Canada will be led by a renewable energy advocate, Mark Carney, until a national election is held. Below, an image from a keynote he gave in 2023. It's the most-discussed story in climate and sustainability around the world today; Australia's RenewEconomy has excellent coverage of the news.
I like this slide below because it really illustrates the multiple approaches needed for an effective transition strategy. None of these alone is enough. All of them together make a strong strategy. Not just a few years of increased investment: a multi-decade boom! Not just improved efficiency, optimization of the whole value chain. And not just replacement of energy sources: demand management! And yes, promotion of innovation!
And now, our daily summaries of 50 selected updates from around the world of green tech and sustainability.
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (2 stories) - Seaweed-fed dairy cows and national food strategy debates highlight Maine and Australian agricultural innovation
Circular (1 story) - Trump's rollback challenges global plastic reduction efforts by Greenpeace and UN environmental initiatives
Ecosystems (5 stories) - Glacial Retreat, Wildfire Smoke, and Cyclone Alfred Expose Escalating Climate Risks in New Zealand, North America, and Australia
Finance (2 stories) - CEFC signals investment potential amid global green finance uncertainty, highlighting Australia's clean tech opportunity as US policy fluctuates
Grid (4 stories) - EcoJoule's grid stabilization tech, dynamic line ratings, and Arctic energy route mapping drive renewable infrastructure expansion
Indigenous (5 stories) - Indigenous women lead global ecosystem stewardship and sustainability through innovative policy, rights advocacy, and transformative community initiatives.
Industry (4 stories) - Westinghouse microreactor, Apollo's green hydrogen, and advanced tailings monitoring technologies drive mining and energy sector sustainability innovations.
Policy (24 stories) - State-led clean energy initiatives, EU policy adjustments, and global climate governance challenges reshape sustainability landscape amid corporate and political tensions
Renewables (5 stories) - Labor's battery rebate meets wind challenges, while innovative ocean thermal, solar streetlights, and offshore wind platforms emerge amid project cancellations in California and Ohio.
Transport (3 stories) - Electric mobility advances with UK market surge, Tesla leadership, and TELO's innovative urban pickup, while hydrogen bus plans face economic scrutiny in France.
Agriculture
Seaweed-fed dairy cows and national food strategy debates highlight Maine and Australian agricultural innovation
Labor is promising a national food security strategy – but there’s no mention of Australians who are going hungry (The Conversation) - Labor's proposed national food security strategy lacks comprehensive approach to addressing hunger and food access challenges for vulnerable Australians.
Feeding Cows Seaweed Could Cut Methane Emissions and Diversify Maine’s Coastal Economy, but Can It Scale? (Inside Climate News) - Maine researchers explore feeding seaweed to dairy cows to dramatically reduce methane emissions while potentially diversifying coastal economies.
Circular
Trump's rollback challenges global plastic reduction efforts by Greenpeace and UN environmental initiatives
Just how bad are plastic straws? (DW) - Plastic straws symbolize global pollution crisis, with environmental experts criticizing Trump's executive order to return to single-use plastics despite health and ecological risks.
Ecosystems
Glacial Retreat, Wildfire Smoke, and Cyclone Alfred Expose Escalating Climate Risks in New Zealand, North America, and Australia
NZ’s glaciers have already lost nearly a third of their ice – as more vanishes, landscapes and lives change (The Conversation) - New Zealand's glaciers have lost nearly a third of their ice volume in 24 years, with almost 300 glaciers completely vanishing due to accelerating climate change impacts.
Fighting for Breath: Wildfire Smoke, Climate Change, & the Urgency of Adaptation (CleanTechnica) - Wildfire smoke emerges as a critical public health threat, driven by climate change, with escalating risks to respiratory and cardiovascular health across North America.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred update: residents warned to head for high ground as flood waters rise (Guardian) - Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred triggers widespread flooding in Queensland and NSW, leaving 230,000 without power and prompting emergency evacuations.
Tree loss from hurricane leaves Asheville vulnerable to new climate shocks (Guardian) - Hurricane Helene's devastating tree loss in Asheville exposes urban vulnerability to climate disasters and reduces city's resilience to future storms.
Water, water everywhere: the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Alfred – in pictures (Guardian) - Devastating flooding in North Lismore and southeast Queensland follows the destructive path of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, leaving over 230,000 properties without power.
Finance
CEFC signals investment potential amid global green finance uncertainty, highlighting Australia's clean tech opportunity as US policy fluctuates
Meet the FOAK folks (CTVC) - First-of-a-kind climate projects face uncertain financing landscape as government support wavers and private investors recalibrate strategies.
CEFC’s Debelle says Trump energy moves leave Australia well placed to lure US clean tech investment (RenewEconomy) - CEFC's Debelle suggests Australia can attract clean tech investment as US political uncertainty impacts green energy funding.
