The hottest Climate & Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics
The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 27 Sep 23
  1. Millions need plans for the planetary crisis as climate change is now a present reality.
  2. Learn how to ruggedize your life to prepare for the accelerating discontinuities of the planetary crisis.
  3. The course offers frameworks for smarter choices, insights, and connections to navigate future uncertainties.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jun 24
  1. SC Johnson was the first company to stop using harmful CFCs in their products, showing how businesses can lead in protecting the environment.
  2. The decision to remove CFCs not only helped the environment but also saved the company money by using cheaper alternatives.
  3. Other industries, like oil and gas, can follow SC Johnson's example by taking proactive steps to reduce pollution and invest in cleaner technologies.
Douglass’s Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. Climate discussions often focus on physical causes and responses, but the impact of social structures on climate management is crucial.
  2. Key social factors like education, law, income systems, and journalism require thorough discussion and attention in climate action.
  3. Addressing issues such as social control of technology, finance, food, and family structures is important for sustainable climate management.
Douglass’s Newsletter β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 24
  1. The text emphasizes the importance of considering the social evolution needed in climate discussions, in addition to focusing on the material aspects.
  2. There is a call for more attention to be given to how voice and posture can convey urgency and calmness in discussions about climate change.
  3. The author shares a summary of the material side of climate discussions in the post.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Callaway Climate Insights β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 06 Feb 24
  1. Amazon included a section on climate risk in its 2023 annual filing, recognizing potential impacts like higher costs and changing customer demand patterns.
  2. Corporate climate risk disclosure is growing despite political opposition, with more companies outside traditional industries adapting climate change wording.
  3. Large public companies are taking proactive steps to warn investors about climate risks, recognizing that climate risk is investment risk.
Adetokunbo Sees β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Jan 25
  1. Wildfires are becoming more common and dangerous worldwide. Major events in countries like Portugal, Greece, and Australia have caused huge damage and loss of life.
  2. Climate change plays a big role in worsening wildfires. Increased heat and drought conditions, along with strong winds, make fires spread more quickly.
  3. To fight wildfires effectively, we need to address climate change. This means cutting down on pollution, using renewable energy, and adopting better land management practices.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 May 22
  1. Nils Ekholm was a key figure in early meteorological studies and participated in important Arctic research, showing that countries could work together on big scientific projects.
  2. He warned about human activities affecting the climate, especially through the burning of fossil fuels that release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
  3. Ekholm's work on climate change was initially overlooked but highlighted that increased carbon dioxide could lead to a rise in Earth's temperatures.
Adetokunbo Sees β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Jan 25
  1. Last year, the world saw its hottest temperatures ever recorded, surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. This signals a climate crisis that is becoming more serious.
  2. Greenhouse gas emissions reached record highs, leading to a rise in ocean temperatures and severe consequences for ecosystems. The increase in emissions has been linked to human activities like energy production and agriculture.
  3. There is an urgent need to cut down on fossil fuel use to combat climate change. Everyone, from individuals to governments, needs to take action to protect our planet.
Adetokunbo Sees β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 Feb 25
  1. Fossil fuels are still the main source of energy worldwide, making up a large part of electricity and transportation. This heavy reliance impacts our environment and lifestyle significantly.
  2. The demand for products like cars, cement, and electricity continues to rise, leading to more fossil fuel consumption. This trend puts more pressure on the climate and resources.
  3. To address this issue, we need to shift to public transport, electric vehicles, and energy-efficient technology. Making these changes could help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels in the future.
The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 06 Apr 23
  1. The Brittleness Bubble is a significant concern due to overvaluation of assets vulnerable to growing risks brought on by the planetary crisis.
  2. Local governments may face budget shortfalls and new costs due to property devaluations caused by climate vulnerabilities.
  3. Investments in local ruggedization efforts and new value creation are crucial to mitigate future financial turmoil and increase sustainable prosperity.
The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 11 Oct 23
  1. The climate crisis brings discontinuities and new realities we're unprepared for.
  2. Climate change is just one aspect of a larger crisis involving extinctions, ecosystem collapses, and evolving dangers.
  3. Our lives and societies are facing unprecedented disruptions and societal upheaval due to the profound scale of natural system transformations.
The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 26
  1. We are already headed toward massive and unprecedented climate, ecological, and societal upheavals. Preventing the worst warming is still vital, but it won't stop all the disruption.
