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Sometimes about the only place you feel like drinking is when you are stuck for 12 hours on a long-haul flight. But researchers from Germany suggest that all people, young and old, should avoid alcohol on flights. They say that combined with cabin pressure, the alcohol puts too much pressure on your heart.

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Sometimes about the only place you feel like drinking is when you are stuck for 12 hours on a long-haul flight. But researchers from Germany suggest that all people, young and old, should avoid alcohol on flights. They say that combined with cabin pressure, the alcohol puts too much pressure on your heart.

After a series of lab experiments the German scientists discovered that when people fall asleep after consuming alcohol at low air pressures, your blood oxygen can drop to worrisome levels. Heart rate levels can increase without warning in both young and old people, they write in the journal Thorax.

Read related: why Muslims don’t drink alcohol

Co-author Dr. Eva-Maria Elmenhorst, deputy of the department of sleep and human factors research at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine at the German Aerospace Center in Cologne, Germany says that passengers should think twice about drinking alcohol in flight.

Even without the burden of alcohol, dry cabin air causes dehydration and being immobile can trigger trigger blood clots in the legs.

The German said they expected that alcohol consumption at low air pressures in-flight would have an effect on people, but they “we were surprised to see that the effect was so strong,” Elmenhorst said, suggesting to flyers: “Please don’t drink alcohol while being on an airplane. The decreased oxygen saturation together with the increase in heart rate could exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions.

Read related: Ask for in-flight mocktails instead

“The oxygen saturation dropped to quite low levels during sleep,” she said. “This is why I would recommend to avoid drinking alcohol even when someone is healthy.”

The study looked at 48 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 40 who were randomly assigned to one of two groups: Half went to sleep in a sleep lab that had air pressure at sea level. The other half would sleep in an altitude chamber that mimicked the air pressure found on planes traveling at a cruising altitude.

Twelve people in each group slept for four hours after having consumed two cans of beer or two glasses of wine. The other group slept without. Then the procedure was reversed.

Read related: Is sex on an airplane legal?

Those who drank before falling asleep in the altitude chamber had their blood oxygen saturation drop to 85% on average, while their heart rates rose to compensate to an average of nearly 88 beats per minute.

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Keeping your home cool during the hot and humid summer months is costly and damaging to the climate because of all the extra energy usage. But with a few strategic hacks to using your current window-based air conditioner, portable air conditioning unit or central air condition system, you can make your air conditioner work more efficiently.

The post Hacks to Make Your Air Conditioner Work Harder appeared first on Green Prophet.

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Keeping your home cool during the hot and humid summer months is costly and damaging to the climate because of all the extra energy usage. But with a few strategic hacks to using your current window-based air conditioner, portable air conditioning unit or central air condition system, you can make your air conditioner work more efficiently. And that means more coolness for you and no more choosing your friends based on who has an air conditioner at home. It also means buying less carbon credits if you are doing carbon accounting for your home.

Here are some expert tips to enhance your AC’s performance and ensure a comfortably cool home, office or hang out space. These are from Green Prophet’s experiences we’ve taken from living in New York, Canada, Europe (there is practical no air-con there) and the Middle East and will ensure your air quality stays high too.

Deep clean vents every few years

Dust and grime can accumulate in your central system AC vents and mini-split units over time, slowing airflow and reducing efficiency. Performing a deep clean of your air vents every three to five years is crucial. This maintenance ensures that the maximum amount of cold air is released into your living spaces.

This routine boosts your AC’s performance but also extends its lifespan by preventing it from overworking to push air through clogged ducts.

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If you live in Arizona, or a dusty, desert location with hot temps throughout the year consider a deep clean more regularly.

Replace air filters

In addition to deep cleaning vents periodically, replacing air filters on a regular basis is important for efficient operation. Air filters trap dust, pollen, and other airborne particles, preventing them from entering your air conditioning system. Open them up and if there is a lot of humidity in your region they may also be food of black mould. This mold will fly all over your home, clogging filters and your lungs.

The clogging also makes the unit work harder, giving less output. Ask how to change the air filters when you buy or acquire the unit.

