The Word Merchant

The Word Merchant by Stephen Heins explores environmental impacts, energy policies, and the economic dimensions of renewable versus traditional energy sources. It critically examines green energy initiatives, climate change narratives, and the role of fossil fuels, with an emphasis on factual information and questioning mainstream environmentalist perspectives.

Environmental Impacts of Energy Sources Economic Analysis of Energy Policies Debates on Renewable vs. Traditional Energy Critiques of Climate Change Narratives Political and Economic Influences on Energy Environmental Advocacy and Activism Global Energy Security and Infrastructure Ethical and Human Rights Perspectives on Climate

The hottest Substack posts of The Word Merchant

And their main takeaways

UN SOUNDS THE ALARM AFTER ANALYZING NEARLY 200 GOVERNMENT PLANS: ‘THE CHASM BETWEEN NEED AND ACTION IS MORE MENACING THAN EVER’

39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. The United Nations report indicates a significant gap between the actions needed to reduce pollution and what governments are currently planning.
  2. Current national climate plans fall short, with only a projected 2% reduction in planet-heating pollution by 2030 when a 43% reduction is required to meet the Paris Agreement targets.
  3. Experts warn that failing to align with scientific recommendations could lead to irreparable damage, with the possibility of exceeding the critical 1.5-degree temperature threshold in the near future.

Greenwashing: The next "big thing"? A comparative snapshot of laws applicable to voluntary corporate ESG disclosures

39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Companies globally are increasingly promoting their ESG credentials but face legal and reputational risks like greenwashing.
  2. Civil society and regulators are becoming more active in holding companies responsible for greenwashing and ESG washing.
  3. The report explores how existing laws apply to voluntary ESG communications by multinational corporations.

Real climate science – uncertainty and risk ByBrad Hayes

39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Real climate science, particularly atmospheric physics and meteorology, is highly complex and not well understood by the general public. Climate models and predictions are laden with uncertainties and are not definitive.
  2. Scientific consensus does not prove or disprove a hypothesis. Skepticism is crucial for scientific progress, and questioning is essential for improving scientific understanding.
  3. Climate change is a complex issue with many uncertainties. Efforts to simplify and control uncertainty can lead to misleading conclusions and inadequate policy decisions.

Teton County and the town of Jackson had set its sights on a low-emission transit system for the county.

59 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
  1. Teton County and the town of Jackson aimed for a low-emission transit system, but faced challenges when the electric buses from Proterra went out of service due to bankruptcy.
  2. The bankruptcy of the electric bus manufacturer, Proterra, left the town's transit system relying on its diesel fleet, highlighting the importance of backup plans and reliable suppliers in sustainable initiatives.
  3. The experience in Teton County demonstrates the importance of practicality and community values when implementing sustainable transportation solutions, suggesting that natural gas vehicles could have been a more viable option.

15 biggest environmental problems of 2024

39 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
  1. Climate change from fossil fuels is a significant issue - 2023 was the hottest year on record.
  2. Food waste contributes to a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions - a third of food meant for consumption is wasted.
  3. Addressing environmental problems is vital for sustainable development, protecting wildlife, and securing food and water supplies.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Reality Bites: Why Wind, Solar, And Electric Car Advocates Must Also Love Fossil Fuels

59 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
  1. Fossil fuels are essential as they supply 80% of the world's energy and 80% of US energy, supporting our modern way of life and economy.
  2. Investing in fossil fuels is crucial for sustainability as they are integral to manufacturing, transporting materials, and powering machines for electric cars, wind, and solar technologies.
  3. Anti-fossil fuel policies increase costs for renewables and electric cars, making them less commercially viable, while also impacting industries like steel and food production which rely on fossil fuels as core ingredients.

The stark differences in electric vehicle uptake across Europe

59 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
  1. European countries show stark differences in electric vehicle adoption, with northern countries leading the way while countries like Italy and Spain lag behind.
  2. The electrification gap between countries in Europe is growing, impacting the pace of change and the market penetration of electric vehicles.
  3. Plug-in hybrid electric cars are losing ground to fully electric vehicles in some leading European countries, signaling a shift in consumer preferences and the need for manufacturers to adapt.