  2. Societies must 'ruggedize' for discontinuity by building climate defenses, reworking supply chains, planning for population movements, restoring ecosystems, and shifting where and how people live. These resilience efforts need to be central to government, business, community, and personal decisions.
  3. Climate action today is primarily harm reduction and about preserving future options rather than restoring old continuity. The most sustainable goal is to pass forward the widest set of good possibilities to future generations.
The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 26
  1. We’re in a new era of instability where climate disruption is amplified by economic, technological, geopolitical, and institutional upheavals, and the old planning tools from more stable times no longer work.
  2. Help from governments, markets, or activists is unlikely to arrive fast enough, so individuals need to take responsibility and design their own practical plans for navigating the chaos.
  3. A live, small-group Personal Climate Strategy Workshop can teach the systems patterns behind the chaos and help you turn that understanding into concrete, actionable decisions, with recorded sessions and ongoing alumni support.
The Snap Forward β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 26
  1. Assuming continuity is dangerous β€” climate change is creating accelerating discontinuities and tipping points, so the past is a poor guide for the future.
  2. Climate brittleness will raise maintenance needs: everyday infrastructure and systems will face accumulating small stresses that cascade into bigger failures.
  3. Societies must either work harder to keep things running, abandon places that are too costly to sustain, or invest in ruggedizing systems, and limited resources mean these choices and risks will be unevenly distributed.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 09 Nov 22
  1. Rachel Carson's book 'Silent Spring' made people really think about how human actions hurt the environment. It taught us that our health is connected to the planet's health.
  2. Carson faced strong pushback from chemical companies when she raised concerns about pesticides like DDT harming wildlife and humans. They tried to discredit her, but her message was important.
  3. Her work played a big role in starting the environmental movement, leading to the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the ban on DDT.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 22 Sep 23
  1. The first photo of Earth from space was taken in 1946 by a camera on a V-2 missile. It's interesting to think how early we started capturing our planet from above.
  2. The Apollo 8 mission led to iconic images like 'Earthrise' which changed how people viewed our planet. This photo made many realize how fragile and small Earth really is.
  3. Before the space age, people saw their environment as just their immediate surroundings. The photos from space helped expand our view to the entire planet and increased awareness about caring for it.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 04 Nov 23
  1. FIFA has changed its bidding rules for the 2034 World Cup, making it easier for Saudi Arabia to be the only bidder. This shows FIFA's power and influence in the football world.
  2. The climate impact of hosting major events like the World Cup is significant, especially from fan travel and necessary infrastructure. FIFA's past claims of hosting carbon-neutral events have raised doubts.
  3. There's a call for fans and activists to push FIFA for better sustainability practices. Engaging in discussions and raising awareness is crucial to influence these sports bodies.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 23
  1. The world is not making enough progress in reducing carbon emissions. Almost all indicators for climate action are falling behind, with only electric vehicle sales on track.
  2. We need to dramatically speed up our efforts in renewable energy, public transportation, and food production to combat climate change effectively. This includes phasing out coal and improving how we grow and consume food.
  3. It's important to make sure that climate action is fair for everyone. When making changes, we should listen to those affected and ensure that the benefits and costs are shared justly.
Helix β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 07 Feb 24
  1. Crude oil is essential in various industries, with half being used for transportation fuels and the other half in products with significant environmental impacts.
  2. Our daily lives are deeply intertwined with crude oil, from clothing to medications, raising questions about its effects on our health.
  3. Health issues can arise from exposure to petrochemical products, such as skin irritation and respiratory problems, emphasizing the need to understand its impact.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 08 Aug 24
  1. July 2024 was the second hottest month ever recorded, just a tiny bit cooler than July 2023. This means our planet is still getting warmer.
  2. Global temperatures are about 1.48Β°C higher than pre-industrial levels, showing clear signs of climate change. These changes will keep happening unless we reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. Temperature changes were felt everywhere, with Europe experiencing a notably hot month, while some areas like Antarctica and parts of the U.S. saw cooler temperatures.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 May 24
  1. 2023 was the hottest year recorded, with significant temperature increases above pre-industrial levels. This is a worrying trend for climate change and its effects on the planet.
  2. Central Brazil is experiencing an unprecedented drought, severely impacting agriculture and water supplies. This situation highlights the challenges many regions face due to climate change.
