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Albert Einstein won his sole Nobel Prize for his 1905 paper explaining the photoelectric effect, thus making quantum theory real. The effect had been known since 1839, but was entirely mysterious back then. It took quite a while for Einstein’s science to turn into technology in light meters (1932), cameras (1969), digital telescopes (1969), and solar cells (patented in 1946, demonstrated in 1954), but more than a century later, here we are at the third terawatt of solar power. Now, we need at least 11 TW of renewable power to catch up with current demand, and we will need more as we wipe out poverty and oppression, and pass Net Zero on our way to going sufficiently Carbon Negative to start cooling the planet. And we still won’t be done at that point. It appears that we can reach 8 TW by 2030, and catch up with ourselves a few years after that. I’m 80 years old this year, so I have a decent actuarial chance of still being with you then. Perhaps we will find someone to take over this work, too.
It took nearly 7 decades, after invention of the silicon solar cell in 1954, for the world to install 1 terawatt of solar capacity, enough to power entire USAAfter passing that milestone in 2022, world added its second terawatt in 2024 and its third in 2026e360.yale.edu/digest/three…
The First Green Terawatt Was the Hardest
March 12, 2019
This story is about wind and solar combined. Today’s story is about 3 TW of solar ALONE.
The MSM won’t tell you, but last year the world reached one terawatt of renewable energy capacity. I only just now found out while searching for something else. I checked, and it hasn’t been in any Daily Kos Diary either.
We need something like 16 TW worldwide. More for EVs and economic growth in the poorest countries, less with improved efficiency and conservation, and so on.
As the hook to 3 Ways to Invest in a Renewable Energy Future (out of date on details), The Motley Fool investment site stated:
According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), global capacity for solar and wind power generation has exceeded 1 terawatt. And it won’t be long before we celebrate the next terawatt. BNEF estimates that the second terawatt of generating capacity will be installed in 2023 at a cost 46% lower than the first.
Date in 2027 not yet set
The initiative grew from frustration with the annual United Nations climate summits or Cops, where all agreements must be unanimous, and the main fossil fuel producing and fossil fuel dependent countries repeatedly block progress.
Ireland has been announced as co-host for next year’s sequel to the world’s first Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels.
Announcement comes as 60 countries agree landmark move to phase out oil, gas and coal.
The 2026 climate event guide
Our ongoing list of this year’s global environmental conferences, summits and more
Far too many to list here, but these are of critical importance.
When: 9–20 November 2026
Where: Antalya, Turkey
The largest climate event of 2026 will be hosted by Turkey in the resort city of Antalya, with Australia leading the negotiations as part of an agreement between the two countries. There will also be a ‘pre-COP’ held in a Pacific island country, though the dates and host country have yet to be confirmed.
COP31 will build on the deal agreed at COP30 in 2025, which included a tripling of adaptation finance and a just transition mechanism, as well as “roadmaps” to transition away from fossil fuels and to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030.
When: 17–28 August 2026
Where: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
The UNCCD COP17 will bring together the 197 Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to accelerate action against desertification, land degradation and drought.
As one of the most affected countries by desertification, with nearly 77 percent of its land degraded, Mongolia will leverage COP17 to drive solutions for land restoration, sustainable land management and resilience-building across the world.
I'm attending a @theactionnetwork.bsky.social event: Data Centers & the Elections. RSVP here: actionnetwork.org/events/data-…
For the first time, solar power was Portugal’s main source of electricity in July.
South Africa’s Constitutional Court has permanently halted Shell and Impact Africa’s controversial oil and gas exploration off the pristine Wild Coast. HUGE!
A new study shows that across the globe, solar energy is projected to supply about 61% of the world’s electricity by 2050. Also, the world just passed a huge solar milestone: three trillion watts of power.
New Mexico’s clean-energy transition is emerging as a success story in a state long associated with fossil-fuel production. In just five years, solar, wind, and batteries overtook fossil fuels. And electricity prices remained cheaper than average.
