Chinese wind and solar capacity tops coal and gas

From Asian energy analyst Lauri Myllyvirta on Bluesky

Huge news: China announces that it now has more solar and wind installed than coal and gas (thermal) power generation capacity!

Each morning I scan more than a thousand news sources and organizations, and it's hard to imagine data more significant for the world than this.

Anika Patel rounded up coverage and analysis from multiple sources yesterday at Carbon Brief and the numbers look like this:

* 74 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar installations in China in the first quarter of 2025

* 1,482GW is the new total capacity up for wind and solar

* 1,451GW on the other hand, is the national capacity for coal and gas power generation:

* Nuclear is 113GW, in case you were wondering; and it was also reported that China just approved construction of 10 more nuclear plants that will provide a total of 12GW additional power

For context: That suggests that emissions-free energy production now accounts for 52% of China's capacity.

I believe the hope is that the renewable portion of US energy capacity will be 40%, in 3 years.

Good for China, and good for all of us.

And now, our daily summaries of nearly 200 selected updates from around the world of green tech and sustainability.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (14 stories) - Peasant unions protest in Asia; El Salvador food crisis; JBS linked to Amazon deforestation; UK early harvests; Stanford aquifer recharge; SHiFT food systems initiative; Tanzania seaweed farming; Meatable & TruMeat cultivated meat.

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (7 stories) - Amazon carbon storage, landfill methane emissions, Philippines coal plant transition, Queensland mine challenge, Trump's oil emissions, Blue Yonder's Pledge acquisition, and soil carbon credit rebound (Indigo Ag, Boomitra).

  
  

• ♻️Circular (8 stories) - Good4Trust marketplace; microplastics research; Patagonia, Apple circularity; Kohler, Legrand redesign; DePoly, eeden funding; Freight Farms bankruptcy; bamboo wipes.

  
  

• 🌱Ecosystems (22 stories) - Axolotl reintroduction, shark finning restrictions, "Wild and Free Lawns Pledge," Colossal's "de-extinct" dire wolves, Macfarlane's river advocacy, bird extinction risks, NASA fire research, bird species database, firefly synchronicity, Lake County restoration, International Leopard Day, Tasmanian rainforest expedition, Iberian lynx, Horsh Beirut urban forest, and Sweden's Great Elk Trek.

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (4 stories) - NREL, iUnit Communities test modular housing; Bidgely saves 1.5 TWh with AI; UK hospitals' efficiency; Induction cooktops.

  
  

• 💰Finance (7 stories) - KKR's Trump donation; Insurance crisis; Invenergy's $2.5B; Bank of England's climate risk rules; HSBC protest; Amalgamated Bank's climate focus; Voltalia's £18.9m loan.

  
  

• 🔌Grid (17 stories) - Northeast states collaborate on transmission; Battery passport with Circulor; Australia grid battery record; SPAN in NREL & IN2; DOE funds coastal energy; Immersion cooling for batteries; PJM costs surge; Puerto Rico solar vs. federal oversight; UK storage delays; GREaSE model reveals supply gap; Microsoft & Meta data centers boost power sector; AusNet 500kV transfer; Queensland connection fees rise; Maine grid planning bill; Experts on Spain outage; Catalyst podcast on AI & fusion; PSE&G considers power generation.

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (5 stories) - Amazon protection by José Homero Mutumbajoy and Julio Cusurichi, Abel Rodríguez's botanical art, Michael Running Wolf's AI language preservation, and UN forum on Indigenous rights.

  
  

• 🏭Industry (19 stories) - Drax, Holtec, ComEd, Corning, FTC Solar, and Panasonic face challenges/opportunities in wood pellets, SMRs, workforce development, solar wafers, solar trackers, and solar/storage exits; Plug Power, Ballard, and FuelCell Energy face potential collapse.

  
  

• 📜Policy (71 stories) - Senate votes against Clean Air Act, UEA & Tyndall Centre celebrate anniversaries, DOJ sues states over climate lawsuits, and Trump era policies impact First Solar, TVA, and environmental justice.

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (7 stories) - JinkoSolar's 650W TOPCon modules, Acciona's Australian wind plans, Illinois' Double Black Diamond solar farm, and Blenheim Palace's solar installation contrast with slow Irish renewables and US battery storage opposition.

  
  

• 🚗Transport (9 stories) - Massachusetts EV mandate fight, Wattlab solar cargo ships, BYD's global expansion and car carrier, Ampersand's Kigali e-moto success, Trump's shipping tariffs, Nuvve/Fermata V2G merger, and Tesla's European market share decline.

Agriculture

Peasant unions protest in Asia; El Salvador food crisis; JBS linked to Amazon deforestation; UK early harvests; Stanford aquifer recharge; SHiFT food systems initiative; Tanzania seaweed farming; Meatable & TruMeat cultivated meat.

• Asia: Peasant Unions Mobilize on May Day, Call for Contract Regularization, Higher Wages, and Land Reform (Via Campesina) - Asian peasant unions stage May Day protests demanding labor rights, wage increases, and land reforms across multiple countries including Thailand, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

• El Salvador: Governmental Neglect of Agriculture is Driving the Country Toward a Food Crisis (Via Campesina) - El Salvador faces severe food security threat as agricultural production plummets, with corn and bean yields dropping dramatically amid government neglect of farming sector.

• Event Announcement: Public Webinar on Peasants Rights Declaration (UNDROP) to be held on 06 May 14h30 CEST (Via Campesina) - Global peasants' rights webinar on May 6 to discuss UNDROP implementation and sustainable food systems for rural communities.

• April ’25 Love Notes (Soul Fire Farm) - Black-led farm organization reports reaching 407,629 people in 2024 through educational programs, land stewardship initiatives, and community building focused on food sovereignty and racial equity.

• JBS: Big Ag’s Villain Origin Story (Greenpeace) - World's largest meat company JBS linked to 470,000 hectares of Amazon deforestation while claiming zero-deforestation policy and seeking NYSE listing.

• Glut of early fruit and veg hits UK as climate change closes ‘hungry gap’ (The Guardian) - Climate change and warm weather cause early harvest of fruits and vegetables in UK, disrupting traditional 'hungry gap' period and forcing farmers to adapt growing patterns.

• The first major finding of a new soil study: Intervene as little as possible. (Anthropocene) - New soil study finds minimal intervention and reduced tilling more important for soil health than organic versus conventional farming methods.

