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Many school districts in the US turned to Chromebooks as a cost-saving strategy during the pandemic but are now facing issues with repairability and short expiration dates, the Verge reports. Chromebook Churn, a new report by the US Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, reveals that Chromebooks are creating huge amounts of e-waste and costing school districts money. The report found that Chromebooks are harder to upgrade, repair, and resell than Windows laptops, due to their lack of spare parts, short expiration dates, and auto-update policies. The report suggests that Google and its partners should improve the quality, durability, and recyclability of Chromebooks, by increasing the number of replacement parts, standardizing the components, making it easier to unenroll and install Linux, and providing longer software updates. The report also shows that doubling the lifespan of Chromebooks could result in $1.8 billion in savings for taxpayers and cut emissions by 4.6 million tons CO2e. It also recommends that Google eliminate the Automatic Update Expiration system and that its OEM partners produce “a minimum 10% overstock” of replacement parts.

Sweden is close to becoming the first smoke-free country in Europe thanks to snus, anti-smoking laws and campaigns. Sweden is on track to become the first smoke-free country in Europe, according to AP. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines a country as smoke-free if less than five percent of the population smokes daily. Last year, the figure was 5.6 percent in Sweden, according to the Public Health Agency. The main explanations are the widespread use of snus, a type of moist tobacco (which is placed under the upper lip and gum. It is popular in Sweden and Norway, where it is considered a less harmful alternative to smoking), and decades of legislation and campaigns against smoking, according to several experts. Twenty years ago, around 20 percent of Swedes were daily smokers. Since then, measures such as the smoking ban in restaurants in 2005, which was expanded in 2019 to also include outdoor seating, have helped to push down the number. This has led to several health benefits, including a relatively low incidence of lung cancer. However, Sweden is not there yet, according to Cancer Foundation’s Secretary General Ulrika Årehed Kågström. She says that more efforts are needed to reduce smoking among young people and people with low education and income.

A lawyer used a chatbot powered by Open AI’s Chat GPT to research a legal case against the Colombian airline Avianca. However, he ended up with a document full of fake cases and false information about decisions and quotes. This was revealed by the New York Times. The lawyer admitted that he used Chat GPT to find relevant cases for his argument. He said he tried to verify the information by asking Chat GPT if it was lying. Chat GPT insisted that the cases were real. The lawyer said he was unaware that the content could be inaccurate and now regrets using Chat GPT, according to The Verge. Remember kids: Chat GPT and similar AI services and chatbots are useful tools that can generate realistic and somewhat coherent texts, but they are NOT a reliable source of facts or evidence. You should always check the accuracy and validity of the information you get from these chatbots before using it in any serious context.

Informants from Tesla have leaked about 23,000 documents to the German newspaper Handelsblatt. The documents include secret reports on problems with the prestige project cybertruck, excel lists with salaries and addresses of employees and confidential documents on accidents with the self-driving function. With the self-driving function, over 1,000 accidents have been reported, where one reporter says that “the autopilot almost got me killed”. The files also contain 2,400 complaints about the self-acceleration function and 1,500 about serious problems with the brakes. The authenticity of the information has been verified and confirmed by Fraunshofer, an institute for technology in security information. Tesla has not wanted to answer questions from Handelsblatt, but the company’s lawyer says (German source) that “media reporting of illegally obtained data is only allowed under exceptional circumstances”. Handelsblatt has contacted thousands of customers (German source) who confirmed problems. Tesla is facing a potential lawsuit that could cost them 38 billion dollars as a result of the data leak. The company has also identified an employee who is suspected of being involved in the leak and says that they are “taking action”. Meanwhile, Tesla has admitted another death involving autopilot in a crash in Texas last month. Tesla’s autopilot accidents have raised concerns about the safety and reliability of the self-driving technology. Critics say that Tesla is misleading customers by calling its system “autopilot” when it is not fully autonomous and still requires human supervision. Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk has defended the system and claimed that it is safer than human drivers.

Nicolas Schmit, the EU commissioner for employment and social rights, has proposed that the EU should push for introducing four-day workweeks, especially in shortage occupations. He says that this is something that is gradually moving forward, as the new generations have a special vision of the balance between work and private life. Schmit says that the market still has a so-called matching problem, which creates unemployment and vacant jobs at the same time. Shortening the workweeks could be a way for companies to become more attractive and attract people, he says. He also emphasizes that there is no common line from the EU on four-day workweeks. A pilot project is currently being carried out in Portugal. What do you think, should the EU strive to introduce a four-day workweek?

