Government Debt Explained & The World's Whitest Paint | WEF | Top Stories of the Week

This week's top stories of the week include:

0:15 World's whitest paint - Scientists at Purdue University have invented the world’s whitest paint that can lower surface temperatures by up to 4.5˚C. The super white paint reflects 98% of the sun's light, while standard white paint only reflects about 80-90%. This would help cool vehicle interiors, saving energy by reducing the need for air conditioning. While the original paint was thick and intended for use on the walls, the new one is only 0.15mm thick and can be used on cars and spacecraft. Watch to learn about the secret ingredient of the world’s whitest paint.

01:33 What is government debt? - Globally, governments are forecast to owe £88 trillion by the end of 2022. The pandemic caused a surge in global government debt. While rising interest rates are driving up the cost of servicing those debts, experts believe that poorer countries could struggle to pay these loans back and that up to a dozen countries may default on their government debts within the next year. But what are government debts, why do governments borrow money, and from whom?

03:09 Oslo's zero emissions public transport - By the end of 2023, Oslo is planning to have fully electric public transport by replacing its diesel buses with 450 electric buses. Electrifying its bus fleet will cut 3% of Oslo’s total emissions and reduce air and noise pollution as well. Oslo’s trams and ferries are already electric. It’s part of Oslo’s plan to be the world’s first emissions-free city by 2030. Other cities around the world are also switching to electric public transport.

04:07 4 Million Londoner's are benefitting from London's cleaner air thanks to a zero emissions zone. - 4 million Londoners are breathing cleaner air thanks to a huge low emission zone. In 2021, London expanded its Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) to 18 times its original size, covering 3.8 million homes. As a result, 21,000 fewer vehicles now drive in the ULEZ every day, and the nitrogen dioxide levels are 44% lower in the very centre of London. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has proposed expanding the Ultra Low Emission Zone even further to cover the whole of Greater London from August 2023.

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