#net-zero cost

[asestimationsconsultants]

Why an Estimating Service Is Critical for Net-Zero Energy Building Projects

Introduction Net-zero energy (NZE) buildings are designed to produce as much energy as they consume, but their advanced systems and materials come with unique budgeting challenges. An estimating service is critical in aligning high-performance design goals with realistic cost planning and funding strategies.

Energy Modeling and Cost Translation Net-zero projects rely on energy models to inform design decisions. Estimators interpret these models and translate them into actionable cost plans. From high-efficiency HVAC systems to renewable energy sources, each element is costed against its performance return.

High-Performance Envelope Estimation A building envelope with airtight insulation and triple-glazed windows can be expensive. Estimating services quantify these upfront costs while comparing them to long-term energy savings, offering a full view of return on investment.

Renewable Integration Solar panels, geothermal loops, and battery storage are core to NZE buildings. An estimating service includes these costs while factoring in rebates, tax incentives, and net metering opportunities that reduce net expense.

Cost of Certification Many NZE projects pursue third-party certifications like LEED Zero or Passive House. Estimators include costs for documentation, modeling, commissioning, and verification processes that often go unaccounted for in standard estimates.

Sensitivity to Climate and Region Cost planning varies based on regional weather patterns, solar exposure, and utility rates. Estimating services localize costs, ensuring that regional variations in materials, labor, and climate performance are properly considered.

Payback Analysis Support Clients often seek to understand when their investment will pay off. Estimating services prepare lifecycle cost analyses and energy payback timelines, helping investors and developers assess the financial feasibility of NZE adoption.

Conclusion Net-zero projects demand a specialized estimating approach. An experienced estimating service not only calculates costs but contextualizes them within sustainability goals and financial realities, making these ambitious projects more accessible and achievable.

[bloodyhandprint]

driving for uber eats is decidedly worse than being sisyphus

[luxuryroof]

The Green Revolution: Transformative and Profitable Sustainable Real Estate Trends in 2025

The real estate sector is witnessing a miraculous transformation driven by sustainability. In 2025, eco-friendly developments are no longer just an option but a necessity. Developers, investors, and homeowners are embracing green solutions that offer significant financial returns, environmental benefits, and enhanced living standards. This article unveils the most groundbreaking and profitable sustainable real estate trends shaping the future of the industry.

1. Net-Zero and Carbon-Neutral Buildings: The Gold Standard The era of net-zero and carbon-neutral buildings is here, redefining real estate profitability and sustainability. These structures generate as much energy as they consume, utilizing advanced renewable energy solutions such as solar, wind, and geothermal power. Cutting-edge insulation, smart HVAC systems, and eco-friendly building materials further drive cost savings and long-term investment value.

2. Smart and Energy-Efficient Homes: The Ultimate Lifestyle Upgrade Technology-driven energy efficiency is at the core of modern real estate. AI-powered smart homes, IoT-enabled devices, and automated lighting systems are optimizing energy use like never before. These innovations not only enhance convenience but also lower operational costs, making sustainable homes the top choice for discerning buyers and investors.

3. Green Building Materials and Sustainable Architecture: The New Luxury Eco-conscious materials such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, recycled steel, and sustainable concrete are revolutionizing construction. Innovative architectural designs prioritize passive heating and cooling techniques, reducing energy dependency. Properties that meet LEED and WELL certifications are now commanding premium prices and heightened demand in the market.

4. Vertical Gardens and Urban Green Spaces: Breathing Life into Cities Green spaces are no longer a luxury but a necessity in modern urban living. Vertical gardens, rooftop farms, and biophilic designs enhance air quality, promote biodiversity, and provide aesthetic appeal. These elements significantly increase property value while creating healthier, more vibrant living environments.

5. Sustainable Communities and Smart Cities: The Future of Real Estate Beyond individual buildings, entire communities are adopting sustainability. Smart cities feature renewable energy grids, eco-friendly public transportation, and advanced waste management systems. Mixed-use developments encourage walkability, reducing dependence on cars and promoting a more sustainable urban lifestyle.

6. Water Conservation and Rainwater Harvesting: Essential for Sustainability Water-efficient strategies are at the forefront of sustainable real estate. Developers are incorporating rainwater harvesting systems, greywater recycling, and drought-resistant landscaping to minimize waste. These innovations not only support environmental conservation but also cut utility costs, making properties more desirable.

7. Prefabrication and Modular Construction: A Game-Changer Innovative construction methods such as prefabrication and modular building are revolutionizing sustainability. These techniques reduce material waste, lower energy consumption, and significantly cut down construction time. Eco-friendly, cost-effective, and highly durable, these structures are becoming the preferred choice for developers worldwide.

8. Renewable Energy Integration: Powering the Future Solar panels, wind turbines, and geothermal heating systems are becoming standard features in real estate projects. Governments and private sectors are heavily investing in green energy initiatives, offering incentives and subsidies to encourage adoption. Properties that integrate renewable energy sources are attracting eco-conscious buyers and delivering long-term cost savings.

