The hottest Environment Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top World Politics Topics

⚛☢ Here's what can end the nuclear renaissance, according to America's biggest bank

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 22 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Energy Nuclear AI Environment Security
  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.

Inside Job: Secret Histories in the National Museum

Asimov Press • 186 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🔬 Science Biology History Research Environment Military
  1. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History holds millions of specimens, including a secret history of bioweapons experiments conducted by the U.S. military.
  2. Many animal specimens collected during military conflicts reveal connections between warfare and biological research programs, showing how these historical events influenced scientific endeavors.
  3. The presence of everyday specimens in the museum, like insects and rodents, can unveil hidden stories about government actions and ecological research, suggesting that even small details can have significant implications.

2,800 jobs to go...

Off to Lunch • 1356 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
💼 Business Economy Industry Politics Environment Retail
  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.

HS2: The day they cancelled the 21st Century

Striking 13 • 2176 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🌍 World Politics Infrastructure Economy Environment Climate Transport
  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
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Links in Progress: We can still build beautifully

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 23 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Architecture Urbanism Design Community Environment
  1. Many new buildings over the last two decades show that creativity and beauty in design are still very much possible. These structures challenge the common idea of what homes or offices should look like.
  2. It's important to consider how new developments can fit into existing communities while respecting their character. Good design can enhance neighborhoods without losing their unique charm.
  3. Recent architecture demonstrates that we can create functional spaces that are also beautiful and inviting. This could inspire more people to support new projects in their areas.

How to mine without mining

Irina Slav on energy • 1002 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
💼 Business Mining Commodities Investment Environment Clean Energy
  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.

VFYW: Tackling What You See

The Weekly Dish • 26 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🎭️ Culture Art Community Environment Personal Stories Local news
  1. Many people are affected by recent wildfires, with heavy losses to homes and communities. It's important to support those who are displaced.
  2. One family's experience during the fires shows the fear and uncertainty that many felt. They evacuated but were relieved to find their home intact while mourning others' losses.
  3. People are encouraged to send help instead of giving opinions during such crises. Donations can make a real difference for those affected.

Sowing Solidarity: How Lebanon’s Wineries Remain Rooted

Vittles • 159 implied HN points • 11 Nov 24
🍲 Food & Drink Wine Culture Environment Economy Agriculture
  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.

I wrote the coolest tree hugger in popular culture

storyvoyager • 5 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🎭️ Culture Literature Art Technology Environment History
  1. Trees and humans have a deep connection that goes back for centuries. Many people feel a natural bond with trees, and losing them can be very emotional.
  2. As climate change continues, certain areas of the world may become more livable, while others will suffer. This could change where people live and how we survive as a species.
  3. The portrayal of tree huggers in media is often negative, but attitudes are changing. There's a growing appreciation for nature and the importance of protecting it.

The Circle of Death

Break Free with Karen Hunt • 1454 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Toxins Environment Public Health Masks Plastics
  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.

Freedoom

¡Do Not Panic! • 1434 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Society Media Environment Beliefs Freedom
  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.

KidCrusher 350s Are Very Legal and Very Cool

Systematic Hatreds • 746 implied HN points • 22 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Transportation Society Safety Gender Environment
  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.

“To embrace the whole sky with the mind”

Seven Senses • 559 implied HN points • 24 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Art History Environment Philosophy
  1. The weather has a deep connection to our lives. It affects our moods, conversations, and even economies.
  2. Humans have long tried to predict and control the weather, but it remains unpredictable and sometimes chaotic.
  3. Despite its unpredictability, the weather can inspire creativity and beauty, leading to unique expressions in art and daily life.

The Church of England's Road to Davos moment.

The Free Mind • 1257 implied HN points • 29 May 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Religion Climate Environment
  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: January 9, 2024 • Cursive, Humpbacks, Relatives

Numlock News • 727 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🔬 Science Animals Environment Education Health Technology
  1. Cursive is making a comeback in some states, with 11 states reintroducing it in the curriculum.
  2. Whaling on South Georgia Island led to a severe decline in humpback whale populations, but they are now making a comeback.
  3. A study predicts a 35% drop in the number of relatives people will have, with grandparents and great-grandparents becoming more common relatives.