Climate activist Greta Thunberg is charged after a climate action in the oil port of Malmö, Sweden, earlier this summer, Swedish media is reporting. Thunberg is suspected of disobedience to authority after she and other climate activists from the movement "Take back the future" tried to block the entrance and exit for the tank trucks, by standing in front of them. The police asked the protesters to move, which some of them ignored. Thunberg and the other protesters were later dragged away by police. "The blockade is part of a peaceful resistance against the fossil industry, which threatens young people’s future", the movement wrote in a press release on their website. During the action, about 30 trucks were prevented from driving in and out of the oil port. Thunberg has previously written about the protest on social media. "We chose not to be passive bystanders, but instead to obstruct the fossil fuel infrastructure. We take back the future," Thunberg wrote on Instagram in connection with the action. Previously, one other activist has been charged following the protest. Greta Thunberg will be called to a hearing at Malmö District Court, which is tentatively scheduled for July 28. Prosecutor Charlotte Ottesen has told Swedish media that if Thunberg is found guilty, she would have to pay fines. Greta Thunberg is a famous Swedish environmental activist who is known for challenging world leaders to take immediate action for climate change mitigation. She became famous when she started sitting outside the Swedish parliament with a sign reading "School strike for climate" in 2018. Thunberg was nominated as a candidate to receive the Nobel Peace Prize twice, and in 2019 she was awarded Time Magazine's Person of the Year, and in 2020 she won the inaugural Gulbenkian Prize for Humanity.

There are many healthy alternatives to pasta that are lower in carbs, calories, and gluten. Some of them are: Spaghetti squash: This is a starchy vegetable that can be roasted and scraped into noodle-like strands. It has a mild flavor and a similar texture to pasta, but with fewer carbs and more fiber and vitamin C. Spiralized vegetables: These are vegetables that are cut into thin ribbons using a spiralizer or a vegetable peeler. You can use zucchini, carrots, beets, cucumbers, or any other firm vegetable. They can be eaten raw or cooked, and have a crunchy texture and a fresh flavor. Shirataki noodles: These are translucent noodles made from the konjac yam, which is high in glucomannan, a type of soluble fiber. They are very low in calories and carbs, and have a gelatinous texture and a neutral taste. They can be rinsed and heated in a skillet before adding to your favorite sauce or dish. Cabbage noodles: These are thin strips of cabbage that can be boiled, sautéed, or baked until tender. They have a mild flavor and a soft texture, and can be used in place of pasta in soups, casseroles, or stir-fries. They are low in carbs and calories, and high in vitamin C and antioxidants. Eggplant lasagna: This is a variation of the classic Italian dish that uses thin slices of eggplant instead of lasagna noodles. Eggplant is low in carbs and calories, and high in fiber and antioxidants. It can be layered with cheese, tomato sauce, meat, or vegetables, and baked until bubbly.

Here are 10 key errors to avoid when growing vegetables and crops at home. If you're like me and want to grow your own vegetables, you need to avoid some common mistakes that can ruin your harvest. I'm a novice when it comes to all this, so I found this article really helpful. Planting too early: Don’t rush to sow your seeds before the last frost date, as they may not germinate or survive the cold. Wait until the soil is warm and workable, and check the seed packets for the best time to plant. Picking a bad spot: Choose a sunny, sheltered, and well-drained spot for your vegetable garden. Avoid areas that are too shady, windy, wet, or compacted, as they will affect the growth and health of your plants. Taking on too much: Start small and simple, especially if you are a beginner. Don’t overwhelm yourself with too many plants or varieties, as they will require more time and attention. Focus on a few crops that you like and can eat, and expand gradually. Planting too close: Give your plants enough space to grow and breathe. Crowded plants will compete for nutrients, water, and light, and may also attract pests and diseases. Follow the spacing guidelines on the seed packets or labels, and thin out any excess seedlings. Picking the wrong crops: Grow what suits your climate, soil, and taste. Don’t waste your space and effort on crops that are not suited for your conditions or that you don’t like to eat. Do some research on the best crops for your region and season, and choose varieties that are easy to grow and harvest. Not improving the soil: Feed your soil with organic matter, such as compost, manure, or mulch. This will improve its structure, drainage, fertility, and moisture retention. It will also help prevent weeds, pests, and diseases. Add organic matter before planting and throughout the growing season. Growing more than you need: Plan ahead and be realistic about how much you can eat or store. Don’t grow more than you need or can handle, as it will lead to waste or spoilage. You can also share your surplus with friends, family, or neighbors, or donate it to a food bank or charity. Weed struggles: Keep your vegetable garden weed-free by pulling out any unwanted plants as soon as you see them. Weeds will compete with your crops for resources and may also harbor pests and diseases. Use a hoe, a hand fork, or your fingers to remove weeds regularly, and mulch your soil to suppress them. Watering woes: Water your plants deeply and consistently, especially during dry spells. Don’t overwater or underwater them, as this will stress them out and affect their growth and quality. Check the soil moisture with your finger or a moisture meter, and water in the morning or evening to avoid evaporation. Pest problems: Protect your plants from pests by using physical barriers, such as netting, cloches, or row covers. You can also use organic methods, such as companion planting, traps, or natural predators. Avoid using chemical pesticides, as they may harm beneficial insects or contaminate your food. By avoiding these ten mistakes, you can hopefully enjoy a successful and rewarding vegetable garden. For more tips and advice on vegetable gardening, check out the full article from Homes and Gardens here: Vegetable gardening mistakes: 10 key errors to avoid | WWW.HOMESANDGARDENS.COM These are 10 of the biggest errors you can make in your vegetable garden Do you know any other mistakes that could be easily avoided when growing your own vegetables that you could share with us?