9. Sustainable Financing and Green Mortgages: Unlocking Financial Benefits Banks and financial institutions are promoting eco-friendly investments through green mortgages and sustainability-linked loans. Investors and homebuyers can enjoy lower interest rates, tax benefits, and government incentives for purchasing energy-efficient properties. This financial shift is making green real estate more accessible and profitable than ever before.

10. The Rise of Eco-Conscious Consumer Demand: The New Market Trend Millennials and Gen Z are driving the demand for sustainable real estate, seeking homes equipped with green features and smart technology. Buyers now prioritize properties with energy-efficient certifications, smart automation, and minimal environmental impact. This shift in consumer preference is reshaping the industry, compelling developers to align with sustainable trends.

Conclusion Sustainable real estate is not just the future—it is the present. Developers, investors, and homebuyers who embrace green technologies, energy-efficient designs, and eco-conscious financing are positioning themselves for long-term success. The year 2025 marks the beginning of a green revolution in real estate, where sustainability and profitability go hand in hand. Now is the time to invest in a greener, smarter, and more lucrative future.

VISIT NOW:90485 90485

[suchi05]

Net Zero Energy & Carbon Neutral - Zenith Energy

WHAT IS NET ZERO Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere. Once the balance is achieved, it is expected that global warming would stop. Under Net Zero scenario, we stop adding new greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Even when the emissions are released, but these will be balanced by absorbing an equivalent amount through various methods. The term Net Zero has now become a global call to countries and businesses to take all the steps necessary to successfully address the climate change impacts.

There is found to be a conclusive evidence based on science that to prevent the disastrous consequences of climate change (draughts, cyclones and hurricanes, sea level rise etc) greenhouse gas emissions need to be reduced, reaching to net zero by middle of this century. Unless we aim for Zero we cannot stop warming of the planet and avoid the worst effects of climate change.

The Paris Agreement signed in 2015 by all the countries emphasized the need for net zero, requiring states to ‘achieve a balance between anthropogenic emissions by sources and removals by sinks of greenhouse gases in the second half of this century’. Net zero is the internationally agreed upon goal for mitigating global warming in the second half of the century, and the IPCC concluded the need for net zero CO2 by 2050 to remain consistent with 1.5C –

Read more: https://zenithenergy.com/netzero/

[foxgirltail]

Palworld is bad for involving a slavery mechanic, just like undertale is bad for having a genocide route, disco elysium is bad for letting you be fascist, Stellaris is bad for letting you harvest people's organs, etc

[boggart23]

Destroying The Planet To Save It

15 November 2023In the unthinking stampede of politicians and ‘scientists’ towards achieving ‘Net Zero’ and thus ‘saving the planet’ from death by human civilisation, perhaps a reality check is long overdue for the delusional Green Blob and the virtue signalling politicians. In order to save the planet from a largely imaginary threat based on an ideology behind which there is very little…

[reasonsforhope]

"The UK’s greenhouse gas emissions fell by 3.6% in 2024 as coal use dropped to the lowest level since 1666, the year of the Great Fire of London, according to new Carbon Brief analysis.

Major contributions came from the closure of the UK’s last coal-fired power station in Nottinghamshire and one of its last blast furnaces at the Port Talbot steelworks in Wales.

Other factors include a nearly 40% rise in the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the road, above-average temperatures and the UK’s electricity being the “cleanest ever” in 2024.

Carbon Brief’s analysis, based on preliminary government energy data, shows emissions fell to just 371m tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2024, the lowest level since 1872.

Other key findings from the analysis include:

The UK’s emissions are now 54% below 1990 levels, while GDP has grown by 84%.

About half of the drop in emissions in 2024 was due to a 54% reduction in UK coal demand, which fell to just 2m tonnes – the lowest level since 1666.

Another third of the drop in 2024 emissions was due to falling demand for oil and gas, with the remainder down to ongoing reductions in non-CO2 greenhouse gases.

UK coal demand fell at power stations (one-third of the reduction overall) and at industrial sites (two-thirds). In 2024, the UK closed its last coal-fired power station, as well as the final blast furnace at the Port Talbot steelworks. Furnaces at Scunthorpe paused operations. Both sites are due to convert to electric-arc furnaces that do not rely on coal.

Oil demand fell 1.4% despite increased road traffic, largely due to the rise in the number of EVs. The UK’s 1.4m EVs, 0.8m plug-in hybrids and 76,000 electric vans cut oil-related emissions by at least 5.9MtCO2e, Carbon Brief analysis finds, only slightly offset by around 0.5MtCO2e from higher electricity demand.

The UK’s EV motorists each saved around £800, on average, in 2024 – some £1.7bn in total – relative to the cost of driving petrol or diesel vehicles.

Gas demand for heating increased, despite warmer average temperatures than in 2023, as prices eased from the peaks seen after the global energy crisis.

However, gas demand fell overall due to lower gas-fired electricity generation, thanks to higher electricity imports and increased output from low-carbon sources.