70% of Africa’s forest is gone. Without affordable energy it will vanish

59 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
  1. 70% of Africa's forest has been cut down and the rest is disappearing quickly. Much of the wood is used for cooking or heating, leading to deforestation.
  2. The lack of electricity in Africa is causing major challenges like water scarcity. Electricity is crucial for pumping water and preventing deforestation for cooking.
  3. Affordable and reliable energy is essential for Africa to preserve its forests and provide clean water to its people. Electricity plays a key role in improving the quality of life.

Why Are Major Credible Organizations Like ICCT, SBTi & IMO Getting Energy Demand Wrong?

39 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
  1. Major organizations like ICCT, SBTi, and IMO may be inaccurate in predicting energy demand growth.
  2. ICCT's analyses in trucking, shipping, and aviation have been found flawed, particularly in their support for hydrogen over battery electric.
  3. SBTi's global demand projections for maritime shipping segments may be biased, as they struggle to calculate precise segment-specific projections due to limitations.

Our Plagiarist President

39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. A major plagiarism scandal involving prominent figures like Harvard's Claudine Gay clashed with Joe Biden's history of plagiarism, creating a noteworthy situation.
  2. Joe Biden's prominent instances of plagiarism happened across multiple platforms, from speeches to academic papers, and impacted his political career significantly.
  3. There are striking similarities between the plagiarism scandals of Harvard's Claudine Gay and President Joe Biden, shedding light on the consequences and patterns of plagiarism in prominent figures.

What the drive for cleaner capitalism will look like in 2024, Financial Times -- Simon Mundy and Patrick Temple-West

39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. Companies are expected to focus on assessing environmental and social risks in their supply chains more seriously, with looming regulations demanding scope 3 emissions disclosure.
  2. International carbon pricing, such as the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism, is gaining momentum, prompting discussions and actions in countries like Turkey, the UK, and the US.
  3. Republican-led states in the US are shifting their attacks from ESG issues to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) matters, with laws targeting DEI departments in universities and halting related programs.

Rule Of The Unelected? Revisiting The “Unconstitutionality Index” Clyde Wayne Crews Jr.

39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. In 2023, federal regulatory agencies issued 3,018 final rules, while laws from Congress totaled 65, showcasing a significant difference.
  2. The 'Unconstitutionality Index' highlights how agencies issue far more rules compared to laws passed by Congress, emphasizing the predominant role of unelected administrative agencies in lawmaking.
  3. There's a notable imbalance between the number of rules issued by agencies versus laws passed by Congress, signaling the need to consider reforms and restrain the regulatory power of administrative agencies.

Separating Fact From Fiction On ‘Climate Change’

39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. Media often focuses on lies about climate change rather than truthful information, leading to misconceptions in society.
  2. Natural phenomena like the Great Barrier Reef's cyclical changes challenge the narrative of human-induced environmental destruction.
  3. Dumb and expensive policies like carbon credits, carbon capture schemes, and forced EV transitions arise from decades of misguided climate predictions.

Transition finance is a key net-zero pillar of 2024 By Natasha White

39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. Transition finance is becoming a crucial focus for addressing the climate crisis, shifting from mere climate investment to transition investment.
  2. The concept of transition finance includes directing investments towards industries and infrastructure supporting a shift to a net-zero economy, different from traditional green finance.
  3. There is a need for clear standards and penalties to ensure companies follow through on their environmental commitments in the transition finance space.

Environmentalists are suing because national parks are… planting trees? Here’s what’s going on Yes, you read that right.

39 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
  1. Environmentalists are suing the National Park Service for planting trees in designated wilderness areas, arguing that nature should be left alone to regrow naturally.
  2. The National Park Service started a seedling-planting project to replace sequoia groves that were damaged by wildfires, believing that natural regeneration might not be sufficient.
  3. Despite concerns raised by environmental groups, the National Park Service continues replanting trees in areas where natural regeneration was inadequate, an action that is being contested in court.

DOE Cancels Purchases for Strategic Petroleum Reserve

19 implied HN points • 04 Apr 24
  1. The U.S. Department of Energy canceled its latest planned purchase of oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after prices exceeded the government's target buying level.
  2. The DOE is monitoring market dynamics to adjust their replenishment strategy for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to protect national security assets.
  3. The DOE had set a maximum purchase price of $79 per barrel to refill the SPR after emergencies in 2022, but recent crude oil prices have surpassed that, trading at $85.46.

