DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Edward Kane, Journalist
DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF
By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane
NEW SCIENCE: SETTING ASIDE JUST 1.2% OF THE EARTH'S LAND COULD PREVENT MOST EXTINCTIONS
- A new study, including by scientists at The University of East Anglia, has concluded that we could save a majority of soon-to-be-extinct plants and animals. Here's what we know:
- The world has a goal of protecting 30% of the world's wildlife that's being decimated by climate change, habitat destruction and pollution
- Setting aside 1.2% of the world's land as nature preserves would prevent the majority of extinctions. This would entail 633,000 sq. miles
- 16% of the world already has some measure of protection
- The cost is estimated to be $263 billion...much of the cost would be to acquire new areas
- Time is not on our side as the costs go up every day...but the future of our planet and our fellow creatures and plants is well worth any cost.
DARPA'S FLYING WING
- Northrup Grumman is developing for the Pentagon's DARPA (Defense Dept.'s Advanced Research Projects Agency) a unique, hybrid-electric "flying wing" X-prime drone. Like everything DARPA creates, it's being developed for the US military to provide them with strategic advantages, but it will likely find its way into commercial flight. Here are some key facts:
- Called Shepard & by its official military number designation - XRC-73
- 4 years in development
- Will be test flown this year
- Unique architecture - flying wing
- Autonomous
- Hybrid-electric powertrain
- Large but lightweight drone
- Likely to have very long range, fly below 16,000' at speeds less than 250 kts
- DARPA wants the XRQ-73 to be operational ASAP
- Its mission hasn't been disclosed.
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