The UK would need to cut its emissions by a larger amount each year than it did in 2024, to reach its international climate goal for 2035, as well as its national target to reach net-zero by 2050...

Lowest since 1872

...

Apart from brief rebounds after the global financial crisis and the Covid-19 lockdowns, UK emissions have fallen every year for the past two decades."

-via CarbonBrief, March 12, 2025

[inthelittlewood]

So, just out of curiosity, are you thinking of making episodes for rats 2 like you did for all the other pow creations smps? If not, that's okay (:

I'm really not sure currently. For full transparency, the previous episodes of both series made on average about £40 individually. The occasional one flicked up to NEARLY £100, but they're real anomalies. Thumbnail costs take up a good portion of that 40, then what's left, divided by the hours it takes to condense masses of content down to episode form would be a wage grossly below minimum wage. It's not smart financially or motivationally to proceed that way.

I've always been proud of the end products of each episode / series but I had revenue coming from other sources that have since dried up. I can't make purely artistic decisions when I have mouths to feed and a home to maintain.

I've been quiet on video content this year because I've not had an SMP play in, so streaming became a primary earner. Even that was propped up significantly by our Logitech/Streamlabs sponsorship - which concluded unexpectedly early at the end of September due to budget adjustments on their end (zero bad feelings regarding that btw, it was all done fairly and by the contract, it was quarterly renewals and I was communicated respectfully with)

I'm lucky that Wild Life has come along when it has, as it gives me a little breathing room to try and secure a new sponsor or at least compile a content plan for late 2024 / early 2025.

Even my Life series barely pass the threshold to where an editor wouldn't gobble up the majority of the revenue. That one is a real 50/50 between coming out net neutral, or coming out with a minimal profit. It's rough. Speaking honestly, I'm a tad nervous about the immediate future, but I promise this isn't a post trying to rouse pity or spur on donations/subs etc, it's just transparency as I've always operated. It feels better laying it out so analytically because it gives people context and answers the FAQ of "why don't you just hire someone", the overhead isn't there.

I'm going to start putting the feelers out to try and secure a new partnership, I have one conversation pending and if we can I'll nab some sponsored streams more often to raise the tides.

That said, we are headed in to the best time of year for ad revenue on YouTube especially, but it's not quite the 5x multiplier I would need to sensibly navigate my situation ha

The only viable solution currently would be to crowd source funds to cover the costs of the work for making the episodes, whether that be paid to me and I edit them myself or more ideally, an editor, so I can focus my efforts in to producing another piece of content. I've no idea what the Patreon/Kofi/Crowdfunding landscape is like currently both mechanically and socially. Are they a thing people subscribe to anymore? They inherently come with more pressures too which I'm nervous to take on.

I'm likely to get inbox messages offering to edit for free or at a reduced fee, but PLEASE DON'T DO THAT. Even if you're framing it as good practice, or a portfolio/client list piece, I wouldn't feel comfortable with that. It's a very sweet gesture and I totally understand showing that initiative / sincerity, I've been there, but those scenarios can too often be miscommunicated or misconstrued and it gets messy. People's time and talents deserve compensation.

So tl;dr answer is I'm not sure, I might try an episode 1 to see how it performs, but it's not looking great. Sorry.

[asestimationsconsultants]

Optimizing Carbon-Neutral Infrastructure with a Cost Estimating Service

The drive toward carbon-neutral infrastructure is reshaping construction and engineering worldwide. Governments, corporations, and communities are committing to reducing carbon footprints by adopting renewable energy, low-emission materials, and sustainable design principles. However, achieving true carbon neutrality requires rigorous financial planning and careful balancing of upfront investment against long-term benefits. This is where a specialized cost estimating service becomes invaluable.

AS Estimation & Consultants plays a crucial role in helping clients optimize carbon-neutral infrastructure projects. By integrating environmental goals with financial analysis, their cost estimating service provides comprehensive insight into the true cost of sustainable construction—supporting smarter decisions that maximize ecological impact while controlling budgets.

Understanding Carbon-Neutral Infrastructure

Carbon-neutral infrastructure means building and operating assets with zero net greenhouse gas emissions. This can include energy-efficient buildings, renewable power installations, green transportation hubs, and sustainable water systems. Key strategies involve reducing embodied carbon in materials, using clean energy sources, and designing for energy efficiency and resilience.

While the environmental benefits are clear, carbon-neutral projects often involve new materials, technologies, and regulatory requirements that complicate cost estimation. Accurate budgeting must incorporate lifecycle analysis, carbon accounting, and potential incentives or penalties related to emissions.

Role of Cost Estimating in Carbon Accounting

Cost estimating services like AS Estimation & Consultants go beyond traditional budgeting by embedding carbon accounting into their methodology. They assess the embodied carbon of materials such as concrete, steel, and insulation, translating environmental impact into financial terms.

This enables clients to compare low-carbon alternatives, evaluating both cost and carbon savings. For example, switching from traditional Portland cement to low-carbon geopolymer alternatives may have a different upfront cost but significantly reduce carbon emissions. An integrated cost estimate helps reveal the net benefit.

