Good Tuesday. Much of the world is feeling rocked right now by the freeze of federal funds, from researchers to Medicare recipients! I recommend watching the work of communications consultant Anat Shenker-Osorio for the best way of understanding and speaking about the day to day on this.
I'm going to focus on a victory, described below in our Visual of the Day, the successful restoration of mangrove forests in El Salvador's Jiquilisco Bay, and the deep lessons that can be learned from that.
Let's go!
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
Earth Catalyst: We provide thought leadership support systems and bespoke consulting for green tech and sustainability organizations.
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A Visual of the Day
A digest-style Table of Contents for 175 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
How to Save an Ecosystem
Satellite images track the successful restoration of mangrove forests in El Salvador's Jiquilisco Bay from 2006 to 2023, demonstrating how community-led ecological restoration can reverse environmental degradation. See Mongabay's Lessons from successful mangrove forest restoration in El Salvador (analysis). Included there is a beautiful 9 minute video overview.
I think this is important enough that I want to take the time and space here to share 4 big lessons we can learn from this successful effort to apply to our own work, literally or analogously. Here's what they did in El Salvador.
Prioritize understanding why natural regeneration isn't occurring before jumping into planting or other interventions. Focus on restoring the underlying conditions (like water flow and hydrology) rather than just replanting trees. Clean and restore natural water channels first to allow nature to heal itself through natural regeneration.
Local community involvement and traditional knowledge are essential for long-term restoration success. Combine local wisdom with scientific knowledge for optimal restoration outcomes. (Brings to mind Mary Parker Follett's wisdom from 100 years ago: "The [scientific] expert must find his place within the social process; he can never be made a substitute for it.")
Restoration projects need to emphasize long-term survival rates (10-25 years) rather than initial planting numbers. Monitor and measure progress systematically to ensure the restoration is working as intended. Success metrics should focus on ecosystem health indicators (returning wildlife, biodiversity) rather than just tree counts. Consider the entire ecosystem's needs rather than focusing on a single species or aspect.
Empower local communities as long-term guardians of the restored ecosystem. Address poverty and resource overexploitation alongside ecological restoration efforts. Create economic incentives for local communities to protect and maintain the restored ecosystem.
Good lessons, don't you think?
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (13 stories) - Chipotle backs Plantible and CH4 Global while FieldData's AI tool aids ranchers; H5N9 and H5N1 bird flu outbreaks hit US and UK farms; Kiboko Station's $2.5M upgrade boosts East African crop research
Carbon (11 stories) - Record coal use in China contrasts with UK airport offset challenges, while Gulf Coast emerges as CO2 storage hub; WattTime study shows Southeast solar's 3x carbon impact; Stockholm Exergi receives $1.8B for bio-CCS facility
Circular (10 stories) - LA lab advances textile recycling R&D while Minnesota and Bristol push new waste policies; Miik and Foodiverse pioneer sustainable business models
Ecosystems (13 stories) - Discovery of 27 new Peruvian species by Awajún people, global botanic garden capacity limits, Montana sagebrush restoration, and Ecuador's Junín Conservation Area highlight year's major ecosystem developments
Efficiency (5 stories) - NVIDIA chips, Worksport's AetherLux heat pump, and UCLA's graphene supercapacitors drive major efficiency gains across AI, HVAC, and energy storage sectors
Finance (8 stories) - BlackRock, Moody's and Sightline lead sustainable finance moves while Good Energy weighs Esyasoft buyout; ocean resilience fund activates $45.5M as insurance sector grapples with climate risks
Grid (14 stories) - China hits 74 GW storage milestone while Enphase, Energy Dome, and NextEra advance battery and gas projects; data center expansions by Meta, Reliance, and others drive utility planning and grid reforms
Indigenous (10 stories) - Fire networks expand Indigenous burn practices while Peru tribes halt logging; West Bank water rights and Brazil's uncontacted groups gain attention
Industry (17 stories) - Chinese banks fund AI and clean tech as solar manufacturers face losses; Earth AI raises $20M for mineral discovery; North Africa-Europe hydrogen corridor planned; DoD backs climate innovations; global energy transitions reshape manufacturing and corporate leadership
Policy (53 stories) - Australian Energy Minister's electric suburbs program, U.S. Paris Agreement withdrawal, Trump's climate policy reversals, EU's 47% renewable milestone, and G20 emissions reduction targets shape global climate policy landscape
Renewables (15 stories) - NextEra, Ameresco, Silicon Ranch lead US renewables push; China hits 277GW solar record; JA Solar powers LatAm's first refinery solar plant; LONGi calls for global PV cooperation; PERC inventor honored while high-power modules dominate market
Transport (5 stories) - China hits 25% BEV market share; Forum Mobility deploys 500 e-trucks at LA ports; Safe Landing advocates aviation climate action; lignin hydrogen jet fuel breakthrough; US EV sales up 7%
Agriculture
Chipotle backs Plantible and CH4 Global while FieldData's AI tool aids ranchers; H5N9 and H5N1 bird flu outbreaks hit US and UK farms; Kiboko Station's $2.5M upgrade boosts East African crop research
Chipotle Invests in Startups Reducing Emissions from Cows, Advancing Plant-Based Protein (ESGToday) - Chipotle's venture fund invests in Plantible's plant-based protein and CH4 Global's methane-reducing cattle feed supplement to support sustainable food production and emissions reduction.
Guest article: AI… the silent partner to the regenerative agriculture revolution? (AgFunderNews) - AI technologies are revolutionizing regenerative agriculture through precision farming, smart monitoring, and data analytics, while helping farmers transition to more sustainable practices despite initial costs.
How Mass Deportations Could Gut the US Food System (Atmos) - Trump's promised mass deportation program threatens US food system as 40% of agricultural workforce is undocumented, risking supply chain disruption and farm closures.
Leveraging research & innovation for agricultural transformation in East & Southern Africa (CGIAR) - East and Southern African agricultural development program combines research and innovation to transform regional food systems amid climate challenges.
