The hottest Environmental Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

The EU as suicide pact, or: How Germany is slowly dismantling its electrical grid and why the EU won't let them fix it

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 262 implied HN points • 08 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Germany is moving away from reliable energy sources like coal and gas in favor of wind and solar, but these new sources can be unreliable. This could lead to problems keeping the lights on.
  2. The EU is blocking Germany's plans to build new gas plants to support its energy transition, despite a clear need for more stable power. Without these plants, the energy grid might face failures.
  3. The push for renewables might not solve climate issues and could actually lead to dangerous situations. It's essential to find practical solutions that ensure energy security while addressing environmental concerns.

As Winter Melts Away

The Crucial Years • 1544 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The changing climate is causing dramatic and extreme changes around the planet, with record-breaking temperatures and reduced snow coverage indicating the ongoing warming of the Earth.
  2. The diminishing cold air supply in the Arctic is a clear sign of the planet's warming climate, leading to changes in weather patterns and ecological impacts like ice melting and more extreme weather events.
  3. The impact of the climate crisis goes beyond physical consequences, affecting the psychological and emotional connection to the changing seasons and nature, emphasizing the importance of fighting to save the beauty and meaning of the natural world.

Factory Farming Is Not Just Bad: It’s the Worst Thing Ever

Bentham's Newsletter • 412 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Factory farming is considered one of the worst atrocities in human history due to the immense suffering inflicted on billions of animals.
  2. Even with exaggerated assumptions, factory farming still emerges as a grave moral issue, surpassing many other historic atrocities.
  3. The scale of suffering caused by factory farming, even at conservative estimates, is far greater than most human tragedies, making it a significant ethical concern.

Fully Recharged

The Crucial Years • 1684 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Batteries have greatly improved energy density over the last century, making them more practical for cars and other uses.
  2. The rapid progress in battery technology is expected to continue, with increasing energy density, affordability, and innovation.
  3. Efforts are being made to ensure ethical sourcing of materials for batteries, address social inequities, and push for sustainable growth in the battery industry.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Beyond the carbon buzz

Topsoil • 373 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Agriculture has a significant impact on the environment, beyond just carbon sequestration.
  2. Sustainability in agriculture requires real changes on farms, operational support for farmers, and financial incentives.
  3. Financing and risk-sharing across the agricultural value chain are crucial for accelerating adoption of sustainable practices.

Another Canary Died in the Climate Coal mine: No Skating on the World's Largest Ice Rink.

The Planet • 353 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The Rideau Canal Skateway, the world's largest ice rink in Ottawa, is facing closure due to warming temperatures.
  2. Experts point to climate change as a likely cause for the abnormal closure of the skateway.
  3. This situation serves as a clear example of the urgent need for global action to address the climate crisis.

You flood it, you pay for it.

The Crucial Years • 1195 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. States are considering 'climate superfund' laws to hold Big Oil accountable, treating disasters as toxic dumps caused by corporations.
  2. Legislators are working to make Big Oil pay for the climate damage they cause, with Vermont leading the way in potentially adopting such laws.
  3. The transition to renewable energy, along with laws holding fossil fuel industry accountable, is vital to combat climate change and protect communities.

Sarah Chekfa: Stop Believing: The Data Center as Religious Monument

Do Not Research • 279 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Data centers are often like religious monuments, housing IT infrastructure and managing vast amounts of data that power modern life.
  2. Big data is considered almost mythical, with beliefs and values attributed to its insights and power, leading to comparisons with religion.
  3. Data centers have significant ecological impacts, consuming vast amounts of electricity and resources, leading to concerns over energy waste and pollution, with proposals for lunar data centers creating new environmental challenges.

The Last Crusade or the Temple of Doom?

