Scientists warn that a developing El Niño will likely amplify heatwaves, droughts, and floods this year. However, El Niño is not the primary driver of climate extremes, with long-term factors playing a larger role.
Inside Climate News · May 17, 2026 · relevance 8/10
The global energy balance is shifting from Western oil-dependent economies to China's dominance in renewable energy transition. The US faces declining influence as China leads the electrostate revolution.
North American bee swarm season has started 17 days earlier than last year due to record warm winter temperatures. Beekeepers are adapting to the shift while raising concerns about honeybee responses to climate change.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is projected to become the most polluting World Cup ever, with greenhouse gas emissions nearly double historical averages. The tournament faces criticism for failing environmental commitments, including excessive air travel emissions and climate-related health risks.
Ethiopia banned conventional car imports two years ago, successfully driving an EV revolution across the African continent. The policy has exceeded expectations and demonstrates viable pathways for rapid electrification.
A global campaign is underway attacking wind energy, with critics calling it a threat to energy security. The article defends wind power as a legitimate renewable energy source.
The National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder has spent decades assessing climate risks and responses. A former NASA chief scientist discusses what would be lost if the federally funded institution is eliminated.
Inside Climate News · May 16, 2026 · relevance 8/10
Hydrostor is developing the Quinte Energy Storage Centre in Ontario, with a first 4 GWh phase expected operational in the early 2030s. The project aims to expand to 8-16 GWh in subsequent phases using advanced compressed air energy storage technology.
Italian researchers developed a palladium-silicon catalyst for recycling silicon from end-of-life solar panels. The system matches commercial catalyst performance and maintains stability over multiple recycling cycles.
Spain and Denmark plan a European green hydrogen corridor combining solar and offshore wind to produce renewable hydrogen at €2/kg. The project leverages complementary renewable resources to enable cost-competitive hydrogen production and exports.
Utility-scale solar power is projected to surpass coal-fired generation in Texas's ERCOT grid this year. Massive capacity additions continue to reshape the state's energy mix away from fossil fuels.
The US is implementing a new water allocation plan for the Colorado River that will significantly reduce water availability for California, Arizona, and Nevada. The three states face critical shortages as the plan takes effect.
Illegal wildlife trade in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region has more than doubled since 2019, threatening mountain ecosystems and 1.8 billion dependent people. Trafficking of carnivores, elephants, and pangolins poses significant conservation risks to the fragile region.
Environmental groups Sierra Club and Earthjustice challenged the Department of Energy's claimed energy emergency to extend coal plant operations in federal court. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on whether the DOE illegally invoked Section 202(c) of the Federal Power Act.
The EPA has proposed rolling back protections that prevent coal plants from dumping toxic wastewater containing arsenic, mercury, selenium, and lead into U.S. waterways. Iowa's waterways are at particular risk from coal ash discharge at plants including those in Sioux City.
Canada's federal government has centralized electricity in its national economic strategy through Mark Carney's newly announced National Electricity Strategy. The initiative positions electricity as central to climate, industrial, affordability, and trade objectives.
Brazil deployed 4.4 GW of solar capacity in Q1 2026, split between utility-scale and distributed generation. Strong expansion is expected to continue at current deployment rates.
European and African leaders announced $31.5 billion in clean energy investments across 30 African projects at the Nairobi summit. The 40 participating companies aim to generate $116.5 billion in combined value through renewable energy and infrastructure development.
A Persian leopard was filmed crossing a heavily fortified border fence in Georgia, providing evidence that the endangered species persists across international boundaries despite threats from hunting and landmines.
At least 18,000 animal species face extinction threats globally, though conservation efforts have successfully rebounded populations of wolves, whales, lizards and parrots. Many species continue struggling as habitat loss and other pressures mount.
European bottom trawling generates €180 million annual profits but costs society up to 90 times that amount in climate impacts. A new study reveals the massive hidden environmental and economic costs of the destructive fishing practice.
German researchers achieved a record 31.3% solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency using micro-concentrator photovoltaics coupled with proton exchange membrane electrolysis. The breakthrough was demonstrated through outdoor testing of a four-junction system under real operating conditions.
Inox Clean acquires 3 GW of U.S. solar manufacturing capacity from Boviet Solar for $750 million. The purchase supports domestic renewable energy production under the Make in America initiative.
A machine learning model predicts solar power fluctuations using cloud data, showing strong performance across 15 global sites. The technology could improve grid stability by forecasting rapid changes in surface solar irradiance.
Research shows offshore floating solar could theoretically meet Italy's annual electricity demand using just 2% of technically feasible offshore areas. A geospatial assessment model identified optimal deployment locations for this renewable energy technology.