The Livestock Industry Fights to Keep Killing Wildlife by Running Them Over Legal! (The Wildlife News) - Wyoming livestock industry lobbies to maintain legal status of using snowmobiles to kill predator animals, despite public outrage over viral wolf-killing incident.
First outbreak of rare bird flu strain reported at California poultry farm (The Guardian) - First outbreak of rare H5N9 bird flu strain detected at California duck farm alongside H5N1, leading to culling of 119,000 birds amid concerns over potential human transmission.
Human case of avian flu detected in England as virus spreads among birds (The Guardian) - Human case of H5N1 bird flu detected in West Midlands farm worker after contact with infected birds, marking UK's second symptomatic case as virus spreads nationwide.
Discussing trade-offs in the Vietnamese food system with key stakeholders (CGIAR) - Vietnamese researchers and stakeholders discuss food system trade-offs and transformation strategies, focusing on balancing healthy diets, sustainable production, and policy implementation across government levels.
FieldData bets on AI-powered data entry to simplify ranch management and increase holistic practices (AgFunderNews) - Argentina-based FieldData raises pre-seed funding for AI-powered WhatsApp tool that converts ranchers' voice messages into data for improved cattle management and sustainable grazing practices.
Kiboko Research Station in Kenya upgraded to accelerate East Africa maize and dryland crop breeding (CGIAR) - Kenya's Kiboko Research Station completes $2.5M upgrade to accelerate maize breeding and crop research across East Africa with advanced seed processing, irrigation systems, and digital technologies.
My Bronx Green-Up Apprenticeship: Mykal Edman (NYBG) - Bronx resident describes transformative experience working with Bronx Green-Up program to convert vacant lot into thriving community garden, highlighting urban agriculture's impact on neighborhood revitalization.
My Bronx Green-Up Apprenticeship: Van Troy Ulloa II (NYBG) - Van Troy Ulloa II shares experience as Bronx Green-Up apprentice promoting urban sustainability through composting, carpentry, and community outreach projects in New York City.
Scenic Hudson Protects Two Critical Columbia County Farm and Forest Properties (Scenic Hudson) - Conservation group protects 600 acres of historic farmland and forest in Columbia County, including poet Edna St. Vincent Millay's former estate and a 19th-century working farm.
Carbon
Record coal use in China contrasts with UK airport offset challenges, while Gulf Coast emerges as CO2 storage hub; WattTime study shows Southeast solar's 3x carbon impact; Stockholm Exergi receives $1.8B for bio-CCS facility
Analysis: UK would need forest ‘twice size of London’ to offset new airport expansion (Carbon Brief) - UK airports' expansion plans would require planting forests twice the size of London to offset 92m tonnes of extra CO2 emissions by 2050.
Carbon exchange leader and sustainability advocate Mikkel Larsen dies at 50 (Mongabay) - Carbon market pioneer and sustainability advocate Mikkel Larsen, former CEO of Climate Impact X and champion of high-integrity carbon trading, dies at 50.
Carbon reduction orgs identify where solar is needed most (Solar Power World) - WattTime and Clearloop study reveals solar installations in Southeast US can offset three times more carbon emissions than identical projects in California, highlighting regional disparities in renewable energy impact.
Coal Continues to Lead China’s Record Levels of Power Generation (POWER) - China's thermal power generation hit record high in 2024 led by coal plants, despite significant growth in renewable energy installations and overseas green energy investments.
EDAC Labs Names Brian Toll CEO, Launches Magnesium Pilot Facility (EDAC Labs) - Carbon removal startup appoints Brian Toll as CEO and launches pilot facility for carbon-negative magnesium production using electrochemical technology.
Global sea level very likely to rise between 0.5 and 1.9 meters by 2100 under high-emissions scenario (ScienceDaily) - New research projects global sea levels to rise between 0.5-1.9 meters by 2100 under high emissions, exceeding UN estimates by 90cm.
Gulf Coast Geology: The Ideal Hub for CO2 Storage (EnergyCentral) - Gulf Coast of Texas emerges as prime carbon storage hub with capacity for 290 billion metric tons CO2 storage across 12,500 square miles of Frio formation near major industrial emitters.
Loam x Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory academic collaboration (Lawrence Livermore Lab) - Scientists use advanced isotope tracking and imaging technology to study how soil fungi capture atmospheric carbon through plant roots, aiming to enhance natural carbon sequestration.
Ski Weekend in Saas-Fee: Spending in toco to combat climate change. (Toco) - Swiss ski resort demonstrates how spending with carbon-backed currency during one weekend removed 44.1 tonnes of CO2 through regular tourist activities.
Stockholm Exergi Awarded $1.8 Billion by Sweden for Biomass-Based Carbon Removal and Storage (ESGToday) - Sweden grants Stockholm Exergi $1.8 billion to build Europe's largest bio-CCS facility, aiming to capture 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually from biomass energy production.
Amex GBT Launches Solution Enabling Businesses to Apply Carbon Price for Travel and Fund Decarbonization Solutions (ESGToday) - Amex GBT launches integrated carbon pricing tool allowing businesses to track flight emissions and direct fees towards decarbonization projects.
Circular
LA lab advances textile recycling R&D while Minnesota and Bristol push new waste policies; Miik and Foodiverse pioneer sustainable business models
Ambercyclist Spotlight | Ariana Gray Be (Ambercycle) - Principal Scientist Ariana Gray Be leads R&D efforts at Los Angeles lab developing circular materials technology for textile recycling and decarbonization.
Ambercyclist Spotlight | Brady Dreyer (Ambercycle) - VP of Technology Brady Dreyer leads engineering team in developing and scaling textile waste regeneration technologies for sustainable materials production.
Ambercyclist Spotlight | Ed Mallet (Ambercycle) - Former banker Ed Mallet leads finance team at textile recycling startup, managing commercial scaling of nine-year-developed circular technology.
