The hottest Climate change Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Climate & Environment Topics

Technically, that New York City flood was “mild”

HEATED • 1788 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sea Level Rise Extreme Weather
  1. New York City's recent flood, although catastrophic, was considered 'mild' by coastal flooding standards
  2. The flood was a combination of heavy rainfall causing flash floods and coastal flooding from high tides
  3. Climate change is making extreme floods in NYC more frequent, highlighting the urgent need for better infrastructure and climate adaptation plans

Big Oil's Renewable Retreat: A Step Back in Time

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Renewable Energy Climate change Corporate Responsibility Environmental Impact
  1. Big oil companies like BP, Shell, and Equinor are cutting back on their investments in renewable energy. This means they are spending less money on projects like wind farms.
  2. Shareholders are pressuring these companies because of losses in their renewable energy sectors. They are feeling the impact of high costs and project failures.
  3. This reduction in investment could slow down progress on fighting climate change, making it harder to meet global energy goals. Governments could help by offering incentives for these companies to keep investing in renewables.

taylor swift made fox news care about climate change

Airplane Mode with Liz Plank • 864 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Conservation Policy Media
  1. Fox News has acknowledged the reality of carbon emissions after reporting on Taylor Swift's private jet use.
  2. Private jets contribute significantly to carbon emissions, with celebrities like Swift producing much more than the average person.
  3. Progressives have proposed various solutions to address private jet emissions, but face resistance from conservatives.

The Eight Deadly Sins of Analyzing the Energy Transition

Renewable Revolution • 1618 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy transition Renewable Energy Climate change Sustainability Technology Innovation
  1. Technology change isn't straight and slow; it can grow rapidly in an S-curve pattern. This means innovations can spread faster than some people expect.
  2. We should focus on the new technologies coming into play instead of just looking at what we have now. What's happening in the present will give us a better idea of what's to come.
  3. Energy efficiency has a bigger impact than many realize. It's important to pay attention to how we can use less energy rather than just relying on new sources.
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💡 My Quick Q&A with … data scientist Hannah Ritchie on building a sustainable planet

Faster, Please! • 1919 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainability Technology Plastics Climate change Optimism
  1. The technologies needed for a sustainable planet are already available, they just need to be deployed at scale.
  2. Most of the crucial technologies like solar, wind, and batteries are already there, but some sectors still require more work.
  3. We are just at the beginning of deploying sustainable technologies, and there is room for significant progress in bending the curve down further.

Infinity Missions

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 164 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Philosophy Investment Space Exploration Climate change
  1. Infinity Missions focus on avoiding infinite downsides, like preventing existential threats, which often leads to massive government spending on projects like the Manhattan Project and climate change initiatives.
  2. Private companies are now pursuing Infinity Missions to chase infinite upsides, such as developing Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is seen as having vast potential rewards.
  3. These Infinity Missions change the usual rules of investment and resource allocation, allowing for long timelines, attracting top talent, and enabling funding for projects that may seem wasteful in traditional contexts.

World roundup: January 17 2024

Foreign Exchanges • 746 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global events Conflict Climate change Middle East History
  1. A new study reveals that Greenland has lost more ice than previously thought, making the remaining ice sheet more vulnerable to melting.
  2. The Jordanian government accuses the Israeli military of damaging field hospitals in Gaza, prompting concerns about ongoing attacks on medical facilities.
  3. Historical events from January 17 include the decisive Russian victory at the Battle of Sarikamish, the execution of Patrice Lumumba in 1961, and the start of Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

Sheet cake as ammunition

The Crucial Years • 1464 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Environmental justice Climate solutions
  1. In a polarized society, sometimes fighting in a different, more creative way can be effective.
  2. Using strategic and thoughtful tactics can make a difference in important fights like climate change.
  3. Being considerate of societal impacts and strategic in activism can lead to positive outcomes, even in difficult situations.

