Mathieu Ardyna, Université Laval and Juliette Provencher, Université Laval Earlier this year our international team of scientists from the Refuge Arctic consortium departed Iqaluit, Nvt. on a 56-day research expedition in the far north. We were sailing aboard the icebreaker CCGS Amundsen and our main objective was to study the high latitudes of
In an era of escalating environmental crises, green engineering has emerged as a cornerstone in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. This transformative discipline melds engineering principles with ecological mindfulness, striving to reduce environmental impact while fostering economic and social sustainability. From energy-efficient infrastructures to eco-friendly manufacturing processes, green engineering is reshaping industries and
Paul Hudson, Leiden University From the Czech Republic to Spain, Europe has been plagued by devastating floods this autumn. Climate scientists agree that severe flooding was probably driven by climate change resulting in record-breaking rainfall. Warmer temperatures increase the amount of water vapour in the atmosphere, especially over warmer oceans, which increases the
The era of climate change as a distant concept or a matter for academic discourse has passed. It is now a stark and undeniable truth, evidenced by rising temperatures, intensifying weather extremes, and rapidly diminishing ice caps. These are not abstract phenomena—they are the visible warning signs of a planet in distress. The
When oceanographer Toste Tanhua and his research team set up a trial system to monitor aquaculture conditions near Barcelona in 2023, they were keenly aware of the havoc a powerful storm had wreaked on the region three years earlier. Storm Gloria ravaged southeast Spain in January 2020, killing 13 people and causing millions
Warmer temperatures in northern Canada, the result of human-caused global warming, are making ice roads less and less reliable. (Shutterstock) Homa Kheyrollah Pour, Wilfrid Laurier University and Daniel Gaudet Walking on the ice of the Great Bear Lake in the N.W.T. is a truly unforgettable experience. It is simply one of Canada’s most
German mechanical engineer and research manager Martin Osbild is a fan of avoiding waste. At home, he would far sooner repair than replace broken household items – from washing machines to food blenders and bicycles. At work, the same environmental principles are high on his agenda. Osbild is leading a team of researchers
James Wright, University of Southampton; Lorna-Grace Okotto, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology , and Mawuli Dzodzomenyo, University of Ghana The use of disposable diapers (nappies) is growing in African countries. The disposable diaper undoubtedly makes it easier for many parents to work or spend time on other things, including their
The Ascendance of Green Engineering in Manufacturing Green engineering is orchestrating a paradigm shift within the manufacturing sphere. Enterprises now elevate sustainable methodologies to the forefront, ensuring operational efficacy while championing environmental stewardship. This evolution signifies a harmonious convergence of industrial ambition and ecological responsibility. The Imperative of Sustainability in Manufacturing Sustainability in
Ph. IRENA/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND Isabela del Alcázar, IE University If I had to sum up COP29 in a single word, it would be entropy. Borrowed from thermodynamics, this concept describes the delicate balance between order and disorder, a principle that governs both natural and human systems. An ecosystem, much like the climate negotiations,