The hottest Climate & Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

This is the future that we saw coming but chose not to stop.

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Natural Disasters Environmental Policy Urban planning Sustainability
  1. Hurricanes are getting stronger. Scientists suggest adding a new category to the hurricane scale to better warn people about this risk.
  2. Wildfires in places like Chile are getting worse, resulting in loss of life and homes. Climate change is making these fires bigger and more dangerous.
  3. Cities are taking steps to reduce pollution, like Paris tripling parking costs for SUVs. This shows a trend towards less car use and encourages greener transportation.

The Origins of Climate Change

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 21 Apr 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental History Climate models
  1. Svante Arrhenius was an early scientist who studied how carbon dioxide affects our planet's temperature. He created a model that helped people understand the connection between CO2 and climate change.
  2. He predicted that doubling the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could raise temperatures by around 5 to 6 degrees Celsius. This was a significant insight into how human activities like burning fossil fuels impact the climate.
  3. Although his ideas faced skepticism at first, Arrhenius believed in the potential for better climates due to increased carbon dioxide. He hoped this would lead to more abundant crops and improved conditions for people.

The Warming Arctic

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Biodiversity Weather Patterns
  1. The Arctic is warming quickly, which affects global weather patterns and can lead to more extreme weather events, like heatwaves and heavy rains.
  2. As Arctic ice melts, it raises sea levels, posing a threat to coastal communities around the world, including in the UK.
  3. The loss of Arctic ice disrupts ocean currents and can harm wildlife, forcing animals to seek refuge in human areas, which leads to challenges for both wildlife and people.

On the Move

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Migration Displacement Economic Impact Global impact
  1. Climate change is leading to massive human migration as people seek safety and opportunity in a planet facing crisis.
  2. The book 'On the Move' by Abrahm Lustgarten discusses the systemic threats caused by climate change and the impacts of displacement on millions of Americans.
  3. The implications of climate migration extend beyond America, affecting one in three people globally by 2070 and leading to economic, demographic, and societal transitions that must be addressed.
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Curious futures (KGhosh) • 0 implied HN points • 08 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Water Sustainability Policy Adaptation Infrastructure Energy
  1. AI is multiplying our cognitive labor and running at near-zero marginal cost, which speeds up the extraction of attention and creativity and concentrates value with model and platform owners. If long-term goals like ecosystem health or future generations aren't included in what we optimize for, AI will simply ignore them.
  2. Modern tech and platforms are shrinking attention spans and making focused work much harder, and 'calm technology' can just be a way to keep people plugged in rather than letting them truly unplug. That constant distraction undermines the ability to address complex problems.
  3. A growing water crisis shows how basic needs can be neglected while money and attention chase speculation and novelty, so we need to ask better questions, simplify priorities, and redirect resources toward practical solutions.

The double-edged sword of tech in conservation

Technology, Environment, and Art • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Technology Society Economics
  1. Conservation efforts are increasingly using advanced technology like sensors and genetic techniques, leading to researchers spending more time in labs than in the field.
  2. Technology can drive a disconnect from nature, turning conservation into a numerical academic exercise; an important aspect is the need for social changes alongside numeric conservation efforts.
  3. To move towards effective and ethical conservation, we must not only focus on numbers but also work towards changing attitudes to develop empathy and care for non-human organisms, distancing from the current human-centered economic gains.

Gas Stories

The False Consensus Effect • 0 implied HN points • 19 Feb 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Activism Renewable Energy Fossil fuels Climate Crisis Pollution
  1. Furnace trouble can be fixed temporarily, but it's important to address the underlying issue to avoid repetitive problems.
  2. The urgency to reduce carbon emissions is emphasized, pushing for significant lifestyle changes to combat global warming.
  3. Political decisions can have detrimental consequences, and it's crucial for individuals to advocate for environmental protection to prevent harmful practices like hydrofracking.

Legal Campaign to Repeal Climate Policies

A Natural Language • 0 implied HN points • 17 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Policy Legal Environmental Activism Climate change Carbon accounting
  1. The legal campaign aims to highlight carbon accounting fraud in court cases to derail misguided climate policies.
  2. Consider reaching out to relevant parties in climate-related court cases to support the campaign.
  3. Another strategy is to send cease and desist letters to key protagonists to create liability for misleading environmental claims.

The Warmest Day ... The Warmest Month ... The Warmest Year ...

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Global Warming Environmental Policy Nuclear Energy Sustainability
  1. July 2024 has seen the highest daily global temperature ever recorded, reaching 17.15°C, which signals a worrying trend of rising temperatures.
  2. June 2024 also broke records, becoming the warmest June in history and making it 13 consecutive months of record high temperatures.
  3. Predictions suggest that by 2070, many cities currently in temperate zones will face harsher climates, showing how climate change could drastically alter our living conditions.

