The hottest Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics
Numlock News β€’ 569 implied HN points β€’ 02 Nov 23
  1. Downtown business districts in smaller cities may face significant financial impact from drops in office space rent compared to larger cities.
  2. China's panda bear diplomatic program involves significant costs for zoos worldwide but may not always be financially lucrative for the hosting facilities.
  3. The World Series experienced record low ratings, attributed in part to regional issues and the matchup between Dallas and Phoenix.
Pinch of Dirt β€’ 235 implied HN points β€’ 13 Jan 24
  1. Imagining jogging in serene environments like the Great North Woods can provide a peaceful escape from city life.
  2. Awareness is growing about the environmental impact of chemicals like PFAS, leading outdoor companies to phase them out.
  3. Controversies arise over moon lander payloads with human remains, prompting discussions on ethics and space pollution.
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Not Boring by Packy McCormick β€’ 229 implied HN points β€’ 12 Jan 24
  1. Figure demonstrated a robot learning to make coffee based on observing humans, showcasing a general purpose AI approach.
  2. Rabbit introduced an AI model that translates human directives into actions without traditional app interfaces, paired with affordable hardware.
  3. US saw a decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 despite economic growth, emphasizing the need for continued emissions reduction efforts.
The Commonplace β€’ 1120 implied HN points β€’ 10 Jul 23
  1. Take time to observe the beauty around you, like birdsongs and nature, instead of being consumed by technology.
  2. There is enchantment in the everyday environment if we open ourselves to see and hear it.
  3. Utilize technology, like bird identification apps, to learn more about the world around you and the beauty of nature.
Break Free with Karen Hunt β€’ 1454 implied HN points β€’ 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.
Β‘Do Not Panic! β€’ 1434 implied HN points β€’ 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.
The Free Mind β€’ 1257 implied HN points β€’ 29 May 23
  1. The Church of England has a focus on 'Net Zero', which may be worrisome due to associations with past movements that led to destruction.
  2. Individuality and self-individuation are crucial in resisting mass movements, as emphasized by Carl Jung.
  3. Religion can offer meaning, purpose, and social stability, but caution is needed when religious zealotry shifts towards extreme ideals such as 'Net Zero'.
Numlock News β€’ 550 implied HN points β€’ 26 Sep 23
  1. India is withdrawing 2,000-rupee banknotes by the end of September, affecting billions of rupees worth of currency.
  2. A dataset called Books3 contains copyrighted works used to train AI systems, leading to lawsuits from writers.
  3. Oil and gas operators have used 1.5 trillion gallons of water since 2011 for well drilling, with concerns about water shortages in fracking regions.
Everything Is Amazing β€’ 928 implied HN points β€’ 20 Jun 23
  1. The Earth has fascinating and dangerous underwater sinkholes, like the Great Blue Hole and the Yongle Blue Hole.
  2. Exploring the geological impact on our lives can reveal intriguing connections to our world's history and future.
  3. Scientists finding deep-sea features like the Taam ja' Blue Hole may provide insights into life on other planets.
Odds and Ends of History β€’ 1072 implied HN points β€’ 17 Apr 23
  1. E-scooters can help reduce car usage and congestion in cities due to their compact design and ability to take up less space.
  2. Legalizing e-scooters can lead to positive downstream consequences, such as reducing car dependence, reshaping urban geography, and creating a more sustainable environment.
  3. Regulating e-scooters through legalization can improve safety standards, encourage responsible riding behavior, and prompt the development of infrastructure to accommodate different modes of transportation.
Cybernetic Forests β€’ 179 implied HN points β€’ 17 Dec 23
  1. Advancements in AI may not always lead to true improvement or problem-solving, as new technologies continue to replace previous ones without learning from past failures.
  2. There is evidence that AI may be making things worse, even in areas it is meant to excel in, such as ethics and safety, leading to a loss of expertise and rush to incorporate generative AI algorithms.
  3. AI models can have significant environmental impacts, using vast amounts of energy and water, highlighting the importance of developing more sustainable computational infrastructure and greener algorithms.
Hardcore Software β€’ 393 implied HN points β€’ 14 Sep 23
  1. Apple's efforts to fight climate change go beyond the criticized video and involve significant, strategic initiatives.