• Trump radically remade the US food system in just 100 days (Grist) - Trump administration's first 100 days drastically transformed USDA through mass layoffs, funding freezes, and program cancellations targeting local food systems while favoring industrial agriculture.

• How California’s farmers can recharge the aquifers they’ve drained (Grist) - Stanford researchers map 2-7 million acres of California farmland suitable for aquifer recharge through controlled flooding, offering drought resilience solution for Central Valley agriculture.

• Strengthening capacity for food systems transformation: Lessons from SHiFT (CGIAR) - Global food systems initiative SHiFT reveals seven key principles for strengthening stakeholder capacity to implement sustainable and healthy food system transformations in Bangladesh, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.

• Building a future from seaweed in coastal Tanzania (Mongabay) - Tanzanian coastal communities turn to sustainable seaweed farming as alternative livelihood, facing challenges from climate change while government and NGOs provide support for better cultivation and processing.

• Where will the next darlings of African agrifoodtech come from? (AgFunderNews) - African agrifoodtech investment remains concentrated in Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria, with future growth expected from startups focusing on specific regional agricultural challenges rather than end-to-end solutions.

• Meatable aims to start construction of pilot-scale cultivated meat facility in Singapore later this year (AgFunderNews) - Dutch startup Meatable partners with TruMeat to build Singapore's first pilot-scale cultivated meat facility aimed at commercial-scale production costs.

• Fungus from the human gut slows liver disease in mice (Nature) - Human gut fungus Fusarium foetens produces molecule that reduces fatty liver disease symptoms in mice, offering potential new treatment pathway.

Carbon

Amazon carbon storage, landfill methane emissions, Philippines coal plant transition, Queensland mine challenge, Trump's oil emissions, Blue Yonder's Pledge acquisition, and soil carbon credit rebound (Indigo Ag, Boomitra).

• New report reinforces critical role of Amazonian protected areas in climate fight (Mongabay) - Protected areas and Indigenous territories in Amazon store 60% of rainforest's carbon and absorbed 257 million metric tons of CO2 between 2013-2022, new satellite data shows.

• Landfill methane emissions are worse than we thought (Keep Cool) - New satellite data reveals landfills consistently emit methane at 3x reported rates, with waste facilities showing highest and most persistent emissions among sectors.

• From Theory to Reality: Building Credible Transition Credit Projects (RMI) - Early assessment of Philippines' SLTEC coal plant transition credit pilot project reveals potential for accelerated 2030 retirement timeline, requiring careful validation of baseline emissions and replacement energy portfolio.

• Environment group mounts legal challenge to stop massive expansion of Queensland coal mine (RenewEconomy) - Queensland Conservation Council launches legal challenge against Lake Vermont coal mine expansion over 348Mt CO2 emissions and endangered species habitat clearing.

• Revealed: Forecasts of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels soar in Trump’s first 100 days (The Guardian) - Trump's first 100 days show surge in projected greenhouse gas emissions from US oil and gas despite tariff chaos hampering "drill, baby, drill" agenda.

• Blue Yonder Acquires Pledge to Enhance Supply Chain Emissions Reporting Capabilities (ESG Today) - Blue Yonder acquires climate tech startup Pledge to add automated logistics emissions tracking and reporting capabilities to its supply chain platform.

• Soil carbon credits emerge from the ‘trough of disillusionment’ (Trellis) - Soil carbon credit market rebounds as improved data and modeling drive surge in issuances from major developers like Indigo Ag and Boomitra.

Circular

Good4Trust marketplace; microplastics research; Patagonia, Apple circularity; Kohler, Legrand redesign; DePoly, eeden funding; Freight Farms bankruptcy; bamboo wipes.

• For an Economy Rooted in Care and Regeneration (Revolve Media) - Digital marketplace Good4Trust demonstrates viable alternative economic model based on producer-consumer solidarity and ecological regeneration with 830 enterprises and 27,000 users.

• How to reduce microplastic exposure and protect your health (Yale Climate Connections) - New research shows microplastics permeate human bodies but exposure can be reduced through specific lifestyle changes like avoiding plastic food containers and using HEPA filters.

• New children’s book helps kids explain climate science to adults (Yale Climate Connections) - New children's book teaches kids to explain climate science fundamentals and solutions to adults while addressing youth climate anxiety.

• Lessons from Patagonia and Apple on selling circularity (Trellis) - Patagonia and Apple demonstrate successful circular economy marketing by evolving product narratives beyond initial sale through repair services and end-of-life programs.

• Kohler and Legrand: 4 ways to embed circularity into product design (Trellis) - Kohler and Legrand revamp product design processes to prioritize durability, repairability, and recycled content through early-stage circularity assessments.

• Watch The Story of the Big Food Redesign 🌽 (Ellen MacArthur Foundation) - New video showcases how circular design principles can transform food industry to reduce biodiversity loss and emissions through ingredient and production redesign.

• The Week in AgriFoodTech: Spotlight on textile recycling as DePoly & eeden raise capital, Freight Farms ceases operations (AgFunderNews) - Swiss and German textile recycling startups DePoly and eeden secure major funding rounds while container farming provider Freight Farms files for bankruptcy.

• Best Eco-Friendly Flushable Wipes for American Homes (EcoSoul Home) - Bamboo-based flushable wipes offer biodegradable, septic-safe alternative to traditional plastic-containing bathroom wipes.

Ecosystems

Axolotl reintroduction, shark finning restrictions, "Wild and Free Lawns Pledge," Colossal's "de-extinct" dire wolves, Macfarlane's river advocacy, bird extinction risks, NASA fire research, bird species database, firefly synchronicity, Lake County restoration, International Leopard Day, Tasmanian rainforest expedition, Iberian lynx, Horsh Beirut urban forest, and Sweden's Great Elk Trek.

• Life at Scale (Atmos) - New magazine issue explores nature's interconnected scales from microscopic organisms to cosmic systems, examining environmental solutions and humanity's place within Earth's ecosystems.

• News spotlight: Study buoys hope for rare axolotls (Conservation International) - Study shows captive-bred axolotls can survive in both natural and artificial wetlands, offering new hope for critically endangered species in Mexico.

