Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · 2d

Why did a space startup's plan to accelerate the energy transition get astronomers worked up? My latest for @bloomberg.com

www.bloomberg.com/news/article... #solarenergy #spacetech #climatetech

Plan to Reflect Sunlight to Power Solar Panels at Night Upsets Astronomers

Reflect Orbital aims to launch its first of a planned 4,000 satellites into orbit next year. Scientists worry that it would be “ruinous” for research.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Emma Court @emmarcourt.bsky.social · 27d

What does “safe” really mean after a wildfire? You might first think of the homes that have been destroyed, but there’s another category of victims that doesn’t often get much attention. Months after the LA fires, they're still trying to get answers.

For @bloomberg.com (+ my first Bluesky post!):

When Is Your Home Safe After Wildfire Smoke? LA Researchers Have Some Answers

Smoke from the Los Angeles fires spread toxins across thousands of homes, but in the absence of government guidelines, residents say they’re struggling to clean up.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · 28d

This new study aims to provide more scientific evidence for those seeking #climate #justice as a rapidly warming planet unleashes more #heatwaves. My latest with @eroston.bsky.social for @bloomberg.com Gift link:

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

#climatescience

Scientists Link Major Carbon Emitters to Worsening Heat Waves

Emissions from the world’s largest fossil fuel and cement companies play a significant role in extreme weather events, according to a new study.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · Aug 29

The awkward reality is that nobody knows anymore whether FEMA as it currently exists will be around by the end of the year. But there’s another elephant in the room: The agency was breaking long before Trump.

Tag-team w/@leslieatlarge.bsky.social‬. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

The US Disaster Agency Was Breaking Long Before Trump

To fulfill its mission, the Federal Emergency Management Agency needs investment in the kind of work that voters rarely see.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Olivia Rudgard @oliviarudgard.bsky.social · Aug 29

New: Some of the world's best chefs are switching to induction for reasons that are nothing to do with climate and everything to do with how they run their professional kitchens. Featuring some (hopefully) mouthwatering dish descriptions - I'm no food critic but I did my best!

Gift link:

With Induction Stoves, Chefs Discover a Foolproof Path to Perfection

From Michelin kitchens to home wok burners, induction delivers consistency that gas can’t match.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Sep 2

Glaciers in Central Asia have long managed to withstand rising temperatures and changing weather patterns. But now, the outlook is worsening. My latest for @bloomberg.com

www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Even the Most-Resilient Glaciers Are Falling Victim to Climate Change

Researchers studying the health of glaciers say that one in Tajikistan likely reached its tipping point in 2018.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Aug 28

NEW: US battery makers will likely face a major surplus in manufacturing capacity by 2030, per BloombergNEF's latest forecast, as the Trump administration's policy changes suppress demand. Read on for free via @bloomberg.com (🎁🔗 valid for 7️⃣ days) www.bloomberg.com/news/article... #batteries

US Manufacturers Will Produce More Batteries Than the Country Needs

Trump administration policies will curtail EV demand, upending the US battery market, according to BloombergNEF.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Lauren Rosenthal @laurenthal.bsky.social · Aug 27

Summer commutes in NYC can be miserable - 108F on the platform at City Hall w/ humidity. But New Yorkers are lucky compared to London, where subway cars lack AC + get hotter than city streets.

With reporting from 3 continents: (free link) www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

Paris, New York Commuters Keep Their Cool As Londoners Sweat

A look at transportation systems across five global financial centers shows sweaty commuters in the UK capital have a right to feel jealous of some other cities.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Brian Kahn @blkahn.bsky.social · Aug 25

NEW: An anti-offshore wind group is targeting a Brown researcher who studies climate obstruction. It's not the first time they've done it, but there's a new twist: They're threatening to go to the Trump administration unless the university retracts the work

Offshore Wind Opponents Target Work of Brown University Researcher

The group asked for the retraction of work led by Timmons Roberts and said it is preparing to escalate the matter to the Trump administration.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Aug 26

Extreme heat is taking a toll on the US’s aging bridges. Here comes the "bridge doctors" who enlist AI and automation to detect hidden dangers before it's too late. My latest for @bloomberg.com (read on for free for 7 days) www.bloomberg.com/news/feature... #infrastructureresilience #climatetech

Are Bridges Near You Safe? This MRI-Like Scan May Prevent Disaster

Extreme heat is taking a toll on the US’s aging bridges. These researchers are enlisting AI and automation to perform drive-through inspections.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Aug 11

The US-China tariff truce fast approaches its current deadline of Aug. 12. President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, if imposed, would bleed Chinese exporters. They would also deal a fresh blow to an already troubled US climate tech industry, experts say. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump's Trade War With China Threatens These Key Green Technologies

Batteries and products that rely on rare earth minerals are among the most at-risk if the trade war escalates.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Jul 23

Steel production emits more CO2 than shipping and aviation combined, but decarbonizing it remains a huge challenge. A Bill Gates and Vinod Khosla-backed #startup says it’s ready to showcase a novel approach and scale up even as rivals face setbacks. 🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article... #greensteel

Startup Claims Its Green Steel Will Be Cheaper Than Regular Steel

A Bill Gates and Vinod Khosla-backed steelmaker says it’s ready to ramp up even as rivals face setbacks

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Eric Roston @eroston.bsky.social · Jul 11

🌊The tragic stories coming out of Texas suggest we all need to be aware of extreme weather risks—and have systems in place to save lives if the worst comes

Part of that calculation is flood insurance. In Kerr County, where at least 90 people died, only 2% had it
🎁🔗 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Few Texas Homeowners Hit by Extreme Rains Have Flood Insurance

The lack of coverage is becoming more problematic as climate change intensifies storms.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Laura Millan @lauramillan.bsky.social · Jul 10

Montse Aguilar was a healthy 51-year-old woman when she started her shift cleaning streets in Barcelona at around 2:30 p.m. on June 28. Some time before 11 p.m., Aguilar dropped dead in her apartment.