Ambercyclist Spotlight | Jonny Gordon (Ambercycle) - Head of R&D Jonny Gordon leads experimental chemistry team in Los Angeles to develop and scale recycling technology for fashion waste.
Ambercyclist Spotlight | Nava Esmailizadeh (Ambercycle) - Head of Brand Nava Esmailizadeh leads storytelling initiatives to promote circular fashion and regenerated materials through technology and community engagement.
Bristol may become first English council to collect black bins every four weeks (The Guardian) - Bristol council proposes England's first four-weekly black bin collection to save £2m annually and boost recycling rates amid local opposition.
Our 2025 Policy Platform: Advancing Zero Waste Solutions (Eureka Recycling) - Minnesota recycling organization unveils 2025 legislative agenda focused on single-use plastic bans, bottle deposits, and electronic waste recycling to combat state's growing waste crisis.
Toronto-based Miik Has Designs on A Better Fashion Industry (Bluedot Living) - Toronto-based sustainable fashion brand Miik prioritizes local production, timeless designs, and ethical manufacturing while building supportive customer community through virtual fashion shows.
Why Choose Tree-Free Bamboo Toilet Paper for Your Home? (EcoSoul Home) - Bamboo toilet paper offers sustainable alternative to traditional tree-based products, requiring no deforestation and containing no harmful chemicals while maintaining durability and comfort.
Leaving feedback on a donation (FoodCloud) - New feedback system in Foodiverse app allows charities to rate and comment on food donations within 48 hours of transfer to improve donation process efficiency.
Ecosystems
Discovery of 27 new Peruvian species by Awajún people, global botanic garden capacity limits, Montana sagebrush restoration, and Ecuador's Junín Conservation Area highlight year's major ecosystem developments
Blob-headed fish and four mammals among 27 newly described species in Peru’s Alto Mayo (Mongabay) - Scientists and Indigenous Awajún community members discover 27 new species including unique "blob-headed" fish and four mammals in Peru's Alto Mayo region, highlighting value of traditional ecological knowledge.
Botanic Gardens must team up to save wild plants from extinction (ScienceDaily) - Global study reveals botanic gardens worldwide have reached peak capacity and face collection restrictions, hampering efforts to protect endangered plant species from extinction.
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana landowner partners with state agencies to restore 55,000 acres of sagebrush habitat through prescribed burns, reducing wildfire risk and conifer encroachment in Southwest Montana.
Fireforest: A New Film on Forest Management and Wildfire (FireNetworks) - New documentary "Fireforest" showcases how prescribed burns and forest thinning helped control Colorado's 2020 Cameron Peak Fire, demonstrating effective wildfire management strategies.
How animal poop helps ecosystems adapt to climate change (ScienceDaily) - Vicuñas in Andes Mountains help ecosystems adapt to glacier loss by creating nutrient-rich dung piles that accelerate plant growth by over 100 years in deglaciated areas.
Junín Conservation Area Protects Tropical Forests Along Ecuador’s Pacific Coast (Andes Amazon Fund) - Ecuador establishes 28,410-acre Junín Conservation Area to protect endangered species and water sources in Pacific coastal tropical forests.
Lessons from successful mangrove forest restoration in El Salvador (analysis) (Mongabay) - Community-led mangrove restoration project in El Salvador's Jiquilisco Bay achieves 70-hectare recovery through channel clearing and hydrology restoration, demonstrating success of local ecological knowledge combined with scientific methods.
Microplastics Block Blood Flow in Brains of Mice (Yale E360) - New study reveals microplastics fed to mice caused blood vessel blockages in their brains, leading to reduced blood flow and impaired coordination.
Saguaro Struggles: A Desert Icon Feels the Heat (The Revelator) - Climate change, drought, and invasive species threaten Arizona's iconic saguaro cacti as rising temperatures and reduced rainfall severely limit new seedling establishment in Sonoran Desert.
Unraveling the connection between Canadian wildfires and Arctic ice clouds (ScienceDaily) - Japanese researchers directly link Canadian wildfire aerosols to Arctic ice cloud formation above normal freezing temperatures in groundbreaking 2023 study.
Why we must protect the Grand Canyon of the Atlantic (Environment America) - NOAA considers protecting Hudson Canyon, East Coast's largest underwater canyon and vital marine habitat hosting 10% of world's North Atlantic Right whales, as national marine sanctuary.
Bighorn Sheep vs. Domestic Sheep (The Wildlife News) - Disease transmission from domestic sheep threatens bighorn sheep recovery on public lands, with federal managers favoring ranching interests over conservation.
Oregonians rally to protect pollinators and wildlife (Environment Oregon) - Oregonians gather at Portland Farmers Market to support House Bill 2679 restricting neonicotinoid pesticides to protect declining bee and pollinator populations.
Efficiency
NVIDIA chips, Worksport's AetherLux heat pump, and UCLA's graphene supercapacitors drive major efficiency gains across AI, HVAC, and energy storage sectors
“Mystery” Cold Climate Heat Pump To Be Unveiled Soon (CleanTechnica) - Worksport's new AI-enabled cold climate heat pump 'AetherLux' promises improved efficiency and all-weather performance, set to launch February 11 amid growing heat pump adoption.
AI Electricity Demand Spike Already Drooping Due To Innovation (CleanTechnica) - AI data center electricity demand concerns deflate as NVIDIA's new chips and DeepSeek's software optimizations achieve 95% energy efficiency improvements.
Are We Doing This Again? Home Efficiency Pros Are Wary as Ohio Gets Federal Rebates, Just a Few Years After State Funding Was Yanked (InsideClimateNews) - Ohio energy efficiency professionals express skepticism about new federal home efficiency rebates due to state's history of abruptly ending similar programs.
Plastic Supercapacitors Capable Of More Than 70,000 Charging Cycles (CleanTechnica) - UCLA researchers develop plastic supercapacitors with graphene nanofibers achieving 70,000+ charging cycles and 100x higher conductivity than commercial alternatives.
