Michelin’s airless passenger car tires get their first public outing
Michelin says “tweels” will last three times longer than normal tires, even when nothing goes wrong for the life of the tire, leading to a major reduction in waste.
2021 C.E.
Alabama begins removing racist language from its constitution
The state government is drafting amendments to its 1901 State Constitution that would remove discriminatory language. The changes would mark the end of the last remaining legal remnants of what are generally referred to as Jim Crow laws.
Boston University to fully divest from fossil fuel industry
Going forward, BU will phase out any investments in companies that extract oil and natural gas. The University’s endowment, more than $3 billion, will not have any direct investments in fossil fuel companies.
New York City is removing policing from city schools
The city’s 5,000 school safety agents will be transferred from the supervision of the New York police department to the Department of Education in June of next year.
World’s first battery-powered freight train unveiled in Pittsburgh
The train was built by rail-freight company Wabtec and showcased at Carnegie Mellon University as part of a bid by the two organizations to decarbonize rail freight transport in the U.S., The Guardian reported.
England will be first country to require new homes to include EV chargers
All new homes and offices will have to feature “smart” charging devices that automatically charge vehicles during off-peak periods. New office blocks will need to install a charge point for every five parking spaces.
Spain to ban sale of fruit and vegetables in plastic wrapping from 2023
The ban on fruit and vegetable packaging will apply to produce weighing under 1.5 kilograms, following similar legislation in France, where it will go into effect next year.
Brazil and Chile become world’s first countries to fully approve methane-busting feed additive for cows
Just a quarter teaspoon of Royal DMS’s Bovaer per cow per day consistently reduces burped methane emission by approximately 30% for dairy cows and even higher percentages (up to 90%) for beef cows.
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs grants all benefits to those discharged under ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’
Veterans who were discharged because of their gender identity, sexual orientation or HIV status will now receive the full range of veterans’ benefits including home loan guaranty, pension benefits, health care, and more.
European Parliament passes historic resolution to end all animal experiments
The vote was nearly unanimous – 667 to 4. The motion aims to prioritize the shift towards scientific methods that do not involve animals, including for research, regulatory testing, and education.