(Ad-free Video) What's New in Science With Sabine and Lawrence

Critical Mass • 4 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🔬 Science Physics Quantum Life Environment Technology
  1. A new podcast series will discuss exciting science stories every month, featuring experts Sabine Hossenfelder and Lawrence Krauss. They're both knowledgeable and will provide unique perspectives on current events in science.
  2. The discussions aim to go beyond the simple headlines and hype, offering deeper insights into topics like quantum computing, climate change, and more. This approach helps clarify complex issues that often get oversimplified in the news.
  3. The podcast emphasizes that science is a collaborative effort, showcasing how scientists debate and build on each other's ideas. This makes the podcast not just informative but also a peek into the dynamic world of scientific discourse.

20250202

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 8 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Design Environment Politics Media
  1. AI technology is becoming so advanced that it's hard to tell machines from real people. This change makes us think about how we interact with non-human agents like AI.
  2. Communities are blending tech and nature, like having tiny forests in cities and 3D-printed shoes, showing a new lifestyle that values both innovation and the environment.
  3. There are ongoing debates about freedom of speech and how much control companies should have over what we can say online. These discussions reflect our concerns about the future.

Odds and Ends #42: An Elizabeth Line extension, some mad planning law nonsense, and the world's most pointless letter

Odds and Ends of History • 402 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📰 News Politics History Culture Environment Education
  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.

Declining Birth Rates Are a Good Thing, Actually

antoniomelonio • 119 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Demographics Society Sustainability Economics Environment
  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.

Book Club: Some notes on the strange beauty of energy infrastructure

The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything • 530 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature Environment Nature Parenting
  1. Coal mining has a deep history and emotional attachment for many, even as we transition to renewable energy sources.
  2. Renewable energy like wind power is seen as an obvious and compelling solution for energy needs.
  3. Industrial infrastructure, even when old or decommissioned, can evoke a sense of nostalgia and admiration for human achievement.

Green Seduction

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 459 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Nature Literature History Plants Environment
  1. Plants are amazing and can be found everywhere, even in unexpected places. They are essential for life and create environments where other creatures can thrive.
  2. Experiencing and enjoying plants can really connect us to nature, especially in cities. Whether it's in our backyards or parks, plants can bring us joy and comfort.
  3. It's important to keep the language around nature alive. Losing words related to plants and nature can dull our connection and understanding of the world around us.

But Seriously, Why The F*ck Do Giraffes Have Long Necks?

Insight Axis • 612 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Evolution Knowledge Environment
  1. Giraffes have long necks to better reach food on tall trees, increasing their chances of survival and passing on their genes.
  2. In the true story of giraffes' evolution, genes are the main characters that hold knowledge for survival in their environment.
  3. Humans, unlike giraffes, can create their own knowledge using their minds, allowing them to survive in diverse environments and even outer space.

What if We Just Stop Oil?

The Honest Broker Newsletter • 1737 implied HN points • 06 Jul 23
🔬 Science Energy Environment Activism Policy Climate
  1. The world still needs new sources of oil supply to meet demand, even with efforts to phase out oil consumption by 2050.
  2. Natural gas is expected to play a central role in future global energy consumption, with significant investment needed to meet demand.
  3. There are no scenarios suggesting it is possible to eliminate fossil fuel use within the next 8 years, leading to a global energy crisis if oil and gas were abruptly stopped.

Looking for a better story

imperfect offerings • 239 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Ethics Environment Policy
  1. The future of AI may not necessarily be as promising as it has been hyped, with concerns about inflated expectations and potential limited use cases.
  2. The use of generative AI can have unintended negative consequences, such as detrimental effects on academia, exploitation of data workers, and potential harm to minority languages.
  3. AI's impact on the environment, from excessive water usage to electricity consumption, raises concerns about accelerating climate change and misinformation.