A local firm joins global race to produce cultivated meat in Penang in a RM20 million facility

A LOCAL COMPANY has set its target to produce cultivated meat in Malaysia by 2025. Efforts are on the way to build a RM20 million facility in Penang by Cell AgriTech Sdn Bhd, a Bio-Based Accelerator (BBA) company next year.

Founder and Manufacturing Vice President of Cell AgriTech Group of Companies, Jason Ng is confident that if policies are in place, Malaysians will be able to savour locally cultivated meat by mid-2025.

To achieve this, the company jointly organised Malaysia’s First Cultivated Meat Conference at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre in March with the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation.

The conference which brought local and international players and experts together was officiated by Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Datuk Arthur Joseph Kurup. The conference on cultivated meat is the first of its kind to be held in Malaysia. It aimed at brainstorming policies, enablers and gaps that need to be addressed to take this futuristic technology to the market.

Cultivated meat or cellular agriculture is meat produced from biotechnology that involves growing animal tissue cells in a controlled laboratory setting, instead of relying on conventional animal farming methods of raising and slaughtering farm animals.

The outcome is an exact replica of real meat that potentially offers similar taste, texture, and nutritional value as conventionally farmed meat – minus the environmental footprints caused by methane emissions, and waste from the farms. It also offers guilt-free meat and eliminates the concerns of animal welfare in farms.

“Research and Markets estimate that the cultivated meat market, valued at RM791.87 million (USD176.48 million) in 2022, will increase to RM1.443 billion (USD321.71 million) in 2027, with a CAGR of 12.76%. The development of cultivated meat technology in Malaysia promises to create job opportunities and revenue while addressing national challenges such as food security, health management, and climate change,” said Kurup.

He added that MOSTI, through Bioeconomy Corporation, will support efforts like cultivated meat to strengthen the nation’s food security. Cultivated meat is a vital part of Malaysia’s National Biotechnology Policy 2.0, specifically under Flagship Project 2, which aims to develop a food ecosystem for future high-value products using advanced technologies such as cellular agriculture for artificial meat, marine, and aquaculture products.

Bioeconomy Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said, “As the global population surpassed 8 billion in November 2022 and with limited resources to produce enough food for everyone sustainably, the cultivated meat industry is poised to grow substantially. According to a recent study by the Good Food Institute, the alternative protein industry has attracted RM63.7 billion (USD14.2 billion) in global investments during the last ten years and these investments have doubled year over year”.

Recognising the massive potential of this industry, Bioeconomy Corporation is committed to collaborating with companies such as Cell AgriTech, MOSTI, other ministries, and regulatory bodies to develop policies, regulations, and frameworks that will benefit the entire future food industry.

Cell AgriTech is teaming up with UmamiMeats, a company that develops the cell lines for Grouper, Japanese Eel, and Snapper and optimises the scaling-up process. To support talent development in this field, Cell AgriTech is partnering with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to introduce a professional certification programme in cultivated meat, covering fundamental concepts to industrial applications. With the curriculum now finalised, interested individuals can apply for the course starting May 2023.

“To bring down the cost of production, we need more players in this sector. Cell AgriTech is happy to bring this innovative and sustainable solution to the meat industry and see other companies joining the league”, said Ng.

The two-day event featured round table meetings, demo sessions, keynote presentations, a networking dinner and a mini-exhibition, which succeeded to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration among 130 local and international stakeholders, as well as generate discussions and insights on the latest developments and opportunities in cultivated meat and its potential impact on the food industry and environment.

Delegates included regulators and policymakers from government agencies, religious authorities, food manufacturers, investors, universities, researchers, industry associations and science communicators. They discussed cultivated food regulations and testing, cost drivers of cultivated meat, food regulation and safety in Malaysia, halal studies, and standards that would propel this industry.

One of the primary cost drivers for cultivated meat is cell culture media. Thus, Dr Maanasa Ravikumar, Science and Technology Specialist, from Good Food Institute, Asia Pacific, suggested few approaches to reduce the cost which are formulating serum free media and adapt or engineer cell lines for reduced growth factor requirements.

“Few safety considerations that revolves around cultivated meat are if the cell-line of the donor animal is healthy, toxicity of media components, risk management during the manufacturing process and the safety of the supply chain once the end product is ready for commercialisation,” pointed out, Colin Lim, Deputy Director of Future Ready Food Safety Hub (FRESH).

