The top story this morning is new science finding that the giant ice sheets of Greenland are cracking deeper, wider, and faster than previously understood. Thanks to warming water and feedback loops shorter than scientists have traditionally studied them. Those ice sheets of course threaten the coastal dwelling of most of humanity if melted, of course.
Of course Greenland in particular has been on more peoples' minds here in the US because of the call by Trump to seize it for the United States. If we understand the following, maybe we can anticipate some non-linear changes:
Greenland could be a key lever in global disruption, today's news underlines that.
North/South realignment: See Thomas Barnett's remarkable analysis late last year about the end of Jared Diamond's famous edict that civilizations move east and west due to climate consistency (thus agricultural methods can be easily transferred). Barnett, a widely respected thinker in national security circles, says climate disruption, demographic shifts, and mass migration will make the world much more focused on north-south bands (eg North America and South America vs Europe and Africa vs China and Southeast Asia) than east-west bands.
Arctic dominance: There really are lots of specific reasons Trump wants Greenland, from arctic dominance to minerals. (Perplexity + DeepSeek explanation of the specifics here.)
In that context, a US seizure of Greenland might be more likely than you'd think.
What cold chaos in Greenland mean to you? I made a Custom GPT here that you can tell about your work and it will offer some perspective on what the implications might be. It's not perfect, but it's fast and cheap. I hope it can help make this situation a little less Incomprehensible.
And now we offer you the best updates from around the green tech and sustainability world today. Email subscribers get 3 just for you.
-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
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Visual of the Day
From Conflict to Coexistence
A groundbreaking study reported by Inside Climate News reveals how massive crevasses in Greenland's ice sheet - some reaching 300 feet in width and hundreds of feet in depth - are accelerating ice loss through a newly understood feedback mechanism. These fissures, which channel up to 90% of surface meltwater deep into the ice sheet, create a double threat: they warm the glacier's interior while simultaneously lubricating its base, causing the ice to flow faster toward the ocean.
The scale of this acceleration is staggering, according to lead researcher Thomas Chudley of Durham University, with Greenland now losing ice at a rate of 9 billion tons per hour - equivalent to the annual flow of the Amazon River. While the complete melting of Greenland's ice sheet (which would raise global sea levels by 23 feet) remains a distant scenario, the current trajectory suggests a more immediate concern: a potential contribution of 3 feet to sea level rise by 2100, significantly higher than previous estimates once this newly documented feedback loop is considered.
Today's Updates
Table of Contents
Agriculture (13 stories) - Montana prescribed burns, low-methane rice breeding, Mexico-US GMO corn dispute, and IITA-CGIAR's Nigerian research partnership lead agricultural developments
Carbon (11 stories) - Arctic Ice Project halts Alaska experiments as Greenland crevasses widen; carbon capture industry seeks major scale-up while India pushes renewables
Circular (2 stories) - Battery recycler partners with EV maker in Germany; JW Marriott Santo Domingo converts food scraps to ingredients via AI
Ecosystems (21 stories) - Queensland floods and Mesoamerican jaguar habitat loss, while EJN funds Adriatic research and Malaysian mangroves show bird diversity recovery; Arctic's Borealis Mud Volcano and India's tiger conservation success
Efficiency (7 stories) - Cities tackle water conservation while heat pumps, Pyramid Global's AI, and satellite tech drive efficiency gains across buildings and operations
Finance (8 stories) - GreenYellow's €70M solar deal, Minnesota's $25M green bank launch, and Paris transit's €1B green bond highlight record $2.1T clean energy investment year, while First Street warns of $1.47T climate risk to US housing
Grid (14 stories) - Grid infrastructure strains under AI and data center growth, as Con Edison seeks $21B upgrade and Moss Landing fire spurs battery storage reforms; FERC approves MISO queue limits while Texas weighs 765-kV lines
Indigenous (9 stories) - Indigenous fire networks expand training, Kentucky coalition reclaims mine land, FUNAI protects Mashco territory, Pomo tribes lead watershed restoration
Industry (22 stories) - DOE's chemical recycling partnership draws scrutiny, while ES Foundry launches 3GW solar facility and Helion Energy secures $425M for fusion, amid major moves from Honda, Stardust Power, CORE POWER, and Nidec in manufacturing and energy infrastructure
Policy (61 stories) - DOE funding freeze threatens $145bn in climate tech, EPA plans mass scientist layoffs, Brazil weakens environmental laws, while G7 nations increase fossil fuel subsidies and Trump administration targets renewable energy initiatives
Renewables (11 stories) - Amazon-Iberdrola 476MW deal, Shell exits NJ offshore wind, 462MW Queensland wind farm approved, NYPA's 3GW renewable plan, Sweden's 4000MW hydro potential, and Victoria's Cohuna solar restart
Transport (10 stories) - CUTRIC hydrogen bus data controversy, Indian Railways' electrification milestone, Norfolk Southern bridge safety issues, UK Hydrogen Challenge expansion, ChargePoint-AAA partnership, and Tesla winter guidance
Agriculture
Montana prescribed burns, low-methane rice breeding, Mexico-US GMO corn dispute, and IITA-CGIAR's Nigerian research partnership lead agricultural developments
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana rancher partners with state agencies for 1,300-acre prescribed burn project to combat conifer encroachment and reduce wildfire risk in critical sagebrush habitat.
High-yield rice breed emits up to 70% less methane (ScienceDaily) - Scientists breed high-yield rice variety emitting 70% less methane through traditional breeding methods targeting root chemical compounds.
Miles de personas condenan el intento de EE.UU. y Canadá de obligar a los mexicanos a comer tortillas transgénicas (Friends of the Earth) - Over 10,000 individuals and 698 organizations support Mexico's resistance to US-Canada pressure to accept GMO corn imports despite USMCA trade panel ruling.
One-third of food giants ignore fertilizer risks, report finds (Mongabay) - One-third of major food companies fail to acknowledge or address fertilizer-related environmental and health risks in corporate filings, Planet Tracker report finds.
Research insight on the impact of climate change on household food security in Nigeria’s semi-arid zones (CGIAR) - Study reveals climate change severely impacts food security in Nigeria's semi-arid regions, analyzing 626 households across three drought-prone states.
