The hottest Climate & Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

🌳 🌈 Time for a hard reset for environmental policy: A Quick Q&A with … Emily Domenech

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy Infrastructure Bipartisan Issues Regulatory reform Activism
  1. Bipartisan environmental reform is hard to achieve because Republicans and Democrats have different ideas on what needs changing. One side wants to make building easier, while the other focuses on renewable energy.
  2. Many lawsuits against projects can cause delays and make them financially unfeasible. Even if most of these lawsuits fail, they still create uncertainty that can halt progress.
  3. Current environmental policies and lawsuits can block innovation instead of helping the environment. A reset might be needed to improve infrastructure and address climate change effectively.

We're robbing kids of their future--but also their present

The Crucial Years • 1434 implied HN points • 20 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Environmental Policy Green Technology Climate Impacts
  1. Growing climate anxiety is affecting young people who feel let down by political and economic institutions not addressing the climate emergency.
  2. Institutions like banks, car companies, and universities resisting change are contributing to generational theft as today's practices guarantee future upheaval.
  3. The emotional toll of climate change on children and youth, exacerbated by governmental inaction, poses mental health risks and highlights the need for urgent, proactive responses.

The Memory of a Tree

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 439 implied HN points • 20 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Ecology Urban Nature Cultural heritage Community
  1. Western red cedars are very important to the Indigenous people, who use them to make many items, from canoes to hats. These trees are seen as a source of life and culture.
  2. Trees like the Wedgwood cedar hold memories of the past. They witness changes in the environment and community, connecting the present to history.
  3. Cutting down the Wedgwood cedar would mean losing a piece of nature and the stories it holds. These trees are not just plants; they carry the life and memories of the area around them.

Silencing Climate Whistle-Blowers

The Climate Historian • 19 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Scientific Integrity Political Influence Whistleblowing
  1. Climate scientists often face pressure from political leaders, leading to threats against their work. For instance, Virginia Burkett, a scientist at USGS, was demoted for opposing harmful actions by the Trump administration.
  2. Historical cases show that scientists like James Hansen faced censorship for speaking out on climate change. Even reputable scientists can be silenced because of their messages that contradict certain political views.
  3. The influence of special interests can lead to significant changes in scientific priorities. This jeopardizes crucial climate research as short-term profit motives often take precedence over environmental concerns.
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Beyond the carbon buzz

Topsoil • 373 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Finance Environmental Impact
  1. Agriculture has a significant impact on the environment, beyond just carbon sequestration.
  2. Sustainability in agriculture requires real changes on farms, operational support for farmers, and financial incentives.
  3. Financing and risk-sharing across the agricultural value chain are crucial for accelerating adoption of sustainable practices.

Global Heat Waves: The New Normal in a Warming World

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 28 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Global Warming Extreme Weather Environmental Policy
  1. Heat waves are happening more often and are becoming more intense. Many places around the world are experiencing temperatures much higher than before.
  2. The number of people affected by heat waves is increasing significantly. More workers are feeling the impacts of extreme heat, highlighting a growing concern for health and safety.
  3. To combat the rising heat, it's crucial to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting down pollution is necessary to lessen the severity of heat waves and protect lives.

Sheet cake as ammunition

The Crucial Years • 1464 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Environmental justice Climate solutions
  1. In a polarized society, sometimes fighting in a different, more creative way can be effective.
  2. Using strategic and thoughtful tactics can make a difference in important fights like climate change.
  3. Being considerate of societal impacts and strategic in activism can lead to positive outcomes, even in difficult situations.

Baseload price and the support to renewables

GEM Energy Analytics • 259 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Policy Electricity Markets Environmental Economics Sustainability
  1. Germany's energy market has seen a shift where renewable energy support is now funded by the federal budget instead of consumers. This change eases the financial burden on consumers.
  2. The price for electricity from renewables is influenced by baseload prices. Lower baseload prices can increase the financial needs for funding renewable projects.
  3. Support mechanisms like feed-in tariffs and market premiums help renewable producers when market prices drop. However, these systems also mean that funding needs can fluctuate with market prices.