Grid
EcoJoule's grid stabilization tech, dynamic line ratings, and Arctic energy route mapping drive renewable infrastructure expansion
This Map Shows Us the 21st Century’s Biggest Energy Challenges (CleanTechnica) - Peirce Quincuncial Projection map reveals strategic importance of Arctic Ocean and global energy routes, highlighting renewable energy's potential to transform geopolitical power dynamics.
Software and DLRs Key to Unlocking Power Grid’s Potential (Power Mag) - Software and dynamic line ratings could unlock 30% more grid capacity by leveraging precision weather forecasting and machine learning technologies.
Australian company lands $15 million in new funds for technology to stabilise solar-heavy grid (RenewEconomy) - Australian energy tech firm EcoJoule secures $15 million to develop grid stabilization technologies for solar-heavy electricity networks.
SOCAN Testimony supporting HB3681 (SOCAN) - Oregon climate group advocates for streamlining transmission line approval to enhance renewable energy grid infrastructure.
Indigenous
Indigenous women lead global ecosystem stewardship and sustainability through innovative policy, rights advocacy, and transformative community initiatives.
"Wine, Water, Milk, and Bread" (Isaiah 55:1-9) (Green Lectionary Podcast) - Biblical scholars explore Isaiah 55's radical invitation to all people to freely access and delight in God's creation, challenging systems of commodification and exclusion.
Celebrating Indigenous Women Today and All Year... (Cultural Survival) - International Women's Day highlights Indigenous women's critical leadership in social justice, ecosystem stewardship, and transformative community change.
🌎🐝 Events: Bees and th World (Meli Bees) - Global event series explores bee conservation, sustainable development, and international cooperation through innovative policy and local initiatives.
8 women greening the Earth in 2025 (GLF) - Eight women leaders are pioneering transformative sustainability solutions across diverse fields including Indigenous rights, restoration, finance, and art.
Bernie Sanders Backed Catherine Coleman Flowers #alabama (YouTube) - Bernie Sanders champions environmental justice activist Catherine Coleman Flowers, helping her bring rural poverty issues to national attention.
Industry
Westinghouse microreactor, Apollo's green hydrogen, and advanced tailings monitoring technologies drive mining and energy sector sustainability innovations.
Key Elements of Tailings Pond Management: Design, Safety, Water Quality, Sustainability, and Monitoring (KETOS) - Advanced monitoring technologies and strategic design are critical for ensuring the safety, environmental protection, and sustainable management of tailings ponds in mining operations.
Penn State Sets Partnership with Westinghouse to Build an eVinci Microreactor for Research and Power (Penn State) - University partners with Westinghouse to develop eVinci microreactor for campus research and power generation.
HOP2 Phase 2 Contract to Advance Offshore Hydrogen Production (Energy Central) - Apollo secures £150k contract for HOP2 Phase 2, advancing offshore green hydrogen production using existing oil and gas infrastructure.
Debunking the Myth: Hydrogen’s Abundance Does Not Equal Accessibility (CleanTechnica) - Hydrogen's universal abundance is misleading, as extracting and using it requires significant energy, infrastructure, and cost, making it impractical for widespread energy applications.
Policy
State-led clean energy initiatives, EU policy adjustments, and global climate governance challenges reshape sustainability landscape amid corporate and political tensions
Clean energy is up to the states now (Canary Media) - Illinois demonstrates states' pivotal role in advancing clean energy through progressive legislation despite federal policy challenges.
UK government vows to clean up Windermere after sewage criticism (Guardian) - UK government pledges comprehensive cleanup of Windermere lake, targeting sewage pollution through infrastructure investment and water treatment upgrades.
Seizing the EUDR Delay: How Businesses Can Lead in Sustainable Supply Chains (Earth.org) - EU Deforestation Regulation delay offers businesses strategic opportunity to proactively enhance supply chain sustainability and compliance before mandatory implementation.
Billboard blunders reveal dangerous double standards on climate change (RenewEconomy) - Advertising platforms inconsistently reject climate-related billboards while allowing potentially misleading fossil fuel industry messaging.
More households than ever are under-insured. Here’s what needs to be done (The Conversation) - Rising insurance costs and climate risks are leaving more Australian households critically under-insured, threatening their financial resilience during extreme weather events.
Renewables champion and head of Origin Energy bid picked as Canada PM to take on Trump and Musk (RenewEconomy) - Mark Carney, renewables champion and former central banker, chosen as Canada's new Liberal Party leader to confront Trump and Musk.
No Duty To Protect Us, But They Show Up For The Oligarchy (CleanTechnica) - Police extensively protect Tesla stores from peaceful protesters, highlighting potential bias in law enforcement's prioritization of corporate interests over public safety.
Cyclone Alfred evacuation centres 'not a solution for homelessness', NSW premier says – video (Guardian) - NSW Premier Chris Minns emphasizes evacuation centers are temporary, not a solution to homelessness after Cyclone Alfred.
ESG Today: Week in Review (ESG Today) - Major corporations and financial institutions make strategic shifts in sustainability, carbon removal, and ESG reporting across multiple sectors.
