Latest news with #GBN
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Farmers issue warning as extreme weather threatens food supply: 'Threatening the socioeconomic livelihoods of our farmers'
A food report from a West African nonprofit leader spotlights how our planet's overheating is causing more than severe storms and health risks. Solidaridad West Africa regional director Isaac Gyamfi said that air pollution is threatening farmers' livelihoods and, in turn, endangering food supplies, according to a story from Ghana Business News (GBN). Our planet has warmed about 2 degrees Fahrenheit since 1850, according to U.S. government data. Experts from organizations such as NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology agree that unlimited warming will bring to fruition worst-case scenarios already being realized, including droughts and wildfires. "Climate change impact is not just an environmental challenge because rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and land degradation continue to affect yields, threatening the socioeconomic livelihoods of our farmers and national food security, " Gyamfi said in the GBN report. His organization promotes sustainable production methods in collaboration with farmers and others in the community. Yale Climate Connections reported that rising food prices are a "constant reminder" about the "havoc" that our planet's warming is causing. Yale cited a New York Times article that highlighted droughts in India that hurt food supplies, among other examples. The U.S. Department of Agriculture forecast overall food prices to "rise slightly faster than the historical average rate of growth." The price of all food is expected to jump 3.5%. "Food-at-home" costs are predicted to increase 3.2% this year. Foreign policy, trade, and other factors contribute to the rates, in addition to disease and the weather. Yale added that staples such as corn, wheat, rice, and potatoes are at particular weather-related risk. Crucial rice yields could decrease by 40% by the end of the century, according to Yale Climate Connections. What's more, researchers are even concerned that hotter temperatures will impact farm labor productivity, contributing to yield losses. In Ghana, Solidaridad is working on efforts that include farmers, policymakers, researchers, and others to develop more sustainable land-use strategies and "climate-smart" practices, according to GBN. Experts at the University of Texas are making a hydrogel that mitigates nitrogen runoff from excess fertilizer, negating water contamination. Quub, a Pennsylvania-based company, is working to deploy a network of satellites to monitor Earth's health, providing updates on deforestation, weather alerts, and other data. The tech can help to modernize farming with better data and tools. What is the biggest reason you don't grow food at home? Not enough time Not enough space It seems too hard I have a garden already Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Individually, it's important to stay on top of policies that impact farming practices. Talking to your local representative about planet-friendly regulations is a good place to start. At home, try growing a garden and including more vegetables in your meal plans. You can save hundreds of dollars annually on groceries while cutting pollution. Plant-based diets can also contribute to better health and improve how you feel, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada beats Britain in race to launch first mini-nuclear reactor in the West
Canada has approved the construction of the first mini-nuclear reactor in the West, beating Britain in the race to approve the technology. The Government of Ontario has endorsed a multibillion-dollar plan for GE Hitachi to build four small nuclear reactors (SMRs), with the first to be operational by 2029. The project will create 18,000 jobs and cost C$20.9bn (£11.3bn). The decision comes as GE Hitachi vies to build Britain's first mini-nuclear reactor, competing in a government-led competition against Britain's Rolls-Royce and US company Holtec. The UK is not expected to have its own SMR up and running until the mid-2030s. Andy Champ, GE Hitachi's UK director, said: 'The decision to proceed with construction in Canada means our BWRX-300 is the only SMR in the Western world with a contract to deploy, making us the lowest-risk choice.' Great British Nuclear (GBN) is expected to announce the winning bidders of its SMR contract this summer, with participants expected to build three to four small reactors. The competition to bring the power plants to Britain has been repeatedly delayed in what has been described as a 'tortuously slow' Whitehall process. The winning technologies was initially supposed to be chosen by late 2024, but that timeline has repeatedly slipped. The delays have led to warnings from industry that Britain risked falling behind in the global race to capitalise on the technology. Nations that award the initial contracts are likely to see factories assembled in their country, something that may not be a given as the industry evolves. Tufan Erginbilgiç, the boss of Rolls-Royce, told The Telegraph last year that Britain risked losing 'first-mover advantage'. SMRs are viewed as a key breakthrough in nuclear technology, since they can be made in factories and assembled on site, cutting the building time for a new nuclear power plant from decades to years, saving billions of pounds. GBN has advertised contracts worth £20bn in total for 'technology partners', a figure expected to be shared among two winning bids. However, that budget is expected to come under pressure from the Chancellor's cross-departmental spending review. The four Canadian reactors will provide enough clean energy for 1.2m homes and produce 1,200 megawatts (MW) of power. The government-owned Ontario Power Generation will install a GE Hitachi BWRX-300, which uses commercially available uranium to generate power. 'This is a historic day for Canada as we start construction on the first small modular reactor in the G7,' said Stephen Lecce, minister for energy. 'This nation-building project being built right here in Ontario will be led by Canadian workers using Canadian steel, concrete and materials to help deliver the extraordinary amount of reliable and clean power we will need to deliver on our ambitious plan to protect Ontario and unleash our economy.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Robert Francis Prevost Is 'Centrist' Who Opposes Ordination of Women
