The hottest Environmental Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Cultivate your palate for a new type of food

WeBeGreen • 99 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🍲 Food & Drink Environmental Impact
  1. Cultivated meats offer a sustainable solution to the environmental impacts and challenges of traditional animal agriculture, providing a way to meet the growing global demand for meat without the same resource-intensive practices.
  2. Lab-grown or cultivated meats use cellular agriculture technology to produce meat from cells rather than raising and slaughtering animals, offering a more efficient and ethical approach to meat production.
  3. By transitioning to alternative proteins like cultivated meats, we can significantly reduce land use, greenhouse gas emissions, and reliance on animal agriculture, leading to a more sustainable and compassionate food system for the future.

Agents of Erosion

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 219 implied HN points • 26 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Everyone contributes to erosion in our environment, even just by walking on steps. Our shoes cause tiny bits of stone to wear away over time.
  2. Winter weather leads to more potholes because water expands when it freezes, damaging roads. It's a reminder that even annoying things can have a positive side for nature.
  3. Roots from trees can push up sidewalks and create obstacles in urban areas. This shows how nature constantly interacts with our built environment and can cause challenges.

The IPCC and the Gates-Kerry-Gore axis of smug, jet-setting pseudoscience aren't interested in CO2 reduction. They're tyrannical zealots bent on reducing human thriving

Beck of the Pack • 58 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The IPCC and certain renowned figures are seen as zealots focused on controlling human thriving instead of reducing CO2
  2. Disillusionment led to questioning established truths in various fields such as pharma, 9/11, and the green agenda
  3. Climate change may be influenced more by natural factors like fluctuations in sunlight and planetary dynamics rather than human actions

The Slow Death of AC Transit

The Discourse Lounge • 531 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Environmental Impact
  1. AC Transit has faced a decline in ridership over the years due to funding cuts and neglect.
  2. Efforts are needed to increase funding for AC Transit and prioritize bus services over suburban rail projects.
  3. Long-term solutions include reforming funding priorities, restoring lost bus lines, and promoting public transportation over private shuttles.
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AI is thirstier than humans

storyvoyager • 8 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. AI and other technologies are consuming more of our scarce resources like water, energy, and land, so they compete directly with humans for basic needs.
  2. In a market that rewards capital, resources flow to whatever is most profitable, meaning machines could get prioritized over human needs and people might lose access to resources even if they no longer have to work.
  3. Instead of technology being a tool for life, life risks becoming an appendage of technology, leaving humans freed from labor but trapped by technological consumption and limited freedom.

The cost of wind, the price of wind, the value of wind

Jérôme à Paris • 510 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Cost, price, and value of wind power are different concepts in the energy market, with costs being related to production, prices driven by market forces, and value including externalities like pollution and carbon emissions.
  2. Wind power has fixed costs, zero marginal cost, and can lower electricity prices for consumers, making it an attractive option compared to fossil fuel-based generation.
  3. Externalities like intermittency, carbon emissions, and security of supply contribute to the overall value proposition of wind power, impacting its role in the system and the pricing mechanisms in place.

Electric Vehicle Myths

Diane Francis • 519 implied HN points • 22 Nov 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Electric vehicles are not fully green unless their electricity comes from clean sources. It's important to consider where the power to charge them is generated.
  2. The true environmental impact of electric vehicles depends on the electricity used to recharge them, not just the vehicles themselves.
  3. To make electric vehicles truly eco-friendly, we need to ensure a shift towards renewable energy for electricity production.

How high-speed rail won over the world

Urben Field Notes • 124 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Environmental Impact
  1. Many countries around the world are expanding their high-speed rail systems, while the US is falling behind. It's surprising that America doesn't have more fast trains since the technology has been around for a long time.
  2. High-speed rail is benefitting countries with increased passenger numbers and better environmental impact. Rail travel produces far less carbon pollution compared to cars and planes, making it a cleaner option.
  3. To develop high-speed rail in the US, there may be a need to collaborate with countries that have experience in building these systems. Learning from others could help the US catch up in this area.

Microsoft backed a repair bill in Washington State. It died anyway.

Fight to Repair • 78 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Microsoft supported a right-to-repair bill in Washington state, marking a shift in their stance, but the bill did not progress due to opposition from members, including a former Apple employee.
  2. Older phones are generally easier to repair than newer models, as research shows the most repairable phones have an average age of 7.8 years.
  3. The right-to-repair movement is gaining momentum globally, with political and corporate endorsements, such as the Biden Administration's support and the Council of Europe's official backing.

EVs are taking us for a ride

WeBeGreen • 79 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Electric vehicles (EVs) are seen as a solution to climate change, but their production has a significant environmental impact, especially due to lithium battery production.
  2. Transportation emissions, particularly from cars, are a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives.
  3. There is a pressing need to think beyond traditional car-centric urban planning and explore innovative solutions for more sustainable and eco-friendly transportation.