South Korea and Singapore are currently leading the race in this sector with the most number of start-ups and the first approved meat in the market respectively.

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/03/28/cultivated-meat-for-msian-consumers-in-2025/

THE Kulim Green Energy Ventures Sdn Bhd (KGEV) is stamping its mark as one of the forerunners in generating biomethane from palm oil waste. It is a renewable energy subsidiary of Johor Plantations Berhad, formerly known as Mahamurni Plantations Sdn Bhd.

The Johor-based company has built the facility on a five-hectare area to capture methane emissions from palm oil wastewater on a commercial scale.

The plant located in Sedenak in the Kulai district is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of this year.

Biomethane is a renewable energy source derived by further purification of raw biogas. It is a promising clean energy source that can be used as fuel for the transportation sector and to generate electricity.

The primary difference between biogas and biomethane is the percentage of methane.

Biogas only has 60% methane while biomethane consists of more than 90% of methane. Biogas is subjected to various purification processes to remove carbon dioxide content.

Speaking to The Petri Dish, Head of the Sustainability & Innovation Division, Wan Adlin Wan Mahmood said: “It is crucial to capture methane in palm oil industries because it is the second largest contributor of methane emissions after the oil and gas industry.”

Head of the Sustainability & Innovation Division, Wan Adlin Wan Mahmood briefing his colleagues at the plant.
“It is a damaging pollutant that needs attention because one tonne of methane has the ability to trap 80 times more heat than one tonne of carbon dioxide over a 20 years’ time frame.”

He said methane from palm oil could be largely captured from Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME).

“POME is discharged wastewater from processing fresh fruit bunches to crude palm oil at the mills. When the wastewater is left untreated in the open, it decomposes organically and emits huge amounts of methane into the air.”

“There are other palm oil industry players who are pioneering in capturing biogas from POME by installing mechanisms to trap methane in its wastewater facilities. However, KGEV has gone a step further by converting biogas into biomethane for productive commercial and domestic usage,” Wan Adlin added.

He said industry players took the initiative to curtail the free leakage of methane into the atmosphere – after the Department of Environment and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) mandated all palm oil mills in the country to install biogas capture facilities in their processing mills.

“This initiative will lend vigour to achieving net zero goals to curtail and manage large scale methane emissions which would otherwise go to waste as a major greenhouse pollutant.”

“In spite of climate goals, there is a price to pay for compliance. For instance, installing and maintaining the facilities to capture biogas will cost around RM1 million annually,” said Wan Adlin.

However, he said methane’s potential as a valuable economic commodity could be monetised in the energy market. This is a win-win largesse, not only for the company but also for global efforts to mitigate climate change.

In 2019, KGEV sealed a purchase agreement with Gas Malaysia Virtual Pipeline Sdn Bhd (GMVP), a subsidiary company of Gas Malaysia Berhad. In the agreement, KGEV will supply biomethane to GMVP – where the output from its facility will be pumped into Gas Malaysia’s Natural Gas Distribution System (NGDS) network for industry usage.

A 12-kilometre pipeline was built from KGEV’s production plant to GMVP’s receiving station to transfer biomethane.

The contract supply period was signed for 15 years.

Wan Adlin said teaming up with Gas Malaysia was a more profitable move because of monetising methane.

“The plant is in the commissioning stage now. Testing and training are ongoing before the facility is ready to roll out as a fully functional system,” said Wan Adlin.

“We believe our investment in building the plant will reap good profit for us because renewable energy is at the heart of the circular economy now and is also a good fix for climate security. This initiative strengthens our commitment to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” added Wan Adlin.

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/04/12/palm-oil-firm-builds-facility-to-recycle-biogas-into-biomethane/

A NEW study is providing an unprecedented examination of oxygen loss on coral reefs around the globe under ocean warming. Led by researchers at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a large team of national and international colleagues, the study captures the current state of hypoxia—or low oxygen levels—at 32 different sites, and reveals that hypoxia is already pervasive on many reefs.

The overall decline of oxygen content across the world’s oceans and coastal waters—a process known as ocean deoxygenation—has been well documented, but hypoxia on coral reefs has been relatively underexplored. Oxygen loss in the ocean is predicted to threaten marine ecosystems globally, though more research is needed to better understand the biological impacts on tropical corals and coral reefs.

