A surge in data center construction is raising concerns about the environmental and social impact of these facilities on neighboring communities. However, not all data centers are built the same, and there is an opportunity for improvement in how data centers are constructed and the resulting effect they have on the people they surround.
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Water scarcity is an issue that impacts people all around the world. Thankfully, engineers at the University of Texas have created a device to combat it. They created a bio-based nanofiber hydrogel filter (BNHF) that is cheap, accessible, and has the potential to bring clean water to people all over the world.
View More UT Austin Engineers Tackle Water Scarcity
Global water demand is rising, but our water supplies are decreasing. Desalination offers an unconventional source of fresh water to meet the needs of the world’s growing population. However, the process harms marine organisms and their natural environments, and exacerbates the threat of climate change. Examination of environmental ethics suggests that prioritizing concerns about environmental and community health is vital to the successful establishment and operation of desalination plants.
View More Nature is Not a Means to an End: Applying Environmental Ethics to Desalination