Ex-Cyclone Alfred floods live updates: emergency disaster relief payment for loss of income approved; Brisbane and NSW flooding; flood evacuation warnings – latest news (Guardian) - Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred triggers widespread flooding across Queensland and NSW, with emergency services responding to extensive damage and power outages.
Valerie drove her bright red Suzuki into the eye of Alfred. Now she’s heading home to the northern rivers (Guardian Australia) - Valerie Thompson navigates Tropical Cyclone Alfred by evacuating early with her family, highlighting community resilience in flood-prone northern New South Wales.
‘We’re losing our environmental history’: The future of government information under Trump (Grist) - Trump administration systematically removes and suppresses critical environmental and climate data across federal websites, raising concerns about historical preservation and public access to scientific information.
US Exits Board of Hard-Fought Loss and Damage Fund, Further Distancing Itself From Global Climate Commitments (Earth.org) - US withdraws from UN Loss and Damage Fund board, signaling further distancing from global climate commitments.
You’re Invited: Why We Need NOAA Now More Than Ever (Covering Climate Now) - Press briefing highlights critical importance of NOAA amid potential budget cuts and layoffs threatening weather forecasting and climate research.
Answers to common questions about the EU omnibus proposal (Watershed) - EU's omnibus proposal seeks to simplify CSRD reporting requirements, potentially reducing data points and aligning with global standards while delaying implementation timelines.
Technical Assistance: Multi-family & Commercial Community Grants (Portland Clean Energy Fund) - Technical assistance session guides multi-family and commercial property owners through community grant application process focused on clean energy and social justice projects.
SOCAN Testimony opposing HB3247 (SOCAN) - Climate advocacy group opposes Oregon House Bill 3247, arguing it undermines efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy sector.
Made For This Time- Aly Halpert | Dayenu (Dayenu) - Musician Aly Halpert offers spiritual resilience and hope through song, emphasizing collective climate action and individual empowerment.
How To Flip Marketing That Promotes A False “Future Of Energy” Vision (CleanTechnica) - Fossil fuel companies continue to spread disinformation about energy transition, undermining efforts to combat climate change through misleading marketing strategies.
Another door closes on Ohio solar development (Canary Media) - Ohio solar project canceled after state regulators side with local opponents, highlighting ongoing challenges for renewable energy development in the state.
Tennessee lawmakers want to call natural gas “renewable” (Canary Media) - Tennessee lawmakers propose reclassifying natural gas as "renewable" to circumvent local clean energy mandates.
It's Time to Fight for Actual Free Speech (Drilled) - Environmental activists challenge corporate free speech narratives by protesting fossil fuel conference while facing systematic suppression of their own First Amendment rights.
Malawi hosts High Level Dialogue on a global transition and the Fossil Fuel Treaty (Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative) - Malawi hosts high-level dialogue on global energy transition, emphasizing climate justice and the need for a fossil fuel treaty to support vulnerable African nations.
Abbott’s legacy, Trump’s playbook: Is the LNP planning science suppression 2.0? (RenewEconomy) - Australian Liberal Party's historical science suppression tactics mirror Trump's approach, risking long-term innovation and economic competitiveness.
Renewables
Labor's battery rebate meets wind challenges, while innovative ocean thermal, solar streetlights, and offshore wind platforms emerge amid project cancellations in California and Ohio.
Labor’s election rout paves way for household battery rebate, but big challenge remains on wind and solar (RenewEconomy) - Western Australia's Labor election victory sets stage for generous household battery rebate program while facing challenges in scaling wind and solar infrastructure.
Energy, the Environment, the Economy and You – The Environment and Its Energy Remedy (Energy Central) - Ocean thermal energy conversion offers innovative solution to simultaneously address global warming and future energy needs for growing population.
Streetleaf and D. R. Horton Bring Solar-powered Streetlights to California - The Weather Channel (The Weather Channel) - Streetleaf and D.R. Horton launch solar-powered streetlights in California community, marking first of nationwide installation partnership.
US Startup Brings New Floating Offshore Wind Turbine Platform To The World (CleanTechnica) - California startup ECO TLP develops innovative floating offshore wind turbine platform with global deployment potential, receiving key certification approvals.
Funding freeze halted again (Canary Media) - Ohio solar project canceled amid ongoing challenges, marking fifth large solar development halted in 15 months.
Transport
Electric mobility advances with UK market surge, Tesla leadership, and TELO's innovative urban pickup, while hydrogen bus plans face economic scrutiny in France.
Hydrogen Bus Fail (Recharge) - French city cancels €29m hydrogen bus project after discovering electric buses are six times cheaper to operate.
Mom & Apple Pie (CleanTechnica) - UK electric vehicle market surges to 33.9% market share in February, with Tesla leading and battery electric vehicles growing 42% year-on-year.
Hello, TELO! (CleanTechnica) - TELO Trucks unveils compact MT1 electric pickup truck with innovative design, efficient urban mobility, and sustainable features targeting a niche market segment.
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