{"id":77412,"date":"2023-05-15T06:10:33","date_gmt":"2023-05-15T06:10:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/climate\/2023\/05\/15\/japan-will-trial-vending-machines-that-capture-carbon-inside-cities\/"},"modified":"2023-05-15T06:10:33","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T06:10:33","slug":"japan-will-trial-vending-machines-that-capture-carbon-inside-cities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/enterpriseam.com\/climate\/2023\/05\/15\/japan-will-trial-vending-machines-that-capture-carbon-inside-cities\/","title":{"rendered":"Japan will trial vending machines that capture carbon inside cities"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a> One of Japan\u2019s top beverage makers plans to unroll a new vending machine that <\/strong>absorbs carbon from the atmosphere<\/strong>, Bloomberg<\/a> reported last Thursday. The soft drink subsidiary of Tokyo-based Asahi Group Holdings plans to run a pilot phase of the machine \u2014 which houses a material that absorbs carbon dioxide as it takes in air to cool or warm the drinks inside \u2014 next month. Dubbed a potential \u201cforest in the city,\u201d the vending machines will contain a white powder-like material made from several calcium minerals. The absorbed CO2 can then be used for industrial purposes, including manufacturing fertilizers and algal sea beds.<\/p>\n

More details: <\/strong>The pilot phase will begin with 30 units in the Kanto and Kansai regions, under a plan by the company to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. Each vending machine should absorb c. 60 kg of CO2 \u2014 or 20% of the carbon emissions it generates \u2014 annually. The firm plans to embark on a wider replacement program for its current 260k machines by next year, he said, adding that no specific target for the overall number of units has yet been determined.<\/p>\n

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Extreme heat is testing the limits of human endurance:<\/strong> Climate change-driven extreme heat, which saw record highs last year in several parts of the world, is detrimental to human health and is driving countries like India to issue heat warnings weeks in advance, Bloomberg<\/a> wrote in an in-depth explainer last week. One study estimates that some 90% of India\u2019s 1.4 bn people suffered \u201csevere health and economic effects\u201d as a direct result of extreme weather last year, the business news service notes. Workers from developing countries like India are particularly vulnerable to global warming given that most people work outside and lack adequate cooling systems at home. The health risks associated with extreme heat include dehydration, which increases the likelihood of stroke and heart failure.<\/p>\n

It is also taking a toll on the global economy<\/strong>, Bloomberg explains, noting that India\u2019s heat woes last year hindered wheat production, leading the country to ban exports which raised fears of global food shortages. Chickpeas, rapeseed, and wheat supplies are expected to dwindle this year as well due to similarly extreme weather, Bloomberg notes. Climate change-induced heat waves, which lead to droughts, will also limit hydropower and nuclear power production, raise energy consumption and prices, and add extra stress to power grids.<\/p>\n

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-<\/strong><\/p>\n