- 2 days ago
In the air, on land and water, our daily activities need to become more sustainable. The aim is to drastically reduce pollution from aircraft, ships, and boats. But how much are countries actually doing to get there?
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LifestyleTranscript
00:07it's time to go green our planet is under pressure pollution is filling our air our oceans and our
00:15land we all know change is needed and we need it fast but where do we start there's no shortage
00:21of climate promises what's missing is action we keep hearing about bold fans but when will those
00:28words turn into real results also coming up on the show can new technology help us avoid a climate
00:37catastrophe how seagrass is being transformed into eco-friendly insulation and in bali a young surfer
00:47who decided to start over
01:01enthusiasm for flying remains strong aviation connects people countries and cultures and has
01:07become an integral part of our lives but the industry faces challenges rising temperatures
01:13and increasing global crises that are driving up the price of oil are there alternatives electric
01:19aircraft hydrogen propulsion biofuels which ideas are realistic before new technology can be introduced
01:28basic research is needed at this year's ELA aviation trade show in Berlin the Fraunhofer Institute is
01:36showcasing hybrid engines this is one of our latest developments an electric motor with exceptionally
01:45high power density it's so small and lightweight that it can be integrated into a gas turbine for
01:50the first time a conventional gas turbine and electric motor work together to drive the propeller we are
01:56confident that we'll succeed in developing a hydrogen-powered aircraft in the regional aircraft class
02:05Airbus is pursuing ambitious goals in its development of hydrogen powered jets it's focusing on fuel cell
02:12technology that aims to bring the first commercial zero emission passenger aircraft to market but that
02:19won't happen until the 2040s at the earliest for now these are still pardon the pun pilot projects hydrogen
02:27must be stored under high pressure and at very low temperature so it's no longer a liquid under
02:32ambient conditions this means the entire aircraft system must also be optimized in Airbus is focusing
02:40on designing aircraft to fly more efficiently the latest Airbus 350 1000 equipped with modern engines
02:48can save up to one-third of its normal kerosene consumption it's primarily intended for use on ultra
02:55long haul routes in the future its turbines could also be powered by biofuels sustainable fuels derived
03:01for example from cooking oil or biomass for engine manufacturers like Rolls-Royce the transition
03:09shouldn't be too difficult since the existing turbines do not need to be modified in terms of
03:15their chemical structure biofuels are similar to fossil kerosene I still have a liquid fuel that in
03:24principle I can just drop in simply pour into the tank and keep flying on damit by top in cut
03:30blends
03:32containing up to 50% biofuel are already permitted the problem is that these sustainable fuels are scarce
03:39and up to 10 times more expensive the aviation industry can't switch to new propulsion systems
03:45overnight much of this is still in the research stage hydrogen e fuels and hybrid systems require
03:53new infrastructure and large amounts of renewable energy technology must not only work it must also
04:00be affordable the EU's clean aviation initiative supports research and development by European aviation
04:07companies the goal is to help them bring ideas to market faster with less financial risk it aims to
04:14ensure that European companies remain at the forefront of the industry you have the leadership in the
04:20different aircraft solutions and we want to keep it to have the adequate ecosystem ecosystem also for
04:26the supply chain so we are able to deliver Europe solutions for Europe and also worldwide since the
04:33start of the conflict involving Iran oil prices have remained high and volatile all the more reason why the
04:40aviation industry needs to become more resilient to global shocks and less dependent on fossil fuels so-called e-fuels
04:49or biofuels are seen as key technology that could facilitate the transition to alternative propulsion systems
04:5620 years before would we have thought that battery vehicles would have been everyday site on the on the roads
05:06no okay and they are there for a good reason you know in in utopia I'm saying if we offer
05:15this zero emission mobility I hope and I think this is going to be a movement once we can offer
05:23it
05:24so will electric flight ever be possible a Munich based startup is developing a nine-seat electric light aircraft with
05:32an expected range of up to 600 kilometers the batteries are the biggest technical challenge
05:38unlike in electric cars they can't be integrated into aircraft quite so easily that calls for new technological solutions
