In 2014 and 2015, methane emissions spiked from the annual average increase of 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) since the early 2000’s to 10 or more parts per billion. Scientists will be discussing the issue at the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) in San Francisco tomorrow.

A swipe of a finger or application of pressure is enough to generate power from this low-cost, film-like material containing charged ions. The device is one of many innovative alternative energy solutions that could help us curb our dependence on fossil fuels and their negative environmental impact.

Headed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates, the Breakthrough Energy Ventures fund will focus on research and technology dedicated to lowering greenhouse-gas emissions. With a board of directors that has an estimated net worth of nearly $170 billion, the BEV is well-funded and poised to make a big impact in the world of clean energy.

Three American Space Station projects have failed, but a dedicated U.S. Space Station will facilitate U.S. economic activities, accelerate humanity's colonization of the solar system, and allow us to tap the resources of the cosmos to aid our cause.