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Development trends and responses to the requirements of the International Supply Chain Sustainability Code of Conduct

Every business and organization will have an impact on the environment, society and economy. For responsible organizations that want to face sustainability issues in a positive way, procurement will be a powerful and effective tool that can be used to change procurement behavior throughout the entire life cycle through sustainable procurement policies and practices. possible impacts and strive to minimize adverse impacts, in order to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development goals. Therefore, the supply chain has become an important role. Effective management of the supply chain is also an important part of improving the competitiveness of the organization. In addition to quality and cost considerations, the supply chain's sustainable development behavior is also an important consideration in supplier management; In order to strengthen the supply chain's response to sustainable development, it is necessary to start from the institutional aspect. In addition to formulating "Supplier Management Guidelines" and matching them with mechanisms such as evaluation and satisfaction surveys, suppliers must sign relevant "letters of commitment" to jointly move towards sustainability. The direction of development is forward. Recently, the novel coronavirus has severely impacted the organizational operations and economic development of various countries. In addition to the tourism and aviation industries that bear the brunt, a more profound impact on other global industries is the problem of "disconnected" supply chains, such as the shortage of semiconductor chips. Therefore, how to manage and transform the supply chain towards sustainability has become one of the most important issues for organizations now. In the past, supply chain management was often carried out by establishing a "supplier management" mechanism, which included the following:  New supplier surveys.  Supplier written and on-site review.  Supplier screening and grading.  Supplier product assurance system audit.  Supplier performance evaluation system. Now it is because of

2021-10-07

The promotion trend of international circular economy in the post-epidemic era

Author: Quality, Environment and Safety Department, Plastics Industry Technology Development Center (Finance) 　　　　Lin Zixiang, Consultant Global COVID-19 (Covid-19) Pandemic: Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development The COVID-19 (Covid-19) pandemic has hit the world, causing considerable impact on human society and the global economy. It has been called "the biggest crisis since World War II" by the United Nations. In particular, the lockdowns and national closures experienced by many countries have had a far-reaching impact on economic activities. Import and export trade, industrial manufacturing, and tourism services have all suffered very serious impacts. To this day, the shadow of the epidemic continues to loom over the world. However, at a time when global economic activities are facing a considerable degree of shutdown or delay, this wave of epidemic has brought an unexpected result to the problem of global climate change. For example, in 2020, several regions (countries) achieved the lowest overall carbon emissions in recent years, and the most moderate global warming record in recent years, making the arduous challenge of "controlling the warming trend to a tolerable impact" more possible; in addition, statistics released by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) also pointed out that in the northern region where India's capital New Delhi is located, air pollution has reached the lowest level in at least 20 years. Even in terms of ecology, the number of leatherback turtle nests on Thai beaches has reached a nearly 20-year high. This also shows, to a certain extent, that various human activities in the past have indeed brought a huge burden to nature, and it once again confirms that while pursuing economic development, we must also take into account the balance of coexistence and prosperity with nature. In the past, we were accustomed to

2021-06-21

The Importance of Business Continuity Management (ISO 22301) in the Era of Pandemics

Author: Li Zhihong, Consultant, Quality, Environment, and Safety Department, Industrial Services Group, Plastics Industry Technology Development Center (CITDC). Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, over 109,678,891 cases have been recorded globally, and the epidemic continues to escalate around the world. To effectively control the risk of infection, countries around the world have begun implementing social control policies (such as lockdowns, slowing down regional business activities, travel restrictions, and quarantine measures) to prevent the COVID-19 outbreak from getting out of control. However, these controls have also impacted international supply chains, weakened global consumer demand, and significantly impacted the supply of industries such as tourism and catering, textiles, and automotive parts. We are facing the threat of operational or business interruption; government agencies and organizations around the world have promoted business continuity plans and cited the ISO 22301 business continuity management system standard to implement management systems to reduce the impact of destructive events (including information system security, communications, fire safety, power distribution, mosquito vectors, equipment and facilities, supply chain disruptions and other disasters). The ISO 22301 series of standards includes a detailed guidance document ISO 22313, which provides practical information on how to prepare for and recover from interruptions, such as: 10 steps to a business continuity plan: Determine the purpose, scope and implementation team of the business continuity plan. Determine priority operational projects and expected recovery time. What do you need to resume critical activities? Risk assessment - understand your disaster situation. Don't forget