• Heal our planet: Protecting nature for climate (Conservation International) - Global conservation group highlights three major initiatives including agroforestry carbon storage, Amazon rainforest protection in Bolivia, and Himalayan ecosystem preservation.

• Tuna talks bring wins for Indian Ocean sharks, but more needed, experts say (Mongabay) - Indian Ocean Tuna Commission adopts new shark conservation measures including finning restrictions and expanded retention bans, but shortfin mako protections remain inadequate.

• Pledge to Keep your Lawn Wild & Free! (Prairie Rivers Network) - Environmental group launches "Wild and Free Lawns Pledge" campaign encouraging homeowners to adopt native plants, reduce mowing, and eliminate chemical treatments to boost biodiversity and pollinator health.

• Forests taking longer to recover from severe ‘megafires’ since 2010 (Carbon Brief) - Global study reveals forests worldwide taking significantly longer to recover from severe 'megafires' since 2010, with fire severity surpassing climate change as primary impact factor.

• California Toxic Algal Bloom Blamed for Months-long Marine Life Poisoning (Inside Climate News) - Months-long toxic algal bloom along California coast causes mass poisoning of marine mammals, with hundreds of sea lions, dolphins and seabirds affected since winter.

• Sand groomers v turtles: how wildlife is falling foul of the demand for Insta-perfect beaches (The Guardian) - Mediterranean beach tourism's demand for Instagram-perfect shores threatens turtle nesting sites and coastal ecosystems through mechanical grooming and overtourism.

• ‘De-extinction’ isn’t real, but the conservation questions it raises are (High Country News) - Biotech firm Colossal's claimed "de-extinction" of dire wolves through gene editing sparks debate over species definition and conservation policy implications.

• Robert Macfarlane’s new book is a plea to feel the pulse of our rivers (The Conversation) - Robert Macfarlane's new book explores rivers as living entities, challenging legal and political frameworks while advocating for stronger environmental protections.

• Weather tracker: State of emergency as high winds and floods hit New Zealand (The Guardian) - State of emergency declared in New Zealand as destructive low-pressure system brings 90mph winds, flooding, and 6-meter waves to multiple regions.

• Sarah Rose shares how The National Audubon Society is advancing climate solutions (National Audubon Society) - Two-thirds of North American bird populations face extinction risk from climate change, driving organization's multi-level conservation efforts.

• The Broadcast: Monthly News from The Ember Alliance (The Ember Alliance) - Northern Colorado partners complete first prescribed burn in 25 years at Poudre Learning Center while NASA conducts major fire research campaign at Fort Stewart to improve prediction models.

• All Birds Roost in a Single Tree (Nautilus) - Scientists create first complete evolutionary tree mapping relationships between all 10,200+ known bird species in new open-access database.

• How Female Bonobos Rule (Nautilus) - Female bonobos achieve dominance over males through coalition-forming and collective aggression, new 30-year study reveals.

• The Mathematical Mysteries of Fireflies (Nautilus) - Research reveals fireflies' synchronized flashing patterns demonstrate mathematical principles of coupled oscillation found across biological and physical systems.

• Lake County All Lands Restoration Initiative (LCRI.org) - Oregon's Lake County All Lands Restoration Initiative receives $12M grant to restore dry forest resilience through thinning and controlled burns across multiple agencies.

• International Leopard Day celebrates the resilient, yet often-overlooked, big cat (Mongabay) - International Leopard Day highlights survival challenges of highly adaptable big cats facing habitat loss, human conflict and illegal trade across Asia, Middle East and Africa.

• I went to an ancient rainforest with 90 artists and lived! Despite my endless cynicism I had a lovely time | First Dog on the Moon (The Guardian) - Cartoonist joins 90 artists in ancient Tasmanian rainforest expedition, discovering rare moss species and old-growth trees while camping in pristine wilderness.

• Week in wildlife: a leopard cat, a vulture puppet and a hare playing hide and seek (The Guardian) - Global wildlife photo collection showcases diverse species including endangered Iberian lynx, rare newts, and conservation efforts from puppet-fed vultures to wildlife-friendly infrastructure.

• The Beirut Horsh City Forest (Revolve) - Lebanon's largest urban forest, Horsh Beirut, spans 0.3 square kilometers and serves as vital green space connecting diverse neighborhoods after decades of closure and conflict.

• Being outdoorsy indoors: How Slow TV brings us closer to nature (DW) - Nature-focused 'Slow TV' livestreams like Sweden's Great Elk Trek attract millions of global viewers, offering educational value and fostering environmental awareness through unnarrated, real-time nature footage.

Efficiency

NREL, iUnit Communities test modular housing; Bidgely saves 1.5 TWh with AI; UK hospitals' efficiency; Induction cooktops.

• Modular Construction Enables Efficient & Affordable Housing (CleanTechnica) - NREL partners with iUnit Communities to test modular apartment prototype featuring super-tight building envelope and efficient HVAC systems, aiming to advance affordable, energy-efficient housing construction.

• Bidgely Surpasses 1.5 TWh of Energy Savings, Offsetting 1M Tons of CO2 Emissions (CleanTechnica) - AI company Bidgely achieves 1.5 TWh in energy savings through smart meter analytics and customer engagement, offsetting 1 million metric tons of CO2 emissions.

• Hospitals have huge environmental footprints – here's how they can be more sustainable (BusinessGreen) - UK hospitals' large environmental footprint can be reduced through building retrofits, improved operational efficiency, and better design strategies.

• What Is an Induction Cooktop? (NRDC) - Induction cooktops offer safer, more energy-efficient alternative to gas stoves with 85% efficiency, zero indoor emissions, and growing financial incentives for adoption.

Finance

KKR's Trump donation; Insurance crisis; Invenergy's $2.5B; Bank of England's climate risk rules; HSBC protest; Amalgamated Bank's climate focus; Voltalia's £18.9m loan.

• Thames Water’s Prospective New Owner Donated $1 Million to Trump’s Inauguration (DeSmog) - Private equity firm KKR, Thames Water's prospective new owner, donated $1 million to Trump's 2025 inauguration while having significant fossil fuel investments and ties to climate action opponents.

• An Insurance Crisis Compounded by Climate Change Threatens the Broader U.S. Economy (Inside Climate News) - Rising climate disasters drive insurance costs beyond affordability, threatening U.S. housing market stability and broader economy.

