The hottest Climate change Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

2023 Marks Record Sea Surface Temperatures

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. In 2023, sea surface temperatures reached a record high, which means our oceans are getting hotter. This is important because the ocean helps regulate the Earth's climate.
  2. As ocean temperatures rise, they disrupt weather patterns, leading to extreme events like heavy rain and strong winds. This change can harm both people and nature.
  3. Global temperatures are increasing at an alarming rate, risking serious environmental consequences. We're close to surpassing a critical temperature threshold that could lead to severe climate problems.

A Conversation with a Climate Denier

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Climate deniers are more common than many people think. They come from different backgrounds and are influenced by a variety of factors.
  2. Countries that depend heavily on fossil fuels, like Indonesia and Saudi Arabia, often downplay climate change. For them, denial isn't just ignorance, it's about protecting their economies.
  3. The rise of social media has made it easier for misinformation about climate change to spread. This creates new challenges for understanding and addressing climate denial.

Ignore climate change at your peril

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. 2023 was the hottest year ever recorded, with global temperatures significantly rising. This shows us that climate change is a serious issue and needs immediate attention.
  2. Human activities like burning fossil fuels and deforestation are major causes of global warming. We need to cut our greenhouse gas emissions and invest in renewable energy to help combat this problem.
  3. Everyone can contribute to fighting climate change, even through small actions. Making sustainable choices in our daily lives and holding leaders accountable are important steps we can all take.

Hello 2024

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 01 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Talking about climate change is really important. It's key to help people understand how it affects our lives and the earth.
  2. 2023 was a record warm year, but we should see it as a warning for the future. The next years might be even hotter.
  3. As we move into 2024, we need to act fast to address climate issues. It's a crucial time for making changes that matter.

The Petrocene: How We Created an Age of Fire

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change. This is a big problem that puts both nature and people in danger.
  2. The fossil fuel industry contributes to global warming, which makes wildfires worse. By extracting fossil fuels, we are harming our environment and increasing fire risks.
  3. To help the planet, we should leave fossil fuels in the ground and consider using renewable energy. Everyone needs to think about what they can do to make a positive change.
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Headlines from a Warming World no.11

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. COP28 is coming up, where leaders will discuss how to address climate change issues. There are concerns over the conference president's ties to the fossil fuel industry, which could affect the talks' impartiality.
  2. The European Union has passed a law to cut methane emissions from fossil fuels, marking a significant step in addressing climate change. This law aims to hold companies accountable and reduces reliance on Russian gas.
  3. Sweden will host a citizen assembly to gather public ideas on climate policies. This approach shows that involving everyday people in discussions can lead to effective solutions for climate challenges.

The Unseen Consequences of Climate Change

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Many young people worry a lot about climate change, which can lead to what's called eco-anxiety. This stress comes from thinking about problems like global warming and extinction.
  2. Eco-anxiety affects people's mental health and can cause feelings of hopelessness and despair. It can also disrupt daily life and create physical symptoms like sleeplessness and irritability.
  3. Taking action, like learning about climate change and adopting sustainable habits, can help ease eco-anxiety. Individual efforts and community involvement are important in fighting climate change together.

Breaking all the Wrong Records

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. For the first time, the global temperature was recorded over 2°C higher than pre-industrial levels on November 17 and 18, 2023. This is a big deal and shows how serious climate change is getting.
  2. 2023 is expected to be the hottest year ever, with serious weather issues like droughts and wildfires. To keep warming below 1.5°C, we need to sharply reduce carbon emissions, but current trends show we're heading in the wrong direction.
  3. At the upcoming COP28 conference, it's concerning that the president is from an oil company with plans that go against the goal of reducing fossil fuel use. This raises questions about the commitment to truly tackle climate change.

Headlines from a Warming World no.9

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 09 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Fossil fuel producers are planning to increase production, which goes against promises to limit global warming. This could lead to massive carbon emissions that make it harder to meet climate goals.
  2. Hurricane Otis caused severe destruction in Acapulco, affecting infrastructure and leaving many without basic necessities. This shows that we need better disaster management and preparedness for extreme weather.
  3. Coral reefs are declining rapidly, but efforts are underway to restore them through innovative projects. Healthy reefs are crucial for marine life and help protect coastlines, so these restoration efforts are really important.

