Interview:
¶ “Climate Scientist Susan Solomon: ‘Let’s Not Give Up Now – We’re Right On The Cusp Of Success’” • MIT professor Susan Solomon is the author of three books, the latest of which, Solvable: How We Healed the Earth, and How We Can Do It Again, applies lessons from past environmental successes to the climate crisis. [The Guardian]
Susan Solomon in 2004 (NOAA, public domain)
World:
¶ “Indigenous Communities Are Increasingly Teaming Up With Scientists To Conserve Marine Ecosystems” • Scientists turn to Indigenous communities increasingly for marine conservation. Indigenous peoples make up only 6% of the global population, but they safeguarde 80% of the planet’s biodiversity, a report by The World Bank says. [ABC News]
¶ “In Mexican Heat Wave, Monkeys Are Still Dying And Birds Are Getting Air Conditioning” • A heat dome is still blocking clouds from forming, causing extensive sunshine and hot temperatures all across Mexico and into the US. Howler monkeys are falling out of the trees with heatstroke, and over 250 have probably died. Some birds have been rescued. [ABC News]
Howler monkey (Rafael Saldaña, CC-BY-SA 2.0, cropped)
¶ “Falling Sales? Global EV Sales Grow 25% In April!” • Global plugin vehicle registrations were up 25% in April 2024 compared to April 2023. There were 1.2 million registrations. Battery EVs were up by 14% YOY, while plugin hybrids jumped 51% YOY. In the end, plugins represented 18% share of the overall auto market (12% battery EV share alone). [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Hitachi Energy Pledges $4.5 Billion For The Electrification Movement” • Fossil energy stakeholder doom is clearer, as well-heeled legacy engineering firms jump into the electrification field. The latest is Hitachi Energy, with a 3-year, $4.5 billion pledge to accelerate essential elements of the net-zero economy of the future. [CleanTechnica]
Advanced EV charging station (Courtesy of Hitachi Energy)
¶ “Baku’s Renewable Push Gains Momentum With New Solar And Wind Projects” • Azerbaijan launched the country’s biggest renewable energy investment project to date: the construction of two solar plants and a wind power plant. It marks a major step in Baku’s ambitious plan to generate 30% of its power needs with renewable sources by 2030. [OilPrice.com]
¶ “World’s First In-Flight Study of Commercial Aircraft Using 100% Sustainable Aviation Fuel” • Results from the world’s first in-flight study of the impact of using 100% sustainable aviation fuel in both engines of a commercial aircraft show a reduction in soot particles and formation of contrail ice crystals compared to using conventional fuel. [CleanTechnica]
Airbus A350 and DLR Falcon (Airbus and S.Ramadier)
¶ “MSP’s Claim Of Support For Nuclear Power In Highlands Challenged” • An anti-nuclear campaigner hit out at a claim by Highland MSP Edward Mountain that people in the region want nuclear power. Tor Justad, chair of Highlands Against Nuclear Power, challenged the claim that a meeting’s support for nuclear reflected public opinion. [John O’Groat Journal]
US:
¶ “Renewable Energy Will Be The Predominant Power Source For Data Centers, Nextracker CEO Says” • The surging power needs of artificial intelligence and data centers will be primarily met with renewable energy and not fossil fuels, according to the CEO of Nextracker, a solar company. He cited the low cost and rapid deployment of solar power. [MSN]
Solar array (Nextracker image)
¶ “Follow in the Footsteps of Communities With Working Solar Deployment” • The Solar Energy Innovation Network is run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The SEIN program helps communities learn how to build from insights developed by a SEIN project team, based on blueprints already developed fully in similar places. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Agrivoltaic Solar Arrays Will Win The Rural Solar War, With Insects” • The war against solar power is erupting in rural areas across the US, but evidence increasingly supports agrivoltaics as an effective way to benefit crops and preserve insect populations, too. New York State has seen enough evidence to kickstart an agrivoltaic revolution. [CleanTechnica]
Tomatoes under solar panels (Asurnipal, CC-BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “USDOT Finalizes New Fuel Economy Standards for Model Years 2027–2031” • The US DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued new fuel economy standards that will save Americans over $23 billion in fuel costs while reducing pollution. Light vehicles should reach 50.4 miles per gallon by model year 2031. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Over 300,000 Alaska Residents May See 10%-20% Savings On Energy Bills” • The Alaska legislature approved a bipartisan bill that will bring affordable, nonpolluting energy to thousands of renters and low-income residents. Senate Bill 152 is expected to make community solar power available to over 339,000 Alaskans below the federal poverty line. [The Cool Down]
Have an impressively pensive day.
geoharvey 