Climate Change: Will it Impact What We Eat?

Have you noticed #food becoming more expensive? How much thought have you put into the possibility of it becoming scarce? #Climate change could lead to grocery costs going up, food becoming limited, and crops taking a loss when it comes to their nutritious value. This is according to United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and a noteworthy article on land use they recently released. The information is certainly alarming and worth looking into. Read on for more details on how climate change is anticipated to impact what we eat.  

Climate Change and Crops 

The sad reality is that today, we are seeing signs of the #climate crisis all across the planet. And climate change is anticipated to modify the types of crops which farmers are able to grow. How? In some places, the climate will be too hot. In others, there will be more moisture, more snow and more flooding – of course, these factors will limit the types of crops able to be grown. Climate change is certainly concerning. 

Pamela McElwee, an author of the report from United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, discussed how there is a time limit when it comes to keeping warming to less than 2 degrees. McElwee is an associate professor at Rutgers University.  

In accordance with the same climate change report, nutrition in foods could weaken, too. For instance, wheat which is grown at high carbon dioxide levels would potentially provide up to 13 percent less protein and up to 8 percent less iron. Experiments were done to verify this. Another author of the report, senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, Cynthia Rosenzweig, discussed studying different foods and outcomes. She mentioned that the strain is already visible on food systems.  

Climate Change Impacting Food Impacts Our Health 

Obviously, numerous problems would come up if climate change were to impact the food we eat. From chronic disease to the inability to function at the level one is able to when receiving proper nourishment, food scarcity, and a decrease in nutrition in what is available would be very alarming. Climate change impacting food impacts our health – we can’t deny this.  

There has been overall progress in terms of enough food being available, according to the US Department of Agriculture. However, climate change could set us back.  

Due to climate change, 1 percent of food calories are lost on a yearly basis. If this doesn’t sound like much to you, look at it this way – there has been a reduction of 35 trillion calories each year already. The numbers are substantial. This is according to a study published earlier this year which monitored production of global crops such as rice, soybean, barley, wheat and sugarcane. 

Imagine removing food calories for 50 million persons across the globe. Well, senior scientist with the University of Minnesota Institute – Environment’s Global Landscapes Initiative, #Deepak Ray, discussed that this is already happening. ”Drawing down” on carbon emissions is key. Climate change is a very real concern. 

Climate change effects different places in different ways, as per Ray. In terms of food production being negatively impacted, places like Southern Africa, Europe, Australia and South Asia are feeling it the most. The United States is feeling it, too, specifically in places such as Illinois, where there has been a reduction in corn yield.  

Lewis Ziska, plant physiologist, was a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report. He found, in working with the US Department of Agriculture, that CO2 levels rising could negatively affect the nutritional value of crops. Other impacted areas include floral development, which in turn negatively impacts bees and butterflies. There are serious risks with climate change when it comes to food. 

We need to do our part to lessen the impact of climate change. We need to take climate change seriously because it is and will continue to impact the food we eat. Consider small things that can be done in day to day life to make a difference for our planet, even if each change feels small. Taking action is key – we can’t just sit back and watch our planet suffer due to climate change.   

Sources: 

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/09/health/ipcc-report-food-security-climate-scn/index.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/09/opinion/climate-change-food-report.html 

Climate Change and the 2019 Democratic Debate

Last month, the presidential primary debates for the #Democratic Party kicked off in a two-night event in Miami, Florida. Among many hot button issues that were discussed, #climate change was among them. While some criticize that the topic of climate change was not given enough attention, others are hopeful that more emphasis will be placed on climate change policy in the coming months. 

Potential candidates from any political affiliation no longer have the luxury to push aside or ignore that something must be done about climate change once and for all. However, finding the right solution may prove to be more difficult than getting politicians and the public to care about climate change in the first place. 

Tensions Over the #Green New Deal and #Fossil Fuels 

Disagreements among the candidates were noted particularly when it came to the topic of the Green New Deal. Representatives such as Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) support the Green New Deal. Others like former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and former Maryland Representative John Delaney, are against the Green New Deal. Delaney’s biggest criticism of the Green New Deal is that the plan ties its progress to other issues that are unrelated to climate change, such as universal health care. Sanders argued back at this, stating that he is, “tired of Democrats afraid of big ideas,” and that the #fossil fuel industry is committing a massive criminal offense by destroying the planet for profit. According to Sanders, something drastic must be done. 

