The hottest Climate & Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Communing with nature

City Quitters • 199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology Biodiversity Conservation Sustainability Urbanism
  1. We need to pay more attention to nature and the non-human world around us. Being in nature can help us feel better and remind us of our connection to everything else.
  2. Humans have thought too highly of themselves and this has hurt the planet. It's important to recognize that all living things have value and we should treat them with respect.
  3. It's possible to learn from nature even in urban areas. By being mindful and observing our surroundings, we can develop a deeper connection and appreciation for the world around us.

Sorry, Davos: e-waste is a tragedy, not an opportunity

Fight to Repair • 138 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment E-Waste Right-to-repair Circular Economy Sustainability Recycling
  1. E-waste is a significant problem globally, causing harm to people and ecological systems through pollution, inhumane extraction of raw materials, and other disasters.
  2. The idea pushed by some, like the World Economic Forum, that e-waste can be seen as a financial opportunity and a way to boost the economy is criticized as overlooking the true impact and complexity of the issue.
  3. Repairing electronics rather than constant disposal is highlighted as a more sustainable solution that could lead to a more resilient community, a reduction in repair costs, and the circulation of money locally.
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Why We Need More Ivy

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 239 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Biodiversity Sustainability Ecology
  1. Ivy can help cover bare concrete walls along freeways, making them look nicer and reduce graffiti. It's a low-maintenance plant that grows easily and creates a green layer.
  2. Covering walls with ivy can reduce noise pollution and make driving more pleasant. The leaves help absorb sound and create a quieter environment for people nearby.
  3. Ivy also helps improve air quality by capturing pollutants from the air. It acts like a natural filter, making the city environment healthier for everyone.

Watch Out Dept of Energy, Here Come the TikTokers!

The Crucial Years • 1096 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Activism Renewable Energy Climate Crisis
  1. Efforts by TikTokers and influencers are gaining momentum in advocating for environmental causes.
  2. Older individuals are also making a difference by using traditional methods like letter writing campaigns.
  3. Department of Energy should pay attention to both younger and older generations advocating against fossil fuel projects.

What’s the impact of artificial intelligence on energy demand?

Sustainability by numbers • 402 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Artificial Intelligence Sustainability Efficiency
  1. AI and data centers currently use only a small portion of the world's electricity, about 1 to 2%. Even with the rise in AI, experts expect this demand to grow slowly in the coming years.
  2. People often worry about energy demands from AI, similar to past fears about data centers. However, improvements in technology and efficiency have kept actual energy use in check.
  3. The future energy demand of AI is uncertain, and while it will likely increase, it may not be as drastic as some predict. Continued efficiency improvements will be key to managing this growth.

Emerging from the Fog

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 235 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Conservation Environmental justice Renewable Energy Wildfires
  1. The world is facing extreme climate changes due to greenhouse gas emissions affecting temperatures and ecosystems.
  2. Human actions and inactions are contributing to the worsening climate crisis, leading to heatwaves, wildfires, and extreme weather events.
  3. Efforts to address climate change include clean energy initiatives, conservation victories, and legal actions against fossil fuel companies.

In search of lithium

Everything is Light • 235 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Mining Geology Sustainability Renewables
  1. Cornwall has a rich mining history, especially with tin and copper, shaping modern Cornwall.
  2. The global demand for lithium is rising due to electric vehicles and solar panels, potentially leading to shortages by 2025.
  3. Mining lithium in Cornwall is seen as an opportunity for economic growth, jobs, and a sustainable supply of a crucial element for the green transition.

Stop griping. Europeans should be copying not criticising Joe Biden’s climate policy

Inside-Out, political commentary from Philip Stephens • 235 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Global Warming
  1. Europeans should consider copying Joe Biden's climate policy instead of criticizing it
  2. The urgency of addressing global warming requires immediate government intervention and substantial financial support
  3. To prevent a global catastrophe, all nations must invest in low or zero carbon technologies without placing limits on such investments

Managing the Landscape of Fear

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 235 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Nature Conservation Biodiversity Sustainability
  1. The Anthropocene presents a landscape of fear due to human impact on ecosystems and biodiversity.
  2. The IPCC report emphasizes the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and protect the environment to ensure a sustainable future.
  3. Rewilding initiatives, like the 30x30 conservation plan, aim to reduce fear in the landscape by restoring natural habitats and biodiversity.

