As I prepare to go into a week of rest, I wanted to publish one last newsletter for 2024. How should I introduce it?
I'll say thank you for joining us, my team and I, as we get started. I haven't really started promoting this newsletter yet, but about 2/3 of you open it and read it each day. That suggests to me that it is delivering valuable information you can use, wherever you are, in your work to transform your corner of the world. I hear most from my friends working with fire, to save trees, and challenging militarism's ecological impacts - but I hope those of you with a wide range of work will find meaningful support here.
We'll have a lot of work to do in 2025. I'll need your help, and I'll offer to help you however I can.
Here's a last issue of information and inspiration from Earth Catalyst for 2024.
-Marshall Kirkpatrick
Earth Catalyst: Boosting your efficacy and capacity with two decades of trailblazing & the newest technology
Today and every day, our system scans over 1,000 green tech and sustainability organizations for updates. Below, you'll find:
A Visual of the Day
A digest-style Table of Contents for 83 selected updates from around the green tech and sustainability world
(If you subscribe by email) 3 personalized selections just for you and your work
Did a friend forward you this newsletter? Welcome! You can subscribe here and get your own personal recommendations each day.
Visual of the Day
Seeing Wings in Timeless Motion
The wings of a Tulip-tree silkmoth, in motion.
From the Guardian: "For the past decade, the Barcelona-based visual artist Xavi Bou has devoted his work to revealing 'the hidden beauty of natural movement'. His initial focus was birds; now he’s moved on to insects. In collaboration with US entomologist Adrian Smith he’s created an eye-popping series that captures – by merging multiple frames into a single image – the rhythmic flutterings of butterflies and chaotic leaps of spittlebugs and treehoppers."
This beauty and these creatures are part of what we're working to save.
Today's Updates

Table of Contents
Agriculture (8 stories) - Neonicotinoid bans amid bee population crisis, IITA-CGIAR's legume initiatives, and USDA funding cuts shape agricultural landscape while Ethiopian digital farming tool shows 47% productivity gains
Circular (3 stories) - Mince pie waste-to-energy schemes, Massachusetts food waste reduction success, and biodegradable bamboo wipes highlight circular innovations
Ecosystems (1 story) - Ecologist George Wuerthner critiques forrest mastication programs
Efficiency (6 stories) - Federal efficiency programs drive $800B savings since 1980; Nevada launches energy audits; SC's Rainey Station adds 180MW via waste heat; heat pump adoption rises; 7,600+ back White House standards
Finance (4 stories) - Insurance market disruption hits US property values while World Bank carbon funds face distribution hurdles in Nepal; new streamlined climate fund for vulnerable nations launches 2025
Grid (9 stories) - DOE advances $1.4B storage strategy and funds 41 projects while France launches major nuclear reactor; Queensland and Australia tackle transmission expansion amid solar control debates; Supernode develops enhanced cryogenic power cables
Indigenous (17 stories) - Prescribed burn associations, Y. Eva Tan fellows, and Papua's Mauberema conservation center lead Indigenous fire management and forest protection initiatives across global territories
Industry (2 stories) - DOE launches $9.5B hydrogen R&D program; VW and IG Metall plan 35,000 job cuts and 700,000 vehicle reduction
Policy (13 stories) - USFS $200M wildfire grants, COP29's $300B pledge, DOE LNG export warnings, and EPA chief Regan's departure mark policy shifts amid state-level climate actions in NY, MT
Renewables (7 stories) - SunHydrogen's nanotech breakthrough, German balcony solar surge hits 550K units, Eversource's geothermal pilot, while nuclear developers plan 18GW fleet expansion
Transport (12 stories) - Nissan ARIYA debuts at $40K amid China's 52% EV market share; Hyzon's bankruptcy impacts hydrogen sector; Vatican and USPS plan fleet electrification; Tesla Supercharger network expands; Gogoro wins battery innovation award
Agriculture
Neonicotinoid bans amid bee population crisis, IITA-CGIAR's legume initiatives, and USDA funding cuts shape agricultural landscape while Ethiopian digital farming tool shows 47% productivity gains
Bumblebees are disappearing before our eyes (Environment America) - Native U.S. bumblebee populations have plunged nearly 50% in five decades, leaving a quarter of species facing extinction due to neonicotinoid pesticides.
