Climate Desk
@climatedesk.org
A collaboration of more than a dozen news organizations dedicated to exploring the human, environmental, economic, and political impacts of our changing climate, and sharing our work with a wide audience.
Find us at: ClimateDesk.org
Find us at: ClimateDesk.org
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Climate Desk
@climatedesk.org
· Sep 18
This Sunday, we are launching “Climate Desk Weekly.” This free dispatch will act as Mother Jones' Sunday newsletter and share the week’s need-to-know climate news right in your inbox from our collaboration of 15 award-winning media outlets.
Sign up at: www.motherjones.com/newsletters/
Sign up at: www.motherjones.com/newsletters/
Reposted by Climate Desk
This week’s winter storm put fossil fuels, renewables, and the power grid itself to the test. Here’s what we learned.
What Winter Storm Fern revealed about the grid
Fossil fuels, renewables, and the power grid itself all struggled through the ice and cold — but overall, the system weathered the storm.
www.canarymedia.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:51 PM
This week’s winter storm put fossil fuels, renewables, and the power grid itself to the test. Here’s what we learned.
Reposted by Climate Desk
Two decades ago, the European Union got basically none of its power from wind and solar. Now, those are its leading sources of electricity.
Chart: In the EU, wind and solar surpass fossil fuels for first time
The watershed moment comes as the region looks to prioritize clean, domestic energy sources over dirty coal or imported natural gas.
www.canarymedia.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Two decades ago, the European Union got basically none of its power from wind and solar. Now, those are its leading sources of electricity.
Reposted by Climate Desk
Arizona's utilities and regulators are doubling down on fossil fuels as the federal government rolls back major clean energy investments.
That's leading to higher costs for consumers and increasingly dangerous situations, experts tell me.
My latest:
insideclimatenews.org/news/3001202...
That's leading to higher costs for consumers and increasingly dangerous situations, experts tell me.
My latest:
insideclimatenews.org/news/3001202...
In Arizona, Utilities and State Regulators Double Down on Fossil Fuels and Higher Costs Despite Residents' Opposition - Inside Climate News
The Trump administration has terminated billions in clean-energy funding, while the state’s utilities commission is proposing to rescind energy-efficiency and renewables standards, as Arizona’s bigges...
insideclimatenews.org
January 30, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Arizona's utilities and regulators are doubling down on fossil fuels as the federal government rolls back major clean energy investments.
That's leading to higher costs for consumers and increasingly dangerous situations, experts tell me.
My latest:
insideclimatenews.org/news/3001202...
That's leading to higher costs for consumers and increasingly dangerous situations, experts tell me.
My latest:
insideclimatenews.org/news/3001202...
Reposted by Climate Desk
Decades of mismanaged water resources and worsening air pollution have compounded daily struggles and contributed to broader discontent in Iran’s anti-government protests. Originally published by @insideclimatenews.org
Deepening Environmental Crises Are Fueling Protests in Iran
Iran has experienced decades of water depletion, dam building, and repression of scientists by a brutal regime.
f.mtr.cool
January 30, 2026 at 5:03 PM
Decades of mismanaged water resources and worsening air pollution have compounded daily struggles and contributed to broader discontent in Iran’s anti-government protests. Originally published by @insideclimatenews.org
Reposted by Climate Desk
Pierre Poilievre will almost certainly survive the leadership vote being held today. But as a series of recent polls show, he remains the most unpopular leader in Canadian politics — and maybe Canadian political history. How long can he last? #cdnpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/30/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/30/o...
Pierre Poilievre’s troubles have only just begun
The Conservative Party of Canada leader will almost certainly survive Friday's leadership vote. Whether he makes it to the next election, never mind actually winning it, is another matter entirely.
www.nationalobserver.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Pierre Poilievre will almost certainly survive the leadership vote being held today. But as a series of recent polls show, he remains the most unpopular leader in Canadian politics — and maybe Canadian political history. How long can he last? #cdnpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/30/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2026/01/30/o...
Reposted by Climate Desk
Tesla is rededicating itself to rooftop solar with a new panel it’ll make at its Buffalo, New York, factory.
Tesla launches its own solar panel as its EV business falters
Will its latest design, being built in Buffalo, New York, buck the downturn in rooftop solar — and Tesla auto sales?
www.canarymedia.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Tesla is rededicating itself to rooftop solar with a new panel it’ll make at its Buffalo, New York, factory.