Facilities & Campus Energy Summit (Energy Central) - Summit for campus and healthcare facility leaders to discuss energy efficiency, decarbonization and sustainability strategies scheduled for May 2025 in Washington DC.
Finance
BlackRock, Moody's and Sightline lead sustainable finance moves while Good Energy weighs Esyasoft buyout; ocean resilience fund activates $45.5M as insurance sector grapples with climate risks
Action Report 2024 (Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance) - Organization activates $45.5M in ocean investments, supports 174,000 people's resilience, and plans 10 new finance products by 2025.
BlackRock Launches First Fund Using FCA’s “Sustainability Improvers” Label Targeting Brown-to-Green Materials Opportunities (ESGToday) - BlackRock launches first UK fund using FCA's "Sustainability Improvers" label to invest in companies transitioning from high-carbon to low-carbon materials production.
Monday briefing: What if the climate crisis makes disaster insurance unaffordable? (The Guardian) - Insurance industry faces existential threat as climate disasters make coverage increasingly unaffordable, with LA wildfires highlighting systemic risks to homeowners and financial markets.
Moody’s Predicts $1 Trillion Sustainable Bond Market in 2025 Despite Political Headwinds (ESGToday) - Moody's forecasts $1 trillion sustainable bond market in 2025, with green bonds reaching $620 billion despite political headwinds and market challenges.
Q&A: Innovative Capital Structures to Finance Clean Energy Adoption (Clearloop) - CEO Laura Zapata outlines innovative financing models and capital structures for accelerating renewable energy deployment in underserved, high-carbon US markets.
What Davos delegates missed when they discussed green finance for business (The Conversation) - Davos World Economic Forum's green finance discussions overlooked crucial need for public-private partnerships to help small businesses access climate transition funding.
📢🌍 $5.5m to power the transition economy (CTVC) - Climate tech intelligence platform Sightline raises $5.5M seed round from Westly Group and Molten Ventures to scale market analytics for transition economy decision-makers.
Good Energy board backs £100m takeover by Esyasoft Group (BusinessGreen) - UK renewable energy company Good Energy's board recommends £100m acquisition offer from Dubai-based energy software firm Esyasoft Group.
Grid
China hits 74 GW storage milestone while Enphase, Energy Dome, and NextEra advance battery and gas projects; data center expansions by Meta, Reliance, and others drive utility planning and grid reforms
China's New Energy Storage Capacity Grows 130% YoY: NEA (TaiyangNews) - China's energy storage capacity surged 130% year-over-year to reach 74 GW/168 GWh in 2024, with systems over 100MW now representing 62.3% of total capacity.
Enphase Announces New Residential Battery For Europe (CleanTechnica) - Enphase launches new 5kWh lithium iron phosphate residential battery system with FlexPhase technology in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, expandable up to 70kWh capacity.
GEAPP and Rockefeller Foundation Advance New Energy Access Projects in More than a Dozen African Countries (GEAPP) - Global Energy Alliance and Rockefeller Foundation launch 23 renewable energy projects across 12 African nations to provide electricity access to 300 million people by 2030 through $10 million technical assistance facility.
How businesses can navigate energy’s new complexity (Latitude Media) - Rising energy demand and supply constraints force businesses to balance cost, reliability, and clean energy priorities amid AI-driven grid expansion and infrastructure challenges.
India Energy Group Plans ‘World’s Largest’ Data Center (POWER Magazine) - India's Reliance Industries announces plans for 3-GW data center in Jamnagar, backed by Nvidia partnership and government AI investment, amid nationwide data center expansion.
Inside Energy Dome’s energy-storage-as-a-service plans (Latitude Media) - Energy Dome signs first-ever long-term offtake agreement with Engie for 20MW CO2-based energy storage facility in Sardinia, offering 10-hour discharge capability.
Putting together a utility battery storage playbook: lessons from industry leaders (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Leading utilities share strategies for scaling battery storage deployment, emphasizing structured development processes, cross-functional teams, and safety protocols as U.S. utility-scale capacity expected to reach 30 GW by 2025.
Santee Cooper Plans to Bring V C Summer Back from the Dead (EnergyNews) - South Carolina utility Santee Cooper seeks proposals to revive abandoned V.C. Summer nuclear project, aiming to complete two partially built 1,150 MW reactors to meet growing data center power demands.
The Rising Hunger of AI Data Centers Accelerates the Need for Clean Energy to Meet Demand (DeSmog) - Meta's planned Louisiana data center sparks controversy as Entergy rushes to build $3.2B gas-powered plants to meet AI energy demands while bypassing competitive renewable options.
This climate tech company is cleaning up energy grids (Clearloop) - Climate tech company develops solar farms in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana to clean up energy grids in regions with high fossil fuel dependence.
What are utilities going to do about data centers & AI? New DTECH event offers emerging strategies (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Major utilities and tech leaders to convene at DTECH Data Centers & AI conference in San José to address surging electricity demand from data centers and AI infrastructure.
NextEra partners with GE Vernova to build ‘gigawatts’ of gas generation (Utility Dive) - NextEra Energy and GE Vernova form partnership to develop gigawatts of gas turbine projects over next four years to meet growing power demand from data centers.
Achieving AI dominance through competitive power markets (Utility Dive) - US power market reforms needed to support AI data center growth and maintain global competitiveness in artificial intelligence development, energy expert argues.
Forecast wholesale power prices and retail electricity prices rise modestly in 2025 (EIA) - U.S. wholesale power prices forecast to rise 7% in 2025, with residential electricity prices increasing 2% due to higher natural gas costs and regional market dynamics.
Indigenous
Fire networks expand Indigenous burn practices while Peru tribes halt logging; West Bank water rights and Brazil's uncontacted groups gain attention
2024: A Year of Growth and Connection for the Fire Networks (Fire Networks) - Indigenous, federal, and community fire management networks expanded training programs and partnerships across US in 2024, focusing on prescribed burns and cultural burning practices.