Climate change forces Jakarta fishing families to marry off young daughters (Mongabay) - Rising seas and dwindling fish stocks have pushed Jakarta's fishing families to marry off daughters as young as 13, despite Indonesia's legal marriage age of 19.
Farming for the Future: Optimizing Land Use with FarmDESIGN tool (CGIAR) - Scientists report Ethiopian farmers can boost productivity up to 47% while reducing environmental impact through a new digital tool that analyzes farm-specific data and provides customized solutions.
Getting Outside the Walls: Common Ground and Composting (Faith Green Initiative) - Five local congregations received composting starter kits after attending a soil health documentary screening, aiming to reduce food waste and restore soil quality in their communities.
The fuel that moves people: the Ecuadorian case (Mongabay) - Ecuador's Amazon colonization triggered massive demographic shifts, as the Andean corridor's population surged from 160,000 to 520,000 and oil-producing provinces jumped from 12,000 to 350,000 residents since the 1970s.
UK to ban bee-killing pesticides but highly toxic type could still be allowed (The Guardian) - UK ministers ban neonicotinoids while weighing approval of Cruiser SB, a pesticide so toxic that one teaspoon could kill 1.25 billion honeybees.
Unlocking the potential of underutilized legumes: IITA-CGIAR and SUL lead strategic conference for sustainable agricultural innovation (CGIAR) - Agricultural experts from IITA-CGIAR and SUL convened to explore climate-resilient legume crops, aiming to enhance food security and sustainable farming practices across the nation.
Comment: In Package to Avert Government Shutdown, Congress Picks Winners and Losers in Farm Country (NSAC) - Congress approved a $10 billion farm relief package but slashed $177 million from USDA programs and eliminated permanent conservation funding in its latest government shutdown prevention deal.
Circular
Mince pie waste-to-energy schemes, Massachusetts food waste reduction success, and biodegradable bamboo wipes highlight circular innovations
Households urged to help turn festive food waste into green energy (BusinessGreen) - UK households could power seven million viewings of Home Alone by recycling 4,000 tonnes of discarded mince pies into green energy this Christmas season.
How Has One US State Cut Food Waste When Others Continue To Struggle? (CleanTechnica) - Massachusetts has slashed landfill food waste by 10% through strict inspections and mandatory commercial composting, surpassing other states with similar regulations.
How to Incorporate Cleaning Wipes Into Your Daily Routine? (EcoSoul Home) - Eco-friendly bamboo cleaning wipes decompose within 180 days whilst delivering antimicrobial benefits, offering consumers a plastic-free alternative to conventional products.
Ecosystems
Forest Mastication Equals Forest Degradation (The Wildlife News) - Forest mastication programs have damaged wildlife habitats and increased fire risks on public lands, contradicting agency claims of ecological benefits, according to new research.
Efficiency
Federal efficiency programs drive $800B savings since 1980; Nevada launches energy audits; SC's Rainey Station adds 180MW via waste heat; heat pump adoption rises; 7,600+ back White House standards
🎄 What progress looks like (Exponential View) - Despite recent setbacks in battery costs and chip supplies, long-term data shows technological advancement follows an erratic pattern of peaks and valleys rather than steady upward growth.
2024 EERE Investment Snapshot Report Overview: Clean Energy Developments Yield Major Benefits (EESI) - Federal energy investments have generated $800 billion in savings since 1980 while supporting 3.5 million American jobs across power, buildings, transportation and manufacturing sectors.
Ep. 16: Top 10 lessons from the Heat Pump Podcast in 2024 (Amply Energy) - Heat pump technology shows rising market impact as industry data reveals superior comfort levels, increased business adoption, and vital design requirements, according to leading podcast analysis.
NCEF Launches Home Energy Audit Incentive with Subgrant from Governor’s Office of Energy (NCEF) - Nevada Clean Energy Fund's new home energy audit program, backed by state funding, aims to assist low-income households in reducing energy costs.
Thousands petition White House to act on efficiency standards (Environment America) - More than 7,600 Americans have urged the White House to implement efficiency standards that could save $8.7 billion yearly while cutting emissions by 850 million metric tons through 2054.