Reposted by Climate Desk
Reposted by Climate Desk
US leads record global surge in gas-fired power driven by AI demands, with big costs for the climate
@globalenergymon.bsky.social
#climatecrisis
Story by @olliemilman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@globalenergymon.bsky.social
#climatecrisis
Story by @olliemilman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
US leads record global surge in gas-fired power driven by AI demands, with big costs for the climate
Projects in development expected to grow global capacity by nearly 50% amid growing concern over impact on planet
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:18 PM
US leads record global surge in gas-fired power driven by AI demands, with big costs for the climate
@globalenergymon.bsky.social
#climatecrisis
Story by @olliemilman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
@globalenergymon.bsky.social
#climatecrisis
Story by @olliemilman.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Climate Desk
Despite everything, energy transition investment grew in 2025. I spoke with @gwagner.com and @femkenijsse.bsky.social about the findings, which come from a BloombergNEF annual report:
insideclimatenews.org/news/2901202...
#energysky
insideclimatenews.org/news/2901202...
#energysky
Global Energy Transition Investment Grew in 2025 Despite Major Obstacles; Here Are the Numbers - Inside Climate News
Clean transportation led the way while renewable energy spending decreased.
insideclimatenews.org
January 30, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Despite everything, energy transition investment grew in 2025. I spoke with @gwagner.com and @femkenijsse.bsky.social about the findings, which come from a BloombergNEF annual report:
insideclimatenews.org/news/2901202...
#energysky
insideclimatenews.org/news/2901202...
#energysky
Reposted by Climate Desk
Government risk maps are too coarse for the way wildfire works now. But new tools powered by AI are giving us a clearer picture.
@umairfan.bsky.social for @vox.com: www.vox.com/climate/4769...
@umairfan.bsky.social for @vox.com: www.vox.com/climate/4769...
America’s wildfire risk data quietly puts millions of homes in danger
Federal models keep missing homes that burn. A new AI tool zooms in.
www.vox.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Government risk maps are too coarse for the way wildfire works now. But new tools powered by AI are giving us a clearer picture.
@umairfan.bsky.social for @vox.com: www.vox.com/climate/4769...
@umairfan.bsky.social for @vox.com: www.vox.com/climate/4769...
Reposted by Climate Desk
Trump’s EPA protects big business, not people or the environment, critics say [via @theguardian.com]
Trump’s EPA protects big business, not people or the environment, critics say
Verdict for the administration's first year: "shameful."
www.motherjones.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Trump’s EPA protects big business, not people or the environment, critics say [via @theguardian.com]
Reposted by Climate Desk
Australia’s grid now relies on renewable energy as much as coal. Those who doubted it look foolish
Australia’s grid now relies on renewable energy as much as coal. Those who doubted it look foolish
Solar met the majority of electricity demand between 9am and 6pm in the past week as much of the country cranked air conditioners
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Australia’s grid now relies on renewable energy as much as coal. Those who doubted it look foolish
Reposted by Climate Desk
Day and night, there’s no relief: five ways this heatwave is one of Australia’s worst on record
Day and night, there’s no relief: five ways this heatwave is one of Australia’s worst on record
Soaring temperatures, heat at altitude and hot summer nights combine to create one of south-eastern Australia’s ‘most significant’ heatwaves
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 2:04 PM
Day and night, there’s no relief: five ways this heatwave is one of Australia’s worst on record
Reposted by Climate Desk
The Problem with Plastic explores research showing plastic pollution affects wildlife and human health alike, and questions systems that allow plastic production to expand despite mounting risks.
Book Review: Confronting the Bane of Plastic Pollution
"The Problem With Plastic" is both a call to arms and a thorough look at the far-reaching effects of plastic production.
f.mtr.cool
January 30, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The Problem with Plastic explores research showing plastic pollution affects wildlife and human health alike, and questions systems that allow plastic production to expand despite mounting risks.
Reposted by Climate Desk
A rare desert plant is flourishing at a solar farm near Las Vegas, new research finds.
The study is the latest to show how, under the right circumstances, solar arrays can be a boon to nature. via @grist.org
The study is the latest to show how, under the right circumstances, solar arrays can be a boon to nature. via @grist.org
Mojave Solar Farm a Haven for Rare Desert Plant
e360.yale.edu
January 30, 2026 at 1:57 PM
A rare desert plant is flourishing at a solar farm near Las Vegas, new research finds.