05:47as battery technology continues to advance we can imagine developing a larger electric aircraft within the next decade but will
05:59eventually reach a limit in other words the electrification of aviation is a solution for regional
06:05and short-haul flights where there is significant demand but for longer distances and for transatlantic flights different solutions would
06:14be needed
06:16The aviation industry must strike a balance between global crises and the transition to green flight flying will become greener
06:25but likely also more expensive
06:34Around the world tourism also puts huge pressure on the environment many popular destinations are struggling with
06:42overcrowding waste and rising emissions
06:46Croatia is one of them
06:49Last year more than 15 million people visited its islands and coastline
06:57And with the world's largest charter fleet operating there the challenge is only getting bigger
07:07Croatia
07:07Croatia
07:08Croatia
07:08A tourism hotspot whose stunning islands attracted more than 15 million visitors last year alone
07:14What's more the nation boasts the largest charter fleet in the world
07:18With around 5,000 boats moored along its picturesque coastline
07:22The charter industry here recorded more than 4 million overnight stays last year alone
07:28On top of that there are thousands more privately owned boats
07:34But this boom has a downside
07:37With the Adriatic heavily polluted by wastewater
07:40Croatia's tourism industry is a major contributor says marine biologist Martin Pfankuchen
07:49An excessively large proportion of wastewater
07:52As well as other waste is naturally generated by tourism
07:59And that is definitely a problem for the Adriatic
08:04Under Croatian law boats are required to dispose of their wastewater on land
08:09Yet hardly any croatian marina offers wastewater disposal facilities
08:16Luciano Berg wants to change that
08:18It's about practical solutions he says
08:21And that's exactly what he intends to provide with his eco-cube
08:27The idea? A floating container that provides all the necessary services
08:32Wastewater disposal, fresh water and waste collection
08:36And can be placed anywhere easily accessible for boats
08:44Yes, this is the prototype
08:47When we presented it at major European trade fairs
08:50We won first prizes at every fair we attended
08:57One eco-cube prototype is already floating outside the harbour
09:00Of the small Croatian town of Novigrad
09:05Docking is easy
09:07The skipper then logs in via an app
09:10Connects the wastewater hose
09:12And hey presto, the rest happens automatically
09:15The eco-cube draws the energy needed to operate its pump from solar panels
09:22I think this is a very good project
09:24Because we skippers obviously need a place where we can fill up our water supplies
09:29Empty our own tanks and dispose of rubbish and so on
09:34Thanks to solar energy the cube is self-sufficient
09:37It even produces fresh water using a built-in system
09:41Something hugely important for skippers
09:44Until now, they've had to visit a marina at least once or twice per charter week
09:48To replenish their supplies
09:52Imagine we're somewhere around a remote island and we could take on water there
09:57That would be more cost effective than driving, I don't know, 7, 8 or 10 miles to a marina
10:02Considering the fuel consumption of today's speed boats
10:08But what really makes the eco-cube eco-friendly are the materials it's made from
10:13Boat builder Luciano Berg has been researching alternatives to conventional plastic boat building for years
10:22A few years ago I read about new environmentally friendly materials
10:27Including those made from flax
10:29So we decided to build a boat out of that
10:32To make our own small contribution to protecting nature
10:36Using fewer harmful materials and causing less environmental pollution
10:44Instead of fiberglass and polyester
10:46Bio-based flax fabrics are reinforced with natural resins
10:50Begg Shipyard has already built several boats and a large catamaran
10:54Which is now in daily passenger service
10:57A second one is almost ready
11:00Recyclable materials are at the heart of what he does
11:07Everyone is talking about ecology these days
11:09Here in Croatia it took a long time
11:12I believe we Croatians are beginning to care a little more about our Adriatic
11:18Interest in the environment is growing
11:20Says the eco-cube's inventor
11:22With larger scale production scheduled to begin next year
11:25Experts warn that Croatia must act now
11:27With tourism destroying its greatest asset
11:30The beautiful Adriatic
11:41Sometimes the answer is closer than we think
11:43Large amounts of seagrass wash up on beaches every year
11:47Once dried it can be turned into a natural and effective insulation material
11:53One company in northern Germany is already making use of it
11:56With promising results
11:58And there's another benefit
12:00Collecting the seagrass helps keep beaches clean