• $2.5 Billion Says US Just Can’t Quit Renewable Energy (CleanTechnica) - Global investors back US renewable energy growth with $2.5B credit facility to Invenergy despite political headwinds.

• BoE Raises Climate Risk Management Expectations for Banks, Insurers (ESG Today) - Bank of England proposes stricter climate risk management requirements for banks and insurers, citing uneven progress and need for improved assessment capabilities.

• Ugandan ​​activist​ asks HSBC to put ‘lives before profit’ as campaigners target bank’s AGM (The Guardian) - Ugandan climate activist confronts HSBC at AGM over $63.5bn fossil fuel financing in Global South, citing personal experience with climate disasters.

• Ivan Frishberg speaks on how Amalgamated Bank is leading in the climate space (GreenBiz) - Amalgamated Bank leads climate finance with 39.2% of balance sheet in climate solutions and first US bank to achieve science-based climate targets.

• Voltalia UK secures £19m Triodos Bank loan for 34MW solar project (BusinessGreen) - Voltalia UK secures £18.9m Triodos Bank loan to construct 34MW Eastgate Solar project near Scarborough.

Grid

Northeast states collaborate on transmission; Battery passport with Circulor; Australia grid battery record; SPAN in NREL & IN2; DOE funds coastal energy; Immersion cooling for batteries; PJM costs surge; Puerto Rico solar vs. federal oversight; UK storage delays; GREaSE model reveals supply gap; Microsoft & Meta data centers boost power sector; AusNet 500kV transfer; Queensland connection fees rise; Maine grid planning bill; Experts on Spain outage; Catalyst podcast on AI & fusion; PSE&G considers power generation.

• A Powerful New Transmission Coalition Arises in the Northeast (Heatmap News) - Northeast states form coalition to streamline cross-regional transmission planning and development, led by Massachusetts' new strategic action plan.

• Watt’s New: April 2025 Recap (Powin Energy) - Battery storage company releases first sustainability report, announces battery passport partnership with Circulor, and expands operations in Portugal with 5MW/20MWh system.

• Newly commissioned projects push batteries to output record, and a 5 pct share of the evening peak (RenewEconomy) - Australia's grid battery discharge hits new record of 1,371 MW, reaching 5% of evening peak supply as newly commissioned projects come online.

• Smart Electrical Panel Startup SPANs NREL’s Accelerator Programs (CleanTechnica) - SPAN's smart electrical panel startup achieves unique milestone by participating in both NREL's GCxN and IN2 accelerator programs, demonstrating advanced home energy management capabilities.

• Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project Opens Applications To Support Coastal, Remote, & Island Communities (CleanTechnica) - DOE opens applications for Energy Technology Innovation Partnership Project offering technical support and funding to help coastal, remote, and island communities improve local energy systems.

• Fire Suppression in Battery Energy Storage Systems: Why Immersion Cooling Offers a Safer Future (PowerMag) - Immersion cooling technology emerges as superior fire prevention solution for battery storage systems, offering proactive thermal management and passive suppression capabilities.

• The Erosion of Energy Affordability (POWER Magazine) - Energy costs set to surge for 65 million PJM customers as capacity charges spike 833% amid power plant retirements and interconnection delays.

• Puerto Rico’s rooftop solar boom is strengthening grid resilience — why is a federal board trying to stop it? (Utility Dive) - Puerto Rico's rapid rooftop solar adoption strengthens grid resilience while federal oversight board challenges net metering policy that enables growth.

• Is the UK’s energy storage growing fast enough? (The Conversation) - UK's energy storage capacity growing with diverse projects but faces connection delays and competition from global markets as nation aims for 27GW battery storage by 2030.

• Greasing the Wheels of the Energy Transition to Address Climate Change & Fossil Fuels Phaseout (CleanTechnica) - New energy model 'GREaSE' reveals inevitable renewable transition faces 20-30 year supply gap while phasing out fossil fuels to meet climate targets.

• The Power Sector Loves Big Tech’s Billion-Dollar Data Center Plans (Heatmap News) - Microsoft and Meta's massive data center expansion plans trigger surge in power sector stocks as companies confirm $140+ billion combined investment in AI infrastructure.

• “Hot sticks” and “bare handing”: Australia’s first live transfer of a high voltage powerline completed (RenewEconomy) - AusNet completes Australia's first live transfer of 500kV powerline using specialized "hot stick" and "bare-handing" techniques in Victoria.

• Transmission company jacks up cost of connection queries and applications by 50 per cent (RenewEconomy) - Queensland's state-owned Powerlink raises renewable energy connection fees by 50% to $555,000, shocking developers amid stricter planning rules.

• Amid rapidly evolving energy goals, Maine lawmakers seek more coordinated grid planning (Renewable Energy World) - Maine lawmakers propose bill to formalize coordination between agencies for grid planning to better align with state climate and energy goals.

• Renewables not to blame for Iberian power outage say experts (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Experts dismiss claims that renewable energy caused major power outage across Spain, Portugal and France, citing grid interconnection issues as likely cause.

• Catalyst Live at SF Climate Week (Latitude Media) - Climate tech experts discuss AI electricity demand, carbon removal, and fusion trends during first-ever live Catalyst podcast at San Francisco Climate Week.

• PSE&G open to utility-owned generation to tackle supply needs: CEO LaRossa (Utility Dive) - New Jersey's largest utility PSE&G considers returning to power generation ownership amid 17% rate hike and supply concerns, CEO LaRossa says.

Indigenous

Amazon protection by José Homero Mutumbajoy and Julio Cusurichi, Abel Rodríguez's botanical art, Michael Running Wolf's AI language preservation, and UN forum on Indigenous rights.

• ‘Colombia’s Amazon peoples provide solutions’: Interview with José Homero Mutumbajoy (Mongabay) - Colombian Indigenous leader José Homero Mutumbajoy discusses Amazon peoples' solutions to protect isolated tribes, resist mining projects, and preserve territories despite armed conflicts.

• The latest issues in Peru’s Amazon: Interview with Indigenous leader Julio Cusurichi (Mongabay) - Indigenous leader Julio Cusurichi highlights urgent threats to Peru's isolated Amazon tribes, including delayed territory creation, illegal logging, and government policies enabling deforestation.

• Abel Rodríguez, artist who drew a vanishing forest from memory, died April 9, age unknown (Mongabay) - Indigenous Colombian artist Abel Rodríguez, known for detailed botanical drawings preserving Amazon rainforest knowledge, dies at estimated age 80-90.

