Green Burials, Wine Tourism and Seaweed Mining

Outriders Magazine #337

Green Burials, Aquamation, and Wicker Coffins

Green burials are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional burial methods. A recent National Funeral Directors Association report found that 60% of Americans are interested in learning about green burial options. Traditional burial practices can be highly damaging to the environment. Even cremation, often viewed as a more environmentally friendly alternative, consumes up to 2,000 gallons of fuel and releases between 100 and 400 kilograms of carbon dioxide. In contrast, green cemeteries do not use burial vaults and require biodegradable coffins, shrouds, urns, or other containers. They also prohibit embalming, as well as the use of herbicides, pesticides, and fertilizers for grave maintenance. Additionally, green burials are significantly less expensive than traditional burials.

Another option is aquamation, a process that uses a heated solution of water mixed with alkaline chemicals to accelerate decomposition. This process typically takes four to sixteen hours. After the process, the remaining bones are dried and powdered before being placed in an urn. However, aquamation requires about 1,300 litres of water and electricity for heating.

In the UK, research conducted by YouGov found that nearly one-third of people would choose alternative burial methods if available. British companies offer options like biodegradable wicker coffins and rental coffins made from biodegradable willow panels. After the funeral, the deceased’s body is transferred to a cardboard coffin, while the rented coffin remains at the funeral home. 

Seaweed Mining, Uranium in Niger, and New Lithium Deposits in the U.S.

A U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) study has unearthed a significant lithium deposit in southwestern Arkansas, a discovery that could reshape the global energy landscape. Scientists estimate there are between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium reserves underground, a figure that dwarfs the world's projected 2030 lithium demand for electric car batteries. The lithium, found in brines in the Smackover Formation, a relic of the ancient sea, will be mined by oil company Exxon Mobil Corporation, marking a significant shift in the company's operations.

California-based Blue Evolution is leading the charge in sustainable mining practices, focusing on regenerative seaweed farming. The company mines rare earth elements and precious metals stored in seaweed, including rhodium, palladium, and scandium. Operating seaweed farms in California and Alaska, Blue Evolution has just finalized a joint venture with the Maori Iwi to scale regenerative seaweed farming in Aotearoa, New Zealand. The ocean constantly feeds these kelp mines, absorbing nitrogen, phosphorus, coal and many other minerals, a testament to the potential of sustainable mining.

The global energy landscape is set to shift with the signing of a temporary agreement between Turkey and Niger on uranium mining and extraction. The agreement, aimed at helping Turkish companies explore the African country, could have significant implications. Niger, one of the world's largest uranium producers, may be considering giving Turkey access to undeveloped and existing mines. The government's previous revocation of uranium permits for French and Canadian companies and Russia's attempts to fill the void underscore this agreement's potential impact on global energy dynamics.

Alcohol Market: Investment in Soft Drinks and the Alto Douro Region

The non-alcoholic and low-alcohol beverage market is experiencing significant growth, with alcohol companies strategically engaging in mergers, acquisitions, brand extensions, and investments in technology and production. According to a market analysis by GlobalData, the global non-alcoholic beer and cider market is steadily rising and is expected to reach $11.6 billion by 2027, marking a substantial 16% increase from forecasts for 2024. This growth is exemplified by British beverage giant Diageo, which has expanded its non-alcoholic offerings, including brands like Captain Morgan's, Tanqueray, and Guinness.

Enotourism, or wine tourism, is transforming the landscape in Porto and the Alto Douro wine region in northeastern Portugal. Port producers have cleverly repurposed their cellars into visitor centres, hotels, and the World of Wine, a museum and hospitality complex. This shift has attracted tourists to the Alto Douro wine region and helped mitigate the sharp decline in demand for fortified wines, which has fallen by 30% since 2000. However, the industry faces challenges; many small farmers in this Portuguese wine region struggle with abandoned vineyards and the outmigration of local youth seeking employment in urban areas.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize the customer experience in the alcoholic beverage industry. The potential is evident, with 27% of consumers using AI expressing a desire for improved customer service and personalized product recommendations. For example, an AI-powered virtual barista can answer questions about a specific brand or drink, create personalized blends based on individual preferences, and explain the drink-making process. This marks the beginning of a new era in customer service and product personalization.

Neurodegenerative Diseases: New Research and Scientific Discoveries

Groundbreaking research from King's College London has revealed a significant connection between ancient viral DNA in the human genome and the genetic risk of two central nervous system diseases: multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The study focused on human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), remnants of ancient retroviral infections that have become permanent parts of human DNA. This research represents a significant advancement in understanding the complex genetic architecture underlying neurodegenerative diseases.

Encouraging findings from Concordia University suggest that bilingualism may protect against Alzheimer's disease. Using neuroimaging technology, the study found that patients who speak two languages have more significant and healthier hippocampi. This discovery raises hope, indicating that bilingualism could potentially delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease by as much as five years, offering optimism in the fight against this debilitating condition.

A collaborative study on Parkinson's disease and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has united researchers from the Queensland Institute of Medical Research with teams from around the world. This international research project examined the DNA and brains of nearly 75,000 participants from 1,000 research laboratories across 45 countries. The findings revealed that some differences in the participants' brains were linked to genetic variants that appear to increase the risk of both Parkinson's disease and ADHD. This underscores the importance of global scientific collaboration in exploring the complexities of these diseases.