OPEC’s Influence on Oil Prices To Remain Significant In 2024 By Irina Slav - Jan 01, 2024, 6:00 PM CST

39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. OPEC's share in global oil production remains at a solid 27% despite cuts, indicating its ongoing significant influence on oil prices.
  2. Challenges for OPEC+ arise from fears of lower demand and unexpected increases in U.S. oil production, impacting their ability to control prices.
  3. Traders' focus on current oil supply levels may be short-sighted as the effects of production cuts take time to impact markets, suggesting a delayed influence on prices.

Arctic sea ice: the canary in the coal mine Posted on October 21, 2023 by curryja

59 implied HN points • 21 Oct 23
  1. Arctic sea ice has been considered an important indicator of climate change, with concerns about rapid melting and ice-free summers, but recent data shows a lack of significant change since 2007, contradicting earlier alarming claims.
  2. Long-term daily satellite data on Arctic sea ice extent reveals a complex pattern of variations that cannot be simplistically attributed to CO2-induced trends alone, necessitating more in-depth analysis to understand the factors at play.
  3. There has been a regime change in Arctic sea ice characteristics since 2007, shifting from thicker and deformed ice to thinner and more uniform ice cover, highlighting the need for more accurate and honest reporting on climate change impacts.

Energy cases to watch in 2024 By Niina H. Farah | 01/02/2024 06:24 AM EST

39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. The Supreme Court may limit the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's authority to take strong action on climate change using old laws, which could impact all federal agencies.
  2. Federal judges in 2024 might require FERC to consider the climate impacts of natural gas pipelines and export facilities they approve, reflecting increasing pressure to address rising global temperatures.
  3. Courts could shift the power balance between federal and state regulators regarding the approval of new fossil fuel infrastructure projects, with implications for climate goals and environmental concerns.

Biden Air Rules Face Tough 2024 in Courts After Ambitious Year Regulations trudged ahead in 2023, stuck on challenges New legal landscape prevents clear path forward

39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. In 2023, the Biden administration faced legal challenges as they pushed through ambitious clean air regulations, with progress slowed by litigious industries and a complex legal landscape.
  2. Landmark legal rulings, like West Virginia v. EPA, imposed new restrictions on agency rulemaking and may significantly impact future environmental regulations.
  3. Despite notable achievements like methane and hydrofluorocarbon rules, certain key air quality programs like the Good Neighbor plan faced delays due to heavy litigation and regulatory hurdles.

Texas power grid too reliant on natural gas in case of grid failure, U.S. regulators found

39 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
  1. U.S. regulators recommend decreasing Texas power grid's reliance on natural gas during grid failures to generate electricity.
  2. Black-start resources using natural gas faced issues during the Winter Storm Uri in 2021, suggesting the need for diversification.
  3. Recommendations include exploring alternative black-start resources like battery storage and ensuring off-site natural gas storage to prevent shortages during blackouts.

ESG disclosures: more clarification needed to turn grey areas into green

39 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
  1. Regulators are focusing on tightening sustainability regulations and improving transparency and accountability in ESG disclosures to protect investors from misleading claims.
  2. There is a need for clearer definitions and guidelines in ESG disclosure frameworks like the SFDR and FCA rules to avoid ambiguity and ensure compliance from asset managers.
  3. Asset managers must anticipate regulatory shifts, stress-test oversight and controls, and ensure accuracy in external ESG performance information to align with emerging principles of sustainable investments.

Why the Rockefellers Are Spending Their Oil Fortune to End Fossil Fuels

59 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
  1. The Rockefeller Foundation is using its historic oil wealth to fund climate solutions, showing a shift in priorities from funding fossil fuels to taking climate action.
  2. Rockefeller philanthropies are courageously challenging Exxon Mobil, addressing the impacts of the company's greenhouse gas emissions and how it misrepresented climate change knowledge.
  3. The Rockefellers, along with other oil heirs like the Getty family, are divesting from fossil fuel interests and supporting climate solutions, indicating a significant change in utilizing their wealth for a cleaner energy future.

