The hottest Environmental Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Ford electric vehicle loss forecast highlights big week to come for EV investors

Callaway Climate Insights • 19 implied HN points • 23 Mar 23
💰 Finance Electric Vehicles Investing Climate finance Policy Environmental Impact
  1. Ford is forecasted to lose up to $3 billion in its electric vehicle division due to necessary investments.
  2. Investors are anticipating the Treasury's guidance on which electric vehicles will qualify for tax subsidies.
  3. The EV industry is expected to grow significantly, with automakers racing to develop affordable and reliable EVs.

Global is the Real Frontier

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Clean Energy Renewables Emerging Markets Environmental Impact
  1. The business case for clean energy transition in emerging markets is stronger than in developed markets due to lack of centralized infrastructure, making decentralized clean energy solutions more cost-effective and environmentally friendly.
  2. Emerging markets offer a lucrative opportunity for the clean energy transition, with renewables capacity projected to surpass the US significantly, demanding substantial investment of over $1 trillion by 2030.
  3. Bridging the gap in digital technology and access to capital in emerging markets can accelerate the leapfrogging of outdated energy infrastructure, creating a ripe field for climate tech companies and digital solutions.

Is buying British clothes enough?

The ZIPster • 44 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Sustainable Fashion Environmental Impact Carbon Emissions
  1. Buying British clothes can be a step towards sustainability and reducing carbon emissions in the fashion industry.
  2. To truly make a difference, consider reducing the amount of new clothes bought and shop second-hand more often.
  3. Supporting ethical and sustainable clothing brands, whether British or not, can have a positive impact on the environment.

The Climate Death Cult's Mask is Slipping

The Corbett Report • 26 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Impact Propaganda Eugenics
  1. A scientific study claimed that human breathing contributes to climate change by emitting methane and nitrous oxide. However, the study's conclusions are statistically questionable and heavily biased.
  2. The study raises concerns about the underlying agenda behind such research, hinting at a dark narrative that demonizes human existence and suggests population control as a solution.
  3. The propaganda surrounding climate change, such as 'climate anxiety,' is being used to manipulate people into believing that human life itself is the problem. It is vital to recognize the sacredness of life and resist such destructive ideologies.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Repair-flation? Apple Continues Cost Increases of Battery Replacements - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 04 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Repair Right-to-repair Environmental Impact
  1. Apple is increasing the costs of battery replacements for iPhones, iPads, and Macs, making it more expensive for users to get their devices fixed.
  2. Apple strategically makes repair difficult and expensive by limiting third-party repairs through software locks and pricey authorized service, pushing users towards upgrading instead of repairing.
  3. In a market where competition is scarce, like smartphones, rising repair costs will likely drive more people to repair by necessity rather than choice, showcasing the need for affordable repair options.

Pilings, nothing more than Pilings

Street Smart Naturalist: Explorations of the Urban Kind • 99 implied HN points • 08 Jul 21
🎭️ Culture Urban Studies Architecture History Infrastructure Environmental Impact
  1. Pilings are important for building urban structures over water, especially in places like Puget Sound. They allow cities to expand and develop their waterfronts.
  2. The process of driving pilings into the ground is complex and labor-intensive. Special machines called pile drivers use heavy weights to push long wooden logs deep into the muddy ground to secure foundations.
  3. While pilings helped cities grow, they also caused environmental damage by reducing natural habitats and using a lot of wood from local forests.

Fight to Repair Daily: Friday, October 7 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 07 Oct 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Copyright Consumer Rights Environmental Impact Regulations
  1. The iPhone 14 Plus is as repairable as the basic iPhone 14, following a more sustainable design approach.
  2. Canada is considering reforming digital lock rules to allow repair exceptions, benefitting consumers, farmers, and innovation.
  3. Academics are urging consumers to repair clothing to reduce environmental impact caused by the fast fashion cycle.

I read the degrowth paper, so you don't have to

Economic Forces • 14 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Degrowth Environmental Impact
  1. Wealthy economies should focus on well-being over endless GDP growth to reduce environmental impacts.
  2. Ignoring the role of prices in economic coordination can hinder understanding and decision-making in the degrowth movement.
  3. The degrowth agenda imposes subjective judgments on consumption habits, challenging the neutrality of economic analyses.

Fight to Repair Daily: August 17 2022

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 19 Aug 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Laptops Right-to-repair Environmental Impact
  1. Maine is facing opposition from automakers in its efforts to pass a right-to-repair law, with arguments over state authority and consumer choice.
  2. Expensive laptops may lead to regrets later on; opting for a cheaper laptop and investing in a PC for upgradability is worth considering.
  3. The EU's proposed expansion of the Ecodesign Directive aims to ensure sustainable products through criteria like durability, reparability, energy use, and digital product passports.