Incorporating Renewable Energy and Efficiency Measures

Carbon-neutral infrastructure relies heavily on renewable energy integration—solar panels, wind turbines, geothermal systems—and energy-saving technologies like LED lighting, smart controls, and high-performance HVAC.

Estimating the cost of these components involves analyzing equipment pricing, installation complexity, and maintenance. AS Estimation & Consultants also factor in potential government subsidies, tax credits, and renewable energy certificates that may offset initial expenses.

By embedding these variables into cost estimates, clients understand the full financial impact and payback timeline for carbon-reduction technologies. This comprehensive view supports strategic decisions about which measures to prioritize.

Lifecycle Costing and Long-Term Savings

A true carbon-neutral approach must consider lifecycle costs—not just construction expenses but operational energy, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning or recycling. A cost estimating service integrates these long-term factors, providing clients with total cost of ownership models.

AS Estimation & Consultants use predictive analytics and historical data to forecast energy savings, equipment lifespan, and maintenance schedules. This helps quantify the economic value of carbon-neutral design choices over decades, encouraging investments that reduce emissions while improving financial performance.

Balancing Innovation with Risk Management

Carbon-neutral infrastructure often involves emerging technologies and novel construction methods that carry higher uncertainty. Cost estimating services evaluate potential risks such as technology performance, supply chain variability, and regulatory changes.

By conducting sensitivity analyses and scenario planning, AS Estimation & Consultants help clients anticipate budget fluctuations and build contingencies. This risk-aware estimating approach balances innovation with financial prudence, avoiding costly surprises.

Supporting Green Certification and Compliance

Many carbon-neutral projects seek certification under standards such as LEED, BREEAM, or the Living Building Challenge. These certifications require documentation of environmental performance and often entail additional design, construction, and verification costs.

A cost estimating service includes certification-related expenses in the project budget, such as commissioning, testing, and reporting fees. This ensures clients can plan accurately for the full scope of carbon-neutral infrastructure compliance.

Driving Stakeholder Confidence and Financing

Transparent, comprehensive cost estimates strengthen stakeholder confidence in carbon-neutral projects. Investors, government bodies, and community groups demand clear evidence that environmental goals are achievable within financial constraints.

AS Estimation & Consultants deliver detailed, data-driven estimates that combine environmental and economic metrics. This clarity facilitates project approvals, funding rounds, and partnership alignment—accelerating carbon-neutral infrastructure development.

Conclusion

Carbon-neutral infrastructure represents a vital path to a sustainable future, but its complexity demands expert cost estimating. By integrating carbon accounting, lifecycle costing, risk management, and certification compliance, a specialized cost estimating service delivers the insight needed to optimize investments and maximize impact.

AS Estimation & Consultants help clients navigate this evolving landscape with precision and foresight. Their expertise transforms carbon-neutral ambition into executable, financially sound projects—paving the way for resilient, low-carbon infrastructure worldwide.

[the-scientist-blog]

President Trump’s relationship with climate change policy has been highly controversial and has drawn a significant amount of attention from politicians, environmentalists, and global leaders. While it is true that Trump has been a vocal skeptic of climate change science and has historically supported policies that many believe undermine global climate efforts, the assertion that he would "stop" the progress on climate change entirely is more complicated. There are several factors to consider that illustrate why it is unlikely that Donald Trump will be able to halt the progress on climate change entirely, even with policies that prioritize fossil fuel industries, deregulation, and skepticism towards international climate accords.

1. Global Movements and Public Opinion

One of the primary forces that will prevent Trump from halting climate progress is the widespread global movement in other nations in favor of addressing climate change. Over the past few decades, public awareness and concern over environmental degradation, the rise of extreme weather events, and the growing scientific consensus on climate change have catalyzed action at various levels. Even during Trump's tenure as president, the shift towards climate activism grew, with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement, corporate initiatives, and grassroots environmental movements gaining momentum.

Public opinion, especially in democracies, plays a significant role in shaping policy. In the United States, the majority of Americans support climate action, including a strong preference for clean energy and renewable resources. Despite Trump’s rhetoric, various cities, states, and businesses in the U.S. have continued to prioritize climate goals. For instance, states like California have implemented ambitious climate policies, such as transitioning to 100% renewable energy by 2045. Furthermore, a growing number of corporations have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions. The private sector’s movement towards sustainability, driven by consumer demand, investor pressure, and increasing environmental risks, represents a substantial force for climate action that extends beyond the federal government.

Even if Trump were to reverse or dismantle federal climate policies, the local and private sector commitments would likely remain largely unaffected. These bottom-up efforts represent a powerful counterbalance to federal inaction and are likely to continue advancing the fight against climate change regardless of the administration in power.