Logging the World • 398 implied HN points • 14 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The COVID-19 pandemic led to extreme groupings on each side of the argument, mimicking past experiences in climate change discussions
  2. Centrist views, acknowledging real problems but also the progress being made, are important in addressing climate change
  3. Promoting centrist voices and avoiding extreme rhetoric can be effective in fostering positive action and moving away from a sense of hopelessness

Energy from Heaven

The Crucial Years • 1454 implied HN points • 18 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. We have the potential to power our world with renewable energy like solar and wind, which are not only abundant but also provide a cost-effective solution.
  2. The rapid growth of solar and wind power is crucial to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions globally.
  3. Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar can have significant environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon dioxide emissions and preserving natural habitats.

Numlock Sunday: James Temple on the mine with 2.4 million vehicles in it

Numlock News • 137 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. A single nickel mine in Minnesota could unlock billions in EV subsidies, impacting electrification and consumers.
  2. Understanding the specific impacts of mining projects and legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act can shed light on climate goals and community conflicts.
  3. Navigating the politics of climate change on the ground involves balancing trade-offs, ensuring open dialogue, and making informed decisions about environmental impacts.

EU Needs 205 Billion Euros for 11 GW's of Nukes

Gordian Knot News • 161 implied HN points • 17 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The EU plans to spend 205 billion Euros to add 11 gigawatts of nuclear energy by 2050. This huge expense raises questions about the cost-effectiveness of nuclear power.
  2. A European Commissioner believes nuclear energy is crucial for a clean energy system, but there are doubts about whether this investment will actually benefit the EU's energy costs and competitiveness.
  3. The high prices for building nuclear plants could make it hard for industries to operate in Europe, especially when other countries offer much cheaper energy options.

Ditch cars and reduce mining

The Land Desk • 255 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Transportation sector with internal combustion engines is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
  2. Electric vehicles require more minerals like copper, rare earth elements, cobalt, nickel, and lithium for batteries.
  3. Transitioning from internal combustion cars to electric vehicles may result in a significant increase in mining, which can harm the environment and communities.

No Human Has Ever Seen it Hotter

The Crucial Years • 1514 implied HN points • 05 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Recently recorded extreme heat events are unprecedented and have significant impacts on the planet.
  2. The rise in solar power generation is proving to be a vital and reliable alternative to traditional energy sources during heatwaves.
  3. Transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar power is crucial in mitigating climate change impacts and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Starving Palestine

Vittles • 282 implied HN points • 10 Feb 25
🍲 Food & Drink Environmental Impact
  1. Israeli actions in Palestine, especially in Masafer Yatta, have severely impacted local pastoralist communities. Many shepherds face violence and loss of land, making it hard for them to sustain their traditional way of life.
  2. Food sovereignty is crucial for Palestinians, as their access to traditional agricultural knowledge is shrinking. This loss affects their health and cultural practices, making dependency on outside, often expensive, food sources more common.
  3. The fight for food sovereignty in Palestine is part of a broader struggle against colonialism. It represents a way for Palestinians to assert their rights, heritage, and identity amidst ongoing challenges.

The Two Lies that killed Nuclear Power 2.0

Gordian Knot News • 300 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🔬 Science Environmental Impact
  1. Nuclear power has been hurt by two major misconceptions: that major accidents are unlikely and any release of radiation would be disastrous. Both ideas oversimplify complex realities.
  2. The belief that all radiation exposure is harmful has led to expensive safety measures in nuclear plants, making them less competitive against cheaper energy sources like oil and coal.
  3. Evidence shows that our bodies can repair some damage from radiation and that low-level exposure doesn't necessarily lead to serious health issues, challenging common fears about nuclear safety.

Market price and solar: a simple model

GEM Energy Analytics • 219 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. As solar energy grows, market prices for electricity tend to drop. This happens because more solar energy can lead to overproduction, causing prices to fall.
  2. There's a limit to how much solar energy can be valuable. If too many solar panels are added, the overall market value can actually go down, which means the captured value for producers diminishes.
  3. The way consumers use electricity will change, but it's not easy. They might shift their usage to match solar energy production, but many obstacles could prevent this from happening.

