The hottest Climate & Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

The Silent Fall: How Climate Change Is Killing the World’s Trees - and our Future

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 18 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Biodiversity Loss Wildfires Drought Conservation
  1. Trees worldwide — old growth, newly planted, and reforested — are dying much faster because of hotter, drier conditions, wildfires, pests and disease linked to climate change.
  2. Widespread tree loss could release huge amounts of carbon, raise local temperatures, worsen flooding, and threaten species and human resources like medicine, food and fuel.
  3. Preventing a worse crisis requires cutting emissions and protecting existing forests; shifting to renewables and safeguarding old-growth trees are key since many new saplings also fail to survive.

Well Cited

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 3032 implied HN points • 05 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental Policy Research Integrity Public Perception
  1. The Department of Energy (DOE) Climate Working Group report cites a lot of research accurately, which is a positive sign for scientific integrity.
  2. It's important for scientific studies to be interpreted correctly, even if they support policies that some researchers might not agree with.
  3. The author suggests that some citations in the report could be improved for clarity and recommends updates to ensure accuracy.

A (highly visual) follow-up to yesterday's piece on the death of climate change hysteria

Unreported Truths • 52 implied HN points • 04 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Emissions Energy Fossil fuels Policy International Economics Media
  1. Global carbon dioxide emissions have risen about 60% since 2000, so the world is emitting more CO2 now than ever.
  2. The US, EU, and Japan cut emissions roughly 25% and now make up only about one-fifth of global emissions, while China emits far more and is rapidly adding coal-fired power plants.
  3. Emphasizing Western cuts while ignoring booming emissions elsewhere weakens climate messaging and breeds skepticism, and clear charts or examples of elite hypocrisy can be persuasive to doubtful audiences.

Can we break the human development-environment trade-off?

Sustainability by numbers • 761 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainable Development Climate change Energy transition Food Systems Global Health Biodiversity
  1. For the first time we can improve human wellbeing while reducing environmental harm. Cheap clean energy, smarter farming, and meat alternatives make less-damaging development feasible.
  2. Many major gains in health, education, and poverty reduction were achieved at a big environmental cost, especially from fossil fuels and expanded agriculture, while earlier societies had lower impact but much worse living conditions.
  3. Breaking the trade-off is an opportunity, not inevitable — it requires deliberate investments, policies, and support for poorer countries; the world is still awful in many ways, but it is also much better than before and can become much better.

Has the Rate of Global Warming More Than Doubled?

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 160 implied HN points • 11 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Climate Science Climate Modeling Emissions Adaptation Climate Policy Weather Patterns
  1. Global warming has clearly accelerated since about 2015, with recent warming rates more than double the long-term 1970–2010 trend.
  2. If the next La Niña low is higher than past El Niño highs, that would confirm the faster warming and make 2°C of global warming likely in the 2030s instead of midcentury.
  3. The practical response is to plan and prepare to adapt to greater climate risks while still living well and focusing on what matters in daily life.
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The Battery Mineral Loop

Renewable Revolution • 439 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Energy Recycling Resource Management Innovation
  1. Battery minerals are becoming more efficient and less dependent on mining. Advances in recycling and chemistry can help meet demand without exhausting resources.
  2. In the coming decades, we might reach a point where we won't need to extract new battery minerals at all. We could rely on recycling old batteries instead.
  3. Countries have a big chance to shift from fossil fuel use to sustainable energy. This change can happen faster and cheaper than many think, especially if everyone works together.

Ice: The Penultimate Frontier

Transhuman Axiology • 813 implied HN points • 13 Jul 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Environmental Science Geoengineering
  1. Floating ice islands could be a practical solution for creating new land, much cheaper than colonizing other planets. We already have icebergs that can be transformed into usable land without the high costs of space travel.
  2. The process to insulate these icebergs from melting is affordable and could really help maintain their size for a long time. Using air and lightweight materials, we can keep the ice from melting when in warm waters.
  3. Setting up a community or business on these ice islands might be more viable than starting a space colony. It’s a way to explore new opportunities without the severe risks and costs associated with space exploration.

