Christmas Trees, Microgrids, and Sudan's Gold Rush
#343 Outriders Magazine
International Politics in Africa, Oceania, and Europe
With Turkish mediation, Ethiopia and Somalia have agreed to collaborate on resolving their differences regarding a deal that allows Addis Ababa to construct a military base on the Somaliland coast. Under the previous agreement, Somaliland granted Ethiopia the right to establish this military base and commercial facilities. In exchange, Somaliland would receive an unspecified stake in Ethiopian Airlines, and Ethiopia would consider formally recognizing the region internationally. However, Somalia has protested that this deal violates its territorial integrity, as it claims the region and is concerned that the agreement could undermine its sovereignty. Although Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991, it has not received international recognition as a sovereign state.
In another development, Australia has signed a five-year treaty with the Pacific island nation of Nauru to provide aid, banking, and infrastructure support. This deal aims to enhance regional influence as U.S.-aligned nations compete with China. Nauru will consult with Australia on partnerships and agreements in key sectors, and in return, Australia will provide approximately $90 million in budget support and security assistance to the country.
Additionally, Bulgaria and Greece have agreed to completely abolish border controls starting January 1, 2025, following Bulgaria and Romania's full integration into the Schengen area. Furthermore, a joint group of 100 police officers from Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Austria will be deployed to the Bulgarian border with Turkey to assist with checks there. This significant deployment highlights their commitment to maintaining security. Meanwhile, random border checks will also be implemented on the Bulgarian-Romanian border.
Exploring the Interconnectedness of Climate Change, Christmas Trees and Holiday Spending
Warmer temperatures and drought in the US due to climate change have led to a 20 per cent loss of Christmas trees, particularly in the Northeast and New England. This loss not only affects the holiday season but also significantly impacts the environment. The drought affects mostly smaller and younger trees, and most farms are not irrigated. In 2022, about 14.5 million trees will be cut down for the holidays in the US, some imported from Canada, and a total of 350 million future Christmas trees will be grown on all farms in the US.
The poinsettia, the second plant symbol of the holiday, has a rich and fascinating history. It was used by the Aztecs to make purple dye for clothes and cosmetics and to cure fevers. The connection of poinsettia to Christmas is deeply rooted in the mythical story of Pepita, a 17th-century girl who visited a nativity scene in a Mexican village. Having no gift for the baby Jesus, she offered him some weeds. Gifted from the heart, the weeds bloomed with red flowers. This heartwarming tale is a testament to the enduring spirit of Christmas. The plant began to gain popularity in the US in the mid-19th century.
Despite the past year's challenges, the UK is set to experience a significant boost in Christmas spending. PwC predicts premium food, clothing, and technology purchases will drive a 5% increase in UK Christmas spending this year, reaching £22.7bn. The average amount spent on gifts and celebrations is expected to rise from £416 to £433 per person. Consumers have identified food, drink, and Christmas dinner as top priorities. With 55% of gifts to be bought online for home delivery and 36% in stores, the festive season is set to bring a much-needed economic uplift.
The Green Energy Revolution and Its Human and Environmental Costs
The increasing demand for lithium, which is essential for batteries in electric vehicles and energy storage, is leading to the exploitation of child labour and illegal mining in Nigeria. Children's efforts supply raw materials to Chinese companies that dominate Nigeria's poorly regulated mining industry. These companies are often blamed for engaging in illegal mining practices using crude methods and for exploiting workers, many of whom come from local communities. The International Labor Organization estimates that more than a million children work in mines and quarries worldwide, particularly in Africa, highlighting the detrimental impact on these local communities.
The Muchacha gold mine in Ituri Province, Congo, is encroaching on the Okapi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the last remaining refuges for the endangered okapi. According to residents and wildlife experts, the mining activities are polluting rivers and soil, destroying forests, and increasing poaching. This reserve is part of the Congo Basin rainforest, the second-largest rainforest in the world and a vital carbon sink, emphasizing the significance of this issue.
Residents of Leitholm in Scotland are deeply concerned about the potential impact of proposed energy storage facilities in their village. They fear constructing more than 80 hectares of these facilities within a 3-kilometre radius would "rip the heart out of the village" and damage its environmental assets. Scottish Power Energy Networks plans to build six sites that will cover an area equivalent to 128 football pitches to accommodate the growing renewable energy requirements, primarily from onshore and offshore wind farms.
Airlines: 2025 Outlook, Russia, and the Middle East
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the airline industry is expected to surpass $1 trillion in revenues by 2025, highlighting its growth potential. Airlines are projected to carry 5.2 billion passengers on over 40 million flights, with airfare anticipated to be 44% cheaper than in 2014, indicating a promising future. However, the industry is also facing challenges, including delays in aircraft deliveries due to issues at Boeing and Airbus, alongside some suppliers exploiting their market positions.
Geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, such as the war in the Gaza Strip, events in Syria, and tensions between Israel and Iran, have ignited a European debate over the safety of flights in the region. The Middle East is a crucial air corridor for flights to India, Southeast Asia, and Australia, with 1,400 planes using this route daily to and from Europe last year. The varying safety policies of European airlines complicate matters; some allow crew members to cancel flights on unsafe routes, while others do not.
Meanwhile, Russia's civil aviation sector is currently confronting a significant challenge. Although there is a growing demand for travel among Russians, who are increasingly visiting local resorts and the former Soviet republics of Turkey, Egypt, China, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, the sector is struggling to keep pace. The country's economic growth and rising wages have fueled increased travel, but Russia is facing a shortage of aircraft due to sanctions that have cut off access to Western planes. Additionally, there is a lack of replacement parts that domestic production cannot supply, further aggravating the situation.
