Category: Environment

Hyundai’s $7.6B Georgia Plant Rolls Out First Electric SUVs

Posted on by scott.hodges

Hyundai has officially started producing electric SUVs at its $7.6 billion manufacturing plant in Georgia, less than two years after breaking ground. Located west of Savannah, the facility is a significant step for the South Korean automaker in expanding its electric vehicle (EV) production in the U.S. The plant’s first commercial vehicles, the 2025 Ioniq 5 electric SUVs, are set to hit U.S. dealerships by the end of this year, offering benefits such as zero tailpipe emissions, a reduced carbon footprint, and greater resource efficiency.

Hyundai’s Georgia plant aims to produce up to 300,000 EVs annually, along with the batteries that power them. Once fully operational, it will employ 8,500 workers. Currently, more than 1,000 employees are already staffing the completed vehicle production areas, while construction on the battery facilities continues.

The accelerated timeline for opening the plant was driven by federal incentives under the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The Act aims to combat climate change by offering buyers tax credits of up to $7,500 for EVs made in North America with domestic batteries. This spurred Hyundai to expedite its operations to qualify for these benefits, despite initial concerns about the policy’s fairness. The company is planning a grand opening in early 2025. With sustainability at the forefront, Hyundai is committed to using eco-friendly materials and targeting 100% renewable energy in its manufacturing processes, reflecting its dedication to reducing emissions and promoting a greener future through electric mobility.

Summer Reading – eBooks or Paper books?

Posted on by scott.hodges

With summer on the horizon, avid readers everywhere are choosing their preferred formats for their seasonal literary adventures. However, how much should environmental considerations be a factor in the tactile pleasure of turning the pages of a paperback, the convenience of an e-reader, or the immersive experience of an audiobook?

The question of which reading format is the most sustainable might seem minor compared to larger ecological concerns like travel, yet for those committed to incremental lifestyle changes to mitigate climate impact, this choice matters. The lifecycle of a book—from production to disposal—entails a complex interplay of environmental factors including manufacturing processes, energy consumption, and recyclability.

Amidst the rise of digital reading, with audiobooks now capturing roughly 15% of the U.S. market share, a figure mirrored by e-books, print remains the dominant medium. However, the environmental cost of traditional print publishing is significant. The industry is one of the world’s top industrial greenhouse gas emitters due to its reliance on pulp and paper, with 32 million trees cut annually in the U.S. alone. Additionally, the energy consumed in printing and the carbon footprint of shipping books globally further exacerbate its environmental impact.

In response, publishers are increasingly channeling efforts towards sustainability. Andrew Albanese, executive editor at Publishers Weekly, notes that the industry aims to refine the efficiency and ecological footprint of print book production. Initiatives include donating unsold books, adopting on-demand printing, and reducing initial print runs to minimize waste. Tyrrell Mahoney, president of Chronicle Books, emphasizes their shift towards using up-cycled, cotton-based materials for paper and redesigning books to be more eco-friendly through font and design optimizations that reduce ink and paper usage.

On the digital side, the argument for e-books and audiobooks is strong, primarily due to their negligible direct environmental impact from paper use and physical logistics. Companies like Amazon promote the recycling of their Kindle e-readers, with claims of significant reductions in carbon emissions through the adoption of digital over print.

Yet, the manufacture of digital devices is not without environmental drawbacks. The production of e-readers involves plastics derived from fossil fuels and the mining of minerals for batteries, which are resource-intensive processes.

Mike Berners-Lee, a sustainability expert at Lancaster Environment Centre, underscores the complexity of this debate. According to him, the break-even point for the carbon footprint of an e-reader compared to traditional books depends significantly on usage. For voracious readers, digital devices may present a lower carbon footprint, while occasional readers might find paperbacks more sustainable.

Ultimately, Berners-Lee advocates that reading, in any format, remains a relatively sustainable activity. Choosing between digital and print may hinge on individual reading habits, but either way, the act of reading itself carries a lighter ecological burden than many other human activities, making it a guilt-free pleasure for the environmentally conscious book lover.

Is Recycling an Economical Solution?

Posted on by scott.hodges


For decades, the plastics industry has touted recycling as a solution to the growing problem of waste, convincing both consumers and policymakers that it could prevent plastic from filling landfills and polluting the environment. However, a recent report by the Center for Climate Integrity reveals that industry insiders, including major oil and gas companies, have long doubted recycling’s viability as a waste management strategy.

This revelation comes from documents dating back to the inception of the recycling movement. At a 1989 conference, the head of the Vinyl Institute openly admitted that recycling was not an infinite solution nor an answer to the solid waste dilemma. It seems that recycling often costs more than producing new plastic, rendering it financially unfeasible.

Despite these economic hurdles, the plastics industry has continued to promote recycling, primarily for its public relations benefits. A note from a 1994 meeting between an Exxon Chemical vice president and the American Plastics Council staff demonstrates the commitment to recycling activities without a genuine commitment to achieving environmental goals.

In response to the report, Ross Eisenberg, president of America’s Plastic Makers, criticized its reliance on outdated information and accused it of undermining the industry’s efforts toward sustainability. He emphasized the industry’s target for all U.S. plastic packaging to be reused, recycled, or recovered by 2040, portraying a forward-looking stance on plastic waste management.

