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Amazon announces new climate pledge in response to worker action
As 1,500 workers at Amazon's Seattle headquarters prepare to walk out in protest of the company's pollution, support of fossil fuel companies and sponsorship of climate denial, CEO Jeff Bezos has announced a new Climate Pledge with the aim of becoming a carbon-neutral company by 2040 (The Verge).
To this end, Amazon has ordered 100,000 electric delivery vans in the US, says it's investing $100 million in reforestation and pledged to report on its sustainability process, although it's yet to release data it promised in February. However, this falls short of protestors' demands, as the company says it will still work with the fossil fuel industry and Bezos evaded the question of the firm's sponsorship of climate-denying think tanks.
North America has lost 29 per cent of its birds in 50 years
An analysis of bird census data since 1970 has found that, in less than five decades, 29 per cent of North America's birds – around three billion individuals – have disappeared (Science). Weather radar data, which can measure the biomass of migratory birds, shows that this decreased 13 per cent between 2007 and 2017. Key factors threatening bird species include habitat loss as well as the broader effect of human activity across ecosystems, including the use of pesticides such as neonicotinoids.
Neo-Nazis are using Telegram to compile a list of people they think are Jewish
A public Telegram channel with over 2,400 subscribers is being used by anti-Semites to compile a list of online figures they believe are Jewish (Mother Jones). Targeted individuals range from prominent politicians, activists and journalists to people with more modest social media profiles. The channel, whose pseudonymous creator has made allusions to neo-Nazi catchphrases, avoids breaching Telegram's terms and conditions by saying they don't encourage violence towards the people on the list, but the implications of its existence are clear.
French court rules that Valve must allow resale of games
A French court has ruled that Valve must allow Steam users to resell their games, provide greater clarity on what offences can result in a player losing their account and not retain Steam Wallet funds when an account is closed (EuroGamer). While France's robust approach to consumer rights is beneficial to both shoppers and games preservationists, there are concerns about the potential impact of resales on the already vulnerable business models of smaller developers in particular. Valve says it will appeal the ruling.
Sega's Mega Drive Mini is a treasure trove of gaming nostalgia
Sega's first official mini console is a handsome package, presenting a startlingly accurate replica of the original, despite being approximately half the size (WIRED). The full-size controllers are entirely accurate – only the USB connectors at the end of their generous 1.8 metre cables distinguish them from actual Mega Drive joypads. The game library is remarkably solid, too, with titles ranging from staples such as Sonic the Hedgehog and Golden Axe to cult favourites Kid Chameleon, Comix Zone, and Gunstar Heroes.
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