Daily Exasperation #8

Exasperated Infrastructures • 0 implied HN points • 11 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Infrastructure Transportation Urban planning Climate change Environmental Policy
  1. The statement from the Governor's spokesperson about combating climate change lacks substance and may not effectively reduce emissions.
  2. Focusing on highway-widening projects might not be the most beneficial use of funds from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
  3. Empty, vague statements can lead to costly projects that might not benefit those in need.

WTF is Bioregionalism (and why AI?)

Crypto Good • 0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Conservation Biodiversity Regeneration Environmental Tech
  1. Bioregionalism treats natural features like mountains, rivers, and watersheds as real place boundaries, helping people feel rooted and responsible for their local ecosystem.
  2. Smartphones plus AI tools (photo ID and chat models like Gemini, Grok, and Suno) become portable field guides and creative studios that can identify species and generate images, music, and stories on the spot.
  3. Everyday people can use simple mobile AI workflows to learn local flora and fauna, celebrate their place, and take practical action to protect and regenerate their bioregion.

Is There a Way to Light the Path Forward?

Anima Mundi • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Ecology Renewable Energy Social justice
  1. Civilization faces a double bind where continuing growth leads to ecological harm, but stopping may lead to suffering. We need to rethink our relationship with nature to avoid negative outcomes.
  2. Heliogenesis promotes using solar energy to create sustainable systems, like how plants use sunlight. This shift can help us build a society that nurtures both people and the environment.
  3. We should focus on designing technologies that heal the planet rather than harm it. By working together and valuing community, we can create a future that treasures well-being over consumption.

Taxpayers Send Millions to Nonprofits Filing Costly Climate-Related Lawsuits

OpenTheBooks Substack • 0 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Environmental Law Conservation Energy Policy Government funding Litigation
  1. A small group of environmental nonprofits filed a large share of climate-related lawsuits against federal agencies, often using statutes like the ESA and NEPA and causing multi-year delays for projects.
  2. Many of those nonprofits also receive millions in federal and state funds — including COVID relief, grants, and contracts — so taxpayer money can indirectly support litigation against the government.
  3. NEPA reviews are lengthy and a major focus of reform: one administration expanded CEQ and sped up reviews while another loosened CEQ rules to accelerate projects, yet litigation still frequently delays work even though agencies win most challenges.

NEM 3.0 is good, actually

cleanenergyreview • 0 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Energy Policy Environmental Impact
  1. The transition to NEM 3.0 in California initially caused short-term decline in solar installations, but aims for a healthier market in the long term.
  2. NEM 3.0 shifts towards an 'Avoided Cost Calculator' for new solar installations, aiming to better reflect underlying energy costs and values, especially for peak times.
  3. While NEM 3.0 impacts the value of PV-only systems, the installation of PV + BESS systems can still hold significant value and be beneficial, leading to the next phase of distributed energy management growth in California.

The crisis couldn’t care less. It only grows more quickly.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Impact Climate Crisis
  1. The crisis is growing rapidly and won't wait for us to be prepared. It's essential to face the reality of the situation.
  2. Personal ruggedization is crucial - we need to learn how to get ready for the unprecedented transformations ahead. This course aims to help individuals become confident and capable in navigating the challenges of a world in crisis.
  3. The course provides a clear framework for decision-making in uncertain times and focuses on spotting opportunities for optimization to achieve lasting well-being amidst turbulent changes.

Gene editing: should we hack nature to protect the planet? 🧬

Climate In Colour • 0 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Gene-editing Climate solutions Food production Climate Adaptation
  1. Gene editing is seen as a technology that can revolutionize food production and help us adapt to climate change.
  2. There is debate on whether gene editing is a viable solution for climate change or just another technological fix.
  3. Climate In Colour Deep Dives offers in-depth coverage of climate justice, science, and technology.

How to Succeed on a Planet in Crisis

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Adaptation Ethics Risk management Community Engagement
  1. The course focuses on preparing individuals for the challenges of a rapidly-worsening planetary crisis by teaching strategies for making informed decisions and planning for the future.
  2. Participants will gain new frameworks to navigate emerging patterns, develop a stronger personal ruggedization strategy, and integrate climate foresight into their careers and daily lives.
  3. The course emphasizes the importance of understanding the scale of change, assessing relative safety in different locations, and building a platform for success amidst uncertainty by engaging in critical conversations and forming shared visions.

