|
“The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, what the world needs most are dreamers that do.” --Sarah Ban Breathnach
Hello everyone! This week, we have stories of progress -- positive change and new ideas! In Paris, electric eco-friendly taxis take flight. In the Netherlands, dementia villages are being integrated into communities. And new AC innovations throughout the world are changing the ways we keep cool. The good news is that people all around are creating and developing new ideas and new possibilities for our future. Wishing you a week filled with imagination, new possibilities, and positive change!
|
|
Rob Potvin | Unsplash
|
Paris is set to witness an extraordinary sight as a fleet of electric flying taxis glides above the iconic Eiffel Tower and the rooftops. As part of the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, these eco-friendly aircraft will showcase the future of urban air travel. Led by Volocopter, a German company headed by former Airbus executive Dirk Hoke, this initiative aims to highlight Europe's commitment to urban air mobility innovation, with French President Emmanuel Macron potentially becoming the first passenger. While electric taxis mark a significant milestone, challenges remain. Battery limitations restrict their range and passenger capacity, primarily suitable for short distances. Additionally, advancements in airspace management are crucial for safe and efficient operations. However, the electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) industry shows promise, with projections valuing it at $1 trillion by 2040 and $9 trillion by 2050. Early adoption at events like the Olympics is expected to drive further usage, revolutionizing urban transportation and reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Volocopter CEO Dirk Hoke believes we are on the cusp of the next revolution, with flying taxis transforming the way we navigate cities. The world eagerly awaits the inaugural flights of these electric marvels that will reshape urban mobility.
Read Full Story.
|
|
Amani Nation | Unsplash
|
The largest school meals program in Africa is to being in Nairobi this August, in a drive to eliminate the "shame of hunger" in Kenya. Ten new kitchens, now under construction, will provide 400,000 daily lunches for children in 225 primary schools and Early Childhood Development centers in the Kenyan capital. The $8.6 million initiative is a collaboration between Nairobi County and Food4Education, a Kenyan not-for-profit organization that already supplies meals to 250,000 primary schoolchildren in the city. According to Save The Children, 26% of children in Kenya are living with stunted growth due to malnutrition. At the launch of the program, William Ruto, President of Kenya, said, "We must eliminate the shame of hunger in our country. We will be deliberate and focused in ensuring successful implementation of the school feeding program. The greatest indignity is for our children to go to school and fast because of lack of food."
Read Full Story.
|
|
Carpe Diem
|
By offering humanized care that feels more like home, Hogeweyk 'dementia village' has shifted the paradigm for people with dementia. The 188 residents in the government-funded Dutch community move about the village freely, and it can be difficult to distinguish between the residents and the plainclothes staff. While 'dementia villages' and senior 'microtowns' have increased worldwide, experts say another paradigm shift is needed to cope with a population that may reach 78 million by 2030. Facilities as far afield as Norway and Australia are working to further integrate dementia villages with surrounding neighborhoods. In the US, a dementia village for 105 residents is being developed in New Jersey, and its neurocognitive clinic and senior resource hub also will serve the general public. "It's all about normalizing life for people who have a dementia diagnosis," said Avandell founder Larry Carlson.
Read Full Story.
|
|
Riccardo Annandale | Unsplash
|
The U.S. news giant CBS News has adopted the idea that reporters need to be more than the bearer of bad news, and has trained news leaders in solutions journalism. Solutions journalism focuses on finding people and organizations that are trying to tackle problems and understanding their approaches, instead of only reporting on tragedies. CBS News is partnering with the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN), which was founded a decade ago. SJN has trained thousands of journalists and more than 600 news organizations in the tenets of solutions journalism since its inception. "There are problem-solvers. There are solution-seekers, throughout this country and in each and every one of our cities. These are people with so much ingenuity and so much passion. Their passion is inspiring to us," said Wendy McMahon, co-president of CBS News and CBS Television Stations.
Read Full Story.
|
|
Nostromo Energy
|
Researchers are exploring alternatives to air conditioners as the world heats up. Transaera is testing prototypes that can shrink energy use in ACs by as much as 50% by coating interior components with nano-size structures that pull moisture out of the air. Blue Frontier uses a salt solution to absorb water from the air, and then separately cools the air. The system can use power from the grid when renewable energy is available and then draw on the salt solution. Israel-based Nostromo's "IceBrick" uses electricity to freeze water into ice during the day, then uses the ice to provide chilled water for cooling at night. New coatings can reflect heat away from buildings so well that they can often stay cool without the AC, and at least one startup is working on smart windows that automatically open and close at night. Rewiring America suggests buying a heat pump rather than an air conditioner as it both heats and cools—and cuts emissions from heating. Low-tech solutions such as planting trees for shade, using old-fashioned shutters and shades, and simple fans can also help.
Read Full Story.
|
|
|