Teachable Moments Require... Teaching

The Crucial Years • 1175 implied HN points • 14 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Teachable moments about climate change should be taught in schools to make the subject more immediate and engaging for students.
  2. It's concerning that misleading information and denial of climate change are being promoted in education, hindering students' understanding of the urgent issue.
  3. Educators and experts, like weatherman Jeff Berardelli, play a crucial role in providing accurate information and promoting climate education.

☢️ Germany’s lost nuclear decade: A Quick Q&A with … energy researcher Jan Emblemsvåg

Faster, Please! • 365 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Germany's decision to move away from nuclear power has resulted in significant financial losses and missed opportunities for cleaner energy. They could have saved a lot of money while maintaining their energy production.
  2. Public fear from past nuclear disasters, like Chernobyl and Fukushima, greatly influenced Germany's reluctance to rely on nuclear energy. This created strong political pressure against it over the years.
  3. Recently, there are signs that Germany might reconsider its stance on nuclear power due to rising energy costs and the diminishing influence of anti-nuclear political parties. Changes could happen in future elections.

The solar cannibalization effect

GEM Energy Analytics • 359 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Solar energy is growing quickly in Europe, with expectations to reach significant capacity by 2030. This could lead to solar generation being a large part of the electricity supply.
  2. As more solar energy is produced, captured prices for electricity are decreasing because solar generates more when prices are lower. This is called the cannibalization effect.
  3. To deal with the challenges of lower prices and a high concentration of solar power, solutions like energy storage and flexible systems are needed, but the necessary regulations are still catching up.

Water as Lens

The Crucial Years • 1145 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Water can be a powerful lens to explore issues of memory, resilience, and environmental impact.
  2. The film by dream hampton about Detroit highlights the flooding's impact on communities and memories.
  3. Specific histories of unfairness compound devastation in places like Detroit, emphasizing the importance of addressing systemic issues.

The Burning Truth: Climate Change’s Burning Impact on Global Crops

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Climate change is causing significant price increases for crops like cocoa, coffee, and mango, impacting food costs around the world.
  2. Many crops are suffering from rising temperatures, with some regions losing suitable land for growing key crops like coffee and cocoa.
  3. To cope with climate change, farmers need to adapt their methods, such as using crop diversification and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Ethics of GitHub Copilot [Storytime Saturdays]

Technology Made Simple • 259 implied HN points • 25 Dec 22
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. GitHub Copilot raises ethical questions in the tech industry, especially regarding its impact on the environment and privacy of developers.
  2. The use of AI models like Copilot can have substantial implications on society, requiring a thorough evaluation of their ethical considerations and potential flaws.
  3. While GitHub Copilot can aid developers in writing routine functions and offer insights into coding habits, it also poses challenges such as high energy costs, potential violations of licensing rights, and the risk of generating incorrect or insecure code.

The Second Miracle

Gordian Knot News • 212 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🔬 Science Environmental Impact
  1. Humanity has faced many challenges, but we've been lucky to discover amazing solutions like fossil fuels and nuclear energy that have helped us thrive. These discoveries have led to huge improvements in our quality of life.
  2. Nuclear energy is powerful and produces less pollution, but it comes with risks like radiation exposure. Thankfully, we also have a natural DNA repair system that helps protect us from some of this damage.
  3. As we move forward, it's important for us to embrace nuclear power responsibly while being aware of its challenges. If we hadn't recognized its potential, we could have faced serious problems in our civilization.

How many people died in disasters in 2024?

Sustainability by numbers • 211 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. In 2024, fewer people died from disasters compared to previous years, thanks to fewer major earthquakes. The estimate was around 9,500 deaths, which is low compared to the high averages from past years.
  2. Floods, wildfires, and storms were the main causes of deaths in 2024. Many fatalities came from extreme weather events, particularly flooding in Africa and wildfires in South America.
  3. It's important to note that data on disaster deaths is often incomplete, especially for temperature-related deaths. Researchers have to estimate these numbers, leading to less reliable statistics overall.