The IEA's World Energy Outlook 2023

Renewable Revolution • 339 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Fossil fuels Energy Policy Environmental Economics Global Warming
  1. Renewable energy is quickly growing and could supply half of all power by 2030. Electric vehicles are also set to increase significantly on the roads.
  2. China's demand for energy is slowing down, which is important because it has been a major factor in global energy growth. This could change where energy demand comes from.
  3. By 2030, we are likely to see big changes in the energy system. The transition to clean energy is already happening, and more investment is needed to reach climate goals.

Here's 5 ways the media can help the climate movement (rather than just terrifying us)

The Green Fix • 196 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Media Coverage Capitalism Climate solutions Political Influence
  1. Media should connect climate news to different sectors like business and politics
  2. Capitalism plays a big role in the climate crisis and needs more media attention
  3. Media should spotlight the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on the Global South and follow the money behind climate decisions

The Birding Edition

Why is this interesting? • 1266 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology Biodiversity Conservation Birding
  1. Birdwatching can be a rewarding hobby that connects us with nature and can lead to deep emotional connections with birds.
  2. Ecological grief is a real and intense response to environmental losses, including bird deaths caused by human-driven changes.
  3. Efforts like building natural bridges and enacting bird-friendly legislation demonstrate steps we can take to protect wild animals amidst ongoing environmental challenges.

Capture price of renewables: miscellaneous

GEM Energy Analytics • 319 implied HN points • 01 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy markets Solar Power
  1. The capture price of renewables, especially solar and wind, is decreasing as their output increases. This means that more solar and wind power leads to lower market prices for electricity.
  2. In specific regions like Spain and Germany, capture prices can drop significantly during peak production months. It shows that when there's a lot of solar energy, prices can actually fall below expectations.
  3. New financial tools are emerging to help manage the risks associated with capturing renewable energy prices. These tools aim to provide more stability for energy producers as renewable energy becomes more common.

Another Canary Died in the Climate Coal mine: No Skating on the World's Largest Ice Rink.

The Planet • 353 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Global Crisis Environmental Impact Cultural heritage
  1. The Rideau Canal Skateway, the world's largest ice rink in Ottawa, is facing closure due to warming temperatures.
  2. Experts point to climate change as a likely cause for the abnormal closure of the skateway.
  3. This situation serves as a clear example of the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis.

Climate Policy Rethink

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1236 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate targets Equity Energy transition
  1. Climate policy targets and timetables need to be revisited as the Paris Agreement targets are infeasible, requiring a reassessment of what is realistically achievable.
  2. Global equity needs to be prioritized alongside emissions reductions in climate scenarios, as current projections indicate increased economic inequities.
  3. Scenarios guiding climate policy are biased towards coal energy expansion, highlighting the importance of refocusing efforts on transitioning away from coal for effective decarbonization.

Some early lessons of 2024 in the energy sector

Jérôme à Paris • 510 implied HN points • 24 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Renewables Policy Investments Market Trends
  1. Solar energy is growing really fast, leading to more electricity than we often need, causing prices to drop sometimes.
  2. Energy storage is becoming super important to handle all the extra solar power, but keeping up with the growth is tricky.
  3. Despite talk of a big rise in energy demand, actual usage is mostly stable or even going down in many places, especially in Europe.

What can we do with a sentence?

The Crucial Years • 1514 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Activism Renewable Energy Environmental policies
  1. The sentence calling for transitioning away from fossil fuels is a new tool for activists to use in climate discussions
  2. Past significant climate sentences have changed the direction of climate discussions and policies
  3. Activists need to ensure clear, plain language in agreements to effectively push for the end of the fossil fuel era

Online resources on electricity and energy

GEM Energy Analytics • 339 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Policy Research Data Tools
  1. There are many websites that provide valuable data on electricity generation and energy prices, especially in Europe. These resources can help understand the energy market better.
  2. Tools like Ember Climate and Electricity Maps offer useful visualizations to track emissions and power generation in various regions.
  3. The International Energy Agency and the U.S. Energy Information Administration are great sources for reliable energy data and insights globally.

Low Hanging Fruit

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1511 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Emissions Renewable Energy Policy Cost Analysis Nuclear power
  1. Replacing 150 coal power plants with nuclear power can reduce global emissions by 25% by 2035.
  2. The cost of replacing these plants with nuclear power is significantly lower than other emissions reduction measures.
  3. If the world is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, retiring or retrofitting coal plants is necessary, and nuclear power provides a feasible alternative.