The report, titled “The Fraud of Plastic Recycling,” builds on previous investigations that have highlighted the industry’s promotion of recycling despite skepticism about its effectiveness. Less than 10% of global plastic waste is recycled, with the vast majority continuing to contribute to environmental pollution. Critics argue that the recycling narrative has been a tactic to boost plastic sales while avoiding regulations.

As the world grapples with the plastic waste crisis, the United Nations is preparing for negotiations on a global plastics treaty, aiming for a comprehensive approach to plastic pollution. However, there are concerns that the plastics and fossil fuel industries may influence the treaty’s focus, pushing for waste management solutions over reductions in plastic production.

Industry efforts, such as ExxonMobil’s investment in advanced recycling technologies, are presented as solutions to the plastic waste problem. Yet, skeptics question the effectiveness and environmental impact of these technologies, pointing out that the fundamental economics of plastic recycling remain unchanged.

The controversy surrounding plastic recycling underscores a broader debate on environmental responsibility and the need for accountability in addressing the plastic waste crisis.

US Treasury Department to Expand Tax Credit Eligibility for Electric Vehicle (EV) Chargers

Posted on by scott.hodges

The Biden administration recently released guidelines to expand eligibility for tax credits aimed at reducing the costs of installing electric vehicle (EV) chargers. This move is part of a broader effort to make EV chargers more accessible and affordable for Americans, supporting the administration’s goal of electric vehicles comprising 50% of new car sales by 2030.

Due to uncertainty over which locations would qualify for tax credit, as the chargers were required to be in non-urban or low-income areas, the new guidelines broadened eligibility. The Treasury Department will now cover areas where about two-thirds of the U.S. population resides, primarily outside major cities.

Businesses and consumers who install chargers for either public or private use, will receive a tax credit covering up to 30% of the installation cost. Clean energy supporters project that this will boost the installation of chargers, particularly in communities needing them the most. While EV sales have risen faster than other major car category, they have still not met the expected demand. Some car manufacturers have therefore reduced production. In an effort to broaden the adoption of EVs, these tax credits will increase the number of chargers available across the country.  

The federal government is not only offering up to $7,500 in tax credits for each electric vehicle but is also investing billions in developing a national network of high-speed chargers. The rollout of this network has been slower than expected.

Experts like Luke Tonachel of the Natural Resources Defense Council believe the new guidance will accelerate the deployment of charging infrastructure. Albert Gore III of the Zero Emission Transportation Association also views this as a positive step towards attracting investments in rural and lower-income communities, significantly enhancing public charging availability.

Recycled Footwear Takes a Step Forward

Posted on by scott.hodges

Rothy’s, the American eco-friendly shoe brand, has gotten a significant investment from the owner of Havaianas. Based in San Francisco, California, and valued at $1 billion, Rothy’s also produces purses, bags, wallets, and men’s loafers, all from recycled and marine plastic.

Over the last few years, investors and customers have paid more attention to the environmental and social impact of the companies they back or buy. AllBirds, another sustainable shoe and fashion company, made a 2021 IPO valued at $4 billion.

Rothy’s was founded by Stephen Hawthornthwaite, chief executive, and Roth Martin, president. They remain significant owners and are involved in operational oversight.

Reducing America’s Carbon Footprint

Posted on by scott.hodges

In an effort to alleviate its universal carbon impact, over the next 10 years Delta airlines will be investing $1 billion into fuel-efficient aircrafts, replacing single-use plastics with a greener substance and more.   Ed Bastian, the firm’s Chief Executive pointed out that:

“There’s no challenge we face that is in greater need of innovation than environmental sustainability, and we know there is no single solution.”

The current situation is that it has been very hard for airlines to help preserve the environment since the development and supply of biofuels is minimal and challenging.  While technology has advanced so greatly in other parts of the transportation industry, the air travel part lags behind and we are not witnessing any futuristic fuel-efficient planes.  Still, Delta is committed to making an impact.

Meanwhile, in California researchers might be closer to a solution.  At the Viterbi School of Engineering in Southern California’s University, work is being undertaken in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. A metal carbide nanoparticle has been discovered as having the capacity to  convert CO2 into fuel.  Should this actualize it would be the first ever time a would be able to produce sustainably at low temperature resulting in the production of particles at a low cost, but industrial scale, while at the same time having a substantially lesser impact on the environment, ultimately diminishing greenhouse emissions throughout the world.

Oil Growth Takes a New Path

Posted on by scott.hodges

With constant and increasing talk of climate change and environmental preservation and moves away from oil and gas related products, major firms are increasing their manufacturing of plastic products.  These firms include ExxonMobil and Shell.

Given that petrochemicals (the chemical materials that derived from petroleum through a process of refining) now makes up to 14 percent of the use of oil, it is anticipated that there will be a doubling of the production of plastic over the next two decades.  Indeed, according to Steven Feit, Staff Attorney on the Climate and Energy Program at the Center for International and Environmental Law (CIEL) said:

 “In the context of a world trying to shift off of fossil fuels as an energy source, this is where [oil and gas companies] see the growth.  [As such these large corporations] are looking for a way to monetize it.  You can think of plastic as a kind of subsidy for fracking.”

in addition, today natural-gas futures dropped to their nadir in almost four years.  plummeting below $2 million British thermal units the drop resulted in a 5.4 percent dive to $1.895 per MMBtu.  This is simultaneous to the explosion in shale which has revolutionized the entire energy industry in America, inundating the market with natural gas and oil.  Predictions by the US Energy Information Administration include an increase of 2.9 percent this year in the production of dry natural gas.