Headlines from a Warming World no.8

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. The world's carbon budget is running out fast. If we keep polluting at the same rate, we might use up our chance to limit warming to 1.5°C in just six years.
  2. Nepal's glaciers are melting rapidly, losing nearly one-third of their ice in thirty years. This affects water supplies for millions and threatens the region's climate and agriculture.
  3. Shell is cutting jobs in its low-carbon division and focusing more on oil and gas, which goes against the goal of reducing global heating. This indicates a significant shift in priorities away from clean energy.

"Unfortunately, time is up.”

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Climate change is happening fast and causing severe problems. We've seen many climate records broken this year, which worries scientists.
  2. By the end of this century, many people might struggle to live due to extreme heat and lack of food. This could affect a significant part of the world's population.
  3. We can't just wait for new technologies to fix climate change. It's essential to take immediate action now instead of relying on uncertain future solutions.

Heat Waves, Floods, Storms, and the Significance of Attribution Science

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Attribution science helps us understand how much human-caused climate change affects specific extreme weather events. This research can guide us in creating better climate policies and protections.
  2. Major weather disasters like Hurricane Harvey and recent storms in Spain show the link between extreme weather and climate change. These events align with predictions made by climate models.
  3. There's a growing need for accountability in climate issues, and attribution science can help identify who is responsible for climate-related damages, potentially leading to legal action against major polluters.

Headlines from a Warming World no 6

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Extreme wet heat is becoming a real problem in many parts of the world. It could make life very difficult, especially for food and water security.
  2. South America is experiencing unusual heat linked to climate change, making such high temperatures much more likely. This trend will likely worsen as global temperatures rise.
  3. Drought is severely affecting the Amazon, threatening its ecosystems and the people living there. Urgent climate action is needed to address these extreme weather impacts.

Headlines from a Warming World no.4

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. September 2023 was one of the hottest months ever recorded, with many countries in Europe experiencing temperatures significantly above normal. This highlights the urgent effects of climate change.
  2. The UK government is pushing back its plans for cleaner energy, which some see as a major setback. This includes delays in banning petrol cars and new licenses for oil and gas extraction.
  3. A recent study found that most carbon offset schemes are ineffective, meaning they don't really help reduce greenhouse gases. This raises concerns about relying on such projects to combat climate change.

Headlines from a Warming World no.3

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Fossil fuel companies should be left out of climate discussions because they often mislead the public and harm climate action. This change is supported by growing legal actions against these companies.
  2. The Arctic and Antarctic sea ice levels are at record lows, which highlights serious climate change problems. Less ice means more ocean exposure to sunlight, leading to more warming and further ice loss.
  3. The Gulf Stream has weakened significantly over the past 40 years, which affects climate and weather patterns. This change provides clear evidence of how human activities are impacting ocean currents and global climate.

Headlines from a Warming World

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Summer 2023 was the hottest on record, driven by human activities and natural events. This extreme heat led to wildfires and severe weather around the world.
  2. Young activists are using legal actions to push for stronger climate policies, claiming that governments are failing to protect their rights. These cases are gaining traction and could lead to more accountability.
  3. One person can make a difference! Greta Thunberg's activism inspired many people in Switzerland to make greener choices. Her efforts highlight that individual actions can impact the conversation about climate change.

Headlines from a warming world

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Oceans are warming fast, with the past two months being the hottest on record. This warming is ongoing and affects the climate globally.
  2. Recent storms, like Storm Daniel, show how severe climate events are increasing in both frequency and intensity, causing devastating impacts in places like Greece and Libya.
  3. Six out of nine planetary boundaries have been crossed, meaning humans are affecting the Earth's systems in dangerous ways. This calls for serious action to protect our planet.

"The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis.”

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Burning fossil fuels is the main cause of climate change, and we urgently need to switch to clean energy sources.
  2. Al Gore has been a long-time advocate for climate change awareness, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
  3. Young people are stepping up and demanding action on climate issues, reminding us that we all have the power to make a difference.

Kenya hosts first-ever Africa Climate Summit.

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. The Africa Climate Summit in Kenya is a big event with over 13,000 delegates, focusing on Africa working together to tackle climate change on their own terms.
  2. Companies like Kakuma Ventures and M-KOPA Solar are showcasing how they're improving lives through renewable energy, helping communities access clean power and digital services.
  3. The summit aims to fix Africa's lack of weather data, which is crucial for agriculture and disaster readiness, so countries can make better decisions related to climate challenges.