In response to Sanders’ rhetoric, Montana Governor Steve Bullock stated that Sanders’ unwavering focus on abolishing fossil fuels could be a potential turn off to voters in the industry from supporting the Democratic Party.  

Additionally, Bullock remarked that those in the fossil fuel industry have spent their lives powering the country up until now. Reorganizing an entire industry without the proper plans in place could backfire on the Democratic Party if the Green New Deal is to move forward in its entirety. 

Sanders responded by saying that he is not anti-worker and that any employees pushed out of the fossil fuel industry will be supported and transitioned into new jobs. How Sanders plans to make this guarantee an actuality is still unclear. According to his campaign website, there is little information other than a consistent echo of “thousands of good paying jobs will be created” once the transition from fossil fuels to a widespread, renewable #energy system takes place. With no detailed outline for how thousands, if not millions, of workers will survive financially and economically during this transition, it is understandable why Governor Steve Bullock and others vying for the Democratic nomination are apprehensive about Senator Sanders’ bold claims.  

Socialism as a Solution – or a Set Back? 

Former Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper stated during the debate that the policies being supported by his fellow Democrats in the Green New Deal border on socialism. Hickenlooper stated that we simply “can’t promise every American a government job,” and that demonizing fossil fuel and oil companies is not the way to solve climate change. According to Hickenlooper, socialist tendencies and similar ideologies will not bring about a sustainable solution.  

Climate Change Policy Proposals Released This Year 

Just this past May, former Vice President Joe Biden released a “middle ground” approach to fighting climate change, which faced heavy criticism almost immediately despite coinciding some of its plans with the Green New Deal. Senator Sanders, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and environmental activists across the nation spoke out against Biden’s climate change plan. The most prevalent criticisms expressed that we cannot afford to take a middle ground approach when it comes to climate change. According to most Democratic nominee hopefuls, more aggressive action is needed if we are to avoid catastrophic conditions on Earth as climate change continues to worsen. 

Senator Kristen Gillibrand (D-NY) also released a climate change proposal this year back on July 25. Her plan highlights what many of the other Democratic presidential candidates also support, including a 10 trillion-dollar investment into clean energy, a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, and a “just transition for workers that may lose their jobs in the process.” 

Moving Forward to Fight Climate Change 

To continue the climate change discussion that began during the Democratic presidential candidate debates, CNN plans to host a Democratic presidential town hall event on September 4. Only eight of the candidates that met the Democratic Nation Committee’s polling threshold will be invited. It is anticipated that more detailed plans of how the candidates plan to fight climate change will be revealed. 

Resources: 

https://insideclimatenews.org/news/01082019/2020-presidential-debate-climate-change-question-democrats-green-new-deal-global-warming 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/democratic-hopefuls-clash-on-climate-action-during-debate/ 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/second-democratic-debate-highlights-divergence-on-green-new-deal/ 

https://www.vox.com/2019/6/25/18715447/green-new-deal-climate-change-first-democrat-debate 

Amazon Announces New Solar and Wind Projects

#Amazon recently announced that it will invest in a brand new #solar and wind project in both #Ireland and the United States. Production is expected to start in 2020. And the details are quite impressive!  

In Cork, Ireland, a wind farm is anticipated to generate a great deal of #energy each year – to the tune of 68,000–megawatt hours – this is equal to just over 23 MW of capacity. Out in Pittsylvania County, #Virginia will be a solar farm capable of producing 100,000 MWh of energy per year – this is equal to 45 MW of capacity. The numbers are certainly impressive. For the record, when discussing capacity, one is referring to the total amount that can be produced by installations rather than what is currently being generated.  

Amazon’s Solar Projects Are Changing the World 

Amazon’s solar projects are currently making some huge, much-needed changes for our planet. The additions of the aforementioned solar and wind projects are going to bring the total number of renewable energy projects for Amazon up to 66. Data centers for Amazon Web Services will benefit from the energy supplied. And you might be impressed to read that solar projects for Amazon in the U.S. alone have counterbalanced the equivalent of 200 million miles worth of deliveries by truck thanks to the amount of carbon dioxide being offset.  