• Walking in two worlds: how an Indigenous computer scientist is using AI to preserve threatened languages (Nature) - Indigenous computer scientist Michael Running Wolf combines AI and virtual reality technology to preserve and revitalize endangered Native American languages while protecting Indigenous data sovereignty.

• 📢 Amplifying Indigenous Voices at the 24th Session of the UNPFII (Cultural Survival) - Over 1500 delegates gather at UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to discuss implementation of Indigenous rights declaration, with focus on amplifying Indigenous voices and solutions.

Industry

Drax, Holtec, ComEd, Corning, FTC Solar, and Panasonic face challenges/opportunities in wood pellets, SMRs, workforce development, solar wafers, solar trackers, and solar/storage exits; Plug Power, Ballard, and FuelCell Energy face potential collapse.

• Gold rush moves closer to Amazon’s second-tallest tree (Mongabay) - Illegal gold mining operations encroach within 1km of Amazon's second-tallest tree in Brazil's Amapá state, driven by enforcement crackdowns elsewhere and high gold prices.

• Wood pellet maker Drax denied pollution permit after small town Mississippi outcry (Mongabay) - Mississippi environmental board denies Drax wood pellet plant's request to increase toxic emissions after local residents protest health impacts.

• 6 Main Responsibilities of a Mine Water Technician (KETOS) - Mine water technicians manage critical water quality, flow systems, and environmental compliance while utilizing automated monitoring technology for mining operations.

• Hydrogen Developers Call for Government Cash While Key Projects Collapse (DeSmog) - Hydrogen industry leaders seek increased government funding amid project failures and market uncertainty at Canada's largest hydrogen convention, while critics question environmental benefits of "blue hydrogen."

• Electrification workforce could dwarf number needed for renewables – but will they be ready? (RenewEconomy) - Australia faces critical shortage of skilled workers needed for electrification and energy efficiency upgrades, with demand-side workforce requirements potentially triple that of renewable energy sector.

• 4 Emerging Technologies That Are Helping Us in the Fight Against Climate Change (Earth.org) - Blockchain, AI, quantum computing, and robotics emerge as key technologies driving climate change solutions through improved carbon tracking, energy optimization, materials research, and automated sustainability efforts.

• Utah bets on a new developer to revive its small modular reactor ambitions (Latitude Media) - Utah partners with Holtec International to develop SMR training hub and deploy fleet of small modular nuclear reactors across Mountain West by 2028.

• The Next Five Years Will Define U.S. Nuclear’s Fate (POWER Magazine) - U.S. nuclear industry faces critical five-year window to restart construction and maintain global energy leadership amid rising electricity demand and fusion technology advances.

• Illinois’ clean energy transition needs workers. ComEd is training them. (Canary Media) - ComEd's Academy programs train diverse workforce for clean energy jobs in Illinois, graduating 73 new workers with 90% being people of color and 20% women.

• Corning increased solar Michigan facility investment to $1.5B (Utility Dive) - Corning boosts Michigan solar wafer facility investment to $1.5B, adding 400 jobs and accelerating manufacturing operations for pre-sold capacity.

• Higher Product Volumes Push FTC Solar’s Q1 2025 Revenues Up (TaiyangNews) - US solar tracker maker FTC Solar reports 65% YoY revenue growth to $20.8M in Q1 2025, driven by higher product volumes despite tariff challenges.

• Panasonic To Discontinue Solar & Battery Storage Business (TaiyangNews) - Panasonic exits solar and battery storage business despite pioneering HJT technology, citing strategic realignment while promising to honor existing warranties.

• Some ‘Star Wars’ stories have already become reality (The Conversation) - Star Wars technologies like moisture farming, space debris management, and mitochondrial transplants are becoming scientific realities in 2024.

• South Australia disbands Hydrogen Power office as Whyalla project officially cancelled (RenewEconomy) - South Australia dissolves Hydrogen Power office and cancels $600M Whyalla green hydrogen plant following steelworks financial collapse.

• Oil Prices & Refinery Margins Fell Slightly in 1st Quarter of 2025 (CleanTechnica) - Global oil prices and refinery margins declined in Q1 2025 amid economic growth concerns and reduced refinery utilization rates across US regions.

• Hydrogen’s Harsh Reality: Plug Power, Ballard, and FuelCell Near the End? (CleanTechnica) - Major hydrogen fuel cell companies Plug Power, Ballard, and FuelCell Energy face potential collapse as stock prices plummet below critical thresholds amid sustained losses and market skepticism.

• Did The Tesla Board Begin A Search For A Musk Replacement? It Depends On Who You Ask. (CleanTechnica) - Tesla board chair Denholm denies Wall Street Journal report claiming board members sought Musk replacement amid falling profits and CEO's political activities.

• 27 events, thousands of new friends–thank you! (9Zero) - Climate innovation hub celebrates successful San Francisco Climate Week with 27 events and thousands of participants, highlighting growing momentum in climate tech community.

• A supersingular elliptic curve brought to life: the month’s best science images (Nature) - Cryptography researcher Ryan Rueger wins distinction at Swiss science competition for visualizing mathematical functions through illustrations of supersingular elliptic curves.

Policy

Senate votes against Clean Air Act, UEA & Tyndall Centre celebrate anniversaries, DOJ sues states over climate lawsuits, and Trump era policies impact First Solar, TVA, and environmental justice.

• Earth Month 2025: Reflecting on Climate Progress in the Trump 2.0 Era (Greenlining Institute) - Despite Trump administration's environmental rollbacks, community-led climate initiatives and state-level policies continue advancing environmental justice for communities of color.

• Labor Day for a Livable Planet (350.org) - Labor and climate movements unite globally to demand just transition from fossil fuels, emphasizing worker-led climate action and economic justice.

• Senate Votes to Overturn Industrial Air Pollution Safeguards (EDF) - Senate votes 52-46 to overturn Clean Air Act protections, potentially allowing industrial facilities to increase toxic air pollution by removing "Once In, Always In" policy requirements.

• Our Critical Decade for Climate Action Conference: Register Now (Tyndall Centre) - Major climate action conference at UEA to explore urgent transitions and Paris Agreement alignment, featuring international experts and celebrating centre's 25th anniversary.