2021-06-21

Corporate Sustainability Starts with Materials: Introduction and Application of Sustainable Materials Library

The essence of design lies in the understanding of materials. Materials play a crucial role in human life. From clothing, housing, and transportation, to clothing made of polyester, to building exteriors made of steel, cement, or bricks, to disposable plastic bags and tableware for takeout, the creation of all objects is closely linked to materials. From a design practice perspective, when designers or product developers directly and proactively experience and understand objects and materials during the conceptualization phase, they can achieve unexpected results. Materials are like words: the more design vocabulary they possess, the more solutions they can observe and express. With the constant emergence of new materials and technologies, the appropriate use of materials has become crucially linked to the concept of ecological sustainability. Users (consumers) not only ask whether companies have implemented sustainable and green design, but also prioritize what green products they offer and how they are environmentally friendly. This has become a global sustainability trend! Taiwan's material technology is internationally competitive. How can designers and product developers deeply engage with these high-quality materials in the early stages of product development to explore potential unmet user (consumer) needs within a given context? In view of this, the Plastics Center Foundation established the "Sustainable Material Library" in 2020 to meet the needs of a large number of users (consumers). It plans to collect various sustainable materials and hopes to use sustainable design thinking.

2021-06-21

Proper lithium battery recycling: "Black powder" turns into black gold, increasing its price tenfold. Environmental Protection Agency and Industrial Technology Research Institute showcase research findings.

Currently, there are over 500,000 electric scooters in Taiwan, using over one million batteries. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that Taiwan will need to eliminate approximately 1,100 metric tons of lithium batteries annually after 2025. This massive recycling and reuse demand urgently requires a circular economy solution. Yesterday (the 18th), the Environmental Protection Agency announced research results in collaboration with the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), which purifies the "black powder" from discarded secondary lithium batteries into higher-value, high-purity cobalt sulfate and cobalt oxide, chemical raw materials for lithium battery positive electrode materials. The amount of discarded secondary lithium batteries is expected to increase significantly, and the demand for raw materials is also high. Lithium batteries that can be recharged and reused, known as secondary lithium batteries, are widely used in mobile phones, cameras, laptops, and tablets. In recent years, electric scooters, bicycles, and large energy storage devices have also relied heavily on lithium batteries for power. However, Taiwan relies on imports for the precious metals used in lithium batteries, such as cobalt, lithium, nickel, manganese, and copper. According to statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency, the recycling volume of secondary lithium batteries (including electric cars and motorcycles, 3C products and products containing secondary lithium batteries) was about 600 metric tons last year (2021), but by 2025, it will grow to about 1,100 metric tons of secondary lithium battery waste per year. The Environmental Protection Agency pointed out that electric vehicles have driven the booming lithium battery market, and the demand for raw materials has continued to increase. Based on sales estimates, there are a total of 8,000 electric vehicles and 500,000 electric motorcycles. Such a booming "million electric vehicle market" is especially due to the surge in discarded lithium batteries. Although the current annual processing capacity of the six treatment plants in our country is about 2,200 metric tons, it is enough to cover the 2025