CLIMATE MADNESS: Wind turbines FREEZING in the cold

The Freedom Corner with PeterSweden • 4009 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy
  1. Wind turbines are freezing in cold temperatures, causing significant electricity production loss.
  2. Diesel generators are being used to de-ice wind power turbines in winter, leading to increased electricity prices.
  3. Cold weather affects wind power reliability, impacting electricity supply for new electric vehicles.

Too Big to Fail

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2581 implied HN points • 15 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Policy Analysis Economic Impact Research Integrity Public Trust
  1. A recent climate study published in *Nature* predicted large economic losses due to climate change, but it has been found to be seriously flawed. This could potentially mislead policymakers and the public.
  2. Experts discovered that correcting some mistakes in the original study greatly reduced the predicted damages, showing they might not be significant at all. This raises questions about the reliability of the findings.
  3. The flawed study has been widely accepted in important policy discussions, which could create serious consequences for global economic strategies and confidence in climate science.

Where is Greenpeace or Greta?

Diane Francis • 1218 implied HN points • 20 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy Climate Activism
  1. There are serious environmental issues happening due to the conflict in Ukraine, with harmful weapons damaging the land. It raises questions about the response from global environmental activists.
  2. Landmines and other weapons are creating long-term environmental destruction in Ukraine, which will take years and a lot of money to clean up.
  3. The situation highlights how war can lead to ecological damage, which some experts are now calling 'ecocide,' showing that war can harm nature as much as people.

The High Cost of Destruction: Why We’re Losing the War on Nature

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 14 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Deforestation Pollution Climate finance Resource use Agriculture Energy
  1. The world finances destruction far more than protection: about $30 is spent harming nature for every $1 spent on nature-based solutions, funneling trillions into damaging activities.
  2. Ecosystems are being lost faster than we can restore them: roughly 15 billion trees are cut while only 5 billion are planted each year, and rivers and oceans grow more polluted despite cleanup efforts.
  3. Harmful subsidies and overconsumption make short-term profits but create massive long-term costs; cutting fossil fuel use and investing in nature-based solutions could prevent trillions in future damages.

Quit your job, start a farm, write a book

As If We Were Staying • 15 implied HN points • 13 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Agriculture Adaptation Ecology
  1. A personal journey from biotech and capitalist life to regenerative farming shows that confronting climate reality often means remaking your life and work to fit a future that can last.
  2. Seeing capitalism like a tumor highlights how systems shape people’s habits and protections, so real change means healing both the structures and the people adapted to them.
  3. The answer lies in relational thinking and local care — reconnecting with land and community through restorative practices creates hopeful, durable ways of living.

Pain Control

Doomberg • 7727 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Regulations Environmental Impact Public Health Urban planning
  1. A new law in Ottawa limits how long cars can idle to reduce emissions, even in freezing temperatures. This change has sparked debates about balancing climate goals with everyday needs.
  2. Some lawmakers are considering studying the environmental impact of anesthesia gases used in medicine. This might lead to strict regulations on their use, showing how far some are willing to go for climate concerns.
  3. Many feel that not all small actions, like the ones mentioned, are equally important. It's crucial to find a balance between good intentions and real-life impacts on people's comfort and health.

Reading List for 11/30/24

Construction Physics • 9186 implied HN points • 30 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Construction Automotive Technology Environment
  1. High-rise construction is booming in Canada, with many Canadian cities leading in the number of skyscrapers being built compared to US cities.
  2. Mild hybrids, which are cars that use a small electric motor to support a gasoline engine, are becoming popular in Europe due to stricter emissions regulations.
  3. Offshore oil drilling is seeing a revival, as companies invest heavily in new technologies and seek new sources of oil in response to rising energy prices.