#Kara Hurst, director of sustainability for Amazon, discussed in a statement how important it is to address our carbon footprint on a global level, and investments in clean energy such as wind and solar are a major step in doing this. Hurst mentioned that Amazon will keep investing in similar projects. She recognizes the importance of reducing climate change induced by humans when possible. Clearly, this is a forward-thinking company committed to the future of our planet.  

Again, Amazon now has a total of 66 renewable energy projects (including solar) globally – it just so happens that 51 of these projects encompass solar rooftops. The total capacity for Amazon’s renewable energy projects is admirable – they can deliver more than 3.9 million MWh of energy on an annual basis.   

In Ireland, a #Climate Action Plan wants to see 70 percent of electricity come from renewable sources (such as solar energy) over the course of the next decade, by 2030. Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, discussed the importance of industry leadership in reaching this goal. There is no doubt that Ireland is making strides toward becoming a clean energy leader.  

Other Major Companies Going Solar 

Amazon isn’t the only major company going solar and taking advantage of renewable energy. Other companies are doing the same thing. In accordance with the Solar Energy Industries Association, #Apple has the most installed solar capacity in the United States. In the 2018 Solar Means Business Report, on-site and off-site solar installations were looked at. The top spot went to Apple. Their Cupertino, CA headquarters happens to be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, from sources such as biogas fuel cells and solar installations. Specifically, the company has more than 393 MW of installed capacity, including 17 MW of rooftop solar installations. 

Other companies on the list included #Walmart, Target, and Google. Target was one of the top three according to the Solar Energy Industries Association, with just over 242 MW of installed solar capacity. 

Corporate Solar Adoption is Clearly Growing 

As per the Solar Energy Industries Association, corporate solar adoption is increasing. The numbers over the last few years have been quite impressive. As a matter of fact, since 2016, more than half of the total capacity has been installed in the United States.  

It is always fascinating to learn about the latest solar and wind projects. Staying up to date regarding solar news offers hope that there are both individuals and organizations that care about making a positive difference for the health of our planet. Consider differences that could be made on a smaller-scale regarding clean energy solutions. If we all make an effort, we can make a huge impact on our planet.  

Sources: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/02/amazon-announces-new-renewable-energy-projects-in-the-us-and-ireland.html 

https://cleantechnica.com/2019/08/06/amazon-increases-global-renewable-energy-projects-to-66-including-51-solar-rooftops/ 

Solar Roads: Disappointing Outcomes from Around the World

Innovators in the #solar #energy field have long since been trying to integrate #solar panels in with the items we use every day. With everything from solar cars to solar blinds, it is becoming more and more common to see solar panels meshed right into the fabric of our daily lives. Since not every home or building structure can accommodate traditional solar panels, finding creative ways to get solar energy to consumers has been a necessary challenge.  

Among the triumphs to emerge from the solar energy community in the last decade or so, there have also been some major disappointments. In particular, the world’s first #solar road has proven to be a complete failure.  

France’s Solar Road 

When the solar road in Normandy Village in France first opened in December of 2016 with the help of Wattway, there were high hopes for the project. Initially, a one-kilometer stretch of road (around 0.6 miles) was used to set up this solar-powered highway. Overall, the project was anticipated to cover nearly 1,000 kilometers (about 620 miles) of road by the time of its completion. However, now that testing results from the solar road have been reviewed and released, further construction on this mammoth solar project may be on hold. 

Falling Short of Expectations 

The initial one-kilometer stretch of solar road was predicted to generate enough solar power to provide for at least 5,000 homes. If the solar road project is completed in its entirety, the 1,000-kilometer stretch could provide solar power for up to 5 million homes. Unfortunately, the solar road started experiencing issues almost immediately, much to the dismay of supporters and proponents of the solar road. 

According to an organization called Global Construction Review, it was determined that the solar panels placed on the road are not nearly as resilient as they should be. Shortly after the solar panels were installed, they began to degrade, peel away, and splinter. A portion of the road was even removed after being damaged beyond repair.  

