Pinctada radiata, British knifemen and AI at war
#331 Outriders Magazine
Former mines used for heating and nuclear-powered data centres
One in five properties in Wales are situated above mine sites, where water can heat homes. The available mine water temperatures range from 10 to 20°C. Plans are underway to utilize latent heat from mines in south and north-east Wales as part of a low-carbon heating solution. The UK Coal Authority states that around two trillion litres of hot water could be stored in old mine shafts across the UK.
According to the International Energy Association, data centres will contribute to a third of new US energy demand by 2026, and globally, this demand will more than double to 1,000 terawatt-hours. Data centres currently consume 2% of global electricity demand, with Chat GPT, for instance, requiring 15 times more energy than traditional web browsing. Tech companies are turning to nuclear power to provide new power sources, with Oracle Corporation already obtaining planning permission to build three small, modular nuclear reactors to power a data centre.
Timor-Leste has committed to reducing its carbon footprint through untapped renewable energy potential. However, the gas reserves its economy depends on are close to depletion, making energy transformation difficult. Additionally, electricity is generated from highly polluting diesel-fired power plants, and small oil-fired generators are the primary alternative power source in remote areas.
AI on the battlefield, brain research, and quantum computing
According to Microsoft scientists and experts from Quantum, a quantum computer has achieved a significant milestone by repeatedly correcting its errors during calculations using a quantum error correction technique for the first time in history. Quantum computers use qubits that follow the laws of quantum physics to perform calculations, but they are prone to errors due to oscillations. In quantum error correction, faulty qubits are combined to create logical qubits, which are then utilized for calculations.
Using AI and the connectome, scientists can now predict the activity of individual neurons without the need for measurements from a living brain, a feat previously thought impossible. This breakthrough involves experts from HHMI's Janelia research campus and the University of Tübingen. This new development can revolutionize how neuroscientists develop and test hypotheses about the brain's workings by allowing researchers to forecast neuronal activity using only the connectome. A connectome is a comprehensive map of the network of neuronal connections.
Approximately sixty of the 90 nations, including the United States, have agreed to a "roadmap" that governs the responsible use of AI on the battlefield. The remaining countries that sent a government representative to the summit in South Korea, including China, did not endorse the document. The guidelines stipulate that all military applications of AI must be "ethical and human-centric." The document also outlines the required risk assessments and emphasizes the importance of human oversight of AI.
Deadly attacks by wolves and cows on humans in India and the UK
In the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, wolves have been terrorizing about 30 villages in Bahraich district since mid-April. The animals have kidnapped and killed nine children and one adult, with at least 34 people injured. Such attacks on humans are sporadic, and most of them involve animals infected with rabies. The Norwegian Institute for Nature Research reports 489 “relatively reliable cases” of wolf attacks in 21 countries between 2002 and 2020. Twenty-six of these attacks ended in death, with about 380 people attacked by wolves infected with rabies. In India, climate change and floods may have damaged the habitats of wolves, leading them to forage near human habitations. In poor villages, children are less protected than farm animals.
According to the UK Health and Safety Executive, cattle were responsible for 22 fatal attacks on humans in England, Scotland, and Wales between March 2019 and March 2023. The victims were farmers but also other members of the public, most often walkers. According to some data, cows kill more people than dogs. Meanwhile, according to the Cows on Walkers Safety group, there have been 889 incidents involving cows or any attack on humans in England and Wales since July 2017. The presence of a dog during a walk increases the likelihood of an attack. A 2017 University of Liverpool study, based on 54 media reports of attacks over 20 years, found that dogs were at two-thirds and 94% of fatal incidents.
Regenerative farming and genetic engineering of animals for climate impact
Regenerative agriculture with a negative carbon footprint is considered environmentally friendly and climate-friendly. Some scientists, however, believe that the climate benefits of regenerative farming practices, such as growing cover crops and storing carbon in the soil, are overstated. They argue that financial support from companies and the US government for such practices can only reduce emissions to a small extent. Doubts are also raised about the effectiveness of regenerative grazing of cattle, also known as rotational grazing.
Proponents of genetic engineering argue that it can reduce animal disease and suffering and help combat climate change by reducing methane emissions from farm animals. Opponents, on the other hand, express concerns about the safety of gene editing and its potential consequences for animal welfare. Meanwhile, British company Genus has introduced PRRS-resistant genetically modified pigs to the market and has received regulatory approval to breed them in Colombia. The company is also considering expanding into the US, Mexico, Canada, and Japan.
The warming of the Mediterranean Sea has created a new opportunity for pearl farming. Italian oyster farmers are preparing to seize this business opportunity after the first specimens of Pinctada radiata, a pearl oyster from the Red Sea, were spotted about 100 km from Genoa. The first pearls are expected to be harvested in about a year.