The study, published on

March 16 in the journal Nature Climate Change, is the first to document oxygen conditions on coral reef ecosystems at this scale.

“This study is unique because our lab worked with a number of collaborators to compile this global oxygen dataset especially focused on coral reefs—no one has really done that on a global scale before with this number of datasets,” said marine scientist Ariel Pezner, now a postdoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Marine Station in Florida. “We were surprised to find that a lot of coral reefs are already experiencing what we would define as hypoxia today under current conditions.”

The authors found that low oxygen levels are already happening in some reef habitats now, and are expected to get worse if ocean temperatures continue to warm due to climate change. They also used models of four different climate change scenarios to show that projected ocean warming and deoxygenation will substantially increase the duration, intensity, and severity of hypoxia on coral reefs by the year 2100. – Eureka Alert

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/03/21/new-study-provides-first-comprehensive-look-at-oxygen-loss-on-coral-reefs/

10,000 Streptomyces strains isolated from 1,500 soil samples across France are currently being analysed in a laboratory in Paris.

SINCE the discovery of penicillin in 1928, molecules produced by microbes (known as microbial secondary metabolites or SM) have played a crucial role in saving lives. These metabolites have extensive uses in treating infections, cancer, immunosuppression, metabolic disorders, and parasitic diseases.

Regrettably, the rate of novel microbial molecules’ discoveries via traditional approaches has declined significantly in the past half-century, with most research efforts yielding redundant rediscoveries.

The slow pace of antibiotic discovery has resulted in an alarming crisis, claiming 1.27 million lives each year globally. The lack of new molecules to use as medicine is a big challenge for treating infectious diseases. Scientists are now racing against time to discover new antibiotics that can fight against drug-resistant disease-causing microbes.

To speed up research in the field of antibiotic resistance, French researchers from Inserm and Université Paris Cité launched a large bioprospecting programme that involves citizen participation. Realising the importance of exploring new avenues for drug discovery and the limitations faced by researchers to cast their net wide enough to cover unexplored worlds of soil bacteria, they turned to citizens for help. This gave birth to “Science à la pelle”, a programme that translates to “Science in Spades”.

The programme invites French citizens to collect soil samples from various locations across the country that will be sent to laboratories to study the bacteria found in these samples. The citizens are provided with a simple sampling protocol and a smartphone app to record their findings. Within three months, the research team received over 1,500 samples from across France and they isolated 10,000 Streptomyces strains, which are currently being analysed in a laboratory in Paris.

With the success made in France, Terra Bacta aims to become a global initiative to create an international atlas of biosynthetic diversity of soil microbiome. This International Consortium focusses on innovative research and development in the field of biosynthetic diversity with collaborative efforts among researchers, policy makers and institutions from around the world. Biosynthetic diversity refers to the diverse range of natural products produced by living organisms.

We wish to develop a better understanding of biosynthetic wealth and environmental factors that influence them. This will be achieved through collaborative research projects, sharing of resources and expertise, the development of new technologies and methods for studying biosynthetic diversity.

This consortium represents a unique opportunity to build an international atlas of biosynthetic diversity.

We envision a collaborative environment where researchers from diverse backgrounds can share expertise, data, and resources to further advance our understanding of the biosynthetic potential of Streptomyces and other bacteria. By working together, we believe that we can make significant strides in the discovery of new antibiotics and other bioactive compounds. We look forward to the opportunity to expand this consortium and make a lasting impact on the field of biosynthetic research.

Being pioneers in this field presents a significant advantage, as discovering new bioactive molecules that are not yet on the market could lead to the development of novel drugs and therapies, providing a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement in the field of biosynthetic research.

Unlocking the potential of these natural products are important steps towards improving human health and well-being, and for protecting our natural resources. Biosynthetic diversity is also a huge asset for agriculture and other industrial applications, and a boon for conservationists who aim to preserve and understand biodiversity better.

The international effort would involve the exchange of personnel between teams and partner institutions, with the aim of fostering a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. Our goal is to create an open and inclusive platform where researchers from diverse backgrounds can come together to exchange ideas, share data and resources, and advance scientific discovery in a meaningful way.

