It’s Working
What does healthy soil sound like? Crackles, pops, and clicks — at least, if you’re a microphone buried in the dirt. In a groundbreaking study from Flinders University in South Australia, researchers planted tiny microphones underground to test whether the sounds of insects and invertebrates could reveal the condition of soil. And according to ecologist Jake Robinson, the answer is yes. “It’s a bit like going to the doctor,” Robinson told The Guardian. “They put a stethoscope on your chest, take a health check, listen to your beating heart. … We’re doing something similar in the soil.” The team’s research, carried out in the Adelaide Hills, captured what they call a “soil symphony” — a mix of gliding echoes from snails, the faint tapping of millipedes, and the subtle bustle of beetles, ants, and spiders. The healthier the soil, the more vibrant and complex the soundtrack. In poor soil? Just a flat hum of white noise. The researchers boosted their recordings by 20 decibels to detect the subtle movements of underground life. What they found was a clear link between acoustic diversity and biological diversity. More sound meant more life — and more life meant better soil. “It’s clear acoustic complexity and diversity of our samples are associated with soil invertebrate abundance,” Robinson said in a university release. “And it seems to be a clear reflection of soil health.” Traditionally, studying soil biodiversity has meant expensive DNA testing or labor-intensive digging and trapping. This acoustic method could be a game-changer: low-cost, non-invasive, and accessible to more people. “Restoring and monitoring soil biodiversity has never been more important,” Robinson added. He hopes the technology will soon be available to everyday conservationists, farmers, and even curious homeowners. “We’re trying to democratize it, so everyone can just buy their own little recorder and microphone.” The goal? Turn the ground beneath our feet into a kind of music — one that tells us whether we’re treating the planet right. Because if you listen closely enough, the worms are trying to tell us something.
Score (97)
Volunteers Reconnect River Channel in B.C., Giving Fish a Fighting Chance
In a warming world where extinction threats loom large, small wins for nature matter more than ever. That’s why a group of volunteers in Prince George, British Columbia, is getting attention — and praise — for helping restore part of the Nechako River ecosystem. The team worked to reconnect a side channel of the river at Cottonwood Island Park, a habitat used by fish for refuge and spawning. For years, the channel would dry up periodically, leaving fish stranded and vulnerable to predators. That changed thanks to the efforts of Jesi Lauzon, a fisheries biology major at the University of Northern B.C. What started as a class project evolved into a full-fledged conservation initiative after Lauzon brought the idea to the Spruce City Wildlife Association, where she now serves as operations coordinator. “It’s been a very long process, but it’s been amazing to take something from school and have so many people help me make it actually happen,” Lauzon told CBC. “I can’t be thankful enough because I couldn’t have done it by myself.” The restored channel is expected to benefit local fish populations, including salmon, which rely on small, cool-water habitats like this one to thrive. While climate change continues to threaten wildlife across the globe — with the United Nations warning that up to one million species could face extinction — local efforts like this provide a measure of hope. They prove that when communities come together, real progress is possible. Other recent success stories include the return of bull trout to Oregon’s Klamath Basin after a 30-year restoration effort, and a dramatic revival of a long-neglected river in South London led by the South East Rivers Trust. These kinds of projects don’t just benefit wildlife. They also strengthen communities and demonstrate that local action, no matter how small, can ripple outward. In Prince George, it started with an idea — and ended with a river that flows more freely, and fish with a better chance of survival.
