The Federal Ministry of Education in Germany has announced that there will be no digital pact school 2.0 before 2025. This decision has been met with criticism, as it creates a funding gap of at least seven months. The first digital pact for schools is currently in progress, with subsidies available until May 2024. The delay in implementing the next phase may result in difficulties for schools, particularly in recruiting IT staff.
The European Union has warned about the risks of geoengineering and supports international efforts to establish regulations in this area. Conducting such experiments unilaterally could exacerbate power imbalances and trigger conflicts. Discussions about the dangers and possible applications of geoengineering may take place at the United Nations. Many ethical, legal, political, and administrative questions regarding geoengineering remain unanswered, despite the potential benefits in reducing global temperatures.
The Warming Surfaces Company, a Finnish start-up, has developed flat laminate panels that can be used as heaters. These panels are thinner and less conspicuous than traditional flat infrared heaters. They are operated with low voltage and mounted on walls or furniture surfaces. The panels are designed to quickly and efficiently heat small rooms to a comfortable temperature.
YouTube is testing stricter measures against users of ad blockers. The platform is currently experimenting with blocking ads after three videos have been watched. Users are then presented with a panel that gives them the option to deactivate their ad blocker or subscribe to YouTube Premium. This action is described as a “small experiment” and it remains uncertain if it will be widely implemented.
Overall, these developments highlight the challenges and opportunities in the fields of education, climate change mitigation, innovative heating solutions, and the viability of ad-supported platforms like YouTube.
