The hottest Climate & Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Systems Thinking, Objects and Networks

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Systems Thinking Urban planning Environmental Policy
  1. Complex problems like climate change need complex thinking. We can't just look at individual parts; we must see the whole system and how it all connects.
  2. When people want to change things but can't, it's often because of poor communication and coordination between different groups. Both developers and planners might have good intentions, but they need to work together to make real progress.
  3. To really solve problems, we should focus on the bigger picture and the relationships around the issue. By understanding the system we are in, we can find better ways to create meaningful change.

Scope 3 Emissions: Why they are so Elusive?

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Emissions Sustainability Carbon accounting Supply Chains Environmental Impact
  1. Calculating Scope 3 emissions is tough because companies often stop at their immediate suppliers. It gets complex as you need to trace emissions back through multiple tiers of suppliers.
  2. Scope 3 emissions include not just what a company directly causes but also the emissions from the entire supply chain. This can lead to overlapping calculations and make it hard to get accurate data.
  3. Understanding these emissions helps companies see their true environmental impact. However, setting boundaries for analysis is crucial to avoid getting lost in endless calculations.

Regenerative Design: Ecotech Policies

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Ecology Design Waste Management
  1. To sustain our environment, we need to enhance the interactions within ecosystems. By doing this, the waste we produce can be managed better and turned back into useful resources.
  2. We should focus on using more natural materials in our products, which will break down and help nourish the environment instead of creating pollution. For example, swapping plastic for biodegradable options like cardboard.
  3. Building designs can integrate more green elements, like plants and trees, to help manage temperature and purify air. This connects our structures back to nature and supports ecosystem health.

Regenerative Design: Biotic Sustainability

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Ecology Waste Management Circular Economy Resource Management
  1. Sustainable populations need to manage their resources carefully to avoid ecological collapse. When a population grows too large for its environment, it can deplete resources and lead to a collapse.
  2. The circular economy concept aims to recycle resources and manage waste effectively, but it can be challenging due to the laws of thermodynamics. Living systems manage energy and waste in a way that avoids chaos and disorder.
  3. Ecosystems thrive on diversity. Different organisms can fill various roles and niches, helping to maintain balance and sustainability, while human systems often lack this necessary diversity to effectively manage waste.
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Making Sustainable Living Practical (and Irresistible)

As If We Were Staying • 0 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Regeneration Community Education Activism
  1. Solar Punk Farms focuses on bioregional regeneration, which means caring for the local ecosystem and community. They aim to heal the land and promote biodiversity after past environmental damage.
  2. Community is a big part of their vision. They encourage local people and queer folks to get involved, making sustainable living fun and engaging rather than just serious work.
  3. The farm combines ideas from solarpunk, queer theory, and permaculture. They believe in creating a positive vision for the future while also addressing social and environmental issues.

#21 - Hannah Ritchie | Why We Aren't Doomed by Climate Change

Win-Win • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Data science Environmental Policy Climate solutions
  1. We need to rethink what sustainability really means. It's not just about cutting back, but finding ways to improve our lives while being kind to the planet.
  2. Some climate problems that we worry about might not be as big as they seem, while others are more serious than we think. It's important to look at the facts.
  3. There are successful ideas and technologies out there that can help us tackle environmental issues. We can aim for solutions that benefit both the environment and our quality of life.

A utopia suffocated by smog?

Model Thinking • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Emissions Environmental Impact
  1. Open borders could potentially boost global carbon emissions, impacting climate change and global wealth in the long run.
  2. Emissions per capita in developed countries like the UK are significantly lower compared to developing countries, even with higher GDP per capita.
  3. Assumptions about countries following net zero emissions pledges impact predictions on total global emissions, with open borders showing mildly negative effects on the environment.

Misleading approaches to climate.

Douglass’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Impact Renewable Energy
  1. Progressive-minded individuals often investigate underlying causes of climate issues but may fall into the trap of seeking solutions that revert society back to a previous state, hindering real systemic change.
  2. Merely advocating for mindset changes without a clear implementation plan and considering practical issues like energy production limitations or environmental impact of alternative solutions can be ineffective in addressing climate challenges.
  3. Relying solely on current strategies like solar panels without factoring in limitations and the need for backup systems from coal or oil can lead to unforeseen consequences and a failure to have a comprehensive, sustainable approach.