2021-01-19

ISO 14067:2018 Product Carbon Footprint Revision

Author: Yang Bo-zhong, Consultant, Corporate Sustainability Group, Quality, Environmental Safety Department, Plastics Industry Technology Development Center In recent years, a global wave of carbon reduction has swept the world, with various greenhouse gas reduction measures and carbon management being implemented. Therefore, in 2013, the ISO organization published the ISO/TS 14067 technical specification on carbon footprint, providing a method for companies to calculate the carbon footprint of their products and services. This allows for the inventory and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions at each stage of the product lifecycle, enabling companies to understand their carbon footprint and disclose carbon emission information to key stakeholders, thereby facilitating the development of better low-carbon products. After years of development, in 2018, the ISO organization released ISO 14067:2018, "Product Carbon Footprint – Requirements and Guidelines for Greenhouse Gas Quantification," replacing the technical specification ISO/TS 14067:2013. ISO 14067:2018 was also upgraded to an international standard. The key changes in the new standard are to strengthen external communication and increase its weight, incorporating multiple standard framework processes. Key revisions include: product carbon footprint communication being incorporated into ISO 14026; carbon footprint verification criteria being incorporated into ISO 14064-3; product category rule-making requirements being incorporated into ISO/TS 14027; changes to biomass carbon emissions and electricity processing methods; the addition of declaration units and Global Greenhouse Potential; adoption of the latest IPCC publication text for GWP values; the establishment of a systematic approach to data collection and management; and revisions to terminology definitions for ease of explanation, in accordance with ISO 1.

2020-05-28

A Brief Discussion on the Development of TOSHMS Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health Management System and ISO 45001/CNS 45001

On March 12, 2018, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released ISO 45001:2018 Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems, which officially replaced OSHAS 18001:2007 and became a globally consistent standard. In 2008, Taiwan independently established and promoted the "Taiwan Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems" (TOSHMS) standard. In 2011, referring to the TOSHMS verification specifications, two national standard proposals were developed: "Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems - Requirements" and "Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems - Guidelines." These were announced as national standards by the Ministry of Economic Affairs on November 29, 2011 (CNS15506 and CNS15507 respectively), with CNS 15506 being designated as the standard for TOSHMS verification. Driven by both passive implementation of supporting requirements and proactive efforts by enterprises, the program has been running for 11 years, with approximately 954 companies currently holding third-party certifications (see the chart below). To align with international trends in occupational safety and health management system standards and to meet the certification needs of domestic manufacturers, the Ministry of Labor compared the "TOSHMS" certification standard with the "ISO 45001" international standard, finding that their substantive requirements are largely similar. Therefore, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) of the Ministry of Labor...

2020-05-27

Pregnant women, beware: Scientists have found air pollution particles in the placenta

Pregnant women beware! Scientists have discovered air pollution particles in the placenta. Scientists have found air pollution particles on the fetal side of the placenta, indicating that the fetus may be directly exposed to black carbon from vehicle traffic and fuel combustion. This study, published in *Nature Communications*, is the first to confirm that air pollution particles inhaled by the mother can penetrate the placenta. The authors observed thousands of particles per cubic millimeter in the placenta of each study subject. The scientific community has already established a link between exposure to polluted air and increased miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. The Guardian reports that the study further indicates that this is not only due to inflammatory responses following maternal exposure to pollution, but the air pollution particles themselves may also be a cause. The harm caused by air pollution to the fetus can have lifelong effects. Professor Tim Nawrot of the University of Hasselt in Belgium said, "This is the most vulnerable period of life. All organ systems are developing. To protect future generations, we must reduce exposure to air pollution." He stated that governments have a responsibility to reduce air pollution, but people should avoid busy roads as much as possible. A large-scale global literature review found that air pollution can damage almost every organ and cell in the human body; nanoparticles can cross the blood-brain barrier, and billions have even been found in the hearts of urban children. While air pollution is decreasing in some countries, evidence that even low levels of air pollution can cause harm is rapidly increasing; however, 90% of the world's population lives in areas with air pollution levels higher than those reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).

2019-11-14

Where can Apple get the green electricity it needs? Not only does it have to buy it locally, but it also has to generate new electricity.

