What's Emerging end of May 2024
A newsletter on interesting stuff that is emerging around the world so you can think about strategy.
Welcome to our end of May Newsletter
In the next few weeks Paul will be working on the strategy consultation process with RSL Victoria. Paul is starting a scenario and Foresight Forum project with the Professional Standards Authority and will be presenting to another agricultural conference. He will also continue working with the SEGRA Foundation. He will also continue in his role of venture philanthropy organisation Social Venture Partners Melbourne that is conducting a wide-ranging strategy review in March (just completed - stand by for news from that). He is also setting up the business plan proposal for a new social enterprise business (we could tell you what it is, but we would have to kill you).
If you are interested in talking to us about any of our strategy approaches, foresight approaches, workshops, or conference presentations, please Contact Us.
The Emergent Futures Team
In case you missed it. The most popular link from the last edition (for a record fourth time in a row time) was:
Only walking for exercise? Here’s how to get the most out of it
Walking is cost-effective, doesn’t require any special equipment or training, and can be done with small pockets of time. Preliminary research shows there are ways to incorporate strength-training components into walking to improve your muscle strength and balance.……Read More
What are we Writing About?
Paul’s presentation and notes to the Agriculture Net Zero Summit in Queensland is now up. You can view it by going to your HOME PAGE and looking under “Our Latest Work”
What’s Emerging
H5N1 virus in latest human case has mutated, officials say
Genomic sequencing has now found a change in the virus compared to an earlier infection in a dairy worker in Texas, raising concerns that the virus is evolving to better infect humans.........…..Read More
A new breakthrough could deepen US troops' dependence on Chinese batteries
The Qingdao Institute reports a new manufacturing technique that enables cells to charge quicker and age slower..........…..Read More
Goterra and Skretting closing the waste loop in Aquaculture supply chains
Skretting Australia and GOTERRA announced a new partnership to include Australian insect meal in aquaculture feeds. This collaboration will drive the upscaling of key technologies required to mitigate food waste impacts, while contributing to the sustainable production of Australian farmed seafood..........…..Read More
Chinese carmakers set sights on production in Turkey to dodge EU tariffs
As the European Union decides on potentially increasing tariffs on EVs imported from China, Chinese automakers are already developing an alternative strategy to maintain their strength and continued growth in the region. Paul: I spoke both in Western Australia and Queensland recently about the EV manufacturing surge and likely fallout.........……. Read more
Powering Australia with nuclear energy would cost roughly twice as much as renewables, CSIRO report shows
Building a large-scale nuclear power plant in Australia would cost at least $8.5 billion, take 15 years to deliver and produce electricity at roughly twice the cost of renewable sources, the country's leading scientific institution has found..........……. Read More
Australia’s Incat to design 72m hybrid electric ferry for Europe
Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS has contracted Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania to complete a design study for the construction of an electric-hybrid ferry for use across Europe. Incat Tasmania is already building the world’s largest lightweight battery electric ship for South American ferry operator Buquebus at its Hobart shipyard. ......…..Read more
Microsoft unveils customizable Xbox controller for gamers with disabilities
The Proteus Controller, made up of interchangeable cubes, has more than 100 million possible combinations.......…..Read more
Cement recycling method could help solve one of the world's biggest climate challenges
The method, which the researchers say is "an absolute miracle," uses the electrically-powered arc furnaces used for steel recycling to simultaneously recycle cement, the carbon-hungry component of concrete........….. Read more
Temperatures in Delhi hit 52C as heatwave red alert issued
Authorities have ordered water rations across the Indian capital and warned of a high risk of heat-related illnesses.……. Read more
Battery storage in the power sector was the fastest growing energy technology in 2023 that was commercially available
Strong growth occurred for utility-scale battery projects, behind-the-meter batteries, mini-grids and solar home systems for electricity access, adding a total of 42 GW of battery storage capacity globally. Electric vehicle (EV) battery deployment increased by 40% in 2023, with 14 million new electric cars, accounting for the vast majority of batteries used in the energy sector.……. Read more
Global defence budget jumps to record high of $2440bn
The 6.8% increase between 2022 and 2023 was the steepest since 2009, pushing spending to the highest recorded by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) in its 60-year history. For the first time, analysts at the thinktank recorded a rise in military outlay in all five geographical regions: Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania and the Americas. Paul: This really depresses me...........….….Read more
Shiru Unveils AI-Led Protein Marketplace and Discovery Marketplace
The website allows companies to search, discover, pilot, and buy molecules for applications ranging from food and agriculture to personal care and advanced materials. Described as an industry-first, it harnesses the power of AI and combines it with an extensive database of natural protein sequences, and automated biochemistry workflows to deliver a web interface that lets you search through over 33 million molecules.........….….Read more
Cicada dual emergence brings chaos to the food chain
This April, trillions of periodical cicadas began their descent on the midwest and southeast of the United States, causing so much noise that local residents called the police to complain. But the cicadas don't just disrupt neighbourhoods with a deafening soundtrack, they also throw food chains into chaos.........….…Read more.
SUSTAINABLE SAILING: KITE-POWERED MICRO-CARGO SHIPS
The emission-free ship operates using an Airborne Wind Energy System, with its key feature being a kite. Flying at heights ranging from 100 to 300 metres, the vessel harnesses the powerful and steady offshore winds present 95 per cent of the time worldwide. In cases of insufficient or excessive wind, it employs a battery electric propulsion system that charges while the kite operates..……...… Read more.
Business and Other Tips
Use reverse-image-search before buying anything
The murky world of third party sellers and fulfilment can be navigated and save you money....… Read more.
The NSA advises you to turn your phone off and back on once a week
There are several ways to protect yourself, the NSA suggests. Paul: I follow most of these, especially using a vpn and not using public wifi. I also give out Porta Power USB blockers as prizes at conferences - they prevent data theft if you are charging through a USB cable, even on a power point. (you can be hacked this way - it is called Juice Jacking)...… Read more.
Some venomous snakes can bite and kill even when they're dead and decapitated
"A snake at rest might only breathe five times a minute, so already they have low oxygen requirements." This means even when their heart has stopped beating, their tissues can retain enough oxygen to allow nerves to fire, triggering a bite reflex if you put a finger in or on its mouth. Paul - when I worked as a vet I once had a client bring a dog in that had been bitten by a snake. They brought the snake in as well so I could identify it and give the correct anti-venom…When I put it on the exam table it moved - an involuntary muscle spasm but scared me half to death… Read More
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