• Our Critical Decade for Climate Action: Call for Posters (Tyndall Centre) - Leading climate research institute calls for poster submissions for 25th anniversary conference focusing on urgent climate action and Paris Agreement alignment.

• Two new roles to support climate action in Norwich and region (Tyndall Centre) - Two new climate action roles created at University of East Anglia to coordinate Norwich Climate Commission and regional Climate Ambassador school program.

• Professor Andy Jordan is the new Director of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research (Tyndall Centre) - Leading climate policy expert Professor Andy Jordan appointed as new Director of prestigious Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research on 25th anniversary year.

• Greenpeace Pictures of the Week (Greenpeace International) - Global environmental organization projects protest messages worldwide against billionaire influence and corporate environmental damage, including actions in USA, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, France, and Norway.

• Why We Can’t Afford to Lose FEMA: Lessons from Hurricane Helene and Beyond (Chesapeake Climate) - Analysis of Hurricane Helene's aftermath in North Carolina demonstrates FEMA's critical role in disaster recovery despite operational challenges, as states face mounting climate disaster costs.

• Something big happened last month at the International Maritime Organization meeting (Stand.earth) - IMO's landmark maritime pollution agreement introduces financial mechanisms for shipping emissions but falls short of meeting organization's own climate targets.

• POW x The Moth: Where Stories Spark Change (Protect Our Winters) - Climate advocacy group partners with The Moth storytelling organization to train athletes and staff in using personal narratives for environmental activism.

• Preserving the Earth and Building Prosperity for All (Better Energy) - Great Plains Institute CEO reflects on 30-year journey advancing collaborative clean energy solutions through multi-stakeholder partnerships and community engagement across United States.

• I know why Jalen Hurts is mad at Trump (Heated) - Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts likely skipped White House Super Bowl celebration due to Trump administration's blocking of school climate adaptation funding.

• Despite Supreme Court setback, children’s lawsuits against climate change continue (The Conversation) - Despite Supreme Court defeat, youth-led climate lawsuits using public trust doctrine achieve state-level victories in Montana and Hawaii, with more cases pending.

• Freedom in an age of climate crisis and trade wars: Lessons from philosopher Immanuel Kant (The Conversation) - Philosopher Immanuel Kant's principles of freedom and long-term thinking offer guidance for addressing modern climate crisis and trade wars.

• Laudato Si’: A look back on Pope Francis’s environmental legacy (The Conversation) - Pope Francis's 2015 climate encyclical 'Laudato Si' delivered stark warnings on environmental destruction while linking climate crisis to economic growth and consumption patterns.

• DOJ Sues States Over Climate Laws, Lawsuits (Heatmap News) - DOJ files lawsuits against four states to block climate damage litigation and superfund laws targeting fossil fuel companies.

• The Cagey Congressional Committee Quietly Deciding the Fate of the IRA (Heatmap News) - House Ways and Means Committee drafts reconciliation bill that could determine fate of Inflation Reduction Act's climate tax credits, with Republican factions divided on preservation versus repeal.

• For Real Energy Dominance, We Need the IRA (Heatmap News) - Former Energy Secretary Granholm argues IRA tax incentives are crucial for US energy manufacturing dominance and competing with China.

• Vacancy: Three-week summer journalism internship at Carbon Brief (Carbon Brief) - Leading climate journalism website offers paid three-week summer internship for students and recent graduates, focusing on climate science and policy reporting in London.

• Guest post: How climate science is – and is not – shaping adaptation planning in southern Africa (Carbon Brief) - Study reveals southern African nations struggle to effectively integrate climate science projections into adaptation planning, highlighting need for better scientist-planner collaboration and uncertainty communication.

• China Briefing 1 May 2025: Xi steadfast on climate; Solar and wind surpassed thermal power; Controlling short-term GHGs (Carbon Brief) - China's President Xi confirms commitment to economy-wide emissions targets by 2035 while solar and wind capacity surpasses thermal power for first time.

• Why hasn’t Trump taken down the government’s climate adaptation plans? (Grist) - Trump administration keeps federal climate adaptation plans online despite broader climate policy rollbacks, puzzling experts and officials.

• Dismissal of climate experts impairs wildfire planning, says SOCAN Leader (SOCAN) - Trump administration's dismissal of National Climate Assessment experts undermines wildfire preparedness planning in Southern Oregon.

• Moms: The Pragmatic Warriors (Moms Clean Air Force) - Environmental advocacy group rallies mothers against Trump administration's proposed rollbacks of air quality and climate protections, highlighting state-level progress and matching donation campaign.

• The Climate Questionnaire: Laura Schifter, Author of Students, Schools, and Our Climate Moment (Moms Clean Air Force) - Climate educator Laura Schifter discusses her new book on empowering K-12 schools to advance climate solutions through education and community action.

• xAI Brings the “Move Fast and Break Things” Mindset to Memphis (CleanEnergy.org) - Elon Musk's xAI rapidly deploys massive AI supercomputer in Memphis using methane turbines, sparking environmental justice concerns in predominantly Black community.

• Inside Climate News Series Is a Scripps Howard Finalist (Inside Climate News) - ICN's investigative series on international arbitration system's environmental impacts named finalist for Scripps Howard Journalism Award.

• Ignoring Federal Law, House GOP Targets California’s Nation-Leading Vehicle Pollution Rules (Inside Climate News) - House Republicans vote to revoke California's Clean Air Act waivers for vehicle emissions standards, defying federal law and decades of precedent.

• EPA Funding Cuts Target Disadvantaged Communities, Analysis Shows (Inside Climate News) - EPA under Trump administration targets $2.4 billion in environmental justice grants for termination, primarily affecting disadvantaged communities despite court orders to maintain funding.

• Labor set for return, with help of Trump and Musk, but it needs dose of colour from Teals and Greens (RenewEconomy) - Labor likely to form minority government with support from Greens and Teals amid global backlash against Trump-style politics.

• UK Councils To Government: Rooftop Solar Should Be Required On All New Homes (CleanTechnica) - UK Local Government Association urges national mandate for rooftop solar panels on all new homes, projecting £440 annual household savings.

• Tech, tariffs, and Trump cloud NV Energy effort to reduce carbon footprint (RenewableEnergyWorld) - NV Energy reports 47% renewable electricity sales in 2024 but faces scrutiny over use of energy credits, rising costs, and potential Trump policy impacts.