Where does Apple's green electricity come from? It needs to be purchased locally, and only newly generated electricity counts. With businesses unable to buy green electricity, the Ministry of Economic Affairs is seeking solutions. Last month, it was reported that Taipower intended to become a major green electricity supplier, selling off its existing green electricity reserves. However, TSMC countered, stating, "The 20% green electricity we're talking about today, renewable energy, is 'additive.' What we buy from Taipower today doesn't count towards TSMC's 20%." "Additive" refers to renewable energy "added" beyond the existing grid capacity due to corporate purchases, a principle Apple requires its suppliers to adopt green electricity. Taking Taipower's green electricity platform as an example, simply transferring green electricity from Taipower's existing grid capacity to businesses doesn't constitute "additive" energy. While Apple achieved its goal of using 100% renewable energy in its global factories and offices by 2018, reducing its carbon footprint in manufacturing still requires supplier cooperation. This year, the number of manufacturers joining Apple's clean energy supply chain has increased from 23 to 44, including TSMC, Foxconn, Compal, Pegatron, Quanta, Wistron, and Chicony, all pledging to use renewable energy to manufacture Apple products. However, to explain Apple's green energy requirements, "locality" must be mentioned. [Image link: https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48485221732_8378e659f2_c.jpg] Apple's new headquarters in Cupertino is powered by 100% renewable energy, with some of the power coming from the campus's 17MW rooftop.

2019-11-14

Adidas' Truth or Dare: How will they sell the world's first shoe made from a single material and 100% recyclable?

Adidas' Truth or Dare: How to Sell the World's First 100% Recyclable Shoe Made from a Single Material? Following the launch of the first-ever sneaker made from ocean plastic, Adidas has released the first-ever 100% recyclable shoe, the FUTURECRAFT.LOOP. However, this new shoe, embodying the circular economy and revitalizing old shoes, presents Adidas with an unexpected and thorny problem: how to sell it? A pair of pristine white shoes, shimmering like pearls under light. This is Adidas' new FUTURECRAFT.LOOP series launched this year. However, these shoes are only given away, not sold; only 200 lucky individuals worldwide have received them. This isn't a marketing campaign; it's because the world's second-largest sportswear brand doesn't know how to sell these shoes, as they are the first-ever 100% recyclable, shredded, and remade running shoe. From sole to laces, it's made entirely from a single material: thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Without adhesives or stitching, the entire shoe is "fused" together using heat and pressure. A product championed by the circular economy, yet unsure how to sell it. Why is it that a brand skilled in marketing doesn't know how to sell a 100% recyclable product that aligns with today's circular economy principles? The most direct answer is: the shoe isn't perfect yet. Making a shoe from a single material sounds simple, but it's actually quite difficult. A shoe typically contains about 12 different materials, including adhesives and chemicals, many of which are not easily separated. To achieve complete recycling, the first step...

2019-11-14

Foreign companies have launched green and innovative products such as "marine waste plastic credit cards" and air pollution prevention T-shirts.

Recently, many noteworthy and transformative innovative products have emerged internationally, effectively helping businesses and nations achieve resource efficiency, low-carbon transitions, and climate change mitigation. Three examples are shared below: 1. Agricultural Emissions Countermeasures According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), agricultural improvements could address 30% of the global climate crisis by 2030. A new green innovation has emerged in the industry: the "solar-powered automated weeding robot." Created by the Swiss company EcoRobotix, this device is equipped with cameras and GPS satellite positioning, enabling it to find and remove weeds on land at an efficiency of 7.5 acres per day. Once the device finds a weed, it covers it with a cup and delivers a small dose of pesticide. EcoRobotix claims this method can reduce the amount of pesticide needed by approximately 20 times. The company hopes to commercialize this device in 2019 and has already raised nearly $11 million from agricultural investor CapAgro. Currently, the device can only identify and protect two crops; ongoing research and development will provide future updates via software upgrades. 2. Marine Plastic Waste Countermeasures According to data from the civic group Plastic Ocean, over 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally each year, with more than 8 million tons of waste plastic ending up in the ocean. In response to this problem, well-known companies including Procter & Gamble (P&G) and Adidas have begun to address the issue.

