Science and Technology:
¶ “Yes, climate change can supercharge a winter storm. Here’s how” • Research suggests that the jet stream has been weakening of late, making it wobblier. That be caused by a warming climate and could increase the likelihood of weather like we are going through now. This remains a matter of active research among climate and weather scientists. [Grist]
Winter storm (Marc-André Paradis, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “It Sounds Like It’s From “Avatar,” But It’s Real: Electricity Is Coming From Living Cells” • We are in a world where electricity can come but from life instead of metal and wires. As strange as it sounds, scientists are showing that electricity can be generated from living cells, using sunlight and processes nature has relied on for millions of years. [Energies Media]
World:
¶ “Green Electricity: Which EU Countries Are Using The Most?” • Total use from renewable sources across the European Union has nearly reached 50%. According to Eurostat, Austria placed first with nearly a 90% green electricity use rate, boosted by its 16 hydroelectric power plants. (Norway would place higher, but it is not an EU member – GHH.) [Euronews]
Innsbruck (Saadnoor salehin, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Budget Airline Exec Calls Out Trump Enabler Elon Musk” • A simple business decision by Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary grew into an online shouting match with Elon Musk, culminating in a live interview in which O’Leary reminded everyone of Musk’s support for President Trump. He also called Musk an “idiot,” and, maybe he’s got something there. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Egypt Picks Up Solar Power Banner Dropped By US President Donald Trump” • Everyone is noticing that China and India are leapfrogging ahead in the global renewable energy race while the US lags behind. Now here comes Egypt too. Sun-soaked Egypt has made some big moves in the direction of solar power, and other renewables too. [CleanTechnica]
Solar power in Egypt (Courtesy of Elite Solar)
¶ “China’s Wind Power Reality, Beyond Trump’s Claims” • US President Donald Trump claimed at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that China avoids using wind power domestically despite being the world’s largest turbine maker. But the truth is that the installed renewable in China leaves the rest of the world behind. [CGTN]
¶ “From The Gobi To The Sea, Wind Power Is A Cornerstone Of China’s Energy Green Transition” • China is the undisputed global powerhouse in wind energy. For fifteen years, China has ranked first worldwide in installed wind power capacity. In November 2025, its installed wind capacity exceeded 600 GW, far exceeding that of any other nation. [Xinhua]
Wind turbines in China (Ismoon, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped)
¶ “Moscow Wants Ukraine And Russia To Share Electricity Output From Zaporizhzhia Power Plant” • Politico reports that US officials indicated a significant part of the talks this week has focused on the economy and on who controls the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is currently occupied by the Russian forces. [Ukrainska Pravda]
US:
¶ “Gas Explosion And Fire On Top Floors Of NYC Apartment Building Kill One, Injure Fourteen” • A gas explosion sent fire racing through the top floors of a high-rise apartment building in New York City, killing one person while injuring fourteen others as temperatures plunged into the single digits overnight, authorities said. [ABC News]
New York City (Mike C Valdivia, Unsplash, cropped)
¶ “Judge Protects Billions For Reliable EV Charging; Cleaner Air, And Lower Driving Costs Across The Country” • A US District Court Judge entered final judgment in State of Washington v US Department of Transportation, which challenges the current regime’s unlawful freeze of the NEVI Formula Program. It was a complete victory for plaintiffs. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Arkansas PSC Opens Door For Higher Electricity Bills ” • The Arkansas Public Service Commission approved a move to raise customers’ electricity costs in much of Northwest Arkansas. Now the utility, SWEPCO, will increase bills by 23% at current fuel costs, in part to help prop up the old, dirty, and expensive Flint Creek coal plant. [CleanTechnica]
Bentonville, Arkansas (Alfredo Carrillo, CC BY-SA 2.0)
¶ “Sierra Club FOIAs Have Uncovered Oil & Gas Handouts, Canceled Grants, And More ” • As the Trump Administration spent the last year decimating environmental regulations and agencies, the Sierra Club has released thousands of documents that showcase the influence and preferential treatment of the oil, gas, and petrochemical industries. [CleanTechnica]
¶ “Up To 500,000 Sun-Tracking Panels To Power 40,000 Homes: Michigan’s Muskegon Solar Plant Begins Operations” • When people think of Michigan, solar energy is rarely the first thing that comes to mind. The state is better known for cars than clean power. But that image is starting to change, with a major solar project in Muskegon County. [Energies Media]
Have a captivatingly sensible day.
geoharvey 