The Earth Needs Human Beings

I'm in San Francisco for SF Climate Week and was surprised and amazed to get the opportunity to hear the amazing Lyla June Johnston speak at the event hosted by RegenIntel.

“The Earth may be better off without certain systems we’ve created, but we are not those systems—and we don’t have to be," she said in her TEDX talk two years ago and repeated yesterday. "What if I told you the Earth needs us, that we truly belong here? I’ve seen my people turn deserts into gardens. What if these human hands and minds became such a gift to the Earth that they sparked new life wherever people and purpose meet?”

She spoke about the power not just of Indigenous science and regenerative land management practices, but of looking at the stories, aspirations, and feelings in our hearts - like our software operating system - as the real determinant of humanity's relationship with the earth. It was amazing, and I want to take this opportunity to share her work with you. I am confident that if this is the first time you've seen her work, it won't be the last. I see her pop up everywhere, and am thankful, but was delighted to see her in person last night.

And now, we offer our summaries of 59 selected updates from around the world of green tech and sustainability. May they support your work for a better world.

Today's Updates

Table of Contents

• 🌾Agriculture (3 stories) - Agroforestry curbs SE Asian deforestation as rice farming seeks climate solutions; cocoa prices surge amid supply challenges

  
  

• 🪨Carbon (4 stories) - China cuts coal power 5% as solar surges; Apple slashes supply chain emissions 60%; Chevron's Gorgon plant emissions rise despite carbon credits

  
  

• ♻️Ecosystems (4 stories) - Monkey trafficking exposed in SE Asia labs, polar bears decline in Hudson Bay, and U.S. national parks face river threats

  
  

• ⚡Efficiency (1 story) - Western Washington University breaks ground on energy-efficient Student Success Center

  
  

•  💰Finance (3 stories) - Robeco's biodiversity assessment tool debuts as Jamaica leads climate bonds push and small farmers seek financial reforms

  
  

• 🔌Grid (5 stories) - Massive wind expansion in Western Australia, Haven Energy's solar VPPs, and Base Power's $200M battery scale-up reshape grid infrastructure

  
  

• 🌍Indigenous (6 stories) - Goldman Prize honors Indigenous river protector Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari, while Kentucky nonprofit secures mountaintop for bison sanctuary

  
  

• 🏭Industry (3 stories) - Plug Power's new hydrogen plant, Australian battery startups in incubator program, and AI-powered green hydrogen optimization

  
  

• 📜Policy (17 stories) - Indonesia launches deforestation verification platform as G20 nations show mixed climate progress; Trump administration targets offshore wind and coal revival while Supreme Court's doctrine could limit executive powers

  
  

• 🔋Renewables (9 stories) - Record Chinese solar growth hits 950 GW total as Coal India, LONGi, and JA Solar drive major projects; South Australia breaks wind record while Louisiana explores first utility-scale wind farms

  
  

• 🚗Transport (3 stories) - Waymo gains ground on Uber in Austin, as SKYDRIVE reveals flying car prototype and new study pushes for electric trucks in underserved areas

Agriculture

Agroforestry curbs SE Asian deforestation as rice farming seeks climate solutions; cocoa prices surge amid supply challenges

• Agroforestry can reduce deforestation, but supportive policies matter, study finds (Mongabay) - Southeast Asian agroforestry systems reduced regional deforestation by 250,319 hectares annually from 2015-2023, though effectiveness varies by location and policy support.

• Guest article: Rice, the staple crop most VCs forgot (AgFunderNews) - Rice farming, responsible for half of global cropland emissions and feeding 3.5 billion people, sees minimal venture capital investment despite urgent need for climate-smart innovations.

• 📈 Data to start your week (Exponential View) - Cocoa prices triple since 2023 due to climate change and trade tensions, impacting global chocolate markets.

Carbon

China cuts coal power 5% as solar surges; Apple slashes supply chain emissions 60%; Chevron's Gorgon plant emissions rise despite carbon credits

• China’s Coal Generation Dropped 5% YOY In Q1 As Electricity Demand Increased (CleanTechnica) - China's coal power generation drops 5% in Q1 2025 despite rising electricity demand, driven by massive growth in distributed solar capacity.

• GOP support of carbon capture fractures in Louisiana, nationally (Floodlight) - Republican lawmakers in Louisiana challenge carbon capture projects amid growing GOP skepticism, property rights concerns, and local opposition to underground CO2 storage.