Global Construction Review stated in their report that the engineers of the solar road did not account for the wear and tear on the road from things like heavy trucks and trailers, natural weather conditions, and mold. The solar road is also much less efficient than originally anticipated, only generating 149,459-kilowatt-hours per year. Initial estimates stated that the solar road would generate up to 790-kilowatt-hours per day. This equates to nearly 288,350-kilowatt-hours per year, making the solar road panels even less efficient than regular, freestanding solar panels.  

Solar Road Struggles Worldwide 

The solar roadway in France is just one of several attempts that have been made to create viable #solar roads. In the United States, a portion of a roadway near Route 66 was paved in solar panels by the Missouri Department of Transportation. Like the France solar roadway, this project also proved to be impractical and inefficient. China also made the same attempt with a one-kilometer stretch of road, but found that the solar road did not generate enough power to be deemed viable as a long-term solution. 

In the Netherlands in 2015, a solar pathway was constructed for bikes and pedestrians. The SolaRoad was anticipated to do well in terms of longevity, thanks to the absence of any vehicles. However, while the solar path has durability, it lacks sustainability. It is estimated that the costs to build the bike path could have purchased 520,000 kilowatts of electricity. For such a large investment, the solar path only brought a return of 3,000 kilowatts during its first year. 

Is There Any Hope for Solar Roads? 

Overall, things are not looking too good for solar roads. We have yet to see a company construct a solar road or pathway that is both cost-effective, practical for widespread use, and durable. Not to mention, the solar road needs to generate enough clean energy to surrounding cities and residences if they are to be worth constructing in the first place. So far, we have seen a lot of money thrown at solar roads with little return. Until we can find a way to match costs and efficiency with energy output and durability, it is unlikely that we will see solar roads in our towns and cities any time soon.  

Resources: 

https://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/blog/whats-happening-solar-roads-01162018 

https://www.curbed.com/2019/7/25/8929870/france-solar-roadway-experiment-normandy 

 

Scientific Consensus: Global Warming Is Happening

There is no more doubting or questioning it – #global warming is happening according to scientific consensus, which claims humans are the cause. As a matter of fact, as per the head author on an influential study on global warming, the notion that people are the cause potentially passed 99 percent. This number could actually increase once doubts are cleared up through additional research.  

Global Warming Can No Longer Be Denied  

All-encompassing historical data was utilized to demonstrate (in three studies presented by #Nature and Nature Geoscience) that over the last 2,000 years, there has never been a period of time when temperature variations have been as quick as they have been in recent decades. Today, the negative impacts of global warming we have been warned about are very apparent. Global warming can no longer be denied.  

It was formerly believed that equally intense global warming-related changes could have taken place in the past, for instance, in the Medieval Climate Anomaly and Little Ice Age periods. However, based on the three previously mentioned studies, certain shifts would not have occurred in more than half the planet at any particular time. These studies utilized reconstructions which were based upon 700 proxy registers of temperature alterations, such as ice, sediment, and trees from all continents.  

Evidence of Global Warming 

You likely have heard of the heatwave happening this summer in Europe. Let’s go back to the Little Ice Age (1300 to 1850). The 15th century is when this period reached an extreme point in the Pacific Ocean. In the 17th century, it reached an extreme point in Europe. But since the late 20th century, records have been broken each year across the planet. The heatwave in Europe is just one example of global warming at play. If one wants evidence of global warming, all they have to do is look at the current temperatures.  

What has caused significant temperature shifts in recent history? One of the studies says volcanic eruptions have been a main cause. This would explain global fluctuations which took place during the first part of the 18th century, when the world transitioned from one which was volcanically chilled to one with a warmer climate due to human emissions. A study mentions how this has become very clear since the late 20th century, as temperatures have gone up fast over the course of 20 years – as a matter of fact, they have risen the most rapidly in this amount of time over the last two thousand years.   

Industrial emissions have caused uncommon warming temperatures, in line with the authors of these studies.  

The University of Bern and the Pages 2K consortium of climate scientists, Stefan Brönnimann, mentioned how there is not any uncertainty left, and this has been clearly demonstrated through many studies which address the climate system. Humans are, in fact, causing #climate change in ways never seen before.  

The studies show that current changes are not part of a natural cycle. Climate change deniers need to face the truth, as there is a huge difference between localized and regional changes in the climate, as touched upon by professor of climatology at University College London, Mark Maslin.  