South Carolina Plant Will Add 180 MW of Gas-Fired Capacity (POWER) - South Carolina's Rainey Generating Station will boost output by 180 MW through waste heat recovery conversion, without increasing gas consumption or emissions, state officials announced today.
Finance
Insurance market disruption hits US property values while World Bank carbon funds face distribution hurdles in Nepal; new streamlined climate fund for vulnerable nations launches 2025
Climate Insurance Crisis (EnergyCentral) - Insurance firms' withdrawal of homeowner coverage and rising premiums across America, driven by climate risks, are triggering property devaluations and mortgage accessibility challenges.
Loss and Damage Finance: the FRLD and Transforming Climate Finance Quality (EDF) - A new climate fund will deliver expedited financial support to vulnerable nations through simplified processes and country-driven strategies beginning in 2025.
Nepal’s forest-protecting communities may miss out on World Bank carbon funds (Mongabay) - Nepal's $45 million World Bank forest carbon funding could leave local communities empty-handed, with only 72% reaching beneficiaries amid complex access requirements and unclear payment systems.
Vegan no more: a beloved Asheville plant-based cafe pivots to stay afloat post-hurricane (The Guardian) - After a $190,000 revenue loss from Hurricane Helene, Asheville's 22-year-old vegan institution Rosetta's Kitchen has added meat and dairy options to stay viable amid mixed local response.
Grid
DOE advances $1.4B storage strategy and funds 41 projects while France launches major nuclear reactor; Queensland and Australia tackle transmission expansion amid solar control debates; Supernode develops enhanced cryogenic power cables
Build it and they will come: Transmission is key, but LNP make it harder and costlier (RenewEconomy) - Queensland spearheads Australia's grid expansion plans despite LNP resistance and delays driving up costs for essential transmission infrastructure needed to support clean energy goals.
Draft US Energy Storage Strategy & Roadmap Update Released, Input Requested (CleanTechnica) - The Department of Energy seeks public input on its updated energy storage strategy, which aims to guide $1.4 billion in research investments for strengthening America's power grid.
Flamanville 3 Reactor Online in France After 12-Year Delay (POWER) - France's largest nuclear reactor has begun commercial operation at a cost of €13.2 billion, marking the nation's first new reactor since 1999.
Florida Gets $29 Million Boost to Help Grid in Extreme Weather (CleanTechnica) - Federal funding of $28.7 million will help Tallahassee build a battery storage system to shield vital facilities from extreme weather while saving $160,000 yearly in fuel costs.
Long-Duration Energy Storage Pilot Program Concept Paper Notifications (CleanTechnica) - Department of Energy selects 41 of 141 applicants to advance in $100M energy storage program, with full proposals due March 2025.
New Flow Battery To Take Up Housekeeping In Derelict Oil Tanks (CleanTechnica) - Department of Energy awards Quino Energy $2.6M to transform abandoned oil tanks into flow batteries, unlocking potential for 4TWh of energy storage across America.
Rooftop Solar Kill Switch, or Sometimes the Sun Shines Too Much (CleanTechnica) - Amid grid stability concerns, Australian operators seek emergency shutdown controls for the nation's 3.4 million rooftop solar installations, while storage solutions offer potential stability.
Snowy Hunter gas project hit by more delays and blowouts, with total cost now more than $2 billion (RenewEconomy) - The troubled Hunter gas power station project faces fresh setbacks as completion dates slip to mid-2025 and costs soar beyond $2 billion, quadrupling initial estimates.
Superconducting Transmission Of Electricity Is Here And It’s Supercooled (CleanTechnica) - Smooth-bore cryogenic pipes developed by Supernode can transmit 6.4 gigawatts through superconducting cables while tripling cooling station distances compared to corrugated designs.
Indigenous
Prescribed burn associations, Y. Eva Tan fellows, and Papua's Mauberema conservation center lead Indigenous fire management and forest protection initiatives across global territories
A Shared Love for Community-Led Fire: The 2024 PBA Leader’s Exchange in California (Fire Networks) - Leaders from over 25 prescribed burn associations converged at California's Hopland Research Center to tackle fire management and tribal partnerships across the state.
