The hottest Climate change Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics
The Crucial Years β€’ 2959 implied HN points β€’ 08 Jun 25
  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.
Persuasion β€’ 2240 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
  1. Germany's energy policies are leading to a decrease in electricity generation, impacting the economy and potentially fueling support for the far right.
  2. The transition to renewable energy sources like wind and solar in Germany has not kept up with energy demand, causing reliance on fossil fuels.
  3. The shift away from nuclear power in Germany has resulted in challenges balancing the energy grid and economic consequences, contributing to dissatisfaction and political shifts.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 1727 implied HN points β€’ 11 Aug 25
  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.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 2208 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 25
  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.
OK Doomer β€’ 2301 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jun 25
  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.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Uncharted Territories β€’ 3930 implied HN points β€’ 09 May 23
  1. Seaflooding can help mitigate the impact of rising sea levels while creating new habitats and boosting the economy.
  2. Flooded areas can lead to the growth of vibrant ecosystems, capturing carbon and attracting wildlife.
  3. Potential locations for seaflooding include the Dead Sea and the Sahara desert, with benefits such as lowering ocean levels and increasing economic activity.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 1737 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jul 25
  1. The proposed change to the EPA's endangerment finding will focus more on legal issues rather than the science behind climate change. It’s unlikely to challenge whether greenhouse gases are harmful or not.
  2. The definition of 'air pollution' in the Clean Air Act is broad and doesn't easily allow for reinterpretation. Both past administrations have recognized greenhouse gases as pollutants, which complicates any efforts to change that.
  3. To create stable environmental policy, Congress needs to address greenhouse gas regulations directly. This could help avoid the back-and-forth changes between different administrations.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss β€’ 1488 implied HN points β€’ 16 Aug 25
  1. Yosemite National Park is facing serious issues like overflowing trash and poor food quality due to budget cuts. It's not getting the care it needs to stay beautiful and safe.
  2. Conservation efforts in the park have stalled, meaning important projects to protect the environment aren't happening as they should be.
  3. Visitors are experiencing long waits to enter the park, and while they can enjoy its beauty, they also see signs of neglect around them.
Why is this interesting? β€’ 1568 implied HN points β€’ 31 Jul 25
  1. Palau, a small island nation, recently rejected a U.S. request to take in asylum seekers. This bold move highlights their struggle between maintaining sovereignty and relying on the U.S. for support.
  2. The rejection is significant because it raises concerns about what further demands the U.S. might make in the future. Palau wants to avoid setting a precedent that could lead to more pressure on their limited resources.
  3. Palau's decision comes at a crucial time, as it directly impacts funding for their environmental and conservation efforts. By standing firm, they send a strong message about their priorities and independence.
Doomberg β€’ 6757 implied HN points β€’ 16 Oct 24
  1. Predictions for the hurricane season this year were very alarming, with many experts expecting a lot of severe storms. But as the season progressed, there were fewer storms than anticipated.
  2. When hurricanes did occur, some were extremely powerful, but overall, the lack of activity puzzled scientists and led to discussions about climate change's role in future storm patterns.
  3. Trust in scientists and experts has declined, as many people feel unsure about their predictions and analyses, highlighting a disconnect between scientific findings and public perception.
Noahpinion β€’ 12941 implied HN points β€’ 05 Mar 24
  1. American environmentalism began as conservationism, aiming to protect natural habitats from industrial encroachment.
  2. Modern environmental challenges require building new things like solar panels and dense cities with high-quality infrastructure.
  3. There is a fundamental disagreement within the U.S. environmental movement between those who envision reshaping human development for nature's harmony and those who want to maintain the status quo.
Sustainability by numbers β€’ 563 implied HN points β€’ 13 Nov 25
  1. Fossil CO2 emissions went up by about 1% this year. This increase is concerning because we really need those numbers to start going down.
  2. On a positive note, emissions from land use changed and decreased, which helps balance out the rise in fossil emissions. Factors like lower deforestation rates have contributed to this decline.
  3. Despite some positive trends, it's clear we are not on track to meet the 1.5Β°C climate goal. We need much faster reductions in emissions to limit global warming effectively.
The Crucial Years β€’ 4882 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jan 25
  1. Climate change is making wildfires worse due to extreme heat and drought in places like Los Angeles. This is causing devastation to homes and communities.
  2. Scientific advancements, like those from Edwin Hubble, help us understand our universe and climate, but there are fears that funding for vital climate research is being threatened.
  3. There's a growing concern about losing our ability to think critically about important issues. As we face bigger problems, understanding and intelligence seem to be declining.