There is agreement among scientists studying climate change in many studies that things such as chimneys, forest clearance, car exhausts and so on are causing global warming.  

Extreme Weather and Climate Change 

Academics studying the climate and climate change cannot deny what is happening to our planet. As per the lead author of a study on “#consensus about consensus,” #John Cook, there was a 99 percent consensus among scientists back in 2011 that human beings are causing global warming, in accordance with a 20-year study. So, there is more agreement now than there was at first. There has been strong research on global warming and climate change since, in addition to increasing extreme weather conditions and heatwaves.  

Cook mentioned how know-how in science studying climate change is increasing. Consequently, agreement regarding global warming being caused by humans is increasing, too. Unfortunately, there are still climate change deniers but on the plus side, public understanding is increasing. This is important.  

We must take care of our planet, and the first step is to accept that it is much more difficult to deny climate change and global warming are occurring today.  

Sources: 

https://grist.org/article/theres-no-doubt-left-about-scientific-consensus-on-global-warming–anymore/ 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/07/190724131624.htm 

Can Artificial Intelligence Save Our Planet from Climate Change?

If by now you are not concerned about #climate change, you should be. Gone are the days of widespread speculation that were amplified in 2006 when former Vice President, Al Gore, first publicly raised awareness for #global warming in his film An Inconvenient Truth. Despite criticism, distrust, and even outright mocking that was displayed in response to the Academy Award winning documentary, Al Gore and others have long since been on the right track when it comes to the reality of climate change and global warming.  

Had we begun to take climate change and global warming seriously back in 2006 when Al Gore had warned us to, we may have avoided many of the problems and climate change issues we are experiencing today. Now, just over 13 years after Al Gore’s pleas first hit the media, there is no doubt that we have no more time to waste and no more room for hesitation when it comes to actually tackling climate change once and for all.  

The Costs of Climate Change 

The cost of climate change is immense and only increasing substantially with each passing year. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the cost for disaster aid for taxpayers in the United States since 2005 has risen to a total of $450 billion, including nearly $19.1 billion in supplemental appropriations that were signed into law this past June. In 2018 alone, 14 separate, billion-dollar climate change and weather-related disasters in the United States occurred, costing our nation nearly $91 billion in relief funds.  

What most taxpayers and politicians are not considering is that some of these climate change–related disasters can be prevented. We need to start investing in climate change solutions that can help minimize or eliminate the disasters we are seeing all over our planet.  

According to Rob Moore, a senior policy analyst and climate adaptation and resilience expert for the Natural Resources Defense Council, the warnings laid out in the GAO’s latest financial report are on par with warnings previously given by financial experts. Ultimately, the costs of climate change-related disasters in the United States are now outweighing our ability to pay for them. Moore stated in an interview that political and federal agencies, “are still treating these disasters as random events” – when, in fact, they are not random. Moore believes that the senseless relief spending must stop and money should be put towards preventative investments instead to help stop these disasters from happening in the first place. 

#Artificial Intelligence as a Solution to Climate Change 

What we all need to be asking ourselves is, what is the ultimate solution? While time has passed that we can never get back to devote to healing our planet, we can start now. The good news is, with every passing year, technology improves substantially. Tackling climate change directly will require solutions unlike any we have yet to see thus far. Is it possible that advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, will be the answer to saving our planet?  

Proponents of artificial intelligence and leading scientists in their fields seem to think so. A recent report titled Tackling Climate Change with Machine Learning was showcased at an AI conference this past June. In the report, three specific areas are mentioned where artificial intelligence can help combat climate change.  

First, AI can be used to create better climate prediction models. Experts in the climate informatics field, a discipline created in 2011, believe that the complex models that AI can produce will help clarify the damaging effects of climate change and help us better predict how to avoid these damages in the future.  

Next, AI can help show the real effects of climate change before they happen. For example, researchers at the Montreal Institute for Learning Algorithms (MILA), Microsoft, and other AI software development companies have created a simulator that shows individuals what their homes and neighborhoods might look like if a massive, climate change-induced flood were to strike. 

Finally, AI can assist in worldwide carbon output monitoring. With better tracking capabilities, certain regions could be rewarded with tax benefits for reduced carbon output and culprits of the largest carbon emissions could be pinpointed and monitored. 