Across continents, Mongabay fellows share insights from reporting in the field (Mongabay) - Three environmental journalists from across three continents documented climate impacts, Indigenous rights, and weather patterns during their six-month Y. Eva Tan Conservation fellowship.
Burning for Better in Southwest Montana (Fire Networks) - Montana agencies and landowners have united to conduct a 1,300-acre prescribed burn in Mill Gulch, aiming to protect sagebrush habitat and reduce wildfire threats.
Celebrating 10 Years of the Blog! (Fire Networks) - Network marks decade-long milestone with 680-plus published stories from global practitioners, researchers and indigenous communities sharing wildfire resilience strategies.
Community Weaving for Eco-Cultural Restoration: Partnering with Tribes in Lake County, CA (Fire Networks) - Local tribes and scientists unite in Lake County, California, combining traditional Pomo knowledge with modern research to protect Clear Lake's watershed and reduce wildfire risks.
Engaging Communities with Prescribed Fire: Lessons Learned from PBA Outreach in Fire-Prone Areas (Fire Networks) - Experts share insights from Northern California workshops aimed at helping fire-prone communities embrace prescribed burning through trauma-informed outreach and strategic planning.
ENGLISH – Mauberema Ecotourism, Nature Conservation, Education, Research & Training Center (MENCERTC) (Equator Initiative) - Indigenous communities in Papua's Mauberema region have established a conservation center to protect biodiversity in Earth's third-largest rainforest while preserving traditional farming methods.
Escape Into the Story: Three Longform Reads for Your Weekend (Fire Networks) - Interactive narratives delve into wilderness fire management, Texas wildfire resilience, and Fire Learning Network partnerships through three new StoryMaps.
Getting Outside the Walls 2024 Grants: Celebration (Blessed Tomorrow) - Faith-based climate initiative awards $19,000 in grants to congregations across America, supporting gardens, solar projects and environmental education programs.
Getting Outside the Walls: Comunidad y Clima (Lutheran Climate Care) - Latino congregations and ELCA colleges unite to weave climate education into cultural events and community gardens, reaching 47 immigrant communities across America's heartland.
Getting Outside the Walls: Solidarity in Nature Through Sound Exploration (Nature Forward) - Chicago's Nature Forward initiative unites 300 young people with outdoor spaces through hip-hop programs, featuring beat-making and dance activities in local forest preserves and parks.
Ghosts of the landscape: how folklore and songs are key to rewilding Finland’s reindeer (The Guardian) - Traditional folklore and songs are helping guide Finland's reintroduction of reindeer to Karelia's peatlands, aiming to restore both natural and cultural heritage.
New Suns, New Worlds: David Ụzọchukwu Reimagines Blackness—and Nature (Atmos) - Nigerian-Austrian photographer David Ụzọchukwu's "New Suns" exhibition places Black figures in mythical landscapes, confronting centuries of racial exclusion from nature-based narratives.
Untrammeling the Wilderness (Fire Networks) - Scientists urge federal wilderness managers to embrace prescribed and Indigenous burning practices, citing data showing 120 years of fire suppression has damaged natural ecosystems.
Voces del Fuego (Voices of Fire) (Fire Networks) - Fifty fire practitioners from 27 organizations across eight countries unite in California's first Spanish-language prescribed burn training program, captured in "Voces del Fuego."
Five Hawaiian crows released into forest after decades of extinction in the wild (Mongabay) - After growing their population from 20 to 110 through captive breeding, five critically endangered Hawaiian crows have returned to Maui's forests following a 20-year absence from the wild.
Guardian Australia’s best photos of 2024 – in pictures (The Guardian) - Forty striking images capture pivotal Australian moments in 2024, from Indigenous rights rallies to wildlife conservation efforts and rural community stories.
Industry
DOE launches $9.5B hydrogen R&D program; VW and IG Metall plan 35,000 job cuts and 700,000 vehicle reduction
US | Hydrogen Program (Energy Central) - The Department of Energy's $9.5 billion hydrogen initiative aims to accelerate clean energy deployment through research and development, with regular updates guided by industry feedback.
Volkswagen Reaches A Deal To End Labor Dispute (CleanTechnica) - German automaker Volkswagen and IG Metall Union agree to eliminate 35,000 jobs and cut production by 700,000 vehicles through 2030 while avoiding forced layoffs.