Chartbook β€’ 443 implied HN points β€’ 18 Nov 25
  1. China's carbon dioxide emissions might be leveling off, which could be a significant step towards fighting climate change.
  2. Arizona is becoming a new hub for chip manufacturing, showing a shift in technology production in the U.S.
  3. Water conflicts in Asia are becoming more serious, reflecting growing tensions over resources and living conditions.
Irina Slav on energy β€’ 1729 implied HN points β€’ 26 Jan 24
  1. The European Union needs to act fast on climate policy to avoid a right-wing shift in upcoming elections.
  2. People in Europe are starting to question the promises and impacts of the energy transition.
  3. The current EU leadership's approach to the energy transition is facing growing resistance, especially due to its impact on cost of living and quality of life.
The Crucial Years β€’ 3976 implied HN points β€’ 19 Jan 25
  1. The climate crisis is worsening, with record-high carbon dioxide levels reported. It's a serious issue that we need to pay attention to because it affects our planet and future.
  2. Power is being prioritized over justice in today's political climate. This shift can lead to misinformation and further environmental harm, especially regarding the ongoing climate crisis.
  3. Clean energy solutions like solar and wind are ready to help us combat climate change. We need to focus on these technologies to build a sustainable future.
Sustainability by numbers β€’ 439 implied HN points β€’ 17 Nov 25
  1. The IEA's Current Policies Scenario is not a prediction of future events, but a 'what if' model based on existing policies. This means it shouldn't be taken as a definite forecast.
  2. Electric vehicle sales are expected to increase mainly in Europe and China, while the rest of the world might see stagnant growth due to lack of supportive policies and charging infrastructure.
  3. Solar energy deployment is expected to stall at 2024 levels for a long time, but this assumption might be overly conservative given that past projections have often underestimated actual growth.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 1943 implied HN points β€’ 30 May 25
  1. So far in 2025, there haven't been any hurricanes in the Northern Hemisphere, which could set a new record for the latest first hurricane. This shows there's a significant lack of storm activity this year.
  2. It's important to focus on data when discussing hurricane activity rather than just opinions. Data can give us a clearer picture of changes in hurricane behavior and climate science.
  3. The NOAA suggests that we shouldn't rush to say human-caused climate change has changed hurricane activity a lot. There's still a lot we don't know about how these storms are behaving.
The Crucial Years β€’ 3677 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jan 25
  1. The new Chinese AI program DeepSeek uses only a small fraction of the electricity needed by similar American AI systems. This could challenge the fossil fuel industry's excuse for building more power plants based on increased energy demands from AI.
  2. Fossil fuel stocks have not been performing well in comparison to the broader market for several years, raising concerns about the industry's future in a world moving towards decarbonization.
  3. In Europe, solar energy has recently outperformed coal for the first time, marking a significant shift towards renewable energy sources in the region.
The Crucial Years β€’ 3388 implied HN points β€’ 13 Feb 25
  1. Countries like Taiwan, India, and Japan are increasing their purchases of American liquefied natural gas to avoid tariffs from the Trump administration. This move illustrates how global energy politics are heavily influenced by economic pressures.
  2. The push for liquefied natural gas exports has potential negative effects on American consumers, as it can lead to higher natural gas prices. Increased exports can make energy more expensive for households relying on natural gas.
  3. Despite the focus on fossil fuels, there is a growing movement towards renewable energy. It's important to promote clean energy solutions as a way to combat climate change and lower energy costs for everyone.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 2973 implied HN points β€’ 27 Jan 25
  1. In 2024, there were a lot of major hurricanes, tying with 2015 for the highest since records began, which raises questions about climate patterns.
  2. Despite the increase in hurricane landfalls, there hasn't been a clear trend showing that hurricanes are becoming more intense or frequent over time.
  3. Experts believe that while human activity may influence hurricanes, detecting these changes amidst natural variability is very challenging.
Irina Slav on energy β€’ 1198 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
  1. Some European countries have lowered the voting age to 16 for MEP elections.
  2. Teens are easily influenced and tend to passionately engage with issues like climate change.
  3. Lowering the voting age can have unexpected consequences and may not always result in the expected outcomes.
The Liberal Patriot β€’ 1316 implied HN points β€’ 07 Jan 24
  1. Climate discussions often mention limiting global warming to avoid the worst impacts, but there's no scientific consensus on specific limits.
