The hottest Environmental Impact Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

The cost of greenwashing

Klement on Investing • 1 implied HN point • 14 Jul 25
💰 Finance Environmental Impact
  1. Greenwashing can seriously hurt a company's reputation and stock price. When a company is caught misleading about their environmental practices, investors tend to react strongly by selling their shares.
  2. The impact of greenwashing varies by country. Companies in the US, UK, and Canada see bigger price drops after greenwashing incidents compared to those in Japan and Australia.
  3. Once a company is associated with greenwashing, it can struggle to regain trust. Investors often remain cautious, causing ongoing negative effects on the company's stock even months after the incident.

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 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.

'Renewables.' You keep using that word.

Everything is Light • 2 HN points • 02 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment 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.

CO2: from trash to treasure?

Year 2049 • 13 implied HN points • 15 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  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.
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Data Science Weekly - Issue 289

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 06 Jun 19
🕹 Technology 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.

Visualizing CO₂

Climateer • 6 HN points • 17 Mar 23
🌞 Climate & Environment 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.

Displacement, Deforestation: How Sustainable turns Unsustainable in Lithium Production

Adetokunbo Sees • 3 HN points • 10 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  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.

An Argument for Nuclear Energy

An Interpersonal Journal • 1 HN point • 05 May 23
🔬 Science Environmental Impact
  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.

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

Adetokunbo Sees • 1 HN point • 17 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  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.

Office to Residential Conversions

Arpitrage • 1 HN point • 05 Nov 23
💼 Business 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.

Europe backs down on climate disclosure rules with two-year delay

Callaway Climate Insights • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Europe delayed climate disclosure rules for 8 specific sectors by 2 years due to concerns over extra costs and bureaucracy.
  2. The delay may impact Europe's reputation as a climate change leader and is seen as a setback for investors managing climate risks.
  3. The delay also affects US Securities and Exchange Commission's own climate disclosure rule, highlighting challenges faced globally in climate reporting.

Can we do systems?

Douglass’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 29 Jan 24
🔬 Science Environmental Impact
  1. Nature conducts slow, limited experiments to avoid harming the entire system.
  2. Humans possess tools like atomic bombs and bioweapons that threaten our own systems more than nature does.
  3. We have not been smart about understanding our place as humans and often fail to consider what we are dependent on.

Crude Oil's Ubiquity

Helix • 0 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Crude oil is essential in various industries, with half being used for transportation fuels and the other half in products with significant environmental impacts.
  2. Our daily lives are deeply intertwined with crude oil, from clothing to medications, raising questions about its effects on our health.
  3. Health issues can arise from exposure to petrochemical products, such as skin irritation and respiratory problems, emphasizing the need to understand its impact.

Misleading approaches to climate.

Douglass’s Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Progressive-minded individuals often investigate underlying causes of climate issues but may fall into the trap of seeking solutions that revert society back to a previous state, hindering real systemic change.
  2. Merely advocating for mindset changes without a clear implementation plan and considering practical issues like energy production limitations or environmental impact of alternative solutions can be ineffective in addressing climate challenges.
  3. Relying solely on current strategies like solar panels without factoring in limitations and the need for backup systems from coal or oil can lead to unforeseen consequences and a failure to have a comprehensive, sustainable approach.

The Week in Repair: Dec 6-12

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 14 Dec 21
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. Activists worldwide are pushing for the 'right to repair' movement to combat expensive and environmentally damaging obsolescence of electronics and appliances.
  2. Big companies like John Deere and Facebook are being called out for restricting repair options, while others like Microsoft and iFixit are working to make repair tools more accessible.
  3. Efforts are being made to make products more repairable, reduce e-waste, and shift towards a circular economy model for environmental, financial, and supply chain benefits.

D-Students: Microsoft, Apple Get Failing Grades on France’s Repair Index. (For Now.)

Fight to Repair • 0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 21
🕹 Technology Environmental Impact
  1. France introduced a Repairability Index to rate products based on repair-ability, giving failing grades to Apple and Microsoft products.
  2. The scoring system considers factors like documentation availability, ease of disassembly, spare parts availability, and pricing of spare parts.
  3. The French Repairability Index has prompted companies to rethink product design and serviceability, setting a precedent for promoting repair-friendly products.