Roosevelt Institute Roosevelt Institute: Building Up in 2029: How to Make Green Statecraft Durable
How can the United States build climate policy that lasts? Across 17 essays, 19 scholars and practitioners offer a 2029 agenda for durable green statecraft—from governing and planning to financing and producing the next phase of the energy transition.
Rewilding/rewetting is one of our best tools to combat climate change #ClimateChange #PeatlandRestorationwww.theguardian.com/environment/…
Increased rainfall and storms to hit UK due to biggest El Niño for a century, says Met Officehttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/21/increased-rainfall-and-storms-to-hit-uk-due-to-biggest-el-nino-for-a-century-say-met-office‘Unprecedented’ weather pattern over Pacific Ocean to be […]
Climate change threatens the future of cocoa.A study of 282 Ghanaian cocoa farmers found declining yields, rising pest and disease pressure, and tree losses linked to climate change.🌱 The findings highlight the need for climate-resilient agriculture.#ClimateChange #Agriculture #FoodSecurity
“Climate Change Fuels Expansion of Disease-Carrying Insects” — Devdiscourse#EnvironmentalNews #ClimateChange #Climate
#ElNino is not a new phenomenon, but the amplification by #ClimateChange and #GlobalWarming seems to be appearing.And the impact on the Panama Canal, reducing the number of ships it can handle, will only add to the cost of shipping, and so #Inflation.This economic impact brought to US […]
🔴 Top storyAlberta records first August day without wildfires in forty yearsAlberta recorded its first day in forty years without any active wildfires during the month of August.📰 Edmonton Journal#ClimateChange #cdnpoli
New ‘living seawall’ habitat in Boston is already teeming with life.The nonprofit Boston Harbor Now added concrete panels to seawalls that mimic rocky tidal habitats. #ClimateChange #GlobalWarmingyaleclimateconnections.org/2026/08/new-…
Otter spotted for first time in 100 years in New York City’s Bronx River.Image captured in early June shows animal foraging in the waterway in first since early 1900s, signaling its recovery. #ClimateChange #GlobalWarmingwww.theguardian.com/us-news/2026…
Dutch Pension Fund Pulls Nearly Half a Billion Euros From Climate ‘Megapolluter’ BlackRock.“This is a massive win for Dutch pensioners—not to mention all living creatures on Earth.” #ClimateChange #GlobalWarmingwww.commondreams.org/news/blackro…
insideevs.com/news/805634/…
Oh, yes? Did the survey ask about heat pumps?
Germany hits 128 GW Peak of Solar Energy 6 Months Early, 20% of Gridhttps://www.byteseu.com/2302527/By Edgar Meza | – ( Clean Energy Wire ) – Germany has reached a major milestone in the expansion of solar energy, with nationwide installed photovoltaic (PV) capacity surpassing the …
The former teacher estimates he is saving more than A$5,000 a year after installing a 10.5-kilowatt rooftop solar system and a 13.5 kilowatt-hour battery at his suburban home. The solar panels and battery easily meet most of the electricity needs for his home and electric vehicle (EV).
“In addition to manufacturing solar modules, Translucent has also developed a transportable, containerized microgrid portfolio under the brand name TAU. The solar modules come assembled onto a platform that unfolds…”
Ohio Supreme Court allows certification of out-of-state wind farms ohiocapitaljournal.com/2026/08/21/o…
How this works for those interested:24 kWh battery (zero interest loan from NSW Gov)Electric car (federal tax incentives for EV leasing)Heat pump water heater (NSW Gov program)Globird Four4Free plan – free power from 11AM-3PMBattery and car charge during the day, carries us through all night.