Alternative Facts

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1099 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Media influence Extreme Weather Environmental advocacy
  1. Disasters are influenced by human exposure and vulnerability, not just the intensity of extreme events, making cause-effect links challenging to establish.
  2. Climate advocates have historically tried to connect extreme weather events to climate change, leaning towards sensational narratives even when not fully supported by scientific consensus.
  3. Media outlets have become more fragmented, leading to tailored content that aligns with specific audience values, potentially influencing the reporting of climate change issues.

When Safety becomes Dangerous

Deep Dives and Articles by Gummi Bear • 1081 implied HN points • 03 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Authoritarianism Free speech Climate change
  1. An excessive focus on safety can lead to the erosion of individual liberty and the rise of authoritative tyranny.
  2. Safetyism breeds a culture of fear and intolerance, leading to censorship and suppression of free speech.
  3. Values are crucial in protecting us against our worst instincts, even when safety seems to be the only priority.

How the German energy transition has committed taxpayers to paying billions of Euros for the sun to shine

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 169 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Renewables Climate change Environmental Economics Sustainability
  1. Germany's energy transition has made taxpayers pay billions for solar energy, even when supply exceeds demand. This means people are paying producers for electricity that isn't really needed.
  2. The costs for solar feed-in tariffs are rising every year, and future projections expect them to reach even higher levels. This could lead to major budget issues for the government.
  3. New rules for solar subsidies aim to prevent overproduction from larger solar farms, but smaller operators remain a problem without a clear solution. Many small solar users may not benefit from these changes.

Following the science to the grave

¡Do Not Panic! • 1022 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Extreme Weather Environmental Impact Public Health Activism
  1. Extreme heat events are becoming more frequent around the world, a glimpse into the future of climate change.
  2. Countries heavily reliant on tourism and agriculture are facing economic turmoil due to extreme heat and climate change.
  3. The scientific community can be influenced by capitalist interests, leading to dangerous consequences like downplaying climate change risks.

ABC, CBS and NBC Evening News Reports on Canadian Wildfires Ignore Climate Change’s Role Entirely

The Column • 982 implied HN points • 07 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires Climate change Global Warming Environmental Impact
  1. ABC, CBS, and NBC evening news reports on Canadian wildfires ignored climate change's role
  2. The increased risk of wildfires due to climate change is well-documented
  3. Journalists should emphasize the connection between climate change and natural disasters in their reporting

Some data and thoughts on the complementarity between wind and solar

GEM Energy Analytics • 419 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Energy Policy Sustainability Geography Climate change
  1. The combination of wind and solar power works better in different places. For example, Germany benefits more from wind, while southern countries like Greece get more from solar energy because of their climate.
  2. Wind and solar energy do not produce electricity at the same rate all the time. There are many hours when either one is low, so we need good storage solutions like batteries to keep the lights on.
  3. Geographical differences matter a lot in how we can balance renewable energy. Countries with rivers can store energy easily, but places like Germany and France have a hard time sharing power because their wind and solar outputs are similar.

We Should All Be Twice as Rich: All of Us, Every Single One

Welcome to Absurdistan • 904 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics BRICS Climate change Economic Growth Marxism
  1. BRICS countries are setting an alternative to the U.S. dollar for world trade
  2. The de-growth agenda promoted by the West is rejected by countries like BRICS who prioritize growth and using resources for their people
  3. Environmental movements pushing for de-growth promote chaos, misery, and crime, leading to societal decline

Dingus of the week: Climate change

Men Yell at Me • 409 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Policy Natural Disasters Sustainability Public awareness
  1. Climate change is a big problem that we all contribute to. Our actions, like overconsumption and reliance on fossil fuels, play a part in causing extreme weather events.
  2. People often look for someone to blame during disasters like hurricanes. This can lead to the spread of conspiracy theories instead of acknowledging our collective responsibility.
  3. Despite the dire situation, there is still hope. We've solved environmental issues before and can work together to combat climate change if we focus on the facts and solutions.