We recognise the importance of sharing the benefits arising from the utilisation of genetic resources, in line with the Nagoya-KL Access and Benefit Sharing Protocol. We aim to work with all partners and collaborators to ensure fair and equitable benefit-sharing arrangements are in place. Through this initiative, each nation will have the ability to uncover the genetic resources present in its abundant natural resources, and to utilise these resources as deemed fit. This will not only stimulate innovation but also establish a link between the general public and the field of science across the world!

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/04/19/terrabacta-a-global-alliance-for-mapping-soil-borne-therapeutics/

THE urban heat islands (UHI) effect in Kuala Lumpur (KL) causes a staggering 6°C of temperature increase compared to rural areas with greener canopies and fewer buildings. In perspective, if rural areas with the abundant natural land and green canopy and fewer buildings have temperatures of 30°C, UHI in KL can increase the temperature up to 36°C.

UHI is a heat phenomenon that is common in urban areas and it occurs when areas of vegetation are replaced with heat-absorbing materials, such as concrete roads and buildings, and this matter would absorb and trap heat. Consequently, as urban population densities increase and green areas decrease, UHI becomes more intense.

Ir Dr Zambri Harun, Senior Fellow, and Chairman of the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) spoke to The Petri Dish concerning UHI in Malaysia.

“UHI is primarily caused by unrestrained anthropogenic or human activities. This includes cutting trees, constructing buildings very close to each other, and using asphalt to cover roads. All these factors entrapped heat within the cities making the city areas exceptionally hotter compared to rural areas,” said Zambri.

Based on the laws of physics, dark materials tend to absorb all wavelengths of light and convert them into heat which is why you sweat more if you wear darker clothes as heat is being absorbed into your clothes.

He said: “Naturally, people affected by UHI in the cities will install air-conditioners at their houses to fight off the sweltering heat but this creates a problematic cycle than a solution. As the temperature in the urban area reaches new heights, people become more reliant on air-conditioners.”

Air conditioners are power-hungry machines that use a lot of energy and release heat in the process. The dependency on air-conditioners as coolers create a feedback loop whereby as the temperature gets hotter, urbanites install more air-conditioners, and thus, more heat is radiated off to the environment.

Installing air-conditioners should not be the knee-jerk solution to heatwaves. What is even worst is air conditioners release chlorofluorocarbons that damage the ozone layer making earth inhabitants more susceptible to harmful ultraviolet rays.

When asked if climate change contributes to UHI, Zambri said: “Urbanites experience more extreme heat due to climate change and the increase in the number of vehicles in the city centre further aggravates the UHI.”

According to a report, the number of vehicles in the federal capital has increased from 26.51 million in December 2019 to 46.76 million in December 2021. More vehicles in the city result in higher greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide and methane in the atmosphere which entraps more heat within the localities of the city.

Nature-based approach and proper city planning should be the focus to tackle the issues.

“Instead of convincing people to not use the air-conditioners regularly as human behaviour is hardly controllable, proper city planning should aim to avoid overcrowding of buildings.

“Do not remove water bodies. A lot of water bodies in KL have been replaced with highways and buildings which results in UHI,” stressed Zambri.

Malaysia could benefit from more tree planting in resolving UHI as the green leaves are able to reflect off heat from the city during the day.

“Putrajaya has a UHI temperature of 2°C compared to 6°C in KL. This is attributed to strategic town planning that consists of the presence of water bodies, buildings are not crowded in one place and the trees are abundant and well-distributed within the city,” said the expert.

There is no major health impact from UHI, but the heat makes heat stroke-related disorders more common in the city, especially to vulnerable people such as young children and the elderly who are unable to cope with the rising temperature.

“The worry for UHI is not so much on its impact on human health but more to economic reasons due to enormous energy consumption and utilities cost to combat the blazing heat in the city,” added Zambri.

Article originally published: https://thepetridish.my/2023/04/21/impact-of-urban-heat-islands-on-humans-environment/

THE year 2023 will be another important junction in Malaysia’s climate journey. The Minister of Natural Resources, Environment & Climate Change, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, has already stated some of his priorities, which include enacting a Climate Change Act.

The newly formed ministry has also reunified the natural resources and environment portfolios, which is expected to improve the planning and coordination of its various initiatives.

But as the environmental and climate crisis are systemic issues that require policy and institutional-based solutions, it is critical that in 2023 the government start investing more in laying the groundwork for these real changes (hopefully in a bipartisan manner), as opposed to the typical “shovel-ready” initiatives driven by political expediency and ease of implementation.