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The Psychology Trick That Makes People Like You More (Without You Realizing It)
Turns out, kids were onto something when they said, “It takes one to know one.” And science agrees. According to decades of psychological research, the way you talk about other people doesn’t just shape how others see them — it shapes how they see you. That’s because of a brain glitch known as Spontaneous Trait Transference (STT). Dr. Shadé Zahrai, a leadership strategist and coach, recently explained the idea in a viral TikTok. “When you describe someone's traits, people who hear unconsciously associate those same traits with you,” she said. So if you tell your coworker that your friend is warm and generous, people are likely to walk away thinking you are warm and generous. But if you’re talking trash about someone being selfish or rude, that same negativity can bounce right back. This isn’t just about gossip or good vibes — it’s how our brains work. Research going back to 1998 shows that listeners routinely assign the same traits to the person telling the story, even if it’s unintentional. Compliment someone’s kindness? People will tag you as kind. Criticize someone’s arrogance? You might come off as arrogant by association. It’s not exactly logical — our brains are just doing quick math. “As the listener processes the story, the idea of ‘rude’ becomes top of mind and is quickly attached not only to Stacey, but also to you,” psychologist Wendy L. Patrick wrote in Psychology Today. The result? Being nice doesn’t just make you seem nicer. It makes you more likable, whether you’re trying or not. It also works in reverse. The next time you feel tempted to badmouth someone, remember: what you say about others is shaping the story others tell themselves about you. So yeah — if you don’t have anything nice to say, maybe don’t say anything at all. Your likability might depend on it.
Score (98)
How Two Friends Are Helping Women Take DIY Into Their Own Hands
It started with a drill and a broken shelf. Now, it’s turned into a growing movement. Electrician Sarah Bolger and event planner Justine Wortsman are behind Nail It DIY, a series of hands-on workshops in and around Reading, aimed at helping women build confidence in fixing things themselves. “It could just be something really tiny but the fact that you’ve done it yourself is such a good starting point,” said Bolger, who started teaching Wortsman simple home repairs after the two met as school mums. What began as a favour — showing Wortsman how to fix her son’s shelving unit — sparked an idea: why not help other women do the same? Since launching their taster sessions, they’ve seen a steady stream of interest. Every workshop so far has had a waiting list. “We hadn’t realised how much of a gap in the market there was,” said Wortsman. With fresh funding from Reading Borough Council, they’ll now be able to offer subsidised sessions and a few free spots too. They’ve been hosting workshops in village halls across Wokingham, Caversham, Theale, and Tilehurst, keeping the vibe low-pressure and welcoming. Attendees range from complete beginners to those with some experience under their belt. One woman came in having never touched a tool — she went home and fixed her cooker fuse. “We have all the kit, so you don’t need to bring anything,” Bolger said in a recent interview on BBC Radio Berkshire. “But if you do have things at home that you want to get your head around and you’re not sure what to do with it, then people are bringing these to our sessions.” The concept is striking a nerve not just for its practicality but for what it represents. Wortsman described the impact as “more than DIY.” “Now it makes me challenge other assumptions I make about myself,” she said. “There was never an expectation that I would know how to change a plug or put up a shelf — it just wasn’t something that was expected of me.” A recent study by Halfords suggests those expectations are changing. It found that women aged 18 to 27 are now more confident in basic DIY skills than their male peers — a shift from previous generations. Still, Bolger and Wortsman are mindful of the barriers some women face. One participant lives with early-onset arthritis but is determined to keep learning. Others have come while grieving, looking for connection and empowerment. “One of them in particular said ‘I miss all the DIY he did and I just miss him,’” Wortsman shared. There’s also a focus on mental health and neurodiversity. One attendee worried about retaining information due to ADHD, another about managing anxiety. Wortsman says part of their mission is to make sure everyone feels welcome. “I will always try to think of a way round,” she said. Bolger, who has a background in sound and lighting repair and grew up with hands-on parents, is learning as she goes, too — especially when it comes to teaching. The feedback has been a huge confidence boost. “It’s completely new for me,” she said. Their next goal is to reach younger people, especially girls, before the “I can’t do this” mindset takes hold. “Our goal is not just to level up the playing field for women, but to remove barriers in general,” Wortsman said.