If you want to learn more about climate change and how it impacts the weather, Bill Gates has some book recommendations for you. The billionaire philanthropist and author of “How to Avoid a Climate Disaster” shared four science books that he found helpful in understanding the complex topic. In a blog post, Gates said he started reading these books in 2008, when he was transitioning from Microsoft to the Gates Foundation. He wanted to get a better grounding in physics, chemistry, biology, and other sciences that would help him in his work on health, education, and climate change. The four books that Gates particularly recommends are: “Weather for Dummies” by John D. Cox “Meteorology Today: An Introduction to Weather, Climate, and the Environment” by C. Donald Ahrens “Physical Geology” by James S. Monroe, Reed Wicander, and Richard Hazlett “Earth: An Introduction to Physical Geology” by Edward J. Tarbuck and Frederick K. Lutgens Gates said these books are accessible for anyone who is motivated to learn about how the Earth’s climate works. He praised the authors for making geology and meteorology interesting and easy to understand, with colorful illustrations and examples. He also said these books are still relevant today, as not much has changed since he read them. He added that he still reads a lot of scientific books, as there is always more to learn. Gates encouraged his readers to check out these books if they want to expand their knowledge on climate change and weather. He also said that reading a variety of books, including fiction and non-fiction, is fun and educational. “You never know what you might discover or how it might change your perspective,” he wrote. What do you think about Bill Gate's book recommendations? Do you have any recommendations yourself?

I'm glad you figured it out. If anyone else is wondering, the best image size for the feature photo is 1310x500 pixels.

Thank you for publishing for this informative blog post. If you want to learn more, I would recommend you to read about the hidden environmental cost of the fast fashion industry, which @Qudrat Ullah wrote about in our forum.

Hello @Happy Jolene and welcome to Green Blog! Your account has been approved. Happy blogging!

Hello @Qudrat Ullah and welcome to the community! I'm looking forward to reading your posts and learning more. Do you think we'll be able to ensure a better and healthier environment for present and future generations?