Saving The Planet With A Fork (The Wildlife News) - Livestock farming, particularly beef and dairy production, is second only to energy sector in greenhouse gas emissions, with cattle contributing up to 30% of human-caused emissions.
Saving The Planet With A Fork (The Wildlife News) - Livestock farming, particularly beef and dairy production, is second only to energy sector in greenhouse gas emissions, with cattle contributing up to 30% of human-caused emissions.
Thousands Condemn U.S. and Canada Attempt to Force Mexicans to Eat GMO Tortillas (Friends of the Earth) - Over 10,000 individuals and 698 organizations protest US-Canada trade ruling forcing Mexico to accept GMO corn imports despite health and cultural concerns.
Empowering smallholder farmers through digital innovations: Lessons from the ICT4BXW Project (CGIAR) - Digital agriculture project in Rwanda adapts smartphone-based disease monitoring tools to meet smallholder banana farmers' practical needs and context.
IITA-CGIAR and Aletheia University to strengthen agricultural innovation in a new economic era (CGIAR) - IITA-CGIAR and Nigeria's Aletheia University sign MoU to advance agricultural research and sustainable development through integrated education approach.
South Korea: Declining Food Self-Sufficiency Rates Linked to Loss of Farmland (Via Campesina) - South Korea's food self-sufficiency drops to 49% as farmland loss continues, forcing government to lower 2029 food security targets.
COM 45 ÁREAS IMPLANTADAS, AGROCAATINGA BENEFICIA MAIS DUAS FAMÍLIAS NA REGIÃO DE CAPIM GROSSO E QUIXABEIRA – BA (Coopercuc) - Brazilian cooperative project 'AgroCaatinga' implements 45th sustainable farming area in Bahia state, benefiting local families with agroecological cultivation methods.
Why are gen Zs deserting garden centres? Maybe they’re more into planting than shopping | Claire Ratinon (The Guardian) - Gen Z's environmental consciousness and preference for sustainable gardening practices driving decline in traditional garden centre visits, as younger generation seeks eco-friendly alternatives.
Carbon
Arctic Ice Project halts Alaska experiments as Greenland crevasses widen; carbon capture industry seeks major scale-up while India pushes renewables
‘Hotter, Drier, and More Flammable”: New Study Finds Climate Change Played a Role in LA Fires (Earth.org) - Climate change made LA's devastating January 2025 fires 35% more likely due to hotter, drier conditions and reduced rainfall, study finds.
Arctic geoengineering experiment shuts down over environmental risks (Climate Home News) - US-based Arctic Ice Project cancels geoengineering experiments in Alaska over environmental risks and potential disruption to Arctic food chain.
Global Football’s Dirty Climate Tackle (DeSmog) - Global football industry generates Austria-sized carbon footprint through matches, travel, and high-carbon sponsorships, new scientific report reveals.
Greenland ice sheet cracking more rapidly than ever, study shows (The Guardian) - Greenland ice sheet's crevasses growing larger and deeper at unprecedented rate due to climate change, satellite study reveals.
More, bigger crevasses open up in Greenland ice sheet, threatening increased sea level rise (ScienceDaily) - Greenland ice sheet develops 930 million cubic meters of new crevasses over 5 years, potentially accelerating ice loss and sea level rise.
New 3-D Study of the Greenland Ice Sheet Shows Glaciers Falling Apart Faster Than Expected (Inside Climate News) - New 3D study reveals Greenland's glacier crevasses are widening faster than expected, accelerating ice loss and potential sea level rise.
New 3-D Study of the Greenland Ice Sheet Shows Glaciers Falling Apart Faster Than Expected (Inside Climate News) - New 3D study reveals Greenland's glacier crevasses are widening faster than expected, accelerating ice loss and potential sea level rise.
Road to Commercial CCS Ventures: Business Models to Scale CCS (Energy Central) - Carbon capture and storage industry requires new business models and financing strategies to scale from current 40 MtCO2 to needed 5 GtCO2 annually for emissions reduction.
This firefighter survived the worst of black summer. His new exhibition hurls you right in (The Guardian) - Volunteer firefighter-turned-artist CJ Taylor creates immersive exhibition recreating devastating Black Summer bushfire experiences to drive climate action awareness.
Warmth is weakening the polar vortex. Here’s what it means for extreme cold. (Woodwell Climate) - Arctic warming weakens polar vortex weather systems, leading to more chaotic winter patterns and extreme cold events in southern regions.
India’s Decarbonisation Drive Energy Transition (AMPIN Energy) - India accelerates decarbonization efforts through renewable energy initiatives and clean technology investments.
Circular
Battery recycler partners with EV maker in Germany; JW Marriott Santo Domingo converts food scraps to ingredients via AI
Li-Cycle Further Expands Commercial Footprint in EU with Additional Exclusive Recycling Partnership for its Germany Spoke (Li-Cycle) - Global battery recycling company expands EU operations with exclusive partnership to recycle lithium-ion materials from major electric vehicle manufacturer at Germany facility.
From plantain peels to leftover oats: JW Marriott Santo Domingo is turning food waste into value (Winnow Solutions) - JW Marriott Santo Domingo implements AI technology to transform food waste into valuable products, turning plantain peels into garnish powder and leftover oatmeal into bread ingredients.
Ecosystems
Queensland floods and Mesoamerican jaguar habitat loss, while EJN funds Adriatic research and Malaysian mangroves show bird diversity recovery; Arctic's Borealis Mud Volcano and India's tiger conservation success
Residents capture footage of severe floods in north Queensland – video (The Guardian) - Severe flooding in north Queensland forces hundreds to evacuate as region receives 1.2 meters of rainfall with more storms expected.
Residents capture footage of severe floods in north Queensland – video (The Guardian) - Severe flooding in north Queensland forces hundreds to evacuate as region receives 1.2 meters of rainfall with more storms expected.
Agriculture, illegal ranching and roads threaten the jaguar in Mesoamerica (Mongabay) - Jaguar populations across Mesoamerica face severe habitat fragmentation from illegal ranching, monoculture plantations, forest fires and road construction threatening vital wildlife corridors.
