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

The Rollout of America’s New Climate Law Is a Story Bonanza

19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act is a significant climate law in the US aiming to cut emissions by 40% by 2030.
  2. 47% of registered voters haven't heard of the IRA, providing journalists with a wealth of story opportunities to explain its impacts and promises.
  3. The implementation of the IRA, with its focus on creating clean energy jobs and aiding disadvantaged communities, marks a significant turning point in federal climate action.

A better argument for ESG, maybe

19 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. Fund managers face ethical dilemmas when managing money for authoritarian regimes, raising questions about supporting repressive practices.
  2. ESG investing may have limited impact in influencing companies' behaviors due to factors like internal capital generation and private investment availability.
  3. Investing choices, whether in ESG or managing funds for authoritarian states, may have constrained influence on improving the world, questioning the significance of such decisions.

How CFOs are handling the push for more ESG reporting

19 implied HN points • 08 Feb 23
  1. Investors, regulators, and stakeholders are pushing for increased ESG reporting, transforming the role of CFOs to focus on impacts of investment decisions and improving lives.
  2. The demand for ESG disclosures is rising, with changing global reporting requirements and expectations for consistent, transparent, and accurate reporting to meet regulations and attract investments.
  3. As ESG reporting becomes more critical, CFOs are tasked with navigating reporting challenges by assessing internal processes, leveraging technology for data collection, and ensuring integrated reporting approaches for sustainable growth.

Ode for My Firecracker Mother

19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
  1. The author reflects on the life of his firecracker mother, Gladys Lucille Harmon (Heins), born in 1921 in Lamar, Colorado, and highlights her resilience through the Dust Bowl, Depression, and WW2.
  2. The author fondly describes his mother as a sweet soul with a kind and generous nature, who had the strength and determination to overcome the challenges she faced in her life.
  3. The author portrays his mother as a loving and devoted figure who would go to great lengths for her son, illustrating her as both gentle and fiery in personality.

Preventing Energy Poverty

19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
  1. Energy poverty is a pressing issue, worsening due to rising energy costs this winter.
  2. Vulnerable communities like low-income, minority, and elderly are disproportionately affected by energy poverty, caused by both high costs and lack of services.
  3. Combatting energy poverty requires mindful energy policies that prioritize the welfare of the most impacted communities, proposing solutions like the 'Energy Poverty Prevention and Accountability Act'.
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Paranoia

19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. When you speak, even if the person you're talking to isn't listening, someone nearby might be paying attention.
  2. The person not listening to you may recall what you said later.
  3. Avoid saying anything to those who aren't paying attention, as they might interpret it differently than intended.

Massive green energy company reports nearly $1 billion in losses, calls for 'further governmental action'

19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. Siemens Gamesa, a major green energy company, reported nearly $1 billion in losses, emphasizing the need for additional governmental support to facilitate positive growth in the wind power industry.
  2. The company highlighted challenges such as slow permitting, electric grid constraints, and regulatory uncertainties leading to significant losses, job reduction, and investment limitations.
  3. The wind industry faces a critical gap between current installation expectations and required targets for transitioning to green energy, prompting calls for urgent action to address this issue.

Energy CEO Fights Climate Science. And LinkedIn. North Face, Too.

19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. The CEO of Liberty Energy is vocal about his disagreement with current calls for a shift away from fossil fuels, which has sparked controversy
  2. LinkedIn removed a video by the CEO challenging climate science, then reinstated it, highlighting the platform's struggle with moderation policies on such topics
  3. The energy industry is navigating a fine line between addressing climate concerns and maintaining profits from fossil fuels, despite increasing pressure for renewable energy

LA Times Claim that the World Can “quickly phase out all fossil fuels” is Completely Incompetent

19 implied HN points • 05 Feb 23
  1. The LA Times claim that the world can quickly phase out all fossil fuels is deemed incompetent based on scientific concerns about the recovery of the ozone layer.
  2. Global energy use data from 2021 shows that the world heavily relies on fossil fuels, making the idea of quickly phasing them out unrealistic.
  3. Developing nations significantly contribute to global energy use and emissions, showcasing the challenges in swiftly eliminating fossil fuels from the energy mix.