Doug Sheridan writes

39 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
  1. Texans are facing high costs due to the state's push for renewable energy, using an expensive and counterproductive approach called CRS.
  2. The CRS program led to over $12 billion in additional costs for electricity generation in Texas, without blackouts but with reliance on short-term solutions.
  3. As Texas grapples with increasing dependence on intermittent renewables, it may encounter more supply shortages and reliability risks, potentially resulting in rolling blackouts and higher prices by 2025.

Alaska sues Biden administration over canceled Arctic oil and gas leases

59 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
  1. Alaska has sued the Biden administration over canceled Arctic oil and gas leases, challenging the decision to scrap leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
  2. The canceled leases were sold during the Trump administration, but major oil companies had skipped the sale in 2020, affecting the auction's financial outcome.
  3. The U.S. Interior Department cited flaws in the lease sale and environmental concerns as reasons for canceling the remaining leases, which has sparked legal action from Alaska.

Climate Sanity Spokespeople

39 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
  1. The post highlights a diverse group of individuals from various fields who advocate for global energy fairness, practical environmentalism, good economics, and electricity abundance.
  2. The individuals mentioned include economists, business authors, scientists, climatologists, engineers, scholars, financiers, businesspeople, lawyers, regulators, policy experts, energy activists, and thinkers.
  3. The list is extensive, featuring significant figures such as Robert Bryce, Michael Shellenberger, Judith Curry, Daniel Yergin, and many others.

No, NYT, A Record-Warm September Does Not Mean Climate Change Is Accelerating

59 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
  1. One month of record-high temperatures does not indicate long-term climate change, which requires 30 years of data.
  2. An outlier data point can skew temperature graphs upwards but does not necessarily signify acceleration in climate change.
  3. The spike in temperature in September was mainly observed in Antarctica, where winter temperatures were less cold than normal, thus not representative of the entire planet.

Climate, Inc: “Realistic” global warming projections for the 21st century

39 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
  1. Realistic emissions scenarios and climate sensitivity values lead to non-alarming projections for 21st century climate.
  2. Uncertainties surrounding climate change make it challenging to reach a consensus on the potential impacts of future climatic changes.
  3. Reducing uncertainties by considering moderate emission scenarios, low Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity, and natural climate variability could lead to more realistic climate change projections, potentially meeting the Paris Agreement warming target without extreme decarbonization policies.

SPP capacity accreditation plan disadvantages clean power, threatens reliability, ACP, others say

19 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
  1. Clean energy groups are urging FERC to reject SPP's capacity accreditation plan, stating it discriminates against wind, solar, and energy storage resources.
  2. SPP's proposal for capacity accreditation fails to address key reliability issues and may increase ratepayer costs due to potential failures with high-accredited power plants.
  3. The proposed ELCC and PBA methodologies by SPP aim to provide an accurate understanding of resource availability, but concerns remain regarding performance evaluation during critical times.

Dictatorial Control, from COVID to Climate

39 implied HN points • 30 Dec 23
  1. The Biden Administration and Democrats have been accused of engaging in behaviors they accuse others of, including perpetuating dictator-like actions from battling Trump to imposing COVID-related measures.
  2. There are concerns about dictatorial mandates and drastic changes being implemented by the Biden Administration, affecting various aspects of American society and potentially leading to economic disaster.
  3. Implementation of renewable energy plans like wind and solar projects is met with opposition due to concerns about habitat destruction, health issues, and power disruptions, leading to conflicts over land use and potential impacts on rural communities.

Separating Fact From Fiction: What Nearly 30 Years Of COP Meetings Has Gotten Us

59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
  1. Nearly 30 years of COP meetings have not shown significant reduction in global emissions, with CO2 levels steadily increasing.
  2. Mainstream media coverage of COP meetings often highlights alarmist narratives about climate change, emphasizing the role of human-driven greenhouse gas emissions.
  3. Fossil fuel industries have faced increasing demonization during COP meetings, with tensions rising between different countries and stakeholders over climate policies.

‘The Hill’ Has Lost The Plot About Climate Change, Fossil Fuels, And American Priorities

59 implied HN points • 17 Oct 23
  1. There is no consensus that global warming is an existential threat, and when compared to other issues, climate change is not a top priority among Americans.
  2. Fossil fuels do not receive excessive subsidies; the amount they receive is minimal compared to what green energy projects receive.
  3. Rising insurance costs do not prove climate change, as extreme weather events like hurricanes, floods, and wildfires are not increasing; rather, people are building higher-value homes in disaster-prone areas.

