World Economic Forum (June 3, 2023) – This week’s top stories of the week include:

0:15 Spain just powered itself entirely from renewables – Mainland Spain’s electricity needs were met solely by wind, solar and hydropower between 10am and 7pm on Tuesday, 16 May. Impressively, this happened on a weekday when demand is highest. Last year, 42% of Spain’s electricity was generated renewably. This could rise above 50% this year, experts say

1:31 This school teaches students in the Metaverse – Donning VR headsets, pupils can visit the planets in our solar system, get up close and personal with a woolly mammoth or walk through the chambers of a human heart. They can practice their pronunciation in a simulated French restaurant or travel back in time to World War II. The cutting-edge lessons are on offer at Reddam House School in the UK.

3:06 New York City is sinking under the weight of its skyscrapers – Scientists calculated the mass of all the buildings in New York City. Including the Central Park Tower and the Empire State. In total, there are 1.1 million buildings, weighing a total of 762 million tonnes. The same as 64 million city buses. While most of the city is built on solid bedrock, softer parts of the earth are compressing under the enormous weight. Sending the Big Apple downwards at 1-2mm a year on average and up to 4mm a year in some areas.

4:28 Scientists have developed Eco-Friendly Ammonia – Used in many cleaning products and agricultural fertilizer. Their method uses water, nitrogen, a catalyst and a sprayer. If successfully scaled up, researchers say it could make a big dent in CO2 emissions, while helping to feed the world’s growing population sustainably.

_____________________________________________

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.