Those attacks on gas stoves aren't really about health

19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. Concerns over gas stoves emitting harmful pollution and potential bans are not solely motivated by health issues, but are tied to broader social and political agendas.
  2. Scientific studies on the health impact of gas stoves emit conflicting information, with some suggesting harmful effects while others indicate low pollution levels within acceptable limits.
  3. The push to ban gas appliances in favor of electrification is part of a larger environmental initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even though it may lead to increased costs for homeowners and limit their choices.

Hard to be the Bard

19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. Walt Whitman, the American poet, was self-educated, self-reliant, and had a magnetic presence despite his arrogance.
  2. Stephen Heins reflects on Whitman's importance in American literature and his own connection to the bard.
  3. The author feels a strong connection to Walt Whitman as a fellow 'Manhattanite' and is always searching for connections to the bard in his surroundings.

NewsGuard Smears Those Pesky Fact-Checking Climate-Change Articles

19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. NewsGuard criticized for smearing climate-change articles, accusing authors of misstating facts. Authors stand by their words as a critique of mainstream media coverage and urge for more investigative journalism.
  2. The article highlights concerns of data tampering by taxpayer-funded institutions like NASA and NOAA for political agendas, questioning the true settlement of climate science.
  3. Criticism from fact-checking organizations is viewed as part of a larger consensus-driven establishment, prompting the need for independent and critical analysis on climate change issues.

1.5 Degrees Was Never the End of the World

19 implied HN points • 04 Feb 23
  1. The 1.5 degrees Celsius target from the Paris Agreement is not a scientific threshold but a moral statement.
  2. World leaders and companies aim to align with the 1.5 degrees goal to address climate change.
  3. A new study reveals that the 1.5 degrees goal was originally proposed as a rebuke against accepting further disruption from burning fossil fuels.

Why the world’s carmakers are beating a path to the USA’s Southeast

19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
  1. The southeastern U.S. is becoming a major hub for the EV industry, attracting carmakers and investments due to the Inflation Reduction Act and focus on developing an entire homegrown EV ecosystem.
  2. Companies in the region are announcing significant EV manufacturing projects, with mainstream automakers like Toyota and GM expanding their presence, and new players like VinFast investing in EV manufacturing plants.
  3. There is a growing emphasis on building local supply chains for EV components, such as batteries, with incentives like tax credits for vehicles with North American assembly and locally sourced minerals, driving the region's EV industry growth.

How ESG Factors Should Be Bundled Inside Your 401(k) Funds

19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
  1. ESG factors are now being considered for inclusion in 401(k) funds according to Department of Labor guidance. This opens the door to more conscientious investment choices for participants.
  2. ESG data was initially meant to evaluate company risks but has evolved into investment products marketed to socially responsible investors. ESG-themed funds are now widely available in the retail market.
  3. The controversy surrounding ESG in pension and 401(k) plans revolves around whether ESG factors should be bundled together or evaluated independently to better manage sustainability risks.

Abandon Hope or Abandon Net Zero

19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
  1. Net Zero initiatives can lead to higher prices, unreliable electricity, and economic struggles for communities.
  2. Cities like San Antonio, Huntington Beach, and Orange County have started to move away from Net Zero goals to prioritize affordability and reliability of energy for their residents.
  3. Abandoning Net Zero can prevent negative impacts like poverty, energy price hikes, and economic downturns, helping to lift millions out of poverty.

The Clown Car Of Climate Deists

19 implied HN points • 02 Feb 23
  1. Some individuals make catastrophic climate predictions which have consistently been proven wrong.
  2. Climate ideologies often behave more like religions, with devotees and skeptics.
  3. The climate has always been changing, but attributing this change solely to human activity lacks conclusive evidence.

Everything that needs electricity is made with oil

19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
  1. Everything that requires electricity is dependent on oil-based products, making it challenging to transition to full renewable energy.
  2. Efforts to eliminate crude oil usage could lead to severe shortages of essential products and fuels, posing a significant threat to civilization.
  3. While renewable energy sources like wind and solar can generate electricity, they cannot replicate the vast array of products manufactured from fossil fuels required for modern living.

Achieving Net Zero In The Graveyard Of The Failed Green Religion

19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
  1. Climate changes on Earth have historically been tumultuous and not serene, with natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and wild weather.
  2. The Earth has seen cycles of glacial eras separated by short warm periods triggered by changing orbits in the solar system.
  3. Global warming will not prevent the cyclic return of ice ages, and as the Holocene warm era ends, the cold will come, threatening mankind with frosts, droughts, and starvation.

