illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Independent or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Scientists at Binghamton University have invented an artificial plant capable of removing CO2, generating oxygen, and producing electricity
• The device uses photosynthetic bacteria and is nine times more effective at reducing CO2 than natural plants

🔭 The context: Traditional CO2 mitigation methods like ventilation are losing effectiveness as outdoor CO2 levels rise
• This artificial plant, designed initially as a fun project, could offer a sustainable solution for improving indoor air quality while powering small electronics

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This breakthrough presents a dual-function technology that not only combats rising CO2 levels but also provides clean, renewable energy—potentially revolutionizing green technology for households

⏭️ What's next: Researchers plan to scale up the technology and refine the design to require less maintenance, with future applications that could integrate these plants into everyday homes and offices

💬 One quote: “With some fine-tuning, these artificial plants could be a part of every household” - Professor Seokheun Choi from Binghamton University

📈 One stat: The artificial plant reduces indoor CO2 levels by 90%, compared to a 10% reduction by natural plants

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