• Justice department sues Michigan and Hawaii over climate suits against big oil (The Guardian) - Justice Department sues Michigan and Hawaii to block their planned climate lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, claiming states cannot regulate greenhouse gas emissions.

• ‘Irreplaceable habitat’: planning bill raises fears for England’s chalk streams (The Guardian) - England's rare chalk streams face potential destruction under Labour's post-Brexit planning bill that would replace EU habitat protections with offsetting payments.

• Labour’s planning bill threatens protected habitats, says environment watchdog (The Guardian) - Labour's proposed planning bill threatens protected habitats by removing environmental safeguards and allowing developers to offset nature destruction anywhere in the country, warns UK environment watchdog.

• A climate election? The Coalition wants to take Australia backwards, while Labor is standing still | Clear Air (The Guardian) - Coalition's election costings reveal plans to cut climate programs and environmental funding while promoting nuclear and fossil fuels, as Labor maintains minimal climate action ahead of Australian federal election.

• Ben Jennings on the opposition to net zero – cartoon (The Guardian) - Political cartoon depicts opposition figures Tony Blair, Kemi Badenoch, and Nigel Farage resisting net zero climate policies.

• 100 days of chaos at the Department of Energy (Latitude Media) - Trump administration's first 100 days sees mass exodus of DOE staff and program cuts, leaving critical energy projects and oversight in limbo.

• ‘Build, baby, build:’ Canada’s new prime minister wants to make the country into an ‘energy superpower’ (Grist) - Canada's new PM Mark Carney pledges to transform nation into "energy superpower" while balancing Indigenous rights and climate commitments.

• 30 years of environmental justice, dismantled in 100 days (Grist) - Trump administration dismantles 30 years of environmental justice protections in first 100 days, eliminating DEI programs and weakening pollution regulations in minority communities.

• DOJ Suits Attempt to Deter States from Taking Climate Action (NRDC) - Department of Justice launches lawsuits against multiple states to block climate policies, citing energy emergency while favoring fossil fuel industry interests.

• Senate Votes to Remove Federal Clean Air Protections: Public Health at Risk from Highly Toxic Air Pollution (NRDC) - Senate votes to overturn Clean Air Act safeguard, potentially allowing 2,000 facilities to increase toxic emissions and reduce pollution monitoring.

• House Tries to Block California From Cleaning Its Own Air (NRDC) - House of Representatives passes measure to overturn California's vehicle emissions standards, threatening state's long-standing authority to set stricter pollution controls.

• Poll: Concern over climate change remains strong in Trump’s first 100 days (Trellis) - Poll shows American concern about climate change remains at historic highs despite Trump administration's anti-environmental initiatives.

• Equinor considers legal action over stop work order for Empire Wind project (Utility Dive) - Equinor considers legal action against Trump administration's "unlawful" stop work order on $2.5B Empire Wind 1 offshore project.

• Climate change-driven heatwaves hit Delhi’s Red Fort market traders (Climate Change News) - Delhi's Red Fort market traders suffer severe health issues and income losses from intensifying climate change-driven heatwaves, while lacking basic cooling infrastructure and facing authorities' restrictions on shade structures.

• Abre' Conner on what meaningful climate and environmental justice looks like (NAACP) - NAACP leader Abre' Conner outlines vision for environmental justice focusing on local access to clean water, air, and community-based communication strategies.

• Solutions That Work With Grist, Drawdown and Jenny Odell (Climate One) - Environmental leaders from Project Drawdown and Grist discuss evolving climate communication strategies, emphasizing local impacts and solutions while exploring trade-offs in implementation.

• Rep. Jared Huffman: Protecting Public Lands And Keeping the Climate Agenda Alive (Climate One) - Rep. Jared Huffman warns Trump administration's attacks on environmental protections and democratic institutions threaten climate action, while emphasizing need for unified resistance and continued state/local climate leadership.

• Powering Progress Through State Elections (Advanced Energy United) - New Jersey gubernatorial candidates meet with industry leaders to discuss energy policy priorities and advanced energy solutions ahead of June primaries.

• Breaking the 89 Percent Story (Covering Climate Now) - Global media initiative reveals 89% of world population wants stronger climate action from governments, marking shift in climate narrative coverage.

• Digging deep to defend the deep (Center for Biological Diversity) - Environmental group sues NOAA over refusal to release records on Trump-era marine scientist firings and their impact on endangered species protection.

• First Solar Revises 2025 Guidance In Response to Tariffs (TaiyangNews) - First Solar cuts 2025 sales forecast from $5.3-5.8B to $4.5-5.5B due to new US tariffs on solar imports from India, Malaysia and Vietnam.

• Queensland Introduces Rigorous Approval Processes For Solar (TaiyangNews) - Queensland introduces strict approval rules requiring solar developers to demonstrate community benefits and secure local council agreements before project approval.

• Trump Just Permitted a Solar Farm (Heatmap News) - Trump administration approves first utility-scale solar project on federal land in Arizona, signaling potential renewed permitting for solar developments.

• Sustainability vs. ADHD – Why Climate Activism Needs Neurodivergent People (Faircado) - Neurodivergent individuals with ADHD bring unique strengths to climate activism through creative thinking, hyperfocus abilities, and passionate engagement despite executive function challenges.

• Will Tariffs on Solar Cell Imports Invigorate the U.S. Manufacturing Market? (Inside Climate News) - Commerce Department sets tariffs up to 3,521% on solar cell imports from Southeast Asian countries amid U.S.-China trade dispute, sparking debate over domestic manufacturing growth.

• Nuclear power is shaping up as an election loser, and the Murdoch media is not happy (RenewEconomy) - Coalition's nuclear power policy proves deeply unpopular with voters in marginal seats, threatening election prospects as Labor attacks $600 billion cost estimates.

• Republicans Want A New $250 Tax On Electric Vehicles (CleanTechnica) - House Republicans propose new $250 federal registration fee specifically targeting electric vehicles while dropping broader $20 fee on all passenger cars.

• Lawmakers pass energy bill ending Ohio ratepayer charges that subsidize two unprofitable coal plants (Renewable Energy World) - Ohio lawmakers end $400,000 daily ratepayer subsidies for two unprofitable coal plants originally tied to state's largest corruption scandal.