#22 - Wes Carter | How to Solve Packaging Pollution

Win-Win • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Pollution Recycling Sustainability Circular Economy
  1. Wes Carter believes that turning the packaging industry into a closed-loop economy can help solve ocean pollution. He suggests using new biodegradable materials instead of traditional plastics.
  2. It's important to understand which recycling methods are effective and which aren't. This knowledge can help in making better decisions about waste management.
  3. Companies and consumers need to be motivated to consider the true environmental costs of their choices. This could involve changing how business incentives are structured.

"It Will Change the Way You Think About Planning for Your Future."

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Adaptation Resilience Risk management Climate migration
  1. We are entering a new era of rapid, systemic climate-driven instability that makes old planning tools unreliable.
  2. You need to take personal responsibility by building a personal climate strategy and ruggedizing your life, because governments and institutions may not provide adequate protection.
  3. A structured, step-by-step workshop can teach practical foresight tools, help you make clearer decisions, and give you a personalized roadmap and peer support for navigating this chaos.

The Honest Story of Climate Change: Part 2: With a new course towards a hopeful future

The Word Merchant • 0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Energy crisis Nuclear Energy
  1. Stop the fear-mongering narratives and nonsensical net-zero CO2 billions, focus on positive climate prospects for the future and invest in adaptation measures.
  2. Investments in adaptation show significant results in preventing climate casualties, while net-zero policies have yielded nothing for decades. Time to prioritize adaptation over futile mitigation efforts.
  3. Consider nuclear energy as a reliable, safe, and affordable alternative to fossil fuels. Policy should be grounded in reliable facts, highlighting the benefits of CO2 and focusing on a gradual energy transition.

What are the Basics of Building a Personal Climate Strategy?

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Sustainability Resilience Environmental Impact
  1. Having a personal climate strategy is crucial. If you don't have a plan for dealing with climate changes, it's hard to plan for the future.
  2. The climate crisis is already happening and will affect every aspect of our lives. We need to think about how we make choices and where we want to live going forward.
  3. There are specific steps you can take to prepare for a tough future. Learning about personal ruggedization can help you make better decisions and stay resilient.

Ticking Time Bombs and the Climate-Housing Crisis

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Housing Market Natural Disasters Insurance Issues Real Estate
  1. Climate change is making real estate more risky, especially in places affected by disasters like fires. This increases pressure on housing markets, leading to shortages and higher prices.
  2. People are willing to pay more to live in safer areas that don't face climate threats. This trend shows that safety is becoming a priority for many home buyers.
  3. The combination of a housing crunch and climate impacts is creating a situation where more people are looking for secure places to live. This demand is expected to grow, making safe properties harder to find.

How To Turn Latin America's Green Talent Into Global Scale-Ups

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Sustainability Startups
  1. CleantechHUB connects climate entrepreneurs in Latin America with investors and resources they need to grow. This helps local innovators turn their ideas into successful businesses.
  2. The network aims to replicate its success by opening more hubs and supporting startups across the Global South. Their goal is to empower more founders while addressing local climate challenges.
  3. Tracking its impact is important, as CleantechHUB measures success not just by funding but also by the number of jobs created and CO₂ emissions avoided. They focus on building a diverse and inclusive startup ecosystem.

Welcome to the future we fought for five decades to avoid.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Environmental Policy Energy transition
  1. We can't solve big climate problems in a calm way anymore. We've passed the point where an orderly transition is possible.
  2. The future looks really tough with climate change, and we will need to change how we live and how we plan for everything.
  3. Quick action to cut emissions is more important than ever. The longer we wait, the worse the impacts on people and the planet will be.

Will your next home be a climate lemon?

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Risk Real Estate Public Policy Environmental justice Insurance Market
  1. Buyers should be aware that houses in risky climate areas can lose value. Knowing the risks before buying a home is important to avoid losing money later.
  2. Suppressing information about climate risks can hurt future homebuyers. It's like hiding problems with a car that you’re selling; it's unfair and might even be seen as fraud.
  3. People need to be proactive in understanding climate risks when buying homes. Local conditions and governance can impact safety and property value, so do your research.

The Fundamentals of Planning for Discontinuity.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Sustainability Disaster Preparedness
  1. Climate change is already impacting us more than we expected, and taking action is urgent. We need to prepare for big changes and challenges that are coming.
  2. It's important to have a personal plan for managing climate chaos in our lives. This planning will guide our decisions and help us build a better future.
  3. Understanding where we live and making smart choices about it can improve our chances of facing future challenges. Learning about personal climate strategies can provide valuable insights.