Can a Sense of Awe Inspire a New Worldview? (Atmos) - Scientists and artists explore how the 'Overview Effect' - astronauts' profound experience of seeing Earth from space - can be recreated through art and VR to inspire environmental awareness.
DEADLINE: EJN Story Grants to Support Reporting on the Marine Environment in the Adriatic Region (SEJ) - Earth Journalism Network offers story grants for in-depth reporting on Adriatic Sea marine environment issues and solutions, targeting journalists from Balkan countries and Italy.
Escape Into the Story: Three Longform Reads for Your Weekend (Fire Networks) - Three longform StoryMaps explore wilderness fire management, urban interface fire adaptation, and fire learning partnerships through interactive narratives.
Fireforest: A New Film on Forest Management and Wildfire (Fire Networks) - New documentary "Fireforest" showcases how prescribed burns and forest thinning successfully protected Colorado communities during 2020's Cameron Peak Fire.
How to tell if mangrove restoration is working? Listen to the birds (Mongabay) - Malaysian researchers find bird species diversity serves as key indicator of mangrove restoration success, using bioacoustics monitoring to track ecosystem recovery.
LiveEO | Meet us at Deforestation-Free Summit 2025 (LiveEO) - Satellite intelligence firm to showcase supply chain monitoring solutions at UK's Deforestation-Free Summit 2025, featuring booth presence and panel discussion.
Multimedia artwork provides unique insights into bushfires (UniMelb) - Immersive multimedia exhibition "Flashover" uses cutting-edge visual effects to recreate Black Summer bushfire experiences through firefighter perspectives and environmental impacts.
Multimedia artwork provides unique insights into bushfires (UniMelb) - Immersive multimedia exhibition "Flashover" uses cutting-edge visual effects to recreate Black Summer bushfire experiences through firefighter perspectives and environmental impacts.
Study finds microplastic contamination in 99% of seafood samples (The Guardian) - Study finds microplastic contamination in 99% of tested seafood samples across Oregon, with highest levels in shrimp and textile fibers as main contaminant.
The great abandonment: what happens to the natural world when people disappear? – podcast (The Guardian) - Podcast explores global phenomenon of land abandonment and natural rewilding, using Bulgaria as case study of ecosystem recovery after human departure.
Trump has brought much-needed attention to a site of great tragedy: the Gulf of Mexico | Greg Grandin (The Guardian) - Trump's renaming of Gulf of Mexico highlights region's severe environmental degradation from decades of oil drilling, toxic waste, and industrial pollution.
Trump has brought much-needed attention to a site of great tragedy: the Gulf of Mexico | Greg Grandin (The Guardian) - Trump's renaming of Gulf of Mexico highlights region's severe environmental degradation from decades of oil drilling, toxic waste, and industrial pollution.
Underwater volcano in Barents Sea reveals diverse marine life, study finds (Mongabay) - Arctic seabed's Borealis Mud Volcano harbors diverse marine ecosystem including endangered Atlantic redfish around methane-seeping carbonate formations.
When Is a Species Lost Forever? (Nautilus) - Scientists explore criteria for declaring species extinct through case study of slender-billed curlew's disappearance.
Chimps remember, for years, the location of ant nests that provide food (Mongabay) - Study reveals wild chimpanzees use long-term memory to locate and revisit hidden underground ant nests over multiple years in Senegal.
Has the Moo Deng craze helped wild pygmy hippos at all? (analysis) (Mongabay) - Viral Thai zoo pygmy hippo Moo Deng's global fame has yet to translate into meaningful conservation support for endangered wild populations, with fewer than 2,500 remaining.
Illegal trade is pushing Bangladesh’s freshwater turtles to the brink (Mongabay) - Bangladesh's freshwater turtle populations face extinction threat from illegal trade driven by foreign workers' demand and weak enforcement.
India Doubled its Tiger Population in a Little More Than a Decade (Yale E360) - India's tiger population doubled to 3,682 between 2010-2022 through successful community coexistence strategies and protected area management.
Efficiency
Cities tackle water conservation while heat pumps, Pyramid Global's AI, and satellite tech drive efficiency gains across buildings and operations
Drought can hit almost anywhere: How 5 cities that nearly ran dry got water use under control (The Conversation) - Five major cities' experiences with severe water shortages offer crucial lessons in water conservation, policy planning, and infrastructure upgrades for drought resilience.
Geothermal heat pumps are crazy efficient. Should you get one? (Canary Media) - Ground-source heat pumps offer double the efficiency of air-source heat pumps but face adoption barriers due to high installation costs despite significant federal tax incentives.
New Mexico Building Decarbonization Roadmap (BuildingDecarb.org) - New Mexico stakeholders release roadmap targeting zero emissions from residential and small commercial buildings by 2050, prioritizing low-income communities.
New Mexico Roadmap delivers recommendations to decarbonize buildings by 2050 (Building Decarbonization Coalition) - New Mexico releases comprehensive roadmap with six priority actions to eliminate emissions from residential and commercial buildings by 2050, focusing on financing, incentives, and grid modernization.
Why is Pyramid Global Hospitality turning to AI to fight food waste : A Q&A with James Messinger (Winnow Solutions) - Pyramid Global Hospitality deploys AI technology across US hotels to combat food waste and achieve sustainability goals.
Wie funktioniert eine Wärmepumpe? (DW) - Heat pumps extract thermal energy from air, ground, or water sources and compress it to provide efficient home heating and cooling using refrigerant-based technology.
LiveEO | Meet us at the Ohio Tree Care Conference (LiveEO) - Satellite technology company to showcase vegetation monitoring solutions at 2025 Ohio Tree Care Conference, targeting tree care professionals across sectors.
Finance
GreenYellow's €70M solar deal, Minnesota's $25M green bank launch, and Paris transit's €1B green bond highlight record $2.1T clean energy investment year, while First Street warns of $1.47T climate risk to US housing
€70M Financing For 133 Solar Projects Across France (TaiyangNews) - French energy firm GreenYellow secures €70M financing from Caisse d'Épargne for 133 solar projects totaling 74.5MW across France.
Adaptation Fund, and Fund for responding to Loss and Damage Agree to Framework of Collaboration to Help Vulnerable Countries Address Climate Change (Adaptation Fund) - Adaptation Fund and Loss & Damage Fund sign framework agreement to collaborate on helping vulnerable nations address climate impacts.