Policy
USFS $200M wildfire grants, COP29's $300B pledge, DOE LNG export warnings, and EPA chief Regan's departure mark policy shifts amid state-level climate actions in NY, MT
Community Wildfire Defense Grants: A Round Three Application Primer (Fire Networks) - US Forest Service launches $200 million grant program, enabling communities and Tribes to mitigate wildfire risks through February 2025.
COP 29 Was… Not Great. What Does It Mean for Climate Action in 2025? (Terra.do) - Global climate summit COP29 secured a $300 billion finance pledge through 2035, amid concerns over oil industry pressure and possible US Paris Agreement exit under Trump.
DOE on an LNG export boom: Don’t do it (Energy Central) - A new Department of Energy report cautions that increased LNG exports could spike domestic gas prices 30% and add $100 to yearly household costs by 2050, even as America leads global exports.
Elderly activist to spend Christmas in prison because tag does not fit (The Guardian) - A 77-year-old climate activist must spend Christmas behind bars after electronic monitoring tags proved too large for her slim wrists, making home detention impossible.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan to Step Down at End of This Month (EDF) - After leading 78 environmental justice initiatives and expanding clean air and water protections during his three-year tenure, EPA Administrator Michael Regan will depart his post this month.
Failure of State: For Decades, Alabama’s Mining Regulator Has Left Citizens Unprotected (Inside Climate News) - Alabama's mining regulator has failed to address decades of resident complaints about subsidence damage and methane risks, even after a fatal home explosion in 2024.
Getting Outside the Walls: Make the Inflation Reduction Act Work For You! (St. Mark's Presbyterian Church) - Local faith community joins forces with area groups to help Arizonans tap into federal home energy incentives worth up to $14,000 under the Inflation Reduction Act.
Governor Hochul Signs Bill to Halt Drilling and Fracking Using CO2 (NRDC) - Governor Hochul expands New York's fracking restrictions by signing legislation that bans drilling and fracking operations using carbon dioxide injection methods across the state.
Groups Seek to Defend Lead Pipe Rule Challenged by Water Utilities (NRDC) - Environmental groups defend EPA's mandate requiring utilities to replace all lead service lines within 10 years, following a challenge from American Water Works Association.
Montana Supreme Court Rules That The State Constitution Means What It Says (CleanTechnica) - Montana's highest court has ruled that greenhouse gas emissions must be included in environmental reviews, upholding the state constitution's guarantee of a clean environment.
Nations Are Exiting a Secretive System That Protects Corporations. One Country’s Story Shows How Hard That Can Be (Inside Climate News) - Despite Bolivia's withdrawal from the investor-state dispute settlement system inspiring 83 nations to follow suit, complex treaty obligations will bind the country to corporate arbitration until 2035.
Congress passes Continuing Resolution with disaster relief funding for Hurricane Helene (Southern Environmental Law Center) - Federal lawmakers approve disaster relief funding to aid Southern communities after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina.
Geneva: UN Negotiations for Binding Treaty on Transnational Corporations Make Historic Progress Amid Challenges (Via Campesina) - Negotiations for a UN treaty to hold corporations accountable for human rights violations concluded in Geneva, marking the tenth round of talks despite corporate interference and limited civil society participation.
Renewables
SunHydrogen's nanotech breakthrough, German balcony solar surge hits 550K units, Eversource's geothermal pilot, while nuclear developers plan 18GW fleet expansion
Another Milestone For Solar Panels That Produce Green Hydrogen (CleanTechnica) - Scientists at SunHydrogen have produced green hydrogen from a one-square-meter solar panel using nanoparticle technology, bypassing traditional electrolysis methods.
Germany Embraces Balkonkraftwerke — Balcony Solar For Apartments (CleanTechnica) - German apartment residents have installed more than 550,000 plug-in balcony solar panels, with half added in 2023 alone, marking widespread adoption of the 800-watt systems.
How an Unlikely Coalition of Climate Activists and a Gas Utility Are Weaning a Boston Suburb Off Fossil Fuels (Inside Climate News) - Massachusetts' first neighborhood-scale geothermal heating system launches in Framingham as gas utility Eversource joins forces with climate activists to move away from fossil fuels.