Rhapsody in Ruin: Climate Change's Devastating Impacts on Animal Habitats

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Biodiversity Conservation Environmental Impact
  1. Frog habitats are drying up due to climate change, with many facing drought conditions that could make them unlivable by the end of the century.
  2. Elephants are struggling with rising temperatures and food shortages, forcing them to travel far for water and forage, which can lead to conflicts with humans.
  3. Koala populations are declining as their habitats experience extreme heat and bushfires, putting them at risk of losing large areas of their home by 2070.

On Greenland's Ice Loss and Making the Planet Great Again

The Planet • 452 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Global Risks Environmental Science
  1. Greenland's ice loss is 20% higher than previously estimated, with one trillion metric tons of ice lost since 1992.
  2. Melting ice sheets in Greenland can affect global ocean currents like the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation.
  3. Defamation lawsuits against climate skeptics are important to protect scientists and ensure factual climate change discussions.

A few seconds of video

The Crucial Years • 1574 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Natural Disasters Environmental Policy Biodiversity Conservation
  1. The video illustrates the impact of climate change through unprecedented floods in Greece.
  2. The urgency to take action against climate change is emphasized, as we witness extreme weather events becoming more common.
  3. Global efforts to meet climate targets, such as the Paris Agreement, are falling short and require more substantial commitments.

The Narrative Rules

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1511 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🔬 Science Climate change
  1. When framing research findings, consider how to emphasize certain conclusions over others for press releases.
  2. Acknowledge and address the gap between climate change headlines and climate reality.
  3. Be mindful of how narrative rules can shape the presentation of research to increase publication chances in high-profile journals.

Yes, Biden broke a promise. And it's okay.

The Land Desk • 432 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Energy Climate change Environmental Policy
  1. Biden has made some questionable decisions regarding public lands and energy, but he has also protected certain lands from fossil fuel energy development.
  2. Biden did not fulfill his promise to end oil and gas drilling on public lands, but he has taken significant actions to protect certain federal lands and reduce emissions.
  3. Judging politicians solely on promises kept or broken may not be productive; evaluating their policies and actions is more important.

Why Global Warming Has Accelerated: Hansen's Lay Explanation

God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger • 100 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Global Warming Climate Science Environmental Policy Sustainability Climate change
  1. Cleaning up air pollution from shipping is leading to more warming because fewer clouds are blocking sunlight. It’s like removing a blanket that kept our planet cooler.
  2. Recent findings suggest that the climate is more sensitive to CO2 than previously thought, meaning small increases in CO2 could lead to bigger temperature rises.
  3. If warming continues, it could disrupt ocean currents, leading to severe weather changes and rising sea levels as ice melts. This could change the climate in places like Europe drastically.

Whether the Storm

Field Guide to the Anthropocene • 393 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Conservation Environmental justice Biodiversity Sustainability
  1. In the Anthropocene era, humans must protect and restore the Earth given our excessive impact on its ecosystems.
  2. We need to become rational and compassionate managers of the planet to address climate change and ecological disruptions.
  3. Storms, while disruptive and dangerous, also serve as a reminder of our place in nature and the need to prepare for managing the impacts of extreme weather.

Brace for impact: The case for Category 6 hurricanes

The Climate Brink • 353 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Hurricanes Climate change Weather Forecasting
  1. A new study suggests the need for a Category 6 hurricane classification due to intensified storms from global warming.
  2. Hurricane intensity is not solely about wind speed, as factors like storm surge and rainfall play a significant role in damage.
  3. Adding a Category 6 could provide better information for emergency planning, but some argue the current scale already covers the impact.

Good trouble on the Bad River

The Crucial Years • 757 implied HN points • 13 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Renewable Energy Environmental Activism Carbon Emissions Natural resources
  1. The documentary 'Bad River' tells the story of an indigenous community fighting an oil company, highlighting the universal struggle for land rights and environmental protection.
  2. The legal and political battle between the Bad River band and Enbridge over Line 5 demonstrates the importance of building broad coalitions to address both environmental and climate crises.
  3. The documentary emphasizes the need for alliances and friendships to form to create successful movements, showcasing the power of collaboration in environmental activism.