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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on CNN or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: A Saudi Arabian startup, Iyris, has developed SecondSky, a greenhouse covering that reduces interior temperatures by up to 7°C using nanotechnology
• By blocking near-infrared solar radiation, the material reduces water and energy usage for cooling by 30%, making agriculture more sustainable in hot climates
• The technology is already in use across 15 countries, including the US, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa
🔭 The context: Global warming is straining agriculture, with rising temperatures reducing crop yields and increasing water and energy demands
• Innovations like SecondSky offer a solution by creating controlled environments that mitigate heat stress on crops
• The technology integrates seamlessly into existing greenhouse systems and has already covered 4.5 million square meters globally
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Protected agriculture technologies like SecondSky reduce reliance on water and energy while increasing crop productivity
• As desertification worsens and fertile land diminishes, solutions that reclaim and sustain marginal land are critical to combating global food insecurity
⏭️ What's next: Iyris plans to expand SecondSky into more products in 2025 while continuing to scale its global adoption
• Partnerships with manufacturers and initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s National Food Production Initiative signal growing interest in sustainable agricultural practices
💬 One quote: “The mission of this company is to enable sustainable agriculture, and we’re making some very important progress against a really difficult challenge,” — John Keppler, Iyris Executive Chairperson
📈 One stat: Greenhouses using technologies like SecondSky can boost land productivity by up to 5 times and water productivity by 7 times compared to open fields
Click for more news covering the latest on sustainable agriculture and climate change adaptation
