The hottest Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics
Rushkoff 59 implied HN points 02 Nov 24
  1. Sometimes healing takes time, and doing nothing can be the best way to let systems fix themselves. It's okay to pause and wait for change.
  2. Allowing ourselves to feel fear or sadness can help us transform those feelings into something positive. It's important to process our emotions instead of ignoring them.
  3. Voting is a basic tool to influence change, even if the candidates aren't perfect. It's better to choose someone who cares about important issues like nature and human rights.
Popular Rationalism 673 implied HN points 27 Oct 24
  1. We need to focus more on basic research because it leads to major medical and technology breakthroughs. Investing in understanding our foundations can help us tackle serious health and environmental issues.
  2. Scientists, medical researchers, and environmental experts must work together to solve health problems. Our health is connected to the environment, so it's important to study how pollution and chemicals impact our bodies.
  3. Technology like machine learning can change healthcare for the better. By using these tools wisely, we can identify disease causes more accurately and provide better treatments while keeping ethics in mind.
Life Since the Baby Boom 1152 implied HN points 10 Nov 24
  1. Henry Ford tried to create a city called Fordlandia in the Amazon rainforest to produce rubber. He faced many challenges because the environment was very different from what he knew.
  2. The project suffered from poor living conditions, high worker turnover, and management problems, leading to riots and disease among workers. It was hard to get people to stay and work.
  3. Ultimately, the project failed to produce rubber as intended and Ford lost a lot of money. It shows how difficult it is to impose a new way of life in an unfamiliar place.
Chartbook 414 implied HN points 04 Nov 24
  1. There's a growing trend called 'peak beef', which suggests that the demand for beef is reaching its highest point.
  2. Rocket motors are becoming more sought after, indicating an increase in interest for space or military technology.
  3. New Delhi is dealing with serious smog issues, while there's also a conversation about ethical crystals that might be more environmentally friendly.
Everything Is Amazing 610 implied HN points 12 Nov 24
  1. Some recent science suggests that it's possible for people to see the world in a unique way, similar to characters like Daredevil. It hints at untapped human abilities that we might not even know we have.
  2. There is a fascinating tree in Utah called Pando, which is actually one single tree made up of many clones. It's estimated to be between 16,000 and 80,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living organisms on Earth.
  3. It's important to focus on positive stories and support the art and media that inspire us. Finding and sharing things we love can help create a better world.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:
Faster, Please! 822 implied HN points 09 Nov 24
  1. Immigrants have helped revive industries in areas like Dalton, Georgia. This shows how immigration can boost local economies and create job opportunities.
  2. New gene-editing technologies like CRISPR are making crops and livestock better at surviving climate change. This could help ensure our food supply stays strong despite changing weather.
  3. Robots in nursing homes are improving care quality and staff retention. They take over routine tasks, allowing human workers to focus more on giving personal care.
Odds and Ends of History 402 implied HN points 13 Nov 24
  1. There's a big extension happening for the Elizabeth Line, which is good news for public transport in the area.
  2. Some planning laws are causing headaches between government bodies, which shows how complicated regulations can be.
  3. A new bat tunnel that cost £100 million exists, and it raises questions about how resources are used in environmental projects.
Welcome to Garbagetown 575 implied HN points 07 Oct 24
  1. Learning something new can spark excitement and a desire to share that knowledge with others. It's fun to dive into unexpected topics that capture our interest.
  2. Exploring the intersection of science and storytelling can reveal the beauty and power of both. Stories can make complex scientific ideas more relatable and engaging.
  3. Taking a break from politics and focusing on other subjects can be refreshing. There's a vast world of knowledge and wonder beyond political discussions.
Vittles 159 implied HN points 11 Nov 24
  1. Lebanon's wineries are facing tough times due to conflict and destruction. Many winemakers are shifting their focus from producing wine to supporting their communities.
  2. The connection to the land is really important for these winemakers. They feel a strong pride in their heritage and want to preserve their agricultural traditions amidst the chaos.