  3. A landmark lawsuit in South Korea challenges the government's climate policies, representing a broader concern about climate action in East Asia. The outcome could influence future legal actions about climate responsibility in the region.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 18 Apr 24
  1. Climate change will likely cause a huge drop in global income, around 19% in the next 25 years. That's a lot of money we're talking about, around $38 trillion each year by 2049.
  2. Developing countries will suffer the most from climate change, facing income losses that could be 61% worse than those in richer nations. It's unfair that those who did the least to cause the problem will feel the biggest impact.
  3. We need to act fast and cut down on carbon emissions. The costs of not doing anything will be higher than what we need to spend to prevent warming.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 24
  1. Utrecht faces challenges with fish migration during spring flooding. They needed to keep the city safe while also helping fish reach breeding sites.
  2. To solve this, Utrecht installed a live video feed of the river with a button. People can press the button when they see fish, which helps to open the barriers for them.
  3. This project gets the community involved in protecting the local ecosystem, making it a fun and interactive way to support the fish migrating upstream.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 28 Nov 23
  1. COP meetings are important for global climate action. They started in the 1990s and have aimed to create agreements to tackle climate change together.
  2. The 2015 Paris Agreement was a key milestone but many believe the goals set by countries are still not strong enough to combat rising temperatures.
  3. As COP28 approaches, there are concerns about the influence of fossil fuel interests on climate policies, which could hinder real action against climate change.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jun 23
  1. Women have historically hunted in many societies, which challenges the old idea that only men were hunters. This shows that gender roles in ancient communities were likely more flexible than previously thought.
  2. Researchers are studying a lake in Toronto to mark the impact of humans on the Earth, potentially defining a new geological age called the Anthropocene. The layers in the lake tell a story of human activities throughout the years.
  3. Due to rising sea levels, Tuvalu is working on creating a digital version of itself to preserve its culture and history. This could make it the first fully digitized nation in the metaverse.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 20 May 23
  1. The Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969 was a huge disaster, spilling millions of gallons of oil and harming many animals and the environment.
  2. This incident raised public awareness about environmental issues, leading to stronger regulations and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  3. The spill marked a significant change in how the U.S. viewed oil drilling and environmental protection, influencing policies for years to come.
Handy Data β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Mar 24
  1. Climate change is leading to rising temperatures, impacting air quality by influencing ozone levels and PM2.5 concentrations.
  2. Different climate models project varying futures for ozone levels, illustrating the uncertainties in climate modeling.
  3. Understanding the data on climate change, air quality, and health is crucial for shaping effective policies to create a healthier and more sustainable future.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jan 24
  1. 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded, with global temperatures significantly rising. This shows us that climate change is a serious issue and needs immediate attention.
  2. Human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation are major causes of global warming. We need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions and invest in renewable energy to help combat this problem.
  3. Everyone can contribute to fighting climate change, even through small actions. Making sustainable choices in our daily lives and holding leaders accountable are important steps we can all take.
The Climate Historian β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
  1. Climate deniers are more common than many people think. They come from different backgrounds and are influenced by a variety of factors.
  2. Countries that depend heavily on fossil fuels, like Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, often downplay climate change. For them, denial isn't just ignorance, it's about protecting their economies.
  3. The rise of social media has made it easier for misinformation about climate change to spread. This creates new challenges for understanding and addressing climate denial.
Adetokunbo Sees β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 26
  1. Plastic from decades past still litters beaches and oceans because it can take centuries to break down. That means old waste keeps accumulating and resurfaces over time.
  2. There is an enormous amount of plastic in rivers, the sea, and on shorelines, creating microplastics, killing seabirds and marine mammals, and disrupting plankton and the carbon cycle. This pollution also adds greenhouse gas emissions and worsens climate impacts.
  3. To prevent far worse pollution and climate effects, we must cut plastic production and consumption and reduce the fossil fuels that power plastic manufacturing. Individual and policy actions to curb use are essential.
paxtier β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 25 Aug 23
  1. The energy industry is urging the government to provide viable pathways to market for BECCS.
  2. Fremantle Seaweed has secured $4M in funding from the Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
  3. Thai entrepreneur Itthipat Peeradechapan found success in selling seaweed snacks, emphasizing the importance of innovation and resilience.