Shameless Self-Promotion

The Crucial Years • 2869 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Clean Energy Sustainability Environmental Policy Fossil fuels
  1. The last few years have shown a big rise in clean energy, like solar and wind, which is starting to replace fossil fuels. This change is important because it can help fight climate change.
  2. Even though clean energy is getting cheaper and more available, there are still challenges to overcome, like the fossil fuel industry trying to hold back progress. Sticking together and pushing for change is essential.
  3. The book promotes the idea that clean energy should no longer be seen as an 'alternative' but as the main way to power our world. It emphasizes that moving away from fossil fuels can lead to a more equal and sustainable future.

The Cleantech Revolution

Renewable Revolution • 799 implied HN points • 11 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Fossil fuels Electrification Energy Efficiency
  1. The energy system is changing fast because of renewables, electrification, and efficiency. These changes are happening more quickly than many people think.
  2. Clean technology is getting cheaper and more popular, outpacing fossil fuels. Over the last decade, costs have dropped significantly and energy generation from sources like solar has grown a lot.
  3. Fossil fuels are on the decline. Renewables are set to take over energy generation, making it clear that we need to accelerate our shift to clean energy technologies.

A bunch of handy charts about climate change

Noahpinion • 21882 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Green Energy Emissions Technology Global impact
  1. Climate change is becoming increasingly severe, evidenced by events like record-breaking heat, melting sea ice, and more frequent natural disasters.
  2. Efforts to address climate change are promising, with advancements in green technologies like solar power and batteries offering hope for managing the crisis.
  3. The responsibility for carbon emissions is shifting, with developed countries like the US and Europe reducing emissions significantly, while countries like China remain major contributors.

Let's map every tree on the planet

Jeff Giesea • 259 implied HN points • 28 Aug 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Resource Management Geopolitics National Security
  1. The U.S. should create a new intelligence discipline called Climate & Natural Resources Intelligence (CNRINT) to better understand and manage the world's resources.
  2. Using advanced technology like drones and satellites, we can map and monitor natural resources globally, helping countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo protect their wealth from outside exploitation.
  3. There is an urgent need for the U.S. to lead in natural resources intelligence, ensuring that gathered data is used for good and benefits humanity for future generations.

More from a sense of duty...

The Crucial Years • 3059 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Environmental Policy Activism Fossil fuels
  1. It's important to show our duty as citizens, even if things seem tough. Making calls to our Senators about energy policies can make a difference.
  2. Legislation aimed at slowing down clean energy is harmful to everyone, risking jobs, increasing electricity costs, and making it harder to fight climate change.
  3. We need to rebuild support for renewable energy like solar power and take collective action to make our voices heard, especially in response to bad legislation.

Top Five Climate Change Narratives in the Media

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 3003 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Media Critique Environmental Policy Public Perception
  1. Many stories link unrelated topics, like sports or health issues, to climate change. This can oversimplify complex issues and just feeds a narrative.
  2. Shocking predictions about climate disasters grab attention and are often presented without considering their plausibility. This can create fear rather than informed discussion.
  3. Media often frames climate discussions in a way that divides people into heroes and villains based on their views. This can make issues feel political rather than based on facts.

"Not Gold Standard Science"

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1864 implied HN points • 16 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental Policy Emissions scenarios Technological Impact
  1. The EPA used research to claim that greenhouse gas emissions are lower than expected, but they didn't explain why this is the case. This leaves out important factors that need to be considered.
  2. High-end emissions scenarios, which expected more pollution, were based on unrealistic technology and economic assumptions. Reality has shown that these extreme predictions were unlikely to happen.
  3. The way the EPA is changing emission standards misinterprets the research. It's like saying we don't need safety measures because a big accident didn't happen, ignoring that the measures are what kept it from happening in the first place.

Power Down Blunder

Doomberg • 7469 implied HN points • 03 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Policy Environmental Issues Global Warming
  1. Australia has great potential for renewable energy like solar and wind, but things aren't going as smoothly as planned.
  2. As they keep adding more renewable energy sources, the country is facing rising electricity prices and shortages, especially during peak demand times.
  3. The government is now asking people to cut back on using appliances like dishwashers to help the struggling energy grid.

