Global surge in plastic production threatens climate

Global plastic production is growing at a pace that far exceeds the world’s capacity to manage or recycle it. While some plastic products are essential, much of it—particularly single-use items—contributes heavily to pollution and long-term environmental harm. Around 99% of plastics are derived from fossil fuels, making the sector a crucial lifeline for oil and …

Global energy demand outpaces renewables

The 2025 Statistical Review of World Energy underscores a sobering reality: while renewable energy is expanding rapidly, it is still insufficient to displace fossil fuels and meet surging global energy demand. Solar and wind power saw record growth in 2024, especially in non-OECD nations like China and India, but these gains were overshadowed by the …

Motuo hydropower project reshapes Asia’s future

China’s ambitious infrastructure agenda has entered a bold new era with the launch of the Motuo hydropower project, a colossal undertaking poised to become the world’s largest source of hydroelectric power. Spanning five cascade stations along the lower Yarlung Zangbo River near the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau, the project will generate an estimated …

Natural hydrogen powers the future of clean energy

For billions of years, the Earth’s ancient continental rocks have naturally generated hydrogen through deep geological processes. These processes—such as chemical reactions between iron-rich minerals and groundwater, and water radiolysis caused by natural radioactivity—release natural hydrogen, some of which accumulates in underground traps and reservoirs. This overlooked resource holds the potential to supply the global …

Europe’s risky reliance on rare earth elements

Deep underground in Frankfurt, Germany, investment manager Louis O’Connor safeguards a strategic cache of rare earth elements, stored in a World War II-era vault with armed security. O’Connor’s firm, Strategic Metals Invest, allows European investors to buy into these critical resources—used in electronics, renewable energy, and defense systems—as a hedge against growing global instability. The …

Renewable energy transition hits global tipping point

According to two newly released United Nations reports, the renewable energy transition has passed a “positive tipping point,” signaling a transformative shift in the global energy landscape. In 2024, the world saw a record-breaking addition of 582 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity—nearly a 20% increase from 2023—marking the largest annual expansion since tracking began. The …

Europe faces rising heat-driven GDP loss

Rising heat is already taking a toll on Europe’s economy, with scientists warning that economic consequences will intensify in the coming decades. Europe experienced its hottest year on record last year, and temperatures have risen twice as fast as the global average since the 1980s. As heatwaves become more frequent and severe, studies confirm growing …

Seabound’s carbon capture for cleaner shipping

Seabound is a climate tech startup aiming to decarbonize the shipping industry with a compact, retrofittable carbon capture unit that traps up to 78% of CO₂ emissions from cargo ships. The maritime industry, responsible for about 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions—more than aviation—faces significant challenges in cutting emissions due to the massive size and …

Europe’s rising costs from climate disasters

A recent report from the European Environment Agency (EEA) highlights the growing financial toll of extreme weather and climate-related events across Europe, particularly in the 21st century. Since 1980, the continent has suffered over €790 billion in economic losses due to natural hazards like heatwaves and floods. Germany ranks highest, with losses reaching €180 billion, …

Rise of global trade blocs reshapes economy

The world is experiencing a retreat from globalization, marked by the rise of protectionism and economic nationalism. President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade policies have intensified this shift, reinforcing a broader trend already underway. One of the most significant consequences of this retreat is the emergence of global trade blocs—economic zones with reduced cooperation and increased …