The article argues that climate solutions must pass rigorous scrutiny beyond technical feasibility, examining whether technologies like carbon capture and synthetic fuels actually matter at scale. It critiques transition analysis for overestimating unproven technologies that receive policy support and capital.
Colombia's presidential election runoff will determine environmental policy direction, with fossil fuel phaseout commitments and Amazon protection hanging in the balance. Right-wing candidate de la Espriella leads left-wing Cepeda ahead of final voting.
The Trump Administration is investing in coal plants, including Tennessee's Cumberland Fossil Plant, which had faced closure due to repeated pollution violations and health concerns. The plant was previously part of a multibillion-dollar settlement after the TVA failed to install required pollution controls.
Inside Climate News · Jun 18, 2026 · relevance 8/10
Colombia enacted a landmark law requiring cattle to be traced to their origins to combat deforestation linked to ranching in the Amazon. Environmental groups view this as a potential model for reducing livestock-driven tree loss across the wider Amazon region.
Inside Climate News · Jun 18, 2026 · relevance 8/10
Satellite data confirms that the 2026 El Niño event is strengthening as of early June. This climate pattern has significant implications for global weather and ocean conditions.
NASA Earth Observatory · Jun 18, 2026 · relevance 8/10
Over 13,000 seal pups died on remote Heard Island after H5N1 bird flu spread among seals, penguins, and petrels. Testing confirmed the deadly virus outbreak on the subantarctic Australian territory in October 2025 and January 2026.
Ayetoro, a Christian settlement in Nigeria founded in the 1940s, is disappearing due to rising sea levels and coastal erosion, with over half already lost to the Atlantic Ocean. Residents like a retired midwife have lost their livelihoods and face limited options for relocation.
Argentina has approved 232 of 235 battery storage bids totaling 8.3 GW in its AlmaSADI tender, exceeding the 700 MW target by nearly 12 times. The overwhelming response demonstrates strong investor interest in energy storage solutions.
Researchers from IPVF and TU Delft achieved 31% efficiency on perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells using nanotextured silicon and ambient-air coating methods. This breakthrough represents a significant advancement in next-generation solar cell technology.
Chinese researchers developed a three-step recycling process for solar modules that recovers high-purity silicon and metals while reducing carbon emissions by 80%. The process generates positive economic returns and enables reagent reuse.
French Polynesia expanded ocean protections to cover 30% of its waters, banning extractive industries like seabed mining and industrial fishing. The government's move strengthens marine conservation in the French overseas territory.
Federal regulators ordered grid operators to revise rules to manage surging energy demands from data centers and cryptomines straining power supplies. The action aims to prevent residential ratepayers from bearing costs of corporate energy consumption.
Inside Climate News · Jun 18, 2026 · relevance 8/10
Industrial overfishing has devastated Senegal's near-shore fisheries, forcing traditional artisanal fishermen to travel farther for catches. New technology using ship tracking lights aims to combat illegal fishing and protect marine resources.
Inside Climate News · Jun 18, 2026 · relevance 8/10
China's provincial governments have published their 15th five-year plans, which outline economic and social development priorities. The plans include provisions related to climate action and energy policy across the country's regions.
The Trump administration reversed plans to dismantle a $368 million deep-sea ocean monitoring system after opposition from lawmakers and scientists. The National Science Foundation announced it will continue operations of the Ocean Observatories Initiative.
A UK Department for Transport report warns that Heathrow's third runway expansion could significantly harm the health and wellbeing of up to 3 million nearby residents. The analysis also identifies major adverse effects on housing access, education, healthcare, open spaces, and transport.
Two South African rhino horn traffickers have been sentenced in what police called the world's largest such trafficking case after a nearly 16-year legal process. The case involved over 1,700 charges including illegal hunting, dehorning, racketeering, and money laundering.
A study reveals the wealthiest 10% of the global population generates $5.7 trillion in annual environmental damage through consumption. This mega-consumer group is predominantly located in developed nations like the US and EU countries.
California's utility-scale solar plants are generating more electricity than natural gas for most days in 2026, according to EIA data. This marks a significant shift in the state's power generation toward renewable energy sources.
Honda and QuantumScape announced a partnership to commercialize solid-state batteries for electric vehicles. The technology is positioned as potentially transformative for EV performance and range.
Solar energy with storage is now more cost-competitive than gas power in Asia. Electric vehicles could save the region $350 billion annually through reduced energy costs.
FERC announced it will no longer conduct cumulative impact analyses during environmental reviews of energy projects. The change was revealed in an order approving the Eastern Gas Transmission and Storage Project.
UN plastic treaty chair Julio Cordano emphasizes that solving global plastic pollution requires consensus rather than dictated solutions. Cordano was elected to lead the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee after previous negotiation failures.
APRIL, a major pulp and paper company, suspended its sustainability policy and added deforestation-linked suppliers. The policy changes represent a significant rollback of environmental commitments in Indonesia.
Fifteen countries adopted the Mombasa Declaration to combat illegal fishing through enhanced data sharing and fisheries transparency. The commitment was made at the Our Ocean Conference in Kenya to strengthen efforts against unreported and unregulated fishing.