2. Economic Shift Toward Clean Energy

While Trump has been a staunch advocate for coal, oil, and gas, the global economic shift toward renewable energy is undeniable. The cost of renewable technologies, such as solar and wind power, has drastically decreased over the last decade. This economic shift makes clean energy an increasingly competitive and attractive option for both developed and developing countries. By 2025, it is estimated that the cost of solar energy will continue to fall, making it even more affordable and mainstream.

The renewable energy sector has seen significant growth in its employment. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), more than 11 million people worldwide were employed in the renewable energy industry by 2021, a figure that is expected to continue rising as nations transition away from fossil fuels. The growth of renewable energy markets is increasingly detached from political agendas, driven by technological innovation and economic pragmatism. Regardless of Trump’s policies, these forces are already in motion and will likely continue to expand, creating jobs, boosting economies, and driving global progress on climate change.

Additionally, as the consequences of climate change, such as extreme weather events, wildfires, and rising sea levels, continue to threaten communities and industries, the push for sustainable infrastructure and resilient urban planning grows. The cost of inaction will continue to drive investments in climate adaptation and mitigation technologies, further fueling the global transition to cleaner energy systems.

3. International Cooperation and Climate Diplomacy

Even during Trump’s presidency, when the United States withdrew from the Paris Agreement in 2017, international cooperation on climate change continued unabated. While the U.S. decision to exit the accord was a blow, it did not signal the end of global climate diplomacy. Many world leaders and climate organizations pushed forward with ambitious plans for carbon reduction, renewable energy investments, and international collaboration. The European Union, China, and India, as well as other nations, have made strides in combating climate change through national policies and international agreements.

Trump’s reluctance to engage with the Paris Agreement, as well as his opposition to climate-focused international cooperation, did not isolate the U.S. from the global conversation on climate change. The U.S. remained a key player in many climate-related issues at the local, corporate, and state levels, even if the federal government under Trump was less cooperative.

4. Technological Innovation and Climate Solutions

The energy sector, which has traditionally relied on fossil fuels, is undergoing a profound transformation. Advances in battery technology, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen are already making renewable energy more feasible for widespread use. As technology continues to develop, renewable energy solutions will become more efficient, less expensive, and more scalable.

Furthermore, the global push for climate action will continue to stimulate innovation. Even if Trump were to curtail government funding for green technology, private investment in clean energy and sustainability is projected to increase. Major companies are making significant strides to reduce their carbon footprints, from Google’s goal of running on 100% renewable energy to Tesla’s push for mass adoption of electric vehicles. Corporate pressure and consumer demand will continue to drive innovation and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, limiting the potential for any one individual, including Trump, to stop the progress on climate change.

5. The Resilience of Local and State-Level Action

Despite the Trump administration’s rollback of federal climate policies, local and state governments in the U.S. have continued to push forward with their climate initiatives. States like California, New York, and Washington have continued to prioritize climate action, passing laws that mandate emission reductions, promote renewable energy development, and require climate adaptation strategies.

This decentralized approach to climate action ensures that the United States remains a significant actor in the global effort to combat climate change. Even if Trump were to reintroduce policies that weaken federal regulations, states and cities would likely continue their push for climate policies in line with the global scientific consensus. This “bottom-up” approach is a vital counterbalance to the federal government’s actions and is indicative of a broader commitment to addressing climate change that transcends individual political figures.

Read the Conclusion at https://www.thescientistblog.com/blog/you-cant-stop-destiny

[teaboot]

Hey! Bamboo toilet paper person here. Your response was very thoughtful-- I want to apologize for placing the onus of climate issues on individual action, haha. I work at a zoo that bills itself as being very heavy on conservation messaging, but as a non-partisan organization we're obviously not allowed to talk about the evils of capitalism. This means that in our programming, we MUST place the responsibility of stopping climate change on individual guests, encouraging them to make more environmentally conscientious decisions like buying reef safe sunscreen or reducing carbon emissions by driving less. The most "political" we're allowed to get is telling people to stay educated and vote in favor of laws that will have a positive impact on the environment. I think I've been drinking the Zoolaid a little TOO much recently, because you're totally right-- the vast, VAST majority of damage to the environment is caused by major corporations, not random people working around their own unique needs. It was also low key a little ableist of me to take issue with that ngl.

Obviously no obligation to respond to this publicly (though it's fine if you choose to do so), but I did want to thank you for your response and mention that it did get through the nonprofit mission-based-organization propaganda living rent free in my head haha. Cheers!

Hey, you work at a zoo? That is SO cool, aadsdggjjg@!!!

And hey, no worries, you totally had a good point about endless waste and trying to counter it where possible- Just from personal experience involved in the barest edge of the fashion industry, I really, really, REALLY hate the idea that, like... people can't access simple shit like plastic straws, even if they're the best, most practical, least-harmful option for them.... because a 12 year old made up some random number for a school project about plastic waste

Where, as a zoo person, I imagine you're already aware that the average sea turtle is WILDLY more likely to die from abandoned plastic fishing nets or ocean-dump grocery bags than accidentally get a straw inside it

So here we are, using paper straws!- which may be an improvement, or may not, I don't have that data, and construction emissions are their own thing- BUT WE STILL HAVE OCEANS FULL OF ABANDONED NETS

WHICH ARE OBJECTIVELY WORSE, but MUCH harder to get rid of, and as the average person doesn't USE fishing nets, it'd much harder to market as a "You, not me" sort of issue.