Ancestral Knowledge, Biodiversity and the Future: COP16 through the Indigenous Gaze (CGIAR) - Indigenous leader Ubaldino García advocates for stronger Indigenous representation and traditional ecological knowledge integration at COP16 biodiversity conference, highlighting systemic barriers to meaningful participation.
Calls for protection as new images emerge of uncontacted Amazonian tribe (Mongabay) - New trail camera images reveal nine uncontacted Indigenous men in Brazil's Massaco territory, prompting urgent calls for increased protection amid growing territorial pressures.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Fire adaptation and resilience network celebrates 10 years of community blogging with over 680 stories shared from practitioners, researchers, and indigenous voices across the globe.
Collective Resistance and Community Care: Preparing Ourselves to Face Authoritarianism Head On (NDN Collective) - Indigenous organization calls for collective resistance and community solidarity against rising authoritarianism, emphasizing traditional values and community defense strategies.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - California's Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association partners with local Pomo tribes to restore watersheds and implement traditional ecological practices in Lake County through educational workshops.
Early results suggest communities stop logging during basic income pilot project (Mongabay) - Three Indigenous communities in Peru's Amazon cease illegal logging activities after one year of receiving monthly unconditional cash payments in conservation basic income pilot project.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - California's Watershed Center shares lessons from prescribed burn outreach workshops, emphasizing trauma-informed communication and community engagement in fire-prone areas.
La Via Campesina Delegation Visited Palestine in December 2024: Notes from their Daily Diaries [Part – 2] (Via Campesina) - International delegation documents systematic water discrimination, land seizures, and settler violence against Palestinian farmers in West Bank's Nablus region during December 2024 visit.
The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Fire leader reflects on importance of hospitality and human connection in firefighting culture while addressing cancer risks and health impacts affecting wildland firefighters.
Industry
Chinese banks fund AI and clean tech as solar manufacturers face losses; Earth AI raises $20M for mineral discovery; North Africa-Europe hydrogen corridor planned; DoD backs climate innovations; global energy transitions reshape manufacturing and corporate leadership
📈 Data to start your week (Exponential View) - China's Bank invests $137 billion in AI, robotics, and advanced tech while CO2 emissions plateau due to clean energy adoption and battery storage costs drop.
China Solar PV News Snippets: Canadian Solar To Build 5 GW Silicon Ingot Fab & More (TaiyangNews) - Canadian Solar plans $13.85M investment in 5GW silicon ingot factory in Inner Mongolia while major Chinese solar manufacturers forecast significant 2024 losses amid industry price pressures.
Dumb Donald Savages Low Carbon Construction Initiatives (CleanTechnica) - Trump administration rescinds federal Buy Clean program, undermining efforts to promote low-carbon construction materials in government projects.
Earth AI’s play in the hunt for critical minerals (Latitude Media) - Australian startup Earth AI raises $20M to expand AI-powered critical mineral discovery operations, reporting 75% success rate compared to industry standard 0.5%.
Five countries declaration of intent on southern hydrogen corridor (Energy Central) - Italy, Germany, Austria, Algeria and Tunisia sign joint declaration to develop 3,300km renewable hydrogen transport corridor connecting North Africa to Central Europe.
Five countries sign joint declaration of intent to continue work on southern hydrogen corridor (Energy Central) - Italy, Germany, Austria, Algeria and Tunisia sign declaration to build 3,300km Southern Hydrogen Corridor for transporting renewable hydrogen from North Africa to Europe.
Forrest says no reason world can’t stop burning fossil fuels by 2040, hints at hydrogen breakthrough (RenewEconomy) - Mining billionaire Andrew Forrest claims world can eliminate fossil fuels by 2040, suggests upcoming breakthrough in cheaper hydrogen technology.
Notorious US chemical plant polluting water with toxic PFAS, lawsuit claims (The Guardian) - Chemical giant Chemours's West Virginia plant continues illegal discharge of toxic PFAS into Ohio River despite previous lawsuits and regulations, new federal complaint alleges.
The Defense Department Still Needs Climate Tech (Heatmap News) - Department of Defense continues funding climate tech innovations like electric aircraft and hydrogen vehicles, framing them as critical defense capabilities rather than environmental solutions.
This Startup Finds Critical Minerals in the Unlikeliest of Places (Heatmap) - Australian startup Earth AI raises $20M Series B funding to use AI for discovering critical mineral deposits in unexplored areas.
Wildfires in California Make Buildings’ Hidden Plastic Problem Visible (Moms Clean Air Force) - California wildfires highlight health and environmental risks of plastic building materials as they release toxic chemicals when burned, prompting calls for safer alternatives.
167. The future growth of LNG - Redefining Energy podcast (Energy Central) - Global LNG market faces supply surplus as US and Qatar expand export capacity while Europe grapples with balancing decarbonization and energy security needs.
Power Engineering® rebrands as Factor This Power Engineering™, reinforcing a future-driven commitment to the evolving energy landscape (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Power Engineering rebrands to Factor This Power Engineering to better reflect industry's evolution toward renewable energy and modern power solutions.
DAS Solar Hosts Delegation from the French IPVF for Technical Exchange (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer DAS Solar and French research institute IPVF discuss collaboration on advanced photovoltaic technologies, with DAS showcasing 26.7% efficient TOPCon cells.
DMEGC Solar Ranks Top 10 in Wood Mackenzie Global Solar Module Manufacturers List (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer DMEGC Solar rises to 8th place in Wood Mackenzie's global solar module manufacturer rankings, showing strong profitability despite industry price pressures.
Executive leadership changes at myenergi as company gears up for next phase of growth (myenergi) - UK-based green energy tech company announces new CEO Andrew Clint and departure of co-founder Jordan Brompton from executive role amid international expansion plans.