How Commercial Solar Benefits LMI Communities (King Energy) - Commercial solar provider reports $399,000 in energy savings for low-income communities since 2021, with nearly half of its 200-plus installations serving underserved areas through no-cost programs.
Nuclear Developers Make No Little Plans (EnergyCentral) - Two nuclear developers unveil plans to construct 18 gigawatts of atomic power capacity through fleet-scale deployment within the next two decades.
Solar farms don’t hurt nearby property values, new research finds! (Midwest Property Research) - Research across multiple Midwestern communities shows solar farms boost nearby property values, dispelling widespread fears about negative impacts on home prices.
The NYC Co-Op Owner’s Guide to Solar (Brooklyn SolarWorks) - New guide reveals NYC co-op owners can recoup solar installation costs within 4-6 years, with incentives covering 75% of expenses.
Transport
Nissan ARIYA debuts at $40K amid China's 52% EV market share; Hyzon's bankruptcy impacts hydrogen sector; Vatican and USPS plan fleet electrification; Tesla Supercharger network expands; Gogoro wins battery innovation award
2025 Nissan ARIYA Pricing & Specs (CleanTechnica) - Nissan's 2025 ARIYA electric vehicle debuts at $39,770, featuring a 216-mile range, Tesla Supercharger access, and the EV Carefree+ package.
52% of Car Sales in China Are Now Plugins! Full Report (CleanTechnica) - China's electric vehicle surge continues as plugins captured 52% of all car sales in November, with battery-only vehicles accounting for 31% of the market.
Another Day, Another Hydrogen Transportation Failure — Hyzon Edition (CleanTechnica) - Hydrogen vehicle manufacturer Hyzon Motors has filed for bankruptcy after settling SEC fraud charges, marking another setback for the struggling hydrogen transport industry.
Carlos Ghosn Sees Trouble Ahead For Japanese Auto Manufacturers (CleanTechnica) - Former auto titan Carlos Ghosn slams potential Honda-Nissan merger talks as politically driven, warning of limited benefits amid Nissan's declining market performance.
CleanTechnica Car of the Year Nominees & Voting — USA Edition (CleanTechnica) - Five electric vehicles, priced between $33,600 and $74,490, vie for CleanTechnica's 2024 Car of the Year award, including Tesla's Cybertruck and offerings from Kia, Chevrolet, and Honda.
Gogoro Receives 2024 Global Company of the Year Award (CleanTechnica) - Leading electric scooter firm Gogoro clinches Frost & Sullivan's 2024 Global Company of the Year Award for battery-swapping innovation, amid recent leadership changes.
Heat Pumps For Electric Buses Blow Another Meme Out Of Water (CleanTechnica) - Chinese manufacturers dominate global electric bus sales with heat pumps that warm vehicles in temperatures below zero, disproving claims that diesel heaters are essential for cold weather operation.
Teamwork Makes The EV Charging Dream Work (CleanTechnica) - Three major charging networks have strategically placed stations across Lordsburg's highway exits, offering EV drivers varied layouts and amenities along their New Mexico journey.
The Popemobile—And the U.S. Postal Service—Are Going Electric (Inside Climate News) - The Vatican and U.S. Postal Service announced plans to electrify their fleets, including a new Mercedes-Benz Popemobile and 66,000 battery-powered mail trucks, targeting zero emissions by 2030.
This Is The Time To Buy An EV — Tax Credits Will Expire Soon And Musk Doesn’t Care (CleanTechnica) - Federal EV tax credits worth up to $7,500 could vanish by 2025 under Trump's policies, sparking a rush to secure electric vehicles while incentives remain.
Vanadium Opens The Door To Low-Cost EV Batteries Made From Salt (CleanTechnica) - University of Houston researchers have achieved a 458 Wh/kg energy density with new vanadium-based sodium-ion batteries, advancing salt-based power storage toward lithium-ion performance levels.
US Government Takes Step Forward With Self-Driving Vehicle Rules — Will They Last? (CleanTechnica) - Federal auto regulators unveiled a voluntary program enabling broader autonomous vehicle deployment, with new exemptions and data requirements, amid uncertainty over its survival in a potential Trump presidency.
And those are today's updates! Thanks for reading, may you find lessons learned here that boost the impact of your work.
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