You flood it, you pay for it.

The Crucial Years • 1195 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Deforestation Green Technology Environmental Impact
  1. States are considering 'climate superfund' laws to hold Big Oil accountable, treating disasters as toxic dumps caused by corporations.
  2. Legislators are working to make Big Oil pay for the climate damage they cause, with Vermont leading the way in potentially adopting such laws.
  3. The transition to renewable energy, along with laws holding fossil fuel industry accountable, is vital to combat climate change and protect communities.

Green Lights Jan. 12: Top stories this week

Callaway Climate Insights • 196 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Green Technology Environmental Policy Sustainable Practices
  1. 2024 will be a challenging year for the climate with ominous reports predicting financial repercussions.
  2. California's efforts to address climate change face a temporary setback due to a budget crisis.
  3. ESG investing may see a resurgence as negative attention attracts investors towards renewable energy shares.

Obsessed, entranced, seduced, panicked

Pinch of Dirt • 157 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Global impact
  1. Marie Kondo's method of decluttering involves keeping items that spark joy, starting with clothing and ending with sentimental items. It's a thorough process that aims to be done just once.
  2. Consider the environmental impact of decluttering - discarded items can end up in landfills, despite the potential for reuse. Donating items may not guarantee they will be resold or find a new home.
  3. Reflect on the idea of treating our homes and the Earth as sacred spaces. The responsibility for the objects we possess extends beyond just tidying up, prompting a deeper consideration for how we consume and discard.

It's So Hot

The Crucial Years • 1494 implied HN points • 19 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Climate Activism Climate solutions
  1. The planet's temperature crossed the 2.0 degrees Celsius mark for the first time, highlighting the urgent need to address global warming
  2. The conflict in Palestine is exacerbating environmental issues, with the region facing challenges like water scarcity and desertification due to climate change
  3. Addressing conflicts like the one in Palestine is crucial to redirecting attention towards combating climate change and preserving a livable planet for all

Giving Up On 1.5C: A Personal and Climatic Journey

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 176 implied HN points • 23 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Global Warming Greenhouse Gases Emissions Reduction
  1. Limiting global warming to under 1.5C is crucial to prevent irreversible climate impacts and protect ecosystems.
  2. The current trajectory in reducing carbon emissions is insufficient to stay within the 1.5C warming limit.
  3. Despite challenges and setbacks, it is important to maintain hope, take action, and continue efforts to address climate change.

2024 Could Be a Year of Redemption for Carbon Credits

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 157 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Technology
  1. 2024 is predicted to be a year of redemption for carbon credits after challenges in the previous year.
  2. Carbon markets are getting a reset to improve transparency and quality, with new integrity frameworks and technology advancements.
  3. Tech companies are introducing powerful tools like satellite data and AI to standardize carbon accounting and monitoring.

An introduction to (green) Hydrogen

GEM Energy Analytics • 299 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Sustainability Decarbonization Renewables
  1. Hydrogen is seen as important for reducing carbon emissions, but it's not a complete solution. It can help in specific tough areas but isn't the only answer.
  2. Producing hydrogen currently causes pollution because most of it is made from natural gas or coal. Only a tiny bit comes from clean methods like renewable energy.
  3. Green hydrogen is expensive to produce, and its high costs mean it will be limited. It's better used in areas where alternatives like electricity don't fit, not for everyday home heating or personal cars.

Comparing the Pace of Solar and Batteries

GEM Energy Analytics • 319 implied HN points • 29 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Electric Vehicles Energy Storage Market Trends Sustainability
  1. Solar energy is growing really fast, and it's changing the way we think about energy costs. Europe is seeing a huge increase in solar capacity, with Germany leading the way.
  2. Batteries, especially large-scale ones and home batteries, are important for storing solar energy, but they still can't keep up with solar growth. More batteries are coming, but their impact is still limited right now.
  3. Electric vehicles (EVs) can help with energy storage too, but we need better support and smart systems for them to work effectively. Right now, we face challenges in making the most of EVs to store solar energy.