Amid federal funding crisis, Minnesota rolls out state green bank program | Energy News Network (Energy News Network) - Minnesota launches $25 million state green bank program to fund clean energy projects despite federal funding setbacks.
Climate Change Is Coming for U.S. Property Prices (Heatmap News) - First Street report predicts $1.47 trillion loss in US home values by 2055 due to climate risks, with 55 million Americans expected to relocate.
Fiji Draws Tourists Globally But Must Win Climate Financing To Thrive (Forbes) - Fiji seeks international climate financing to protect tourism-dependent economy from extreme weather while targeting full renewable energy transition by 2035.
Île-de-France Mobilités Raises €1 Billion in First-Ever Public Sector “EuGB” Green Bond Offering (ESG Today) - Paris transport authority raises €1 billion in first public sector European Green Bond for sustainable transport projects.
Power startups are banking on AI’s energy premium — but VCs are cautious (Latitude Media) - Energy startups secure premium power contracts with tech giants at $100/MWh, but VCs remain skeptical of long-term viability amid AI efficiency improvements.
Record renewables growth and EV uptake sends global clean energy investment to new high in 2024 (RenewEconomy) - Global clean energy investment hits record $2.1 trillion in 2024 driven by EV adoption and renewables growth, despite slower pace than needed for net-zero goals.
Grid
Grid infrastructure strains under AI and data center growth, as Con Edison seeks $21B upgrade and Moss Landing fire spurs battery storage reforms; FERC approves MISO queue limits while Texas weighs 765-kV lines
Assuring Energy Infrastructure Reliability and Resiliency (Energy Central) - US electricity demand projected to surge 4.7% over next five years, driven by AI, data centers, and electrification, requiring massive grid infrastructure upgrades.
Building a Safer Storage Industry After the Moss Landing Fire (Power Magazine) - California's Moss Landing battery storage facility fire prompts industry-wide safety reforms and highlights need for updated standards in energy storage systems.
Churches become solar-plus-storage resilience hubs in Louisiana (PV Magazine) - Louisiana churches install solar-plus-storage systems as community resilience hubs to provide emergency power and save lives during hurricane-caused outages.
Con Edison unveils $21B grid plan for more renewables, new infrastructure for reliability (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Con Edison seeks $21B state approval for grid modernization plan to support renewables integration and strengthen infrastructure against extreme weather.
Data centers are booming: what does that mean for the grid? (GridBeyond) - Data center electricity demand projected to more than double from 4% to 9.1% of US consumption by 2030, straining power grid capacity and transition plans.
Demand response could be crucial to the energy transition. Why aren’t we using it more? (Renewable Energy World) - Despite proven grid benefits, demand response program participation remains low across US due to market fragmentation, burdensome requirements, and weak financial incentives.
EU Energy Union Investment (Energy Central) - European Commission grants €1.25 billion for 41 cross-border energy projects, with major focus on hydrogen infrastructure development and studies.
How Chief Mohammed and African Leaders Are Paving the Way for Universal Electricity Access (Energy Central) - African leaders pledge $50 billion at Mission 300 Summit to connect 300 million people to electricity by 2030 through renewable energy initiatives and national energy compacts.
Puerto Rico must not be left in the dark (Yale Climate Connections) - Puerto Rico's unreliable power grid under LUMA management causes widespread blackouts, threatening health, economy, and daily life while solar solutions remain underutilized.
Coal generator owner fined $9 million after explosion that caused widespread blackouts (RenewEconomy) - Queensland coal plant operator fined $9M after catastrophic generator explosion caused widespread blackouts due to failed backup systems.
Doing the most with the transmission we have now (Utility Dive) - Western power expert argues for moving beyond day-ahead markets to RTO-style dispatch for maximizing existing transmission capacity efficiency.
FERC approves MISO interconnection queue cap proposal (Utility Dive) - FERC approves MISO's plan to limit interconnection queue studies to 50% of peak regional capacity, with exemptions for replacement projects.
Texas eyes 765-kV transmission lines in regional ‘transmission race’ (Utility Dive) - Texas considers upgrading to 765-kV transmission lines at 4% higher cost than 345-kV expansion to meet growing energy demands in competitive regional buildout.
This Powerful & Portable Home Battery Backup System Is 50% Off Until Feb 5th (CleanTechnica) - EcoFlow DELTA Pro portable home battery backup system with solar panels bundle offered at 50% discount ($2499) until February 5th, featuring 3600Wh capacity expandable to 25kWh.
Indigenous
Indigenous fire networks expand training, Kentucky coalition reclaims mine land, FUNAI protects Mashco territory, Pomo tribes lead watershed restoration
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.
Bison, not prison: Activists buy a prison site to rewild the land (Grist) - Indigenous-led coalition purchases 63-acre former strip mine in Kentucky to prevent prison construction and restore land with bison, native species.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Fire adaptation and resilience blog celebrates 10 years of community knowledge sharing with over 680 published stories from practitioners worldwide.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - California nonprofit partners with Pomo tribes to restore Lake County watersheds through traditional ecological knowledge and community-based workshops.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - California's Watershed Center shares key lessons from prescribed burn outreach workshops, emphasizing trauma-informed communication and community engagement in fire-prone areas.
ENGLISH – Kapunungan sa Gagmay’ng Mangingisda sa Concepcion (UNDP Equator Initiative) - Indigenous fishing community in Concepcion wins prestigious 2023 Equator Prize for innovative marine ecosystem management and sustainable development solutions.
ENGLISH – Uru Uru Team (Equator Initiative) - Indigenous Uru Uru community wins prestigious UNDP award for innovative nature-based solutions addressing biodiversity loss and climate change.
Funai assina portaria para proteção dos indígenas isolados do povo Mashco (ISA) - Brazil's indigenous agency FUNAI signs protection order for isolated Mashco tribe in Acre state, restricting access to 538,000 hectares of their territory.
Indigenous knowledge helps explain bird population changes in Canada’s BC (Mongabay) - Indigenous knowledge and scientific data reveal dramatic bird population shifts over 70 years in British Columbia's Goose Island Archipelago, linking changes to mammal patterns and natural disasters.