In recent years, Malaysia’s climate scene has advanced rapidly. As the importance of ESG performance among investors and financial institutions grows, more businesses are pledging net zero targets and disclosing their climate risks, as will be required in the near future. Malaysia, on the other hand, has long focused solely on mitigation or reducing GHG emissions.

It is important to remember, however, that staying below 1.5°C requires a global effort. As a result, even if Malaysia achieves net zero status 30 years from now, or even tomorrow, by halting all emissions, the country will continue to face a slew of climate hazards.

In 2023, Malaysia must prioritise adaptation and climate resilience, particularly at the local level. According to IPCC reports released last year that paint an apocalyptic future, Malaysia is among the most vulnerable regions in Southeast Asia to climate change. The world has already warmed by 1.2°C, and we may have passed the 1.5°C threshold by 2030. To begin with, the government must expedite the development of the National Adaptation Plan, which has been in the works since 2015.

At the local level, it would be ideal if the government could implement a resilient town and city transformation agenda to address climate change impacts and disaster risk more holistically, such as Sponge City and ecosystem-based approaches. To protect vulnerable groups, market-based instruments for adaptation and disaster risk, such as risk transfer and sharing such as climate-risk insurance should be explored together with a disaster risk financing strategy for the country.

That is not to say Malaysia should abandon its efforts at mitigation. As a trading nation, our economy and value chain is vulnerable to the global low-carbon transition. Malaysia must start developing a clear strategy for climate-smart trade and investment, including addressing transition risks such as the EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and other trade barriers. Prospective market-based instruments, such as a carbon tax and an emission trading scheme are being studied by the government, but they need to be linked with clear climate outcomes and a holistic approach to the ecosystem.

This means rationalising preserves incentives such as fossil fuel subsidies. Clear policy targets, such as a peak emission target, sectoral emission reduction targets, and a roadmap on its net zero pledges, are required to send market signals. Some of these will be included in the upcoming Long-Term Low-Emissions and Development Strategies (LT-LEDS).

Finally, any plans and actions taken by Malaysia must institutionalise a participatory, inclusive, and transparent approach that includes all segments of society. Malaysia’s ongoing transition to a low-carbon development must not leave certain groups and sectors discriminated against to ensure a just transition.

Second, there is a need to build adaptive capacity across all segments of society to adapt to climate change by shifting from technical and technological approaches to a rights-based, social, and target-group approach. In a nutshell, Malaysia’s transition to a low-carbon economy and climate-resilient development should put people and the rakyat at its centre.

Note: The author is a Senior Analyst at the Institute of Strategic & International Studies Malaysia (ISIS- Malaysia)

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/02/07/2023-way-forward-for-climate-action/

MALAYSIANS may one day no longer be able to enjoy their favourite “char kuey teow” with cockles or savour “siput sedut” if we fail to protect our coasts and mangroves.

As we celebrate World Environment Day 2023, we believe the ability to secure the bountiful resources of Malaysia’s coasts rests in our hands. Here is why and how we can do it.

Malaysia is rich in marine biodiversity and is renowned for its seafood production (2% of global marine capture in 2018, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation). Our coastal areas are home to a wide range of fish, crabs, shrimps, snails, and clams that have been an important protein source for our nation for centuries. Coastal fishery is the major contributor (82%) to Malaysia’s fishery production, according to the Department of Fisheries Malaysia.

However, coastal fish species are now facing serious threats from overexploitation, habitat loss from land development, pollution, and climate change. If these threats continue, seafood would be increasingly harder to obtain, smaller in size, more expensive, and laced with microplastics and heavy metals.

Mangrove forests are a key coastal ecosystem that serves as the nursing and breeding grounds for many important fishery species. Hence, prudent coastal management, especially in the mangroves, is necessary to ensure the sustainability of Malaysia’s seafood supply.

Effective coastal management can promote and ensure the sustainable use of our natural resources. The aim here is to strike a balance between the exploitation of fishery resources and biodiversity conservation. As part of this effort, the University of Nottingham Malaysia is now spearheading research on biomonitoring of coastal fish species in mangroves using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding. It involves collecting water samples from the mangroves and analysing the DNA left behind by fish, to survey the fish community without the use of nets.