Increased power competition in Africa, Asia, and Europe
The Central African Republic is caught in a power struggle between Russia and the US for influence in Africa. The US security firm Bancroft Global Development operates in the country with the government and Pentagon's approval, while Russia is refurbishing a military base near the capital city of Bangui to accommodate 10,000 military personnel, including troops from various African nations. Russia has emerged as a new regional security partner in recent years, displacing traditional allies such as France and the US. Russia has expanded military cooperation and deployed mercenaries in at least six countries since around 2017.
In response to China's territorial claims and increasing military presence in the South China Sea, Vietnam and the Philippines are strengthening their defence ties and enhancing maritime security cooperation. China asserts nearly all of the South China Sea, a crucial waterway through which goods worth $3 trillion are transported annually. The region is also believed to be rich in oil and gas reserves and fish. Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan are challenging China's territorial claims.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has supported the Western Balkan countries' efforts to join the European Union. If successful, this move could lead the region towards a promising future and potentially deter it from aligning with Russia, China, and Turkey. North Macedonia and Albania, EU candidates since 2005, are scheduled to commence membership negotiations in 2022. Other Western Balkan countries interested in joining the EU include Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
Urban architecture: Transforming urban spaces and buildings after earthquakes
How can urban spaces be transformed while integrating large-scale infrastructure projects? Such architectural projects often aim to connect remote locations, facilitating faster transport, logistics, and trade. At the same time, their size can negatively impact local communities. Some well-considered projects include the Coulée verte René-Dumont in Paris, the High Line in New York, and the Grand Avenue Park Bridge in Everett, USA. The latter connects a five-lane highway and railway tracks, carries electrical lines, and creates new viewpoints for residents to enjoy the waterfront. Such solutions promote social interaction, foster civic engagement, and connect critical destinations.
Following the February 2023 earthquake that hit central Turkey, among other places, the Turkish Design Council commissioned the SOUR design studio to revitalize the damaged urban fabric of Hatay Province in consultation with the local community. To assess the needs of residents, interviews were conducted with psychologists, anthropologists, and trauma specialists, and co-design began. The project is based on creating a sense of safety and belonging and providing space for evacuation in the event of another disaster. It is a new approach to urban regeneration after disaster, putting the human element at the forefront of design, aiming to rebuild the urban fabric while healing and increasing community resilience. This healing aspect of the regeneration process reassures the community and provides them comfort and security.
Solidarity havens for migrants: El Hierro in Spain and Kozluk in Bosnia
The shallow Drina River on the Bosnian-Serbian border, near the village of Kozluk, is a bottleneck on the Balkan route. Migrants, including those from Morocco, travel to Western Europe, passing through Turkey, Greece, North Macedonia, and then Serbia. The local Red Cross team regularly checks the riverbanks for migrants needing food or medical assistance. From January to August 2024, it assisted 800 refugees and distributed almost 3,000 meals. Some residents also support the migrants.
According to the Spanish Ministry of the Interior, at least 14,535 people arrived in 154 boats on El Hierro, a Spanish island off the coast of Africa, in 2023. This year, the number of migrants is increasing – an average of 45 people daily, mainly from Senegal, Mauritania, Gambia, Mali, Guinea, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The local community is a European oasis of solidarity. Most residents welcome newcomers, some offering migrants a place in their homes.
Doctors in Finland have called on the country’s right-wing government to reverse “problematic and harmful” plans to ban undocumented people, mainly migrants, from accessing healthcare for non-emergency purposes. Exceptions to this rule include children, people classified as “extremely vulnerable”, and those with disabilities. People with conditions such as diabetes or asthma could be left without treatment.
Efforts to address knife crime in the UK
According to the Office for National Statistics, there were more than 50,000 reported knife crimes in England and Wales in the 12 months leading up to March 2024, marking a 4% increase from the previous year. Knives are readily available for sale online, and both children and adults are common victims and perpetrators of knife attacks. Victims' parents advocate for knife crime education to be included in the school curriculum. In response to the issue, the British government has decided to classify various types of knives and machetes as dangerous items starting in September. The government has also announced that anyone possessing such weapons will face imprisonment.
According to the head of the British police, Stephen Clayman, social media companies are turning a blind eye to selling knives on their platforms. Criminals are purchasing blades in bulk and reselling them through social media. Clayman has called on these companies to develop solutions to prevent the transfer of lethal weapons, especially to children or known criminals, through their platforms.
A knife wholesaler based in Luton, Sporting Wholesale, whose weapons have been used in several murders, has participated in the government's take-back scheme by returning over 35,000 "zombie" knives. The police have described these knives and machetes as designed for killing and maiming. The wholesaler will receive over £10 in compensation for each knife returned. The weapons will be destroyed, and a specialist company will recycle the metal.