Volkswagen Considering A Joint Venture With A Chinese Manufacturer — In Germany! (CleanTechnica) - Volkswagen explores joint venture with Chinese manufacturer at German factories amid production challenges, considering range-extender technology adoption and job cuts to improve profitability.
Policy
Australian Energy Minister's electric suburbs program, U.S. Paris Agreement withdrawal, Trump's climate policy reversals, EU's 47% renewable milestone, and G20 emissions reduction targets shape global climate policy landscape
“Game changer:” Bowen pushes for electric suburbs in Labor deal with cross bench (RenewEconomy) - Australian Energy Minister directs renewable energy agency to fund nationwide "electric suburbs" program for solar, batteries and electrification in deal with crossbench senators.
A Costly Dissonance: Putting America Last in Climate Resilience (NRDC) - U.S. withdrawal from Paris Agreement amid record climate disasters in 2024-25 leaves nation isolated as climate-related insurance costs soar and disasters cause hundreds of billions in damages.
A Wisconsin family’s case could have helped clarify a nagging solar ownership question. But then they moved. (Energy News Network) - Wisconsin appeals court dismissal of family's third-party solar case leaves state's residential solar ownership rules unclear after family moved before installation.
Apply Today: Coos County Community Organizing Youth Internship (Rogue Climate) - Oregon nonprofit offers paid youth internship program in Coos County for climate and social justice organizing, targeting ages 14-30 with $500 stipend.
California’s Green Energy Initiatives Collide With Its Oil Companies (Forbes) - California's aggressive green energy transition forces oil companies to close refineries and relocate operations as state pursues 85% emissions reduction by 2045.
Canada Might Prove That Fossil Fuels Are NOT A Geopolitical Strength (CleanTechnica) - Canada threatens to leverage its position as USA's largest energy supplier to counter potential Trump tariffs and annexation threats, highlighting fossil fuel dependency as strategic weakness.
CEBN President Featured on ‘Experts Only’ Podcast Discussing Bipartisan Engagement on Clean Energy Policy (Energy Central) - CEBN President discusses bipartisan clean energy policy engagement strategies and tax incentives' impact on small businesses in 'Experts Only' podcast.
Celebrating Excellence in Climate Action: Meet the Climate Luminary Honors Recipients (Second Nature) - Six colleges and universities receive inaugural Climate Luminary Honors for exceptional climate action initiatives across decarbonization, justice, community, workforce, and research categories.
Clean Eergy Day 2025 #cleanenergy (Clean Energy Day) - G20 nations urged to halve emissions by 2030 and shift fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy to meet Paris Agreement targets amid widening climate goals gap.
Climate Denial Group Aided Legal Defense of Alleged Exxon Hacker-for-Hire (DeSmog) - Israeli private investigator fights US extradition over alleged $16M ExxonMobil-linked hacking operation targeting climate activists, with defense citing climate denial group's testimony.
Climate Disasters Are Political — So Let’s Politicize Them (IPS) - Climate disasters require immediate political discussion due to their preventable nature, corporate culpability, and disproportionate impact on marginalized communities.
Climate Policy Priorities 2025 - Abundant and Affordable Energy (Energy Central) - Trump administration plans major climate policy reversals for 2025, including Paris Accord withdrawal, EPA finding reversal, and fossil fuel expansion.
Continued fight for Hurricane Sandy relief (NJ Spotlight) - New Jersey residents continue decade-long battle for Hurricane Sandy relief funds as 900 families may receive repayment relief from federal aid clawbacks.
Dangerous temperatures could kill 50% more Europeans by 2100, study finds (The Guardian) - Study projects 50% increase in European temperature-related deaths by 2100, with southern regions most affected and adaptation measures proving insufficient under worst-case scenarios.
Environmental Justice Advocates in New York City Fault Statewide Plan for Renewable Energy Development (InsideClimateNews) - NYC environmental justice advocates criticize state renewable energy plan for insufficient urban projects and delayed climate targets, demanding 15GW capacity and faster peaker plant retirement.
Europe posts record year for clean energy use as Trump pulls US toward fossil fuels (RenewableEnergyWorld) - EU achieves record 47% renewable electricity generation in 2024 while US shifts towards fossil fuels under Trump administration.
FERC reinstates Transco gas pipeline approval (Utility Dive) - FERC unanimously reinstates $950M Transco gas pipeline approval in NJ area while ending broader greenhouse gas emissions policy review process.
Guardian investigation fuels class-action lawsuit against petro giant (Guardian) - Marathon Petroleum faces expanded class-action lawsuit after investigation reveals company downplayed toxic refinery fire's impact on Louisiana's predominantly Black communities.
Here’s how Mass. climate goals might be impacted by Trump’s attack on wind (Acadia Center) - Trump's executive order ending wind farm leasing threatens Massachusetts' climate goals by limiting offshore wind expansion, forcing state to pivot to alternative renewable strategies.
How Canada and the U.S. can still tackle climate change in a second Trump era (The Conversation) - Despite potential Trump presidency undermining climate action, Canada can advance climate goals through state-level partnerships, critical minerals development, and renewable energy initiatives.
Indonesia’s next priority should be finding alternatives to replace coal (ClimateChangeNews) - Indonesia's new government pledges 2040 coal phase-out but lacks clear implementation plan while needing massive renewable energy expansion to meet growing power demand.
Investors wary of Indonesia’s big climate promises amid record of flip-flopping (Mongabay) - Indonesia's ambitious climate goals face investor skepticism due to policy inconsistencies and regulatory flip-flopping in renewable energy and EV sectors.
Labour to revamp environmental impact assessments in latest planning reform push (BusinessGreen) - Labour Party announces plans to reform environmental impact assessment process to speed up housing and infrastructure approvals while facing criticism from environmental groups.
LCV Statement on White House Pause of All Federal Grants (LCV) - White House's decision to pause all federal grants draws criticism for potentially disrupting environmental protection and community health programs, sparking concerns over executive overreach.