  2. Apple's vertical integration approach to packaging optimizes materials, reduces waste, and enhances profitability.
  3. Apple's focus on sustainability extends to materials used in products, manufacturing processes, and transit efficiency, all contributing to environmental and financial benefits.
Molecular Spectacular β€’ 55 HN points β€’ 14 Feb 24
  1. Nanoplastics are smaller than microplastics and more dangerous to human health as they can cross biological barriers and carry toxic materials.
  2. Recent research has discovered large quantities of nanoplastics in bottled drinking water, with detection remaining a challenge for real-world applications.
  3. The composition of nanoplastics found in bottled water is surprising, with some potentially originating from water processing or sources, indicating a wider issue beyond just bottled water.
God's Spies by Thomas Neuburger β€’ 25 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
  1. Julius Caesar's death shows the delicate balance between democracy and dictatorship in leadership roles.
  2. A significant percentage of US parents are financially supporting their adult children, with variations in support based on generational groups.
  3. Climate Reanalyzer is a useful site for climate data and graphics, highlighting concerning trends like continuous record-breaking high ocean temperatures.
DrV’s Newsletter, Notes, Essays, Articles, Videos, and Book Chapters β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 24 Jan 24
  1. Behaviors such as subsistence fishing and farming might be criminalized as ecocide, leading to severe penalties for a large part of the population.
  2. Eating for survival could be considered as a crime against the environment, labeled as ecocide.
  3. There is an agenda to guilt and make individuals pay for simple everyday actions like drinking coffee, hinting at a larger scheme from previous years.
Body of Work: Belle de Jour β€’ 353 implied HN points β€’ 03 Sep 23
  1. Jimmy Buffett's music and image resonate with a specific audience, offering a carefree escape.
  2. Living off-grid highlights the challenges of self-sufficiency and the importance of community.
  3. Burning Man and similar events may showcase ideals of self-reliance, but in reality, they can highlight societal disparities and the necessity of infrastructure and support systems.
The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 01 Jul 23
  1. When poor people occupy land without paying, it's called squatting. When the rich do it, it's labeled as parking.
  2. The growth of cars and road infrastructure in cities like Mumbai mirrors past mistakes made in the West.
  3. Car ownership, particularly in developing countries, poses environmental and economic challenges that need addressing.
Krystal Kyle & Friends β€’ 648 implied HN points β€’ 29 Mar 23
  1. Liberal Supreme Court justices rejected Steven Donziger's appeal related to a case against Chevron.
  2. Conservative justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh dissented explaining that the district court overstepped their authority.
  3. A discussion will be held with Steven Donziger to explore the injustice as perceived by the liberal justices.
Fight to Repair β€’ 118 implied HN points β€’ 15 Dec 23
  1. The National Association of Manufacturers released a report against the right to repair but it recycled industry talking points and presented weak arguments.
  2. The report falsely claims that right to repair harms the environment, but in reality, creating and shipping replacement parts are more environmentally friendly than replacing entire devices.
  3. Different state right to repair laws can be burdensome, but they are a step towards a federal law that grants repair rights to all Americans, while still allowing for state-level legislation.
Surfing the Future β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 30 Jan 24
  1. EU Systems Transformation Hub launched to find systemic solutions for systemic crises in Europe.
  2. The Hub involves five organizations like Metabolic, EIT Climate-KIC, and the Club of Rome, with an open invite for more to join.
  3. The Hub focuses on mapping EU progress on Sustainable Development Goals, crafting progressive narratives for policymakers, and consulting with stakeholders.
Unbound β€’ 600 implied HN points β€’ 19 Feb 23
  1. Accidents like the train derailment in Ohio can have long-lasting and terrible effects on communities.
  2. There is a growing sense of uneasiness and concern over industrial mishaps, shortages of goods, and global tensions.
  3. The media focus on perceptions and ideas rather than on reporting on actual events, leading to a loss of trust in institutions.
Everything is Light β€’ 491 implied HN points β€’ 16 Feb 23
  1. Most alternatives to nuclear energy are much worse in terms of risks and consequences.
  2. Nuclear meltdowns are rare and often poorly understood, leading to unnecessary fear.
  3. Compared to other energy sources like coal and oil, nuclear energy is safer and causes less harm to the environment and human health.