Big Oil's Renewable Retreat: A Step Back in Time

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Big oil companies like BP, Shell, and Equinor are cutting back on their investments in renewable energy. This means they are spending less money on projects like wind farms.
  2. Shareholders are pressuring these companies because of losses in their renewable energy sectors. They are feeling the impact of high costs and project failures.
  3. This reduction in investment could slow down progress on fighting climate change, making it harder to meet global energy goals. Governments could help by offering incentives for these companies to keep investing in renewables.

What is the Cost when Creatures churn Plastics into Microplastics? Nanoplastics and Lots More

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 18 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Animals like zooplanktons and amphipods can break down microplastics into even smaller particles, spreading them across oceans and affecting the environment.
  2. New technologies like diodes, thyristors, transistors, and capacitors are emerging to reduce the impact of fossil fuels and combat climate change.
  3. The widespread presence of microplastics poses a danger to both marine creatures and humans, impacting the carbon storage capacity of oceans and accelerating climate change.

When Climate Change-induced Floods Strike, you get Refugees, Resettlement, and Rohingya

Adetokunbo Sees • 312 implied HN points • 11 Nov 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Millions of people are displaced by climate change-induced disasters like floods and hurricanes, leading to refugees, resettlement, and stateless populations.
  2. New technologies are emerging to combat climate change, such as voltage inverters, comparators, and XOR gates in the renewable energy sector.
  3. Climate change disasters exacerbate conflicts, food insecurity, and competition for resources, necessitating a global effort to mitigate the impacts through climate action.

Exxon knew

Science Forever • 79 implied HN points • 19 Jan 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. ExxonMobil knew about climate change but misled the public, a paper details the corporate deceit.
  2. The paper has gained widespread attention and coverage from various news outlets like the New York Times and The Guardian.
  3. ExxonMobil's models accurately predicted future temperature rise, but they hid this information from the public.

The Vicissitudes of Nanohabitats

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 159 implied HN points • 08 Dec 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Small changes in elevation can make a big difference in temperature and weather, like how snow sticks on certain spots. It's interesting how just a little elevation change can mean the difference between snow and rain.
  2. Different surfaces, like grass and pavement, hold heat differently, affecting where snow accumulates. For example, grass tends to be cooler, so snow collects on it more than on warm sidewalks.
  3. Climate change is causing shifts in snowfall patterns and precipitation. As temperatures rise, we may see less snow in the mountains and more rain, which could impact local ecosystems and water supply.

Village Lost to Time Reemerges as Greece Faces Historic Drought

The Climate Historian • 1 HN point • 03 Sep 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The village of Kallio, once submerged under a reservoir, has reappeared due to Greece's severe drought. This shows how drought can reveal forgotten parts of history.
  2. Greece is currently facing a historic drought caused by extreme heat and lack of rainfall. These conditions are making water resources very limited and raising serious concerns.
  3. Climate change and overtourism are worsening Greece's water issues. Managing water use sustainably is now more important than ever to balance human needs and natural resources.

Rhapsody in Ruin: Climate Change's Devastating Impacts on Animal Habitats

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Frog habitats are drying up due to climate change, with many facing drought conditions that could make them unlivable by the end of the century.
  2. Elephants are struggling with rising temperatures and food shortages, forcing them to travel far for water and forage, which can lead to conflicts with humans.
  3. Koala populations are declining as their habitats experience extreme heat and bushfires, putting them at risk of losing large areas of their home by 2070.

China is building more coal plants but might burn less coal

Sustainability by numbers • 201 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. China is constructing more coal plants, but they might end up burning less coal by running those plants less frequently.
  2. Despite the increase in coal plant construction, China's coal plants are operating at lower capacity factors, indicating a trend towards burning less coal in the future.
  3. Many of China's coal plants are operating at a financial loss due to high coal prices, and the country is shifting towards using coal as 'peaker plants' as renewable energy sources grow.

Good Golly Miss Holly

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 79 implied HN points • 11 May 23
🎭️ Culture Environmental Impact
  1. The English holly, originally from Europe, has become a common but invasive plant in Seattle parks. It was promoted by a socialite and children planting seeds in the early 20th century.
  2. Though hollies are pretty and provide winter berries, they choke out native plants and animals, spreading easily and causing ecological harm.
  3. Many efforts have been made to control this invasive plant, but it continues to thrive and pose challenges in green spaces around Seattle.

Salt in our Fresh Waters

An Interpersonal Journal • 79 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Levels of salt in freshwater bodies are increasing across North America, posing risks to ecosystems and potentially human health.
  2. The rise in freshwater salinity is primarily attributed to road salt usage, with even a modest reduction in usage showing potential to mitigate the issue.
  3. Efforts are being made by local governments and researchers to address the rising salt levels in freshwater bodies through exploring alternative salt usage and more efficient application methods.