• Apple Cuts Product Manufacturing Emissions in Half From 2020 (ESGToday) - Apple achieves 60% reduction in value chain emissions since 2015, cutting manufacturing emissions by half to 8.2 million tons through supplier renewable energy adoption and efficiency measures.

• Australia’s biggest industrial polluter receives millions in carbon credits despite rising emissions (The Guardian) - Australia's largest industrial polluter Chevron's Gorgon gas plant received millions in carbon credits despite increasing emissions to 8.8m tonnes in 2023-24.

Ecosystems

Monkey trafficking exposed in SE Asia labs, polar bears decline in Hudson Bay, and U.S. national parks face river threats

• Report alleges criminality in Cambodian, Vietnamese monkey trade (Mongabay) - New report reveals widespread illegal wild monkey laundering through Cambodian and Vietnamese breeding facilities for U.S. biomedical research, with impossible birth rates and TB outbreaks raising concerns.

• National Park Units Dot America’s Most Endangered Rivers List (Inside Climate News) - Multiple national parks face threats from endangered rivers, including flood damage in Appalachia and toxic pollution in the Mississippi and Passaic Rivers.

• Polar bear population in western Hudson Bay has been reduced by about half (Yale Climate Connections) - Western Hudson Bay polar bear population halved since 1980s due to climate change-induced shorter hunting seasons on sea ice.

• Ecologists are spending less time in the field. That could be a problem. (Mongabay) - Field research declining among ecologists as technology and cost pressures drive shift toward remote monitoring and data analysis.

Efficiency

Western Washington University breaks ground on energy-efficient Student Success Center

• Early work begins on new Student Success Center (Western Today) - Construction begins on new Student Success Center at WWU with preliminary utilities work near parking lot 19G.

Finance

Robeco's biodiversity assessment tool debuts as Jamaica leads climate bonds push and small farmers seek financial reforms

• Food sovereignty is not possible without financial sovereignty, warn small-scale food producers and grassroots organisations (Via Campesina) - Global small-scale food producers demand financial sovereignty and reformed public policies to protect local food systems from profit-driven global finance.

• The Global South: What Jamaica can teach us about climate financing (Trellis) - Jamaica pioneers climate financing in Global South through catastrophe bonds, renewable energy investments, and sustainable agriculture initiatives.

• Robeco Launches Tool for Investors to Find Biodiversity Leaders and Underperformers (ESG Today) - Robeco launches Biodiversity Traffic Light tool to help investors assess companies' nature-related performance and risks using TNFD metrics.

Grid

Massive wind expansion in Western Australia, Haven Energy's solar VPPs, and Base Power's $200M battery scale-up reshape grid infrastructure

• More gas is not needed in push for high renewables, but we need to get cracking with wind and transmission (RenewEconomy) - Western Australia needs rapid expansion of wind power and transmission infrastructure to meet 82% renewable energy target by 2030, with no additional gas generation required.

• Haven to install free solar, batteries for thousands of California homes (Canary Media) - Haven Energy startup to provide free solar panels and battery systems to thousands of low-income California homes through state funding program, creating virtual power plants for grid support.

• Energy Storage Startup Base Power Raises $200 Million (ESG Today) - Energy storage startup Base Power raises $200M Series B funding to scale distributed battery solutions addressing grid instability and rising energy costs.

• As Trump targets clean energy, will utilities embrace DERs and VPPs? (Utility Dive) - As Trump policies threaten utility-scale renewables, experts see distributed energy resources and virtual power plants as faster, scalable alternatives for utilities.

• Agreement Reached for Major Liquid Hydrogen Import Corridor (PowerMag) - Eleven companies sign agreement to create world's first liquid hydrogen import corridor connecting Oman to Netherlands and Germany, aiming for large-scale green hydrogen delivery by 2029.

Indigenous

Goldman Prize honors Indigenous river protector Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari, while Kentucky nonprofit secures mountaintop for bison sanctuary

• Indigenous Leaders Thwart Prison Plans with a Sacred Bison Revival (Atmos) - Indigenous nonprofit buys Kentucky mountaintop to establish bison sanctuary, blocking $500M federal prison development plans.

• Rights of Nature Defender Wins Goldman Prize for Precedent-Setting Work Protecting an Imperiled River (Inside Climate News) - Indigenous Kukama leader Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari wins Goldman Prize for securing legal rights for Peru's Marañón River, setting precedent for ecosystem protection.