The study is the latest to show how, under the right circumstances, solar arrays can be a boon to nature. via @grist.org
The study is the latest to show how, under the right circumstances, solar arrays can be a boon to nature. via @grist.org
Reposted by Climate Desk
Wisconsin’s top utility has a first-of-its-kind plan to ensure customers don’t shoulder data center power costs — but environmental and consumer advocates don’t love it.
Wisconsin debates how to pay for the power-hungry AI boom
Regulators mull the first big utility plan to provide electricity to data centers flocking to the state, igniting disputes over consumer protection and…
www.canarymedia.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Wisconsin’s top utility has a first-of-its-kind plan to ensure customers don’t shoulder data center power costs — but environmental and consumer advocates don’t love it.
Reposted by Climate Desk
How Trump’s EPA rollbacks could harm our air and water – and worsen global heating
How Trump’s EPA rollbacks could harm our air and water – and worsen global heating
Experts say administration has launched ‘war on all fronts’ to undo environmental rules – here are the key areas at risk
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 1:01 PM
How Trump’s EPA rollbacks could harm our air and water – and worsen global heating
Reposted by Climate Desk
For years, people from CEOs to novelists have taken tiny amounts of psychedelics to support well-being. New research shows that benefits for depression may be attributable to a placebo effect. www.wired.com/story/microd...
Microdosing for Depression Appears to Work About as Well as Drinking Coffee
For years, people from CEOs to novelists have taken tiny amounts of psychedelics to support well-being. New research shows that benefits for depression may be attributable to a placebo effect.
www.wired.com
January 30, 2026 at 11:02 AM
For years, people from CEOs to novelists have taken tiny amounts of psychedelics to support well-being. New research shows that benefits for depression may be attributable to a placebo effect. www.wired.com/story/microd...
Reposted by Climate Desk
This illustrated geologic timescale of Earth focuses on the landscapes, flora and fauna of the West, drilling into the region’s deep history.
See the West’s rich geologic past - High Country News
This illustrated geologic timescale of Earth focuses on the landscapes, flora and fauna of the West, drilling into the region’s deep history.
buff.ly
January 30, 2026 at 9:02 AM
This illustrated geologic timescale of Earth focuses on the landscapes, flora and fauna of the West, drilling into the region’s deep history.
Reposted by Climate Desk
Cut blackthorn hedges less often = boost brown hairstreak butterflies. Really simple, cost-free (or even money-saving) measures can massively benefit wildlife. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs were recorded in hedgerows near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Cut blackthorn hedges less often = boost brown hairstreak butterflies. Really simple, cost-free (or even money-saving) measures can massively benefit wildlife. www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Climate Desk
Week in wildlife: a rescued owl, a brave blackbird and Fukushima boar babies
Week in wildlife: a rescued owl, a brave blackbird and Fukushima boar babies
This week’s best wildlife photographs from around the world
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:04 AM
Week in wildlife: a rescued owl, a brave blackbird and Fukushima boar babies
Reposted by Climate Desk
Homes with air source heat pumps or solar panels for sale in England – in pictures
Homes with air source heat pumps or solar panels for sale in England – in pictures
From a renovated Victorian village house in Hampshire to a new-build apartment in south London
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 7:01 AM
Homes with air source heat pumps or solar panels for sale in England – in pictures
Reposted by Climate Desk
As of today, 25 out of 50 US states have introduced plug-in solar legislation.
January 30, 2026 at 6:42 AM
As of today, 25 out of 50 US states have introduced plug-in solar legislation.
Reposted by Climate Desk
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
More than 300 brown hairstreak butterfly eggs were recorded in hedgerows near Llandeilo this winter after decade of decline
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:03 AM
Rare butterflies bounce back after landowners in Wales cut back on flailing hedges
Reposted by Climate Desk
Country diary: Bit by bit, bird by bird, our wildlife is waking up | Josie George
Country diary: Bit by bit, bird by bird, our wildlife is waking up | Josie George
Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire: No finches yet and only a single thrush, but tuning into January’s sounds has revealed that nature is beginning to stir
www.theguardian.com
January 30, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Country diary: Bit by bit, bird by bird, our wildlife is waking up | Josie George