What do you think about utilizing technology to beat global warming and the negative effects of climate change? As of now, any advancements in intelligence and technology will be needed if we hope to leave a habitable and happy planet for generations to come. 

Read the latest climate change financial report from the GAO here: https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/699605.pdf  

Resources: 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/2019/07/artificial-intelligence-climate-change/ 

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/climate-change-will-strain-federal-finances/ 

Smartphones Could Soon Be Powered By Solar

#Smartphone users might be able to ditch their chargers at some point in time, and maybe even sooner than later. No, it’s not because of some sort of super-human power as seen in the 2019 movie Shazam! Alternatively, this is due to a ground-breaking method of using #solar power to boost batteries. Imagine being able to power your #iPhone by leaving it in the sun. Well, a working model is in existence, so the concept isn’t too far off.  

Researchers have developed a functional model at Belgium’s #Ghent University and South Africa’s #University of the Free State. Their model uses glass that is able to shift non-discernible light to a #solar panel. How does it work? A pane is able to let light through using phosphor materials in glass, while transmitting infrared and ultraviolet rays to small solar panels which are mounted on the sides.  

Smartphones Powered by the Sun 

Senior professor at the University of the Free State’s physics department, #Hendrik Swart, mentioned how this technology could be implanted in cell phone screens, allowing the sun to power the device but not impact appearance.  

Solar and Small Gadgets – How it Would Work 

If all goes according to plan, the solar panel technology could lessen the issue of solar power’s potential ineffectiveness by making panels more omnipresent. You likely have seen solar panels or solar arrays before – you will characteristically notice them in the form of a square or rectangle which is able to capture sunlight. Perhaps you have seen solar panels in a field or on a rooftop. But picture this – solar panels on windows of buildings rather than on the rooftop. This is a similar concept to the type of solar that would be placed on electronic devices such as smartphones. Currently, see-through solar is not able to collect solar power unless it uses something like an intricate phone case, for example.  

Transparent solar panels would make a big difference, allowing us to use self-charging smartphones, if you will.  

This technology isn’t just something that could benefit smartphones, either. It could even be used for electric vehicles. If you have seen or heard of Sono and Toyota solar cars, the idea is similar, as it would shift light from windows to panels. Perhaps plastics could even be used so zinc roofs could be replaced.  

With the aforementioned technology, less solar panels would be needed which would lead to a drop in cost. This is because light would be concentrated from a big area to one that is smaller on the sides (where the solar panels are), in accordance with #Lucas Erasmus, who is currently working on the research with Swart.  

This might not be something we see for another decade, but it is still worth thinking about. In the meantime, similar ideas have come to light. For instance, at the University College London, researchers discussed a luminescent solar concentrator and issues such as how to make panels clear and ensure they are safe to use.  

#SolarWindow is a Maryland-based company founded in the late 1990’s that utilizes thin wires to transport power. Apparently, its solar-generating windows could generate 50 times the amount of power and offer much more in terms of environmental benefits than, say, solar panels on the roof of a comparable building.  

Concealing solar panels is something other companies are trying to do, such as Tesla. Their solar roof tile looks just like a typical roof and allows people to avoid thick panels traditionally on solar-powered homes. Origami solar blinds are another popular creation, thanks to the innovative mind of #Ben Berwick, an Australian architect. These blinds are able to collect #energy and bounce light into a room.  

See-Through Solar Panels 

A solar panel that is see-through such as what Erasmus described would present the opportunity to place solar panels in devices and gadgets such as smartphones. It was rumored back in 2014 that Apple was looking into ways to incorporate solar panels in their Apple Watch. Recently, reports surfaced that mentioned Apple is looking into a charging solution for iPhones. To put it simply, if gadgets we use daily such as the iPhone could benefit from solar, they would in turn help with battery concerns and become more environmentally-friendly. 

Keep following solar news and stay in the know about how the technology you use on a daily basis could be impacted!  

Sources: 

https://www.inverse.com/article/57825-see-through-solar-panels-could-one-day-cover-smartphone-and-electric-cars 

https://www.itweb.co.za/content/xnklOvzbmzpv4Ymz