Deep water Gold Rush: High Returns, Heavy Carbon Costs

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Fossil fuels Oil industry Carbon Emissions Environmental Policy Energy transition
  1. Deep-water oil exploration is rapidly expanding and highly profitable, with major companies and countries investing in ultra-deep projects that promise strong returns and low break-even costs.
  2. But deep-water drilling causes big environmental harms — large greenhouse gas emissions, routine toxic discharges, and catastrophic spills that damage marine life and worsen climate change.
  3. While firms argue deep-water helps avoid onshore problems like theft and cuts some emissions, the real fixes are prevention, rapid spill response, active carbon management, and much stricter regulation.

20251207

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 0 implied HN points • 07 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Solar Power Energy Policy Sustainability Urban planning Community Action Clean Tech
  1. Governments and communities are turning large parking lots into solar farms, making local renewable power more common and cheaper, and inspiring grassroots projects to build shared solar spaces.
  2. Algorithms and AI are increasingly shaping real lives—clearing records, enabling face-scanning for police, changing jobs and hiring—and that raises big ethical and accountability questions.
  3. Rapid tech and political shifts (from electric aircraft to crypto pardons) are creating strange, mixed realities, so neighborhood-level cooperation and everyday friendships become important ways people adapt and make useful change.

How to fund and launch your renewable energy project

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Energy Policy Climate Innovation Investment Trends
  1. Renewable energy is growing fast due to high fuel costs and government support. This creates good opportunities for investments and projects in this sector.
  2. To successfully launch a renewable project, focus on reducing risks, securing land and permits, and proving energy resources. Having these ready makes it easier to attract investors.
  3. Clear communication is key. Present your project simply and acknowledge your weaknesses so investors can see you are trustworthy and realistic.

The best of The Green Techpreneur

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate tech Investments Sustainability Innovation Entrepreneurship
  1. The Green Techpreneur helps climate tech startups connect with investors and offers valuable insights through interviews and articles.
  2. In 2024, the subscriber list grew, and there were partnerships established to help climate tech startups get investment ready.
  3. For 2025, a big focus will be on connecting startups with investors and expanding investments in clean technologies and climate solutions.

Bridging the Digital Divide in Climate: Announcing the Climate Capital Summit

Equal Ventures • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Conference Climate Impact
  1. Collaboration and learning across different industry groups in climate sector are crucial to avoid repeating past mistakes and achieve impactful digital transformation.
  2. Creating space for interdisciplinary discourse across asset classes is necessary in the climate arena to scale businesses and address climate challenges effectively.
  3. The Climate Capital Summit provides a platform for top decision-makers in the climate industry to discuss trends and gaps, offering valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration.

Notes on the Science and Politics of Climate Change

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Climate Policy Sustainability Public awareness
  1. Climate change affects both the environment and society, so it's important to understand how they connect.
  2. The science behind climate change is complex, but knowing it helps us make better decisions.
  3. Politics play a big role in how we respond to climate change, influencing policy and public opinion.

John Tyndall: The Blue Sky and the Radiant Heat of Gases

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 31 Mar 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental Studies
  1. John Tyndall studied the Alps and became passionate about them, using his scientific knowledge to understand glaciers and mountain climate. His explorations helped open the era of Alpine climbing and tourism.
  2. Tyndall discovered why the sky looks blue by experimenting with light. He found that sunlight scatters more when it hits air particles, especially scattering blue light more than other colors.
  3. He also studied greenhouse gases and how they trap heat, which is important for keeping Earth warm. His work laid the groundwork for understanding climate change and the greenhouse effect.

Eunice Newton Foote: A fascinating tale of feminism and climate change

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 08 Apr 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Feminism Climate Science Historical Figures
  1. Eunice Newton Foote was a pioneer in both women's rights and climate science. She showed that different amounts of carbon dioxide can affect the earth's temperature.
  2. At an important science meeting, Foote's research was read by a man because women weren't allowed to present. Her work was largely forgotten for many years.
  3. Her findings about the warming effects of gases like carbon dioxide were ahead of her time. If she had more support, she could have made an even bigger impact in science.

Thomas C. Chamberlin: The Global Carbon Cycle

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Geology Environmental Science Historical Analysis
  1. Thomas C. Chamberlin played a key role in developing the planetesimal hypothesis, which explains how planets formed from solid particles instead of a hot gas cloud. This challenged earlier ideas about how our solar system emerged.
  2. Chamberlin was one of the first to link changes in carbon dioxide levels to climate shifts, suggesting that rising CO2 could lead to warmer temperatures and impact the Earth's ice ages.
  3. Despite his early support for the carbon dioxide theory of climate change, he later changed his mind after conflicting experiments, highlighting the evolving nature of scientific understanding.