Idag har det rapporterats om två intressanta nyheter som gäller uppmärksammade klimataktioner som ägde rum i Sverige under den gångna sommaren. En felaktig nyhetshistoria om hur en klimataktion stoppade en ambulans Igår rapporterades det febrilt i media – och i sociala medier – om hur en svårt sjuk patient i en ambulans hade avlidit i bilköerna som hade skapats vid en uppmärksammad klimataktion på E4 i Stockholm. Bland annat rapporterade SVT om hur det i polisens förundersökning förekom uppgifter om hur personen som befanns sig i ambulansen som inte kom fram ska ha avlidit till följd av förseningen. SVT skrev bland annat om hur Åklagarmyndigheten bedömde brottet som klimataktivisterna nu stod åtalade för som grovt då personen i ambulansen hade avlidit. Problemet var bara att uppgifterna som spreds var falska och de har senare tillbakavisats av kammaråklagaren själv. - När polisen skrev anmälan så hade man de uppgifterna men under utredningens gång så har det visats sig att det inte var så. Patienten i ambulansen klarade sig, säger Marina Ivic, kammaråklagare i Västerorts åklagarekammare till SVT. En av de största nyheterna igår visade sig alltså vara felaktig. Men inte stoppade det spridningen av den falska nyheten - och hatet mot klimataktivister fick således ny fart i sociala medier. För ingen bryr sig om en rättelse så länge historien bekräftar deras världsbild. Expressen har kartlagt varför det blev så fel i rapporteringen. Enligt kartläggningen så berodde den felaktiga nyheten bland annat på en kavalkad av missförstånd som uppstod tidigt i polisutredningen. Men Expressen kan även avslöja att allt började med ett telefonsamtal från en tidigare SD-nämndeman. Läs deras artikel om hur den "döda" patienten i ambulansen blev en sanning. Ett felaktigt ingripande mot klimataktivister som saknade lagstöd Samtidigt rapporterar Dagens ETC att de sex finländska klimataktivisterna som tidigare i somras frihetsberövades av gränspolisen och som senare avvisades och förbjöds att besöka Sverige under två år har fått upprättelse av Migrationsverket. Dagens ETC skriver: Enligt rapporter i media medgav insatschefen att det fanns "oklarheter" och "missförstånd i kommunikationen" kring ingripandet mot de sex klimataktivisterna. Men enligt personer som finska Hufvudstadsbladet har pratat med så "var det en civil gruppchef som bestämde att aktivisterna skulle omhändertas, trots att hen saknade befogenheter att ta sådana beslut." Insatschefen hävdar dock att han själv tog de avgörande besluten att frihetsberöva klimataktivisterna. Men det var naturligtvis inte polisen själva som tog beslutet om att omhänderta och avvisa klimataktivisterna. Det var en Moderat politiker som tog det beslutet: Men historien slutar inte där. Polisinspektör Saša Ristić, som tidigare har arbetat som nationell utbildare inom gränspolisen, transporterade klimataktivisterna till förvaret och berättade för medier kort efter ingripandet att "han ansåg att finländarna frihetsberövades utan laglig grund, samt att han fått vetskap om att protokoll fingerats i efterhand för att motivera det inträffade." Enligt Ristić har han under en längre tid försökt larma internt om vad han menar är pågående allvarliga missförhållanden och oegentligheter inom gränspolisenheten – men utan att få något gehör. Kort efter att Ristić hade pratat med media så kallades han in på ett korrigeringssamtal med sina överordnade. Dagens ETC skriver att: Och det är inte första gången som polisen överreagerar mot klimataktivister och de journalister som bevakar aktionerna. Exempelvis utreder JK just nu polisen för grundlagsbrott efter att de förde iväg två journalister som bevakade en klimataktion som ägde rum i juni i Stockholm. Och i slutet av augusti stoppade polisen ytterligare två journalister från att bevaka en klimataktion. De båda journalisterna fick sin utrustning beslagtagen av polisen och blev även tvungna att klä av sig nakna. Såväl Journalistförbundet som Reportrar utan gränser har reagerat starkt mot gripandet, rapporterar Dagens ETC: - Sammantaget är det tre tillfällen vi vet om i närtid och det man kan notera är att det har stegrats, från att journalister blivit hindrade eller bortförda till att de helt sonika grips, hålls i en cell och får sin utrustning beslagtagen, säger Erik Halkjær, ordförande för Reportrar utan gränser. Vad är det med klimataktivister som gör att det totalt brister för polisen? Nazister ska skyddas till absurdum, men demonstrations- och yttrandefriheten för klimataktivister betyder tydligen ingenting - de ska bara sättas dit, med eller utan lagstöd.

Hello Jason and welcome to the community!

Welcome to Green Blog and our community!

First major deal at COP26: More than 100 world leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030 A total of 110 nations - including Brazil where large stretches of the Amazon rainforest are being cut down at an alarming rate - has promised to end and reverse deforestation by 2030. And their pledges include around $19 billion in US dollars of both public and private funds, the BBC reports. In a response to the deal, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said "we have to stop the devastating loss of our forests" and "end the role of humanity as nature's conqueror, and instead become nature's custodian". Matt McGrath, BBC's environment correspondent, says in an analysis of the deal that "there are reasons to be cheerful" about the proposed plan, the financial pledges, and that key countries such as Brazil have committed to the deal. But he also warns that there are significant challenges to the deal and notes that many previous plans against deforestation haven't achieved their goals. In fact, since a similar pledge was launched in 2014 deforestation has actually increased. McGrath also asks if leaders and governments are genuinely willing to push for a reduction in meat consumption to save the world's most important forests. Experts and activists also warns that the new pledge could become another broken promise unless the deal is backed up by more funds, tougher regulations on companies linked to forest exploitation, as well as increased transparency and monitoring. Al Jazeera reports on the deal on deforestation as well as the agreement on methane gas emissions in the video above.

And here's a video showing US President Joe Biden falling asleep during the COP26 opening speeches.