• Indigenous river campaigner from Peru wins prestigious Goldman prize (The Guardian) - Indigenous Peruvian activist Mari Luz Canaquiri Murayari wins Goldman Prize for securing landmark legal rights for Marañon River, protecting it from oil contamination.

• Grassroots activists who took on corruption and corporate power share 2025 Goldman prize (The Guardian) - Seven grassroots environmental activists win 2025 Goldman Prize for campaigns against corporate pollution, mining, and waste trafficking across Tunisia, Peru, Mongolia, US, Spain, and Albania.

• Your guide to the 2025 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (Grist) - Indigenous experts face US visa barriers ahead of 2025 UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, hampering global representation at crucial climate and rights discussions.

• 🧭 Territories in Motion: alliances, recognition, and presence (Meli-Bees) - Indigenous and environmental organization strengthens global alliances through work in Mexico's Xochimilco region and Brazil's Free Land Camp while receiving Goldman Prize nominator status.

Industry

Plug Power's new hydrogen plant, Australian battery startups in incubator program, and AI-powered green hydrogen optimization

• Ten start-up battery innovators tapped to join Supercharge Australia incubator (RenewEconomy) - Ten Australian battery sector startups selected for Supercharge Australia's 12-week incubator program to accelerate domestic lithium battery manufacturing capabilities.

• Applying AI to Evaluate Parameters of Green Hydrogen Production. (Energy Central) - AI logistic regression model achieves 80% accuracy in predicting and optimizing green hydrogen production parameters using solar-powered alkaline electrolysis data.

• Plug Power Group Commissions Hydrogen Liquefaction Plant in Louisiana (Power Magazine) - Plug Power and Olin Corp joint venture launches 15 metric-ton-per-day hydrogen liquefaction plant in Louisiana, marking major expansion of US hydrogen infrastructure.

Policy

Indonesia launches deforestation verification platform as G20 nations show mixed climate progress; Trump administration targets offshore wind and coal revival while Supreme Court's doctrine could limit executive powers

• Indonesia strengthens forest monitoring with new tool to meet EU deforestation law (Mongabay) - Indonesia launches Ground Truthed.id platform combining field evidence and geolocation data to verify deforestation-free commodity exports ahead of EU regulation deadline.

• The G20 and the Global Energy Shift (TaiyangNews) - G20 nations, responsible for 80% of global emissions, show varied progress in renewable energy deployment with EU, China and US leading while others lag in meeting climate targets.

• Federal laws don’t ban rollbacks of environmental protection, but they don’t make it easy (The Conversation) - Federal environmental protection rollbacks face significant legal and procedural hurdles despite Trump administration's deregulation plans.

• Climate Crisis Deniers Explain Why They Like U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright (DeSmog) - Climate crisis deniers praise Trump's Energy Secretary Chris Wright for opposing net-zero goals and promoting fossil fuels, calling him "terrific" and "very smart."

• The Death of the ‘Climate Pope’ (Heatmap News) - Pope Francis, influential advocate for climate action and author of landmark environmental encyclicals, dies at 88 after years of urging global response to climate crisis.

• Celebrate Earth Day 2025 (United Women in Faith) - Religious organization announces Earth Day 2025 events featuring environmental justice webinars, community celebrations, and author talks focused on climate solutions and stewardship.

• The Major Questions Doctrine Could Save Democracy (CleanTechnica) - Supreme Court's "major questions doctrine" could limit presidential overreach by requiring clear Congressional authorization for significant policy changes, potentially constraining authoritarian actions.

• Wave of Earth Day protests as Americans mobilize against Trump (The Guardian) - Thousands join nationwide Earth Day protests against Trump administration's environmental rollbacks and authoritarian policies, uniting climate and pro-democracy movements.

• Hurricane-battered Grenada grapples with climate crisis and legacy of slavery (The Guardian) - Hurricane-ravaged Grenada faces dual crisis of climate impacts and colonial legacy while seeking climate justice and slavery reparations.

• The Night is so Dark Like Coal… (EnergyCentral) - Trump's 2025 executive order mandates revival of coal mining on federal lands and coal-fired power plants to support AI data centers, despite environmental concerns and market forces favoring renewables.

• Eight of the top 10 online shows are spreading climate misinformation (Yale Climate Connections) - Eight of top 10 most popular online shows spread climate misinformation through new denial tactics focused on discrediting solutions rather than denying climate change itself.