12:07Seagrass at the bottom of the sea it provides food and shelter to marine life
12:11When washed ashore like here at the Baltic Sea island of Pöl
12:15It's often treated as waste
12:17However, it can provide shelter here too
12:20According to entrepreneur Vincent Manitz
12:22He says that seagrass is an ideal raw material for home construction
12:29Seagrass is loose and fluffy and it has excellent insulation properties
12:34Every morning crews of workers clean the beaches on Pöl before the tourists arrive
12:39Leaving them pristine white
12:41Over the year they collect 1,000 tons of seagrass that washes up here
12:46It's why the local tourism authority supports the project
12:52Ultimately recycling the material saves us money
12:55Because currently getting rid of this biomass is quite expensive
13:01Vincent Manitz has set up his production facility for the eco-friendly insulation material at the local landfill
13:08As a first step, sand and seagrass are separated in a rotating drum
13:13Next, the seagrass is dried in custom-built bins using solar energy to keep costs down
13:21There is immense pricing pressure, our profit margins are very low
13:25That's why we have to keep a close eye on processing costs
13:31After processing, only 5% of the original mass remains as pure seagrass
13:37The rest is sand
13:38So far, the seagrass has only been used in private construction projects
13:42Approval processes are currently underway
13:45Thus certified as an insulation material across Europe
13:49Manitz has already received inquiries from Mediterranean countries and Portugal
13:55Here's a type of algae we've received from the Azores
13:58It poses a massive waste problem there
14:01And it's similar to the seagrass we have here
14:03Once dried, this algae doesn't look all that different from a blade of seagrass
14:09There is strong demand for his eco-friendly insulation material
14:14Manitz can't even supply what's needed
14:16So far, he has installed it in 25 houses
14:21Homeowner Willy Martin is one of his clients
14:23He chose the marine-based material because it contains no harmful substances
14:32We're also somewhat concerned about disposal
14:34We're renovating an older building
14:36And I imagine that if the house were ever to be demolished
14:39The seagrass would be easier to recycle
14:45Seagrass doesn't burn because of its high salt content
14:48It is also resistant to mold and rot
14:51Another of its properties comes into play in this future bedroom
14:58The client plans to use floorboards on top that allow the material to breathe
15:02So it can demonstrate a strength you wouldn't associate with insulation
15:06The material can absorb and release moisture
15:08That significantly improves the indoor environment and health
15:16For now, seagrass is slightly more expensive than other insulation materials
15:21But Vincent Manitz aims to further refine his process
15:24And expand to process tens of thousands of tons of seagrass
15:27From other communities along the Baltic Sea coast
15:30Lowering cost and increasing supply
15:40Cod from the Barents Sea is about far more than fishing
15:43It's a resource that shapes business, politics and international relations
15:49Despite Europe's rift with Moscow, Norway and Russia still work together to manage fish stocks
15:56But the EU warns that this partnership could pose a risk to Europe's security
16:07Norwegian fisherman Rune goes out to sea every day in one of the world's most militarized maritime zones
16:14I've seen many Russian warships when we are fishing here on the border
16:19They're watching, they're controlling
16:21Batjot is on the Barents Sea
16:23It's located close to the border between NATO and Russian territory
16:26The Barents Sea hosts the world's biggest cod population
16:30For Russia and Norway, it's a lucrative business venture
16:34But here's the catch
16:35This sea is also home to critical infrastructure like undersea cables
16:40They carry internet data and phone calls, for example
16:43Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian fishing vessels on these waters have been linked to spying activities
16:51But they are still allowed to dock on Norwegian harbors, like this one
16:55Because Norway continues to collaborate with Russia when it comes to cod
17:00The Russian side is using different means to map our vulnerabilities
17:06Both on the sea, but also on shore and on land
17:11Yet Norway has profited from Russia's fishing fleet
17:14The value of Norway's fishing ports from Russia is higher now than before the full-scale invasion of Ukraine
17:21That's why, even though Norway isn't in the European Union, the EU is voicing criticism
17:26We have security concerns and we don't think that the consultation between Norway and Russia is helpful in this regard
17:33Last year, Norway sanctioned two of Russia's biggest fishing companies after the EU accused them of espionage
17:40But other Russian fishing vessels are still delivering fish to this harbour
17:44So, why is Norway holding on to its cod cooperation?
