A Solar-Powered Drone Designed To Fly For Five Years Nonstop

A geostationary satellite was created that will be able to track hurricanes, pick out smugglers and pirates, act as a auxiliary GPS, and even follow animal migrations. This drone would never have to land and it would exclude the expense of going to space. It will be able to fly 65,000 feet in the air, above most aircraft and above weather that could potentially disturb it. The cool thing about this is that it is soalr powered. It has solar panels along the sides and the fact that it can fly above weather conditions, the source of its energy (the sun), should have no problem providing what it needs. The company "Titan Aerospace" should be trying this drone out later this year.

http://www.popsci.com/article/technology/solar-powered-drone-designed-fly-five-years-nonstop?dom=PSC&loc=recent&lnk=10&con=a-solarpowered-drone-designed-to-fly-for-five-years-nonstop

Stepping off the Grid

Pavegen tiles are tiels that produce energy when stepped on. Each step on the tile creates a small amount of energy such as 4-8 watts but, if these tiles are put in a very populated area where there are thousands of people walking everyday, a great amount of energy can be produced. Pavegen tiles were tested in London at a subway station during the 2012 Olympic Games and the results proved that it can produce a substantial amount of energy. The energy that is produced can be connected to traffic lights or even charge mobile phones. Overall, it is a interesting step in the right direction concerning alternative energy ideas.

http://conservationmagazine.org/2013/03/stepping-off-the-grid/

Plastic shopping bags make a fine diesel fuel

Americans throw away about 100 billion plastic bags each year and majority of them end up in landfills or escape by the wind and take over the ocean. We always hear about how plastic bags are doing horrible things to wildlife, especially in the ocean, and now there finally is good news about something to reduce this issue. Plastic bags can be converted into diesel, natural gas, and other petroleum products. Also, it is great because it creates much more energy than it takes to convert it. This is excellent news for the future and it is hopeful for the animals that are in danger daily due to the effects of plastic bags.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/02/140212132853.htm

Huge Fresh Groundwater Reserves Found beneath Ocean Floor

According to many researchers from Australia’s National Center for Groundwater Research and Training and Flinders University, a lot of freshwater has been found under the seabed on continental shelves around the world. This is good news considering the massive demand for water everywhere recently. Studies show that the amount of water that was found could sustain countries for decades. There are two ways to get to this water under the seabed and that is building a platform out at sea and drilling into the seabed or you can drill from the islands/main lands close to the aquifers. Although both are very costly, it could be very worth retrieving the abundance of freshwater that is needed everywhere.

http://www.sci-news.com/geology/science-fresh-groundwater-reserves-ocean-01606.html

Increase in Rhino poaching in South Africa

Although there are laws against poaching and hunting of endangered animals, it still doesn't stop people from doing it. In South Africa, 1,000 Rhinos were killed last year for their horns. Horns are very valuable to countries such as China and Vietnam because it contains the key ingredient for traditional medicine. Elephants are being killed excessively as well for their tusks. Even though it is inevitable that people will illegally hunt and kill these animals, it is very sad that the numbers are not only high but they have increased dramatically. The demand for these animal's bodies are so high and it puts their future in great harm.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/more-than-1000-rhinos-poached-in-south-africa/

Colorado River Drought Forces a Painful Reckoning for States

The once very blue and abundant river, Lake Mead, is now trickling down to a murky brown water. Reservoir capacities are dwindling down to half and in order to use the rest of the water to its fullest, the water agencies are promoting less demanding appliances that require more water and recycling sewage effluent. Studies show that the next century shows a lot drier conditions and a possible end to the lakes and rivers around Nevada. Many things will be affected by this due to the fact that mostly everything runs with water and without water in these areas, slowly things will come to an end. In order to help prevent the absolute worst, throughout the 21st century, everyone will have to use less water.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/us/colorado-river-drought-forces-a-painful-reckoning-for-states.html?_r=0

Fishing technique known as trawling can sometimes be productive.

Trawling is a certain fishing method which is basically just an intense raking of the seabed. Usually, it is known to cause much damage to sea life but recently, scientists have studied and found that there are many potential benefits to it. Studies have shown that trawling can create better conditions for the fish. The trawling process usually catches the bigger fish but the smaller fish grow resistant to it and find their way around it which increases population for the smaller fish. Due to the larger population of smaller fish, the larger fish population also increases. Although this is a positive relation to trawling, this really occurs best when the trawling process isn't as intense.

http://www.insidescience.org/content/stirring-ocean-floor-can-boost-fish-populations/1385