Welcome to our new subscribers and thanks to everyone who has registered for our Q1 Zoom call tomorrow. We'll show off some amazing AI, tell you about what we're working on this year, and ask anyone who wants to share about what you're working on. And we'll have some friends and family in attendance!
Today's top story: Biden's drilling ban
We start each newsletter with one update for everyone: the relevant story getting the most coverage across hundreds of press outlets online. Today it's Biden's move to ban offshore oil drilling. Good coverage on TruthOut: Biden Permanently Bans Offshore Drilling Across 625M Acres of Coastal Territory. This executive action could be difficult for the Trump administration to reverse.
Biden's got 2 weeks to go and that reminds me of a sentiment we can Robin Hood for many circumstances: the projects most likely to succeed are the ones where the founders stay focused on the remaining window of opportunity, no matter how small it grows. I picture Indiana Jones sliding into the gap below a falling stone blockade. That's what prolific startup investor Ben Horowitz writes in his book The Hard Thing About Hard Things (summary) That's got me through some tough scrapes before.
I hope the Biden administration works right up to the last minute and beyond to strengthen their legacy and protect as much of the natural world as possible.
Thanks for joining us here. If you were reading this by email, I'd say: Let's dig into some updates just for you. Since you're on our site - read on for the whole collection.
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
Earth Catalyst: Boosting your impact, with my experience, network, and technology.
Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:
A Visual of the Day
A digest-style Table of Contents for 120 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world
(If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work
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Visual of the Day
More circular economy
A fun one from the AP and Huffington Post on Friday: Elephants At Berlin Zoo Get Unsold Christmas Trees As Late Holiday Gifts. "The animals not only eat the trees, they fight with them, rub themselves against them and 'do various other things' a zoo spokesman said.
I did some analysis last week looking at all the categories of news and updates we cover here, looking for which ones had moderate maturity and high momentum, in terms of investment flows, regulatory, and other policy developments worldwide, and you know what jumped out? Circular economy. The Interface carbon storage carpet tile company jumped out as a cool example - but sending unsold Christmas trees to elephants to eat and play with is pretty cool too.
Today's Updates

Table of Contents
Agriculture (4 stories) - Agrobiomics' €1.5M drought-resistant crops, UK's cultivated pet food approval, and climate impacts driving Irish wine production amid global soil challenges
Carbon (2 stories) - Failed DOE carbon capture project and Cornell study exposing LNG's higher emissions versus coal challenge clean energy narratives
Circular (1 story) - Ocean cleanup experts push for single-use bans plus collection barriers and advanced marine waste recycling
Ecosystems (10 stories) - Tongass Forest and Owyhee Canyonlands face logging threats, while Victoria and NSW battle bushfires; marine impacts hit Southern Resident orcas and sea turtles as Southeast US confronts accelerating sea level rise
Finance (2 stories) - Major oil ports face $32B flood risk; Energy Attribute Certificates gain traction as corporate clean energy funding tool
Grid (1 story) - AI-powered Oasis platform from EcoFlow enables automated home energy management via device integration
Indigenous (10 stories) - Indigenous fire practitioners and tribal knowledge guide prescribed burns from Mill Gulch to Clear Lake, while Spanish-language training "Voces del Fuego" and Fire Learning Network expand cultural burning practices
Industry (8 stories) - Major shifts at Port Talbot Steel and Duke Energy plants, while NPCIL seeks nuclear partners and US solar manufacturing surges to third globally; Wood Mackenzie hosts dual London conferences on hydrogen and LNG
Policy (13 stories) - DOE allocates $8B for clean energy democracy in TX/LA, while Forest Service launches $200M wildfire grants and Heliene pauses MN solar expansion amid IRA uncertainty
Renewables (4 stories) - Record NSW wind-solar output, Risen Energy's HJT cell advances, Fervo Energy's geothermal gains backing from Liberty and Devon, Arizona solar installations decline
Transport (13 stories) - Mercedes GLC 350e PHEV launch, SAIC's $8k Binguo EV debut, record EV sales for Ford/GM/Nissan, Tesla opens Superchargers, Volvo EX30 wins awards amid shifting market shares in Sweden/Norway
Agriculture
Agrobiomics' €1.5M drought-resistant crops, UK's cultivated pet food approval, and climate impacts driving Irish wine production amid global soil challenges
Agrobiomics secures EUR 1.5 Million from GUDP to Enhance Cereal Crop Resilience (Agrobiomics) - Danish biotech firm Agrobiomics has secured €1.5M in GUDP funding to develop drought-resistant cereal crop biostimulants through 2029.
