ESMH Media Review – February 23, 2022

In the spotlight

Carbon removals: the secret to reaching net zero emissions

euractiv-en, 21.02.2022

Europe plans to drastically cut its emissions to reach climate neutrality by mid-century, but there is another weapon in the battle against global warming that policymakers say will also be essential: carbon removals.

Germany to transfer hydrogen technology to Africa

4-traders, 17.02.2022

The German government is planning to transfer hydrogen production technology to African countries amid its efforts to quit coal and nuclear energy, a German government official said on Wednesday.

A new, sustainable way to make hydrogen for fuel cells and fertilizers

alphagalileo, 14.02.2022

A new sustainable and practical method for producing hydrogen from water has been discovered by a team of researchers at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science (CSRS) in Japan led by Ryuhei Nakamura. Unlike current methods, the new method does not require rare metals that are expensive or in short supply.

'The power of stars to meet our energy needs? This is something to be excited about'

guardian, 13.02.2022

If you want proof that the process known as nuclear fusion can produce energy at scale somewhere in the universe, you need only look at the night sky: each pinprick of light is a natural nuclear fusion-powered reactor.

https://twitter.com/wef/status/1493903266651983874

Digital transition

Ukraine says it suffered worst DDoS attack in standoff

japantimes, 17.02.2022

A cyberattack aimed at paralyzing banks and government websites was the worst of its kind in Ukrainian history, officials in Kyiv said, as the standoff with Russia continues to draw warnings of a potential invasion.

https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1494572647287595009

Environmental sustainability

Deep-ocean creatures previously unknown to science may be fighting climate change

japantimes, 17.02.2022

As the deep ocean faces growing peril from climate change, seabed mining and other threats, scientists have discovered that seafloor sediments are home to vast populations of previously unknown organisms that may play a crucial role in carbon sequestration and marine food webs.

Tschüss, cars: a path to sustainable transportation emerges in German countryside

deutschewelle-en, 16.02.2022

In rural parts of Germany, it's nearly impossible to get by without your own car. But a few simple changes could make a big difference.

https://twitter.com/ERC_Research/status/1494306494745038852

https://twitter.com/UNBiodiversity/status/1493495293324660737

Mobility & Energy

EU says it is prepared for partial disruption of Russian gas flows

euractiv-en, 16.02.2022

The European Union would be able to cope with a partial disruption to gas imports from Russia, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

https://twitter.com/Transport_EU/status/1494298461675704323

https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1493907766787940354

https://twitter.com/EP_ThinkTank/status/1493949032967770119

Agriculture & Food

Europe proposes drastic cuts of BPA, a hormone disruptor found in plastics and food

sciencemag, 16.02.2022

In a move that could signal a new approach to regulating potentially hazardous compounds, European health experts are recommending a drastic cut in the allowable human consumption of a common chemical in food. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has proposed reducing by a factor of 100,000 the tolerable daily intake of bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor that interferes with hormone systems and has been linked to disease.

Health

What COVID breakthrough infections might look like in the future

huffingtonpost-us-en, 16.02.2022

If you're vaccinated, here's what you may be able to expect with new COVID-19 waves and what experts still don't know.

'It’s not just my own health': why the vaccine-hesitant are changing their minds

guardian, 16.02.2022

While most of the population is now fully vaccinated, some remain hesitant. Here, two people explain what prevented them from getting the jab – and why they changed their minds.

https://twitter.com/WHO_Europe/status/1494600106389217281

Science policy & Communication

'Follow the science': As the third year of the pandemic begins, a simple slogan becomes a political weapon

WashingtonPost, 14.02.2022

Two years ago, when science writer Faye Flam launched a podcast to explore why so many Americans were drawn to misinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, she settled on a name she figured would steer clear of politics: "Follow the Science."

https://twitter.com/risj_oxford/status/1493888131803795457

'Why I won’t watch that video 'debunking' climate change'

forbes, 26.01.2022

It happens pretty frequently. I get tagged on social media by someone pointing out a You Tube video that I should watch (thank goodness for Mute features). It is usually some conspiracy theory or pseudo-science "mumbo jumbo" twisting or misrepresenting the science. I received one of these yesterday. Here’s why I don’t watch the videos and some suggested ways to respond when a random follower or your favourite uncle sends that stuff your way.

https://twitter.com/wef/status/1494352231075880968

https://twitter.com/risj_oxford/status/1494329540126167040

EU initiatives

Study - The impact of influencers on advertising and consumer protection in the Single Market

europarl, 16.02.2022

Influencer marketing as part of the advertising industry has grown significantly in recent years, becoming one of the most popular and effective forms of online advertising. The fast growing market of influencers comes with potential risks for consumers and creates several challenges for regulators. This study was provided at the request of the committee on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO).

Climate change is citizens' main priority in EU reform agenda

euractiv-en, 31.01.2022

44% of Europeans believe that climate change is the main topic that should be addressed in the Conference on the Future of Europe, according to a new Eurobarometer survey commissioned by the European Parliament and the European Commission.

Plans for lump sum funding move forward amid scepticism

sciencebusiness, 01.02.2022

Disagreements persist over the use of lump sum funding in Horizon Europe, as the European Commission gears up for broader implementation over the next couple of years. At a meeting organised by the European Parliament’s panel for the future of science and technology (STOA), Horizon Europe rapporteur Christian Ehler MEP debated the pros and cons of lump sum funding, with policymakers in the Commission. Meanwhile, research stakeholders continue to call for caution and a slower rollout of the new system.

https://twitter.com/Energy4Europe/status/1493874369273151489

Curious news

Fundamental questions science cannot yet answer

irishtimes, 17.02.2022

Mystery of life on earth and beyond extends to the Big Bang, dark matter and much more.

https://twitter.com/TheEconomist/status/1494559824440446989

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ESMH Media Review – February 23, 2022

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