The crisis couldn’t care less. It only grows more quickly.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The crisis is growing rapidly and won't wait for us to be prepared. It's essential to face the reality of the situation.
  2. Personal ruggedization is crucial - we need to learn how to get ready for the unprecedented transformations ahead. This course aims to help individuals become confident and capable in navigating the challenges of a world in crisis.
  3. The course provides a clear framework for decision-making in uncertain times and focuses on spotting opportunities for optimization to achieve lasting well-being amidst turbulent changes.

The Shock That Comes With Recognition

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 18 Mar 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Recognition of a sudden change in the world can be shocking, especially when people are unprepared for it.
  2. Upcoming announcements include a book and a condensed class focused on readying ourselves for living in a changing world.
  3. Writing is becoming slower due to physical challenges, leading to a shift towards shorter, more frequent podcasts as an alternative.

A utopia suffocated by smog?

Model Thinking • 0 implied HN points • 09 Oct 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Open borders could potentially boost global carbon emissions, impacting climate change and global wealth in the long run.
  2. Emissions per capita in developed countries like the UK are significantly lower compared to developing countries, even with higher GDP per capita.
  3. Assumptions about countries following net zero emissions pledges impact predictions on total global emissions, with open borders showing mildly negative effects on the environment.

NEM 3.0 is good, actually

cleanenergyreview • 0 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. The transition to NEM 3.0 in California initially caused short-term decline in solar installations, but aims for a healthier market in the long term.
  2. NEM 3.0 shifts towards an 'Avoided Cost Calculator' for new solar installations, aiming to better reflect underlying energy costs and values, especially for peak times.
  3. While NEM 3.0 impacts the value of PV-only systems, the installation of PV + BESS systems can still hold significant value and be beneficial, leading to the next phase of distributed energy management growth in California.

Big Cow

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 23
🎭️ Culture Environmental Impact
  1. In India, a group called the Holy Cowboys is dedicated to rescuing cows and punishing those who harm them. They see cows as important symbols in their culture and history.
  2. The cow is a significant point of debate in the USA, dividing people into two groups: those who support cattle farming and those who advocate for reducing meat and dairy consumption for environmental reasons.
  3. The conflict over the cow reflects broader tensions, and it may lead to serious debates in the future, emphasizing how food choices can impact social and political issues.

The Hellish Reality of Venus

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Venus has a very thick atmosphere mostly made of carbon dioxide, which traps heat and creates extreme temperatures of about 464°C. This causes a runaway greenhouse effect, making Venus one of the hottest places in our solar system.
  2. In the past, Venus might have had liquid water and a more Earth-like climate. But intense heating from the Sun caused water to evaporate, leading to the loss of its oceans and transforming it into a dry, barren planet.
  3. Earth is not immune to similar environmental issues. If we keep increasing greenhouse gas emissions, we could face severe climate changes in the future, highlighting the need for immediate action to protect our planet.

"But the Island I love, and I wish I were not seeing it in one of the seasons of hell."

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jul 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. Greece has been facing extremely high temperatures, reaching 44.5ºC in June 2024. This heat has caused several fatalities, including tourists who couldn't cope with the conditions.
  2. The heatwaves are getting more severe and last longer now. In July, Greece had 16 days where temperatures stayed above 37°C, even during the night.
  3. Research shows that these heatwaves are a result of climate change, and they hurt poorer countries more. As global warming continues, the impacts of heatwaves will get worse for everyone.

February 2024 on course to Break Temperature Records

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Impact
  1. February 2024 is likely to break temperature records due to rising global temperatures. Both human activity and natural patterns like El Niño are causing these increases.
  2. The interaction of different climate factors makes it hard to predict exact outcomes, but the data shows a clear trend of warming. Even without El Niño and other influences, global temperatures are still rising.
  3. Experts are analyzing climate data to understand these changes better. The findings highlight a concerning reality for our planet's future.

The Dark Side of the Fashion Industry

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 20 Jan 24
🪞 Fashion & Beauty Environmental Impact
  1. Fast fashion creates a lot of waste and pollution. It produces billions of clothing items each year, with most ending up in landfills or polluting the ocean.
  2. The fashion industry uses a huge amount of water and chemicals, harming both people and ecosystems. Growing cotton and dyeing fabrics often uses toxic materials that contaminate water sources.
  3. Many workers in the fast fashion industry face exploitation, including low pay and unsafe working conditions. The industry often relies on the labor of vulnerable populations, leading to serious human rights violations.