The Invisible Killer

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Heat is a serious issue right now, not just in the future. It harms people and the planet, leading to health problems and environmental damage.
  2. Extreme heat affects food production by damaging crops and livestock. This can cause food shortages and increased prices, making it harder for many to access food.
  3. Rising sea levels from climate change threaten coastal areas and can force many people to leave their homes. It's crucial to reduce carbon emissions to help tackle these problems.

Week's assorted articles

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Women have historically hunted in many societies, which challenges the old idea that only men were hunters. This shows that gender roles in ancient communities were likely more flexible than previously thought.
  2. Researchers are studying a lake in Toronto to mark the impact of humans on the Earth, potentially defining a new geological age called the Anthropocene. The layers in the lake tell a story of human activities throughout the years.
  3. Due to rising sea levels, Tuvalu is working on creating a digital version of itself to preserve its culture and history. This could make it the first fully digitized nation in the metaverse.

Two Climate Change Stories to Read This Week

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Greenwashing is when companies pretend to be environmentally friendly, while still harming the planet. Recently, Shell's ads were banned because they didn't show their actual impact on the environment.
  2. The EU is cracking down on misleading claims about products' environmental friendliness. Many companies have been caught giving vague or false information about how green their products really are.
  3. Extreme heat is becoming a serious health problem, especially for pregnant women and newborns. High temperatures can cause various health issues and increase the risk of complications during pregnancy.

From Birdsong to Silence

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 15 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Bird populations are declining, with 48% of species in the UK seeing a drop from 2015 to 2020. This means there are fewer birds singing and chirping around us.
  2. Habitat loss, toxic pesticides, and climate change are major factors behind this decline. These issues make it harder for birds to survive and find food.
  3. Birds are important for our environment, helping with things like pest control and pollination. Losing them could lead to bigger problems in nature, so it's vital to support conservation efforts.

Guy Stuart Callendar

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 22
🔬 Science Climate change
  1. Guy Stuart Callendar connected human-made carbon dioxide to global warming through his research. He discovered that burning fossil fuels increases carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere.
  2. During a tough time in Europe, many people turned to authoritarian leaders, which led to events like the annexation of Austria by Germany. These political changes created further instability in the region.
  3. Callendar's work emphasized the need to understand how human activities impact Earth’s climate. Though his findings were initially overlooked, they laid important groundwork for later climate science discussions.

Thomas C. Chamberlin: The Global Carbon Cycle

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 May 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  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.

California's insurance crisis: the cash cow slowing climate adaptation

Greg’s Sometimes Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Climate change
  1. California has a serious homeowners insurance crisis because many companies aren't selling new policies. This makes it difficult for people to protect their homes.
  2. The problem is linked to climate change and old rules from 1988 that limit how insurance companies can calculate rates. These rules block new methods like predictive modeling that could help assess risks better.
  3. There's a push for change, but some groups are fighting it because they benefit from the old system. This means homeowners may face higher insurance costs, but having insurance is still better than having none.

No one wants it to be true.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 15 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. We all need to take responsibility for our future because our leaders have failed to act on climate change. It's not just someone else's problem anymore; it's up to each of us to find our own way through the chaos.
  2. Being prepared for climate challenges can help us build better lives for ourselves. Learning how to make smart choices about where we live and how we interact with our surroundings is crucial.
  3. There are strategies and solutions available to help us adapt to a changing world. It's important to act now, get informed, and connect with others to ensure a more secure future.

Linux Foundation Drops Linux Spending to Historic Lows in 2024

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 0 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Climate change
  1. The Linux Foundation's revenue has significantly increased, reaching nearly $300 million, mainly from corporate membership dues. This shows strong financial backing from big companies.
  2. Spending on Linux projects has dropped to historic lows, with only 2.3% of revenue spent directly on Linux in 2024. Their focus is shifting more towards corporate operations than actual Linux development.
  3. The 2024 annual report does not mention diversity or climate change at all, marking a notable change from previous years where these topics were heavily discussed. This hints at a shift in priorities for the organization.

Rising Temps, Falling Records: A Climate Record Smackdown

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Last year, the world saw its hottest temperatures ever recorded, surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels. This signals a climate crisis that is becoming more serious.
  2. Greenhouse gas emissions reached record highs, leading to a rise in ocean temperatures and severe consequences for ecosystems. The increase in emissions has been linked to human activities like energy production and agriculture.
  3. There is an urgent need to cut down on fossil fuel use to combat climate change. Everyone, from individuals to governments, needs to take action to protect our planet.