⚡ Red States Are Killin' It With Their Solar Factories📰 via cleantechnica#PowerGrid #Energy
PJM Weighs New Surplus Interconnection Path to Bring Batteries and Generation Online Faster->Microgrid Media | More on "Grid interconnection for renewable energy" at BigEarthData.ai | #Batteries #RenewableEnergy
World’s largest cattle station installs microgrid as primary power source" at http://www.pv-magazine.com/2026/08/07/w…
New York City is building high-rises and skyscrapers that heat and cool themselves with geothermal energy and heat pumps–NO FOSSIL FUELS NEEDED!#cleanenergy
An accidental breakthrough in Iceland revealed how to tap into magma itself, potentially unlocking geothermal energy at scales previously thought impossible (@spacedaily.com)Main Link | Discussion
An accidental breakthrough in Iceland reveals how to tap into magma itself, potentially unlocking geothermal energy at scales previously thought impossible.
Imagine how quickly we could totally electrify Australia with renewables, batteries and electrical appliances (including retrofits) if we weren’t paying half a trillion dollars for the dumb, dud AUKUS deal?!And liberate ourselves from the tyranny of fossil fuels forever.
The online sales platform, CATL Mall, claims to offer extensive cell warranties and guarantees, even for small B2B buyers.
Did you know?Wind is moving forward again as part of America’s clean-energy future.Every property deserves the most cost-effective path.Upload your current utility bill→https://sunshineisfree.money/v🎁 $100 Voucher After Proposal Review#SunshineIsFree #WindPower #CleanEnergy
🌋 Underwater Volcanoes Are Geothermal Energy’s Next Frontier📰 via oilprice#Geothermal #Energy
#mwgic #2026 #Power #Storage #Energy #Thermal #Photovoltaic #BESS #Battery #Heatwww.autonocion.com/us/graphite-…
Nanolope Raises €800K to Turn Buildings Into Thermal Batteries techlensmedia.com/news/nanolop…#ClimateTech #EnergyStorage #PropTech #BuildingTech #TechLensMedia
youtube.com/watch?v=3Z0H…
Temporary excise tax cuts undermine the greening of Ireland’s transport
The War in Iran has as Trump stated entred into the Economic D-Day phrase Buffalo Niagara airport has run out of fuel
Republicans are pushing to cut health care funding to pay for a $200 billion war. They already cut $1 trillion from Medicaid and SNAP. This will only get worse as the Iran war drags onAdd your name in 30 seconds. Tell Congress: Fund health care, not war!www.facebook.com/share/r/1C7C…
• Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), warned that Iran would consider any country supporting the new US economic measures an 'act of war.' He also threatened to shut down all oil exports from the Gulf if the 'economic war continues.'
#Abraham Lincoln #ICE #immigration #Iran #Lincoln #war #water🌐 http://www.newsmart.ch
Byron Donalds says Trump ‘did not break that promise’ to keep prices down amid Iran warRep. Donalds (R-Fla.) joins Meet the Press NOW to discuss his recent win in the GOP gubernatorial primary and weighs in on Trump’s impact on the economy.NBC News: apple.news/AaDGIPADCQ-G…😡MAGA DELUSIONIST
Singapore inflation hits highest in nearly two years, but undershoots expectations
Singapore inflation missed estimates even as it accelerated to a near two-year high in July, as higher energy prices due to the Iran war lifted electricity prices.
The city-state reported that consumer prices rose 2.2% last month, year on year, compared with the 2.3% expected by economists polled by Reuters, and the 1.9% rise seen in June. Consumer price index fell 0.2% on a month-on-month basis.
The new measures will add to an extensive sanctions regime already targeting Iran’s banking, energy, aviation and cryptocurrency sectors. The Trump administration has claimed that Iran’s economy is in freefall, with runaway inflation and a collapsing currency.
Bessent also warned that “any nation that serves as a financial artery of a withering regime should expect to share in its isolation” — language aimed squarely at foreign governments still transacting with Tehran. He has previously warned of further secondary sanctions on nations and entities that conduct business with Iran.
Iran has responded by warning Gulf neighbors against joining U.S. economic measures and tightening its grip on the chokepoint, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil passed before the war.
On Saturday, Mohsen Rezaei, a longtime military commander who became the new secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council earlier this month, vowed to target the interests of oil-rich neighbors if they joined U.S. efforts to further isolate Iran.