2019-11-14

Innovation opportunities in paint recycling in the UK

British paint recyclers have recognized the common problem of leftover paint and paint cans from DIY consumers ending up in warehouse corners, thus promoting recycling and creating business opportunities. It is estimated that the UK wastes approximately 50 million liters of paint annually, enough to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools, with an average household consuming 17.5 empty paint cans. Community RePaint, a paint recycling alliance originating in Leeds, has launched 74 programs to help households reduce hazardous waste disposal and provides charities, community groups, and low-income households with access to recycled paint for wall and wooden furniture repairs. One of the largest programs by Community RePaint is implemented by ReciproCity, a social welfare enterprise in Wirral, Northwest England. ReciproCity assists building material stores in launching a materials exchange program, where consumers can exchange leftover materials plus a price difference for other products in the store, a boon for budget-conscious consumers. Last year, the program received donations of 81,100 liters of paint from the public, manufacturers, and wholesalers. The recycled paint is stored in a warehouse near Birkenhead and undergoes inspection by staff before being sold to ensure its quality. While the brand and selection are not exhaustive, all products are sold at £1.20 per liter, less than 10% of the original price. ReciproCity began its partnership with Newlife, an environmentally friendly paint company, two years ago.

2019-03-15

Disney's green energy plan aims to reduce carbon emissions from the park by 50%

Disney is actively developing green energy initiatives at its parks, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2020 compared to 2012 levels. Disney in Florida will commission a new solar power plant by the end of this year. This power plant, located next to Disney's Animal Kingdom, consists of over 500,000 solar panels arranged in the shape of Mickey Mouse, generating 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity. This power plant will help Disney reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its global parks by 50% by 2020 compared to 2012 levels. Robert Chapek, Chairman of Disney Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, stated, "We're putting magic into our Disney parks around the world to continuously reduce our environmental carbon footprint." According to Disney, the solar power plant will generate enough electricity to power 10,000 homes annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 57,000 tons per year, equivalent to taking 9,300 cars off the road. Renewable Energy: Disney Plays a Key Role. The energy from the solar power plant will not go directly into Disney theme parks but will instead flow into the local power grid. As consumers increasingly prioritize green energy initiatives, Disney has become a key supporter of renewable energy. According to a 2017 Cone Communications study, 79% of consumers indicated they prefer to purchase products from companies that demonstrate social or environmental responsibility. Mark Penning, Vice President of Disney's Animals, Science, and Environment team, stated:

2019-03-15

The fashion world is abandoning plastic trends, and eco-friendly "pineapple leaf" leather is becoming a popular choice.

With rising global environmental awareness, green fashion has become a new trend. Supported by technology, items like pineapple leaf biker jackets and leather tanned with olive extract are no longer out-of-the-box fashion products. According to AFP, the fashion industry is the world's second-largest source of pollution, and in light of this, from traditional fashion giants to emerging designers, everyone has embraced this green trend in recent years. German sportswear giant Adidas sold one million pairs of Parley sneakers made from recycled ocean plastic waste last year alone and plans to launch more products made from recycled materials. Marina Coutelan, curator of the Paris trade show Premiere Vision, stated that millennials born between 1980 and 2000 have become the trendsetters in fashion. This generation, instilled with environmental awareness from a young age, is committed to launching trendy products made from sustainable materials. While fast fashion brands still pursue inexpensive, trendy "disposable" clothing, luxury brands have begun to lead the green trend. Kering, the French conglomerate that owns renowned brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, and Alexander McQueen, has already taken steps to reduce its industrial environmental impact by 25%, with a target of further reducing it by 40% by 2025. Kering has always been a strong advocate for environmental protection.

2018-11-16

Michelin launches circular economy initiative: by 2048, 80% of its tires will be made from sustainable materials and 100% will be recyclable.