  3. Support from abroad is crucial for the survival of Lebanon's wine industry. Winemakers need strong export partnerships to keep their businesses alive as local markets struggle.
Faster, Please! 913 implied HN points 16 Oct 24
  1. Nuclear energy has remained a stable part of America's energy mix for decades, but the vision of it being the main power source faded after the 1970s. People once imagined a future where almost everything was powered by nuclear energy.
  2. Amazon is investing in new nuclear technology called small modular reactors. This move is aimed at meeting its growing energy needs, especially for its cloud services and to support its goal of being carbon neutral.
  3. The revival of nuclear energy could mean a shift in the way we think about power sources. Companies like Amazon are taking steps to explore innovative solutions to energy challenges.
antoniomelonio 119 implied HN points 16 Nov 24
  1. Declining birth rates might seem scary, but they can actually be a good thing. Fewer people could mean more space for nature and better quality of life.
  2. Overpopulation adds stress to our resources, but overconsumption is also a big problem. We have to find a balance and reduce our ecological impact.
  3. Instead of worrying about needing more people, we should focus on improving life for the people already here. Making life better for everyone can lead to a happier, healthier society.
Faster, Please! 456 implied HN points 22 Oct 24
  1. Nuclear power is being considered more seriously because it can produce a lot of clean energy, which is important in addressing climate change.
  2. The need for energy security has increased, especially after events like the Russian invasion of Ukraine, making nuclear power a valuable option.
  3. Small modular reactors (SMRs) may solve key issues like high costs and slow construction times in the nuclear industry, potentially leading to a significant upgrade in energy capacity.
The Infinitesimal 359 implied HN points 21 Aug 24
  1. Gene-environment interactions (GxE) are common but hard to identify in humans. They show how genetic traits can change in different environments, affecting how we understand traits like obesity or education.
  2. There are different models to explain how genes and environments work together. Some models show that environments can amplify or change the effects of multiple genetic variants on traits.
  3. Research has found that environmental factors, like socioeconomic status or education quality, can significantly influence how genetic variations are expressed, meaning genetics alone doesn't tell the whole story about traits.
Noahpinion 26118 implied HN points 14 May 23
  1. Electric vehicles are rapidly becoming more popular worldwide, supported by improved technology and falling battery prices.
  2. There are concerns about the availability of minerals for EV production, but advancements in mining technology and growing lithium reserves offer hope.
  3. EVs have environmental benefits compared to gas cars, including reducing carbon emissions and offering more efficient energy use.
2nd Smartest Guy in the World 3970 implied HN points 30 Jan 24
  1. Bill introduced in New Hampshire to prevent deliberate geoengineering activities like cloud seeding and stratospheric aerosol injection.
  2. Weather modification history includes declassified projects like 'Project Popeye' during the Vietnam War.
  3. There have been a large number of weather modification-related patents issued since the ban on military use in 1978.
Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind 599 implied HN points 11 Jul 24
  1. Aging can be appreciated by looking at both people and nature. For example, the author's mom turned 90, which is an incredible milestone.
  2. Many local marine animals, like rockfish and orcas, have long lifespans and play important roles in their ecosystems. Their age brings wisdom and stability to their communities.
  3. Trees and geological formations in the region can be thousands, even millions of years old, showing us that age contributes to resilience and strength in nature.
Transhuman Axiology 178 implied HN points 11 Sep 24
  1. Icesteading is the idea of creating colonies on artificially insulated icebergs in warm ocean waters. These 'ice-islands' could serve as places for living, working, or even launching space missions.
  2. The insulation around these icebergs can make them last for decades or even centuries before melting. This involves using materials like air or foam to keep the ice from warming up too fast.
  3. Building on these ice-islands avoids the legal and political issues on land. They offer more freedom and the chance to create underground spaces, making them a unique alternative to traditional islands.
Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter 4333 implied HN points 21 Nov 23
  1. Exploring historical ruins can reveal hard truths about the past, such as the impact of colonialism and environmental degradation.