Reality Dawns On Lefty Outlet Over Biden Draining The Strategic Oil Reserves

59 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
  1. Biden's decision to drain the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has left America's emergency backup oil supply more than half empty.
  2. The SPR's diminished volumes limit Biden's options to respond to future oil market shocks, such as those from the war in the Middle East.
  3. The depletion of the SPR highlights weaknesses in Biden's energy strategy and could be addressed by increasing U.S. energy production and approving development projects.

New Year’s Resolution – Methane Response

39 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
  1. Methane is not as potent in the atmosphere as it is made out to be due to its abundance compared to CO2 on a molecular level
  2. Doubling or reducing methane emissions by half will not significantly impact global warming due to its small atmospheric concentration
  3. The greenhouse gas effect of methane is about 20% compared to CO2, and its shorter lifespan in the atmosphere compared to CO2 should be considered in climate policies

Biden Administration Distributed 65 Million Condoms Globally as Part of ‘Climate Solutions’

39 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
  1. The Biden Administration distributed 65 million condoms globally as part of 'climate solutions.' This is tied to efforts to address population dynamics in relation to natural resources and state stability.
  2. USAID provided millions of contraceptives to foreign countries, emphasizing the goals of population reduction, combating AIDS, and promoting women's educational opportunities.
  3. Critics have questioned the Biden Administration's approach of linking global warming efforts to unrelated measures, such as distributing condoms under the guise of climate solutions.

WRITTEN BY PIERRE GOSSELIN ON DEC 29, 2023. POSTED IN LATEST NEWS Germany’s Green Energy Sector ‘Facing The Abyss’ … ‘On The Brink’ … Economy Breaking Up blackout transmission linesIt wasn’t long ago,

39 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
  1. Germany's green energy sector is facing significant challenges and is on the brink of a crisis due to deteriorating outlook and lack of affordable raw materials.
  2. The S&P Global Clean Energy Index has dropped by 32% in the last 12 months, impacting both companies and investors who have put money into renewable energies.
  3. The German economy is experiencing difficulties, with major companies opting for reduced work hours and job cuts due to rising inflation and economic uncertainty stemming from energy policies.

How Electric Vehicles Are Losing Momentum with U.S. Buyers, in Charts

39 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
  1. Electric vehicle sales in the U.S. have grown by nearly 50% this year but recently plateaued, impacting the industry as a whole.
  2. American car buyers are still hesitant to switch to electric vehicles due to high prices and concerns about recharging options.
  3. The U.S. trails behind China and Europe in electric vehicle adoption, with analysts attributing this to the need for more affordable electric models and time for consumer acceptance.

Era Of ‘Unquestioned And Unchallenged’ Climate Change Claims Is Over

59 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
  1. Leading voices in the climate community are facing fresh challenges to their warming hypothesis from new scientific papers, prompting aggressive tactics and a heated controversy.
  2. Recent studies by scientists are raising doubts about the narrative of man-made global warming and challenging the credibility of the U.N Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
  3. The response to the new papers indicates an attempt to suppress dissenting views and control the scientific and public dialogue on climate change, highlighting ongoing controversies and challenges in the field.

Our Take, with Doug Sheridan

19 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
  1. Reliability is becoming scarce in our society, starting with basic utilities like the electric grid and phone systems.
  2. Our dependence on disposable products is contributing to the decline of trust in everyday items.
  3. The push for renewable energy sources like wind and solar may lead to sacrificing reliable electricity for the sake of sustainability.

A Resurrection Of Trust For Carbon Offsets Is Needed To Meet Net Zero Simi Thambi

19 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
  1. Restoring trust in carbon offsets is crucial for meeting net-zero goals, despite challenges and complexities in the market.
  2. It's important to invest in both carbon reduction/avoidance offsets and carbon removal offsets for a comprehensive net-zero strategy.
  3. Estimates suggest that 5 to 15 gigatons of CO2 equivalent per year in carbon removals are needed between 2030 and 2050 to achieve global net zero targets.