• Chicago Teachers Union secures clean energy wins in new contract (Canary Media) - Chicago Teachers Union's new contract mandates climate action plan updates, clean energy job training programs, and solar panel installations across district schools.

• Climate Policy Outlook: 4 stories to follow this week (Trellis) - Multiple climate policy developments unfold including FERC's BlackRock decision, marine protection rollbacks, oil industry challenges, and state-level renewable energy restrictions in Texas.

• Three ways Pope Francis influenced the global climate movement (The Conversation) - Pope Francis shaped global climate action through UN summit influence, Indigenous advocacy, and inspiring widespread religious climate activism.

• Trump’s biggest offshore wind attack yet (Canary Media) - Trump administration orders halt to construction of Equinor's fully permitted Empire Wind project off New York coast, marking first attempt to shut down an in-progress offshore wind development.

• Tomorrow: The Future of Climate Activism (Covering Climate Now) - Press briefing to explore future of climate activism amid Trump policies and growing protest restrictions, featuring experts from American University, Sunrise Movement, and Drilled Media.

• Independent Media Celebration (SOCAN) - Southern Oregon climate activists and local media leaders discuss future of independent journalism at university panel event.

Renewables

Record Chinese solar growth hits 950 GW total as Coal India, LONGi, and JA Solar drive major projects; South Australia breaks wind record while Louisiana explores first utility-scale wind farms

• Coal India Limited Launches Tender For 1 GW Solar Project (TaiyangNews) - Coal India Limited launches tender for 1 GW solar power plant in Rajasthan as joint venture with RVUNL, requiring ALMM-compliant modules and 24-month completion timeline.

• China Installs Close To 60 GW Of New Solar In Q1 2025 (TaiyangNews) - China installed record 59.71 GW of solar capacity in Q1 2025, reaching 950 GW total as developers rush ahead of June pricing reforms.

• LONGi and Raystech Presented at the 2025 Solar & Storage Live Exhibition (TaiyangNews) - LONGi and Raystech showcase Hi-MO X6 Max solar module and new products at Solar & Storage Live exhibition, strengthening their Australian distribution partnership.

• LONGi maintains AAA ranking in Q1 2025 PV ModuleTech Bankability Ratings (TaiyangNews) - Chinese solar manufacturer LONGi maintains top AAA bankability rating for 21st consecutive quarter while achieving new efficiency records in silicon and tandem solar cells.

• JA Solar Delivers 1GW DeepBlue 4.0 Pro Modules for Landmark Desert PV Project in Inner Mongolia (TaiyangNews) - JA Solar begins delivery of 1GW high-efficiency solar modules for massive desert solar project in Inner Mongolia, combining power generation with ecological restoration.

• South Australia breaks wind output record for first time in two years as new projects boost capacity (RenewEconomy) - South Australia sets new wind power output record of 2,147 megawatts due to Goyder South project expansion and improved transmission capacity.

• How to Conquer Ground Mount Solar Design Challenges — Coming Webinar (CleanTechnica) - Upcoming webinar with PVcase expert Guy Atherton to address ground-mount solar design challenges and solutions for engineers and developers.

• Spain Will Host A Concentrating Solar Power Plant To Make Jet Fuel From Sunlight (CleanTechnica) - Swiss firm Synhelion to build commercial-scale solar thermal plant in Spain that converts concentrated sunlight into sustainable aviation fuel.

• Louisiana’s wind industry takes shape (Canary Media) - Louisiana sees first wave of utility-scale wind development with five proposed onshore projects, despite political opposition to wind energy.

Transport

Waymo gains ground on Uber in Austin, as SKYDRIVE reveals flying car prototype and new study pushes for electric trucks in underserved areas

• How Electrifying Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles Can Advance Environmental Justice and a Zero-Emission Future (IREC) - New report outlines how electrifying medium and heavy-duty vehicles can reduce pollution in disadvantaged communities while advancing zero-emission transportation goals.

• Autonomous transit out the a** (Keep Cool) - Autonomous vehicle company Waymo captures 20% of Austin's Uber rides in March 2024, leading US self-driving deployment ahead of Tesla's planned June robotaxi launch.

• SkyDrive、大阪・関西万博にて 空飛ぶクルマ「SKYDRIVE」のフルスケールモックを一般初公開 (SkyDrive) - Japanese company unveils full-scale mockup of three-passenger electric flying car "SKYDRIVE" for public viewing at Osaka-Kansai Expo 2025.