Laundry Days | Methane and Hydroxyl Radicals

WeBeGreen • 19 implied HN points • 18 Jul 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Atmosphere Environmental Impact Global Warming Green Technology
  1. Increased methane presence in the atmosphere due to a slowdown in anthropogenic activities raises concerns about global warming and positive feedback loops.
  2. Hydroxyl radicals (OH) play a crucial role in neutralizing harmful gases and pollutants in the atmosphere, acting like nature's powerful cleaning agent.
  3. Studying the production and recycling of OH in the atmosphere could potentially lead to new global warming mitigation technologies.

The Week in Repair: June 12-17

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 21 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Repair Antitrust Circular Economy Environmental Impact Legislation
  1. Tracking devices reveal that many small appliances returned for repair end up in landfills due to lack of repair advice and available spare parts.
  2. Facebook is revealed to be the sole funder of American Edge Project, an anti-regulatory group fighting against antitrust efforts, with documents showing a $4 million donation.
  3. The Right to Repair movement is gaining traction with proposed bills at state and national levels, aiming to empower consumers, save costs, and reduce e-waste by allowing for repairs and extending the lifespan of electronics.

The Carbon Impact of Large Language Models: AI's Growing Environmental Cost

ScaleDown • 11 implied HN points • 10 Dec 23
🕹 Technology AI Sustainability Data Centers Machine Learning Environmental Impact
  1. Large language models like GPT-4 and LLaMA 2 have a significant carbon footprint due to massive energy consumption during training.
  2. Factors affecting the carbon footprint of ML models include hardware, training data size, model architecture, training duration, and data center location.
  3. It is essential to balance the benefits of AI models with minimizing their environmental impact, considering their vast energy requirements.

The Ring of Power is Corrupt, but the Ring of Crude Oil is even more Corrupt

Adetokunbo Sees • 9 HN points • 02 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Oil Spills Global Warming Environmental Impact
  1. Crude oil spills are causing significant harm to wildlife and the environment in various locations around the world.
  2. Officials in oil-producing countries downplay the impact of oil spills to protect oil production and minimize public outcry.
  3. Activism against oil spills could be a crucial step in holding oil companies accountable and addressing climate change issues.

The Week in Repair: March 6-12

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 15 Mar 22
🕹 Technology Repairability Legislation Consumer Rights Environmental Impact Electronic Devices
  1. Ownership of Tesla vehicle data is a complex issue that goes beyond just who owns it, including access, repurposing, and usage.
  2. Wheelchair users in Massachusetts face challenges with slow repairs and limited legal protections, highlighting the need for stronger state laws.
  3. Manufacturers employing tactics like limiting repair options restrict consumer choice and have economic consequences, spurring the need to protect the right to repair.

Carbon Pawprints and the Rationing of Life

The Corbett Report • 20 implied HN points • 18 Jun 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Carbon Footprint Environmental Impact Global Warming
  1. An article comparing carbon footprints of private jets to pet ownership evolved into a serious issue demanding fact-checking.
  2. The narrative of reducing carbon footprints subtly shifts towards considering human life itself as a burden on the environment.
  3. The agenda of carbon eugenics and global depopulation by manipulating perceptions about carbon emissions is already being implemented.

December 31, 2021

The False Consensus Effect • 19 implied HN points • 31 Dec 21
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate Crisis Environmental Impact Sustainability Carbon Emissions Extinction
  1. The author reflects on the interconnectedness of all life and the need to focus on what truly matters, beyond material possessions and capitalist nightmares.
  2. The author discusses the impact of personal actions on the environment, highlighting the importance of making conscious decisions to reduce one's carbon footprint.
  3. The author advocates for a shift in societal norms and governmental regulations to address climate change, emphasizing the urgency of collective action and sacrifices to prevent further environmental degradation.

CO2: from trash to treasure?

Year 2049 • 13 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Carbon Capture Renewable Energy Environmental Impact Green Technology
  1. Lab-grown diamonds can be made from captured CO2, transforming waste into valuable products.
  2. Global efforts are being made to reduce CO2 emissions, with innovative solutions like carbon capture and reuse.
  3. Carbon capture technology offers opportunities to create sustainable products in various industries, addressing the challenges of reducing emissions.

Heatwaves, Scorching Spells, Warm Waters: implications of the rising Celsius from Climate Change

Adetokunbo Sees • 8 HN points • 07 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Natural Disasters Carbon Emissions Environmental Impact
  1. Average global temperatures are consistently hitting new highs due to climate change.
  2. The El Nino event often contributes to soaring temperatures on land and sea.
  3. Implementing adaptive social protection programs and cutting fossil fuel usage are vital to combat rising temperatures.

3 Million Barrels of Oil Per Batt!

Aether Pirates of the Matterium! • 3 HN points • 26 Feb 23
🔬 Science Energy Electric Vehicles Environmental Impact Energy consumption
  1. It takes a lot of oil to produce and charge an electric vehicle battery, potentially more than the amount it would save over its lifetime.
  2. The total energy cost of producing and using the Tesla Model S Long Range battery pack, including environmental factors like disposal and fires, is equivalent to about 3,088,431 barrels of oil.
  3. Factors like lithium extraction, transportation, factory construction, and battery recycling all contribute to the overall energy cost of electric vehicle batteries.