Two Wins, a Loss, and a Disaster

The Crucial Years • 1225 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Environmental Activism Renewable Energy Climate Impacts Sustainability
  1. California passed a significant climate law to force big companies to disclose their carbon emissions
  2. Activism led to New York University finally divesting from fossil fuels after a decade-long battle
  3. Record rainfall in Libya resulted in a tragic loss of life, signaling the urgent need to address climate change

Different Kinds of Winning

The Crucial Years • 966 implied HN points • 22 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Fossil fuels Adaptation Finance Policy
  1. There is a potential victory on pausing LNG exports, which could impact Biden's campaign and the planet positively.
  2. Campaigners and new data have highlighted the detrimental impact of LNG exports on the climate and American consumers.
  3. The administration's decision on LNG exports can be a crucial win for climate action and Biden's re-election efforts.

State-by-state electricity mixes and prices in the United States

Sustainability by numbers • 279 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Energy Electricity Policy Data
  1. There are interactive slide decks available that show how electricity sources and prices vary across different states in the US. This makes it easy for people to understand where their electricity comes from.
  2. The slide decks get updated with new data to reflect changes in energy policy and the electricity market over time. It's helpful for anyone interested in seeing the latest trends and figures.
  3. Users can freely explore the data on electricity mixes and prices without needing permission, promoting accessibility and awareness about energy consumption.

The Super Rich Know We're Doomed

OK Doomer • 253 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Sustainability Global Warming Resource Management
  1. The super rich seem to know there's no bright future ahead for humanity. They are enjoying their last years on Earth while ignoring promises of a sustainable future.
  2. Many wealthy individuals are preparing for disaster, like building doomsday bunkers, which shows they aren't worried about the same issues the public face.
  3. There's a sense that leaders and elites are acting without consequences, showing little regard for the impacts of climate change and environmental destruction.

Bestseller In Japan: “Degrowth Communism” As The Answer to Climate Change, Part I

Japan Economy Watch • 599 implied HN points • 22 Sep 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Degrowth Communism Technology Growth
  1. Some believe 'Degrowth Communism' is the answer to climate change, promoting shrinking the economy, but it may pose risks by lowering living standards globally.
  2. Advanced countries show a trend of reducing CO2 emissions while still experiencing economic growth, indicating growth and technological progress are crucial solutions to climate change.
  3. Karl Marx emphasized the potential of technology for growth, contrasting with the view that the economy would hit a 'stationary state'; however, he underestimated capitalism's ability to address its own challenges.

Circular Chemtrails in My Sky

Tessa Fights Robots • 20 implied HN points • 12 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Sustainability Weather Climate change Air Quality
  1. The author feels strongly about the impact of chemtrails on the sky and expresses frustration over their presence. They see the blue sky as something precious that is often taken away.
  2. In recent times, the author has shifted their focus from the sky to more pressing ground issues, but they still keep an eye on the sky and appreciate clear days.
  3. The piece contains personal reflections and encourages readers to support the author's work through subscriptions or donations.

American Carbon Removal Can Be a Powerful Edge Over China in the Critical Minerals Race

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 196 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Carbon Removal Geopolitical Tensions Clean Energy Innovation
  1. U.S. has a potential advantage over China in critical minerals and carbon removal.
  2. Investing in domestic production and new carbon removal technologies is key for the U.S. energy economy.
  3. Transforming carbon dioxide into graphite for EV batteries can benefit climate action, technology advancement, and national security.

Got bail?

The Crucial Years • 906 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Protest Energy Climate Renewables Emissions
  1. Protest outside the Department of Energy in early February against permitting new LNG export terminals
  2. Arguments against granting new export licenses include high greenhouse gas emissions and negative impact on local communities
  3. Participate in peaceful civil disobedience or support rallies, with options for training sessions and online nonviolence training

70% Renewable Energy By 2035? Physics Vs. Politics

Japan Economy Watch • 219 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Land use Government Policy Technology Carbon Emissions
  1. Achieving 70% renewable energy in Japan by 2035 is technically and economically feasible.
  2. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) has a more pessimistic view on renewable energy due to geographical and physical challenges, suggesting the need for more modest goals and continued reliance on nuclear and fossil fuels.
  3. Regulations, business practices, and government policies are the main hurdles to faster adoption of renewable energy in Japan, not geographical limitations or costs.

Thoughts on the Energy Transition

GEM Energy Analytics • 219 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy transition Sustainability Renewable Energy Climate change Environmental Policy
  1. A presentation on the Energy Transition is available for download. It's based on various sources and designed for live discussions.
  2. The slides alone do not explain everything, so the spoken context is important for understanding fully.
  3. Feedback and contact are encouraged, showing that the creator values input from others.