Revisit

19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
  1. Friends are like delicate gifts, worth revisiting, like a dream storm.
  2. Memories captured in pictures are treasures from yesterday, today, and the unknown future.
  3. Every moment shared with loved ones holds value beyond the present, creating a timeless bond.

The Push To Modernize Power Grids Is Fueling Demand For A Key Metal

19 implied HN points • 01 Feb 23
  1. Grain-oriented electrical steel is crucial for energy transfer in various sources like nuclear, gas, wind, and hydropower.
  2. Global energy grid expansion and renewable energy push are driving up the demand for grain-oriented electrical steel.
  3. AI-powered tools can help predict market trends and prices, providing buyers insights into the volatile grain-oriented electrical steel market.

Oil and gas investment needed for another 30 years, BP warns

19 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
  1. BP warns that investment in oil and gas production is necessary for the next three decades to prevent shortages and price swings. This is due to the natural decline in existing production sources.
  2. Despite efforts to cut carbon emissions and transition to net zero, BP predicts that fossil fuels will still make up about 20% of primary energy in 2050 under tighter climate policies.
  3. The warning comes in a time when investors are moving away from fossil fuels, with approximately $40 trillion in global capital being divested from fossil fuel companies.

Things Change,

19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
  1. Things change and uncertainty plays a role in the future.
  2. Projections and predictions in science, environmentalism, and finances are never settled.
  3. Adapting to change is necessary as every future scenario may change unexpectedly.

Lomborg Responds to Polar Bear Abundance Challenge

19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
  1. Accurate facts are essential for helping polar bears and making informed decisions in environmental policies.
  2. Polar bear populations have rebounded over the years due to international protection from over-hunting.
  3. Disregarding accurate data and censoring inconvenient truths can hinder public access to vital information and discussions about important environmental topics.

Funny Decimated

19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
  1. The post reflects on the impact of Robin Williams' death on the author, highlighting the sadness and depression that must have affected Williams' soul.
  2. The author acknowledges Robin Williams as a comic genius of their generation and expresses the profound loss felt due to his passing.
  3. The author, Steve Heins, is still deeply affected by the loss of Robin Williams, indicating the lasting impact of Williams' passing.

Stephen Fry, Emma Thompson and Aisling Bea: Stop Financing Fossil Fuel

19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
  1. Celebrities like Emma Thompson and Aisling Bea are urging banks to stop financing fossil fuel projects.
  2. An open letter from 'Make My Money Matter' calls on UK banks to end financing of fossil fuel expansion activities.
  3. There is a call for systemic change to address climate issues and environmental harm, even if individuals, like celebrities, currently live high carbon lifestyles.

Ginormous Wind Turbines Are Toppling Like Dominos In Spate Of Incidents

19 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
  1. Wind turbines, especially the ginormous ones, are experiencing a significant number of incidents like collapses, contributing to controversies and concerns.
  2. The rush to install wind turbine capacity, the need for large blades and tall towers, as well as maintenance challenges are all factors contributing to the high risk associated with wind farms.
  3. Despite being promoted as green energy sources, wind farms have drawbacks such as unreliability, significant environmental impacts, and the need for backup power sources.

Raw Meat

19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
  1. The poem 'Raw Meat' compares the harshness of winter in Wisconsin to eating uncooked meat, showing a visceral and vivid imagery.
  2. The imagery in the poem also explores the search for beauty amidst the darkness, emphasizing the idea of finding something beautiful in unexpected places.
  3. The repetitive structure of the post emphasizes the importance of the poem's message, bringing attention to the rawness and intensity of the emotions conveyed.

Partisan ‘Fact Checkers’ Spread Climate-Change Misinformation

19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
  1. Fact checkers are being accused of spreading misinformation about climate change by labeling accurate information as misleading.
  2. The population of polar bears has actually been increasing, contrary to the narrative of their decline due to climate change.
  3. Using accurate data and promoting open debate on important topics like climate change is crucial for making informed decisions.

