The hottest Environmental Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Science Topics

Relax, Microplastics Aren’t Killing You

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 741 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. Microplastics are everywhere and do pose real ecological risks. But alarmist claims that they are immediately causing major human diseases aren’t supported.
  2. A high‑profile study claiming plastic in human brains used a detection method that can’t reliably distinguish plastic from ordinary fats, so its results are likely false.
  3. Experts have criticized and reversed those dramatic claims, showing we need better methods and more careful interpretation before linking microplastics to serious human health effects.

Reading List 07/19/25

Construction Physics • 5845 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. Chinese shipbuilding has a rich history, but finding complete histories is tough. There are a few good books that piece together the growth of the industry over the years.
  2. Air quality varies a lot across the globe, with cities in India and Pakistan often ranking among the worst. Smaller cities in Hawaii tend to have much better air quality.
  3. Installing solar panels on cargo ships is an exciting new idea that could make shipping greener. A recent ship successfully uses solar power to help run its systems, showing the potential for renewable energy in maritime transport.

Label Makers

Doomberg • 6000 implied HN points • 05 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Environmental
  1. Some lawmakers want to put warning labels on gas pumps about air pollution and climate change, similar to cigarette warnings. This shows an effort to inform the public about the impacts of fossil fuels.
  2. California's Proposition 65 has led to thousands of lawsuits over product warnings, causing businesses to spend a lot of money just to avoid legal trouble. Many labels are now on products to prevent lawsuits rather than to inform consumers.
  3. The legal system's power can sometimes hurt businesses and stifle innovation. There's a feeling that it might be time to make changes to help businesses grow better.

Measurement Army

Doomberg • 5751 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
💰 Finance Environmental
  1. Modern economic systems struggle to account for environmental costs, leading to government interventions and frustrations among capitalists and landowners.
  2. The global focus on carbon emissions has led to the rise of carbon counting professionals, but many argue their value is limited.
  3. A proposal to create Natural Asset Companies (NACs) faced controversy when seeking to put a market price on nature, highlighting potential unintended consequences and opposition.

Underrated Problems in Biotechnology

Niko McCarty • 99 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. Chick culling is a big issue where billions of male chicks are killed each year because they can't lay eggs. New technology can help determine an egg's sex earlier to prevent this cruelty.
  2. Synthetic apomixis could change farming for the better by allowing farmers to grow hybrid crops indefinitely without buying new seeds each year. This would help increase their profits and food supply.
  3. Tree engineering is important for combating climate change, but not enough researchers are focusing on it. Creating trees that grow faster and capture more carbon could help protect our forests.
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Are Hydrocarbons Really “Fossil” Fuels?

Doomberg • 249 implied HN points • 29 May 25
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. Some scientists think hydrocarbons, which we call fossil fuels, might not actually come from ancient plants and animals. There are theories suggesting they could be formed from other natural processes deep within the Earth.
  2. In 1986, an oil drilling experiment in Sweden found hydrocarbons in an unusual location, challenging the idea that oil only comes from fossilized organic matter. This raises questions about our understanding of how hydrocarbons are formed.
  3. The concept of fossil fuels could be more complex than we thought. It encourages us to explore alternative origins for these energy sources instead of assuming they're all from the remains of past life.

Nature to the North

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 359 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. Seeing hundreds of bald eagles feeding at once is a spectacular sight. They gather to feast on fish when conditions are just right.
  2. Some tree stumps can stay alive and continue to grow even after being cut down. This shows how interconnected nature can be through shared resources.
  3. Sea stars, which faced a severe disease, are now showing signs of recovery. Those that survived may pass on stronger genes to help their species adapt.

The chemical reason that PFAS are "forever chemicals"

Trevor Klee’s Newsletter • 149 implied HN points • 16 Jun 25
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. PFAS, or 'forever chemicals', are super strong substances that don't break down easily in our bodies. Once they get in, they can stick around for a long time, causing potential health issues.
  2. These chemicals are hard to get rid of because our bodies mistake them for fat, allowing them to be reabsorbed instead of eliminated. This reabsorption can lead to long-term interference with our health.
  3. NeutraOat might help reduce the impact of PFAS by trapping these chemicals and preventing them from being absorbed into the bloodstream. It could be an important tool in managing their harmful effects.