Market price and solar: a simple model

GEM Energy Analytics • 219 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Energy Policy Market Dynamics Environmental Impact
  1. As solar energy grows, market prices for electricity tend to drop. This happens because more solar energy can lead to overproduction, causing prices to fall.
  2. There's a limit to how much solar energy can be valuable. If too many solar panels are added, the overall market value can actually go down, which means the captured value for producers diminishes.
  3. The way consumers use electricity will change, but it's not easy. They might shift their usage to match solar energy production, but many obstacles could prevent this from happening.

Climate “Endangerment”

David Friedman’s Substack • 242 implied HN points • 01 Mar 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Public Health
  1. The debate about climate change includes arguments about whether its overall effects are negative or if there can be positive impacts too. It's important to look at both sides to really understand the issue.
  2. Some scientists believe that overturning a key EPA finding on climate endangerment would be very hard, especially when many signs show that climate change is already hurting people now.
  3. There's a worry that a mistaken belief in a scientific consensus on climate change could be maintained because researchers often rely on each other's work. This can lead to bias if everyone is already leaning towards the same conclusion.

How to build the future in place

The Raven • 216 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Community Initiatives Sustainable Practices Resource Management Renewable Energy
  1. The world is facing a crisis of climate and ecosystem breakdown due to human activities.
  2. Building the future at the local and regional levels through strong communities can help address global challenges.
  3. Focusing on community-based solutions like social housing, sustainable materials, and governance can create a more resilient and cooperative society.

Web of water

Climate Water Project • 216 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecology Biodiversity
  1. The interconnectedness of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms impact the climate through the water cycle
  2. Understanding self-regulation patterns of ecology and atmosphere can aid in climate and ecosystem restoration
  3. Exploring the concept of a 'water web' can help illuminate the interactions and interdependencies in ecosystems and climate systems

How the small water cycle impacts climate change

Climate Water Project • 216 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Landscapes
  1. Restoring our landscapes can reduce floods, droughts, and global warming by increasing precipitation recycling.
  2. Decrease in soil quality leads to less rain absorption, causing floods and droughts.
  3. The larger the magnitude of the small water cycle, the less global warming and more carbon is sequestered, aiding in climate change mitigation.

Teachable Moments Require... Teaching

The Crucial Years • 1175 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Renewable Energy Environmental Impact
  1. Teachable moments about climate change should be taught in schools to make the subject more immediate and engaging for students.
  2. It's concerning that misleading information and denial of climate change are being promoted in education, hindering students' understanding of the urgent issue.
  3. Educators and experts, like weatherman Jeff Berardelli, play a crucial role in providing accurate information and promoting climate education.

Low-carbon tech needs much fewer materials than it used to; this matters for resource extraction in the future

Sustainability by numbers • 364 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Resource Management Circular Economy Renewable Energy
  1. Low-carbon technology is using way fewer materials now than in the past. This means we can reduce the need for new resource extraction in the future.
  2. Many materials from old solar panels and batteries can be recycled more effectively, which could lead to a 'super-circular' economy. This is better than just making one new item from one old item.
  3. Improvements in material efficiency for solar panels and batteries mean that even if we don’t recycle everything perfectly, we can still have enough materials for more new products.

The COP is the Scoreboard, not the Game

The Crucial Years • 926 implied HN points • 08 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Activism Energy transition Climate Crisis Greenwashing
  1. The COP negotiations serve as a way to talk and pressure each other but do not have legislative authority
  2. The outcomes at COP reflect the current state of the world and political pressure from mobilized people
  3. Language and agreements at COP do not immediately translate into tangible action, requiring further activism at the local level

Rising Tides, Falling Freshwater: The Saltwater Intrusion Crisis

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 21 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Ecosystems Biodiversity Climate change Conservation
  1. Saltwater intrusion is a growing problem worldwide, affecting freshwater supplies in many coastal areas. It's happening due to rising sea levels and climate change.
  2. This issue can harm ecosystems by increasing salinity, leading to the extinction of various plant and animal species. Many species are already at risk, which could worsen climate change further.
  3. To combat saltwater intrusion, countries should protect natural areas like wetlands and mangroves. These can help keep saltwater out of freshwater supplies and support local wildlife.

☢️ Germany’s lost nuclear decade: A Quick Q&A with … energy researcher Jan Emblemsvåg

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Nuclear power Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Policy decisions
  1. Germany's decision to move away from nuclear power has resulted in significant financial losses and missed opportunities for cleaner energy. They could have saved a lot of money while maintaining their energy production.
  2. Public fear from past nuclear disasters, like Chernobyl and Fukushima, greatly influenced Germany's reluctance to rely on nuclear energy. This created strong political pressure against it over the years.
  3. Recently, there are signs that Germany might reconsider its stance on nuclear power due to rising energy costs and the diminishing influence of anti-nuclear political parties. Changes could happen in future elections.