Asia Ties: India, China, Russia, and the Korean Peninsula

India and China have confirmed an agreement to resolve their disputed border in the Himalayas. This pact includes provisions for military patrols along the border, although it remains unclear whether it applies to the entire border length or only to specific areas where standoffs have occurred since 2020. The Line of Actual Control, the unofficial border between India and China, spans approximately 3,488 kilometres. It separates territories controlled by both nations, extending from Ladakh in the west to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh in the east, which China claims as part of Tibet.

Meanwhile, alarming intelligence reports indicate that around 1,500 North Korean special forces are currently in Russia, reportedly preparing for combat. Even more concerning is that South Korean intelligence has tracked around 70 shipments of ammunition—including missiles, rockets, and anti-tank weaponry—from North Korea to Russia since August of last year. This represents an estimated total of 8 million weapons. The implications of North Korea's involvement in Russia's war with Ukraine, as part of an 'Axis of Breakthrough' coalition comprising Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, are deeply troubling.

Recent developments in this region have raised significant concerns about the potential for nuclear conflict. Both Russia and North Korea have intensified their focus on nuclear capabilities. Notably, two Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers recently completed a 10-hour flight over the Sea of Japan, off the coast of the Russian Far East. In addition, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has visited the bases of the Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missile launchers and has urged the maintenance of a 'countermeasure posture' to enable the rapid launch of nuclear-tipped missiles.

Migration: Tunisia, Switzerland, and Southeast Europe

UN experts, a group of independent human rights investigators appointed by the UN, have accused Tunisian security forces of serious human rights violations against migrants. According to their report, Tunisian authorities engaged in “dangerous manoeuvres at sea” while intercepting migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. They reportedly used physical violence, including beatings and threats with firearms, removed engines and fuel from migrant boats, and capsized vessels. Additionally, migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers—including children and pregnant women—are allegedly being taken to desert areas bordering Algeria and Libya, where border guards fire upon them if they attempt to return.

In Switzerland, authorities have decided to close nine temporary asylum-seeker centres due to a drastic decrease in asylum applicants. While this move is pragmatic, it also highlights the human impact of the situation. Unlike previous years, there has been no increase in new asylum seekers during the summer and fall. Furthermore, asylum applications fell by 40% in September. The nine closed centres, which could accommodate more than 1,700 people, now stand empty, a stark reminder of the changing landscape of asylum policies.

Leaders from Hungary, Serbia, and Slovakia have proposed a potentially transformative solution to the asylum crisis: establishing reception centers for asylum seekers in territories outside the European Union, such as North Africa. They argue this innovative approach could help stem illegal immigration, which they see as an existential threat to the EU. Meanwhile, according to Frontex, the number of illegal border crossings into the EU fell by 42% in the first nine months of 2024 and by 79% on the Western Balkan route, which includes Serbia and Hungary. This proposal offers a glimmer of hope amid a complex issue.

Animals and Technology: Bird Migration and the Energy Costs of Raising Offspring

A team of roboticists, palaeontologists, and biologists led by the University of Cambridge is developing robots inspired by modern walking fish, such as mudskippers, as well as fossils of extinct fish. The scientists are carefully creating robots based on the skeletal structures of fish that lived millions of years ago, incorporating mechanical joints that mimic muscles and ligaments. Once their work is complete, the team will experiment with these robots to better understand how prehistoric animals may have moved, showcasing the rigour and dedication of the researchers.

How much energy is required to produce a baby? According to Dustin Marshall, an ecologist and evolutionary biologist at Monash University in Melbourne, the additional energy needed for humans to conceive a child could be as much as 24 times greater than previously estimated, potentially requiring an extra 208,000 kilojoules (50,000 kcal). For animals that depend on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature, the energy difference is smaller than for humans but still several times greater than initially thought.

A recent study presents a surprising twist that challenges the longstanding belief that birds conserve energy by migrating to warmer regions. The research involved using miniaturized devices to monitor blackbirds' heart rates and body temperatures throughout their migration, taking measurements every 30 minutes from autumn to spring. The researchers suggest that hidden costs associated with migration may offset any thermal benefits gained by wintering in warmer areas. These costs could include the increased energy expenditure related to intensively searching for food or avoiding predators, opening new avenues for further research.

Archaeology: Discoveries of Ancient Settlements in Serbia, China, and Uzbekistan

Archaeologists from the Austrian Academy of Sciences have made a significant discovery in Svinjarička Čuka, Serbia. They have unearthed the remains of a prehistoric house, dating back approximately 8,000 years, which challenges traditional assumptions about the early Neolithic period in the region. The rectangular building, constructed from wattle and daub and supported by wooden posts, is attributed to the Starčevo culture, one of the earliest Neolithic cultures in Serbia and the Balkans. This culture is known for introducing agriculture, domesticating animals, and establishing small semi-permanent villages. The findings at Svinjarička Čuka offer valuable insights into these early inhabitants' lifestyles and settlement patterns.

In the Pamir Mountains of Uzbekistan, at an altitude of over 2,000 meters above sea level, Uzbek and American archaeologists have uncovered evidence of human resilience. Despite harsh conditions and limited resources, two medieval cities—Tugunbulak and Tashbulak—thrived along the Silk Road from the 8th to the 11th century CE. The inhabitants, supported by metallurgy and other trades, thrived against the odds and created vibrant communities. This discovery challenges the conventional view that the Silk Road avoided the mountainous regions of Central Asia.

In central China, a 5,000-year-old royal tomb of the Dawenkou culture has been unearthed in the ruins of Wangzhuang, dating from 4000 to 2600 BC. Researchers suggest that Wangzhuang may have been the capital of a prehistoric kingdom. The coffins discovered there likely contained the remains of a local king, along with around 200 jade ornaments, bone tools, and animal remains.