This non-invasive method can provide invaluable information on the distribution, movement, and potential abundance of fish populations, which is useful for decision-making in fishing quotas and ecosystem management. Ultimately, this can lead to more sustainable fishing practices and healthier coastal ecosystems.

Considering the increasing demand for seafood in Malaysia coupled with the decline in our wild fish stock, policymakers, industries, and the public must play a collaborative and proactive role in ensuring sustainable fishery management is implemented.

Policymakers should increase biomonitoring efforts in mangroves and use it to inform land use planning and fishery stock management. Survey coverage can be substantially increased by adopting eDNA metabarcoding as the biomonitoring tool, as it allows for quicker and more efficient field sampling. In coastal areas with high human pressures and overexploitation, sustainable fishing practices and alternative livelihood options can be introduced to the local communities.

Private industries should invest in R&D for innovative ways to reduce negative impacts on coastal ecosystems such as mangroves. For example, Korean companies are actively innovating AI- and drone-guided fish harvesting to minimize fish waste. Innovations could promote responsible fishing operations that can reduce bycatch, avoid overfishing and prevent the destruction to fish habitats.

The public should make a conscious choice to support sustainable seafood production. When buying seafood, look for certification from credible organisations such as the Marine Stewardship Council and Aquaculture Stewardship Council. In addition, the public can be mindful of fishing and industrial activities in the mangroves, and report unlawful practices to the authorities.

By taking these measures, Malaysia can safeguard its seafood supply and ensure that it remains abundant and healthy for generations to come. Sustainable fishery and effective coastal management not only benefit Malaysia’s fishing industry, but also the overall health of our coastal waters, local biodiversity, and human populations. We can work together to protect our coasts so that future generations can continue to benefit from the bounty of our seas.

NOTE: The author is assistant professor at School of Environmental Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/06/06/prudent-coastal-management-key-to-sustaining-local-seafood-supply/

A figure showing the impact of a flash drought on a grassland in Oklahoma. The photos on the top row show the impact of the flash drought on the ecosystem compared with photos of the same area without flash drought impacts (bottom row).

THE rapid development of unexpected drought, called flash drought, can severely impact agricultural and ecological systems with ripple effects that extend even further. Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are assessing how our warming climate will affect the frequency of flash droughts and the risk to croplands globally.

Jordan Christian, a postdoctoral researcher, is the lead author of the study, “Global projections of flash drought show increased risk in a warming climate,” published in “Nature Communications Earth and Environment“.

“In this study, projected changes in flash drought frequency and cropland risk from flash drought are quantified using global climate model simulations,” Christian said. “We find that flash drought occurrence is expected to increase globally among all scenarios, with the sharpest increases seen in scenarios with higher radiative forcing and greater fossil fuel usage.”

Radiative forcing describes the imbalance of radiation where more radiation enters Earth’s atmosphere than leaves it. Like burning fossil fuels, these activities are among the most significant contributors to climate warming. The changing climate is expected to increase severe weather events from storms, flash flooding, flash droughts, and more.

“Flash drought risk over cropland is expected to increase globally, with the largest increases projected across North America and Europe,” Christian said.“CMIP6 models projected a 1.5 times increase in the annual risk of flash droughts over croplands across North America by 2100, from the 2015 baseline of a 32% yearly risk in 2015 to 49% in 2100, while Europe is expected to have the largest increase in the most extreme emissions scenario (32% to 53%), a 1.7 times increase in annual risk,” he said.

Jeffrey Basara, an associate professor in the School of Meteorology in the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences and the School of Civil Engineering and Environmental Sciences in the Gallogly College of Engineering, is Christian’s faculty advisor and study co-author. Basara is the executive associate director of the hydrology and water security program and leads OU’s Climate, Hydrology, Ecosystems, and Weather research group. The researchers have been investigating ways to improve flash drought identification and prediction since 2017, with multiple papers published in the “Journal of Hydrometeorology, Environmental Research Letters, and Nature Communications”.

“This study continues to emphasise that agricultural producers, both domestic and abroad, will face increasing risks associated with water availability due to the rapid development of drought. As a result, socioeconomic pressures associated with food production, including higher prices and social unrest, will also increase when crop losses occur due to flash drought,” Basara said. – This is a peer- reviewed publication from the University of Oklahoma.

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/06/06/global-flash-droughts-expected-to-increase-in-a-warming-climate/

All eyes are on hydrogen for its potential as a clean energy source, especially in hard-to-decarbonise sectors like steel and cement production and long-haul transportation, where green electricity can’t currently do the job by itself.