In 2018, the world generated 1 billion tires, approximately 25 million tons. The World Business Council for Sustainability estimates that 1 billion tires, or about 25 million tons, were generated globally in 2018. Currently, the global tire recycling rate is 70%, and the recovery rate is 50%, with the remaining 20% converted into energy. In comparison, the annual recycling rate for plastic packaging or containers is only 14%. To achieve "Ambition 2048," Michelin is investing in high-tech recycling technologies to increase the proportion of sustainable materials to 80%. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, Michelin currently employs 111,700 people in 170 countries and has 68 production sites in 17 countries, producing 187 million tires in 2016. The "Biobutterfly" project launches a circular economy for tires. Michelin plans to establish a circular economy with its new tire, "VISION." This new concept tire does not require inflation, will be made from bio-based and recycled materials, and the tread can be biodegradable and recycled through 3D printing. Today, tires contain over 200 different raw materials. 60% of the rubber used in the tire industry is made from petroleum-derived hydrocarbons, while the remaining 40% is still natural rubber. Michelin's "Ambition 2048" sustainability goals include a commitment to researching bio-based materials. In 2012, Michelin, together with Axens petrochemical company and the French Petroleum Energy Institute (IFP Energies Nouvelles), launched the "Bio-Engineering" project.

2018-11-16

ITRI's waste heat power generation technology: an energy-saving and cost-efficient tool

Whether in the petrochemical, steel, or machinery industries, waste heat generated during production has always been a serious problem. It's a great pity if the emitted waste heat, steam, and radiant heat are not recovered and utilized. However, the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)'s "Low-Temperature Thermal Energy Thermoelectric Power Generation Application Technology" can now turn this waste heat into valuable resources. This technology has also been favored by NASA experts, winning the NASA Tech Briefs "Creating the Future Award" in September of this year, recognizing it as one of the top 100 sustainable technology innovations. With long-term R&D support from the Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs, ITRI's ORC technology can be applied not only to geothermal power generation but also to low-temperature power generation, which is often overlooked in the aforementioned industrial processes. In previous manufacturing processes, high- and medium-temperature waste heat was relatively easy to recover. However, low-temperature waste heat (<250°C air or <100°C hot water) was mostly dissipated and emitted. The Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) low-temperature thermoelectric power generation system developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) can recover industrial waste heat from 80°C to 300°C, representing genuine waste resource utilization. Currently, 10kW, 50kW, 60kW, and 200kW screw expanders, as well as 125kW and 300kW turbine expanders, have been developed. The estimated energy-saving benefits after waste heat power generation start from NT$1 million per year, with a payback period of approximately 2-5 years. For example, this year ITRI collaborated with Yieh Phui Steel to successfully construct a 132kW ORC waste heat power generation system, with an annual energy saving of [amount missing].

2018-11-16

Breakthrough in carbon storage technology: Magnesite, which absorbs carbon dioxide from the air, can be synthesized within days.

Scientists have found a way to synthesize magnesite, a mineral that can absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, in the lab, potentially becoming a new weapon in the fight against climate change. While minerals typically take hundreds to thousands of years to form on Earth's surface, the new research has reduced this lengthy natural synthesis process to days, propelling the emerging carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology forward significantly. As the world strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, experts widely believe that technologies that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere will be crucial in curbing global warming. Magnesite, a natural rock used in jewelry and various industrial processes, has carbon-absorbing capabilities, according to the UK's Independent. Each ton of magnesite can remove approximately half a ton of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, while past research has explored the possibility of storing carbon dioxide in underground rock formations, the long time required for new mineral formation has hampered the potential of this carbon storage method. "Minerals take hundreds to thousands of years to form on Earth's surface," explained Professor Ian Power of Trent University, the study's lead researcher. To address this issue, Professor Power and his team identified the process by which magnesite naturally forms at low temperatures, using this knowledge to accelerate the crystallization process. They used polystyrene microspheres as a catalyst to reduce the magnesite synthesis time to 72 days. The entire process is carried out at room temperature and does not consume excess energy. "Currently, this technology is still in the experimental stage and needs to be scaled up."

2018-09-18

Climate change poses a significant threat, potentially wiping out one-third of US economic output over the next 80 years.