  2. Focusing on the 1.5Β°C threshold as crucial is arbitrary, without solid scientific basis.
  3. Considering the costs of limiting warming is essential as it involves trade-offs and impacts on human well-being.
Gordian Knot News β€’ 271 implied HN points β€’ 29 Nov 25
  1. Extreme poverty has stagnated globally, with many people still living on less than $3 a day. This is a big concern as it prevents true progress in society.
  2. CO2 emissions are still rising, even with heavy investment in renewable energy sources like wind and solar, which has not significantly reduced greenhouse gases.
  3. Nuclear energy has great potential to solve energy poverty efficiently but is often rejected due to safety concerns. Countries with less existing nuclear infrastructure might benefit from starting fresh.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 3258 implied HN points β€’ 11 Dec 24
  1. The IPCC's main job is to provide clear and neutral scientific assessments about climate change, not to promote specific policies or technologies.
  2. Recently, the IPCC has started to lean more towards climate advocacy, which could hurt its credibility and the trust it has with policymakers and the public.
  3. To stay credible, the IPCC needs to focus on its original mission of assessing climate science accurately and include a variety of views instead of pushing for specific actions.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 3012 implied HN points β€’ 30 Dec 24
  1. Many claims about hurricanes becoming stronger due to climate change are inflated. For example, a recent study suggested a storm was 40% more likely, but a closer look shows it was actually a small increase from 7.2% to 10%.
  2. Some scientific methods assume that every storm is affected by climate change without considering other factors. This oversimplification can lead to misleading results, like claiming a storm was 7,000% more likely when it’s really about understanding many influencing factors.
  3. Recent research indicates that in some areas, tropical cyclones are not actually becoming more destructive and may even be decreasing in intensity. This contradicts the narrative that climate change always leads to worse storms.
HEATED β€’ 2122 implied HN points β€’ 07 Apr 23
  1. Elon Musk has blocked Twitter users from interacting with Substack posts, impacting independent climate publications like HEATED.
  2. This policy makes it difficult for climate writers to share their work on Twitter, a key platform for climate-focused content.
  3. Musk's actions highlight the challenges faced by independent writers and underscore the importance of alternative growth strategies for publications like HEATED.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss β€’ 788 implied HN points β€’ 20 Aug 25
  1. America needs more reliable energy sources like nuclear power. The current energy grid is weak and cannot keep up with demands.
  2. The U.S. relies on Russia for uranium used in nuclear plants, but this will change with upcoming import bans. There are new private efforts to enrich uranium domestically.
  3. Nuclear energy is gaining attention as a clean option and can help alleviate fears of energy shortages, especially among younger generations concerned about climate change.
HEATED β€’ 2004 implied HN points β€’ 09 Oct 23
  1. Billionaires are not necessarily the smartest, but they excel at using the capitalist system for their benefit.
  2. The climate solutions proposed by billionaires often aim to preserve the status quo that keeps them in power.
  3. Indigenous activists advocate for reciprocal climate solutions that benefit both humans and the environment.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 2718 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 25
  1. In 2024, global weather-related disaster losses reached $298 billion, with a significant portion occurring in the U.S., mainly due to hurricanes. This shows that while climate change impacts us, other factors like economic growth also play a big role.
  2. Today, disaster losses as a percentage of global GDP are less than they were 30 years ago. This suggests that despite increasing losses in dollars, extreme weather is not as devastating to the economy as it used to be.
  3. The rising insured losses are largely driven by construction in risky areas and inflation, rather than just climate change. It's important to consider these factors when looking at why disaster losses are increasing.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 2345 implied HN points β€’ 12 Feb 25
  1. North America is experiencing a significant 'fire deficit', meaning that the amount of land burning now is much lower than in the past. Even with recent fire years, the area burned is still far less than historical averages.
  2. The study suggests that aggressive fire suppression and land changes caused by human activities are major reasons for this fire deficit. This has led to more severe fires when they do occur because there is more fuel buildup in the forests.
  3. To manage future fires better, the study recommends increasing prescribed burning and using fire as a natural part of forest ecosystems. This approach could help reduce the severity of wildfires and improve the health of the forests.
The Honest Broker Newsletter β€’ 2424 implied HN points β€’ 17 Jan 25
  1. Climate science can seem confusing and contradictory, leading to what people call 'climate science whiplash.' Different studies can say opposite things, making it hard to know what to believe.
  2. When extreme weather happens, people easily find studies that support their views, often ignoring the bigger picture. This selective use of science is like picking only the pieces of a puzzle that fit into your view.
  3. It's important to trust rigorous assessments from credible sources like the IPCC. They provide a clearer picture of climate change effects, helping us understand what we should really worry about.