Opinion:
¶ “Legacy Automakers Downplay The Value Of EVs While They Play Catch-Up” • As the dominance of combustion-powered vehicles wanes, legacy automakers are negotiating an existential transition. After all, they’ve spent decades in ICE production. But they need to pivot , and adapting quickly is crucial. Yet many car makers question the need. [CleanTechnica]
Ferrari (Jeff W, Unsplash)
¶ “Will Earth Hit A Climate ‘Tipping Point?’ Here’s Why Experts Say This Framework Is Problematic” • People talk about tipping points, but experts say even the concept of a tipping point is misleading. One scientist, James Hansen, who played a key early role in raising climate change awareness, describes the phrase as “greatly overused and misused.” [Salon.com]
Science and Technology:
¶ “NIO And CATL Partnership An Interesting Battery Evolution” • So many improvements in batteries are focused on two things: more range and faster charging. NIO has a unique focus on battery swapping, so it benefits from batteries that lose capacity slowly and last longer. So NIO partnered with CATL to develop longer-lasting batteries. [CleanTechnica]
Nio House (bfishadow, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
World:
¶ “Amid Fierce Competition In China’s EV Market, Xpeng To Launch Cheaper Brand” • Chinese EV maker Xpeng said it plans to launch a cheaper brand, is a highly competitive segment amid intense price competition in the industry. Its models are to be launched within the next month, at prices between 100,000 and 150,000 yuan ($14,000 to $21,000). [CNN]
¶ “South Sudan Shutters All Schools As It Prepares For An Extreme Heat Wave” • South Sudan is closing all schools in preparation for an extreme heat wave expected to last two weeks. Temperatures are expected to soar to 45°C (113°F). South Sudan is especially vulnerable to climate change with heat waves common but rarely exceeding 40°C (104°F). [ABC News]
South Sudan (Jura Bakx, Unsplash)
¶ “Ecolab Achieves 100% Renewable Electricity In Europe With The Completion Of Windfarm Development Project” • Ecolab Inc, is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention systems and services that protect lives. It announced that it is sourcing of enough clean electricity from Low Carbon to power 100% of its European operations. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “TotalEnergies Reaches 1.5-GW PPA Milestone” • TotalEnergies reached over 1500 MW of signed renewable PPAs with over 600 industrial and commercial customers worldwide. Of this 1.5 GW, 1.1 GW is already operating, generating 1.5 TWh of electricity per year, while 400 MW will be commissioned by year-end, the oil and gas giant said. [reNews]
Solar farm (TotalEnergies image)
India:
¶ “Delhi Government To Equip 645 Buildings With Rooftop Solar Plants” • In a move towards renewable energy adoption, the Delhi government, partnering with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, is set to outfit 645 government buildings with rooftop solar systems. This initiative is projected to increase the city’s solar PV capacity by 50 MW. [Construction World]
¶ “India’s Energy Subsidies Hit 9-Year Peak” • In India, energy subsidies have surged to a nine-year peak, reaching $39.3 billion, amidst the ongoing global crisis. This shows the government’s efforts to cushion the impact of rising energy costs on consumers and industries, while supporting the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy. [Construction World]
Rooftop solar panels (Michael Wilson, Unsplash)
¶ “Adani Group To Invest 70% Of Total Investments In Green Energy” • The Adani Group is likely to put over 70% of its total investments towards green energy, including renewable power, green hydrogen, and transmission lines, sources said. It plans to invest $14 billion (₹1.2 lakh crore) in the 2024-25 financial year in energy infrastructure. [India TV News]
US:
¶ “Fossil Fuels Broke The Environment. Who Should Pay To Fix It?” • In his latest blog post on Substack, Bill McKibben wrote that the Vermont legislature is working on an idea that would require companies that produce and distribute fossil fuels to pay for the environmental damage they have caused. (Some people want to make them criminally liable.) [CleanTechnica]
Flooded Montpelier (Vermont Agency of Agriculture via YouTube)
¶ “Renewable Energy Projects Near Rosamond Would Generate 1,700 Construction Jobs” • The eastern part of California’s Kern County would have three large renewable installations added to its renewable energy portfolio, for over 1,700 construction jobs by the end of this year, if the county Board of Supervisors approves them. [Bakersfield.com]
¶ “US Revives Forgotten Uranium Mines To Replace Russian Supplies” • As uranium supplies from Russia fall under the shadow of potential sanctions, and while Ukraine’s allies look to wean themselves off nuclear fuel produced by the Russian corporation Rosatom, owners of left-for-dead mines in the US are looking to revive them. [Bellona.org]
Have a creatively inspired day.
geoharvey 