Free read via @bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Climate Change Worsens Deadly Extreme Heat in Spain, France, Italy, Greece

Spain and Greece have for years restricted outdoor work on very hot days, while Italy and France have started this summer.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Jul 9

The Central Texas areas pummeled by recent storms have long earned the reputation as the “Flash Flood Alley.” Yet only a fraction of homeowners there have flood #insurance. Here's why. My latest for @bloomberg.com w @eroston.bsky.social and Kyle Stock #Texasflood www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Few Texas Homeowners Hit by Extreme Rains Have Flood Insurance

The lack of coverage is becoming more problematic as climate change intensifies storms.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Jun 24

As New York City and many other parts of the US are battling their first #heatwave of 2025, utilities have warned that extreme heat can lead to power outages. Here's what individuals can do to help prevent #blackouts 🎁🔗 via @bloomberg.com w @naurtorious.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

How You Can Help Prevent Blackouts During a Heat Wave

Utilities have warned extreme heat can lead to power outages, but individuals can make small changes to ease stress on the grid.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · Jun 18

Most people would keep phones and other electronics away from liquid, but some data centers are starting to operate their servers inside liquid baths for better cooling. My latest for @bloomberg.com 🎁 link valid for 7 days www.bloomberg.com/news/feature... #datacenters #energy #climatetech

Submerging Servers in Liquid Helps Data Centers Cut Energy Use

Immersion cooling is gaining traction, but the nascent industry still has major hurdles to overcome.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Todd Woody @toddwoody.bsky.social · Jun 3

New: Technology to cut carbon emissions from giant ships that transport 80% of the world's trade in goods tends to be complex and costly. But the pandemic led the Los Angeles ports to create a low-cost queuing system with a big impact on emissions. Free link.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

This Low-Tech Solution Cut Ship Emissions by Up to 24%

A digital OpenTable-style reservation system helped Los Angeles ports reduce vessel congestion and pollution.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Zahra Hirji @zhirji.bsky.social · May 29

Trump stopped mentioning the hazard mitigation grant program in major disaster declarations, so I started looking into what was happening. Here's what I found by asking each state asking about the status of their recent hazard mitigation requests. Full story here: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · May 27

Hail damage to solar panels is uncommon, but it does happen. As the US braces for its peak hailstorm season, here's what homeowners can do to protect their rooftop solar panels from hail risks. My latest for @bloomberg.com 🎁🔗 #rooftopsolar #hail #climateadaptation www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

How to Protect Your Rooftop Solar Panels From Hail Damage

Hail damage to solar panels is uncommon, but it does happen. Here’s what homeowners need to know.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · May 21

Swiss carbon capture firm Climeworks is laying off 106 people. In an interview with @bloomberg.com, co-CEO Jan Wurzbacher explains what is happening inside one of the world's most important climate tech startups. Read full story by @akshatrathi.bsky.social and me👇🎁🔗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Climeworks Is Cutting 22% of Staff as US Climate Backlash Hits Carbon Removal

Climeworks AG is laying off 106 people, as startups that aim to reverse global warming face a reckoning with the US government slashing climate incentives and programs.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · May 12

What's for dinner in a warmer world? My Q&A for @bloomberg.com with Kate Masury of Eating With the Ecosystem on how to create a new food culture and why utilizing "climate winners" in seafood supplies is good for people and the planet 🎁🔗 #climateadaptation #seafood www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Why Seafood Restaurant Menus Need to Change

A New England environmentalist is working to create a “climate winners” consumer market for new fish and crab species migrating into local waters due to climate change.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Todd Woody @toddwoody.bsky.social · May 1

New: At stake in Trump's push to strip-mine untouched biodiverse deep-sea ecosystems in international waters is the future of a UN treaty that has kept commercial peace on the world’s oceans for more than 30 years. Here's what you need to know. Free link.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Trump’s Push For Deep-Sea Metals Clashes With UN Ocean Treaty

In addition to Canada and Greenland, the US president is targeting the international seabed as a source for minerals needed for green technology. Here’s what to know.

www.bloomberg.com

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Coco Liu @cocojournalist.bsky.social · May 1

As political winds shift in the US and big corporations pull back on their climate ambition, investors, too, are giving the cold shoulder to a nascent technology that will be vital to tackling climate change. Read on for free via @bloomberg.com www.bloomberg.com/news/article... #DAC #climatetech

Why Investors Are Souring on This Once Red-Hot Climate Tech

Venture funding in US-based direct air capture startups dropped by more than 60% in the first quarter.

www.bloomberg.com

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Reposted by Coco Liu

Bloomberg News @bloomberg.com · Apr 29

Attention documentary filmmakers! We want to see your view of our climate future. Submit your short film to the Bloomberg Green Docs competition by May 23, 2025.

Grand prize: $25,000

Official rules: bloom.bg/4jYTZQH

Please share!

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