Technology Alphabet moonshot boss: Climate crisis is world's 'single biggest problem'
Tim Cook reminds us about Apple's sustainability efforts
The Apple CEO spoke after the company was honored by nonprofit Ceres.He reminded us that devices like the iPhone 11 are made up the "highest-quality 100% recycled aluminum alloy ever" and noted the efforts of Lisa Jackson, who led the Environmental Protection Agency under President Barack Obama and has led Apple's environmental policy since 2013.
Google' s parent company, Alphabet , said it' s focusing on technology to fight climate change because the " crisis is the single biggest problem the world X, formerly called Google X, is the company' s moonshot factory. Several of Alphabet ' s most ambitious projects, including driverless cars, drone
Alphabet ’ s secret weapons: X projects - “ moonshot ” investments that could change the world . is the single biggest cause of death and disability in the world , and yet, unlike every single other Critics point out that it would also remove one of the major factors keeping humanity from a crisis of
Google's parent company, Alphabet, said it's focusing on technology to fight climate change because the "crisis is the single biggest problem the world has now."

Astro Teller, head of Alphabet's X research lab, made the remark Friday during an interview at the Wired 25 conference in San Francisco. Teller also said many of the division's projects and past projects have touched on environmental issues. One failed initiative, called Project Foghorn, tried to create a carbon-neutral fuel out of seawater, but the new fuel wasn't cost-viable. Another project, called Dandelion, which has been spun out of X, uses geothermal technology to heat and cool homes.
Alphabet is reportedly interested in buying Fitbit
Fitbit is apparently quite serious about exploring a sale. Reuterssources said Alphabet has "made an offer" to buy Fitbit for an as yet undetermined amount. The insiders warned there was no guarantee the talks would lead to a deal, but the indication of interest is still huge by itself. We've reached out to Alphabet and Fitbit for comment, although they declined to comment to Reuters. If Alphabet did snap up Fitbit, it could dramatically change the landscape for smartwatches. In spite of challenges, Fitbit is still one of the largest smartwatch makers on the planet -- this would quickly consolidate the market.
The world ’ s leading scientists will warn the planet’s life-support systems are approaching a danger zone for humanity when they release the results of the most comprehensive study of life on Earth ever undertaken.
Exclusive: Annual consumption of plastic bottles is set to top half a trillion by 2021, far outstripping recycling efforts and jeopardising oceans, coastlines and other environments.
"Our goal is to find and solve huge problems in the world," Teller said. "[Climate change is] taking up a lot of space in our windshield right now because it's just so big."
X, formerly called Google X, is the company's moonshot factory. Several of Alphabet's most ambitious projects, including driverless cars, drone delivery, and balloons that beam down internet connectivity, have been spun out of the X research lab.
Teller's comments come as Google has faced criticism over climate change. The Guardian last month reported that Google has made "substantial" contributions to some of the "most notorious climate deniers" in Washington, DC. Google told The Guardian it sponsors organizations across the political spectrum. "We're hardly alone among companies that contribute to organizations while strongly disagreeing with them on climate policy," a spokesperson said.
Fitbit stock surges on report that Google-parent Alphabet may buy company
Fitbit stock has jumped nearly 28% following a Reuters report that Google is preparing to buy the company.According to the report from Reuters, Alphabet has "made an offer" to buy Fitbit, though the report did not disclose terms. After briefly being halted, shares of Fitbit resumed trading late Monday morning, with the company rising nearly 28% to $5.51 early Monday afternoon.
_ NowThis World is dedicated to bringing you topical explainers about the world around you. Each week we’ll be exploring current stories in international news, by examining the facts, providing historical context, and outlining the key players involved.
Biggest analysis to date reveals huge footprint of livestock - it provides just 18% of calories but takes up 83% of farmland.
Earlier this week, more than 1,000 Google employees signed an open letter to CFO Ruth Porat demanding action on issues related to climate change. In the letter, employees urge a commitment from Google to reach zero emissions by 2030, as well as to shun contracts that "enable or accelerate the extraction of fossil fuels." The employees also called on the company to ban funding to think tanks, lobbyists or politicians that deny climate change or delay solutions. Additionally, the workers want Google to vow not to collaborate with groups that harm refugees or other groups affected on the "frontline" of climate change.

Google headquarters in Mountain View, California
Google this week also launched an accelerator program to help startups working on projects related to sustainability and solving social problems.
X has had its share of controversy as well. Last October, The New York Times published a bombshell report on sexual harassment allegations at Google and Alphabet. One of the executives accused of misconduct was Rich DeVaul, a director at X. At the time, DeVaul apologized for an "error in judgment." He resigned from Alphabet a few days after the Times report. Teller wasn't asked about the accusations during Friday's interview.
Alphabet names Nobel Prize winner Frances Arnold to board .
Alphabet names Nobel Prize winner Frances Arnold to boardArnold, who manages a research group at the California Institute of Technology, will serve on the technology giant's nominating and corporate governance committee.
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