Global Overheating Is Making The Land Drier And Saltier (CleanTechnica) - Rising temperatures have left 77% of Earth's farmland drier since 1993, while salt affects 10% of global soils, imperiling food security and displacing populations worldwide.
Lab-grown meat is the future for pet food – and that’s a huge opportunity for Britain | Lucy McCormick (The Guardian) - Britain leads Europe in approving cultivated meat for pets, eyeing a £500bn global market that promises 45% energy savings compared to conventional farming methods.
Ripe for the picking? Irish wine on the up – but ‘nobody will retire rich’ (The Guardian) - Rising temperatures have spurred 14 Irish vineyards to produce wine commercially, despite challenging conditions that restrict output to climate-resistant grape varieties.
Carbon
Failed DOE carbon capture project and Cornell study exposing LNG's higher emissions versus coal challenge clean energy narratives
Illinois Carbon Capture Project Captures Almost No Carbon (CleanTechnica) - A $281 million taxpayer-funded carbon capture project in Illinois captures just 10-12% of total emissions, falling far short of Department of Energy success claims.
Why the Argument That LNG Is Essential to the Energy Transition Is ‘Nonsense’ (InsideClimateNews) - New research from Cornell University reveals U.S. liquefied natural gas exports generate 33 percent more carbon emissions than coal, undermining claims about LNG's role in reducing climate impacts.
Circular
Ocean cleanup experts push for single-use bans plus collection barriers and advanced marine waste recycling
¿Qué se puede hacer para disminuir la cantidad de plástico en los océanos? (Yale Climate Connections) - Global experts advocate three-pronged approach to combat ocean plastic: banning single-use items, deploying collection barriers, and developing advanced recycling for marine waste.
Ecosystems
Tongass Forest and Owyhee Canyonlands face logging threats, while Victoria and NSW battle bushfires; marine impacts hit Southern Resident orcas and sea turtles as Southeast US confronts accelerating sea level rise
Congress delays Owyhee protection (Environment America) - Lawmakers failed to protect Oregon's Owyhee Canyonlands, a vital habitat for sage-grouse and pronghorn antelope in a region often called "Oregon's Grand Canyon."
Firefighters battle fresh blazes in Victoria as pockets of NSW burn (The Guardian) - Firefighters across Victoria and NSW are battling multiple bushfires amid heatwave conditions, with total fire bans in effect and warnings of shifting winds and lightning strikes.
Help protect the Tongass, Earth’s largest temperate rainforest (Environment America) - Alaska's Tongass National Forest, storing 9.9 billion tons of carbon and home to rare Alexander Archipelago gray wolves, faces mounting threats from logging companies.
Latin America in 2024: politics, turmoil and hope (Mongabay) - Wildfires, mining expansion, and criminal enterprises ravaged Latin American ecosystems in 2024, overshadowing scattered conservation victories across the region.
Relentless warming is driving the water cycle to new extremes, the 2024 global water report shows (The Conversation) - Global water cycle extremes intensified in 2023, with rainfall variations soaring up to 38%, while water-related disasters claimed 8,700 lives and caused $550 billion in damages worldwide.
Southern Resident orca mom mourns the loss of another calf (Environment America) - Endangered Southern Resident orca Tahlequah carries her dead newborn calf for second time, highlighting ongoing food scarcity threats to the dwindling population.
What the Beaver State can do for the ocean in 2025 (Environment Oregon) - Oregon lawmakers will vote on bills to protect vital eelgrass meadows and rocky coastal habitats, as marine ecosystems face mounting environmental threats.
Why Is The Sea Level Rise Higher In The Southeast Than In Other Parts Of The US? (CleanTechnica) - Southeast US faces sea level rise up to three times faster than global averages, driven by ice sheet melt patterns, sinking land, and warming Gulf Stream waters.
Scent Makes a Place (Nautilus) - Scientists discover New Mexico's desert harbors diverse smellscapes, from chocolate daisies to rain-soaked earth, revealing humans' deep connection to environmental aromas.