17:49Cod has been called the gold of the Arctic
17:51In towns like Batzjord, it's essential to the local economy
17:56Frank's fish storage takes in the cod that gets delivered by Russian vessels
18:00It has a big impact on the economy of this community
18:05We are just living on fish and fish production
18:08It's 76% of all of these companies in Bosnia is based on fish
18:12And there's another reason
18:14Norway and Russia have been cooperating in the management of the cod population here for 50 years
18:20Together, they agree on a fishing quota for each side
18:24The collaboration is essential to prevent overfishing
18:27The future of the fishery activity in Northern Norway would depend on bilateral agreement with Russia
18:34And then you have the danger of that activity being subject to intelligence operations
18:39That is a serious dilemma for the government
18:42The Norwegian government has limited the amount of time Russian crews are allowed to spend on land
18:47And the imported fish is inspected by customs officers
18:51But the Norwegian government also insists that the cooperation will continue
19:03Leaving your old life behind is never easy, especially when it means stepping into the unknown
19:09Starting over takes real courage
19:11But sometimes taking that leap can open the door to something completely new
19:18Just ask the woman in our next story
19:21She traded her career for a surfboard and found a whole new way of life
19:29We always been taught how to be strong
19:32To never give up and to always believe in yourself
19:36And I'm so proud to be born as Batak
19:39Batak is the warrior
19:44My father died when I was 11
19:46And my world collapsed
19:50So everything landed on my plate
19:52The emotion of losing a father
19:55And the responsibility
19:58To survive
19:59To keep on going
20:01To make sure that we have food on the table
20:05I didn't have a choice back then
20:08My name is Flora Christine
20:10I was born in North Sumatra
20:12And I'm a professional surfer
20:17My mom sent me to Jakarta
20:21I would be working during the weekday
20:23In this company
20:26And going to uni at night
20:28That's how I supported myself
20:31My uni and my brother
20:33By working really hard
20:35With no days off
20:3630 days in a month
20:38Seven days a week
20:43In 2014
20:45I finally feel
20:47There is a void in my life
20:51So after my brother finished high school
20:53I finally have the guts in me
20:57To tell him
20:58Hey, I think it's time
21:01That you stand on your own feet
21:04You take care of yourself
21:06Because I need to take care of me
21:12I needed to start over
21:16I needed me
21:18To be me
21:21So I decided
21:22To pack a bag
21:25And set off for
21:28The unknown
21:38Two years of traveling
21:40Two years of traveling changed me
21:41Changed the way I see life
21:46Changed everything
21:47I become a person
21:49Who is strong
21:51But also a person who feels
21:58Changed everything
22:05In 2016
22:07I decided
22:09To start my journey
22:11By starting over
22:12In this beautiful island
22:14Called Bali
22:19Surfing
22:20I found surfing in Bali
22:27When I started my surfing journey
22:29In Bali
22:29I became the only Indonesian woman in the water
22:36I had to fight my way into the surf community there
22:41I had to show them like, look, just because I'm an Indonesian woman
22:45I look different than all your customers
22:47I also deserve to be here
23:02So I keep on going
23:03Till they finally see me
23:06Till they finally like, wow, okay
23:10You've made it
23:11You worked so hard
23:12And I finally gained the respect from the community
23:18What I feel when I'm riding a longboard
23:21To stand up
23:22To go
23:24Follow the waves
23:25I feel alive
23:27I feel feminine
23:28I feel beautiful
23:36My heart filled with so much joy
23:38When I ride a wave
23:39Especially when it's a good one
23:50After a year of surfing
23:52I finally get the invitation to serve in international surf competition
24:01And then I went to Japan
24:02Representing Indonesia
24:04As the first Indonesian female longboard surfer
24:12I went home with a big smile
24:14With a little trophy
24:15And a little check
24:21I finally see so many more talents
24:23So many more Indonesian women longboards
24:27And that makes me the happiest
24:36I am part of this amazing project by my friend in the Philippines
24:41It's called Pearl Project
24:43Where we serve in traditional outfit
24:50Wearing the entire outfit
24:57It's something that is not so common
24:59It's something that is so difficult
25:01When you're out there in the surf
25:05I get to show that you can be traditional
25:10But your tradition will not dictate your future
25:16You can create your own path
25:22Because if I can see the world from doing what I am doing
25:26You can too
25:30And yeah, get out there
25:32Good luck
25:40And we wish her all the best
25:42That's it from Made For Now
25:43Today we've travelled through greener skies
25:46And cleaner waters
25:50We've learned about seagrass and fishing
25:54We'll be back soon with stories, ideas and people worth meeting
25:59Take care and see you soon