Large-scale battery systems: potential use cases in Albania

GEM Energy Analytics • 79 implied HN points • 07 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Large-scale batteries can help store energy and improve the electricity system in Albania. They could be useful in stabilizing the grid and providing backup power.
  2. These batteries can also help with buying and selling electricity at different prices, which may become profitable in the future as the market develops. This could help businesses make more money from energy.
  3. Co-locating batteries with renewable energy sources can enhance performance and reduce costs related to energy supply. This allows for better management of energy production and consumption.

Green patch: Bällsta bro

The Third Place • 39 implied HN points • 31 Oct 23
🎭️ Culture Environmental Impact
  1. Neglected urban areas like barren grass patches in cities can disrupt city flow and pose problems like attracting bad activities due to neglect.
  2. Transforming neglected spaces into green recreational areas with community input not only beautifies the area but also positively impacts the environment, creating win-win situations.
  3. Community involvement in urban design interventions fosters a sense of belonging, enhances neighborhood aesthetics, and manages resources like rainwater effectively.

Perchers, Pokers, and Pests

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 199 implied HN points • 07 Apr 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Utility poles have a long history, starting as telegraph poles in the mid-1800s, and now there are about 150 million in the U.S. today. They're an essential part of our modern infrastructure, holding up power and communication lines.
  2. Many animals, like birds and squirrels, use utility poles for perching and nesting. However, this can be dangerous, as birds often get electrocuted or collide with wires.
  3. Utility poles can impact the environment negatively due to toxic treatments for protection against decay. Clean-up of these toxins is ongoing and often goes unnoticed, just like the poles themselves.

Beware of "Circular Washing"

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
💼 Business Environmental Impact
  1. Companies using the term 'circular' for eco-friendly branding may not always follow through with sustainable practices.
  2. To combat 'circular washing', establishing a clear definition of circularity is essential.
  3. Regulation and accountability are crucial to ensure businesses actually implement environmentally friendly practices.

Empty Promises of Circularity

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Overconsumption is pushing Earth Overshoot Day earlier each year, highlighting the urgency to change consumption habits.
  2. Repairing tools like bicycles promotes self-reliance and community, resisting corporate control over repair and parts.
  3. The push towards a circular economy needs careful consideration; ending ownership doesn't automatically address corporate power, and repairability is key to combating 'enshittification'.

BatteryGate: EV Edition? Tesla’s Battery Shenanigans Spark Lawsuit...and Bigger Questions

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Tesla faces a class action lawsuit over using software updates to alter vehicle performance and battery life.
  2. Repairability of electric vehicles is critical for wider adoption; battery pack lifespan and replacement costs influence total ownership costs.
  3. The shift to EVs won't automatically lead to a carbon-free world; the right to repair EVs is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impact.

Algae Ink: The best plant-based ink around?

Green Graphic Design • 39 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🪑 Design Environmental Impact
  1. Algae Ink is now commercially available and offers high-contrast blacks, carbon sequestration, and light-fastness.
  2. The production process of Algae Ink replaces petroleum-derived pigments with plant-based pigments, making it a more sustainable ink option.
  3. Algae Ink has environmental benefits like being carbon-negative, sequestering carbon, and potentially offering recyclability advantages over petroleum-based inks.

ESG is Destroying Formula 1

Anxiety Addiction & Ascension • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
🎾 Sports Environmental Impact
  1. Incorporating woke ideology into high-precision industries like Formula 1 can risk diminishing performance and value.
  2. Formula 1 is facing challenges with ESG initiatives that could impact its commercial viability, like reducing track action affecting spectator interest.
  3. The clash between the excellence of Formula 1 and the ideological interference of ESG initiatives poses a significant threat to the sport's future.

Congress Introduces "Agricultural Right to Repair Act"

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Environmental Impact
  1. The Agricultural Right to Repair Act aims to give farmers more flexibility in repairing their own equipment by requiring manufacturers to provide necessary tools and information.
  2. Corporations, including those in the agricultural industry, may publicly support repair efforts but use tactics behind closed doors to extract profit, highlighting the need for legislation like the Agricultural Right to Repair Act.
  3. While there is a history of right to repair bills failing at the federal level due to political divisions, there is potential for progress at the state level, where repair laws have started passing through legislatures and being signed into law.

Review 2023 - Energy

nicosmid • 19 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Bitcoin mining power usage in 2023 was around 16-18 GW with over 50% coming from renewable sources.
  2. Bitcoin mining industry leads in using sustainable energy and saw a significant increase in the mix of renewable sources.
  3. Bitcoin miners can operate independently of traditional power grids and 75.3% of off-grid mining relies on sustainable energy.