So many moving pieces

The Crucial Years • 2909 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental Policy Sustainable energy Climate Activism
  1. Climate change is a big deal, and it's getting worse faster than we thought. We need to pay attention because it's impacting everything from weather patterns to food production.
  2. Extreme weather events are becoming more common and intense, like heavy rain and severe heat. This is due to climate change making weather patterns more unpredictable.
  3. There's a push for clean energy solutions like solar and wind power, but financial systems and politics are blocking real action. We need to prioritize clean energy to tackle climate issues.

Shape-Shifting Planet: How Rising Heat Is Reshaping Life on Earth

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 07 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Biodiversity Climate change Ecosystems Conservation Wildlife Oceans
  1. Global temperatures have risen rapidly in recent decades, producing the hottest years on record and pushing warming toward and beyond pre-industrial levels.
  2. Rising heat is already forcing biological changes — animals and plants are shifting ranges, changing body size and breeding times, and showing genetic responses to survive higher temperatures.
  3. If warming continues, habitat loss, higher mortality, and widespread coral bleaching will worsen. Continued burning of fossil fuels is a main driver and reducing it is needed to avoid the worst impacts.

Seventh Plan’s the Charm

Doomberg • 6232 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Nuclear Energy Sustainability Climate change International Collaboration
  1. Japan relies heavily on imports for its energy needs, which makes having a strong energy plan very important for the country. They need reliable and cheap energy to stay competitive in the global economy.
  2. After the Fukushima disaster in 2011, Japan's use of nuclear energy dropped significantly, but there are now efforts to reopen some reactors. This shift back to nuclear energy is seen as crucial for Japan's energy strategy.
  3. The upcoming Seventh Strategic Energy Plan will outline Japan’s energy goals for the next few years. This plan will impact investments and the country's approach to energy efficiency and renewable sources.

Where Marty Weitzman Went Wrong

Gordian Knot News • 124 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Energy Policy Carbon Pricing Nuclear Energy Economic Analysis Risk Analysis
  1. Fat-tailed uncertainty about climate damages does not make cost-benefit analysis pointless; if your probability distribution for the social cost of carbon has a finite mean, you can minimize expected total cost by using that mean as the weight for CO2.
  2. Electricity systems lie on a cost-versus-CO2 trade-off curve, and the slope at the chosen point is the society's effective social cost of carbon, so publishing the curve and choosing a median public preference gives a consistent grid choice and SCC.
  3. Fat-tailed SCC distributions can have means far above their most likely value, which implies much higher justified carbon prices; those revenues can be used to replace or rebate other taxes so the policy is progressive.

Buzzzzzzzzz

The Crucial Years • 2959 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Biodiversity Ecosystems Conservation Renewable Energy Climate change
  1. Insect populations are declining rapidly, mainly due to climate change and shifting weather patterns. This affects entire ecosystems since many animals, like birds, rely on insects for food.
  2. Solar farms are proving to be beneficial for both insects and birds. They provide a safe habitat where insects can thrive, which in turn helps increase bird populations in those areas.
  3. Using solar panels on farmland could replace inefficient corn production while providing all the energy the U.S. needs. This shift can help combat climate change and support biodiversity.

Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Doomberg • 6570 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Nuclear Energy Renewable Resources Environmental Crisis Government regulations
  1. Wind and solar energy can't always provide power, especially during winter when the weather is less favorable. So, relying solely on these sources can leave countries without enough electricity.
  2. Germany's decision to phase out nuclear energy is causing problems not just for itself but for neighboring countries too. This has resulted in rising energy prices and political tension in regions like Norway and Sweden.
  3. A debate is happening in Germany about potentially bringing back nuclear energy as a reliable power source. It involves looking at the technical, political, and financial challenges of restarting their nuclear reactors.

The Climate Beat Goes On

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1786 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Policy Analysis Environmental Impact Greenhouse Gases Public Health
  1. The DOE and EPA reports reflect differing perspectives on climate change. The DOE report highlights some overlooked issues in climate science, while the EPA document focuses more on legal arguments.
  2. There are areas of agreement between the DOE and IPCC reports, but there are also differences in emphasis. Some scientists feel certain important topics are not given enough attention in mainstream assessments.
  3. The idea of 'mainstream' science can sometimes be used to dismiss valid scientific views. Healthy scientific discussions should involve debate and challenge instead of gatekeeping.

