All posts tagged: charcoal

From solar to charcoal, Cubans look for alternatives amid outages and fuel shortages

From solar to charcoal, Cubans look for alternatives amid outages and fuel shortages

Published by Sam Flores

According to Rodríguez, renewables are projected to cover 15% of energy demand by the end of the year. Renewables currently provide 10% of demand, up from 3% in 2024. By 2035, according to Cuban officials, renewables will cover 40% of demand, and by 2050, they will fully cover energy needs. In the last few years, the government has dramatically increased the installation of solar panels with Chinese financing and equipment donations; these have been placed in public spaces and hospitals. Right now, there are 54 solar parks, and by 2028 Cuba’s government expects to have 92 parks with China’s help, the government has said. The Cuban government has not given a breakdown of how it will use energy sources, like solar, wind, biomass and hydropower, in its quest to achieve its goal. Jorge Piñon, an energy expert at the University of Texas at Austin, thinks it will be very difficult for Cuba to fulfill its plans amid the country’s economic crisis and the high cost of transitioning to renewables, especially given the deteriorated state of …

Houseplant hacks: is activated charcoal good for pot plants? | Houseplants

Houseplant hacks: is activated charcoal good for pot plants? | Houseplants

Published by Sam Flores

The problemOnce you have graduated from novice plant parent, how can you take your level of care to the next level, helping your houseplant not only survive but thrive? Is activated charcoal the answer? You will find it listed in terrarium recipes and soil amendments. It promises to filter toxins, absorb odours, prevent mould and keep roots healthy. The bag looks purposeful, and the price suggests it is doing something important. The question is whether any of that holds up in an ordinary pot on an ordinary windowsill. The hackActivated charcoal works by adsorption, trapping impurities on its porous surface. In a closed terrarium or bottle garden, where water recycles and there is no drainage, a charcoal layer can slow the buildup of gases and bacteria. But does that translate to standard houseplant pots? The methodAdd a thin layer of activated charcoal at the base of your pot before filling with compost. You can find it in garden centres, houseplant shops or online. A little goes a long way. The testI used charcoal in half a batch …

Ancient charcoal from Israel reveals how early humans used fire

Ancient charcoal from Israel reveals how early humans used fire

Published by Jenni Sidey

The site of Gesher Benot Ya’aqov (GBY), along the ancient shores of Lake Hula in northern Israel, represents an archaeological record that dates back approximately 800,000 years and records evidence of human habitation by successive hunter-gatherer populations over hundreds of thousands of years. Evidence from GBY shows that early humans returned repeatedly to the site for a variety of reasons, including butchering large mammals, stone tool manufacture, and gathering plant food items. The use and maintenance of fires was central to their lifestyle. A recent study of charcoal from GBY provides a new perspective on the way in which early humans understood the environment around them, suggesting that the inhabitants of the GBY site developed their routines around those features in the landscape that would have enabled them to create and maintain fires on a routine basis. GBY is one of the more complete records of long-term occupancy by hunter-gatherers at one location in the world and contains over 20 separate archaeological levels representing the remains of hunter-gatherers returning to the same location over multiple …

Is the best electric BBQ better than charcoal and gas? I tested five to find out

Is the best electric BBQ better than charcoal and gas? I tested five to find out

Published by Sam Flores

Using an electric barbecue is simple: plug it in, heat it up and you’re cooking in no time. Even the best charcoal barbecues take a while to get going and the best gas barbecues can still run out of fuel (I’ve been caught out mid-garden party by bad planning before). So, electric barbecues are growing in popularity and have the advantage of precise temperature control and fitting in smaller spaces where flames or smoke may otherwise be a concern. The best electric BBQs range from around £80 for a basic model with no lid up to around £900 for sophisticated models, with grill and appliance brands like Char-Broil, Weber and Ninja all entering the market. You can cook on grill plates or griddles and choose portable models small enough to sit on a table or big enough to feed the whole family, like a traditional charcoal one. Some even provide woodchips to get that smoky barbecue taste. The best electric BBQs: At a glance How to choose the best electric BBQ Electric barbecues come in …

In Cuba, charcoal and solar panels to face the energy crisis

In Cuba, charcoal and solar panels to face the energy crisis

Published by Sam Flores

Cuba’s deepening energy crisis is forcing people to find alternatives to unreliable electricity supplies. Many are turning to charcoal for cooking, despite its high cost relative to average wages, while those who can afford it are investing in solar panels, a fast-growing market. Care homes and households alike are adapting to constant power cuts. Keywords for this article Source link