But before anyone crowns hydrogen a golden climate solution, we need to know how much hydrogen escapes into the atmosphere along its value chain, from production to distribution to storage and end use.

That’s because hydrogen is a tiny, leak-prone molecule that triggers powerful warming effects, a problem that most people thinking about hydrogen have overlooked.

And the technology that can help us quantify hydrogen emissions is just now being developed and demonstrated. Aerodyne Research Inc. in collaboration with Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is unveiling a new instrument that for the first time allows for the quantification of hydrogen emissions across the value chain.

To quantify emissions, we need new tools

Hydrogen can be produced and used cleanly. But hydrogen itself is an indirect greenhouse gas, which means its emissions can increase the concentrations of other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

Though short-lived, the climate impact of hydrogen emissions is potent. Pound for pound, its warming potential is about 40 times greater than carbon dioxide in the first 20 years after its release.

A growing body of research by EDF and others has shown that high leakage rates can severely undermine hydrogen’s climate benefits, particularly in the near term, and that identifying, quantifying and minimising emissions will be critical components of successful hydrogen deployment as a decarbonisation strategy.

Historically, detecting hydrogen leaks has focused on larger releases that pose safety risks (large leaks can explode).

Smaller leaks — the kind that can significantly contribute to undermining hydrogen’s climate benefit when aggregated across the value chain — have been effectively impossible to quantify, because there isn’t a technology that can accurately measure hydrogen at the low concentrations required to quantify emissions from a facility.

As a result, we have very little data on hydrogen emissions from real-world infrastructure. Peer-reviewed studies over the last 20 years suggest radically different potential emission rates from 0.3% to 20% for varying components of the value chain, largely based on theories or extrapolations based on natural gas leak rates.

The bottom line is simple: to effectively understand the potential impact of hydrogen deployment on the climate, we need accurate hydrogen emissions data, and that requires much more sensitive and responsive analytical instruments.

Spotting ‘climate-relevant’ hydrogen leaks

With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, Aerodyne Research developed a prototype hydrogen analyser that achieved great precision with high measurement frequency, detecting hydrogen with 10 parts per billion sensitivity within seconds.

Safety-focused sensors that look for larger leaks detect concentrations in parts per million every few seconds in the best of cases, not sufficient to characterise most emissions.

This winter, researchers from EDF and Cornell University joined Aerodyne Research to field test the prototype instrument outdoors in a series of controlled-release experiments at Colorado State University. The analyser successfully detected parts-per-billion-level increases in hydrogen concentration in the air caused by staged leaks.

To cut through the science-speak: The testing showed that we can, in fact, quantify small hydrogen emissions that matter for the climate using this new analyser. Our next step is to take the analyser out to existing hydrogen facilities like fertiliser plants, hydrogen fuelling stations and other industrial sites to measure their emissions.

We need more data, and fast

The scientific consensus around hydrogen’s impact on the climate is emerging quickly. But there is still much more to learn about the scale of hydrogen emissions, and the clock is ticking.

Already, half a trillion dollars is earmarked for hydrogen projects around the world, and more will surely follow. Before the hydrogen wave overtakes us, we must be confident this once-in-a-lifetime energy investment will deliver significant climate benefits.

New innovations like Aerodyne’s instrument are critical.

But so, too, will be industry leaders who step up to help quantify emission rates and determine what is causing hydrogen to escape into the atmosphere when it is detected. They must be part of this important and historic research.

Note: Tianyi Sun is a Climate Scientist at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF).

This article is republished from: https://www.edf.org/blog/2023/03/04/we-need-new-tech-understand-hydrogens-climate-impact

This article is republished in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/06/12/we-need-new-tech-to-understand-hydrogens-climate-impact/

Just months after grappling with floods, Malaysia now faces a new challenge: battling extreme heat. A viral incident in Beaufort, Sabah has brought attention to the scorching temperatures. In a scene resembling an apocalyptic tale, a woman reportedly cooked an egg under the blistering sun without a stove.

With temperatures soaring to 36 degrees Celcius, but feeling more like a scorching 46 degrees Celcius, this astonishing display serves as a stark reminder that Malaysia is not immune to the escalating consequences of climate change.

