The hottest Environmental Policy Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Heat Waves, Floods, Storms, and the Significance of Attribution Science

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Attribution science helps us understand how much human-caused climate change affects specific extreme weather events. This research can guide us in creating better climate policies and protections.
  2. Major weather disasters like Hurricane Harvey and recent storms in Spain show the link between extreme weather and climate change. These events align with predictions made by climate models.
  3. There's a growing need for accountability in climate issues, and attribution science can help identify who is responsible for climate-related damages, potentially leading to legal action against major polluters.

Headlines from a Warming World no 6

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 19 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Extreme wet heat is becoming a real problem in many parts of the world. It could make life very difficult, especially for food and water security.
  2. South America is experiencing unusual heat linked to climate change, making such high temperatures much more likely. This trend will likely worsen as global temperatures rise.
  3. Drought is severely affecting the Amazon, threatening its ecosystems and the people living there. Urgent climate action is needed to address these extreme weather impacts.

Headlines from a Warming World no.4

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. September 2023 was one of the hottest months ever recorded, with many countries in Europe experiencing temperatures significantly above normal. This highlights the urgent effects of climate change.
  2. The UK government is pushing back its plans for cleaner energy, which some see as a major setback. This includes delays in banning petrol cars and new licenses for oil and gas extraction.
  3. A recent study found that most carbon offset schemes are ineffective, meaning they don't really help reduce greenhouse gases. This raises concerns about relying on such projects to combat climate change.

Headlines from a Warming World no.3

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Fossil fuel companies should be left out of climate discussions because they often mislead the public and harm climate action. This change is supported by growing legal actions against these companies.
  2. The Arctic and Antarctic sea ice levels are at record lows, which highlights serious climate change problems. Less ice means more ocean exposure to sunlight, leading to more warming and further ice loss.
  3. The Gulf Stream has weakened significantly over the past 40 years, which affects climate and weather patterns. This change provides clear evidence of how human activities are impacting ocean currents and global climate.

Headlines from a Warming World

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Summer 2023 was the hottest on record, driven by human activities and natural events. This extreme heat led to wildfires and severe weather around the world.
  2. Young activists are using legal actions to push for stronger climate policies, claiming that governments are failing to protect their rights. These cases are gaining traction and could lead to more accountability.
  3. One person can make a difference! Greta Thunberg's activism inspired many people in Switzerland to make greener choices. Her efforts highlight that individual actions can impact the conversation about climate change.
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Headlines from a warming world

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Oceans are warming fast, with the past two months being the hottest on record. This warming is ongoing and affects the climate globally.
  2. Recent storms, like Storm Daniel, show how severe climate events are increasing in both frequency and intensity, causing devastating impacts in places like Greece and Libya.
  3. Six out of nine planetary boundaries have been crossed, meaning humans are affecting the Earth's systems in dangerous ways. This calls for serious action to protect our planet.

"The climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis.”

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 06 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Burning fossil fuels is the main cause of climate change, and we urgently need to switch to clean energy sources.
  2. Al Gore has been a long-time advocate for climate change awareness, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
  3. Young people are stepping up and demanding action on climate issues, reminding us that we all have the power to make a difference.

Kenya hosts first-ever Africa Climate Summit.

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. The Africa Climate Summit in Kenya is a big event with over 13,000 delegates, focusing on Africa working together to tackle climate change on their own terms.
  2. Companies like Kakuma Ventures and M-KOPA Solar are showcasing how they're improving lives through renewable energy, helping communities access clean power and digital services.
  3. The summit aims to fix Africa's lack of weather data, which is crucial for agriculture and disaster readiness, so countries can make better decisions related to climate challenges.

The Santa Barbara Oil Spill: A Turning Point for Environmentalism

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 20 May 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. The Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969 was a huge disaster, spilling millions of gallons of oil and harming many animals and the environment.
  2. This incident raised public awareness about environmental issues, leading to stronger regulations and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  3. The spill marked a significant change in how the U.S. viewed oil drilling and environmental protection, influencing policies for years to come.

The Carbon Dioxide Number

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 30 Nov 22
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Charles David Keeling invented a way to measure carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, which became the foundation for understanding climate change. His work started in the 1950s and helped us see how human activities affect the Earth's climate.
  2. The Keeling Curve shows that carbon dioxide levels have been steadily rising over the years, proving that our actions contribute to climate change. This curve became a major symbol of the greenhouse effect and climate research.
  3. Scientists realized that the oceans can only absorb so much carbon dioxide, which affects global temperatures. Early researchers warned that increasing carbon emissions would lead to significant changes in our climate.

Systems Thinking, Objects and Networks

Divergent Futures • 0 implied HN points • 08 Oct 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Complex problems like climate change need complex thinking. We can't just look at individual parts; we must see the whole system and how it all connects.
  2. When people want to change things but can't, it's often because of poor communication and coordination between different groups. Both developers and planners might have good intentions, but they need to work together to make real progress.
  3. To really solve problems, we should focus on the bigger picture and the relationships around the issue. By understanding the system we are in, we can find better ways to create meaningful change.