#stayinformedcc Prepare now: We are witnessing abrupt climate change #climatechange #ClimateCrisis #ClimateReport #ClimateAction #climateemergency #heatwaves #wildfires #drought #floods #Hurricane #TropicalStorm #globalwarming http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/202…
This is an important message from Sadiq Khan, we all need to accept our future will include increasingly hot summers due to #climatechange. #ClimateAction is needed now to cope with this new reality.
It seems that almost every time it rains lately, this happens. By the way, the DOGE cuts to the weather service do not make this easier: http://www.yahoo.com/news/weather… #Rain #NewYorkCityRain #ClimateChange #DOGE #WeatherService
Filipino Cacao Growers Learn to Live With a Hotter Climate.Cacao growers in the Philippines are developing new techniques to protect their crops from increasingly harsh conditions. #ClimateChange #GlobalWarminge360.yale.edu/features/202…
Extreme Temperatures Around the World@extremetemps.bsky.socialRECORD HEAT IN THE BALKANSBoth Western and Eastern Europe are again with record heat !Today it was scorching hot also in The Balkans,locally >40C.In Particular, the BOSNIA town of Gradacac […] [Original post on mstdn.social]
Heatwave in France: 2026 sets record for rockfalls in the Alps.The summer of 2026 saw an unprecedented wave of landslides in the French Alps, especially around Mont Blanc, driven by extreme heat and thawing permafrost. #ClimateChange #GlobalWarmingwww.euronews.com/2026/08/20/h…
substack.com/@contrarian/…
Do this for CA @governor.ca.gov just like @joshshapiropa.bsky.social did for PA.“Effective immediately, PA is requiring AI data centers to commit to strict environmental & transparency requirements AND receive approval from the local community if they want to have their permits reviewed". EO#2026-05
Today's read: Starcloud Raises $250 Million to Expand Orbital Computing and Data Centers 📣🔗 Read the full story at ift.tt/1BarcNyNever miss a beat in telecoms. Catch the latest news on @TheFastMode 🚀 #tech #technews #telecoms
youtube.com/shorts/BkK1P…
'Have Your Friend Elon Build One at Mar-a-Lago,' Says Sanders After Trump Comments on Data Centers http://www.commondreams.org/news/data-ce…
What’s True
The Nevada-based power supplier for California’s Lake Tahoe region, NV Energy, has said it can no longer supply Liberty Utilities, the electric utility that serves communities in the area, because of strains from data centers in Nevada.
What’s False
Liberty Utilities does not plan on stopping service for customers. As of this writing, the two companies have agreed that NV Energy will continue to supply Liberty Utilities until the latter company finds a new energy supplier.
The Data Center Backlash Bursts Into the Midterms http://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/23/u…
📰 Toronto StarAI data centres consume vast amounts of electricity and water, potentially worsening the climate crisis.#ClimateChange #cdnpoli
Rosatom is building 28 reactors abroad and negotiating 50 more #Rosatom #NuclearEnergy #EnergyInfrastructure #ReactorTechnology #InternationalTrade
by KFF
For decades, the White Mesa Mill has sparked debate over whether radioactive contamination threatens human health by getting into the water and the air. Concerns run especially deep in the White Mesa Ute Community.
Hitachi Stock and Other Nuclear Energy Picks Tied to Germany’s Power Demandhttps://www.byteseu.com/2301952/Germany’s role as a growth engine for Eurozone manufacturing puts reliable, large scale power squarely in the spotlight, and that is where nuclear energy stocks come into focus. Stronger …
Pangasinan green group opposes Marcos Jr.’s pro-nuclear stanceWill nuclear energy production help in energy security?The post Pangasinan green group opposes Marcos Jr.’s pro-nuclear stance appeared first on Bulatlat […]
#BO-O-O-O-OGUS!!!#NoNewNukesOverpriced nuclear power taking far too long to build contributes less than nothing to the clean power transition.Uranium mining kills miners, and the reactors leave toxic waste behind.
