Joe Lenton

Oxford Dictionaries has declared “climate emergency” the word of the year for 2019, following a hundred-fold increase in usage that it says demonstrated a “greater immediacy” in the way we talk about the climate. Defined as “a situation in which urgent action is required to reduce or halt climate change and avoid potentially irreversible environmental

Just when you think you’ve seen it all, a Mexican company has introduced Desserto, a new line of vegan leather made entirely from cactus. Adriano Di Marti, based in Guadalajara, has figured out a way to transform the nopal (or prickly-pear) cactus into a faux leather that meets industry standards for fashion, furniture and even

Hemp paper is stronger and more environmentally sound than wood paper. Hemp is a truly remarkable plant. It’s essentially the gift that keeps on giving. In addition to CBD oil, food, clothing or fuel, it can also make hemp paper. This paper type is likely the ideal replacement to wood pulp paper in our quest

One day soon an emerging technology highlighted in this report will allow you to virtually teleport to a distant site and actually feel the handshakes and hugs of fellow cyber travelers. Also close to becoming commonplace: humanoid (and animaloid) robots designed to socialize with people; a system for pinpointing the source of a food-poisoning outbreak

It hopefully will be used to wrap sandwiches or carry baked goods instead of the cling wraps and plastics now on the market. The winning design for this year’s international James Dyson Award is a plastic alternative made out of fish waste. The material, called MarinaTex, was developed by Lucy Hughes, a 24-year-old product design

Majority of Nespresso coffee pods heading to landfill as company ramps up recycling message Coffee giant Nespresso concedes 71 per cent of its pods are not being recycled, despite a global push to make it more convenient to save aluminium and turn coffee grounds into mulch. Key points: At Steve Martin’s scrap metal recycling business

Tetra Pak, in collaboration with its supplier Braskem, has become the first company in the food and beverage industry to offer packaging made with responsibly sourced plant-based polymers, in line with Bonsucro standards for sustainable sugar cane. The move is part of Tetra Pak’s recently launched Planet Positive initiate, which urges industry stakeholders to drive

When it comes to tires, it’s time to start thinking about the switch from summer to winter wheels, but for two Alberta companies, when it comes to tires the “switch” means they are completely transformed. Eco-Flex turns tires into a crumb and makes entirely new products, things like industrial walkways, curb ramps and even rumble