Optimistic Observer 07/25/24
By Capital Investment Counsel - July 25, 2024
Europe accelerates its turn away from fossil fuels:
Slightly more than half of the European energy mix in the first half of 2024—50.39%—came from renewables. Much of that came from onshore wind and hydropower, but solar surpassed coal for the first time. And if you factor in nuclear generation, the continent’s energy mix during that period shoots up to 74% low-carbon energy sources. Read more here.
Microsoft and Quantinuum say they’ve ushered in the next era of quantum computing:
Microsoft and Quantinuum have announced a significant breakthrough in quantum computing. They have developed a method to reduce errors in quantum computations, which has been a major hurdle in the field. Reducing errors in quantum computations could lead to advancements in fields like cryptography, materials science, and complex system modeling, potentially revolutionizing these areas. Read more here.
Star Wars-like tech that makes 500L of water from the air in 24 hours goes global:
A new technology can extract water from the air. This tech uses devices that capture moisture from the air and turn it into clean drinking water. If the cost can be reduced, this technology could provide a reliable source of clean water in dry regions and areas with water shortages. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, half of the global population faces water scarcity at least once a month. Next year, 1.8 billion people worldwide are expected to face conditions of absolute water scarcity. Read more here and here.
Oldest known narrative artwork discovered in Indonesia, dating back over 51,000 years!
A humble cave painting discovered in Indonesia, showing three people around a wild pig, is the oldest-known narrative artwork ever made by human hands, dating back more than 51,000 years. The discovery was dated using a new laser technique, marking the first time a cave painting has passed the 50,000-year barrier. 'This is the oldest evidence of storytelling.' Read more here.
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