Sustainable Development
It’s never been this expensive to finance a new coal power plant
Loan spread for coal mines and coal-fired power plants rose 38% and 54% between 2010 and 2020, as global economies look for more sustainable investment.
I cover technology, science, startups, and VC, particularly in Silicon Valley.
I've founded a startup (Publet), served as the managing editor of the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia, and written for Fast Company, Foreign Policy, and The Economist.
I love wicked problems and clever solutions. Find me @mj_coren or in the Pacific sailing, swimming and surfing. If I'm not at home, then michaeljcoren.com. San Francisco, CA
Most Popular
Climate Crisis
How space observation is highlighting humanity’s impact on climate change
This space study provided evidence that human activities are significantly contributing to global warming and increasing the Earth's energy imbalance.
Sustainable Development
Geothermal energy, the forgotten renewable, has finally arrived
Geothermal energy had fallen our of favour in the United States, but its potential to fill gaps when solar and wind projects can't provide electricity could see it rise again.
Future of the Environment
How California is making solar power the standard
From the start of 2020, California will enforce a law ensuring that any new built home must include enough solar panels to power it sufficiently.
Energy Transition
These prefabricated houses take a few days to build and are completely carbon-neutral
Node's 'flatpack' prefabricated houses take only a few days to build and are carbon-neutral, powered entirely by solar panels.
Ocean
Scientists have discovered a sea of fresh water under the ocean
The discovery of such large reservoirs of fresh water could be important for places which currently suffer from water shortages.
Electricity
This is why oil companies and utilities are buying into renewables
Oil and gas companies are investing heavily in EV charging companies.
The world’s fastest (and slowest) internet speeds
Ookla's state of the internet report shows mobile and broadband are accelerating around the world, although not every country is keeping pace.
Artificial Intelligence
Google’s AI can make appointments for you just like a person
"Duplex" is the first AI capable of conversing with people in a natural manner.
Sustainable Development
This Chinese city has more than 16,000 electric buses
Schezhaun’s electric fleet now dwarfs the number of buses, both conventional or electric, in top US metropolitan areas, reports CleanTechnica.
Facebook has bought 'kindness' app that's just two months old
Facebook has acquired a two-month-old app called tbh—as in “to be honest”—which lets people send each other positive feedback through anonymous, quiz-style polls.
Economic Progress
Sharing salary data would help close the gender gap, right? Not necessarily
Hired had a novel ideal to tackle the gender gap, by showing candidates salary distributions - but it didn't work out as expected.
The car industry is heading towards a driverless future
A robotics expert has predicted that children born in the year 2017 will never drive a car.
Watch as this intelligent car predicts a collision before it even happens
In this video, a car's collision detection system applies the brakes before the driver has time to react.
Future of Work
Corporate boards aren't known for being young and tech savvy, but that could be changing
Corporate boards are increasingly looking to include younger, more tech savvy members, writes Michael J. Coren.