Read related: Improving air quality with your air conditioner

Pair the air con with fans

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Spend-thrift people know that a high energy air con unit can heat a whole floor of a home if ceiling fans or floor fans are turned on. Fans take much less energy and they push the cool air through your home. This cools the room faster and makes it feel cooler by evaporating humidity from your skin. You can use less air and more fan, finding the happy balance at night, saving you money on your power bill.

Invest in window shades

Keeping sunlight out of your home can significantly reduce indoor temperatures. High-quality window shades or blinds can block the sun’s rays, preventing your rooms from heating up during the day. This means that your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to cool your home.

By minimizing the amount of heat that enters your home, you can create a more comfortable environment and reduce the load on your AC unit. This not only enhances efficiency but also prolongs the life of your air conditioning system.

Keep the doors and windows closed

It might seem intuitive but part of what makes the summer feel hot is the humidity. Air conditioners typically remove the humidity from the air, cooling it in the process. Make sure you teach your kids and family members the importance of keeping windows in the entire house shut when the air conditioner is running or else you are basically pouring electricity down the drain.

Close vents and doors of rooms not in use

If you have a central AC unit, you can but small covers to put on the vents so the cooling stays out of rooms you aren’t using. If there is no-one in the guest bedroom or office, keep the door closed and let the cool air circulate where needed.

Now that you know how to hack your air con so it’s cooler this summer, read these 5 ways to re-use air conditioner AC water.

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Turkey is prototyping a new kind of solar panel, one that floats on hydroelectric dam water reservoirs.

The post Solar panel islands find new energy uses for a dam reservoir in Turkey appeared first on Green Prophet.

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Turkey is prototyping a new kind of solar panel, one that floats on hydroelectric dam water reservoirs.

We adore Turkey’s solar energy project in the desert, and the fact that Turkey youth will pay 10% more for renewable energy. Now let’s look at a new floating island of solar panels in a pilot in the Elazığ province in Eastern Anatolia,  Turkey on the Keban Dam.

The installation of a new floating solar power project in Elazığ, worth $2.2 million USD and with a capacity of 1 MW, has been completed by the State-owned General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI), marking the initiation of its test production phase. This project, with a total cost of EUR 2.2 million, is anticipated to produce approximately 1.8 GWh annually.

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With dam reservoirs covering about 4000 square miles in Turkey, the country envisions significant potential for floating solar power plants. Such plants could generate 79.5 billion kilowatt-hours annually, meeting a substantial portion of the nation’s energy demand while conserving water resources. Turkey is currently building one of the world’s biggest dams, the Ilisu dam and water experts believe it will impact the drought in Iraq. (For the last 15 years Iraq has been asking Turkey and Syria to help release water from their dam projects.)

The project director, Yumaklı, highlighted that the floating solar power plant is complemented by a 2 MW unit situated on land. Comprising 5,028 panels spread across 1.5 hectares, this land-based unit is expected to generate an additional 4.2 GWh per year.

Yumaklı underscored the financial strain caused by pumping systems, especially in cases where irrigated areas are situated at a higher altitude than the reservoir. To mitigate such expenses and adapt to the effects of climate change, Yumaklı emphasized Turkey’s shift towards closed irrigation systems utilizing gravity wherever feasible.

The potential of floating solar power extends beyond electricity generation, with significant implications for water conservation. Yumaklı mentioned ongoing scientific monitoring of water quality and aquatic life in the Keban area, where the project has been implemented.

Turkey has some great new projects happening in solar energy. But the fact that it is also actively building nuclear energy plants is not great news for environmentalists. Germany shut down its last operating nuclear reactor last year as Turkey fired up its first.

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In a new survey by the French energy company Veolia, they found that 86% of Saudi residents in 2024 believe that climate change is real, compared to 59% in 2022, indicating a growing acknowledgment of climate change within the population.

The post Most Saudi residents are climate aware appeared first on Green Prophet.

In a new survey by the French energy company Veolia, they found that 86% of Saudi residents in 2024 believe that climate change is real, compared to 59% in 2022, indicating a growing acknowledgment of climate change within the population.

These findings are part of the second edition of the Barometer of Ecological Transformation, a biennial survey conducted by Veolia in partnership with Elabe to understand the world’s views on existing solutions for addressing the triple challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. The results of the global study can be found here (links to PDF).