Why are sea turtles washing up on Oregon beaches? (Environment America) - Two endangered sea turtles have washed up dead on Oregon's beaches due to cold water temperatures, marking a concerning rise in stranding incidents this year.
Finance
Major oil ports face $32B flood risk; Energy Attribute Certificates gain traction as corporate clean energy funding tool
‘Ironic’: climate-driven sea level rise will overwhelm major oil ports, study shows (The Guardian) - Rising seas could cripple 13 major oil ports responsible for 20% of global exports, including key US and Saudi facilities, as climate change drives water levels up one meter.
Looking forward to 2025 (WattCarbon) - Companies are increasingly using Energy Attribute Certificates to fund clean energy projects, with 73% of firms planning expanded EAC investments in 2025.
Grid
AI-powered Oasis platform from EcoFlow enables automated home energy management via device integration
EcoFlow’s Oasis could be a powerful tool for simplifying your home’s energy use (The Verge) - The new Oasis system from EcoFlow integrates AI and natural language controls to automatically manage home energy consumption through third-party device connections.
Indigenous
Indigenous fire practitioners and tribal knowledge guide prescribed burns from Mill Gulch to Clear Lake, while Spanish-language training "Voces del Fuego" and Fire Learning Network expand cultural burning practices
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana agencies and landowners have united to conduct a 1,300-acre prescribed burn in Mill Gulch, aiming to protect sagebrush habitat and reduce wildfire threats.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Network marks decade-long milestone with 680-plus published stories from global practitioners, researchers and indigenous communities sharing wildfire resilience strategies.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - Local tribes and scientists unite in Lake County, California, combining traditional Pomo knowledge with modern research to protect Clear Lake's watershed and reduce wildfire risks.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - Fire-prone communities in Trinity County are embracing prescribed burn initiatives through trauma-informed workshops, strategic facilitation, and sustained follow-up efforts, reports The Watershed Center.
Escape Into the Story: Three Longform Reads for Your Weekend (Fire Networks) - Interactive narratives delve into wilderness fire management, Texas wildfire resilience, and Fire Learning Network partnerships through three new StoryMaps.
Interview About Public Lands And Indian Land Back Efforts (The Wildlife News) - Ecologist George Wuerthner examines the impact of tribal co-management and Land Back initiatives on America's wilderness areas and national parks.
Print Edition 59: The Kinship Issue (Nautilus) - A new collection of essays examines kinship through scientific lenses, uniting insights from philosophers, anthropologists, and researchers alongside fresh artwork from Aad Goudappel.
The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Despite mounting health risks and losses in 2024, fire leader Lenya Quinn-Davidson emphasizes the vital role of human connection and hospitality within fire management culture.
Untrammeling the Wilderness (Fire Networks) - Scientists urge federal wilderness managers to embrace prescribed and Indigenous burning practices, citing data showing 120 years of fire suppression has damaged natural ecosystems.
Voces del Fuego (Voices of Fire) (Fire Networks) - Fifty fire practitioners from 27 organizations across eight countries unite in California's first Spanish-language prescribed burn training, captured in the film "Voces del Fuego."
Industry
Major shifts at Port Talbot Steel and Duke Energy plants, while NPCIL seeks nuclear partners and US solar manufacturing surges to third globally; Wood Mackenzie hosts dual London conferences on hydrogen and LNG
Europe | Hydrogen (Energy Central) - European nations are investing heavily in hydrogen infrastructure and green technologies, with projections indicating a sustainable energy transformation by 2025.
Gas, LNG & The Future of Energy 2025 (Energy Central) - Global energy leaders will gather in London this June for Wood Mackenzie's third annual conference, exploring opportunities in gas and LNG markets amid shifting industry dynamics.
India to Deploy a Fleet of 40-50 220 MW PHWRs (EnergyCentral) - India's state-owned NPCIL seeks partners to construct up to 50 pressurized heavy water reactors, each generating 220MW, to replace coal plants nationwide within ten years.
The Guardian view on a carbon-free economy: no just transition in sight – yet (The Guardian) - Nearly 6,000 UK industrial jobs face elimination in 2024 as Port Talbot steelworks, Grangemouth refinery, and Vauxhall Luton plan closures amid the nation's shift toward green energy.