Displacement, Deforestation: How Sustainable turns Unsustainable in Lithium Production

Adetokunbo Sees • 3 HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate tech Environmental Impact Sustainable Practices
  1. Lithium production can lead to displacement of local communities, deforestation, and environmental degradation.
  2. To make lithium production sustainable, methods that reduce water and energy usage should be implemented, along with new technologies to decrease resource requirements.
  3. The growing demand for lithium, driven by the transition to clean energy, presents opportunities for investment and innovation in climate tech sectors like climate data analytics, satellite imaging, and carbon footprint management.

What's holding America's freeway removal movement back?

Urben Field Notes • 10 implied HN points • 12 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Infrastructure Community Public Health Environmental Impact Urban Development
  1. Pioneering freeway removal projects are being completed, but more difficult challenges remain
  2. There's a need for a stronger response to concerns about displacement and gentrification in freeway removal projects
  3. There is a lack of attention on the pollution and public health impacts of urban freeways, requiring clear data for advocacy

Something Dreadful Happened with the Dreadful Heat this Year. And it can Happen Again and Again

Adetokunbo Sees • 3 HN points • 16 Dec 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Global Warming Renewable Energy Environmental Impact
  1. This year experienced record-breaking heat waves and deadly floods due to global warming.
  2. The high levels of carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels contributed to the extreme weather events.
  3. The future predicts even more severe floods, droughts, and heat waves if current trends continue.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 387

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 22 Apr 21
🕹 Technology Data science Machine Learning Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impact
  1. Goodreads is a huge platform for readers where they discuss what makes a book a 'classic.' It shows how engaging with books online can shape opinions and communities.
  2. Scientists are using AI to decode whale language, which could help us understand more about these intelligent creatures and their communication.
  3. Neural networks are getting better at solving complex math problems quickly, making it easier to model complicated systems in science and engineering.

'Renewables.' You keep using that word.

Everything is Light • 2 HN points • 02 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Nuclear Energy Environmental Impact
  1. 'Renewables' is a broad term that includes various types of energy sources with different environmental impacts and efficiencies.
  2. Biomass and biogas, while renewable, can be problematic due to pollution and environmental damage.
  3. It's important to use accurate terminology like 'low-carbon energy' and focus on transparency in the energy sector to effectively combat climate change.

Visualizing CO₂

Climateer • 6 HN points • 17 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Carbon Emissions Global Warming Environmental Impact
  1. The amount of extra CO2 in the atmosphere, compared to the start of the Industrial Revolution, could form a layer of dry ice about 1.35 millimeters thick.
  2. By translating CO2 emissions into tangible objects, like trees or Twinkies, we can grasp the scale of the climate change problem.
  3. Industrial activity is a significant contributor to the CO2 issue, and understanding the scale of emissions per person can help in finding solutions.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 289

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jun 19
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Machine Learning Data science Programming Environmental Impact
  1. Machine learning can create lifelike animations from just one photo, which is both impressive and a little creepy.
  2. The AI industry relies on a lot of hidden human labor, often in poor conditions, as it grows and changes how businesses operate.
  3. Training large AI models can be very harmful to the environment, producing as much carbon emissions as five cars over their lifetime.

Shrinking, Disappearing, and plagued by Dust storms, the World's Lakes are in Danger

Adetokunbo Sees • 1 HN point • 17 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Environmental Impact Sustainability Conservation
  1. The shrinking and disappearing lakes around the world are facing danger due to multiple factors like climate change and reduced water levels.
  2. Lakes like the Aral Sea, Lake Chad, and Qinghai Lake are shrinking dramatically, impacting millions of lives and ecosystems that depend on their water.
  3. Efforts to conserve and sustainably manage these lakes involve global collaboration and the balance between development and environmental preservation.

An Argument for Nuclear Energy

An Interpersonal Journal • 1 HN point • 05 May 23
🔬 Science Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy Fossil fuels Environmental Impact Energy Production
  1. Nuclear power is cleaner and safer than coal combustion, despite rare incidents of radiation leaks.
  2. Nuclear energy has lower emissions throughout the entire production process compared to coal, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
  3. Nuclear waste management and disposal are handled more effectively than coal combustion waste, making nuclear energy a better long-term solution.

Office to Residential Conversions

Arpitrage • 1 HN point • 05 Nov 23
💼 Business Real Estate Urban Development Government Policy Economic Analysis Environmental Impact
  1. Cities are considering converting older office buildings to residential spaces to address urban challenges like reduced foot traffic, high carbon emissions, and housing affordability.
  2. Local and federal policymakers play vital roles in facilitating these office to residential conversions through regulatory changes, property tax relief, and financial incentives.
  3. Conversions may face challenges due to interest rate shifts, building constraints, and alternative real estate uses, but proactive measures can help make them financially viable.