Industry
DOE's chemical recycling partnership draws scrutiny, while ES Foundry launches 3GW solar facility and Helion Energy secures $425M for fusion, amid major moves from Honda, Stardust Power, CORE POWER, and Nidec in manufacturing and energy infrastructure
‘Plastics are awesome’: Inside the Energy Department’s partnership with the plastics industry (Grist) - Department of Energy's controversial partnership with plastics industry lobby group promotes chemical recycling despite environmental concerns and lack of transparency.
Another company is making solar cells in the US, opens factory in South Carolina (Renewable Energy World) - ES Foundry opens 3GW solar cell manufacturing facility in South Carolina, becoming largest US producer with 500 planned jobs by 2025.
Blueprint for Success: Overcoming Challenges in Industrial Heat Decarbonization Projects (RMI) - Five key practices identified for successful industrial heat decarbonization projects, focusing on customer relations, site evaluation, scoping, expertise, and contracting.
China Solar PV News Snippets: Trinasolar & LONGi Win 750 MW Module Bid & More (TaiyangNews) - Trinasolar and LONGi win major 750MW solar module bid from CR Power at $0.0972/W amid financial challenges, while CGN announces 10GW rack tender results.
Clean Energy 101: Thermal Batteries (RMI) - Thermal batteries emerge as cost-effective solution for industrial heating decarbonization, converting renewable electricity into high-temperature heat storage for on-demand use.
Climatetech Incubator Greentown Labs Appoints Georgina Campbell Flatter as New CEO (ESG Today) - North America's largest climatetech incubator Greentown Labs names former MIT lecturer and TomorrowNow.org co-founder Georgina Campbell Flatter as new CEO.
CORE POWER Hires Engineering Firm to Support Floating Nuclear Power Plants (PowerMag) - CORE POWER partners with marine engineering firm Glosten to design floating nuclear power plants for zero-emission port operations.
Denmark fast-tracks hydrogen pipeline with lowered capacity booking requirement (Energy Central) - Denmark accelerates hydrogen pipeline project by lowering capacity booking requirements and offering $2.4bn in subsidies and loans.
Fusion frenzy & Trump's tariffs (Keep Cool) - Helion Energy secures $425M Series F funding at $5.2B valuation for magnetic confinement fusion technology, aiming for net-positive electricity generation in 2025.
Lightbridge and Oklo Partner on Fuel Fabrication (Energy Central) - Lightbridge and Oklo sign MOU to explore co-location of nuclear fuel fabrication facilities and collaboration on advanced fuel recycling at Idaho National Laboratory site.
MVP Resurrects Controversial Southgate Pipeline (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Mountain Valley Pipeline revives controversial Southgate pipeline project to expand gas infrastructure into North Carolina, facing opposition over climate and pollution concerns.
Natural gas spot prices fell across key regional trading hubs in 2024 (EIA) - Natural gas spot prices hit record lows across US trading hubs in 2024, with Henry Hub averaging $2.22/MMBtu amid high inventories and mild winter.
NIDEC & NOVEON MAGNETICS ENTER OFF-TAKE AGREEMENT FOR RARE EARTH MAGNETS, STRENGTHENING U.S. SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE (NGP Energy) - Nidec and Noveon Magnetics sign 5-year agreement for US-made rare earth magnets, aiming to supply over 1,000 tons for industrial and defense applications by 2025.
Nigerian president’s bid to resume oil drilling in Ogoniland a ‘betrayal,’ groups say (Mongabay) - Nigerian President's plan to resume oil drilling in heavily polluted Ogoniland faces fierce opposition from civil society groups and local communities.
Renewable Energy Lures New Lithium Venture To Deep Red State (CleanTechnica) - Stardust Power breaks ground on $1B lithium refinery in Oklahoma, citing state's renewable energy advantages despite political uncertainty.
The Natural Gas Cartel: An Emerging Global Influence, Yes or Not? (EnergyCentral) - Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) emerges as potential natural gas cartel, controlling 70% of global reserves despite lacking OPEC-style production quotas.
While plastic dominates human consumption, the global economy will remain hooked on fossil fuels (The Conversation) - Global plastic production's deep ties to fossil fuel industry hinder pollution treaty efforts as petrochemicals become central to oil companies' future growth strategies.
A flooded quarry, a mysterious millionaire and the dream of a new Atlantis (The Guardian) - Anonymous millionaire funds ambitious underwater living project in Welsh quarry, building 'sentinel' habitats for 28-day human stays at depths up to 200m by 2027.
Argus Biomass Conference 2025, London, UK (Energy Central) - Global biomass industry leaders to gather at Argus Biomass Conference 2025 in London for sustainable supply chain networking and business development.
Enduro Genetics raises $12m Series A to turbocharge biomanufacturing (AgFunderNews) - Danish startup Enduro Genetics raises $12.4M Series A to scale technology that improves biomanufacturing efficiency by genetically 'addicting' cells to high production.
Honda Factory In Ohio To Be Global Manufacturing Hub (CleanTechnica) - Honda invests $1 billion to transform Ohio manufacturing complex into global EV production hub, featuring flexible assembly lines for multiple powertrain types.
Xcel Says Coal-Fired Texas Plant’s Conversion to Natural Gas Nearly Complete (PowerMag) - Xcel Energy's 1,018 MW Harrington coal plant in Texas nears completion of natural gas conversion, set to finish in May 2025.
Policy
DOE funding freeze threatens $145bn in climate tech, EPA plans mass scientist layoffs, Brazil weakens environmental laws, while G7 nations increase fossil fuel subsidies and Trump administration targets renewable energy initiatives
🌎 Funding freeze fallout at the DOE #231 (CTVC) - Trump administration's federal funding freeze threatens $145bn in DOE climate tech grants and loans, with 60% of at-risk projects located in Republican states.
Administrator Zeldin Reportedly Plans to Take a “Sledgehammer” to EPA’s Capacity to Protect People (EDF) - EPA Administrator Zeldin plans to fire over 1,000 scientists and engineers, potentially undermining agency's environmental protection capacity.