• Dozens of homeless people living in national forest evicted by US Forest Service (The Guardian) - US Forest Service evicts dozens of homeless residents from Oregon's Deschutes national forest ahead of year-long wildfire prevention project.

• The 141 executive orders Trump signed in his first 100 days (The Guardian) - Trump signs unprecedented 141 executive orders in first 100 days, targeting immigration, environmental protections, and federal workforce while expanding presidential powers.

• The View from Washington (28 April 2025) (Energy Central) - Trump administration's budget reconciliation process threatens major cuts to climate programs and federal agency staffing while facing Republican divisions over Medicare and debt ceiling.

• What is propyl gallate? (EWG) - Propyl gallate, a food preservative linked to hormone disruption and potential tumor growth in lab studies, remains FDA-approved through regulatory loophole despite health concerns.

• Why the future of clean energy investment is at the state level (at least for now) (Trellis) - States like California lead clean energy investment through grants and programs while federal funding remains limited, with a recent $10M flow battery project highlighting the trend.

• Will tariffs help or hurt the US energy storage industry? It’s complicated, experts say (Utility Dive) - Trump's new tariffs on Chinese imports create uncertainty for US energy storage industry, driving up costs and potentially freezing merchant development.

• CCDAA Compliance: Don't get caught off guard (Webinar May 8th) (Watershed) - Global companies with $1B+ revenue invited to webinar on California Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act compliance requirements and implementation updates.

• TVA reconsiders coal plant retirements (Chattanooga Times Free Press) - TVA reconsiders closing its four coal plants by 2035 due to new CEO, rising data center power demand, and Trump's pro-coal executive orders.

• The end of Ohio’s coal plant subsidies is near (Canary Media) - Ohio lawmakers vote to end $400,000 daily coal plant subsidies as part of broader energy market reform bill.

• Clean car crackdown (Canary Media) - House votes to nullify California's stricter vehicle emissions standards that aim to accelerate electric truck adoption and reduce smog pollution.

Renewables

JinkoSolar's 650W TOPCon modules, Acciona's Australian wind plans, Illinois' Double Black Diamond solar farm, and Blenheim Palace's solar installation contrast with slow Irish renewables and US battery storage opposition.

• Tiger Neo & ESS In Focus: JinkoSolar At Intersolar Europe 2025 (TaiyangNews) - JinkoSolar to showcase upgraded Tiger Neo TOPCon solar modules with up to 650W output and energy storage solutions at Intersolar Europe 2025.

• Renewable energy is not being rolled out fast enough: Climate Change Advisory Council Ireland (GridBeyond) - Ireland's Climate Change Advisory Council warns renewable energy deployment is falling behind necessary pace for climate targets.

• Wind can deliver “offshore scale” projects for “onshore price” in inland Australia, Spanish giant says (RenewEconomy) - Spanish energy giant Acciona says inland Australia can host massive wind projects at offshore scale but onshore prices, with potential for 10-20GW in western NSW alone.

• Chart: Clean energy dominated global power construction in 2024 (Canary Media) - Global power construction in 2024 was dominated by clean energy at 90% of new capacity, yet power sector emissions rose 1.7% due to existing fossil fuel plants and rising demand.

• Largest solar farm east of the Mississippi provides more than just power (Canary Media) - 593-megawatt Double Black Diamond solar farm in Illinois, the largest east of Mississippi, powers Chicago city operations and Loyola University while serving as research site for environmental studies.

• Solar Notches Some Local Wins While Battery Storage Hears Boos (Heatmap News) - Local opposition blocks battery storage projects in multiple US locations while solar projects see mixed success in municipal approvals.

• Blenheim Palace Estate cuts ribbon on 20-acre solar farm (BusinessGreen) - Historic Blenheim Palace Estate becomes net energy generator with completion of new 20-acre solar farm installation.

Transport

Massachusetts EV mandate fight, Wattlab solar cargo ships, BYD's global expansion and car carrier, Ampersand's Kigali e-moto success, Trump's shipping tariffs, Nuvve/Fermata V2G merger, and Tesla's European market share decline.

• Canary Media: Massachusetts Should Uphold the State’s Clean Car Rules, Advocates Say (Canary Media) - Massachusetts environmental and business groups urge Governor Healey to maintain state's electric vehicle sales requirements despite automaker pressure to delay implementation.

• Wattlab Announces SolarDeck Modular Solar System For Cargo Ships (TaiyangNews) - Dutch firm Wattlab unveils modular solar deck system for cargo ships that reduces annual fuel consumption by 30MT and CO2 emissions by 96MT while preserving deck space.

• BYD Launches In Benin, Seychelles, Croatia, Slovakia, & Cambodia, Plus The World’s Largest Car Carrier! (CleanTechnica) - BYD expands global presence with new market launches in five countries and unveils world's largest car carrier capable of transporting 9,200 vehicles.

• Ampersand Leads The Charge As Electric Motorcycle Market Share Surges In Kigali, Rwanda (CleanTechnica) - Ampersand's electric motorcycles now command 13% market share of Kigali's motorcycle taxi fleet, with 14,700 daily battery swaps and 40% lower operating costs than gas bikes.

• Ports, Fuels, & Emissions: How Trump’s Tariffs Are Reshaping Maritime Trade (CleanTechnica) - Trump's 2025 tariffs trigger major decline in US-China maritime shipping, causing port activity shifts and reduced emissions while reshaping global trade routes.

• Two big V2G players become one: Nuvve acquires Fermata Energy (Renewable Energy World) - Leading V2G technology companies Nuvve and Fermata Energy merge in $659,000 deal to accelerate electric vehicle grid integration and bidirectional charging solutions.

• Transportation decarbonization gaining traction despite political and economic roadblocks (Energy Central) - North American EV adoption continues growing despite political hurdles, with commercial truck electrification expanding and EV sales rising year-over-year despite price premiums and reduced incentives.

• The Driven Podcast: Gen Z, EVs and the new Model Y (RenewEconomy) - The Driven podcast explores Gen Z perspectives on electric vehicles and reviews Tesla's refreshed Model Y alongside weekly EV news updates.

• Europe EV Sales Report — The King (Tesla) is Dead, Long Live the (Old) King, Volkswagen (CleanTechnica) - Tesla loses European EV market dominance as Volkswagen Group leads Q1 2025 sales with 26.5% market share, while Tesla drops to 6.4% amid brand challenges and increased competition.