US Magnesium taken over by Utah court (Salt Lake Tribune) - Federal receiver takes control of US Magnesium after company stopped building EPA-required toxic waste barrier at Great Salt Lake site.
US Solar Manufacturing Is Soaring — New Facts (CleanTechnica) - US solar panel manufacturing capacity has surged from 14th to 3rd place globally since 2017, with domestic factories now capable of meeting almost 100% of national demand.
Wood Mackenzie Hydrogen Conference (Wood Mackenzie) - Global energy research firm Wood Mackenzie announces its fourth annual hydrogen conference in London, offering industry insights for £995, with Energy Central members receiving 20% off registration.
Officials Approve Duke Energy’s Plan to Replace Coal with Gas-Fired Units (POWER) - North Carolina officials have approved Duke Energy's 2.2-GW transition from coal to gas-fired generation at Roxboro and Marshall plants, with completion expected by 2029.
Policy
DOE allocates $8B for clean energy democracy in TX/LA, while Forest Service launches $200M wildfire grants and Heliene pauses MN solar expansion amid IRA uncertainty
‘It’s not just alerts, it’s a state of mind’: How a wildfire monitoring app became essential in the US west (The Guardian) - A volunteer-run wildfire monitoring app has amassed 7.2 million users across 14 states, tracking over 9,000 fires through expert reporters providing real-time alerts.
9 Organizations for Groundbreaking Program to Foster Collaboration Between Communities & Stakeholders in the Energy Transition (CleanTechnica) - Nine organizations will manage $8 billion in clean energy investments across Texas and Louisiana as part of the Department of Energy's Regional Energy Democracy Initiative pilot program.
After Three Hurricanes in 13 Months, Residents of Cedar Key, Florida, Are Considering the Island’s Future—and Their Own (InsideClimateNews) - Rising seas and intensifying storms have forced Cedar Key's 700 residents to contemplate their future after enduring three major hurricanes in just 13 months.
Border Agency Seeks Solutions With Mexico on Water, Sewage Problems (Inside Climate News) - U.S. water commissioner Maria-Elena Giner works to resolve cross-border water disputes with Mexico amid concerns over Rio Grande deliveries and Tijuana sewage flows.
Breaking a Cycle of Apocalypse (Nautilus) - A new novel examines how 83% of past civilizations have followed predictable patterns toward collapse, suggesting modern societies may face similar fates.
Can Prescribe Burning Reduce Smoke In Summer? (The Wildlife News) - New research indicates prescribed burns offer minimal relief from summer smoke, as fuels regrow within 2-3 years and drifting smoke remains a persistent challenge.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service launches $200 million grant program, enabling communities and Tribes to mitigate wildfire risks through February 2025.
Here’s A Hint So Your Company Can Get Climate Federal Funding: Call It “Defense Tech” (CleanTechnica) - Clean energy firms are pivoting to "defense tech" branding to boost federal funding chances, as political tensions rise ahead of potential Trump return.
How the U.S. got no old growth forest protections from the Biden Administration (commentary) (Mongabay) - The Biden Administration's promised protections for America's old-growth forests have failed to materialize, leaving ancient woodlands vulnerable amid industry pushback and bureaucratic delays.
Polar vortex expected to bring snow, ice and brutal cold to most of US (The Guardian) - A massive polar vortex will plunge temperatures 12-25F below normal across two-thirds of the US starting Saturday, bringing heavy snow and potential blizzard conditions.
Regulatory Chaos Could Disrupt US Solar Manufacturing And Implementation (CleanTechnica) - Political uncertainty surrounding IRA tax credits has forced solar manufacturer Heliene to halt its Minnesota plant expansion, though the $7 billion Solar for All program remains secure.
Thank you, CANdoers! (Climate Action Now) - New York's climate action triumphs include a congestion pricing revival, broader fracking restrictions, and a $75 billion Superfund Act to combat environmental challenges.
🎁 Listen to this essay: Why humanity needs AI (Exponential View) - AI emerges as a vital tool for scientific advancement as humanity grapples with knowledge creation limits stemming from slowing population growth and biological constraints.
Renewables
Record NSW wind-solar output, Risen Energy's HJT cell advances, Fervo Energy's geothermal gains backing from Liberty and Devon, Arizona solar installations decline
Australia’s biggest coal state breaks new ground in wind and solar output (RenewEconomy) - New South Wales hit record-breaking levels of renewable energy generation, with utility solar reaching 40.5% and combined wind-solar hitting 55.9% during early morning hours.