Flames of Fury: The Unrelenting Path of Wildfires

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Wildfires are becoming more common and dangerous worldwide. Major events in countries like Portugal, Greece, and Australia have caused huge damage and loss of life.
  2. Climate change plays a big role in worsening wildfires. Increased heat and drought conditions, along with strong winds, make fires spread more quickly.
  3. To fight wildfires effectively, we need to address climate change. This means cutting down on pollution, using renewable energy, and adopting better land management practices.

Rising Tides, Rising Temperatures: A Future Uncertain

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Carbon dioxide emissions are rising, and we're relying heavily on fossil fuels for energy. This situation makes it hard to meet climate goals.
  2. If we continue with our current practices, we could see significant increases in global warming and more extreme weather events by 2050.
  3. To avoid a tough future, everyone needs to come together to support better climate policies and raise awareness about climate change.

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

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  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.

The New Wave of Climate Imagination

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. People often think it's too late to fix climate change, but it's actually a new beginning for us. We need to imagine a better future instead of giving in to despair.
  2. Games and playful activities can help us understand complex climate issues better. They allow us to role-play solutions and think creatively about the future.
  3. As climate change causes rapid changes, our thinking needs to adapt too. We should focus on making plans that acknowledge uncertainty instead of relying on old solutions.

The Fundamentals of Planning for Discontinuity.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  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.

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
  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.

Drowning in Disaster: The Rising Tide of Flash Floods

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Flash floods are becoming more frequent and deadly worldwide, causing large loss of life, displacement, and big economic damage.
  2. Climate change is a major driver because warmer air holds more moisture and changes rainfall patterns, and fires and land loss make runoff and flooding worse.
  3. Future projections show more intense short-duration rains and greater flood risk for people and ecosystems, so cutting greenhouse gas emissions is essential to lower that risk.

What Is a Sustainable Future on a Planet in Upheaval?

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 05 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. We are already headed toward massive and unprecedented climate, ecological, and societal upheavals. Preventing the worst warming is still vital, but it won't stop all the disruption.
  2. Societies must 'ruggedize' for discontinuity by building climate defenses, reworking supply chains, planning for population movements, restoring ecosystems, and shifting where and how people live. These resilience efforts need to be central to government, business, community, and personal decisions.
  3. Climate action today is primarily harm reduction and about preserving future options rather than restoring old continuity. The most sustainable goal is to pass forward the widest set of good possibilities to future generations.

We thought we had time.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 03 Feb 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. We’re in a new era of instability where climate disruption is amplified by economic, technological, geopolitical, and institutional upheavals, and the old planning tools from more stable times no longer work.
  2. Help from governments, markets, or activists is unlikely to arrive fast enough, so individuals need to take responsibility and design their own practical plans for navigating the chaos.
  3. A live, small-group Personal Climate Strategy Workshop can teach the systems patterns behind the chaos and help you turn that understanding into concrete, actionable decisions, with recorded sessions and ongoing alumni support.

The Trash Tides: The Past, Present, and Future of Plastic Pollution

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change
  1. Plastic from decades past still litters beaches and oceans because it can take centuries to break down. That means old waste keeps accumulating and resurfaces over time.
  2. There is an enormous amount of plastic in rivers, the sea, and on shorelines, creating microplastics, killing seabirds and marine mammals, and disrupting plankton and the carbon cycle. This pollution also adds greenhouse gas emissions and worsens climate impacts.
  3. To prevent far worse pollution and climate effects, we must cut plastic production and consumption and reduce the fossil fuels that power plastic manufacturing. Individual and policy actions to curb use are essential.

231 | What's in store for 2026? | Tariffs + food fraud risk + mitigations |

The Rotten Apple • 0 implied HN points • 23 Mar 26
🍲 Food & Drink Climate change
  1. Expect several new food-safety risks in 2026 including changing demand from GLP-1 drugs, novel and psychotropic ingredients, shifting allergen concerns, AI-driven product development, and climate-driven microbial and toxin threats like algal blooms and heat-linked Salmonella.
  2. New or increased tariffs raise food-fraud risk by creating price pressure, lengthening complex supply chains, and encouraging transhipment and origin-washing, so affected ingredients should be flagged as higher risk in vulnerability assessments.
  3. Fraud tactics are evolving — AI-made fake certificates, stolen-to-order schemes, packaging-artwork theft and e-commerce sales make counterfeits easier — so re-verify suppliers and documents, monitor trade routes and tariffs, and use targeted analytical testing to verify authenticity.