Other Saudi Arabia data highlights on environmental issues:

• 52% of Saudi residents feel exposed and vulnerable to pollution-related illnesses
• 43% of Saudi residents feel exposed and vulnerable to migration due to pollution and climate factors
• 86% of Saudi residents in 2024 believe that climate change is real, compared to 59% in 2022
• 58% of Saudi residents think that the future is still in our hands, and we can still limit climate disruption and pollution
• A majority of Saudi residents would consume food (68%) and water (58%) grown from recycled water

The positive increases in belief and awareness regarding climate change and ecological transformation in Saudi Arabia between 2022 and 2024 reflect the efforts in the Kingdom as well as the region to prioritize sustainability and an emissions-free future – underscored by two COPs being held in the region, the UAE’s Year of Sustainability Initiative, and the Saudi Green Initiative. This year Saudi Arabia hosted the UN World Environment Day.

According to the latest edition of the survey, the perception of climate disruption risk being serious and immediate increased from 56% in 2022 to 67% in 2024, showing a heightened awareness of the urgency of addressing climate issues.

Read related: This Saudi startup is growing food on depleted aquifers

In an encouraging sign of progress, 78% of respondents in Saudi Arabia believe that there is sufficient discussion about implementing solutions to mitigate pollution and climate disruption. Acceptance rates for green solutions have greatly improved, with recycling initiatives and water treatment receiving moderate support while significant acceptance is evident in adopting measures like consuming food (68%) and water (58%) grown from recycled water.

This exclusive study aligns well with Veolia’s 2024-2027 strategic plan GreenUp, which aims to stimulate innovation and growth to depollute, decarbonize, and regenerate our resources. The drivers behind the GreenUp strategy will uniquely position Veolia to meet the challenges raised in the recent survey.

Globally, more than 66% of the world is gripped by ecological fears, with respondents feeling vulnerable to risks linked to climate change and pollution. The findings highlight widespread recognition of climate change (89%) and a prioritization of health over cost in decisions regarding water, waste, and energy (97%), with two-thirds foreseeing greater costs from inaction and expressing openness to health-centric solutions despite potential cost increases.

The survey was conducted in 26 countries across 5 continents, involving over 29,500 people. Collectively, these countries represent nearly 60% of the world’s population, 67% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and 77% of global GDP.

Veolia is a French transnational company with activities in three main service and utility areas traditionally managed by public authorities – water management, waste management and energy services

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Stedsans is an off-the-grid forest resort in Southern Sweden (2 hours from Gothenburg/Malmö and less than 3 hours from Copenhagen) with a regenerative farm, a restaurant that goes deep into the flavors of seasonal ingredients, 16 simple wooden cabins, campsite, and a floating sauna on the lake.

The post Stedsans – the floating sauna, Farm to Table retreat is for sale appeared first on Green Prophet.

During the hours of COVID boredom (and isolation fantasies) we stumbled across the Forest to Table eco retreat in Sweden, called Stedsans. We feel in love with their floating sauna, but also their lopsided off-grid cabins. And obviously we fantasized about being their eating foraged everything, running around with fragments of moss between our toes.

Stedsans is an off-the-grid forest resort in Southern Sweden (2 hours from Gothenburg/Malmö and less than 3 hours from Copenhagen) with a regenerative farm, a restaurant that goes deep into the flavors of seasonal ingredients, 16 simple wooden cabins, campsite, and a floating sauna on the lake.

The vision was started by a Swedish chef who moved her passion to the forest where people could book a cabin and a lovely communal meal created by findings from the forest and hyper local suppliers nearby. But every vision and creation, when done well, has a lifespan.

They are selling: “After 8 years in the forest it is time for us to hand over our beautiful project to someone else. Our decision to let go of this very special place has not been easy. We have poured our hearts into creating a little slice of paradise on Earth, and we hope and expect to find new owners who will take well care of it and all of the potential it offers.”

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Stedsans is now a popular restaurant and forest resort with it’s own permaculture farm, but it may very well become something else, they suggest. “Maybe a retreat center, a conference space for a forward-thinking business – or a private home, maybe even a little village, with amazing development potential. Whatever dream you carry in your heart, we will be happy to show you around and give our feed-back to ensure we find a really good match for this place and business.”

Link to Stedsans for more, below.

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