Are You a Neganthropologist?

Daniel Pinchbeck’s Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jan 26
📖 Philosophy Environmental
  1. Our current tech-driven era is creating massive entropy in both the planet and human minds, but there’s a possible alternative called the Neganthropocene where we redesign systems to regenerate knowledge, care, and the commons.
  2. The pace of digital change prevents society from forming a new, stable epoch, short-circuiting collective memory and social systems and driving regression, polarization, and the risk of authoritarian dynamics.
  3. Technology is a pharmakon — both poison and cure — so we must learn to master and redesign AI and networks to avoid the ‘proletarianization’ of human skills and to build contributory economies that foster imagination and collective intelligence.

The Tao of River Trash

The Recovering Academic • 98 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Environmental
  1. Carol Dweck emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset with the phrase "the power of yet." It's crucial to shift from a fixed mindset to embrace growth, especially in challenging transitions like leaving academia for personal growth.
  2. River trash can offer a new perspective and teach valuable lessons. Collecting litter along the riverbank can spark reflections on individual choices, consumer behavior, and environmental impact.
  3. Engaging in service activities, like cleaning up trash with a group, can foster a sense of community and shared purpose. It goes beyond just physical cleanup, creating connections and learning opportunities.

Apple's Hypocrisy on Part Pairing

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. Apple supported a right-to-repair law in California but opposed a similar bill in Oregon due to concerns on part pairing, despite citing safety and privacy reasons for their stance.
  2. Part pairing allows companies like Apple to control repair processes, maximize profits, and hinder the use of cheaper third-party components, impacting consumer choice and costs.
  3. Oregon legislators passed the proposed right-to-repair legislation despite Apple's opposition, indicating a shift towards giving residents a robust right to repair and recognition of Apple's contradictory stance.

Weekly Dose of Optimism #117

Not Boring by Packy McCormick • 127 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. TSMC is successfully producing chips in Arizona, even better than in Taiwan. This could help boost U.S. manufacturing and support the new CHIPS Act funding.
  2. Arkansas has a lot of lithium, estimated to be 5 to 19 million tons. This is great news for the EV industry and America's push for clean energy.
  3. Science has made a retinal implant that helps restore vision to some blind patients. This shows how technology can genuinely improve people's lives.

The Death of The Bethlehem Mill

ESG Hound • 461 implied HN points • 22 Mar 23
🌍 World Politics Environmental
  1. The Bethlehem Mill was a once-thriving industrial complex that declined due to economic changes and globalization.
  2. The site faced environmental issues and cleanup challenges due to decades of industrial activity.
  3. Capitalism's impact on industrial sites like the Bethlehem Mill underscores the importance of responsible stewardship and waste management.

The Fukushima Workers, Part 2

Gordian Knot News • 95 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. The Fukushima workers faced very high radiation levels, especially near the damaged reactors, sometimes exceeding 100 mSv/h. Despite this, they showed remarkable bravery to manage the crisis.
  2. Research on the health of over 5,000 Fukushima workers found no significant health issues by the end of 2019. This suggests that the body's systems are good at repairing damage from radiation exposure.
  3. Distance from a radiation source is crucial for safety. Being more than 2 kilometers away from a nuclear release greatly reduces the risk of harm, similar to how staying a safe distance from fire keeps you safe.

Well Traveled Cement

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 28 Apr 22
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. Cement in Seattle comes from limestone that originated in the Pacific Ocean around 200 million years ago. This means the material in our buildings has a fascinating history.
  2. From the 1860s to 1920s, San Juan Island was a key source of lime for cement production in Washington. Workers made quicklime by heating limestone, which was then used to create mortar and cement.
  3. Seattle's cement boom kicked off after the Great Fire of 1889, leading to building codes that favored durable materials. So, the buildings we see today have stories dating back millions of years.