You're Getting Ready, or You're Not.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Environmental Policy Disaster Preparedness
  1. It's important to have a personal climate strategy since the impacts of climate change are real and growing. Everyone needs to take responsibility for preparing for the future.
  2. Making smart choices about where to live and how to plan helps improve chances of a better future. This idea is called personal ruggedization.
  3. A class is available to help guide you through the basics of building a personal climate strategy. It's a great opportunity to learn how to prepare for challenging times.

Halfway into 2025, let's look at climate tech trends...

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate tech Investment Trends Renewable Energy AI Technology Policy Impact
  1. AI is becoming a huge part of climate tech, taking away a lot of investment money. Investors are worried about government policies affecting their funding decisions.
  2. Clean energy still gets the most funding, but there's a growing interest in AI that helps improve energy efficiency. Companies that show they can sell well are more likely to get money.
  3. There's a need for more diversity and regional focus in climate tech investments. Companies that promote gender diversity might see better returns.

Packaging is Broken - Claire Gusko Raised €10.5 Million to Fix it with AI

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment AI Applications Startup funding Environmental Policy
  1. Claire Gusko is using AI to create better packaging. This approach helps make packaging sustainable and fits the needs of businesses better.
  2. Her company, one.five, raised €10.5 million to develop recyclable packaging. This shows that there's a growing interest in solving the plastic waste problem.
  3. The challenges of fundraising and changing industry habits can be tough. Claire emphasizes the importance of believing in your mission and adapting to market needs.

Discontinuity Is Knocking on the Door. Now What?

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 12 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Adaptation Resilience Risk management Preparedness
  1. Climate change is accelerating and will reshape every major life decision, so people need to start planning now.
  2. You should build a personal climate strategy to spot vulnerabilities in your home, investments, and community and to make smarter decisions under uncertainty.
  3. A concise two-hour live class teaches a practical system for making that plan, includes a brief Q&A and recording, and offers a few discounted spots.

Baseball and Carbon Accounting, Part 2

Solar Powered Data • 0 implied HN points • 26 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Carbon accounting Standardization Context
  1. To measure success in preventing carbon emissions, a relevant baseline is crucial. This could be individual company goals or industry standards, similar to evaluating a baseball player against a replacement level baseline.
  2. Achieving net zero carbon emissions requires collaboration throughout the supply chain, akin to how in baseball, run prevention involves both the pitcher and fielders.
  3. Accounting for context, such as location, role, and timing, is essential in both baseball and carbon emissions measurement to accurately assess contributions and impacts.

Learning Carbon Accounting From Terra.do

Solar Powered Data • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Carbon accounting
  1. The Terra.do Carbon Accounting course covers a range of topics from climate fundamentals to action plan development, making it a comprehensive learning experience.
  2. The course workload included readings, homework assignments, and Q&A sessions, providing a structured and manageable approach to learning about carbon accounting.
  3. The course projects involved analyzing real-world companies' climate plans and calculating carbon emissions, offering practical applications of the learned concepts.

The Years of Drought and Dust

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jun 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Drought
  1. The Great Depression was a major economic crisis that started with a stock market crash in 1929, causing widespread unemployment and financial hardships. Many people's lives were turned upside down, and banks failed, leaving people without savings.
  2. The Dust Bowl was a severe drought that hit the Midwest in the 1930s, worsening the struggles of farmers. With crops failing and dust storms threatening their livelihoods, many families had to leave their homes in search of better opportunities.
  3. The greenhouse effect is when certain gases in the atmosphere trap heat, keeping the Earth's surface warmer. This concept was introduced in studies by scientists as early as the 1930s, though it only became widely acknowledged much later.

The Carbon Dioxide Number

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental Policy Fossil fuels Global Warming
  1. Charles David Keeling invented a way to measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which became the foundation for understanding climate change. His work started in the 1950s and helped us see how human activities affect the Earth's climate.
  2. The Keeling Curve shows that carbon dioxide levels have been steadily rising over the years, proving that our actions contribute to climate change. This curve became a major symbol of the greenhouse effect and climate research.
  3. Scientists realized that the oceans can only absorb so much carbon dioxide, which affects global temperatures. Early researchers warned that increasing carbon emissions would lead to significant changes in our climate.