HJT, Cornerstone Of Risen Energy’s PV Advancements (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer Risen Energy has achieved record-low silver consumption of under 6mg/W in HJT cells while aiming for 730W output and 26.4% efficiency by early 2025.
Oil & Gas Frackers Love New Enhanced Geothermal Energy Systems (CleanTechnica) - Major US fracking firms Liberty Energy and Devon Energy are investing millions into Fervo Energy's large-scale geothermal projects, marking a significant shift in the energy sector.
The Arizona Republic: Rooftop Solar Growth Dims in Sunny Arizona as Regulators Clash and Costs Climb (The Arizona Republic) - Arizona's rooftop solar installations plunged 33% in 2023 as homeowners faced mounting interest rates, diminished utility incentives, and regulatory challenges, despite available federal tax credits.
Transport
Mercedes GLC 350e PHEV launch, SAIC's $8k Binguo EV debut, record EV sales for Ford/GM/Nissan, Tesla opens Superchargers, Volvo EX30 wins awards amid shifting market shares in Sweden/Norway
“Super Hybrids” Like The Mercedes GLC 350e Are Coming (CleanTechnica) - Mercedes' new GLC 350e plug-in hybrid boasts a 50-mile electric range, targeting American buyers seeking transition vehicles between conventional cars and full EVs.
An $8,000 Electric Car: The Wuling Binguo (CleanTechnica) - Chinese automaker SAIC-GM-Wuling debuts its $8,000 Binguo electric vehicle, offering 126-mile range in base trim and up to 250 miles in premium models.
Electric Vehicles & Solar Can Help Reduce Zimbabwe’s Negative Trade Balance (CleanTechnica) - Zimbabwe could slash its $1.7 billion trade deficit by switching from imported fuel vehicles and petroleum to domestically-powered electric vehicles and solar generation.
EVs Take 62.8% Share in Sweden — 2024 a Year to Forget (CleanTechnica) - Sweden's electric vehicle market share fell to 58.4% in 2024, marking a 1.4% decline from 2023, though Tesla's Model Y maintained its position as the country's best-selling car.
EVs Take 89.9% Share In Norway — But HEVs Now Outperform PHEVs (CleanTechnica) - Norway's electric vehicle adoption reached 89.9% last month, as tax reforms pushed traditional hybrids ahead of plug-in models in sales rankings.
Ford Reaches New Electric Vehicle Sales Heights (CleanTechnica) - Ford's electric vehicle sales soared to 97,865 units in 2024, including 30,176 deliveries in Q4 and a record-breaking 16,119 Mustang Mach-E sales in the final quarter.
GM’s EV Sales Skyrocket And Soon We’ll All Be Driving Mushroom Cars (CleanTechnica) - GM's electric vehicle sales surged 50% last year to claim second place in the US market, as the automaker explores fungal-based materials for future Cadillac models.
Huge Growth in Nissan LEAF & Ariya EV Sales in USA (CleanTechnica) - Nissan's electric vehicle sales soared in America, with LEAF deliveries climbing 57% to 11,226 units and Ariya sales surging 47% to 19,798 units.
Improvements to Electric Vehicles Ease Concerns About Range Loss in Cold Climates (InsideClimateNews) - New data shows electric vehicles equipped with heat pumps lose less than half the driving range in cold weather compared to those without the technology.
Janus Electric Prime Movers — A Better Option? (CleanTechnica) - Australian firm Janus Electric reports 2,051 battery swaps across nine stations, including its first solar-powered facility in Sydney, with 23 converted trucks operating and 155 more on order.
Tesla Supercharging: The New (NACS) Era (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's Supercharger network will open to all electric vehicles starting January 1, 2024, as North America widely adopts the NACS charging standard.
Volvo EX30 Wins CleanTechnica Car of the Year in Europe (CleanTechnica) - Volvo's EX30 clinched Europe's top EV honor with 43% of votes while securing its position as the continent's third best-selling electric vehicle in 2024.
What Is Going Wrong At Tesla? (CleanTechnica) - Tesla's market share dropped 20% this quarter amid growing concerns over CEO Elon Musk's leadership style and lack of new product launches.
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