Amazon states lead rebellion on environmental enforcement (Mongabay) - Brazilian Amazon states, led by Mato Grosso, pass laws undermining environmental protections and soy moratorium while challenging federal conservation efforts.
Another four big wind, solar and battery hybrid projects sucked into EPBC process (RenewEconomy) - Four major wind, solar and battery hybrid projects in Australia enter federal environmental approval process, adding potential 4GW of renewable capacity.
Australian nature: if our laws don’t radically change, environmental degradation will continue | Adam Morton (The Guardian) - Australia's failure to pass strong environmental protection laws threatens continued degradation of native wildlife habitats and species extinction, experts warn.
Banning wildlife trade can increase trade of other threatened species (The Conversation) - Study finds wildlife trade bans can unintentionally increase trading of other threatened species as buyers seek alternatives.
Cambodia denies re-entry to Mongabay journalist who reported on illegal logging (Mongabay) - Cambodia bars re-entry and blacklists environmental journalist Gerald Flynn following his reporting on illegal logging and carbon offset projects.
Capital & Main (Capital & Main) - Maui's post-wildfire housing crisis serves as warning for Los Angeles about need for stronger renter protections and enforcement.
CEO of the nation’s largest public utility plans to retire (Renewable Energy World) - TVA CEO Jeff Lyash announces retirement by September after six-year tenure marked by nuclear expansion, coal phase-out plans, and controversy over natural gas investments.
Climate Research Priorities 2025 - Advance the Science (Energy Central) - US climate scientist calls for shift from politically-driven research to fundamental climate science, citing measurement uncertainties and model validation needs.
Community-driven solutions are needed to protect mountain communities from climate change impact (BC3) - Research reveals urgent need for localized climate adaptation strategies to protect African mountain communities facing widespread agricultural and ecological disruptions.
Court Ruling Halts UK Approval of Major Shell, Equinor Oil and Gas Projects Over Lack of Climate Considerations (ESGToday) - UK court halts Shell and Equinor North Sea oil projects until climate impacts of fuel consumption are assessed in approvals process.
Courts Issue Second Restraining Order for Trump Administration’s Lawless Holdup of Federal Funding (EDF) - Federal courts issue second restraining order against Trump administration's blocking of approved federal funding, highlighting concerns over Project 2025's potential impact on government operations.
Donald Trump Handing the World to China (CleanTechnica) - Trump's first 10 days in office show aggressive isolationist policies weakening US global influence while strengthening China's international position.
Environmental groups in UK ‘still very white – especially at the top’ (The Guardian) - UK environmental organizations remain predominantly white with less than 5% minority representation, particularly in leadership roles, new Race report finds.
EU's Competitiveness Compass Aims to Secure Clean, Affordable Energy (TaiyangNews) - European Commission launches Competitiveness Compass to boost clean energy access and industrial competitiveness through decarbonization, innovation and reduced dependencies.
Finger-Pointing Over Funding Freeze May Lead Trump to Drop Lawyer Linked to DOGE and Project 2025 (DeSmog) - Trump administration's funding freeze memo, allegedly drafted by OMB counsel Mark Paoletta, causes widespread disruption to federal programs while exposing tensions between DOGE and Project 2025 initiatives.
From showers to tiny fish to windmills, Trump’s climate policies are driven by fixations (Climate Desk) - Trump's climate policy decisions driven by personal fixations on household items, wildlife, and wind energy, revealing pattern of policy-making based on individual grievances.
G7 countries overshoot own climate targets; spend record sums on fossil fuel subsidies (Greenpeace) - G7 nations increase fossil fuel subsidies by 15% to $1.36 trillion in 2023, breaking pledge to reduce them by 2025.
GB Energy says it may not meet pledge to employ 1,000 people ‘for 20 years’ (The Guardian) - GB Energy chair admits company may take 20 years to meet 1,000-job pledge and cannot specify timeline for promised energy bill reductions.
German Parliament Amends Energy Policies Ahead Of Federal Election (TaiyangNews) - German Parliament passes Solar Peak Act mandating smart meters for 7kW+ solar systems and limiting feed-in power to encourage storage adoption and grid stability.
Government Regulations on Single-Use Plastics: Why Compostable Plates are the Future? (EcoSoul Home) - Government regulations drive shift from single-use plastics to compostable plates as marine pollution and microplastic concerns intensify.
How Trump is targeting wind and solar energy – and delighting big oil (The Guardian) - Trump administration launches broad assault on renewable energy development while promoting fossil fuels, suspending clean energy projects and federal funding for solar initiatives.
India's 2025-26 Budget: A Green Energy Perspective (EnergyCentral) - India's 2025-26 budget allocates ₹26,549 crore to renewable energy initiatives, including major investments in nuclear power, solar installations, and green hydrogen development.
Investing in American advanced energy is the way forward (C2ES) - Federal tax incentives for advanced energy manufacturing and clean electricity are driving economic growth and global competitiveness across U.S. states.
LiveEO | A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering Geolocation Data Collection for EUDR (LiveEO) - New guide outlines comprehensive strategies for EU Deforestation Regulation geolocation data collection requirements ahead of December 2025 deadline.
Living with Smoke in the Greater Yellowstone (Fire Networks) - Greater Yellowstone Fire Action Network develops community smoke-readiness plans to help residents manage health impacts during wildfire seasons.
LNP’s knee-jerk rule change suggests Sunshine State “closed for business” on wind and solar (RenewEconomy) - Queensland's LNP government introduces strict new wind farm assessment rules, raising concerns about renewable energy investment barriers and project delays in Australia's most coal-dependent state.
Mexican fishers relocate in wake of sea level rise, raising job concerns (Mongabay) - Mexican fishing community forced to relocate 12km inland due to sea level rise, threatening traditional fishing livelihoods and income stability.
Mother of 2 jailed in Sumatra as wildfires dragnet continues to catch small farmers (Mongabay) - Indonesian mother of two sentenced to 16 months in prison for traditional small-scale land clearing by fire, highlighting systemic targeting of smallholder farmers while large companies evade prosecution.
No justice in sight for World Bank project-affected communities in Liberia (Mongabay) - World Bank's International Finance Corporation delays action on human rights violations at Liberian rubber plantation while ownership change threatens accountability for affected communities.