Cleaning up fishing nets isn't trendy. It isn't sexy. You can't troubleshoot a cute little trendy solution for it that you can market to upwardly-mobile tweens.

But a reusable water bottle? A cute canvas tote? A metal straw? That's a solution you can buy and feel good about.

Never mind that you need to use a single cotton reusable bag somewhere like a million times before the cost of its construction counterbalances the cost of a single grocery bag every time you shop- which, hey, some of us were reusing as trash liners for their wastebaskets, or bundle bags for donating clothes, or lining for our leaky winter boots!

If a better option is available, I'll take it. But as ZERO HARM is next to impossible at this time, I personally am gonna aim for MINIMAL HARM as long as I can.

...sorry, I didn't mean to ramble off again.

But hey, if your nonprofit is doing good things, feel free to shoot me a link! I can post it on my blog :D

(Link to original post for context lol)

[minxipinxi]

✨ Oracle of Stars is Back — and It’s Still the Worst Event in the Game

Hey lovelies. Buckle up, because the infamous Oracle of Stars event is making a return, and I cannot stress this enough: THIS IS A TRAP. Whether you’re a veteran who remembers the pain from last year or a new player tempted by the pretty art and soft ASMR, read this before you spend a single diamond.

🧨 What is Oracle of Stars?

Oracle of Stars is a gacha wheel event that first dropped in Feb 2024. It was instantly hated by much of the player base due to:

Absurd costs

No pity system

Terrible drop rates

A frustrating and predatory design that punishes unlucky players It’s back and unfortunately, nothing has improved.

🎡 How the Wheel Works

No more free spins: In the original release month, we got 1 free spin every 48 hours. That’s gone now. Zero free attempts. You pay for every single spin.

Each spin costs 100 diamonds, or 1,000 for a 10-spin.

What you can get: - A random 4★ Memory (with very low odds) - An accessory (cosmetic, very niche appeal) - Oracle Dice (used for shop redemptions)

Mechanics: - If you land on a Memory you don’t own, you get the full card. - Land on it again? You get shards to rank it up. - If you land on an accessory, it disappears and turns into a dice space for future spins.

💎 Redemption System and Costs

Didn’t get lucky? You’ll need to redeem with Oracle Dice. Here’s how that works:

Each 4★ memory in the shop costs 880 Oracle Dice.

At worst, that’s 17,600 diamonds if you had to spin until you reach that amount.

Even if you count the milestone rewards (which give you a few free dice here and there), you’re still looking at around 15,000+ diamonds to get just ONE 4★ memory.

Let’s say that again: 15,000–17,600 diamonds for a single 4★ with no pity or guarantee.

Accessories can also be redeemed with dice, but they show up in milestones too (up to the 150th spin), so if you really want them... still not worth it, honestly.

⚠️ DROP RATES: They’re Worse Than You Think

This is the real kicker. The drop rates are appalling:

4★ Memory: 0.33%

Accessory: 1%

Oracle Dice ×100: 4%

Oracle Dice ×50: 12%

Oracle Dice ×20: 15%

Oracle Dice ×10: 50%

Oracle Dice ×5: 15%

That means:

You have a 1 in 300 chance to get a 4★ Memory per spin.

Most of your spins will give you only 5–10 Oracle Dice, which isn’t even 1% of what you need to redeem the memory.

Accessories (at 1%) are also stupidly rare, and once you get one, it’s gone from the wheel and replaced with dice, reducing your chances even more.

🧠 Why Older Players Hate This Banner

Take it from someone who was there during the first Oracle of Stars:

You feel punished for bad luck. There is no mercy mechanic. No pity. No safety net.

No free spins make this inaccessible to F2P players entirely.

You can’t select the character or memory you want. It’s all RNG-based.

It’s deceptive. Beautiful card art and nice voice lines lure players in, but once you start spinning, it’s a massive diamond sink for nearly nothing.

We were begging for pity or better odds last time. The devs didn’t change a thing.

🗣️ Community Sentiment: It’s BAD

Quotes from across the fandom:

“No pity, no guarantee, no free attempts, can’t select a character… all for a random 4★. It’s a scam.”

“Don’t do it girlies. Stay strong. Save your dias for real banners.”

“As someone who got burned by this last year: DO. NOT. PULL.”

“Just read the story on YouTube. Don’t support this predatory design.”

And honestly? They’re right.

💡 What Should You Do Instead?

SAVE your diamonds. There are far better uses coming:

Myth reruns

New Myth releases

Upcoming Wedding Multi

Zayne: Master of Fate banner (coming soon and confirmed)

These banners have pity, guaranteed pulls, and a selection of characters. Oracle of Stars has none of that.

