World:
¶ “BYD Dolphin Mini, The Car The US Will Never Have, Secures World Urban Car Award” • BYD is the first Chinese automaker to clinch a prestigious World Car Award. The Seagull’s autonomous driving version now has a starting price of 69,800 yuan (about $9,540) before subsidies. Given Trump policies, it will not be sold in the US. [CleanTechnica]
BYD Seagull, aka Dolphin Mini (Courtesy of BYD)
¶ “From Darkness To Light: Iberia’s Rapid Grid Recovery Is Explained” • On April 28, 2025, the Iberian Peninsula went into a significant and sudden blackout, plunging large portions of Spain and Portugal into darkness. The cause is not yet known, but the power has been largely restored fairly quickly. It is worth taking a look at why that could be done. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “In 2024, 11 GW Of Offshore Wind Added” • World Forum Offshore Wind figures show that 31 new offshore wind farms with a total capacity of 11 GW were taken into operation in 2024. This increased global offshore wind capacity to a total of 78.5 GW, according to the Global Offshore Wind Report for 2024. China continues to lead the sector. [reNews]
Offshore wind farm (Mark Timberlake, Unsplash)
¶ “Nuclear Waste And Schools Don’t Mix: Parents Want Answers On Radioactive Waste Transport Routes” • The advocacy group Parents for Climate wants to know how the risks of nuclear waste being transported past schools and child care centers will be managed by Peter Dutton if nuclear reactors proposed by the Coalition are built. [medianet.com.au]
UK:
¶ “Government Not Taking Climate Seriously – Advisers” • The government has made very little progress in preparing the UK for the threats posed by rising temperatures since coming to power, a highly critical report from the independent Climate Change Committee says. Progress is “either too slow, has stalled, or is heading in the wrong direction.” [BBC]
Rural England (Scott Evans, Unsplash)
¶ “Lowest Rainfall In 90 Years As Temperatures Set To Soar” • As Yorkshire prepares for what may be the hottest day of the year so far, records show the region has endured its driest combined February, March and April for almost 90 years. Just 78 mm (3 in) of rainfall fell at Sheffield’s Weston Park weather station since the start of February, the least since 1938. [BBC]
¶ “Leonardo, Conrad Energy Ink 20-year PPA” • Helicopter manufacturer Leonardo has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Conrad Energy in the UK. Under the agreement, Leonardo’s site in Yeovil will receive 100% green energy from the 11.25-MW Camp Road solar farm, which will generate enough energy to power about 6500 homes. [reNews]
Leonardo helicopter (Fas Khan, Unsplash)
US:
¶ “The Biggest ‘Anti-Environment’ Policies Enacted In Trump’s First 100 Days” • President Donald Trump has enacted a large number of policies that could harm the environment and foil goals for emissions reductions during his first 100 days in office, environmental policy experts say. On the first day in office, he set a record by signing 54 executive orders. [ABC News]
¶ “Coal Miners Speak Out As Trump Strips Away Their Health Protections” • As President Donald Trump vows to reinvigorate America’s coal industry, critics say his administration stripped away key protections for the miners. In his first 100 days, his administration decimated the federal institute that protects them from such things as black lung disease. [ABC News]
Coal mining machine (Alpha Perspective, Unsplash)
¶ “How The Trump Administration May Be ‘Attacking’ Science” • The first 100 days of President Trump’s second term were filled with mass firings, cancellations of research grants, university funding cuts, and questions over what should be studied. Many doctors and public health specialists view these actions as an “attack” on science. [ABC News]
¶ “US Imports Of Major Transportation Fuels Decreased In 2024” • US imports of petroleum products decreased by 210,000 barrels per day in 2024 to average 1.8 million barrels per day. Imports of all major transportation fuels, such as motor gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, decreased. Other petroleum products, such as unfinished oils, also decreased. [CleanTechnica]
Imports, 2014 to 2024 (EIA image)
¶ “Government Dismisses Everyone Working On The National Climate Assessment” • If we had any doubts about who is in control of the US government, they were all erased on April 28, 2025 when every person working on the next National Climate Assessment due in 2028 got an email saying that all contributors were being dismissed. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Community Solar Could Spark $120 Billion In US Economic Growth” • A study by the Coalition for Community Solar Access says that one 5-MW project generates about $14 million in local economic activity and supports close to 100 jobs. Scale that up to 1 GW, and you’re looking at 18,000 jobs and nearly $2.8 billion flowing into state economies. [CleanTechnica]
Solar array (Raphael Cruz, Unsplash)
¶ “Corning Increases Investment In Manufacturing Facility To Meet Solar-Component Demand” • Corning Incorporated is accelerating its advanced manufacturing operations in Saginaw County to meet demand for solar components made in the US. Corning is increasing its new manufacturing facility investment to $1.5 billion. [WNEM]
¶ “Empire Wind Halt ‘Unlawful'” • The head of Equinor has described the US government’s order to halt work on the Empire Wind offshore wind farm as “unlawful.” Anders Opedal said: “We have invested in Empire Wind after obtaining all necessary approvals, and the order to halt work now is unprecedented and in our view unlawful. [reNews]
Have a sweetly scented day.
geoharvey 