Microrobots in Medicine, Walking Drones, and Vines
At the California Institute of Technology, scientists have made groundbreaking advancements in drug delivery. Their bubble-like microrobots, designed with remarkable precision, can navigate the body's intricate landscape, delivering medications to their intended targets with pinpoint accuracy. These Caltech innovations, capable of withstanding harsh body fluids such as stomach acid, release the drug only when it reaches its target, ensuring optimal absorption without any side effects. The spherical microstructures are made from a hydrogel called polyethene glycol diacrylate.
Imagine a bird-like drone with wings and legs that can walk, jump, and take off without catapults or runways. This is the RAVEN drone, an impressive feat of robotics developed by the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. With a wingspan of 100 centimetres and a body length of 50, it can cover a meter in less than four seconds and leap over obstacles up to 26 centimetres. Its legs allow it to reach a take-off height of nearly half a meter, launching it into flight. The agility of the RAVEN drone showcases the incredible advancements in robotics.
Experts from Cornell AgriTech have built a robot that utilizes AI to detect diseases in vineyards. This robot moves along the rows of grapevines, analyzing the photos it captures for signs of diseases such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. It operates continuously, taking hundreds of thousands of photos daily in various lighting conditions, including using a flash, while constantly monitoring the vineyard. The robot achieves over 90% accuracy in diagnosing powdery mildew and related viruses. Ultimately, it will be equipped with a spray system to eliminate infections directly in the field.
The Sudan Gold Rush and Security Companies in Africa
In Sudan, a nation torn by civil war, ethnic cleansing, and a humanitarian crisis, the gold trade is thriving, providing crucial funding for both sides of the conflict. This trade, which is seeing billions of dollars from Sudan’s gold rush being siphoned out of the country, is transforming the African Sahel region into a major global gold producer. The gold is a lifeline for government forces and their adversaries, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Sudanese government, a key player in this trade, has even sought the cooperation of Russia and the Gulf states in mining, sometimes aligning with the RSF.
Since the UN peacekeeping mission withdrew in late 2023, Mali’s armed forces, with the support of Russian mercenaries from the Wagner Group, have been accused of a litany of abuses, including murders and kidnappings of civilians, according to Human Rights Watch. The same report also points fingers at local jihadist groups, accusing them of executing dozens of civilians. Both the military and the jihadists have been responsible for the destruction of local assets, leading to the displacement of thousands of Malians. This grim situation is not new, as Mali, along with its neighbours Burkina Faso and Niger, has been grappling with jihadist groups for over a decade.
Retired European soldiers, including French, Romanians, and Belarusians from the Foreign Legion, protect the resource-rich North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo from the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23) rebels. Bulgarian (Agemira) and Romanian (RALF) security companies operate there. Salaries for foreigners range from $5,000 to $6,000 a month. The soldiers serve as consultants, and some are unarmed or could use weapons only in specific cases.
Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and Racial Preferences in U.S. Colleges
Hindus living in Bangladesh are seen as allies of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed, who fled to India in August following widespread protests. Her government has historically been supportive of Hindus, who make up about 10% of the population in Bangladesh. Currently, during incidents inspired by Muslim extremism, Hindu homes and temples are being destroyed, and violence is being perpetrated against the Hindu minority. Furthermore, Bangladeshi Hindus are facing threats from a disinformation campaign being conducted in India, which is perceived as supporting Sheikh Hasina's administration. An investigation by the Bangladeshi organization Rumor Scanner has revealed that dozens of Indian media outlets have spread at least 13 false reports about Bangladesh between August and December, significantly affecting the situation.
A significant legal battle regarding college admissions is underway in the United States. The group Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), which opposes racial preferences in college admissions, has sued the United States Air Force Academy and the U.S. Department of Defense to abolish this practice across all higher education institutions. SFFA references a Supreme Court decision last year that rejected racially conscious affirmative action in college admissions, explicitly ruling on cases against Harvard University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. However, the Supreme Court made an exception for military academies, as the U.S. Department of Defense has argued for years that having a racially diverse officer corps that reflects the armed forces is essential to national security.
Microgrids, AI Turbines, and the Oasis de Atacama Project
To survive disasters such as hurricanes, wildfires, and floods, local communities depend on small-scale power systems known as microgrids to achieve energy autonomy. For instance, Hot Springs, a mountain town in North Carolina, restored power to key facilities within five days of Hurricane Helen in September. Its microgrid was fully operational— a self-contained, hyperlocal, grid-neutral system. This allows it to function independently from the primary power grid, generating, storing, and distributing energy through solar panels and battery storage.
Imagine a world where urban energy is harnessed through the power of artificial intelligence. EvoPhase, in collaboration with Kwik Fab, has brought this vision to life with the world's first urban wind turbine designed by AI. This innovative turbine, specifically tailored to the unique wind conditions of Birmingham, UK, is a groundbreaking development in sustainable energy. It's a new approach to creating small, cost-effective wind power generators, with the Birmingham Blade proving to be up to seven times more efficient than existing designs, based on simulation results for wind speeds in urban environments.
Spanish developer Grenergy’s Oasis de Atacama project in northern Chile goes beyond generating power; it aims to make a significant environmental impact. With 2 GW of solar power and 11 GWh of storage capacity, the project is a beacon of hope in the fight against climate change. It is expected to generate approximately 5.5 TWh of energy annually, helping to save around 1.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This is a significant step toward a greener and more sustainable future.