#21 - Hannah Ritchie | Why We Aren't Doomed by Climate Change

Win-Win • 0 implied HN points • 04 May 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. We need to rethink what sustainability really means. It's not just about cutting back, but finding ways to improve our lives while being kind to the planet.
  2. Some climate problems that we worry about might not be as big as they seem, while others are more serious than we think. It's important to look at the facts.
  3. There are successful ideas and technologies out there that can help us tackle environmental issues. We can aim for solutions that benefit both the environment and our quality of life.

Flames of Fury: The Unrelenting Path of Wildfires

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Wildfires are becoming more common and dangerous worldwide. Major events in countries like Portugal, Greece, and Australia have caused huge damage and loss of life.
  2. Climate change plays a big role in worsening wildfires. Increased heat and drought conditions, along with strong winds, make fires spread more quickly.
  3. To fight wildfires effectively, we need to address climate change. This means cutting down on pollution, using renewable energy, and adopting better land management practices.

Rising Tides, Rising Temperatures: A Future Uncertain

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Carbon dioxide emissions are rising, and we're relying heavily on fossil fuels for energy. This situation makes it hard to meet climate goals.
  2. If we continue with our current practices, we could see significant increases in global warming and more extreme weather events by 2050.
  3. To avoid a tough future, everyone needs to come together to support better climate policies and raise awareness about climate change.

You're Getting Ready, or You're Not.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 11 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. It's important to have a personal climate strategy since the impacts of climate change are real and growing. Everyone needs to take responsibility for preparing for the future.
  2. Making smart choices about where to live and how to plan helps improve chances of a better future. This idea is called personal ruggedization.
  3. A class is available to help guide you through the basics of building a personal climate strategy. It's a great opportunity to learn how to prepare for challenging times.

Packaging is Broken - Claire Gusko Raised €10.5 Million to Fix it with AI

The Green Techpreneur • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Claire Gusko is using AI to create better packaging. This approach helps make packaging sustainable and fits the needs of businesses better.
  2. Her company, one.five, raised €10.5 million to develop recyclable packaging. This shows that there's a growing interest in solving the plastic waste problem.
  3. The challenges of fundraising and changing industry habits can be tough. Claire emphasizes the importance of believing in your mission and adapting to market needs.

The New Wave of Climate Imagination

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. People often think it's too late to fix climate change, but it's actually a new beginning for us. We need to imagine a better future instead of giving in to despair.
  2. Games and playful activities can help us understand complex climate issues better. They allow us to role-play solutions and think creatively about the future.
  3. As climate change causes rapid changes, our thinking needs to adapt too. We should focus on making plans that acknowledge uncertainty instead of relying on old solutions.

The Fundamentals of Planning for Discontinuity.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Climate change is already impacting us more than we expected, and taking action is urgent. We need to prepare for big changes and challenges that are coming.
  2. It's important to have a personal plan for managing climate chaos in our lives. This planning will guide our decisions and help us build a better future.
  3. Understanding where we live and making smart choices about it can improve our chances of facing future challenges. Learning about personal climate strategies can provide valuable insights.

Welcome to the future we fought for five decades to avoid.

The Snap Forward • 0 implied HN points • 03 Dec 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. We can't solve big climate problems in a calm way anymore. We've passed the point where an orderly transition is possible.
  2. The future looks really tough with climate change, and we will need to change how we live and how we plan for everything.
  3. Quick action to cut emissions is more important than ever. The longer we wait, the worse the impacts on people and the planet will be.

Deep water Gold Rush: High Returns, Heavy Carbon Costs

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 29 Nov 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Deep-water oil exploration is rapidly expanding and highly profitable, with major companies and countries investing in ultra-deep projects that promise strong returns and low break-even costs.
  2. But deep-water drilling causes big environmental harms — large greenhouse gas emissions, routine toxic discharges, and catastrophic spills that damage marine life and worsen climate change.
  3. While firms argue deep-water helps avoid onshore problems like theft and cuts some emissions, the real fixes are prevention, rapid spill response, active carbon management, and much stricter regulation.

The Trash Tides: The Past, Present, and Future of Plastic Pollution

Adetokunbo Sees • 0 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy
  1. Plastic from decades past still litters beaches and oceans because it can take centuries to break down. That means old waste keeps accumulating and resurfaces over time.
  2. There is an enormous amount of plastic in rivers, the sea, and on shorelines, creating microplastics, killing seabirds and marine mammals, and disrupting plankton and the carbon cycle. This pollution also adds greenhouse gas emissions and worsens climate impacts.
  3. To prevent far worse pollution and climate effects, we must cut plastic production and consumption and reduce the fossil fuels that power plastic manufacturing. Individual and policy actions to curb use are essential.