This Week in Canada: We Changed Our Minds About Climate Change

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 459 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Climate Politics Public Opinion Infrastructure Indigenous rights Fossil fuels
  1. Canadians have quietly shifted from seeing climate change as an existential crisis to backing new pipelines and energy projects, with support rising from about 37% to roughly 60%.
  2. That public U‑turn gives federal leaders much more political room to fast‑track big energy and infrastructure deals, and it prompted several senior climate advisers to resign in protest.
  3. The reversal builds on past fights like the cancelled Northern Gateway and shows a move toward energy independence and economic priorities that now clash with earlier net‑zero commitments.

Will they ever pay a price?

The Crucial Years • 2062 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Policy Environmental justice International Law Fossil fuels Climate Activism
  1. Many people feel frustrated by the lack of accountability for powerful figures, who seem to escape consequences for their actions. However, there are signs that pressure is building for change, both globally and in the U.S.
  2. A recent ruling from the International Court of Justice highlights that countries may be held accountable for not protecting the environment. This could open the door for nations affected by climate change to seek reparations.
  3. There's a growing push for renewable energy and climate justice as more people realize the urgency of the climate crisis. The world is moving towards cleaner energy solutions, even as some resist change.

The Climate Conversation is Changing

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1727 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Science Environmental Policy Climate Advocacy Climate change Sustainability
  1. The climate conversation is shifting, with more emphasis on understanding the actual risks of climate change rather than just the scary headlines. It's important to know the real science behind what's happening.
  2. Recent reports highlight how climate data can be misunderstood or misrepresented. For example, some believe hurricanes are increasing, but recent studies show no clear trend in hurricane frequency.
  3. Adaptation to climate change is more effective than many realize. Studies show that people and infrastructures are improving their resilience to changes like heat waves and wildfires.

What Americans Really Think About Energy and Climate

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 2208 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Public Opinion Climate change Environmental Science Political Discourse
  1. Many Americans want a balanced approach to energy, supporting both fossil fuels and renewable sources instead of cutting fossil fuels quickly.
  2. People care more about the cost, reliability, and convenience of energy than making big changes for climate change, and they don't want to spend too much more money on it.
  3. Despite worries about climate change seen in media, many Americans stay calm about extreme weather and want to find practical energy solutions rather than being scared into change.

What happened on energy and climate in China this year?

Sustainability by numbers • 475 implied HN points • 05 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Emissions Energy Electricity Transport Industry Renewables
  1. China’s total CO2 emissions were basically flat this year, showing almost no growth despite rising energy demand.
  2. A huge buildout of renewables and nuclear pushed electricity emissions down and rapid EV adoption cut oil use in transport, backed by a massive rollout of chargers.
  3. Industrial emissions rose and new coal plants are still being built, which offsets some gains and makes the timing of an emissions peak uncertain.

When Is The Collapse Going to Start?

OK Doomer • 2301 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Issues Natural Disasters Societal collapse Public Health
  1. Many people are wondering when the collapse will start, but the reality is that it has already begun in various forms. These can be seen in our climate and political systems worsening over time.
  2. Collapse is subjective and affects everyone differently depending on their circumstances, such as where they live and their financial situation. Personal experiences may signify a collapse even if they seem minor to others.
  3. Despite the many signs of decline, many people prefer to ignore the reality. This leads to a false sense of normalcy, where individuals believe things will return to how they were, even as conditions worsen around them.

Andrew Leach: The day Alberta almost went dark

The Line • 2220 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy crisis Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Climate Resilience
  1. Alberta almost faced a power crisis due to project delays affecting wind and solar energy generation.
  2. Cold snap increased electricity demand in Alberta, highlighting the importance of reliable energy sources.
  3. Delays in critical energy projects like Cascade and Genesee expansion contributed to the vulnerability of Alberta's grid system.