But is it worth gambling that much for a random 4★? Absolutely not.

Friendly reminder: This event is a SCAM. Please do NOT waste your hard-earned diamonds.

Save yourself the pain. Read the story online on YouTube. Wait for banners that respect your time and effort.

We’ve been here before. Don’t let history repeat itself. Stay strong, Hunters. 💔

[centrally-unplanned]

The trick on the whole "Israel banning UNRWA" thing is that most militaries - like say the US in Afghanistan for example - directly provision aid. American soldiers would often be handing out food packages themselves, and even if they weren't the aid organizations would be directly contracting with the US government and the Department of Defense. You have a group in the military and the government that is like, okay, how do we feed people, let's hit those targets.

So if Congress decided to ban the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in 2006 from operating in the country or whatever, that bill would say like "we hand over its mission to USAID, which has been allocated $2.1 billion dollars in FY-2005 to do X Y Z". It would probably be a dumb move that would create unnecessary friction and cost lives for political bullshit, but that is also life, people dying for political bullshit is a universal constant. It would probably be pretty small bore in the scale of things, like switching over contractors.

That isn't how Israel does things. I might be wrong about this, Israel is deliberately opaque about these things and I just gave this the ol' half hour of googling, I am open to being contradicted here. But my current understanding of net spending by the government of Israel itself on aid to Gaza is...$0. They do not provide aid. They permit aid from other organizations, funded by other countries, to be provided! But they don't take responsibility for the provision; meeting targets, outcomes, etc, none of that is their job. (I am sure it isn't literally zero btw, but I think you get my point)

It is really telling that when you look up pro-Israel statements by say AIPAC on aid, their headlines are:

Israel Facilitates Humanitarian Aid to Gaza as Hamas Continues to Attack

And they criticize the UN because the UN trucks aren't being delivered:

The United Nations and other international agencies are largely responsible for the existing delays in aid deliveries into Gaza. The U.N. has not been able to distribute aid at the rate that Israel is processing it, causing back-ups at the border crossings after Israeli inspections are completed. On March 3, the U.N. received 234 trucks in Gaza but only distributed 131 trucks of aid to civilians in the enclave.

If this was the US military, and the UN was getting aid trucks and failing to send them, we would send more of our own trucks? That we have? Because aid is part of the military operation. But Israel doesn't do that - because it doesn't have any trucks. Because aid isn't part of the military operation.

Which is why the bill banning UNRWA that is being passed does not mention aid provision to Gaza:

The international community has raised alarm over the legislation, which was passed without a plan in place for a humanitarian agency to replace UNRWA.

Again going off news sources here, link for the actual bill is currently down, if I am wrong will correct here, but I think it all tracks. So in the article above, you get statements from the government when people ask about aid, they reply, oh yeah these other aid organizations will fill the gap.

Then you ask the aid organizations themselves and they go, no, we won't fill the gap! We don't have the resources to do that! Which is logical when you realize Israel isn't funding those orgs. They don't know or care about their funding status. Hopefully someone else will figure that out - aid is someone else's problem. Those government remarks are just off the cuff, they aren't a plan.

Which I want to loop back around to the casus belli for the ban - UNRWA having ties to Hamas. That, to me, is one of those "uh duh, and?" things - Hamas is the government of Gaza. UNRWA runs schools there? And medical clinics? You think they do that...without contact with the government? This is just silly, the UN Mission in Afghanistan obviously had connections to the US Government! Government officials, working in both, par for the course.

But, and this is far more important, it is irrelevant. I completely agree that UNRWA has many people who are sympathetic to Hamas in it, because obviously they do. You want to ban it, dumb but okay. You propose a bill outlining the $2 billion dollars and the 5 partnered aid organizations and the 400 IDF trucks that will deliver aid to replace their work, sure. Whatever man, do your small bore politics bullshit.

That is not what they are doing.

Now, Israel has in fact allowed a bunch of aid in Gaza, I don't doubt that like USAID and the non-profit community and the governments of the UK and Japan and so on are gonna pivot funding to a bunch of organizations that will do herculean work stepping up operations and interfacing with the IDF checkpoint system and get aid in. Maybe they will do such a bang-up job that the cost in suffering won't be that high. Israel did give 3 months after all, they aren't the literal worst they could be.

But I do think at a certain point, the line between indifference and malice just ceases to matter. The UNRWA bill isn't some breaking point or big policy shift - it is just a highly revealing moment in the Israeli approach, why the war there has gone the way that it has. And it is, as the kids say, not a good look.

(h/t @loving-n0t-heyting as this was initially a reblog of their post, but they mentioned getting drama in the notes so I split it off; sorry to deny you the precious +1 internet point)

[suchi05]

Energy Efficiency in India: Challenges and Future Potential

Energy efficiency is an essential aspect of sustainable development, particularly for a rapidly developing country like India. Energy efficiency measures can reduce energy consumption, save costs, and help India achieve its climate goals. In this blog post, we will discuss the current status of energy efficiency in India, its potential, and the challenges faced in its implementation.

