The Blue Files | Episode 2

[As Featured in Episode 2]

Record Breaking Green

The campaign was named “Green Legacy” and the entire country of Ethiopia took it to heart. The African nation collectively planted more than 353 million trees in 12 hours, which officials believe is a world record. As the term legacy implies, the affect is long lasting. Reforestation initiatives continue through the rainy season, as Ethiopia works to plant four billion trees between the months of May and October. The country is relying on the continued efforts of millions of its citizens to build on the momentum already underway. This particular planting breaks India’s record set in 2017, when 66 million trees were planted in 12 hours.

The Road Of Comfort

A team of engineers at Rutgers University has developed a permeable concrete pavement that they say can help cool cities. In large cities, the average air temperature can be from two to more than five degrees higher than in less densely populated areas, due to the “heat Island effect”. This happens when pavement and buildings capture and retain the heat during the day and continue to warm the area after the sun goes down at night. Of course, the impact is the need for more energy for air conditioning, increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, not to mention the danger of heat stress to the community at large. This new permeable pavement contains large connected pores, allowing water to drain through and reduce the pavement’s temperature. Water in pores will also evaporate, reducing pavement surface temperature. The material also does a better job of reflecting heat than asphalt pavement.

Tiger Top Up

India is now home to nearly 3,000 tigers, which is a third more than it had four years ago according to government officials. This preservation effort makes the country one of the biggest and most secure habitats for the endangered animal in the world. This is a major conservation success story, following a devastating history of decline for the animal. For decades prior to 1925, it was estimated that 80,000 tigers were killed in India with only 1400 remaining in 2004. These beautiful animals are the largest wild cats in the world. Adults can weigh over 600 pounds and travel up to 65km/hour. India is now home to 70 per cent of the world’s tigers.