Drowning in Disaster: The Rising Tide of Flash Floods

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Extreme Weather Natural Disasters Biodiversity Mitigation Hydrology
  1. Flash floods are becoming more frequent and deadly worldwide, causing large loss of life, displacement, and big economic damage.
  2. Climate change is a major driver because warmer air holds more moisture and changes rainfall patterns, and fires and land loss make runoff and flooding worse.
  3. Future projections show more intense short-duration rains and greater flood risk for people and ecosystems, so cutting greenhouse gas emissions is essential to lower that risk.

Garbage Without Borders: The Global Scandal of Trash Pollution

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Waste Management Oceans E-Waste Climate Impact Biodiversity
  1. Trash now reaches the planet's remotest places — from the deep sea and isolated islands to Mount Everest — showing pollution is truly global.
  2. Humanity produces huge amounts of plastic, fishing gear, e-waste, and municipal waste that are mostly unrecycled, creating massive garbage patches and harming wildlife.
  3. Waste also drives climate pollution through plastics and landfill methane and is expected to grow if unchecked. Solving the problem needs individual action, better policies, global cooperation, and industry innovation.

No one wants it to be true.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Ecology Disaster Response Adaptation
  1. We all need to take responsibility for our future because our leaders have failed to act on climate change. It's not just someone else's problem anymore; it's up to each of us to find our own way through the chaos.
  2. Being prepared for climate challenges can help us build better lives for ourselves. Learning how to make smart choices about where we live and how we interact with our surroundings is crucial.
  3. There are strategies and solutions available to help us adapt to a changing world. It's important to act now, get informed, and connect with others to ensure a more secure future.

Three ways creative invesments can beat the summertime blues

mainstreetjournal • 0 implied HN points • 16 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate action Community Engagement Crowdfunding Renewable Energy Sustainability
  1. The EPA received significant funds for climate action from the Inflation Reduction Act.
  2. Local policymakers can mobilize communities around federal funding opportunities.
  3. Investment crowdfunding platforms like Raise Green play a vital role in meeting climate investment needs.

"I think it’s like for like carnivals"

Expand Mapping with Mike Morrow • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Air Quality Environmental justice Energy Policy Data Centers
  1. Some data center projects use short-term leases and local "temporary use" exceptions—rules meant for things like carnivals—to speed up permitting and begin construction quickly.
  2. Federal orders aim to accelerate data-center permits, but state and local authority still controls approvals, and local communities often have valid reasons to oppose new builds.
  3. When grid power isn’t enough, data centers may use mobile gas-turbine generators that emit NOx and other pollutants, creating serious air-quality and environmental justice concerns that have prompted legal challenges.

Sustainability: An Introduction

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 30 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Circular Economy Resource Management Environmental Impact Human behavior
  1. Sustainability means creating systems that can last forever, not just using solar panels or wind turbines. It's about how we live and use resources in a way that doesn't deplete them.
  2. The way we consume resources needs to change to match the planet's ability to regenerate them. Ideas like a Circular Economy and Degrowth suggest we can consume smarter and build better without running out of resources.
  3. Caring about sustainability isn’t just about the planet. It’s about people too. Everything we need comes from others, so if we want to take care of ourselves, we should care about how we treat our environment and society.

Everything You Are Seeing Coming From The Bosses, Is Ice Age Prep!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Climate change Environmental Crisis
  1. The bosses are preparing for an ice age by implementing various control measures and manipulating global events.
  2. There is a focus on geopolitical strategies like encircling Russia and China with NATO bases to manage resources and control regions.
  3. The actions taken by the bosses regarding climate change, pandemics, and global politics have broader implications and potential consequences for humanity.

New Business Lobby Pushes Japan Decarbonization

Japan Economy Watch • 0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Decarbonization Japan Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  1. Japan has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, a significant shift from its previous timeline of 2050-2100.
  2. Japan's current reliance on coal for electricity and low carbon tax highlight the need for urgent action to address climate change.
  3. The Japan Climate Initiative, comprising 400 leading companies, is advocating for increased use of renewables to meet global business standards, putting pressure on Japan for real change.

Looking Back on the First Annual Climate Capital Summit

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Green Technology Investment Strategies
  1. Climate progress is not solely dependent on federal legislation like the IRA; local and state levels play a crucial role in accelerating climate action.
  2. Storage technology was a major focus at the Climate Capital Summit, with discussions on its versatile applications across various industries and its potential to drive positive growth in the climate sector.
  3. While there's a push to reduce funding to big oil, there's also recognition of the role oil and gas companies can play in advancing climate initiatives, leveraging their resources and expertise for progress.