Current Status of Energy Efficiency in India India has taken several initiatives to promote energy efficiency in recent years. The government has launched several programs and policies, including the National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, the Perform,

Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, and the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC).

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is the nodal agency responsible for promoting energy efficiency in India. The agency has implemented several programs and initiatives to promote energy efficiency in various sectors, including industry, buildings, and appliances. The BEE has also launched the star rating system for appliances, which provides consumers with information on the energy efficiency of appliances.

India has made significant progress in energy efficiency in recent years. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), India’s energy intensity (energy consumed per unit of GDP) improved by 6.5% in 2020, the largest improvement among all major economies. The country has also achieved significant energy savings through the implementation of energy efficiency measures. For example, the PAT scheme has resulted in energy savings of over 11 million tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE) in the industrial sector alone.

Potential for Energy Efficiency in India Despite the progress made, there is still significant potential for energy efficiency in India. The country’s energy intensity is still high compared to other countries, indicating that there is room for improvement. According to the BEE, the potential for energy savings in India is estimated to be around 23% in the industrial sector, 17% in the buildings sector, and 9% in the agriculture sector.

The potential for energy efficiency in India is significant, particularly in the buildings sector. Buildings account for around 30% of India’s electricity consumption, and there is a significant potential for energy savings through the adoption of energy-efficient building designs and technologies. The ECBC, launched by the government in 2007, is aimed at promoting energy efficiency in buildings through the adoption of energy-efficient building designs and technologies.

Challenges Faced in Implementing Energy Efficiency Measures Despite the potential for energy efficiency in India, there are several challenges in its implementation. One of the significant challenges is the lack of awareness and knowledge about energy efficiency measures among consumers and businesses. Many consumers are not aware of the benefits of energy efficiency, and there is a lack of incentives to adopt energy-efficient measures.

Another challenge is the lack of financing for energy efficiency projects. Energy efficiency measures often require significant upfront investments, and businesses may not have the financial resources to implement them. There is a need for innovative financing mechanisms, such as energy service companies (ESCOs), to promote the adoption of energy-efficient measures.

Finally, there is a lack of enforcement of energy efficiency regulations in India. The ECBC, for example, is not mandatory, and many builders do not comply with its provisions. There is a need for stricter enforcement of energy efficiency regulations to ensure that energy-efficient measures are adopted.

The Way Forward Despite the challenges, there are several opportunities to promote energy efficiency in India. The government can take several measures to promote energy efficiency, including providing incentives to consumers and businesses to adopt energy-efficient measures, providing financing for energy efficiency projects, and strengthening enforcement of energy efficiency regulations.

Businesses can also play a significant role in promoting energy efficiency. By adopting energy-efficient measures, businesses can reduce their energy consumption and save costs. Businesses can also contribute to India’s sustainable development by reducing their carbon footprint and helping the country achieve its climate goals.

Consumers also have a crucial role to play in promoting energy efficiency. By adopting energy-efficient appliances and building designs, consumers can reduce their energy consumption and save costs. The star rating system for appliances launched by the BEE provides consumers with information on the energy efficiency of appliances, allowing them to make informed choices.

In addition to promoting energy efficiency in existing buildings and appliances, there is a need to focus on energy-efficient designs for new buildings and appliances. The adoption of energy-efficient building designs and technologies can significantly reduce energy consumption in the long run. Similarly, the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in appliances can also result in Green energy and ecology theme design, vector illustration. significant energy savings.

Conclusion Energy efficiency is an essential aspect of sustainable development, particularly for a rapidly developing country like India. Despite the progress made, there is still significant potential for energy efficiency in India. There are several challenges in the implementation of energy efficiency measures, including a lack of awareness, financing, and enforcement of regulations.

To promote energy efficiency in India, there is a need for a comprehensive approach that involves the government, businesses, and consumers. The government can take several measures to promote energy efficiency, including providing incentives, financing, and enforcing regulations. Businesses and consumers can also play a significant role in promoting energy efficiency by adopting energy-efficient measures and technologies.

Energy efficiency is not just about reducing energy consumption and saving costs; it is also about contributing to India’s sustainable development by reducing carbon emissions and achieving its climate goals. By promoting energy efficiency, India can achieve a sustainable, low-carbon future while ensuring economic growth and development.

Read more: https://zenithenergy.com/energy-efficiency-in-india-challenges-potential-and-the-way-forward/

[materialsscienceandengineering]

A Cornell University-led collaboration has hit the trifecta of sustainability technology: The group has developed a low-cost method to produce carbon-free "green" hydrogen via solar-powered electrolysis of seawater. A happy byproduct of the process? Potable water. The team's hybrid solar distillation-water electrolysis (HSD-WE) device, reported April 9 in Energy and Environmental Science, currently produces 200 milliliters of hydrogen per hour with 12.6% energy efficiency directly from seawater under natural sunlight. The researchers estimate that within 15 years, the technology could reduce the cost of green hydrogen production to $1 per kilogram -- a key step in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Read more.