Science and Technology:
¶ “Did You Know That Soil Health Affects Human Health?” • The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is investigating links between human health and soil health. As it does, it is looking into how soil management practices providing healthy soils influence the nutritional content of foods and affect overall human health. [CleanTechnica]
Farm (Jan Kopřiva, Unsplash)
¶ “Experts Explain Link Between Wildfires And Climate Change” • This year, Canada has already had over 2,600 wildfires, and the season is just starting. Experts say the reason there are so many wildfires this year is that the changing climate is creating the conditions for fires to break out more easily, more frequently and more intensely. [CTV News]
World:
¶ “Switzerland Referendum: Voters Back Carbon Cuts As Glaciers Melt” • Voters in Switzerland backed a climate bill designed to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The law will require a move away from dependence on imported oil and gas towards the use of renewable sources. The green energy proposals were backed by 59.1% of voters. [BBC]
Train passing a Swiss glacier (Janita Top, Unsplash)
¶ “South African taps run dry after power shortages” • Private boreholes are being drilled across the wealthier neighbourhoods in South Africa’s economic heartland, where taps have been running dry. South Africa’s recent electricity woes – with regular lengthy scheduled blackouts – have had a knock-on effect on the supply of water. [BBC]
¶ “Cool BYD Electric Bus News From Europe” • BYD says there are 4,200 BYD eBuses either in operation or on order in Europe. They have covered 235 million kilometers, which is equivalent to reducing 250,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions. This is pretty cool, as electric buses are helping to get more people accessing electric mobility options. [CleanTechnica]
BYD B19 eBus (Image courtesy of BYD)
¶ “India To Be Self-Sufficient In Solar Modules By 2026” • In a challenge to China’s dominance of the PV market, India is set to have the capacity to manufacture 110 GW of solar panels by 2026, making it self-sufficient. After that, we may see India enter the PV export market. China’s PV market dominance makes many countries nervous. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “What Russians Do With ZNPP Is Nuclear Blackmail” • Russia continues its tactics of nuclear blackmail, both by using the occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, and by deploying Russian nuclear weapons in Belarus, a representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine said in an interview. [Ukrinform]
Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant (Energoatom via Energy.gov)
UK:
¶ “Labour To Introduce ‘Tough’ Offshore Wind Planning Targets” • The UK Labour Party plans to set “tough new targets” to reduce the time clean energy projects take in planning dramatically. It would streamline consenting for offshore wind, require local authorities to identify areas suitable for clean energy, and allow onshore wind development. [reNews]
¶ “Scotland Could Become ‘World Leader’ In Renewable Energy” • Scotland could become a world leader in renewable energy, an analysis shows. Researchers for the independent think tank Green Alliance mapped where future green industrial clusters might be sited for maximum benefit, and found Scotland to be in a strong position to develop them. [STV News]
Offshore wind farm (SSE image)
¶ “Rare Earth Magnet Recycling Firm Reaches Milestone” • Northern Ireland magnet rare earth recycling company Ionic Technologies has developed a process for producing high purity rare earth materials, suitable for high performance permanent magnets. The move could make it a significant producer of rare earth oxides for the UK. [reNews]
US:
¶ “Biden To Highlight Climate Commitments During West Coast Swing” • President Joe Biden will highlight climate commitments made by his administration and announce new federal funding for climate resilience projects as part of a three-day trip to the Bay Area in Northern California that begins June 19, according to a White House official. [CNN]
Golden Gate (Steven Lewis, Unsplash)
¶ “How Utility Companies Fight To Keep Their Monopoly Status Using YOUR Money” • Floodlight is a nonprofit investigative newsroom. It published a report claiming 25 investor-owned US utility companies funneled at least $215 million to dark money groups financing state legislators’ campaigns. The payoff has not benefitted ordinary people. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Charging Depot For 96 Electric Trucks Coming To Livermore, California” • The East Bay Community Energy board approved providing $4.5 million in financing to Forum Mobility, which develops zero-emission truck projects, to support development of an innovative electric truck charging depot in Livermore, California. [CleanTechnica]
Have a delightfully daffy day.
geoharvey 
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