  2. Visiting sites like Fort Belle Fontaine can provoke reflection on the decay of the American Dream and the realities of history.
  3. Nature reclaims abandoned spaces with thorns and vines, serving as a reminder of the destruction caused by human actions.
Construction Physics 10856 implied HN points 23 Feb 23
  1. Steel production has evolved over 800 years, with blast furnaces being a crucial part of the process.
  2. The blast furnace technology has seen gradual improvements by engineers and craftsmen over centuries.
  3. As advancements like hot blast and mechanization have been made, the blast furnace's role is changing in modern steelmaking.
Disaffected Newsletter 1338 implied HN points 11 Mar 24
  1. Machines are now designed to control how we use them, rather than serve our needs. This means we often have to jump through hoops to get them to work the way we want.
  2. Many modern designs prioritize environmental concerns over user convenience. For example, appliances automatically default to settings that may not be the most efficient for what we actually want.
  3. This shift in design reflects a broader issue where consumer products must comply with government mandates and societal goals rather than being created based on what people truly want.
Creative Destruction 34 implied HN points 30 Oct 24
  1. Accountability sinks make it hard to hold people responsible for their decisions. This can lead to a loss of trust in organizations and institutions.
  2. Kama muta is a feeling of being moved by love, which often happens at significant life events. This feeling can strengthen our relationships and motivate us to be kinder.
  3. Productive inefficiency means getting things done without feeling rushed. Slowing down can actually help improve our overall well-being and relationships.
Off to Lunch 1356 implied HN points 19 Jan 24
  1. Tata Steel is cutting 2,800 jobs in the UK by closing two blast furnaces to shift to electric arc furnaces.
  2. The job cuts are part of a plan to reduce carbon emissions and transform the Port Talbot facility into a center for green steelmaking.
  3. The UK faces a significant drop in retail sales, potentially signaling a risk of falling into a recession.
Striking 13 2176 implied HN points 04 Oct 23
  1. HS2 project cancellation in the UK is criticized for hindering progress and development, especially in terms of infrastructure, economy, and environmental impact
  2. HS2 aimed to address capacity issues in the existing rail system, improve connectivity, and contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions from travel
  3. The decision to cancel HS2 is seen as short-sighted, as it not only fails to save money but also overlooks the long-term benefits and potential financial gains of the project
Irina Slav on energy 1002 implied HN points 24 Jan 24
  1. Copper prices are forecasted to jump by 75% in 2025 due to energy transition and decline in the U.S. dollar.
  2. There are concerns about copper shortages, but traders often don't consider long-term impacts when trading commodities.
  3. Mining companies are facing challenges from resource nationalism and must find ways to mine sustainably to support the global transition to clean energy.
Break Free with Karen Hunt 1454 implied HN points 03 May 23
  1. Masks are made of toxic nanoplastics and were mandated by Dr. Fauci, potentially causing harm to individuals.
  2. Plastics are synthetic and not naturally balanced like David Latimer's terrarium, leading to environmental and health hazards.
  3. Fauci and other health leaders are accused of distorting reality and normalizing untruths, emphasizing the need for independent thinking and scrutiny.
¡Do Not Panic! 1434 implied HN points 28 Mar 23
  1. People socially construct their reality, which can clash with natural brute facts.
  2. Post-truthism has become mainstream, with various political groups denying natural realities like the ongoing pandemic.
  3. Society's focus on individuality and consumerism creates a culture in denial, ignoring the collision course with natural realities like climate change.
Systematic Hatreds 746 implied HN points 22 Jan 24
  1. The term "mature content" in movies often glamorizes adulthood but really means responsibility like taxes and laundry.
  2. Contemporary U.S. pickup trucks like the KidCrusher 350s are criticized for being oversized and causing safety concerns, especially for children.
  3. Owning and driving large trucks like the KidCrushers reflects a toxic mix of legal freedom and appealing power that may not match practicality or safety.