Is Biden Li-Ion About Batteries? Also: How Apple Could Play the EU's USB C Requirement For Big Profits

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. The push for electric vehicles to combat climate change relies heavily on lithium-ion batteries, but the production and disposal processes of these batteries have significant environmental and human consequences that cannot be overlooked.
  2. Transitioning to standardized cables like USB-C, as mandated by the EU, can have positive impacts on consumer savings, e-waste reduction, and the push towards more sustainable practices in the technology industry.
  3. Apple's potential profits from the EU's USB-C requirement highlight how companies can leverage regulatory changes, like adopting new standards, to generate revenue through avenues such as fast-charging solutions and certification fees.

Fight to Repair Daily: Monday October 24, 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 24 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. Fight to Repair newsletter is transitioning from daily to weekly emails starting next week, with a new podcast season for premium subscribers.
  2. Lobbyists, including big tech companies like Apple and Microsoft, have influenced the NY 'right to repair' bill to be limited to devices like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
  3. Issues like eco double standards in hardware manufacturing and anti-features on products highlight the importance of legislation and policies supporting right to repair and consumer rights.

Rabbit Holes 🕳️ #97

Creative Destruction • 20 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🎭️ Culture Environmental
  1. Civilizational anxiety is a common feeling that many people are experiencing today, and it's important to recognize it rather than let it divide us. It can bring us together in understanding our shared struggles.
  2. Our lives are increasingly ruled by numbers and data, which can make it hard to slow down and enjoy meaningful connections. We often focus more on achieving metrics than on actually enjoying life.
  3. We need to reclaim our autonomy and creativity in a world dominated by algorithms and the crowd. By making our own choices, we can rediscover what it means to be truly unique.

20250817

Curious futures (KGhosh) • 4 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. Many teenagers today are making AI friends, which can affect their real-life social skills.
  2. New technology is shaping the future of science and energy, like AI-driven labs and big hydroelectric projects.
  3. While efficiency in tech is important, it's also crucial to maintain human connection and creativity in our discoveries.

What Lies Beneath

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 11 Nov 21
🎭️ Culture Environmental
  1. There are coal cars from 1875 sitting at the bottom of Lake Washington. They sank during a storm and divers found them in the 1990s.
  2. Submerged forests in Lake Washington are remnants from an earthquake about 1,100 years ago. Some trees are still well-preserved under the water.
  3. Excavations for light rail in Seattle uncovered old items like shoes and bottles, showing the area's diverse history. These findings help us understand the past better.

Clam Slamming

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 59 implied HN points • 29 Sep 21
🔬 Science Environmental
  1. Gulls drop clams from heights to crack them open, showing they learn and get better at doing this as they grow older. They choose harder surfaces to help break the clams more easily.
  2. Crows also use a similar technique to open walnuts and adjust their drop heights based on how many times they have already dropped the nut. This shows their intelligence in problem-solving.
  3. Sometimes, using this dropping method can lead to accidents, like when a poet was supposedly killed by a turtle dropped by an eagle. It's a reminder to be careful about falling objects!

Introducing: Klima the world's first carbon currency

Activist Futurism • 39 implied HN points • 14 Sep 21
🔮 Crypto Environmental
  1. Klima is the world's first carbon currency, backed by carbon offsets and incentivizing the absorption of carbon.
  2. KlimaDAO aims to build a monetary system that prices in carbon, rewarding pro-climate actions.
  3. Activists and supporters of transformative social change are now being drawn into the world of crypto through the introduction of Klima, the 'apex of environmental activism'.

The Week in Repair: Feb 20-27

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 28 Feb 22
🕹 Technology Environmental
  1. Some John Deere dealerships consolidating, leaving farmers with limited repair options. Right to Repair reforms could offer more choices for farmers.
  2. Apple now offers Face ID repair without replacing whole iPhone, reducing both hassle for technicians and carbon footprint.
  3. Farmers in multiple states advocating for Right to Repair laws to lower repair costs, increase repair options, and maintain self-reliance.