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Eight-Year-Old British Explorer Calls Antarctica His “Best Place in the World”
While most kids spend their school holidays close to home, eight-year-old Yuam from Hedge End, Hampshire, has been busy ticking off bucket list destinations — including both ends of the planet. Yuam has travelled to 26 countries with his parents since he was just eight months old, and has already crossed the Arctic Circle and taken a polar plunge in Antarctica. “Taking part in the polar plunge was unforgettable,” he said. “Completing it felt like a real achievement and made me feel incredibly proud.” Now believed to be one of the youngest British travellers to visit Antarctica, Yuam described the icy continent as his favourite place so far. “I was able to see wildlife up close in its natural environment and there was a UK post office too, which was exciting,” he said. The family travels exclusively during school holidays. On recent trips to Greenland and Svalbard, Yuam said he was struck by how quickly the environment is changing. “It was surreal to see glaciers retreating,” he said. “I learnt that Antarctica experiences the midnight sun, just like Greenland, and that seeing whales in the wild, which is awesome, is surprisingly common there.” Back at school, his interests haven’t slowed down. Yuam now has his sights set on Egypt. “I want to learn more about mummies and the history of desert civilisations,” he said, adding that he’d also love to return to Antarctica, calling it “the best place in the world.” His mum Keeyu, who works for a technology company, said she and her husband were passionate travellers before Yuam was born and didn’t want to stop after starting a family. “We are very lucky that Yuam enjoys travelling as much as we do and is a great travel companion,” she said. “As parents we wanted to give him perspective and understanding of how vast the planet is and how fragile some places have become.” She added that watching Yuam absorb and reflect on his experiences has been rewarding. “We were surprised by how he listened closely to guides, noticed the movement of ice, and began to ask thoughtful questions.” And as for that icy plunge in Antarctica? “I expected him to come out cold and crying,” she said. “But he had the biggest smile.”
Score (97)
This Ukrainian Refugee Just Celebrated a Special Graduation Milestone
Sofia Demkiv never expected her university graduation would happen thousands of kilometres from home — or in the middle of a war. But after fleeing Ukraine with her family nearly four years ago, the 23-year-old says earning her master’s degree in the UK felt “incredibly special.” Demkiv left Kyiv in early 2022 with her mother, aunt, sister, and brother after Russia launched its full-scale invasion. She was 19 at the time and recalled hearing explosions in the distance as the family packed up what they could. “It was an incredibly scary and stressful time,” she said. “I was just starting my adult life when suddenly we had to pack everything up and move to a new country with no idea whether we would ever return home or even whether our home would still exist.” The family arrived in the UK in April 2022 under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme and eventually settled in Stoke-on-Trent. Demkiv later enrolled in a master’s program in marketing at Keele University. This week, she graduated with distinction. “Knowing the journey my family and I have been through, and how much heart and soul I put into my studies at Keele under such difficult circumstances, makes this moment feel incredibly special,” she said. “It’s the first time in my life I felt truly proud of my academic achievements.” Despite the trauma of leaving her home behind, Demkiv says she’s found support and a sense of safety in the UK. “I love the UK and I'm incredibly grateful for the support we've received,” she said. “I never could have imagined this level of kindness when we arrived. It’s something I’ll remember forever and I hope one day I can repay it in some way.” In October, she returned to Kyiv for a visit and said the mood was difficult to describe. “People have sadly become used to the situation,” she said. “While I felt scared and anxious, residents are now surprised if there isn't at least one attack a week.” She hopes to return to Ukraine one day to raise a family, but for now, she’s staying in the UK and building her career. With graduation behind her, she’s focused on gaining more experience and pursuing a job in the financial technology sector.