Let Americans choose clean energy (Environment America) - Congress considers repealing clean energy tax credits that helped 3.4 million Americans save $8 billion on solar panels, EVs, and energy-efficient home upgrades in 2023.
Living with Smoke in the Greater Yellowstone (Fire Networks) - Greater Yellowstone Fire Action Network develops community smoke-readiness plans to help residents and tourists cope with wildfire smoke through monitoring, communication, and clean air spaces.
MEMO: How Trump’s Nominees Measure Up Against Trump’s Dirty Agenda and Project 2025 (LCV) - Trump's cabinet nominees align with Project 2025's anti-environmental agenda, showing loyalty to fossil fuel interests and opposition to climate action through their past records and hearing testimonies.
PG&E, other electric utilities call for Senate to pass forest management bill (Utility Dive) - Major electric utilities urge Senate passage of Save Our Forests Act to streamline vegetation management on federal lands for wildfire prevention.
President Trump Issues Key Energy-Related Executive Orders on First Day in Office (EnergyWire) - Trump signs executive orders declaring energy emergency, cutting environmental regulations, and withdrawing from Paris Climate Agreement on first day in office.
Regulatory Challenges Continue To Hound Offshore Wind Growth In The Philippines (CleanTechnica) - Philippines' offshore wind development faces regulatory hurdles and lengthy timelines despite 92 approved energy service contracts totaling 65 GW potential capacity.
Sandeels vs the EU: how the puffin’s favourite food sparked first post-Brexit courtroom trade battle (The Guardian) - UK's post-Brexit ban on sandeel fishing to protect seabirds faces EU legal challenge, marking first UK-EU trade court battle over environmental protections.
Some Sandy Families May Now Benefit From Repayment Relief (New Jersey Organizing Project) - HUD announces permanent waiver of federal disaster aid repayments for eligible Sandy victims, potentially benefiting 900 low-income NJ families who owe average of $28,000 in post-storm clawbacks.
The Guardian view on Labour’s climate plans: they should be central to the party’s purpose | Editorial (The Guardian) - Labour Party's shift away from climate commitments towards deregulation and growth-first policies sparks concerns over environmental priorities and economic strategy.
Think your efforts to help the climate don’t matter? African philosophers disagree (The Conversation) - African philosophers argue individual climate actions matter through 'complementarity' concept emphasizing interconnected environmental relationships.
Trump Administration Issues Executive Orders on Day One to Achieve U.S. Energy Dominance (EnergyInDepth) - Trump administration issues day-one executive orders ending LNG export pause, offshore drilling ban, and streamlining energy permits to boost US energy production.
Trump has rejected the Paris agreement again, but game theory shows how other countries can still lead by example (The Conversation) - Game theory research suggests wealthy nations should continue cutting emissions despite US Paris Agreement withdrawal, as leadership influences global climate action through conditional cooperation and carbon tax mechanisms.
Trump Interior Nominee Doug Burgum Hosted ‘VIP Dinner’ for Oil, Gas, and Coal Execs Last Year, Emails Show (DeSmog) - Trump Interior nominee Doug Burgum hosted private VIP dinner for fossil fuel executives in 2024 while promoting "clean coal" and carbon capture technology as North Dakota governor.
Trump is just getting started. What are climate activists supposed to do? (Grist) - Climate activists prepare diverse strategies including protests, strikes, and community organizing to counter Trump's pro-fossil fuel agenda in his second term.
Trump Orders Review of FEMA—but Maybe Not the Right Review (NRDC) - Trump orders FEMA performance review amid unfounded claims of political bias in disaster aid distribution, while agency faces legitimate challenges of understaffing and increasing climate disasters.
Trump Takes Aim at FEMA (Heatmap News) - Trump administration orders FEMA review council amid claims of political bias, suggesting potential agency overhaul or elimination.
Trump voters are not the obstacle to climate action many think they are (The Conversation) - Research in coastal North Carolina reveals Trump voters' climate views are complex and nuanced rather than simple denial, challenging common assumptions about climate action opposition.
UK politics: Miliband tells MPs UK needs to ‘speed up, not slow down’ in net zero drive – as it happened (The Guardian) - Energy Secretary Ed Miliband tells MPs that UK must accelerate net zero transition despite political pressure, insisting climate action and economic growth are compatible.
UK weather: major incident declared in Somerset as storms bring flooding (The Guardian) - Major incident declared in Somerset as Storm Herminia forces evacuation of over 100 residents amid severe flooding and infrastructure disruption across southern UK.
Uncertainty looms over plan to save coastal Louisiana (Floodlight) - Louisiana's $3 billion coastal restoration project faces uncertain future as Gov. Landry raises concerns over legal challenges, costs, and environmental impacts, despite federal pressure to proceed.
Why the latest draft feed-in solar tariffs are wrong, and not fair (RenewEconomy) - Victorian solar feed-in tariffs face criticism for failing to account for local generation value and unfairly benefiting retailers while offering near-zero compensation to solar owners.
Rhino horn trafficker jailed in legal first on financial charges in S. Africa (Mongabay) - South African court sentences Congolese trafficker to 18 years in landmark case using financial forensics to prosecute rhino horn trafficking and money laundering.
“He hasn’t lived in a bubble:” CEC names former radio shock jock to spread word on clean energy (RenewEconomy) - Clean Energy Council appoints former radio shock jock Chris O'Keefe as national spokesperson despite his past criticism of renewables and climate science.
ACORE Announces 2025 Class of New and Returning Board Members (ACORE) - American Council on Renewable Energy appoints 8 new board members and reelects 9 current members from diverse clean energy sectors for 2025.
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service opens third round of Community Wildfire Defense Grant program with $200 million available for communities and tribes to implement wildfire risk mitigation projects through February 2025.
Principal Ada Peng has joined the board of directors at Linc Housing (HR&A Advisors) - Ada Peng joins board of directors at Linc Housing, bringing real estate and housing policy expertise to California affordable housing nonprofit.