The world's largest economies only managed to make vague climate commitments at G20 summit At the end of the G20 summit in Rome, the world's largest economies only managed to make vague commitments to seek carbon neutrality "by or around mid-century." US President Joe Biden laid the blame on the weak commitments on Russia and China. "Not only Russia, but China, basically didn't show up in terms of any commitments to deal with climate change," he said at the event. Speaking at the event, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that major economies are not doing "their fair share" in tackling climate change and that "will and leadership" is required to progress on the matter. "Currently we are not going to hit it and we have to be honest with ourselves," he warned." We've got to keep that hope alive. The science is clear that we need to act now to halve emissions by 2030 and keep 1.5C within reach."

Sky News has a pretty cool online calculator which shows you how much carbon dioxide has been produced since you were born: Climate change: How much carbon dioxide has been produced since you were born? Enter your year of birth to find out NEWS.SKY.COM With countries trying to work out how to transition to less carbon intensive forms of energy, every year that passes adds ever more CO2... The calculator shows that in my lifetime, 46,1 percent of all CO2 has so far been emitted. Of this, fossil fuel emissions accounted for 936.9 billion tonnes and land-use change was responsible for 175.4 billion tonnes. Those are some pretty depressing numbers.

While you're here, do check out the COP26 megathread in our forums.

Al Jazeera has posted a video that explains what COP26 is all about and why the conference could be make-or-break for the planet.

"Everyone needs to do more - not just China and Russia" COP26 President Alok Sharma, who has gone vegetarian for the sake of the planet, said at the opening of the climate conference that now is the time to deliver and that he wants "more out of every country." When asked by Sky News if he wants to see greater commitments from countries such as China and Russia, Sharma answered that "I want more out of every country". Sharma added that "this is a chance for all these countries to show leadership, this is the point where they have to stand up and be counted," and warned that without a deal "the future is really quite unimaginable". The climate conference, which has been delayed by one year due to the covid-19 pandemic, is the first of its kind since the Paris Meeting in 2015 in which many questions, commitments, and plans remained unanswered. A UN analysis of the countries' existing plans has shown that emissions will increase by 16 percent this decade and that the world is heading for a warming of 2.7 degrees by the end of the century. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said the summit will be the "world's moment of truth".

UN's important climate meeting, COP26, has officially opened this week. For two weeks, delegates from nearly 200 different countries will meet to discuss climate challenges, adaption and mitigation strategies, and - hopefully - agree on meaningful and forceful plans to combat the threat of climate change. But these topics have been discussed for several decades now, so what makes this meeting so special? That's because COP26 is considered by scientists, experts, and organizations to be the final chance humanity has to come together and avert global temperatures from reaching more than 1,5 degrees Celsius. If they fail, global temperatures will increase past 2 degrees Celsius and humanity will be thrown into an uncertain future of climate chaos and devastation. Check out this blog post, which details how current climate pledges are "half measures and hollow promises" and how they will result in a "catastrophic" 2.7C temperature rise. Let's use this topic to discuss and share news, commentary, and everything else related to COP26.

Ahead of the COP26 climate conference, the United Nations warned that the current commitments to cut greenhouse gas emissions put the world towards a "catastrophic" 2.7-degree Celsius temperature rise this century. According to the UN's Environment Programme (UNEP), national plans to reduce carbon pollution has so far just amounted to "weak promises, not yet delivered". The UN urged all 193 member states to step up their climate commitments – especially rich nations, which are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions. "The G20 countries are responsible for 78 percent of all emissions so the ‘to do item’ lies with them," Inger Andersen, executive director of the UNEP, told Al Jazeera. "The developed countries have a special responsibility to really step up, but actually everyone does – all 193 member states." But much of the pledged action by nations is being delayed until 2030, which according to scientists will be too late to halt the worst effects of climate change. "Action is needed now," Andersen explained. Current climate promises will result in a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by only 7.5 percent by 2030. But in order to reach the Paris Agreement's target of 1.5-degree Celsius warming by 2100, a reduction of 55 percent by 2030 is required – current reduction plans need to increase seven times more if we are going to have a chance of averting the worst climate effects. "If there is no meaningful reduction of emissions in the next decade, we will have lost forever the possibility to reach 1.5 degrees," U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres told a press briefing. The UN chief called the weak reduction plans a leadership failure. "This report is another thundering wake-up call. How many do we need? The emissions gap is the result of a leadership gap," Guterres told a press briefing. "The era of half measures and hollow promises must end. The time for closing the leadership gap must begin in Glasgow." COP26 will open in Glasgow next week, and this will be our very last chance - unless some sort of miracle happens - to put the world on track to limit global warming to 1.5-degree Celsius. So far, it's not looking good, with some world leaders being reluctant to attend or even refusing to show up at the conference. Either way, the two-week-long conference will show us if our world leaders are willing to commit to more ambitious climate plans - or if they will fail us and cause irrevocable and devastating consequences for humanity. Photo by Matt Palmer.