Nuevo México presenta un plan para descarbonizar edificios para 2050 (BuildingDecarb.org) - New Mexico unveils comprehensive 2050 building decarbonization roadmap with 26 organizations targeting residential and commercial emissions reduction through financing, incentives, and grid modernization.
Oil and Gas Exec Wright Confirmed to Lead DOE (POWER) - Senate confirms oil and gas executive Chris Wright as Energy Secretary with bipartisan support, pledging focus on energy dominance and innovation.
PM faces growing internal backlash over potential approval of Rosebank oilfield (The Guardian) - Labour PM faces internal party revolt over potential approval of Rosebank oilfield, challenging manifesto commitment to end new oil and gas licenses.
Q & A: Jared Yates Sexton on the ‘Weaponized Abuse’ of Authoritarianism (DeSmog) - Political analyst Jared Yates Sexton warns of tech billionaires and Trump administration's authoritarian control over federal systems, highlighting threats to democracy and climate action.
Q & A: Jared Yates Sexton on the ‘Weaponized Abuse’ of Authoritarianism (DeSmog) - Political analyst Jared Yates Sexton warns of tech billionaires and Trump administration's authoritarian control over federal systems, highlighting threats to democracy and climate action.
Republicans move to repeal lead limits imposed by Biden-era rules (The Guardian) - Republicans in Congress seek to repeal Biden-era lead pipe replacement rules and permanently block future lead regulations in drinking water.
Russia ‘Spread Conspiracy Theories and Attacked Climate Scientists in Poland’ (DeSmog) - Russian government spent $4B annually spreading climate science disinformation and conspiracy theories in Poland through state media and social bots, military intelligence report reveals.
Russia ‘Spread Conspiracy Theories and Attacked Climate Scientists in Poland’ (DeSmog) - Russian government spent $4B annually spreading climate science disinformation and conspiracy theories in Poland through state media and social bots, military intelligence report reveals.
Statement on Mongabay journalist Gerald Flynn’s blacklisting from Cambodia following his reporting on illegal logging (Mongabay) - Cambodia permanently bans journalist Gerald Flynn after his reporting on illegal logging and carbon offset criticism in France24 documentary.
Tariffs are poised to upend energy supply chains (Latitude Media) - New US tariffs on Canada and China threaten clean energy supply chains, with potential price increases for steel, aluminum, and renewable components.
The Impact of Investments in Wildfire Smoke Mitigation Efforts (Fire Networks) - Private funding enables western U.S. communities to establish clean air spaces and distribute HEPA filters to protect vulnerable populations from wildfire smoke.
The time to address climate change is now (350.org) - Climate activist organization calls for dual approach of opposing fossil fuel projects while promoting renewable alternatives in Africa, highlighting EACOP pipeline controversy.
The View from Washington (Energy Central) - Trump's Day 1 executive orders aim to dismantle Biden-era climate policies and pause federal clean energy funding, signaling major shifts in US environmental policy.
The Warmth That Keeps Us Coming Back (Fire Networks) - Fire leader reflects on importance of hospitality and human connection in firefighting culture amid rising health concerns for firefighters, including increased cancer risks.
To Lower Emissions Or Increase Profits? That Is The Question (CleanTechnica) - Despite Trump's pro-fossil fuel stance, renewable energy investments and capacity additions continue to grow globally, with solar leading expansion and geothermal gaining unexpected support.
Top Lawmakers Open the Door to Building a Gas-burning Power Plant in Maryland, Risking Uncertainty for Ratepayers and Possibly Relying on Unproven Carbon Capture Technology (CCAN Action Fund) - Maryland lawmakers consider gas power plant with unproven carbon capture technology despite evidence that battery storage and renewables offer cheaper, proven alternatives.
Trump 2.0: Actions We Are Likely to See Against Climate, Nature, and Wildlife (Earth.org) - Trump's second term begins with immediate Paris Agreement withdrawal, drilling expansion, and plans to dismantle key environmental agencies like NOAA.
Trump’s “drill baby, drill” plan is a disaster for energy security, and prices (RenewEconomy) - Trump's new fossil fuel expansion plans threaten US energy security and price stability by increasing vulnerability to global market disruptions.
Trump’s Assault on Foreign Aid Threatens Brazil’s Efforts to Fight Deforestation and Poverty (The Revelator) - Trump's foreign aid freeze and USAID closure plans threaten Brazil's $100M Amazon conservation fund and successful deforestation reduction programs.
Trump's climate spending freeze is already causing serious economic harm (Canary Media) - Trump administration's freeze on climate spending causes widespread disruption to federal grant programs, affecting rural businesses, clean energy projects, and infrastructure development.
Trump’s Other Funding Freeze Attacks Environmental Justice (Heatmap News) - Trump administration orders immediate halt to Department of Energy's Justice40 and community benefit plans, affecting existing contracts and grants nationwide.
Two Years After the East Palestine Derailment, EPA Chemical Assessment Is Veering Off Track (Moms Clean Air Force) - EPA's vinyl chloride risk assessment faces criticism on second anniversary of East Palestine train derailment, as concerns over regulatory oversight persist.
Union Budget 2025: India Reduces Tariffs on Imported Solar Cells and Modules (TaiyangNews) - India cuts import tariffs on solar cells from 25% to 20% and modules from 40% to 20% in 2025 budget to boost renewable energy capacity.
Union Budget 2025: India Reduces Tariffs on Imported Solar Cells and Modules (TaiyangNews) - India cuts import tariffs on solar cells from 25% to 20% and modules from 40% to 20% in 2025 budget to boost renewable energy capacity.
US Senate confirms fracking CEO Chris Wright to be Trump’s energy secretary (The Guardian) - US Senate confirms fracking CEO and climate change skeptic Chris Wright as Trump's energy secretary in 59-38 vote.
US Senate confirms fracking CEO Chris Wright to be Trump’s energy secretary (The Guardian) - US Senate confirms fracking CEO and climate change skeptic Chris Wright as Trump's energy secretary in 59-38 vote.
Advanced Energy United Congratulates Secretary Burgum and Secretary Wright on Their Cabinet Confirmation (Advanced Energy United) - Senate confirms Doug Burgum as Interior Secretary and Chris Wright as Energy Secretary, with both pledging support for grid infrastructure and energy affordability.