Putting Southeast Asia on the Climate Tech Map

This Week in MCJ (My Climate Journey) • 157 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Southeast Asia is a region with significant potential for climate tech innovation and investment.
  2. There is a need for highly scalable, decentralized solutions in Southeast Asia's climate tech landscape.
  3. Opportunities in Southeast Asia include addressing emissions from land use change and agriculture, and focusing on growth tailwinds for high-growth climate tech companies.

Is Mars Colonization an Inevitable Step Encoded in Our DNA?

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 19 May 23
🔬 Science Environmental Impact
  1. Human migration is a fundamental part of our history, and colonizing Mars is seen as the next step in this ongoing process. Just like our ancestors traveled for better opportunities, we may look to Mars for our future.
  2. Innovations often arise when humans move into new environments. Establishing a colony on Mars could lead to new technologies and advancements that benefit life on Earth.
  3. Creating a self-sufficient colony on Mars could serve as a backup plan for humanity. It would ensure that civilization can continue even if disasters happen on Earth.

Specialized thinking leads to ineffectual actions

Technology, Environment, and Art • 59 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Specialized thinking can lead to actions that may not be effective or truly sustainable.
  2. Efforts focused on finding the most environmentally friendly solutions may just be a minimization exercise within the existing industrial system.
  3. To truly move towards sustainability, we should focus on reducing industrial production, global trade, energy and material usage, and emphasize local dependence.

Grid Upgrade - Part 2: what lies ahead

GEM Energy Analytics • 139 implied HN points • 19 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The electricity grid is growing slowly and facing congestion. This means it may get overcrowded and not work as well as it should.
  2. Local opposition can delay grid projects, making them take longer and cost more. People sometimes do not want new lines near their homes, which leads to complications.
  3. Grid fees are likely to increase as upgrades are needed. As more money is spent on improving the grid, utility bills may go up for everyone.

Far and Wide

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 13 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Urban sprawl leads to bigger homes but worsens traffic and pollution. As people move away from city centers, commuting becomes longer and driving increases, causing congestion and environmental damage.
  2. The growth of gated communities is driven by a desire for safety and socioeconomic segregation. These neighborhoods often exclude lower-income residents, creating a divide in access to resources and services.
  3. Urban sprawl also drives up housing costs, making it harder for people to afford homes. Stricter zoning laws and lower housing supply contribute to higher prices and reduced economic opportunity for everyone.

The energy transition in five charts

Renewable Revolution • 219 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The switch to renewable energy is all about using better technology. Renewables like solar and wind are cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient than fossil fuels.
  2. Renewable energy growth isn’t slow and steady; it’s growing quickly in an exponential way. This means countries and companies need to move fast to keep up.
  3. China is leading the way in renewable energy technology. Their advancements are setting the pace for other countries like the U.S. and those in Europe.

Think Water And Waves, Not Just Fish

Surfing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Environmental Impact
  1. Focus on the broader market landscapes rather than just individual businesses ("fish") in terms of sustainability and corporate responsibility.
  2. Anita Roddick's legacy through The Body Shop highlights the importance of corporate responsibility agendas in the business realm.
  3. The collapse of The Body Shop's UK arm underlines the need for market evolution to promote sustainable practices among businesses.

Major Questions

The Crucial Years • 747 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🌍 World Politics Environmental Impact
  1. The Supreme Court decisions are attempting to prevent the politics of an earlier era from interfering with the current bought-and-paid-for nihilism.
  2. The Supreme Court's decisions on student debt and Clean Air Act show a trend of erasing history and dismantling earlier legislation put in place by effective Congresses.
  3. The Supreme Court's recent rulings on anti-gay bigotry and affirmative action indicate an effort to erase progress and surrender ground previously gained in social issues.

Google Goes To Bat For Right To Repair In Oregon

Fight to Repair • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Google endorses the right to repair, changing its corporate position and supporting a legal right for users to repair their devices.
  2. Google is backing comprehensive right to repair legislation in Oregon and actively lobbying for its passage.
  3. Although Google's endorsement is a significant shift, their focus on parts assemblies over individual components has been critiqued by right to repair advocates.