Rachel Reeves tells MPs of plans to go ‘further and faster’ in pursuit of growth (The Guardian) - Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlines plans to accelerate economic growth through planning reforms and infrastructure projects while facing concerns over environmental impact.
The Idiocy Of US E-Bike Regulations, Proven By One Brown Wire (CleanTechnica) - US e-bike regulations create unnecessary complexity where a single brown wire determines if bikes are classified as legal e-bikes or unregistered motorcycles.
What Christiana Figueres thinks the climate movement can learn from Buddhism (Yale Climate Connections) - Former Paris Agreement architect Christiana Figueres organizes Buddhist-inspired climate retreats to help activists transform eco-anxiety into positive action.
Renewables
NextEra, Ameresco, Silicon Ranch lead US renewables push; China hits 277GW solar record; JA Solar powers LatAm's first refinery solar plant; LONGi calls for global PV cooperation; PERC inventor honored while high-power modules dominate market
“We need renewables and storage now” to cut costs and grow economy, says US energy giant (RenewEconomy) - NextEra Energy CEO says rapid deployment of renewables and storage is critical for meeting US power demand and lowering costs, contrasting with Trump administration's fossil fuel policies.
15-MW Landfill Gas-to-RNG Plant Begins Commercial Operations in Illinois (EnergyTech) - Ameresco and Republic Services launch 15-MW landfill gas-to-renewable natural gas facility in Illinois, converting methane emissions into pipeline-quality fuel.
A new era of clean energy: How a Mississippi county is harvesting sunshine (Clearloop) - Mississippi's Panola County launches two solar farms in fossil fuel-heavy region, promising 50% more emissions reduction than similar California projects.
China continues to lead (Keep Cool) - China installed record 277 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2023, surpassing entire global installations from previous year while expanding wind power and EV charging infrastructure.
Clearloop uses corporate dollars to bring clean energy to underserved areas (Clearloop) - Silicon Ranch subsidiary partners with corporations like Microsoft and Vanderbilt to fund solar projects in underserved southeastern US communities, combining carbon offsetting with local economic development.
Colombian President Celebrates Landmark PV Project Exclusively Powered by JA Solar (TaiyangNews) - Colombian President inaugurates Latin America's first oil refinery-based 23MW solar plant, supplied by JA Solar, marking shift towards renewable energy integration in industrial facilities.
Floating solar has massive potential in the US (Canary Media) - Federal reservoirs across US could host floating solar panels capable of powering 100 million homes annually, with potential for 1,476 terawatt-hours of clean electricity production.
Floating solar increases greenhouse gas emissions on small ponds (ScienceDaily) - First field study reveals floating solar panels on small ponds increase greenhouse gas emissions by 27% while reducing dissolved oxygen levels, despite potential land conservation benefits.
Government gives green light to over 1GW of new UK solar capacity (BusinessGreen) - UK government approves two major solar farms in Lincolnshire and West Burton with combined 1GW capacity and energy storage systems.
Greenbacker makes good on its moniker, secures nearly $1B for New York’s largest solar project (Renewable Energy World) - Greenbacker secures $950 million financing for 674 MWdc Cider Solar Farm project, set to be New York state's largest solar installation.
LONGi Chairman Zhong Baoshen Spoke at Davos 2025 Conference: Global Cooperation will accelerate the adoption of photovoltaic technology, empowering humanity to achieve energy equity (TaiyangNews) - LONGi Chairman advocates for global cooperation at Davos 2025 to accelerate photovoltaic adoption and achieve energy equity through policy support, funding, and technological innovation.
Officer Of The Order of Australia Award For Andrew William Blakers (TaiyangNews) - Australian solar pioneer Prof. Andrew Blakers awarded Officer of Order of Australia for inventing PERC solar cell technology and advancing renewable energy development.
Power Trends: High-Power Domination Continues In Solar Modules (TaiyangNews) - High-power solar modules above 600W increased market share to 45% in 2024, while lower-power modules under 500W declined to 13% market share, reflecting industry shift toward higher-power products.
Study: UK forecast to miss 2030 wind and solar goals by 32GW (BusinessGreen) - UK projected to fall 32GW short of its 2030 renewable energy targets for wind and solar capacity, according to Cornwall Insight study.
Q Energy Sells 2 Spanish PV Plants To Dos Grados For €80M (TaiyangNews) - Q Energy sells two 52.4 MWp Spanish solar plants to Dos Grados for €80M, with plants set to power 59,000 households and save 790,000 tons of CO2 by 2026.
Transport
China hits 25% BEV market share; Forum Mobility deploys 500 e-trucks at LA ports; Safe Landing advocates aviation climate action; lignin hydrogen jet fuel breakthrough; US EV sales up 7%
25% of New Car Sales in China Were 100% Electric in 2024! (CleanTechnica) - China's electric vehicle market hits milestone as battery-electric cars reach 25% of all new car sales in 2024, with total plugin vehicles reaching 48% market share.
Cargo trucks cause a lot of pollution. Electrifying them could help. (Yale Climate Connections) - Forum Mobility and Climate United partner to deploy 500 electric cargo trucks with charging infrastructure at Los Angeles and Long Beach ports to reduce 3% global emissions from heavy-duty trucking.
Pilot-turned-climate activist Todd Smith finds other ways to fly (Mongabay) - Former commercial pilot Todd Smith co-founds Safe Landing organization to push aviation industry toward climate action after witnessing environmental impacts firsthand.
Researchers discover new way to store hydrogen using lignin jet fuel (ScienceDaily) - International research team develops lignin-based jet fuel capable of storing and releasing hydrogen in stable liquid form, potentially revolutionizing sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen storage.
USA EV Sales In 2024 — Up 7% Over 2023, 61% Over 2022, 166% Over 2021 (CleanTechnica) - US electric vehicle sales grew 7% in 2024 compared to 2023, with non-Tesla EV sales showing strong growth while Tesla sales declined from previous year.
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