India’s 100 GW Nuclear Push via Homegrown Reactorshttps://www.byteseu.com/2301641/The Current Gap Is Big Nuclear power supplies about 3% of India‘s electricity, a small piece of the energy mix right now. The country has 8.8 gigawatts of nuclear capacity installed, which is just a sliver of …
⚠️ KANSAS, PAY ATTENTION: Parsons could become a major U.S. AI and energy hub. Data centers, advanced manufacturing and even an underground nuclear reactor are being explored. This could mean jobs and investment—but also major energy, water and infrastructure decisions. 🌻⚡🤖
#BO-O-O-O-OGUS!!!.#NoNewNukesWind and Solar and High Voltage DC power lines are China's keys for transitioning to a fully renewable grid.Nukes kill uranium miners, cost too much, take much too long to build, and leave toxic waste behind.
#BO-O-O-O-OGUS!!!#NoNewNukesApollo Atomics promises its first demonstrator SMR for 2027. I don't believe a word of it.www.nrc.gov/reactors/new…"The U.S. NRC is currently engaged in pre-application activities with Apollo Atomics regarding a construction permit application."
Home battery installations are growing despite the Trump administration’s eliminating the tax credits for them.
📰 Globe and MailEnergy analysts doubt Donald Trump's plan to revive the Keystone XL pipeline because shifting oil markets and new transport options have made the project obsolete.#ClimateChange #cdnpoli
How Florida quietly removed climate change content from textbooks.Publishers bent to state requests watering down information on climate change’s impact. Now the state has turned to updating its science standards. #ClimateChange #GlobalWarminggrist.org/politics/how…
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez asks former Exxon scientists about oil giant’s climate change denial
Climate change denial comes in many forms.As we cross the global warming level of 1.5°C with record high global CO₂ emissions, it's not physically possible to limt global warming at this level.Some seem to think that 'physically' means 'in fairyland'.
Call to action 8/31 Tell the NRC NO! They are loosening radiation exposure levels for workers and the public. We may disagree on nuclear, but we are all equally affected by radiation exposures. Because of our shared humanity we must take this seriously. http://www.protectbetter.org/nrc-comments #nuclear
#BO-O-O-O-OGUS!!!.#NoNewNukesWind and Solar and High Voltage DC power lines are China's keys for transitioning to a fully renewable grid.Nukes kill uranium miners, cost too much, take much too long to build, and leave toxic waste behind.
• Also trackedCanadian government repeals electric vehicle sales mandateThe federal government is formally repealing the electric vehicle sales mandate that targeted full electrification of new vehicles by 2035.📰 Toronto Star#ClimateChange #cdnpoli
What Trump said are the well-worn and often rebutted lies of the fossil fuel lobby, whose lies are the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world.If you hear such climate science denial tropes, the answers to all of those can be found at skepticalscience.com
Alberta moves to stop data centres from using renewable energy
Alberta’s grid operator is proposing rules that effectively block large new data centres from relying on solar or wind power.
By requiring facilities over 75 megawatts to source continuous, weather-independent baseload power, the policy makes standalone renewables economically unviable, pushing tech developers toward natural gas generation to support the province’s fossil fuel market.
The Alberta Electric System Operator classifies thermal gas generation as the only reliable option for constant power surges, dismissing wind, solar, and battery hybrids as inadequate.
Premier Danielle Smith promotes the data centre strategy as “digital refineries” designed to consume local natural gas reserves.
Just as though they were bought off by the oil and gas industry.
AI data centres are turning Alberta energy into something the whole world is lining up to buy. This site explains what they are, why they are being built here, and how Alberta’s rules protect the things that matter: your power bill, your water, your community and your wallet.
Alberta produces about 60 per cent of Canada’s natural gas. A data centre refines that gas, in stages, into the most valuable commodity of our time. Gas becomes electricity. Electricity becomes computing power. Computing power becomes intelligence: the answers, predictions and tools the world is buying.
Then the product ships through fibre optic cable, at the speed of light. A digital pipeline that crosses borders without a decade of regulatory battles, carries the finished product instead of the raw one, and never sells at a discount.
🎩 GoodNewsRoundup
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