The urgency to address the climate crisis is undeniable. Heatwaves have far-reaching impacts beyond our discomfort. UNICEF reports that by 2050, almost 2.2 billion children, nearly every child on Earth, will face high heatwave frequency. Currently, 559 million children endure these conditions, with an additional 624 million facing other heat-related challenges. These alarming figures emphasize the need for immediate action.

It is crucial to acknowledge that climate change is predominantly caused by anthropogenic or man-made factors. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are among the key contributors to the climate crisis.

When fossil fuels like coal, oil, and gas are burned, they release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, exacerbating the greenhouse effect and ultimately contributing to global warming. Deforestation, on the other hand, diminishes the Earth’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide and disrupts vital ecosystems.

On this occasion of World Environment Day, it is an opportune time for us to reflect on Malaysia’s stance in safeguarding our planet. This significant occasion beckons us, particularly the children and youth, to unite in the noble cause of protecting and preserving our environment.

According to the Change for Climate (2020) report by UNDP, and UNICEF and supported by EcoKnights, 92% of young Malaysians are aware of environmental issues and recognise the climate crisis. However, as a young person, I feel frustrated by the insufficient collective response to this crisis. We acknowledge the planet’s plight, yet it seems that we don’t take the problem seriously enough.

Children and youth play a vital role in addressing climate change, offering critical perspectives, and driving constructive action. Their passionate voices and ability to inspire change can propel society forward. By actively engaging in sustainability initiatives, raising awareness, and advocating for stronger environmental policies, young individuals can influence their communities and push governments and corporations to prioritise climate action.

Through their unwavering determination, they can challenge the status quo, demand systemic change, and help forge a sustainable future for generations to come.

It is important to recognise that it is easy to feel like giving up, but there are numerous ways in which each of us can play a role in the fight against climate change. Here are some practical actions we can take:

Firstly, consider alternatives to driving alone, like carpooling, cycling, or walking, to cut carbon emissions and save on fuel and parking costs.
Also conserve energy by turning off lights and appliances when not in use and opt for energy-efficient bulbs and appliances.
Make mindful food choices, favoring plant-based meals and reducing meat consumption for a smaller carbon footprint.
Choose locally sourced, organic food to minimize environmental impact.
Actively engage in local environmental initiatives, volunteer, participate in clean-ups, and raise awareness about our planet’s well-being, and support businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility.
Lastly, we can reduce plastic waste, carry reusable bags, water bottles, and straws, and choose minimally packaged products, conveying the demand for sustainability.
It is also worth noting that recycling, though beneficial, may not always be the best solution. Not everything can be recycled, and the process itself consumes energy and resources. To truly make a difference, we should focus on reducing waste by consuming less, choosing products with minimal packaging, and repairing instead of discarding them. By prioritising waste reduction, we can minimise our reliance on recycling.

But it’s not enough for individuals to make these changes alone. We need action from our government and corporations to make real progress in the fight against climate change. The Malaysian government has taken steps to reduce plastic waste by aiming to ban plastic bags for retail purposes by 2025. However, it’s important to recognise that public awareness and education are critical in making this policy a success.

Creating real change in reducing plastic waste requires more than just government pressure. It’s crucial that the government works in collaboration with businesses and individuals to provide alternative solutions to plastic bags.

Encouraging the use of reusable bags, for example, is an excellent alternative to single-use plastic bags. The government can also promote the use of biodegradable and compostable bags as an option to reduce plastic waste.

Furthermore, it is important to recognise the relevance of this action in the larger context of the climate crisis. While reducing plastic waste is crucial, it’s not the only solution to the environmental challenges we face. We need to address the root causes of the climate crisis and by acknowledging the anthropogenic nature of climate change, we can better highlight the need for systemic change and demand action from our government and corporations to protect our planet.

We hold the power to make a difference by taking practical actions to reduce our environmental impact. Let’s be change catalysts, advocating for systemic transformations that prioritise sustainability. By engaging with the government and corporations, we can build a greener future together. Let us champion environmental stewardship and nurture a harmonious world for ourselves and future generations.

NOTE: The writer is a Youth Climate Champions Consultant, UNICEF Malaysia, and Co-founder of Project Ocean Hope. He is also a PhD Candidate, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).

Article originally published in: https://thepetridish.my/2023/06/19/from-floods-to-heatwaves-a-call-to-action-for-climate-change/