The Crucial Years

The Crucial Years focuses on the urgent need for climate action, highlighting political, technological, and societal shifts towards combating climate change. It emphasizes renewable energy adoption, the dangers of fossil fuels, and the importance of community and political courage in addressing climate challenges, while critiquing media silence and misinformation.

Climate Change and Global Warming Renewable Energy Solutions Fossil Fuels and Environmental Impact Political Action and Policy Community and Social Resilience Media and Climate Communication Technological Innovations in Climate Solutions Activism and Grassroots Movements

The hottest Substack posts of The Crucial Years

And their main takeaways
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The Mercury is Off the Charts

946 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Wildfires Environmental Activism Climate Policy
  1. Global warming is rapidly increasing sea surface temperatures, with 2023 likely to be the hottest year yet.
  2. Despite the alarming climate situation, the fossil fuel industry is not making significant changes to reduce their impact.
  3. There is a call for urgent action to transition away from fossil fuels and support clean energy initiatives to combat the climate crisis.

The man who invented a time machine

876 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Sustainability Climate Science Conservation Global impact
  1. John Goodenough, who invented a powerful lithium-ion battery, helped keep the Texas power grid run smoothly during a heatwave.
  2. Batteries like the ones Goodenough invented are crucial for storing solar power and preventing energy crises.
  3. The use of batteries is growing worldwide to support renewable energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

The kids are alright

856 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Environmental Activism
  1. 16 Montana youth are taking legal action to fight for a clean and healthful environment for future generations in a historic trial in the state.
  2. Climate change impacts on children are profound, highlighting the urgency for action and the need to address intergenerational injustices.
  3. The fight for climate justice extends beyond local trials, with efforts to hold the federal government accountable for its role in the climate crisis gaining support.

Major Questions

747 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Legislation Climate Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Global relations
  1. The Supreme Court decisions are attempting to prevent the politics of an earlier era from interfering with the current bought-and-paid-for nihilism.
  2. The Supreme Court's decisions on student debt and Clean Air Act show a trend of erasing history and dismantling earlier legislation put in place by effective Congresses.
  3. The Supreme Court's recent rulings on anti-gay bigotry and affirmative action indicate an effort to erase progress and surrender ground previously gained in social issues.

Two Really Dumb Things We Might Be Able to Stop

886 implied HN points • 25 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Climate Impact Environmental Policy
  1. Massachusetts is a liberal Democratic state with leaders pushing for green initiatives like divesting from fossil fuels and protesting against harmful projects like the MVP pipeline.
  2. The MVP pipeline project, a fracked gas pipeline running through Appalachia, is facing mass protests due to environmental concerns and the decreasing demand for fracked gas.
  3. There is a global movement towards renewable energy advocacy to address climate change and transition away from fossil fuels.

Thinking Clearly About Politics, Physics, Age, Feinstein, and Biden

827 implied HN points • 01 May 23
🌍 World Politics Climate Activism Legislation Campaigns International relations
  1. Realism can help combat ageism and older individuals can make a significant impact in progressive causes.
  2. It's important to be realistic about capabilities and call for changes when political figures are unable to perform effectively.
  3. Honesty is crucial in addressing challenges like climate change and transitioning responsibilities to younger generations can be positive.

Free Hong

597 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Activism Renewable Energy Environmental justice Fossil fuels
  1. Hong Thi Minh is a brave climate activist from Vietnam who faced arrest for speaking out about climate crisis and coal use.
  2. Telling the truth about climate crisis can be dangerous in countries with oppressive governments, leading to arrests of activists.
  3. Supporting brave activists like Hong through global advocacy and pressure on governments is crucial for protecting human rights and advancing climate action.

Organizing After Twitter

737 implied HN points • 29 Nov 22
  1. Elon Musk's purchase of Twitter is impacting communication, turning the platform into a dismal swamp.
  2. Organizers should not rely entirely on digital tools like Twitter, but also focus on building strong physical and virtual networks for effective activism.
  3. Real-action and physical networks, like Third Act's efforts in Nevada, can be more impactful than online activism alone.

Might there be blimps?

827 implied HN points • 01 Oct 22
  1. Consider finding delight in new ways in a challenging century
  2. Exploring alternative modes of transportation like trains and electric bikes can bring joy and sustainability
  3. The concept of blimps may offer a unique and joyful travel experience with reduced carbon emissions

32123!

508 implied HN points • 05 Dec 22
  1. Big banks are major funders of fossil fuel expansion and need to be pressured to stop.
  2. Money in mainstream banking systems is contributing more to carbon emissions than individual activities like driving or flying.
  3. Banks that pledged to be sustainable are still funding fossil fuels and need to be held accountable.

Water, Water Nowhere

577 implied HN points • 22 Aug 22
  1. Drought in China is reducing hydropower availability and impacting the economy.
  2. Extreme heatwaves are leading to record temperatures and water shortages worldwide.
  3. Climate change is altering water patterns, leading to floods in some areas and droughts in others.

A Corrupted COP

2 HN points • 28 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Fossil fuels Environmental justice Carbon Emissions
  1. New revelations show the unethical behaviors of some oil-rich nations in leveraging oil and gas deals globally.
  2. Documents reveal plans by countries like Saudi Arabia to increase fossil fuel usage, undermining global climate efforts.
  3. The actions of oil companies and countries to maintain profit from fossil fuels instead of transitioning to cleaner energy sources can have severe consequences for the planet.