A new study by U.S. federal authorities warns that climate change phenomena, such as abnormally high and low temperatures, could impact U.S. economic growth more severely than previously expected, potentially wiping out up to one-third of the nation's output by 2100, with the Southern states likely to be hit harder. In contrast, the Trump administration's tariffs of hundreds of billions of dollars on major trading partners such as Canada, Mexico, China, and the European Union are estimated to have damaged U.S. economic output by only about 0.06% to 0.25%. CBS News reports that the report points out that, in the long term, the impact of declining economic growth rates is greater than the shrinkage in economic output because "changes in economic growth rates accumulate over time, thus their effects last longer." The Southern states will be most affected. Secondly, Southern states are most sensitive to temperature changes during the summer and fall. For example, automobile factories reduce production when temperatures exceed 90°F, and the service, financial, insurance, and real estate industries, which are crucial to the U.S. economy, are also vulnerable to the damage caused by high summer temperatures. The report also states, "Home sales tend to occur more frequently in spring and summer, possibly because people need to move around and spend time outdoors when buying a house. When temperatures rise, potential buyers are less inclined to go out, which explains why high summer temperatures are detrimental to the real estate industry." Furthermore, unusually warm weather can increase the number of people seeking medical care, lead to more insurance claims, and harm agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, but conversely benefit the hydroelectric and mining industries because high temperatures tend to boost electricity consumption. This summer, the US...

2018-09-18

Study: Unprecedented global heatwave may last for five years, influenced by both human and natural factors.

Unbearable heatwaves have ravaged the world this summer, and a new study published in *Nature Communications* suggests this unusually hot period may continue until 2022. Florian Sevellec, a climate scientist at the University of Brest in France and the study's lead author, told AFP that climate change is having dire consequences, and the Earth is expected to enter a period of extreme heat lasting at least five years. According to reports from various foreign media outlets, the combined effects of natural temperature increases and human activities have led to global warming, making annual weather changes increasingly unpredictable. The research team developed a system called ProCast (Probabilistic forecast) to predict natural climate variables. Based on global weather forecast data collected by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the team conducted simulations and studies, analyzed weather developments between 1900 and 2100 using algorithms, and then compared these data with similar climate conditions to predict temperature changes over five years. Severek stated that these short-term changes are more meaningful to us; for example, the impact of El Niño extends beyond the Pacific region, and these phenomena occur globally.

2018-09-18

Low-carbon hospitals are emerging, vowing to reduce carbon emissions by 1% annually.

With global climate change, environmental protection has become a major concern, and hospitals are now joining the ranks of those working to conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions. Wang Ying-wei, Director-General of the Health Promotion Administration (HPA) under the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that medical institutions are among the world's most energy-intensive industries, accounting for 14.9% of total energy consumption. In 2010, the HPA was authorized to establish the "International Committee on Health Promotion and Environmental Friendliness," collaborating with various hospitals to commit to reducing global carbon emissions by 1% annually. According to last year's statistics, 88 out of 91 hospitals have already met the standards for healthy hospitals. As one of the earliest workplaces to operate 24 hours a day globally, hospitals consume a staggering amount of electricity. Chia Shu-li, head of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Division, stated that the HPA is promoting a low-carbon hospital plan in three phases, using 2007 as a baseline, and projects a 13% reduction in carbon emissions by 2020. The plan identifies problems, addresses them, and ultimately transforms hospitals into environmental education centers. Huang Hui-ting, Superintendent of Taiwan Adventist Hospital, one of the participating hospitals, stated that Taiwan Adventist Hospital has long promoted vegetarianism and healthy eating, and does not provide meat or vending machines within the hospital premises. Compared to a meat-based diet, this resulted in a daily reduction of 1.5 kg of carbon emissions per person, and a 17% reduction in carbon emissions between 2014 and 2017—equivalent to planting 4,249 trees, roughly the size of Daan Forest Park. Tzu Chi Hospital conserves water through its infrastructure, recycling 88,800 tons of water annually, representing 39% of its total water usage. Kaohsiung Municipal Siaogang Hospital planted various plants on its rooftop to cool the building and implemented a light-sensing system to save electricity. Between 2012 and 2017, Siaogang Hospital…

2018-09-18