Conservation and Sustainability
Our environment shapes life as we know it, influencing ecosystems, climate, and biodiversity. Here, we explore pressing environmental issues, conservation efforts, and sustainable solutions that impact Eastern Africa and beyond. Join us in understanding the delicate balance of nature and how we can protect it for future generations.
In our increasingly digitised world, data generation has become ubiquitous, driving innovation and convenience. However, a significant yet often overlooked environmental challenge looms: the burgeoning "dark data" problem. Dark data refers to the vast quantities of digital information collected, processed, and stored by organisations that subsequently remain unused for any meaningful purpose. This inert data,… Continue reading Deconstructing the Environmental Cost of Dark Data
Artificial Light at Night, or ALAN, refers to the human-generated light that illuminates the nocturnal environment. This phenomenon originates from a wide array of sources, including streetlights, commercial and industrial facilities, residential buildings, and illuminated advertisements. As urbanisation intensifies globally, this form of pollution continues to spread, creating a luminous veil known as skyglow over… Continue reading Unveiling the Ecological Impacts of Artificial Light at Night (ALAN)
The environmental challenges of pollution, from oil spills to contaminated soils and industrial wastewater, often require complex and costly remediation efforts. However, a unique and highly promising biological solution lies within the intricate world of fungi. Mycoremediation is a fascinating form of bioremediation that harnesses the remarkable biological capabilities of fungi, particularly their extensive mycelial… Continue reading Mycoremediation: Nature’s Clean-up Fungi
The vast and powerful energy contained within our oceans represents one of the most promising, yet largely untapped, sources of clean, renewable electricity. Beyond the more established offshore wind farms, marine renewable energy (MRE) technologies seek to convert the predictable and consistent forces of tides, waves, and ocean temperature differentials into sustainable power. Harnessing this… Continue reading Marine Renewable Energy: Harnessing the Power of the Oceans
As the global population continues to expand, the demand for food places immense pressure on agricultural systems. Simultaneously, the imperative to address climate change and environmental degradation necessitates a fundamental shift in farming practices. Sustainable agriculture technologies are at the forefront of this transformation, offering innovative solutions to produce food more efficiently, with reduced environmental… Continue reading Sustainable Agriculture Technologies: Cultivating a Greener Future
The global transition to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power presents a significant challenge: their inherent intermittency. The sun does not always shine, and the wind does not always blow, leading to fluctuations in electricity supply that can destabilise the grid. Advanced energy storage solutions are emerging as the vital component to overcome… Continue reading Advanced Energy Storage: Powering a Renewable Future
Carbon capture has gained considerable attention as a method for mitigating climate change, focusing primarily on the removal and storage of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial emissions or directly from the atmosphere. However, the truly innovative and forward-looking field is Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU). Unlike mere storage, which aims to sequester CO₂ underground, CCU… Continue reading Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU): Transforming CO₂ into Valuable Resources
Green hydrogen is emerging as a vital component in the global transition away from fossil fuels. It offers a clean, potent, and versatile energy carrier with the capacity to decarbonise heavy industry and transport, while also providing a means for energy storage. Unlike other hydrogen production methods, green hydrogen production generates virtually no greenhouse gas… Continue reading Green Hydrogen: A Sustainable Energy Solution
The pervasive issue of plastic pollution presents a global environmental crisis. Traditional waste management methods are proving insufficient, driving scientific innovation towards advanced biological and chemical solutions to break down plastics at a molecular level, offering a significant advance over conventional mechanical recycling. Nature's Solution: Enzymatic Degradation One of the most promising avenues involves harnessing… Continue reading Innovations in Plastic Recycling: Biological and Chemical Solutions
Kenya is actively developing its geothermal resources, particularly in regions like the Menengai Geothermal Project in Nakuru. Historically, direct uses of geothermal heat in Kenya date back decades, with local settlers in Eburru using it for drying pyrethrum, and communities in Eburru, Suswa, and Narok condensing steam from natural fumaroles for domestic purposes. More recently,… Continue reading Geothermal Brine in Kenya: A Valuable Resource