The first American Pope, Leo XIV, has spoken about the role of women in the Catholic Church. In an interview with Vatican News in 2023, the Chicago-born Robert Francis Prevost weighed in on some controversial topics. Among them: The role of women. Prevost was named Pope by the conclave of cardinals on May 8, 2025, Vatican News confirmed. That has many people eager to learn more about his views. According to GBN, "Ideologically, Prevost occupies a centrist position within the church hierarchy." GBN reported that Prevost is "viewed as a progressive" on social issues, especially dealing with "his embrace of marginalized groups." He "maintains conservative positions on certain matters of church doctrine," that site reported, including opposing "the ordination of women as deacons." Prevost has also shared posts critical of U.S. immigration policies on Twitter (now X). CBS News also described his opinions on women in the church, writing, "The Illinois native opposes ordaining women as deacons, for instance, so on that point he's seen as conservative on church doctrine." "One of the novelties the Pope has introduced was to appoint three women among the members of the Dicastery for Bishops. What can you say about their contribution?" Vatican News asked Prevost at the time, referring to the now-deceased Pope Francis. "On several occasions, we have seen that their point of view is an enrichment. Two are religious and one is a laywoman, and often their perspective coincides perfectly with what the other members of the dicastery say; while at other times, their opinion introduces another perspective and becomes an important contribution to the process," Prevost responded, according to Vatican News. "I think their appointment is more than just a gesture on the part of the Pope to say that there are now women here, too. There is a real, genuine, and meaningful participation that they offer at our meetings when we discuss the dossiers of candidates," he added. Adding the three women to the "voting bloc that decides which bishop nominations to forward to the Pope" was considered Francis's "most revolutionary" reform, and Prevost presided over it, GBN reported.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US company pulls out of race to build Britain's first mini-nukes
US nuclear giant Westinghouse has pulled out of the UK's small modular reactor (SMR) design competition. The four companies remaining in the contest were given a deadline of mid-April to make their final bids but The Telegraph understands that Westinghouse did not submit one following a negotiation process. It means only three finalists remain in the running: Rolls-Royce, GE-Hitachi and Holtec. Great British Nuclear (GBN), the quango responsible for the SMR programme, was expected to announce two winners this summer with bidders told to prepare to build three to four mini reactors each. Westinghouse did not deny it had withdrawn on Friday but declined to give its reasons. One industry source suggested the company had baulked at the commercial offer made by the Government. GBN previously advertised contracts worth £20bn in total for SMR 'technology partners', a figure that is understood to be based on the assumption two winners would be chosen. However, The Telegraph revealed in February that the Government is considering awarding a contract to only one company as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, looks to make savings in her cross-departmental spending review. The Chancellor is struggling to balance the books as weak economic growth makes it harder to meet her self-imposed 'fiscal rules' for borrowing. SMR supporters claim they could be a breakthrough in nuclear power because they would be made predominantly in factories and then assembled on site, cutting building times from around a decade to a few years. In theory this could cut costs – as would-be builders of SMRS have repeatedly promised.. Many politicians have snapped up that bait. When he opened the latest stage of the SMR competition, Mr Miliband said: 'Small modular reactors will support our mission to become a clean energy superpower.' However, the nuclear industry has a mixed record on bringing in key projects on time and on budget. The biggest current example is the UK's Hinkley Point C power station in Somerset which EDF originally said would cost under £20bn and be operating by now. Current costs estimates are for a final price approaching £50bn and a start-up after 2030. There are growing fears that the economics of SMRs could prove even harder to justify – because they have many of the same problems as large reactors – meaning security and waste disposal – but produce far less electricity and so make less money. On Friday, a GBN spokesman declined to comment on Westinghouse's position as did Westinghouse itself. The UK Energy Department was asked for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
26-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
US nuclear giant pulls out of race to build Britain's first mini-nukes
US nuclear giant Westinghouse has pulled out of the UK's small modular reactor (SMR) design competition. The four companies remaining in the contest were given a deadline of mid-April to make their final bids, but The Telegraph understands that Westinghouse did not submit one following a negotiation process. It means only three finalists – Rolls-Royce, GE-Hitachi and Holtec – remain in the running. Great British Nuclear (GBN), the quango responsible for the SMR programme, was expected to announce two winners this summer with bidders told to prepare to build three to four mini reactors each. Westinghouse did not deny it had withdrawn on Friday but declined to give its reasons. One industry source suggested the company had baulked at the commercial offer made by the Government. GBN previously advertised contracts worth £20bn in total for SMR 'technology partners', a figure that is understood to be based on the assumption two winners would be chosen. However, The Telegraph revealed in February that the Government was considering awarding a contract to only one company as Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, looks to make savings in her cross-departmental spending review. The Chancellor is struggling to balance the books as weak economic growth makes it harder to meet her self-imposed 'fiscal rules' for borrowing. SMR supporters claim they could be a breakthrough in nuclear power because they would be made predominantly in factories and then assembled on site, cutting building times from around a decade to a few years. In theory this could cut costs – as would-be builders of SMRS have repeatedly promised.. Many politicians have snapped up that bait. When he opened the latest stage of the SMR competition, Mr Miliband said: 'Small modular reactors will support our mission to become a clean energy superpower.' However, the nuclear industry has a mixed record on bringing in key projects on time and on budget. The biggest current example is the UK's Hinkley Point C power station in Somerset which EDF originally said would cost under £20bn and be operating by now. Current costs estimates are for a final price approaching £50bn and a start-up after 2030. There are growing fears that the economics of SMRs could prove even harder to justify – because they have many of the same problems as large reactors – meaning security and waste disposal – but produce far less electricity and so make less money.