Score (98)
This Swiss Family’s Solar-Powered Tractor is Turning Heads Across Europe — Here's Why
A Swiss family has quietly revolutionized the farming industry with Europe’s first all-electric, solar-assisted tractor—and it’s now rolling across five countries. Built by the Knüsel family in the canton of Schwyz, the Rigitrac SKE 40 is the product of over two decades of tractor engineering and a leap of imagination sparked by a simple observation: many farms already had solar panels on their rooftops. Why not build a tractor that could use that energy? The idea took root in 2018 when Theres Beutler-Knüsel, one of four daughters of company founder Sepp Knüsel, was studying at the University of Dresden. She teamed up with her father to build a prototype for an electric tractor—something no one in Europe had done before. “The development of the electric tractor was a long process with setbacks,” Beutler-Knüsel told Swiss broadcaster SRF. “When we started, many of the necessary individual parts were not yet on the market.” The family had to work directly with suppliers to design and produce the required components from scratch. The final product, released in 2019, was a sleek, compact machine designed for real-world use—particularly for vegetable farming and snow plowing, rather than the most heavy-duty agricultural work. The Rigitrac SKE 40 features four electric motors generating a combined 84 kilowatts of power. One motor drives the front wheels, another the rear, a third assists with starting, and a fourth supports auxiliary functions. And yes, it includes a solar panel on the roof to help extend the battery life during daylight operations. While it’s not built to plow massive fields, it’s already proven valuable for smaller farms and tasks that require agility, precision, and lower emissions. It’s currently being sold in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Norway, and Denmark—and even made it into the popular PC game Farming Simulator. In 2025, the Rigitrac team won Switzerland’s Watt d’Or—or “Golden Watt”—award from the Federal Office of Energy. The prize, though symbolic and without monetary reward, gave the company a significant publicity boost. “It’s great recognition that shows us we are on the right path,” Beutler-Knüsel said. The business is still very much a family affair. Sepp’s wife Marlis and daughters Edith, Doris, and Ruth all work at Rigitrac AG. One runs advertising and HR, another leads sales, and a third oversees the supply chain. Together, they’ve taken an idea born under the Swiss sun and turned it into a growing European success story. From a workshop in Schwyz to fields across the continent, this family’s invention is helping power a cleaner, smarter future for agriculture.
Score (97)
After 200 Years, Bison Return to the Illinois Prairie in a Powerful Homecoming
To the beat of drums and the sound of singing, six American bison rumbled out of a trailer and onto the frozen prairie in northern Illinois, marking a historic moment 200 years in the making. Three male and three female bison were released this week at Burlington Prairie Forest Preserve in Kane County, about 100 kilometers northwest of Chicago. The event, witnessed at sunrise by a large crowd including members of the Santee Sioux tribe, marked the return of a keystone species to its ancestral habitat. “It’s different when you’re welcoming them back home,” said tribal elder Robert Wapahi, speaking to CBS News Chicago. “That’s their home, not mine.” Blanketed in traditional woven shawls and modern down jackets, the Santee Sioux had gathered to welcome the animals as relatives, not just as wildlife. It was a moment charged with emotion, ceremony, and a sense of ecological restoration. The six bison were first released into a fenced cattle enclosure, allowing them to slowly acclimate to their new home after being away for two centuries. In the spring, they’ll be moved to a larger fenced prairie area where their presence is expected to help restore the local ecosystem. “It’s really important and awesome to see another herd that is hitting the ground in a good way,” said one attendee, as drums welcomed the trailer’s arrival. The project is a partnership between the American Indian Center of Chicago—the oldest urban Native American cultural institution in the U.S.—and the Kane County Forest Preserve District. A designated herd manager will oversee the animals, ensuring their health and well-being as they settle in. At one time, tens of millions of bison roamed North America. Their near-eradication in the 19th century, down to just a few thousand, devastated not only prairie ecosystems but also Indigenous communities that depended on them. Even without widespread farming, the loss of bison changed the land. These animals shaped the prairie like beavers shape waterways. Their hooves flattened grasses and kept dominant species in check. Their shaggy coats carried seeds far and wide. Their waste fertilized the soil, and their habit of wallowing in the dirt created water-retaining pits that helped the prairie survive drought. That kind of ecological engineering can't be easily replaced. Which is why even a small herd, like the one now in Illinois, matters. Across the continent, bison are slowly making a comeback. Conservation groups, tribal nations, and public land managers are working together to reintroduce them where prairie still exists. Six bison may be a modest beginning, but it’s a meaningful one. Judging by the cheers and the broad smiles from those who watched them step onto the snowy ground, the return of these animals was more than symbolic. It was deeply personal. For the Santee Sioux and for the land itself, this wasn’t just a release. It was a reunion.