World:
¶ “We’ve Neglected The Power Of Carbon-Sucking Fungi. Meet The Scientist Determined To Change That” • An “invisible” key to tackling the climate crisis was highlighted when biologist Dr Toby Kiers won a Tyler Prize. She said mycorrhizal fungi draw down “13 billion tons of CO₂ into soil systems every year – that’s a third of emissions from fossil fuels.” [Euronews]
Dr Toby Kiers (Peter Valckx, CC BY-SA 4.0)
¶ “World Warming Faster Than Forecast ” • A report from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries and the University of Exeter warns that global temperatures are accelerating faster than had previously been predicted. It means that without immediate measures, the Earth is likely to reach 2℃ above pre-industrial levels before 2050. [Euronews]
¶ “Shrinking Forests Are Giving Mosquitoes A Greater Taste For Human Blood, Study Suggests” • As forests shrink and wildlife disappears, mosquitoes are increasingly turning to people for blood meals, a shift that raises real concerns about the potential spread of diseases that affect humans, according to a study that was published in the journal Frontiers. [ABC News]
Mosquito (Satheesh Sankaran, Unsplash)
¶ “Volkswagen ID. Models Grew 49.1% In Europe In 2025” • EV sales growth was strong in Europe for Volkswagen last year, in its home market of Germany, especially. It may not be coincidence that Tesla sales plummeted in Europe, especially Germany, at the same time. However, Volkswagen’s EV sales were actually very slightly down globally. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Coal-Powered Thermal Generation Declines In China And India, But Surges In US” • Carbon Brief reports that the use of coal to generate electricity fell in both China and India in 2025. It is the first simultaneous reduction annual use of coal. Use of coal for generating electricity fell in India by 3% year-on-year and in China by 1.6%. [CleanTechnica]
Coal-burning power plant (Billy Joachim, Unsplash)
¶ “Envision Completes 240-MW Wind Project In Azerbaijan” • Envision Energy announced full commercial operation of the 240-MW Khizi–Absheron wind project in Azerbaijan. President Ilham Aliyev attended the commissioning ceremony, Envision said, and it highlighted the project’s strategic importance to the country’s energy transition. [reNews]
¶ “Record Permit Approvals Lift German Onshore Wind” • In Germany, a record 3310 onshore wind permits totaling 21 GW were issued in 2025, as expansion strengthens. The German Wind Energy Association and VDMA Power Systems said gross additions reached 958 turbines, or 5.2 GW, which lifted total installed capacity to about 68 GW. [reNews]
Wind turbines (Image by BWE and VDMA)
¶ “From Oil To Photovoltaics: The Middle East Is Becoming A Global Solar Manufacturing Hub” • The Middle East is at the heart of the energy world. Its energy sector powers industries and drives exports. Today, as nations move away from fossil fuels, the Middle East region is also making notable progress in solar manufacturing. [Saur Energy]
¶ “EIB Backs 274-MW Wind Build In Portugal” • The European Investment Bank signed a €175 million green loan with Iberdrola to build and operate two wind farms to total 274 MW in northern Portugal. Iberdrola said the project will integrate with facilities in its Tâmega pumped storage hydropower complex and provide clean energy to 400,000 people. [reNews]
Wind turbine (Iberdrola image)
¶ “CEAT Partners With CleanMax For 59-MW Hybrid Wind-Solar Projects For Captive Use” • CEAT, a leading Indian tire maker, partnered with CleanMax Enviro Energy Solutions Ltd to develop 59 MW of hybrid wind-solar projects to supply itself with energy. The projects will supply clean power to facilities in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. [pv magazine India]
US:
¶ “The Coal-Killing Combo Of Hydropower And Battery Energy Storage Systems, Brought To You By President Trump” • Trump has given hydropower presidentially preferred treatment along with coal and other fossil fuels. Now, a DOE report outlines the economic benefits of adding battery energy storage systems to hydropower facilities. [CleanTechnica]
Hydropower (Courtesy of PNNL via email to CleanTechnica)
¶ “New York Governor Opens Pathway for Robotaxis … Except in NYC” • New York Governor Kathy Hochul is reportedly working on legislation to open the pathway for robotaxis across New York. That is, everywhere except New York City. We could guess that the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission will oppose the idea for quite a while. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Clean energy Is Still Booming In The US Despite Trump’s Best Efforts” • A year after President Trump took office, clean energy is still growing in the US. In 2025, nearly all new grid power came from solar, wind, and batteries. In September, for example, solar made up 98% of new capacity. And projects are still cominge from renewables. [Fast Company]
USA from space (NASA, Unsplash)
¶ “NewYork GreenCloud Acquires Buena Vista Biomass Power Facility to Launch First Carbon-Negative AI Factory” • NewYork GreenCloud announced that it acquired the Buena Vista Biomass Power facility in California. It will be NYGC’s first large carbon-negative AI Factory, combining biomass-to-pyrolysis energy and behind-the-meter, liquid-cooled AI. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “New York Governor Hochul Expands Nuclear Aspirations To 8-GW fleet” • New York will target development of 5 GW of new nuclear power, vastly expanding on a 1-GW goal set last June, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Tuesday in her State of the State address. Hochul’s speech was short on details regarding her nuclear aspirations. [Utility Dive]
Have a reasonably enchanting day.
geoharvey 