In the shadow of Mount Vesuvius (UNDRR) - Italian experts showcase Naples' comprehensive volcano risk management system, balancing Vesuvius hazards with economic benefits through multi-disciplinary monitoring and community engagement.
Join ODOE February 19 for Intro to 2024 Biennial Energy Report (Oregon Department of Energy) - State agency announces February 19 webinar to introduce 2024 Biennial Energy Report covering electricity rates, transmission, and climate change topics.
The world wildlife trade regulator is 50 – here’s what has worked and what needs to change (The Conversation) - Global wildlife trade regulator CITES marks 50 years with mixed success in species protection, highlighting need for improved enforcement and local community involvement.
Renewables
Amazon-Iberdrola 476MW deal, Shell exits NJ offshore wind, 462MW Queensland wind farm approved, NYPA's 3GW renewable plan, Sweden's 4000MW hydro potential, and Victoria's Cohuna solar restart
Amazon Expands Renewable Energy, Cloud Partnership with Iberdrola to Spain, Portugal (ESGToday) - Amazon partners with Iberdrola to purchase 476 MW of solar and wind energy in Spain and Portugal, expanding renewable energy and cloud services collaboration across five countries.
Amazon inks offtake deals for further 476MW of clean power from Iberdrola (BusinessGreen) - Amazon secures 476MW of renewable power capacity through new wind and solar agreements with Spanish energy giant Iberdrola in Spain and Portugal.
In win for Trump, oil giant Shell walks away from major New Jersey offshore wind farm (Renewable Energy World) - Shell exits major New Jersey offshore wind project capable of powering 1 million homes, citing market changes and regulatory uncertainty under Trump administration.
Major wind farm cleared for construction in Queensland coal country (RenewEconomy) - 462MW wind farm with 70 turbines receives federal approval for construction near Queensland's Callide coal station, creating 280 construction jobs.
New York State To Expand Renewable Energy Capacity By Over 3 GW (TaiyangNews) - New York Power Authority approves strategic plan to add over 3 GW renewable energy capacity through 37 solar and battery storage projects to power up to 3 million households.
New York State To Expand Renewable Energy Capacity By Over 3 GW (TaiyangNews) - New York Power Authority approves strategic plan to add over 3 GW renewable energy capacity through 37 solar and battery storage projects to power up to 3 million households.
Swedish hydropower assets hold 4000MW capacity potential – study (RenewableEnergyWorld) - Study reveals Sweden's existing hydropower plants could add 4000MW capacity, equivalent to 3.5 nuclear reactors, amid projected doubling of national power demand by 2045.
The Problem & Potential Of Hydropower (CleanTechnica) - US hydropower capacity remains stagnant at 80GW with limited growth potential, while new technologies like 'salmon cannons' offer solutions to environmental impacts.
Wind in the west, solar in the east – and plenty of negative prices down south in record January (RenewEconomy) - Australia's renewable energy generation hits 44% on main grid in January 2025, with wind dominating west and solar east, causing record negative pricing periods.
One of Serbia’s oldest hydropower systems is getting a face lift (Renewable Energy World) - Serbia's 80-year-old Vlasinske hydropower system to undergo €82.4M modernization with EBRD and EU funding, starting spring 2025.
Victoria solar farm offline for nearly a year, to resume operations soon after fixing component failures (RenewEconomy) - Victoria's 34MW Cohuna solar farm to resume operations after year-long shutdown caused by site-wide component failures requiring extensive repairs.
Transport
CUTRIC hydrogen bus data controversy, Indian Railways' electrification milestone, Norfolk Southern bridge safety issues, UK Hydrogen Challenge expansion, ChargePoint-AAA partnership, and Tesla winter guidance
Canadian Transit “Think” Tank Presenting Fluff & Denials To Mississauga Council (CleanTechnica) - Canadian transit research group CUTRIC presents misleading hydrogen bus trial data to Mississauga Council amid concerns over costs, emissions, and conflicts of interest.
Indian Railways Celebrating 100 Years of Electrification (CleanTechnica) - Indian Railways marks 100 years of electrification, achieving 97% network coverage while planning renewable energy integration for its operations.
Norfolk Southern Rail Bridges in Western Pennsylvania in Disrepair, Study Warns (Inside Climate News) - Engineering study finds 11 of 20 Norfolk Southern rail bridges in Pittsburgh area in serious disrepair, raising safety concerns following East Palestine derailment.
Norfolk Southern Rail Bridges in Western Pennsylvania in Disrepair, Study Warns (Inside Climate News) - Engineering study finds 11 of 20 Norfolk Southern rail bridges in Pittsburgh area in serious disrepair, raising safety concerns following East Palestine derailment.
UK on course to lead world in hydrogen fuel as aviation regulator expands Hydrogen Challenge | Civil Aviation Authority (Civil Aviation Authority) - UK expands Hydrogen Challenge program to develop hydrogen-powered aircraft, infrastructure, and safety protocols for aviation decarbonization.
ZeroAvia Receives FAA G-1 for 600kW Electric Propulsion System (ZeroAvia) - Aviation company receives FAA certification basis approval for 600kW electric propulsion system designed for 20-seat commercial aircraft and other aerial vehicles.
ChargePoint Favored by AAA, Makes EV Charging Easier for AAA Clubs & Service Providers (CleanTechnica) - ChargePoint becomes AAA's preferred EV charging supplier, offering preferred pricing to over 12,000 service providers across US and Canada.
Tesla Model 3/Model Y Winter and Cold Weather Driving Tips (CleanTechnica) - Tesla shares comprehensive winter driving tips for Model 3/Y owners, including battery management, charging strategies, and cold-weather preparation techniques.
Tips: How to save on gas money and reduce pollution (Yale Climate Connections) - Simple driving habits and vehicle maintenance tips can reduce fuel consumption and emissions from gas-powered cars while saving money.
Trump’s Tariffs Could Hurt Gas Cars More Than EVs (Heatmap News) - Trump's proposed 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada could disproportionately impact gas-powered vehicles over EVs due to fewer parts and supply chain complexity in electric vehicles.
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