W
HEN DO ECONOMIC crises have destabilising political effects? Economic anxiety in the aftermath of the global financial crisis of 2007-09 sparked a political backlash fuelling, for instance, the Brexit campaign in Britain. President Donald Trump drew support from America’s neglected rust belt. The Depression of the 1930s wrought much more devastating political consequences in Europe. The question seems pertinent again, given the economic and social trauma caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
Listen to this story
Enjoy more audio and podcasts oniOSorAndroid.
Over the past decade many economists have taken an interest in the political effects of economic shocks. A study of European regions after the financial crisis found that a one percentage point increase in the unemployment rate was associated with a 2-3 percentage point rise in the share of votes captured by fringe parties, for instance. Establishing how one factor causes another is tricky work, however, and often means taking
Date Time
Chemical researchers develop “green” ammonia Ammonia has sustained humanity since the early 20th century, but its production leaves a huge carbon footprint. Now researchers have found a way to make it 100 per cent renewable.
The researchers used a bubble column to break down nitrogen, creating reactive water which was then processed in a second electrochemistry reactor. Credit: Professor Patrick ‘PJ’ Cullen.
Ammonia is one of the world’s most important chemicals that supports global food supply, used primarily in the production of fertilizer, enabling better agricultural productivity.
However, the production of ammonia is incredibly energy-intensive, accounting for roughly two percent of global energy consumption. It is also highly eco-destructive, comprising 1.4 percent of total global CO2 emissions.
Green ammonia breakthrough a potential boon for solar-powered exports
Scientists from the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney have made a breakthrough in the development of green ammonia. Their findings could alter the global industry, so solar can be used to produce green ammonia for export to countries like Japan and Germany, instead of straight hydrogen.From pv magazine Australia Researchers from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Sydney (USYD) have put their big heads together and managed to produce green ammonia from air, water, and solar energy in a fashion that does not also require high temperatures, .