Bill Gates Is Trying to Get Cows to Stop Farting

19 implied HN points • 27 Jan 23
  1. Bill Gates is investing in technology to reduce methane emissions from cows, which can help decrease greenhouse gas and air pollution.
  2. An Australian company, Rumin8, backed by Bill Gates, focuses on developing feed supplements that can cut methane emissions from livestock.
  3. A device designed by students that fits around cattle's faces to reduce methane emissions from burps won a prize backed by Prince Charles, showing innovative ways to tackle environmental issues.

How Green Investors Pay The Media To Promote ‘Climate Change’ Hysteria

19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
  1. The Associated Press received $8 million from green investors to promote global warming claims, showcasing how philanthropy funds impactful journalism.
  2. Organizations like Quadrivium, backed by figures like James Murdoch and his wife Kathryn Murdoch, seek to influence public opinion on climate issues and shape government strategies.
  3. The financial interests of big donors like the Rockefeller and Walton Family Foundations are behind media narratives on climate change, impacting how stories are covered and promoted.

No miracles needed’: Prof Mark Jacobson on how wind, sun and water can power the world

19 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
  1. Renewable sources like wind, sun, and water can power the world without the need for miracles, providing plentiful, cheap, and efficient energy.
  2. Transitioning to 100% renewable energy is not only possible but can lead to lower energy bills, reduced energy consumption, and decreased reliance on fossil fuels.
  3. Challenges to a rapid renewable energy rollout include the need for public awareness, policy barriers, upfront costs in poorer countries, and maintaining grid stability through energy storage and demand management.

What Limits Do Experts Have? EPA and Carbon Dioxide as “Pollution”

19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
  1. Carbon dioxide is debated as either food for plants or a pollutant, with the EPA considering it the latter.
  2. There is a lack of clear limiting principles that constrain the EPA's actions, raising concerns about their unchecked power.
  3. Public comments requested by the EPA may not necessarily influence their decisions, highlighting potential flaws in the regulatory process.

Ending

19 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
  1. As we age, we become more aware of the passing of time and the inevitability of reaching the "end of the trail."
  2. Artistic representations, like the sculpture at 'The Cowboy Hall of Fame' in Oklahoma City, can evoke powerful emotions and reflections on life and mortality.
  3. Endings, whether in art or in life, have a profound impact and can leave us feeling both moved and contemplative.

Books for Sedentary Wandering

19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
  1. Building a personal library supports writers, readers, and publishers by creating a cosmos of words and voices.
  2. Reading classic poetry by renowned authors like Yeats, Eliot, and Dickinson can make us feel smarter and more poetic.
  3. Engaging with great books allows us to wander and dream within their pages, expanding our literary horizons.

Climate Alarmists Panic That Twitter Under Musk Allows More Dissenting Views on Global WarmingClimate

19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
  1. Climate alarmists are concerned about dissenting views on global warming being allowed on Twitter under Elon Musk's leadership.
  2. Twitter search results have seen a rise in the hashtag #ClimateScam, with unclear origins and concerns about transparency in content surfacing to users.
  3. An organization, partially funded by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, is criticizing Twitter for not labeling enough content as misinformation under Musk's management.

Is Davos over yet?

19 implied HN points • 22 Jan 23
  1. The World Economic Forum at Davos is criticized for its ecological hypocrisy, with attendees accused of flying on ultra-polluting private jets to discuss climate change.
  2. Al Gore's doomsday predictions at Davos are highlighted as being inaccurate and exaggerated, emphasizing the point that many climate disaster predictions have not come true.
  3. The annual Davos meeting symbolizes the repetitive nature of the world's elite discussing important issues like climate change without meaningful change or solutions being found.

No, New England winters are not warming at an alarming rate

19 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
  1. New England winters may be warming, but this trend has been observed in the entire Northern Hemisphere since around 1650.
  2. The rate of warming in New England is uncertain due to temperature data manipulation by organizations like NOAA, raising concerns about precision.
  3. The cause of warming in New England is not definitively linked to emissions, with factors like El Nino events and urban heat islands playing potential roles.

EQT CEO Says “Gas Markets in the U.S. are Broken”

19 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
  1. The EQT CEO believes gas markets in the U.S. are broken due to lack of pipeline infrastructure and restrictions on building new pipelines.
  2. According to the CEO, increasing pipeline infrastructure in the U.S. could boost gas exports significantly, making the U.S. a major player in global energy markets.
  3. Issues such as low gas prices, limited drilling activity, and inflation are further complicating the natural gas industry, according to the CEO.